Modular Insect Production System with Segmented Rearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for efficient, reliable, and scalable insect rearing facilities that can produce insects for human and animal consumption, as well as for lipid extraction, while minimizing water and feedstock usage and environmental impact, to address growing global population demands and potential resource shortages.
Innovation Solution
The development of a system for commercial-scale production of Orthoptera insects involving insect feeding chambers, enhanced feedstock mixing, controlled temperature incubation, and pathogen removal, followed by grinding and mixing with additives to create a multifunctional flour composition, which includes the use of cannabis enhancers, fiber-starch materials, binding agents, and textural supplements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large scale insect production systems are designed to maximize production on small physical outlay, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple modular insect rearing units that can be independently operated and stacked vertically. Each unit contains separate compartments for different insect stages, allowing parallel processing and scaling without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from horizontal expansion to vertical stacking of rearing units, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase production capacity within a limited physical footprint while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
2Productivity
If high density insect rearing is implemented, then productivity increases, but object-affected harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rearing system uses physically separated compartments for different insect cohorts and life stages, preventing contact between groups and eliminating disease transmission and cannibalism while maintaining high overall density through vertical stacking of these isolated units
Solution Approach 2:
Automated robotic systems serve as intermediaries for feeding, monitoring, and maintenance tasks, reducing human interaction that could introduce pathogens while allowing high-density rearing to continue uninterrupted
3Reliability
If computer operated methods are used to control insect rearing, then reliability increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automated sensors and controllers that monitor environmental parameters, feed consumption, and insect health status, enabling the rearing units to self-regulate conditions for optimal growth and disease prevention without requiring complex external control systems
Solution Approach 2:
Integrated sensing systems continuously monitor rearing conditions and provide feedback to control mechanisms, automatically adjusting parameters such as temperature, humidity, and feeding rates to maintain reliable insect production while keeping control system complexity manageable through standardized protocols
Data Source
AI summary
Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer operated Insect Production Superstructure Systems (IPSS) may be used to produce insects for human and animal consumption, and for the extraction and use of lipids for applications involving medicine, nanotechnology, consumer products, and chemical production with minimal water, feedstock, and environmental impact. An IPSS may comprise modules including feedstock mixing, enhanced feedstock splitting, insect feeding, insect breeding, insect collection, insect grinding, pathogen removal, multifunctional flour mixing, and lipid extraction. An IPSS may be configured to be constructed out of a plurality of containerized modules.