Vertical Air Duct System for High-Density Insect Larvae Rearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insect larvae rearing systems face challenges in providing homogeneous conditioned air to high-density crate setups, leading to suboptimal climate conditions and reduced air circulation efficiency, which limits the growth and health of larvae.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring stackable crates with lateral cutouts and a vertical air inlet duct with nozzles for directed airflow, combined with an air outlet duct for efficient exhaust, ensures uniform air pressure and circulation, optimizing biomass-to-air energy transfer and preventing heat and moisture buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fan-based air circulation is used in rearing facilities, then air circulation is achieved for low-density scenarios, but air circulation effectiveness is reduced when more crates per room are used
Solution Approach 1:
The air circulation system is segmented into individual crate-level units. Each crate receives conditioned air through its own inlet duct and nozzle, and exhaust air is removed through its own outlet duct. This segmentation allows each crate to be independently ventilated, maintaining air circulation effectiveness even at high densities where conventional fan-based systems would fail.
2Productivity
If more crates per room are used to increase productivity, then larvae rearing density increases, but air circulation effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from horizontal fan-based air circulation to vertical stackable crate units with individual air inlet and outlet ducts. This dimensional change allows crates to be stacked vertically, increasing productivity without compromising air circulation effectiveness, as each crate in the vertical stack has its own dedicated air handling path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional crates are used for rearing larvae, then simplicity is maintained, but optimal homogeneous climate conditions cannot be achieved for all scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The crate system is designed as modular, stackable units with integrated air inlet and outlet ducts. Each crate is a self-contained module that can be independently configured and stacked to create vertical columns. This segmentation provides adaptability for different rearing scenarios while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized crate design with integrated air handling components serves multiple functions: housing larvae, providing individual air circulation, enabling vertical stacking, and facilitating uniform climate control. This multi-functionality achieves optimal homogeneous climate conditions across different rearing scenarios without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 system enables high-density rearing of insect larvae by ensuring uniform and conditioned airflow to each crate, maintaining optimal growth climate and reducing energy consumption while allowing for individual crate management in case of illness.
Implementation Method 1
a directed airflow over each individual crate and conditioned air to optimise the biomass to air energy transfer
Implementation Method 2
the air has to be extracted from the room without allowing heat and moisture to build up
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a system for providing conditioned air to a room for rearing insect larvae. The system comprises crates for storing the insect larvae, wherein the crates are stackable to form a vertical column and wherein the crates comprise lateral cutouts disposed on opposite sides. An air inlet duct for providing conditioned air to the crates is disposed in a vertical direction and comprises at least one nozzle for each crate in a column. The position of the at least one nozzle corresponds to the position of the lateral cutout of the respective crate. The system further comprises an air outlet duct, wherein the air outlet duct is disposed in a vertical direction and wherein the air outlet duct is disposed on a side of the stacked crates opposite to the air inlet duct.