Method and System for Moving Killed Fish in a Pipe or Pipeline

Abstract

A method and system for moving killed fish in a pipe or pipeline, comprising water and supply of pressurized air or water pressure or both to create zones having different properties in the pipe or pipeline to form a controllable water flow for propulsion of and controlled retention time of fish in the pipe or pipeline.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A method of moving fish (200) in a pipe or pipeline (10), comprising the steps of: (a) providing a pipe or pipeline (10) with water to a desired water level via a water supply system (20-23), (b) supplying fish (200) to the pipe or pipeline (10) at a closed end (11) of the pipe or pipeline (10), and (c) supplying pressurized air, pressurized water or both at supply points (30) to form air or water partitions to create separate zones (A-D) having different properties with respect to direction and magnitude of water flow in the pipe or pipeline (10), thereby forming a controllable water flow in the zones (A-D) for propulsion of the fish (200) in the pipe or pipeline (10) and controlling a retention duration of the fish (200) in the pipe or pipeline (10).

18. The method of claim 17, comprising the step of extracting fish at an open end (12) of the pipe or pipeline (10) via an output device (50).

19. The method of claim 17, comprising the step of separating fish (200) and water downstream of the output device (50).

20. The method of claim 18, comprising the step of separating fish (200) and water downstream of the output device (50).

21. The method of claim 17, comprising supplying water at supply points (22) in the pipe or pipeline (10) to increase intensity of the air or water partitions.

22. The method of claim 17, comprising controlling water level in the pipe or pipeline (10) via an overflow means (40).

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the retention duration is determined for obtaining one or more of a preferred time for bleeding or cooling fish (200).

24. A system for moving fish (200) in a pipe or a pipeline (10), comprising: a pipe or a pipeline (10) closed at one end (11) and open at the other end (12), a water supply system (20-23) for supplying water to the pipe or pipeline (10), a system or systems for supplying one or more of pressurized air and water pressure (30-33) to the pipe or pipeline (10), wherein the system for supplying one or more of pressurized air and water pressure (30-33) forms air or water partitions to create zones (A-D) having different properties with respect to direction and magnitude of water flow in the pipe or pipeline (10), thereby forming a controllable water flow in the zones (A-D) for propulsion of fish (200) in the pipe or pipeline (10) and controlling a retention duration of the fish (200) in the pipe or pipeline (10).

25. The system of claim 24, comprising an output device (50) for extracting fish (200) at the open end (12) of the pipe or pipeline (10) and a supply device (13) for supply of fish at the closed end (11) of the pipe or pipeline (10).

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the water supply system (20-23) comprises at least one pump (20) and supply points (22) controlled by valves (23), said supply points (22) being positioned at intermediate positions along the longitudinal length of the pipe or pipeline (10).

27. The system of claim 24, wherein a system for supply of pressurized air comprises at least one compressor (31) and a system for supply of water pressure comprises at least one pump (31), wherein supply points (30) controlled by valves (33) are positioned at positions along the longitudinal length of the pipe or pipeline (10).

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the supply points (22) for water supply and supply points (30) for the system or systems for supplying one or more of pressurized air and water pressure, are integrated into the same supply point.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the supply points (22) for water supply and supply points (30) for the system or systems for supplying one or more of pressurized air and water pressure, are integrated into the same supply point.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein the supply points (30, 22) are formed by static or controllable nozzles.

31. The system of claim 24, wherein the pipe or pipeline (10) includes an overflow means (40) for controlling a water level in the pipe or pipeline (10).

32. The system of claim 24, comprising an integral washing system (80).

33. The system of claim 24, comprising a sensor or sensors to detect or measure one or more from the group consisting of: volume or number of fish (200) supplied to the pipe or pipeline (10), volume or number of fish (200) present in the pipe or pipeline (10) at any time, volume or number of fish (200) present in the respective zones (A-D), distribution of fish (200) within the pipe or pipeline (10), water level within the pipe or pipeline (10), and volume of fish (200) extracted through the output device (50).

34. The system of claim 26, comprising a sensor or sensors to detect or measure one or more from the group consisting of: volume or number of fish (200) supplied to the pipe or pipeline (10), volume or number of fish (200) present in the pipe or pipeline (10) at any time, volume or number of fish (200) present in the respective zones (A-D), distribution of fish (200) within the pipe or pipeline (10), water level within the pipe or pipeline (10), and volume of fish (200) extracted through the output device (50).

35. The system of claim 24, comprising a control unit (100) provided with means or software for one or more of the group consisting of: controlling supply of water through the water supply means (20-23), controlling supply of one or more of pressurized air and water pressure through the system or systems (30-33) for supply of one or more of pressurized air and water pressure, controlling opening and closing means (70) in connection with the inlet and outlet of the system, controlling the output device (50).

