Numerical study on wave attenuation inside and around a square array of biofouled net cages

In this study, waves propagating through a square array of 16 net cages with different levels of biofouling are numerically studied using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. A porous-media fluid model is adopted to simulate both clean and biofouled netting of a cage array in waves. A numerical wave tank is built, and the oscillating-boundary method is adopted to generate waves. The flow motion is solved by the Navier-Stokes equations, and the free water surface is captured using the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The numerical model is validated by comparing the numerical data with corresponding experimental measurements of a net-cage model with clean netting. To analyze wave attenuation, a numerical analysis of wave elevation both inside and around the cage arrays is presented, which considers the effect of biofouling. Based on the results of the present study, the effect of biofouling on wave elevation is noticeable; the damping effect of the cage array increases with increasing level of biofouling. Furthermore, the incident angle of waves has a noticeable effect on the wave field inside and around the cage array.     

水流作用下一种养殖金属网衣水阻力特性的数值模拟研究

为保障深远海金属网箱养殖系统的结构安全,进行网箱结构的水动力学研究是一项重要的工作。构成金属网箱主要组成部分的金属网衣是一种小直径多孔的网状结构,在波浪和水流作用下的水动力学特性与一般的海洋工程结构物有显著不同。本文基于有限元基本原理,采用梁单元模拟金属网线结构,采用连接单元模拟网线接触部位的相互作用,并运用ABAQUS软件进行数值计算,在试验验证的基础上,分析了在水流作用下一种金属菱形链网衣在不同网目尺寸、不同网线直径情况下的水阻力变化情况。数值模拟结果表明在各种工况下,当网目尺寸由25 mm增加到35 mm、45 mm时,网衣受力增加幅度的平均值分别为14.71%和38.07%;当网线直径由2.5 mm增加到3.2 mm、4.0 mm时,各工况下网衣受力增加幅度的平均值分别为25.05%和45.06%。研究结果可以为进一步开展深海养殖金属网箱水动力特性研究提供积极的基础。     

Effects of water flow velocity and fish culture on net biofouling in fish cages

The effects of water flow, fish feed and cage position on net biofouling was examined in a floating cage fish farm. Fouling of 16 mm mesh net panels suspended inside and outside net cages and exposed to different treatments were monitored weekly until net apertures were completely occluded by the fouling organisms (8 weeks). Results indicate a dramatic reduction in water flow velocity throughout the fish farm due to the cage units themselves and net biofouling. The reduced water flow (<10 cm s^?1) inside net cages promoted rapid net biofouling, while rapid water flow outside the net cages (>25 cm s^?1) kept the net fouling organisms at bay. Although fish rearing in net cages with inputs of commercial pellet feed increased sessile biofouling (222% higher than outside the net cages) and non‐sessile biofouling (570% higher), the type of fish feed used did not significantly affect biofouling development. The study recommends that the geometry of serially arranged net cages, as commonly deployed in tropical tidal estuaries, be reconfigured to improve flow through in order to minimize the impact of fouling.     

Field measurements of cage deformation using acoustic sensors

As aquaculture continues to supply an increasing share of the worldwide seafood demand, it will become critical for farmers to maximize their efficiency. Presently, the majority of marine finfish are produced in gravity type net pens which can deform when they are subjected to currents. The water velocity loading affects the overall net shape which results in net cage volume loss and consequently, increases fish stress and decreases growth rates.In this study, an acoustic method is utilized to monitor the deformation of a small-scale fish cage deployed in currents. Twelve acoustic sources and four hydrophones were deployed on and around a small scale net pen for 60 days to monitor the net cage movement and volume. Local current velocities were recorded using two current meters, one inside and one outside the net pen. Three volume approximation techniques were examined, using the positions of the acoustic sources to predict net chamber volume as it responded to the currents. A numerical model of the system was then configured, set with loads under similar water velocities and results between field measurements and the model were compared.The use of acoustic sources and hydrophones to monitor cage deformation was shown to accurately monitor net deformation. Field measurements compared well to numerical model predictions, with errors ranging from −3.8% to 32%, depending upon the number of acoustic sources employed in the volume calculations. At low water velocities, six acoustic sources were found to accurate predict the net pen volume. In higher currents, a minimum of nine acoustic sources was recommended.     

