Vertical Water Circulation Capabilities of an Electric Paddle Wheel Aerator and Dissolved Oxygen Loss Due to Daytime Aeration

ABSTRACT

Vertical water circulation by the paddle wheel aerator was determined by measuring dissolved oxygen profiles in a 3.6-m deep watershed pond during daylight hours, using aerated and non-aerated treatments. The paddle wheel aerator circulated the well-oxygenated surface water to the pond bottom, producing a uniform dissolved oxygen profile in the aerated treatment, while the non-aerated treatment maintained high dissolved oxygen concentrations near the surface with low dissolved oxygen concentrations near the pond bottom. The aerated treatment contained 35.6% less dissolved oxygen than the non-aerated treatment after four hours as a result of operating the aerator during the daytime. The paddle wheel aerator, with a shallow (10 cm) paddle immersion, is effective in vertically circulating water in deeper ponds. However, substantial loss of dissolved oxygen may result from operating the aerator on days with high rates of photosynthesis.     

Selection of aerators for intensive aquacultural pond

Aeration cost is the third largest cost in intensive aquaculture system after post larvae and feed cost representing about 15% of total production cost. Therefore, selection of aerators plays a major role in maximizing the profit in such system. Over the years, various types of aerators have been developed specifically to enhance the production of aquatic species. The performances of these aerators are generally compared in terms of standard aeration efficiency. However, suitability of a particular aerator at different pond sizes and water quality conditions can best be determined in terms of aeration cost per unit time of operation. In the present study, economic performance of five different aeration systems – circular stepped cascade (CSC), pooled circular stepped cascade (PCSC), 1-hp paddle wheel, 2-hp paddle wheel and propeller aspirator pump were evaluated and compared at different pond sizes, initial DO concentrations of pond and operating hours of aerators; assuming a typical Indian major carp (IMC) culture with commonly practiced stocking density and feeding. Both CSC and PCSC aerators were found to be suitable for pond size less than 1000 m³. However, for pond sizes more than 5000 m³, 1-hp paddle wheel and 2-hp paddle wheel aerators were found to be efficient.     

Assessment of the new generation aeration systems efficiency and water current flow rate,its relation to the cost economics at varying salinities for Penaeus vannamei culture

The selection of aerators and correct numbers can play an essential role in reducing the cost of production in aquaculture. The new generation aerators, namely spiral leaf, air‐jet, submersible and impeller, used in aquaculture, were assessed for its aeration efficiency and energy cost compared with the commonly used paddle wheel aerator. Of the aerators tested, the impeller had the highest aeration efficiency of 2.098 kg O₂/kW hr, followed by paddle wheel with 1.436 kg O₂/kW hr at 20‰ salinity. The spiral and air‐jet aerators had maximum aeration efficiency of 1.326 and 1.419 kg O₂/kW hr, respectively, at 35‰ salinity. The submersible aerator was not efficient as its maximum efficiency was 0.380 kg O₂/kW hr. The water flow by paddle wheel was 3 ft/sec and also provides better coverage than other types of aerators. The efficiency of aerators was high in optimum salinities (20‰ and 35‰) than the low or high saline condition. The average energy cost of shrimp pond aeration per hectare was lowest for impeller, followed by paddle wheel aerator. The study provided economic comparisons of vannamei culture using different aeration systems by keeping a uniform set of economic assumptions. Shrimp farms with impellors can give 14%–25% high returns across salinities, whereas spiral leaf can provide 5% high returns at 35‰ salinity. The combination of the type of aerators and the calculated use based on the salinity of the culture systems can result in energy‐saving and also a reduction in the production cost.     