36. The system of claim 26, comprising a control unit (100) provided with means or software for one or more of the group consisting of: controlling supply of water through the water supply means (20-23), controlling supply of one or more of pressurized air and water pressure through the system or systems (30-33) for supply of one or more of pressurized air and water pressure, controlling opening and closing means (70) in connection with the inlet and outlet of the system, controlling the output device (50).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The disclosed embodiments will be described in further details with reference to the attached drawings, where:

[0041] FIG. 1A illustrates a principle drawing of the disclosed system,

[0042] FIG. 1B illustrates a principle drawing of the system shown in FIG. 1A, with defined zones, and

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram for a system in accordance with the disclosure.

[0044] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which illustrate principle drawings of a preferred system in accordance with the disclosure.

[0045] The main component of the system is a pipe or a pipeline 10 which is closed in one end 11 and open in the other end 12. The pipe or pipeline 10 is at the closed end 11 provided with a supply device 13 for supply of killed fish 200, e.g. from a system for throat cutting, a slaughtering line or similar, known per se.

[0046] Moreover, the system comprises a water supply system in the form of a water pump 20 and piping 21 extending to supply points 22 in the pipe or pipeline 10 for supply of water to the pipe or pipeline 10, wherein the supply points 22 are distributed in longitudinal direction of the pipe or pipeline 10. Controllable valves 23 are arranged at each water supply point 22 to control the water supply at the respective supply point 22.

[0047] The disclosed system in further comprises a supply system for pressurized air or water pressure to the pipe or pipeline 10 via supply points 30 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the pipe or pipeline 10. The supply system for pressurized air and/or water pressure comprises, for example, a compressor having a pressure tank or a pump 31, piping 32 which extends from the compressor pressure tank or the water pump 31 to the supply points 30. Moreover, controllable valves 33 are arranged in the pipelines 32 to control the supply of pressurized air and/or water pressure at the respective supply points 30. The supply points 30 for pressurized air or water pressure is in the example illustrated adjacent to the supply points 22 for water, but can nevertheless be arranged at other locations. In some embodiments they can also be integrated in the same supply point, and this is particularly relevant when using water pressure. It should also be noted that the same pump 20 as the water supply can be used in connection with water pressure, if applicable. The number of water supply points 22 and the number of supply points 30 for pressurized air and/or water pressure will be adapted to desired number of zones A-D in the pipe or pipeline 10. FIG. 1B shows an example of four zones A-D, where each zone defines a part of the pipe or pipeline 10, in longitudinal direction of the same, which then can have different water flow (magnitude and/or direction) and hence different properties. The supply points 30 for pressurized air and/or water pressure are arranged so that they are located below the water level 300 in the pipe or pipeline 10, typically in lower part of the pipe or pipeline 10.

[0048] For example, the supply points 30 for pressurized air and/or water pressure can be fixed nozzles or controllable nozzles which can be controlled in some or all directions in the pipe or pipeline 10, thus creating zones A-D having desired properties (magnitude and/or direction) by forming air/water partitions having different properties.

[0049] The supply system for pressurized air and/or water pressure brings about a possibility of creating zones A-D defined by air/water partitions in longitudinal direction of the pipe or pipeline 10 by supplying pressurized air and/or water pressure having desired pressure at the supply points 30. In this way the water flow through the pipe or pipeline 10 at each of these supply points 30 can be controlled. Moreover, in this way the water flow in the pipe or pipeline 10 can be controlled, both ways in the pipe or pipeline 10, and control of the propulsion of fish in the pipe or pipeline 10 and hence achieve controlled bleeding time or cooling time for the fish, combined with transport of fish 200 from one location to another.

[0050] It should also be mentioned that the effect of the pressurized air and/or the water pressure in the supply points 30 can be amplified when needed through controllable nozzles in the water supply points 22.

[0051] Moreover, in the system, the pipe or pipeline 10 comprises overflow means 40 arranged at the open end 12 or the closed end 11, or at both locations, arranged so that water displaced by fish in the pipe or pipeline 10 can be extracted by or through a pipeline 41, for example, which is extending back to the water supply system for reuse, preferably via a controllable valve 42. The same applies by use of water pressure to control water flow, since this also will result in increased water volume in the pipe or pipeline 10.

[0052] An output device 50 is arranged at the outlet end of the pipe or pipeline 10, arranged to extract fish which has obtained sufficient retention time in the pipe or pipeline 10. This output device can be formed in numerous manners. The example illustrates an output device 50 based on a siphon principle. The output device 50 shown in the example is formed by a flexible pipe 51 which is vertically movable, up and down, in relation to the pipe or pipeline 10 by means of a lifting mechanism (now shown), e.g. a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, but for a person skilled in the art there will be many alternatives for elevating and lowering the flexible pipe 51 in vertical direction. Another related example, not shown, of an output device 50 will be an output device formed by a U-shaped pipe arranged to rotate about its own axis and hence open/close the outlet.

