Solar driven aquaculture farm with oxygen generation for enhanced population health stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for increasing dissolved oxygen levels in aquaculture ponds are insufficient, failing to significantly enhance oxygen concentration, which is crucial for maintaining healthy fish and crustacean populations.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an electrolyzer module to produce hydrogen and oxygen, an ammonia synthesizer, an air separator, and a diffuser, powered by photovoltaic panels and energy storage, which diffuses oxygen directly into the pond while using hydrogen for energy storage and ammonia synthesis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional aeration methods (paddlewheel aerators, surface aerators, fountains) are used to increase dissolved oxygen, then oxygen is introduced into the pond, but the oxygen concentration increase is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of oxygen introduction from surface aeration to direct subsurface injection. By injecting oxygen gas directly at the bottom of the pond through diffusers, the system achieves much higher dissolved oxygen concentrations compared to traditional surface aeration methods. This parameter change in the method of oxygen delivery directly resolves the contradiction by significantly enhancing oxygen concentration effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (oxygen gas from electrolysis) and delivery mechanism (diffusers) to transfer oxygen directly to the pond bottom. This intermediary approach bypasses the limitations of surface aeration and directly achieves high dissolved oxygen concentrations, resolving the insufficiency of traditional methods.
2Quantity of substance
If electrolysis is used to produce oxygen, then oxygen concentration can be significantly increased, but explosion risk increases due to hydrogen and oxygen generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the harmful hydrogen gas from the oxygen generation system. By removing hydrogen from the vicinity of the oxygen storage and delivery system, the explosion risk is eliminated while maintaining the benefit of high oxygen concentration. The hydrogen is directed to a separate storage tank away from the pond area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful hydrogen byproduct into a beneficial resource by directing it to an ammonia synthesizer. The hydrogen is used to produce ammonia fertilizer, transforming the harmful explosion risk into a valuable agricultural product, thus resolving the contradiction between oxygen generation effectiveness and safety.
3Use of energy by moving object
If solar photovoltaic panels are used to power the electrolyzer, then sustainable energy solution is provided, but system complexity increases with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by having the electrolyzer serve dual purposes: generating oxygen for pond aeration and producing hydrogen for ammonia synthesis. The solar panels similarly serve multiple functions by powering both the electrolyzer and the overall system operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and justifies the increased complexity through enhanced sustainability and resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated system components. The electrolyzer combines oxygen production for the pond with hydrogen production for fertilizer synthesis. The solar power system is integrated to power all operations. This merging of functions creates a cohesive sustainable system where the complexity is offset by the synergistic benefits of combined operations.
4Duration of action of moving object
If hydrogen is stored for later use, then energy availability is improved, but storage safety and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary conversion process where stored hydrogen is converted to ammonia before final application. The ammonia synthesizer acts as an intermediary that transforms the safety-critical hydrogen storage into stable ammonia storage, which is much safer and easier to handle. This intermediary step maintains energy availability while dramatically improving storage safety.
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
Significantly increases oxygen concentration in aquaculture ponds, enhancing production and health stability while minimizing explosion risks and providing a sustainable energy solution.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolyzer module to produce hydrogen and oxygen
Implementation Method 2
powered by photovoltaic panels
Implementation Method 3
a diffuser to diffuse oxygen produced by the electrolyzer module in the aquaculture pond farm
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for improving production of an aquaculture pond farm. The systems generally include an electrolyzer module to produce hydrogen and oxygen, an ammonia synthesizer operable to receive hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer module, and a diffuser to diffuse oxygen produced by the electrolyzer module in the aquaculture pond farm.