Recirculating Culture System, Use of a Recirculating Culture System and Method for Operating a Recirculating Culture System

Abstract

The invention relates to a recirculating culture system for cultivating and/or breeding aquatic creatures, comprising: a recirculating system for circulating and controlling the temperature of a fluid, wherein the recirculating system has a culture pool (1) for receiving the fluid, a water reservoir (2) for storing the fluid, a temperature-control device (3) designed to supply thermal energy to and/or remove thermal energy from the fluid, a pump system (4) for circulating the fluid, and a filter system (5) for filtering the fluid; as well as a container (6) having at least one internal space (61), wherein the recirculating system is arranged in the at least one internal space (61) of the container (6).

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. Recirculating culture system for automatic cultivation and/or breeding of aquatic organisms, comprising a recirculating system for circulating and controlling the temperature of a fluid, wherein the recirculating system comprises a culture pool (1) for receiving the fluid, a water reservoir (2) for storing the fluid, a temperature-control device (3) which is adapted to supply thermal energy to and/or extract thermal energy from the fluid, a pump system (4) for circulating the fluid, and a filter system (5) for filtering the fluid, as well as a container (6), which has at least one internal space (61) and one or more than one container wall (64) which is penetrated by an opening (65), wherein the opening (65) and the culture pool (1) are adapted relative to one another in such a way that the culture pool (1) covers the opening (65) when arranged in the container (6), wherein the one or more than one container wall (64) comprises or is formed from an insulating material, wherein the recirculating system is arranged in the at least one internal space (61) of the container (6), wherein the recirculating culture system further comprises: a camera (107) whose field of detection is located inside the culture pool (1); a sensor system (7) which is arranged in the at least one internal space (61), wherein the sensor system (7) comprises a temperature sensor, an oxygen sensor, a flow sensor, a conductivity sensor, and/or a pH sensor; and a control device (8) in the internal space (61), wherein the control device (8) is arranged to control the recirculating system on the basis of data from the sensor system (7).

20. Recirculating culture system according claim 19, wherein the container (6) comprises a housing (62) and a lid (63).

21. Recirculating culture system according to claim 20, characterized in that one or more movement and/or pressure sensors are arranged in the lid (63), which detect whether the lid (63) is in an open or a closed state.

22. Recirculating culture system according to claim 19, wherein the culture pool (1) comprises a transparent basin wall (11) covering the opening (65).

23. Recirculating culture system according to claim 19, wherein the control device (8) further adjusts the control of the recirculating system based on stored user data and/or recorded experience values and/or programmed target values.

24. Recirculating culture system according to claim 19, further comprising a display device (9) attached to and/or integrated with an exterior of the container (6), wherein the control device (8) is further adapted to output, by means of the display device (9), one or more indications of a system state of the recirculating system.

25. Recirculating culture system according to claim 24, wherein the display device comprises at least three, preferably at least five, more preferably at least 10, touch-controlled light components.

26. Recirculating system according to claim 24, wherein the display device comprises more than two LED panels.

27. Recirculating culture system according to claim 19, wherein the control device (8) is further adapted to generate and/or transmit a message according to a network communication protocol, wherein the message comprises one or more than one indication of a system state of the recirculating system and/or is addressed to a mobile and/or digital terminal.

28. Recirculating culture system according to claim 19, wherein the filter system (5) comprises one or more than one anaerobic biofilter (51) and one or more than one aerobic biofilter (52).

29. Recirculating culture system according to claim 19, wherein the one or more than one anaerobic biofilter (51) comprises two or more than two anaerobic biofilter chambers, and wherein the one or more than one aerobic biofilter (52) comprises six or more than six aerobic biofilter chambers.

30. Using a recirculating culture system according to claim 19 for the automatic cultivation and/or breeding of aquatic life.

31. Method for the automatic operation of a recirculating culture system according to claim 19, the method comprising: introducing aquatic life into the recirculating culture system bringing the recirculation system to an operating point in accordance with a prerequisite for cultivating and/or breeding aquatic organisms, such that the recirculating system temperature-controls, recirculates, and/or oxygenates the fluid; automatically executing one or more stocking cycles for the breeding/husbandry of aquatic organisms via an automatic program; and controlling a temperature-control device by a control device in the event of a temperature change registered inside the container and/or on the exterior of the container in order to automatically cause heating or cooling of the fluid in the recirculating system.

