Fish Farming Basin with Tidal Water Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fish farming installations face challenges with disease transmission, particularly from salmon lice, due to the permeability of traditional net cages, and existing solutions either incur high energy costs or lack the advantages of both land-based and sea-based systems.
Innovation Solution
A closed fish farming installation with a separate basin and external water reservoir, featuring impermeable net cages and a double barrier system, where water is pumped efficiently using tidal differences and filtered to prevent pathogenic organisms, and waste water is treated and recycled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional net cages with permeable walls are used, then water flows freely and the structure is simple, but pathogenic organisms such as salmon lice can enter through the net and cause disease transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the farming net cage (A) is placed inside a basin (B) which itself is located within an external water reservoir (C). Multiple protective barriers are nested within each other: the net cage walls, the basin walls, and the natural water reservoir, creating layered protection against pathogenic organisms while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The basin (B) acts as an intermediary structure between the external water reservoir (C) and the farming net cage (A). It provides a controlled intermediate environment that filters and manages water flow, preventing direct contact between pathogens in the external reservoir and the fish in the net cage, thus reducing disease transmission risk
2Object-affected harmful factors
If closed installations with watertight walls are used, then pathogenic organisms are prevented from entering, but energy consumption increases due to pumping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The basin (B) is designed to maintain substantially the same water level as the external water reservoir (C), creating an equipotential condition. This eliminates the need for energy-consuming pumps to maintain water level differences, while still providing closed protection through the basin walls and net cage structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the natural water level equilibrium between the basin and external reservoir to enable passive water exchange. The closed protection is maintained through the physical barriers, while water circulation occurs naturally without requiring active pumping, thus reducing energy consumption
3Object-affected harmful factors
If land-based installations with tanks are used, then closed protection is achieved, but the advantage of simple and energy-efficient water pumping from sea is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both land-based and sea-based installations by combining the closed protection structure of land-based systems with the energy-efficient water level equilibrium of sea-based floating installations. The basin acts as a land-based closed structure that is positioned at sea level, allowing natural water exchange without pumping
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the basin at the same water level as the external sea reservoir, the system achieves equipotential conditions that eliminate the need for energy-consuming pumping operations, while still providing the closed protection benefits typically associated with land-based installations
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 setup provides a cost-effective and efficient method for maintaining water quality, reducing disease transmission, and allowing for larger fish production while minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the water level in the basin is set at a level between high tide and low tide for the water reservoir (C), providing the water reservoir (C) is the sea/ocean
Data Source
AI summary
An installation for the farming of fish is described and also a method to establish a water reservoir for the farming of the fish.