Assessment of standard aeration efficiency of different aerators and its relation to the overall economics in shrimp culture

Aerators are essential for maintaining the dissolved oxygen level in shrimp culture operations. Many types of aerators are promoted as suitable for shrimp culture, but their comparative efficiencies and water circulation patterns are least understood. The aerators viz, modified paddlewheel, Scorpion jet, Venture jet, Wavesurge were evaluated to compare the standard aeration efficiency at different saline conditions with the commonly used paddle wheel. The modified paddlewheel had the highest mean aeration efficiency of 2.018 kg O₂/ kWh at 35‰, followed by the paddlewheel with 1.434 kg O₂/ kWh at 20‰ water salinity. Compared to this, the Scorpion jet and the Wavesurge have shown the highest aeration efficiency of 0.667 and 0.412 kg O₂/ kWh at 20 and 35‰ water salinities, respectively, whereas the Venture jet has given only. The aerator's performance was better at medium water salinities (20 and 35‰) than low (5‰) or high saline (50‰) conditions. In addition to aeration, the paddlewheel aerator has given the maximum water circulation speed 3 ft/sec and coverage distance of 24 m. The cost economics were derived by keeping all other expenses constant except aeration associated costs. The internal rate of returns in shrimp culture with a modified paddle wheel was 127 % compared to the commonly used paddle wheel (120 %). However, the scorpion and wavesurge aerators have shown returns of 47 % and 27 % respectively across the salinities. The selection and sizing of aerators based on the biomass and efficiency of the aeration systems can make considerable headway in decreasing the cost of production and energy use.     

Engineering considerations for water circulation in crawfish ponds with paddlewheel aerators

Engineering considerations for paddlewheel aeration in vegetated shallow water ponds for the production of procambarid crawfish is necessary to ensure cost-effective application. Three experimental ponds (approximately 2 ha each) were planted with rice in August as forage for the resident pond population of red swamp crawfish, Procambarus clarkii, and flooded in October. Two 2.2 kW (3 hp), single-phase electric motor (110 V_ac) paddlewheel aerators were placed in each pond. The aerator rotors were 160-cm long and 95-cm in diameter. The aerator rotor had 36 paddles with half the paddles 27.3-cm long and half 34.9-cm long. Rotor speed was set at 83 rpm and operated at three paddle submergence settings: 7.6, 12.7, and 17.8 cm below the water surface. Over a 20-week period between November and April, channel velocity, head difference, and aerator amperage was measured for both one and two aerators in operation in each pond. Results indicated that circulation of oxygenated water from the aerators can be accomplished as efficiently with a single aerator set at a lower paddle depth (7.6-cm) compared to operating two aerators set at a greater paddle depth (12.7 or 17.8-cm). However, based on the apparent efficiency of the aerators and the calculated channel roughness coefficients values obtained from the channel velocities, paddlewheel aerators are an inefficient option for circulating the pond water especially when rice foliage dominants the total vegetative biomass of the pond.     

An evaluation of three paddlewheel aerators used for emergency aeration of channel catfish ponds

Oxygen transfer rate, power requirement and fuel consumption were determined for three paddlewheel aerators used for emergency aeration of channel catfish ponds. The power requirement of the tractor-powered units was directly related to the diameter of the paddlewheel drum and the paddle immersion depth. Oxygen transfer rates ranged from 6·9 to 41 kg h^?1 and increased linearly with the power requirement. The largest paddlewheel aerator, operated at the maximum paddle depth, produced the highest oxygen transfer rate (41 kg h^?1). Oxygen transfer efficiencies ranged from 1·29 to 1·97 kg kWh^?1.     

Author index

Oxygen-transfer rates (tap water, 0 mg/l dissolved oxygen, 20°C) for four tractorpowered emergency aerators tested in a 820-m³ pond were: blower-fan aerator, 12.2 kg O₂/h; Crisafulli^® pump and sprayer, 12.3 kg O₂/h; Airmaster^® aerator (centrifugal pump and sprayer), 21.3 kg O₂/h; paddlewheel aerator, 26.3 kg O₂/h. Times required for aerators to homogeneously mix salt in a 6000-m³ pond were: blower-fan aerator, 96 min; Crisafulli pump and sprayer, 94 min; paddlewheel aerator, 53 min; and Airmaster aerator, 38 min. The Airmaster aerator and the paddlewheel aerator did not differ in their abilities to transfer oxygen and circulate pond water (P > 0.05); they were both superior to the blower-fan aerator and the Crisafulli pump and sprayer (P < 0.01).     

