Automated Insect Farming Installation Vertical Stack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insect farming installations lack efficiency in promoting the bioconversion process of larvae during the second aging phase and fail to improve overall installation efficiency in terms of cost, energy consumption, and harvested larvae.
Innovation Solution
The proposed automated insect farming installation features vertically superimposed continuous profiled containers filled with substrate to maximize the age difference of larvae between consecutive containers, made from thermally conductive materials, and incorporates a climate control system with turbulent air flow and a mobile workstation for substrate treatment and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If insects are reared in a highly bio-secure environment with controlled climate, then the bioconversion process is promoted, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple containers into a vertical stack where upper containers are positioned directly above lower containers, creating an integrated climate control system. This merging allows heat and humidity to be shared among containers, reducing the total energy required for climate control while maintaining optimal bioconversion conditions for larvae development
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where containers are vertically superimposed one above another, with upper containers nested within the spatial envelope of lower containers. This nesting arrangement optimizes space utilization and enables thermal coupling between containers, reducing overall energy consumption for heating and cooling while promoting efficient bioconversion
2Temperature
If containers are made with thermally conductive material, then heat exchange between larvae of different ages is optimized, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermally conductive material specifically to the walls and bottom of the containers, while other components can use standard materials. This localized application of thermal conductivity optimizes heat transfer from older larvae to younger larvae without requiring expensive thermal conductive materials throughout the entire system, balancing performance with manufacturing cost
3Productivity
If continuous profiled containers are vertically superimposed to maximize age difference, then bioconversion is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the insect rearing system into multiple discrete containers, each holding larvae at specific developmental stages. This segmentation allows independent management of each container while maintaining overall system efficiency. The vertical arrangement of segmented containers maximizes age difference between successive generations, enhancing bioconversion without requiring complex integration mechanisms
4Productivity
If substrate is filled in a way to maximize age difference between consecutive containers, then overall installation efficiency is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a standardized substrate filling protocol where containers are filled in a predetermined sequence based on the developmental stage requirements. This preliminary planning of the filling sequence, combined with automated filling systems, simplifies the operational complexity while ensuring that containers are filled to maximize age difference between consecutive batches, thereby improving overall installation efficiency
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 configuration enhances the bioconversion process by optimizing heat exchange between larvae of different ages, reducing energy consumption, and improving overall installation efficiency, leading to increased production of protein-rich meal and insect oil for animal feed while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the containers are at least partially made with a thermally conductive material
Implementation Method 2
incorporates a climate control system with turbulent air flow
Data Source
AI summary
An insect farming installation comprises: a module comprising continuous profiled containers, each continuous profiled containers being configured to be filled with substrate containing larvae, wherein the continuous profiled containers are vertically superimposed to one another, and wherein at least some of the containers are configured to be filled with substrate in a way adapted to maximize an age difference of the larvae contained in the substrates respectively filling two consecutive containers, and wherein the containers are at least partially made with a thermally conductive material.