[0053] In that the output device 50 enables extraction of fish, e.g. as in the illustrated example by moving the flexible pipe 51 vertically, the fish flow out of the pipe or pipeline 10 can be controlled. Then, the fish 200 can be transported into a fish receiving unit 60 where fish and water is separated.

[0054] It will be an advantage that the diameter is reduced from the diameter of the pipe or pipeline 10 in front of the output device 50. This can for example be obtained by arranging a narrowing transition 14 between the pipe or pipeline 10 and the output device 50, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1A, where the pipe or pipeline 10 and the flexible pipe 51 exhibit different diameters and where the narrowing transition 14 connects the pipe or pipeline 10 and the flexible pipe 51. This to increase the water velocity as it leaves the pipe or pipeline 10. The same principle can advantageously be used in a pipeline 10 extending over several horizontal planes to increase the velocity of the water when one goes up to another horizontal plane. In the example this is illustrated in that the outlet 52 of the flexible pipe 51 itself exhibits smaller diameter than the flexible pipe 51 and that a narrowing transition 53 is arranged between these.

[0055] Opening and closing means 70, e.g. valves or similar, are preferably arranged at the supply device 13 and the outlet device 50 (the outlet), respectively, to enable closing both the inlet and the outlet of the pipe or pipeline 10.

[0056] After fish and water have been separated at the receiving unit 60, the fish can in a manner known per se be forwarded to other treatment stations for further treatment.

[0057] After the system is used for a certain period of time, foreign substances will accumulate in the pipe or pipeline 10. In order to remove these, the system advantageously comprises an integral washing system, e.g. in the form of lowerable nozzles 80 which can be actuated and hence wash the pipe or pipeline 10. The nozzles 80 can be connected to the same water pump 20 as the water supply, but it may also be provided a separate pump for this purpose.

[0058] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which shows a flow diagram for a system and method in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. Additionally, the system will further comprise at least one control unit 100 provided with means and/or software for: [0059] controlling water supply to the water supply points 22 by controlling the pump(s) 20 and the valves 23, [0060] controlling the supply of pressurized air and/or water pressure to the supply points 30 by controlling valves 33 and the compressor(s) or pump(s) 31, and optionally controllable nozzles forming the supply points 30, [0061] controlling the opening and closing means 70, [0062] controlling the output device 50, [0063] controlling the integral washing system 80, and [0064] optionally controlling the supply device 13.

[0065] Moreover, the present system is preferably provided with sensors (not shown) configured to detect one or more of the following: [0066] volume or number of fish supplied to the pipe or pipeline at any time, [0067] volume or number of fish present in the pipe/pipeline at any time, [0068] volume or number of fish present in the different zones A-D in the pipe or pipeline, [0069] distribution of fish in the pipe or pipeline, [0070] water level in the pipe or pipeline, [0071] measuring air and/or water pressure and optionally water supply or water flow.

[0072] On basis of information from the different sensors, including predefined criteria, such as desired retention time of fish 200 in the pipe or pipeline 10, volume or amount of fish allowed at the same time in the pipe or pipeline, including the amount of fish within each zone A-D, the control unit 100 will control the water flow for each zone A-D through the pipe or pipeline 10, the output device 50 and optionally the supply device 13, so that optimum retention time for the fish 200 through the pipe or pipeline 10 is obtained. Examples of sensors can be ultrasound, vision systems, flow meter, weight, etc., wherein the sensor(s) are within reach of a person skilled in the art.

[0073] The disclosed system works in the way that when the output device 50 and the supply device 13 are closed, the water supply system is activated to supply water into the pipe or pipeline 10 until a desired water level is achieved, such as e.g. 50-90% of capacity. Then, the supply device 13 is opened and killed fish 200 is supplied to the pipe or pipeline 10, preferably individually or batchwise, for transport of fish and bleeding and/or cooling before or after slaughtering. Fish which arrive in the pipe or pipeline 10 will then be transported through the pipe or pipeline 10 via propulsion provided in the different zones A-D by the air/water partitions formed by the supply points 30 where pressurized air and/or water pressure is supplied. By that the properties of the different zones A-D can be controlled and based on information from sensor means, the desired retention time can be obtained so that the retention time is as desired when the fish 200 arrives at the end of the pipe or pipeline 10.

[0074] When fish residing in the pipe or pipeline 10 has reached the desired retention time, the output device 50 can be activated and the fish extracted and transferred to the receiving unit 60.

[0075] In this way a system is obtained where full control is obtained of every single fish supplied to the pipe or pipeline 10, and when extracting one fish another one can be supplied.

[0076] 25