Aquaculture economics research in Asia: Proceedings of a workshop held in Singapore, 2–5 June 1981: IDRC,Ottawa, Canada, 1982. 128 pp., ISBN 639-3-003-(5). Available in the U.S.A. from Unipub,New York,NY, $15.00; in other countries from IDRC,Ottawa, Canada, $12.00

Propeller-aspirator-pump aerators of 0.38, 1.5, and 2.24 kW transferred averages of 1.73 to 1.91 kg oxygen/kW · h in standardized oxygen transfer tests (tap water; 20°C; 0 mg/l dissolved oxygen) conducted in a shallow basin (1.04 m of water depth). In comparison tests, spray-type surface aerators transferred 1.34 to 1.41 kg oxygen/kW · h and a diffused-air system transferred 1.08 kW · h. The water-mixing capabilities of aerators were estimated from the time to completely mix salt (NaCl) throughout the volumes of ponds, and from the time required to spread a dye over surfaces of ponds. The propeller-aspirator-pump was effective in mixing pond water. A 1.5-kW propeller-aspirator-pump spread dye over a 0.4-ha pond in 32 min and mixed salt throughout 3000 m³ of water in 90 min. A larger spray-type surface aerator (2.24 kW) required 1.5 h to spread dye and 1.75 h to mix salt in the same pond.     

高效曝气器研制

该产品具有气气泡小、均匀、上升慢，散气面大的优点，从而使氧气更多地溶解于水，经与其他３种曝气器试验对比，其曝气效果归好，已在水产养殖及工业水处理中应用。     

微孔曝气增氧技术应用现状

微孔增氧技术与传统增氧方式相比,不仅能增加水产养殖水体中的溶解氧量,尤其是中、下层水体均匀增氧,还能改善养殖池塘的生态环境。本文主要介绍微孔增氧机的工作原理及与其他增氧设备配套使用的优点。     

增氧机池塘增氧效果试验的研究

研究不同型式的增氧机性能,可使生产者根据不同养殖对象与模式针对溶氧的需求,选择配置合适的增氧方式。通过对使用最为广泛的叶轮式、水车式、射流式和曝气式增氧机产品性能的池塘实效试验,分析比较各类增氧机性能、工作特性和适用范围。结果表明,养殖水体溶解氧主要来自浮游植物的光合作用;叶轮式、水车式和射流式增氧机应用于服务水域,其增氧能力远远不能满足该水域养殖鱼类的氧需求,但可满足养殖鱼类的应急氧需求;曝气式增氧机因没有应急增氧作用和水体搅拌能力而不适合四大家鱼等常规鱼种的养殖需要。     

池塘养殖中不同机械增氧技术的组合及效果验证

为解决河南中牟县万滩镇养殖池塘机械增氧技术单一的问题,通过试验研究微孔式、水车式、涌浪式等几种增氧机的性能及使用方式,以达到提升增氧效果和提高养殖效益的目的。结果表明,该地区池塘溶氧含量高而利用率低,养殖户传统增氧方法不当。适宜增氧方式为:涌浪式增氧机适合在晴天下午使用3~6 h,可有效提升周边20 m范围内底层水体的溶氧水平;投食前后半小时开启和关闭微孔式、水车式增氧机,可提升投食期间投饵区溶氧水平1~2 mg/L,保证鱼群的进食效果;夜间搭配使用微孔式和低功率叶轮式增氧机增氧,可使微孔区域底层水体溶氧比不增氧状态高出1 mg/L以上。     

Estimation of Oxygen Transfer Rates for Mechanical Aerators in Brackishwater Aquaculture Ponds

