Data-Driven Recirculating Aquaculture Control With Anoxic and MBBR Reactors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) face challenges in efficiently managing waste nitrogen and solids while maintaining optimal water quality and species health, with clearwater RAS being equipment-intensive and biofloc systems prone to failure due to energy costs and sensitivity to disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A data-driven recirculating aquaculture system incorporating a first anoxic reactor and a moving bed biofilm reactor, controlled by a data-driven controller, which uses sensors and machine learning to maintain desired water parameters and biofloc levels, minimizing human supervision and optimizing waste removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clearwater RAS are used, then water quality control and reliability are improved, but device complexity and equipment intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the biofilter and solids removal functions into a single integrated reactor system. The biofilter media serves dual purposes: nitrifying bacteria are housed within the same structure that also performs solids filtration, eliminating the need for separate external biofilter and solids removal equipment while maintaining clearwater RAS reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactor system performs multiple functions simultaneously: nitrification, denitrification, solids filtration, and biofloc management. This multi-functional design reduces equipment intensity by consolidating what would traditionally require separate systems into a single integrated unit, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving water quality control.
2Device complexity
If biofloc systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to sensitivity to disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time monitoring of biofloc characteristics and system parameters with automated feedback control. Sensors monitor biofloc size, concentration, and water quality parameters, and the system automatically adjusts aeration, feeding, and recirculation rates to maintain optimal biofloc conditions, preventing disruptions and improving system reliability while preserving operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary treatment of waste products and maintains biofloc in an optimized state before they enter the main culture tank. By pre-conditioning the biofloc and treating waste products in advance, the system prevents disruptions to the main culture environment, thereby improving reliability without increasing device complexity.
3Loss of substance
If biofloc systems are used, then water consumption is reduced, but energy consumption increases due to continuous aeration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic aeration cycles rather than continuous aeration. The system alternates between aeration phases and anaerobic periods, allowing biofloc to settle and recycle during anaerobic phases while maintaining water quality during aeration phases. This periodic action reduces energy consumption while preserving the water conservation benefits of biofloc systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters including aeration rates, recirculation flows, and feeding rates based on real-time monitoring of biofloc characteristics and water quality. By optimizing these parameters to match actual system conditions, the system minimizes energy consumption while maintaining effective waste treatment and water conservation.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional RAS are used, then waste removal is achieved, but water quality optimization is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the RAS system that adapts to changing conditions in real-time. The system continuously monitors waste product concentrations, biofloc characteristics, and water quality parameters, then dynamically adjusts recirculation rates, aeration levels, and feeding schedules to optimize water quality while maintaining effective waste removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces conventional mechanical filtration and chemical treatment methods with biological processes. By using biofloc-mediated nitrification and denitrification, along with microbial food web dynamics, the system achieves more precise water quality optimization compared to traditional mechanical systems, while maintaining robust waste removal capabilities.
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 achieves efficient waste management, reduced water consumption, and improved growth rates of cultured species by dynamically adjusting to maintain optimal conditions, reducing feed and energy requirements while enhancing system robustness.
Implementation Method 1
the first reactor is a batch reactor that operates under anoxic conditions
Implementation Method 2
Waste nitrogen is generated in clearwater RAS as ammonia is oxidized to nitrite and oxidized again to nitrate
Implementation Method 3
at least one sensor in at least one of the main tank, the first reactor, and the second reactor configured to measure at least one of pH, oxygen reduction potential (ORP), dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, feed concentration, mass+protein content, oxygen uptake rate (OUR), ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, COD levels
Data Source
AI summary
A recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) is disclosed, which includes a main tank, in which fish or shellfish are farmed; a first reactor fluidically connected to the main tank, wherein the first reactor is a batch reactor that operates under anoxic conditions; a second reactor fluidically connected to the main tank, wherein the second reactor is a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR); a feed stream fluidically connected to the main tank; and a data-driven controller operably connected to the first reactor, the second reactor, and the feed stream, wherein the data-driven controller is configured to bring and maintain the system (RAS) at a desired state.