32. Method according to claim 31, wherein a control device brings the recirculating culture system to the operating point according to a prerequisite for cultivating and/or breeding the aquatic organisms.

33. Method according to claim 31, wherein the recirculating culture system for automatic; fish husbandry is preferably designed according to a predetermined processing program, wherein the husbandry parameters and/or an environmental condition can be measured with regard to condition parameters or can be entered as value(s).

34. Method according to claim 31, wherein the control device directly responds to changing process and/or environmental conditions of the recirculating culture system without requiring intervention and regulation by a user.

35. Method according to claim 34, wherein the control device adjusts the control of the recirculating system based on stored user data and/or recorded experience values and/or programmed target values.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0139] The drawings show as follows:

[0140] FIG. 1: schematically shows an embodiment of the closed-lid recirculating culture system according to the invention;

[0141] FIG. 2: schematically shows an embodiment of the recirculating culture system according to the invention with the lid open;

[0142] FIG. 3: shows a schematic representation of the main components of an embodiment of the recirculating culture system according to the invention;

[0143] FIG. 4: shows a circuit diagram of the essential components of one embodiment of the recirculating culture system according to the invention;

[0144] FIG. 5: shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a method for the culture of aquatic organisms, as it can be carried out by means of the recirculating culture system according to the invention;

[0145] FIG. 6: shows a schematic representation of feed quantity adjustment using the example of increasing temperature in the culture pool when keeping rainbow trout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary Embodiment According to the Invention Using the Example of Stress Reduction by Adjusting the Husbandry Parameters Using the Example of Rainbow Trout

[0146] The ideal husbandry temperature varies between 13-15° C. (depending on the source) and is maintained continuously throughout the breeding period, depending on environmental parameters (location and external temperatures).

[0147] 1. If the temperature is more than 16.5° C., feeding is reduced by 50% of the daily feed amount. When the temperature is more than 18° C., automatic feeding is stopped. In this way, the metabolism is throttled and the stress level of the animals is reduced. This is an adapted procedure to reduce stress and mortality.

[0148] 2. If the amount of oxygen is less than 5.5 mg/l, the amount of feed is reduced by 50% and the water exchange is increased by at least 20%. If the oxygen quantity is less than 4 mg/l, the feed quantity is reduced by 100% and the water exchange is increased by 40%.

[0149] 3. At high temperature (above the ideal husbandry temperature), the light is gradually dimmed, thus indirectly reducing the activity and stress level of the animals. Dimming of the light is preferably also used in other stress situations.

Exemplary Embodiment of a Method Using Tilapia as an Example of Stress Reduction by Adjusting Husbandry Parameters

[0150] The ideal husbandry temperature varies between 24-26° C. (depending on the source) and is maintained continuously throughout the breeding period, depending on environmental parameters (location and external temperatures).

[0151] 1. If the temperature is less than 22.5° C., feeding is reduced by 50% of the daily feed amount. When the temperature is less than 20° C., automatic feeding is stopped. In this way, the metabolism is throttled and the stress level of the animals is reduced This is an adapted procedure to reduce stress and mortality.

[0152] 2. If the temperature is too low/too high (below or above the ideal husbandry temperature) and the ammonium level is high, the light is gradually dimmed, thus indirectly reducing the activity and stress level of the animals. Dimming of the light is preferably also used in other stress situations.

Exemplary Embodiment of a Method for Preventing Toxic Concentrations of Ammonium from Being Reached

[0153] High ammonium levels in the culture water for the husbandry of aquatic organisms can have toxic properties. Therefore, the recirculating culture system according to the invention is equipped with a multi-chamber aerobic and anaerobic biofilter. In addition, a method for preventing toxic concentrations from reaching the culture pool has been developed.

