Closed-Loop Aquaculture System for Stable Seafood Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multitrophic aquaculture systems are often open and dependent on environmental conditions, leading to inefficiencies and sensitivity to weather, pollution, and other environmental factors, which limits their stability and flexibility in deployment.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop multitrophic aquaculture system that cultures phytoplankton, zooplankton, and seafood in interconnected units, preventing free gas exchange with the environment, allowing for controlled transfer of nutrients and waste, and utilizing a controller for automated processes to maintain optimal growth conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If open multitrophic aquaculture systems are used, then deployment flexibility is improved, but stability and efficiency deteriorate due to environmental sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of creating a controlled, isolated environment by sealing the aquaculture system to prevent unwanted gas exchange with the external atmosphere. The system uses a sealed configuration with controlled air circulation and CO2 injection to maintain stable internal conditions independent of external environmental variations, thereby improving reliability while maintaining deployment flexibility through the system's self-contained nature.
2Productivity
If intensive aquaculture farming is implemented, then seafood production increases, but environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop nutrient cycling system where waste products from fish (ammonia, CO2) are converted into beneficial resources. CO2 from fish respiration is captured and injected into the phytoplankton culture chamber to stimulate algal growth. Fish waste serves as nutrient source for phytoplankton, which in turn provides food for fish, transforming harmful waste into productive resources and eliminating environmental pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple trophic levels (phytoplankton, fish) in a single sealed unit where each component serves multiple functions. The phytoplankton chamber acts as both a food production system and a CO2 sequestration mechanism. The fish provide both protein production and CO2 generation for algal growth. This multi-functionality maximizes productivity while minimizing environmental impact through internal resource cycling.
3Use of energy by moving object
If traditional aquaculture systems are used, then power consumption is reduced, but environmental sensitivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed system creates a controlled atmosphere that isolates the aquaculture process from external environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations, pollution, and weather conditions. This controlled environment maintains stable growth conditions for both phytoplankton and fish without requiring excessive energy input for environmental control, achieving low power consumption while eliminating environmental sensitivity.
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
The system operates more stably and efficiently, reducing environmental impact and power consumption, and can be deployed in various environments, including those unsuitable for traditional systems, with improved output and reduced sensitivity to local conditions.
Implementation Method 1
culturing phytoplankton in a medium, wherein said medium is irradiated with light
Implementation Method 2
steps (A) to (D) are carried out in a closed system, in which free gas exchange with the environment is prevented
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a process for the production of seafood in a closed-loop multitrophic aquaculture system comprising the steps of: (A) culturing phytoplankton in a medium, wherein said medium is irradiated with light; (B) transferring such cultured phytoplankton to a medium for culturing zooplankton; (C) transferring such cultured zooplankton to a medium for culturing seafood; and (D) transferring a part of the medium of step (C) as nutritient to the medium of step (A), thereby creating a closed loop, wherein steps (A) to (D) are carried out in a closed system, in which free gas exchange with the environment is prevented. The invention further provides an apparatus for carrying out this process.