Fish Farming Tank Segmented Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fish farming tanks face challenges in maintaining uniform and laminar water circulation, leading to poor water quality and reduced productivity due to regions with still standing or stationary water, which can result in oxygen depletion and bacterial growth.
Innovation Solution
A fish farming tank design with an active flow control system featuring a wide water inlet and outlet arrangement that injects and removes water over more than 80% of the maximal depth, ensuring a uniform and laminar circulating flow throughout the tank, reducing turbulence and improving water quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional water inlet and outlet arrangements are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the water circulation uniformity deteriorates leading to regions with still standing water
Solution Approach 1:
The water inlet arrangement is segmented into multiple inlet openings distributed across different vertical levels (spanning more than 80% of the maximal depth), and the outlet arrangement is segmented into multiple outlet openings similarly distributed. This segmentation allows water to be introduced and removed from multiple locations simultaneously, creating more uniform circulation throughout the tank volume and eliminating stagnant regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional single-point or limited-location water inlet/outlet arrangements to a multi-dimensional distribution system where openings are spread across more than 80% of the vertical depth. This dimensional expansion from point sources to distributed surfaces throughout the water column creates uniform three-dimensional circulation patterns.
2Reliability
If water is injected and removed over a limited depth range, then the device complexity is reduced, but the water quality deteriorates due to poor circulation in certain regions
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet and outlet arrangements are divided into multiple discrete openings distributed vertically throughout more than 80% of the tank depth. This segmentation ensures that water quality is maintained throughout the entire water column by preventing stagnant regions at any vertical level, as fresh water is continuously introduced and old water removed from multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the vertical distribution parameter of inlet and outlet openings from a limited depth range to spanning more than 80% of the maximal depth. This parameter change ensures comprehensive water quality throughout the tank by establishing uniform circulation patterns that prevent oxygen depletion and bacterial growth in any region.
3Productivity
If conventional flow control is used, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates due to regions with stationary water
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented inlet and outlet arrangements create efficient circulation patterns that improve fish farming productivity by eliminating stagnant regions where waste would accumulate. The multi-level distribution of openings ensures uniform oxygen and nutrient distribution throughout the tank, enhancing fish health and growth rates without requiring excessive energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control system is designed to create self-sustaining circulation patterns where water naturally flows through the tank volume due to the strategic placement of inlet and outlet openings. The system leverages the density and flow characteristics of water itself to maintain circulation, reducing the need for additional energy-intensive pumping or agitation devices.
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 solution enhances water quality and productivity by eliminating regions with poor circulation, promoting fish health and activity through consistent oxygen and nutrient distribution, while reducing bacterial growth and waste accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
The first water inlet arrangement (5a) is configured for injecting water over more than 50%, specifically more than 70%, and more specifically more than 80%, of a maximal depth stretching from an interior surface of the bottom to the maximal water fill level
Implementation Method 2
The first water outlet arrangement (6a) is configured for sucking water over more than 50%, specifically more than 70%, and more specifically more than 80%, of the maximal depth
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a fish farming tank for cultivating living fish, wherein the tank (1) comprises a bottom (2) and a side wall (3) defining an internal volume (4) for holding water up to a maximal water fill level, and an active flow control system for generating a circulating flow of water within the tank (1), wherein the active flow control system has a first water inlet arrangement (5a) for injecting water into the internal volume (4) and a first water outlet arrangement (6a) for removing water from the internal volume (4). The first water inlet arrangement (5a) is configured for injecting water over more than half of a maximal depth (7) stretching from an interior surface of the bottom (2) to the maximal water fill level.The present disclosure also relates to a method for generating a circulating flow of water in a fish farming tank for cultivating living fish.