[0154] When the ammonium level is 0 to 0.5 mg/l routine water flushing of the filter chambers is performed. If the sensor value for the ammonium level rises to 0.5 to 1 mg/l in the holding tank, then the water exchange rate is increased by 30% from the initial value. The pumping rate is intensified and the lighting of the tank is gradually dimmed down. If the dissolved ammonium in the water continues to rise above 1.5 mg/l and the pH is lower than 6, the alarm system is activated and a push message is sent to the user to perform a manual water change or initiate other measures.

Exemplary Embodiment of a Method For Stress Reduction of Husbandry Organisms in the Presence of Changing Environmental Parameters, Using Rainbow Trout as an Example

[0155] The ideal husbandry temperature of rainbow trout varies between 13 to 15° C. and is maintained continuously within the breeding period. If the temperature in the husbandry system rises sharply, for example, due to solar radiation or a change in air temperatures, this is referred to as the effect of temperature stress on the trout.

[0156] In the described method, when the temperature exceeds 16.5° C., feeding is reduced by 50% from the daily feed amount. This prevents additional stimulation of the metabolism of the husbandry organisms. If the temperature rises above 18° C., automatic feeding is stopped. In this way, the metabolism is throttled and the stress level of the animals is reduced until optimal husbandry temperatures are reached again. This is an adapted procedure to reduce stress and mortality.

[0157] If the oxygen level is less than 5.5 mg/l, the feed level is reduced by 50% and the water exchange is increased by at least 20%. If the oxygen level is less than 4 mg/l, the feed level is reduced by 100% and the water exchange is increased by 40%. In addition, the light is gradually dimmed, thus indirectly reducing the activity and stress level of the animals.

[0158] FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of the recirculating culture system according to the invention which comprises a closed lid 63. The recirculating culture system has a container 6 and a culture pool 1, wherein the culture pool 1 is arranged in an internal space of the container 6.

[0159] The container 6 has a housing 62 and a lid 63 covering the housing. The housing 62 has a substantially circular base. In particular, the container 6 is formed as an outer shell to isolate the recirculating culture system as a module, to minimize temperature fluctuations, and to protect the system from environmental fluctuations and other external influences.

[0160] The container 6 further has a container wall 64 which is pierced by an opening 65. Through the opening 65, the culture pool 1 is visible, which covers the opening 65.

[0161] FIG. 2 schematically shows an embodiment of the recirculating culture system according to the invention with the lid 63 open. The container 6 encloses an internal space 61, which in the embodiment shown has a first partial compartment 611 and a second partial compartment 612. The entire recirculating system for circulating and controlling the temperature of a fluid is arranged in the internal space 61. Thereby, the culture pool 1 is arranged in the first partial compartment 611 of the internal space 61 of the container 6, while the filter system 5, as well as the pump system (not shown), the water reservoir (not shown) and the temperature-control device (not shown) are arranged in the second partial compartment 612 of the internal space 61 of the container 6.

[0162] The opening 65 arranged in the container wall 64 of the container 6 is covered by a transparent pool wall 11 of the culture pool 1, so that the interior of the culture pool 1 can be viewed through the opening 65.

[0163] The sensor system and the control device preferably arranged in the lid 63 are not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0164] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram, FIG. 4 a circuit diagram of the essential components of one embodiment of the recirculating culture system according to the invention.

[0165] The spatial arrangement and proportions are not shown true to scale.

[0166] The recirculating culture system comprises a recirculating system and a container 6. The container 6 encloses an internal space 61, in which all essential components of the recirculating system are arranged. The essential components of the recirculating system are a culture pool 1, having a preferably transparent pool wall 11, a water reservoir 2, a temperature-control device 3, a pump system 4 and a filter system 5.

[0167] Aquatic organisms are accommodated in the culture pool 1. The culture pool 1 has a drain 12, through which fluid can be drained from the recirculating culture system if required. The drain 12 is preferably arranged centrally in the bottom of the culture pool 1, with the bottom of the culture pool preferably lowering in a funnel shape towards the drain 12.

[0168] The fluid present in the recirculating system is pumped by means of a pump system 4 from the culture pool 1, via the filter system 5 into the water reservoir 2 and from there back into the culture pool 1. For this purpose, the pump system 4 has a main pump 42. The main pump 42 connected to a venturi nozzle 101, via which the fluid in the water reservoir 2 is passed through an oxygen concentrator 102 as required.