Oxygen transfer rates for mechanical aerators are usually determined by standard aeration tests conducted in concrete tanks. Results from standard tests are then extrapolated to field application of the aerators in aquaculture ponds, but these extrapolations have not been verified. In this study, oxygen transfer rates were estimated for propeller-aspirator-pump aerators deployed in brackish water aquaculture ponds under normal pond conditions. Estimation was accomplished by fitting the Whole Pond Respiration Diffusion (WPRD) model to nighttime observations of dissolved oxygen concentration for ponds in which artificial aeration had been initiated during the night. Application of this new technique revealed that oxygen transfer rate determined from a standard aeration test was similar to that estimated from trials in aquaculture ponds. Preliminary results suggest that oxygen transfer rates were higher when the aerator was placed in the deep end of the ponds than when the aerator was situated in the shallow end. Aeration efficiencies ranged from 1.45 to 1.8 kg O ₂ per kW-hour.     

Effects of artificial substrate and night‐time aeration on the water quality in Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller 1862) pond culture

The effects of artificial substrate and night‐time aeration on the culture of Macrobrachium amazonicum were evaluated in 12 ponds stocked with 45 prawns m^?2. A completely randomized design in 2 × 2 factorial scheme with three replicates was used. The combination of factors resulted in four treatments: with substrate and aeration (SA), with substrate and without aeration (SWA), without substrate and with aeration (WSA) and without substrate and aeration (WSWA). The presence of substrate in SA and SWA treatments reduced suspended particles (seston) by ~17.3% and P‐orthophosphate by ~50%. The use of aerator (WSA and SA treatments) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the concentration of dissolved oxygen, suspended particles and nutrients in the pond water. These results indicate that the effect of substrate on turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) values is opposite to the effect of the aerator. The aerators in semi‐intensive grow‐out M. amazonicum farming lower water quality because they increased the amount of detritus and nutrients in the pond water. On the other hand, the use of artificial substrate reduces turbidity values, chlorophyll a, TSS and P‐orthophosphate concentrations. Therefore, the combination of substrate addition and night‐time aeration is not interesting because they have opposite effects.     

Aerator energy use in shrimp farming and means for improvement

Estimates of aeration energy use in shrimp farming varied from 11.4 to 41.6 GJ/t shrimp (average = 19.8 GJ/t). Several opportunities for reducing energy use in aeration are available. Many farms adopt an excessive yield to installed aeration capacity ratio. Moreover, the proportion of installed aerator capacity in use and duration of aerator operation per day are often more than necessary during the initial two‐thirds of grow‐out, because adjustment is not made for the quantity of shrimp biomass. Farm‐made, long‐arm aerators used in Asia have several features leading to energy inefficiency and could be replaced by more efficient factory‐made, long‐arm aerators. Asian aquaculture aerator manufacturers should redesign aerators to include design features shown in research to improve efficiency. Dissolved oxygen concentration monitoring essential for verification of aeration performance is seldom performed by shrimp farmers. With good aeration technique, energy use for aeration should not exceed 10–15 GJ/t shrimp.     

底管微孔增氧技术对参池环境及刺参生长的影响试验

对黄河三角洲地区底管微孔增氧机在刺参养殖池塘中的应用进行了试验,对底管微孔增氧技术对参池环境和刺参生长的影响进行了研究。结果表明,在参池中合理使用底管微孔增氧机可显著增加参池溶氧,并显著提高刺参重量,是一种值得推广的新型增氧技术。     

微孔曝气式增氧机的性能及应用效果

为研究微孔曝气增氧机的增氧性能和池塘应用效果,按照标准规定的方法进行了增氧性能的试验和不同水深对增氧性能影响的试验,并在池塘中进行应用效果的试验。结果显示:微孔曝气式增氧机具有比叶轮式增氧机等增氧机更强的增氧能力,但不同配置的机型,增氧能力随配套功率和曝气管长度的增加而增强,动力效率则呈明显下降趋势;增加曝气管布置深度可以提高增氧性能,安装深度从2 m增加到4 m,增氧能力增加285%,动力效率增加207%,与其它养殖池塘机械增氧设备相比,池塘水体越深,微孔曝气式增气机的增氧优势越明显。目前,池塘采用微孔曝气式增氧机的配置方式不具优势,需要改进提升。     

