Aquaculture System Algae Wheel Water Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aquaculture systems are unsustainable due to high energy consumption, labor intensity, and inability to compete with wild-caught or pond-raised seafood in terms of cost and market competitiveness, as they require large amounts of land, cannot be controlled for pollution, and lack efficiency in water treatment and feed production.
Innovation Solution
The ALGAEWHEEL system integrates algae and plankton production using light energy to reduce manmade feed requirements, creates a closed-loop environment for fish and shrimp farming, and uses natural polymers for water treatment, eliminating the need for ozone or UV disinfection and reducing energy consumption by integrating aeration and mixing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If intensive recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are used, then fish production density is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fish farming with algae cultivation in an integrated system where fish waste provides nutrients for algae growth, and algae in turn provide oxygen and food for fish. This merging of two separate systems eliminates the need for external feed inputs and reduces energy consumption associated with feed production and system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-sustaining where fish waste automatically fertilizes algae growth, algae produce oxygen that fish consume, and algae biomass serves as feed for fish. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external energy inputs for feed production, water treatment chemicals, and system maintenance.
2Area of stationary object
If extensive open pond systems are used, then land area requirement is reduced, but pollution control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs photobioreactors with thin film or membrane structures that contain the water and algae system in a controlled manner while maintaining high surface area to volume ratio. This flexible containment structure enables pollution control through controlled environment while minimizing land footprint compared to extensive pond systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical and chemical parameters of the cultivation environment by controlling light exposure, temperature, and nutrient composition within photobioreactors. These parameter changes enable precise control over algae growth and water quality, preventing pollution while maintaining high production density on small land area.
3Reliability
If conventional RAS systems are enclosed, then disease control is improved, but construction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the aquaculture system into modular photobioreactor units that can be independently constructed and assembled. Each module is a self-contained enclosed unit providing disease control, while the modular architecture reduces overall construction costs through standardized manufacturing and scalable deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of thin film or membrane materials for enclosing photobioreactors provides effective disease control through physical barriers while significantly reducing construction costs compared to traditional rigid enclosure materials. These flexible shells are easier and cheaper to manufacture and install.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system achieves cost-effective and sustainable aquaculture by increasing fish and shrimp densities, reducing land requirements, and providing a decentralized, energy-efficient method for water treatment and feed production, allowing for localized fish farming and improved fish health through natural slime coat development.
Implementation Method 1
The ALGAEWHEEL system uses light, powers a photosynthetic algae and plankton production eco-system
Implementation Method 2
Air bubbles from an air pump rotate the wheel and provide mixing and aeration
Implementation Method 3
uses natural polymers for water treatment
Data Source
AI summary
A recirculating aquaculture system is configured for growing aquatic animals. The system includes an inlet conduit, a tank, a water treatment unit, a clarifier, and an outlet conduit. The tank is in fluid communication with the inlet conduit to receive water displaced from the inlet conduit. The tank also contains water and aquatic animals. The water treatment unit is arranged within the tank and includes algae capable of removing aquatic animal waste from the water within the tank. The clarifier is in fluid communication with the tank to receive displaced water from the tank. The clarifier is also configured to remove solid waste from the displaced water. The outlet conduit is in fluid communication between the clarifier and the inlet conduit.