[0169] Furthermore, the pump system 4 has a temperature-control pump 41 which pumps the fluid present in the water reservoir through the temperature-control device 3. The temperature-control device 3 has a heating rod 31 and a cooler 32. Heating rod 31 and cooler 32 are switched on as required. Oxygen is added to the fluid in the filter system 5 as required via an oxygen pump 43.

[0170] In the embodiment shown, the filter system 5 has 8 filters, two of which are anaerobic bio filters 51 and six of which are aerobic biofilters 52. The fluid in the recirculating system is pumped from the culture pool 1 into the two anaerobic biofilter chambers. The fluid is further pumped from the two anaerobic biofilter chambers through the six aerobic biofilter chambers and from the six aerobic biofilter chambers into the water reservoir.

[0171] A waste disposal unit 103 is further connected to the culture pool 1. The waste disposal unit 103 is a shredder that shreds and crushes coarser materials such as uneaten feed and other floating large particles. The shredded particles can then be broken down by biological processes in the filter system 5.

[0172] An automatic feed supply unit 104, which is used to supply feed into the culture pool, is located in the lid of the tank 6.

[0173] Most of the sensors of the sensor system 7 are arranged in the water reservoir 2. Notwithstanding the illustration, additional sensors may be arranged in the culture pool 1 or in the internal space 61 of the reservoir 6. These may be, for example, one or more than one temperature sensor, one or more than one oxygen sensor, one or more than one flow sensor, and one or more than one pH sensor. Other sensors may include a motion sensor preferably disposed in the lid of the vessel 6, water-level sensors disposed in the culture pool and/or water reservoir, light sensors disposed in the vessel, and other sensors described above.

[0174] The sensor system 7 transmits sensor data to a control device 8. The control device 8 controls the individual pumps of the pump system 4, the temperature-control device 3, the device for the feed supply unit 104 and a device (not shown) for salt enrichment of the fluid. For this purpose, the control device has a processing program that evaluates the sensor data and compares them with empirical values and/or predetermined set values.

[0175] The control device 8 also sends information about state parameters of the recirculating culture system to a display device 9, which is preferably a human machine interface or display (e.g., tablet). The display device 9 may be located directly on the exterior of the container 6. Both the control device 8 and the display device 9 may communicate with a cloud 106 via a gateway 105.

[0176] A camera 107 captures the interior of the culture pool 1. The image data from the camera 107 can be directly evaluated by the control device 8 and taken into account for control purposes and/or transferred to the display device 9.

[0177] A lighting device 108 can be used to illuminate the interior of the culture pool 1. The lighting device 108 can also be controlled by the control device 8. The lighting device 108 can be arranged at the upper pool edge of the culture pool 1 or in the lid 63 or in the internal space 61 of the container 6. In the embodiment shown, the lighting device 108 is designed in the form of a light tube at the upper pool edge of the culture pool 1. Alternatively, it may be in the form of one or more than one lamp or in a similar form.

[0178] A light opening 109 is further arranged in the lid 63 to allow daylight to enter the interior of the culture pool 1. The light opening 109 can be omitted in other embodiments.

[0179] The power supply is controlled via an electrical control panel 110. A charge controller 112 is connected to the electrical control panel 110 via an inverter 111. A solar panel 113 arranged on the outside of the container 6, preferably on the lid 63, is connected to the charge controller 112. Also connected to the charge controller 112 is a battery 114 which can be charged via a socket 115.

[0180] The container wall 64 of the container 6 is interrupted at one point by an opening which is not shown. In the area of this opening, the lid has a web 66 which serves to seal off the area above the opening.

[0181] The container 6 can have further openings (not shown) in its container wall 64 and/or in the lid, for example for supply air and/or exhaust air.

[0182] The lid is preferably closed in the area of the web 66 via an RFID lock 116.

[0183] An advertising wall 117 is arranged on the outside of the container 6. This can display advertising in digital or analog form.

[0184] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a method for the cultivation of aquatic organisms, as it can be carried out by means of the recirculating culture system according to the invention.