Diversified aeration facilities for effective aquaculture systems—a comprehensive review

The growing intensive aquaculture system around the world maintains a high stocking density, wherein it is essential to increase and sustain the optimum dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) through the provision of artificial aeration systems. The selection of an aerator is a crucial aspect of aquaculture operations. The selected aerator must be economically efficient and should be able to fulfill the requirement of oxygen supply in the pond water. The present study provides an extensive literature review on the importance of artificial aeration in aquaculture, the standard method of test for performance evaluation of an aerator, various aeration systems and their mechanisms, method to determine the numbers of aerator requirement, comparative studies of different type of aerators, and economic consideration in selection of aerators. In addition, a thorough analysis has been done to suggest the type of aerator that is economically viable and efficient for different pond volumes based on the performance data reported in the reviews. Therefore, this study may help the end-users (fish farmers) to select the best aerator based on their requirements.

     

基于实时水质参数的智能养殖装备设计

针对现有水产设备机械化和自动化程度较低,增氧机作用范围有限和投饲机无法自适应投饲的问题,研究设计了一种新型的基于实时水质参数的智能养殖装备。该装备硬件上利用传感器对水质参数进行实时监测,采用太阳能与交流电源混合供电。其中,移动式太阳能增氧机使用超声波测距进行避障,可随机行走、增大增氧机的工作范围;太阳能智能投饲机使用称重传感器进行饲料称重,以实现精确定量投饲。该装备软件上支持个人计算机和手机等多个平台客户端,实现实时水质参数查询、远程增氧、远程投饲、远程智能控制等功能。池塘应用试验结果表明,该装备的监测水质数据可信度高,实时通讯丢包率低于0.2%,在保证增氧能力的情况下,增氧机作用范围比传统水车式增氧机提高10%;能够在良好的水质环境中完成精确定量投饲。研究表明,该装备的应用有助于推进水产设备智能化、自动化的发展,实现节能降耗、绿色环保的目标。     

Observations of pond hydrodynamics

This paper provides a detailed observation of pond hydrodynamics. Bathymetry and aerator deployment largely control the hydrodynamic regime. Aerators drive pond circulation, which is resisted by bottom and bank friction. Hydrodynamic friction is characterized by sediment grain size. One particular pond is offered as a proxy representative of Australian mariculture ponds in general: Pond X. The pond had been stocked with P. monodon at densities in the range 25–35 m⁻² about ten times during the period from 1989 to 1995. Observations were made in the year 1996. The site was on the east coast of Australia at 18° south latitude. The location was sheltered by a mountainous offshore island, such that winds effecting the pond averaged 2.3 m s⁻¹. Water exchange occurred at a rate of about 8.3% of pond capacity per day. Pond X was found to be rectangular, 120 m long and 87 m wide. The banks were found to slope between 1:1.5 and 1:7.6, with an average slope near 1:3. The pond was shallowest in one corner, where depth was 834 mm, and drained diagonally with 1872-mm maximum water depth. Aeration was provided by a total of six 1.5-kW machines, comprised of two of the paddlewheel type and four of the propeller-aspirator type. Each machine was found to deliver 200 N of horizontal thrust into the pond water column. The combined effect of the aerators created a circulation current averaging about 11 cm s⁻¹ around the pond periphery. The central region of the pond was found to have a fluctuating velocity of less than 1 cm s⁻¹. The mass-average size of pond soil and sediment was found to vary from 25 μm in the central region to 250 μm at the banks and where the bottom was swept by paddlewheels.