[0185] The starting point is the recirculating culture system a. The aquatic organisms to be cultured are introduced b. Husbandry data specific to the introduced organisms, such as program parameters for the specific species, behavioral data of the currently introduced animals, or previous husbandry data are entered as organism-specific program parameters c (initial value) into the control device of the recirculating culture system or are already entered at the factory. The control device also receives data relating to the parameters of the culture pool d (temperature, oxygen content, pH, etc.) and the environmental parameters e (outside temperature, light exposure, etc.). The control device compares the organism-specific program parameters c with the parameters of the culture pool d and the environmental parameters e. If the parameters of the culture pool d, influenced by the environmental parameters e, correspond to the initial values (organism-specific program parameters c), represented in FIG. 4 by a “y” for yes, then the control device regulates a further husbandry/breeding with the previous initial values. If the parameters of the culture pool d, influenced by the environmental parameters e, do not correspond to the initial values (organism-specific program parameters c), represented in FIG. 4 by an “n” for no, the algorithm of the control device makes the decision g whether the husbandry conditions should be adapted or not. If the decision is positive (y), the control device regulates a further husbandry/breeding h with new initial values. If the decision is negative (n), the control device controls a further husbandry/breeding i with the previous initial values.

[0186] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the feed quantity adjustment using the example of increasing temperature in the culture pool when keeping rainbow trout.

[0187] The temperature is plotted on the C axis and the time on the t axis. T1 shows the optimum temperature range. In the first period s1, the feed supply F is carried out at regular intervals, with a total of 100% of the set daily quantity, and this is not interrupted even if the temperature rises slightly. The second period s2 starts as soon as the first threshold point T2, i.e. a certain temperature value, has been exceeded and the feed supply is reduced by 50%. The third period s3 starts as soon as the second threshold value T3 has been exceeded, whereupon the feed supply is interrupted until the temperature is in the optimum range. From the period s2, the light can be additionally dimmed.

[0188] Values for the threshold points can be taken from the exemplary embodiment described above. As described further above, additional alarm measures, which are not shown in this scheme, can be initiated in the period s2 and s3.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0189] 1 Culture pool

[0190] 2 Water reservoir

[0191] 3 Temperature-control device

[0192] 4 Pump system

[0193] 5 Filter system

[0194] 6 Container

[0195] 7 Sensor system

[0196] 8 Control device

[0197] 9 Display device

[0198] 11 Pool wall

[0199] 12 Drain

[0200] 31 Heating rod

[0201] 32 Cooler

[0202] 41 Temperature-control pump

[0203] 42 Main pump

[0204] 43 Oxygen pump

[0205] 51 Anaerobic biofilter

[0206] 52 Aerobic biofilter

[0207] 61 Internal space

[0208] 62 Housing

[0209] 63 Lid

[0210] 64 Container wall

[0211] 65 Opening

[0212] 66 Web

[0213] 101 Venturi nozzle

[0214] 102 Oxygen concentrator

[0215] 103 Waste disposal

[0216] 104 Automatic feed supply unit

[0217] 105 Gateway

[0218] 106 Cloud

[0219] 107 Camera

[0220] 108 Lighting device

[0221] 109 Light opening

[0222] 110 Electric control panel

[0223] 111 Inverter

[0224] 112 Charge controller

[0225] 113 Solar panel

[0226] 114 Battery

[0227] 115 Socket

[0228] 116 RFID

[0229] 117 Advertisement

[0230] 611 First partial compartment

[0231] 612 Second partial compartment

[0232] a Recirculating culture system

[0233] b Organisms to be cultivated

[0234] c Program parameters for organisms

[0235] d Parameters of the culture pool

[0236] e Environmental parameters

[0237] f Comparison by automatic program: Match with initial values?

[0238] g Decision by program automation: Adapting the husbandry environments?

[0239] h Further husbandry with new initial values

[0240] i Further husbandry with previous initial values

[0241] s1 Period 1

[0242] s2 Period 2

[0243] s3 Period 3

[0244] t Time axis

[0245] C Temperature axis

[0246] T1 Optimal temperature range

[0247] T2 First threshold

[0248] T3 Second threshold

[0249] F Feed rattans