Numerical simulation of the effects of structure size ratio and mesh type on three-dimensional deformation of the fishing-net gravity cage in current

In our previous research, the hydrodynamic behavior of a two-dimensional (2D) plane fishing net in current was simulated. Based on the research, a model of a three-dimensional (3D) net is established by using the lumped mass method. To verify the validity of the numerical model, model test results by other authors are cited and compared with the numerical results. The simulated results are in good agreement with experimental ones. In this paper, the 3D net model is applied to investigate the effects of structure size ratio (RDH) and mesh type on the 3D net deformation of the gravity cage in current. The numerical results indicate that the decrease of RDH is practically feasible in improving the cage net deformation. With a sinker system the net deformation with diamond mesh is greater than that with square mesh. When the bottom-collar sinker system is applied, with an increase in current velocity, the net deformation with diamond mesh is less than with square mesh. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the hydrodynamic behavior of the gravity cage.     

波浪作用下一种鲆鲽类方形网箱水动力特性数值模拟研究

针对鲆鲽类方形重力式网箱在纯波浪条件下的水动力特性,采用数值模拟的方法对鲆鲽类方形深水重力式网箱的主要部件——浮架系统、配重系统、锚碇系统进行了模拟。将模拟结果与实验结果进行分析比较表明,数模与物模各量值吻合良好,平均相对误差均不超过9%,表明数值模拟的方法能较好地模拟鲆鲽类方形深水重力式网箱的水动力特性。在此基础上,用数值模拟的方法,进一步研究了底框质量和网衣高度的改变对网箱各参数的影响,模拟结果显示,底框质量改变主要影响锚绳受力和底框倾角,底框质量从80 g升至100 g再升至140 g的过程中,锚绳受力平均增幅分别为13%和19%,同时增大底框质量有助于减小底框运动倾角,其平均降幅分别为8.8%和9.3%;网衣高度由20 cm增至30 cm后,锚绳受力平均增加15%,同时网衣的增高导致对浮架和底框的牵制作用加大,使得浮架和底框的运动幅度有所减小,降幅不超过10%。在以上研究结果的基础上,为鲆鲽类网箱的设计与优化提供了参考建议。     

基于PIV技术的方形网箱二维流场分析

方形重力式网箱在水流中会产生一定的阻流效应,为此研究不同类型网箱在不同流速下网箱周围的减流情况非常重要。本研究通过水槽试验,设计了4组不同网目形状与网目尺寸的网箱模型,利用粒子测速技术(PIV)、与多普勒流速计(ADV)试验技术,分析方形网箱二维流场特性与、流速分布及其减速情况。首先,试验结果发现结果显示,水流经过4组网箱后均出现明显的流速衰减,衰减区的高度与网箱高度大致相当;而网箱底部则出现流速增大区。ADV与PIV测量结果基本一致,。其中,当来流速度为0.18 m/s时,4组网箱中心点的平均流速衰减系数在0.5–~0.8左右。其次,试验结果表明,装配菱形网目的网箱流速衰减略大于方形网目网箱;小网目网箱的流速衰减则明显大于大网目网箱,而网箱的平均流速衰减系数随流速变化趋势不明显。最后,结果表明,利用PIV技术给出经过网箱中心点铅垂面流场分布的云图呈现,可清晰看出网箱周围的水流流线分布疏密程度。     

Design development of porous collar barrier for offshore floating fish cage against wave action,debris and predators

This paper presents a design concept of a porous collar barrier for a novel floating open-net fish cage that is integrated with a floating spar wind turbine (referred to as COSPAR fish cage). The COSPAR fish cage has an octagonal shape with each side length of 30m. The collar barrier, having an array of rectangular cut-outs with round corners, is installed at the top portion of the cage to attenuate wave transmission inside the cage as well as to protect fish from external predators and debris. Single and double collar barrier designs corresponding to single net and double net cages are studied. The wave transmission, reflection and energy-loss coefficients of barriers are determined from numerical analysis based on the linear potential wave theory and the eigenfunction expansion method. Various underwater heights (2m ≤ h ≤ 8m) and porosity (0.25≤ ε ≤ 0.75) of the collar barriers are examined with the view to obtaining the barrier design for minimal transmission coefficient and energy-loss coefficient. Without a collar barrier, the single net and double net cage can only provide average wave transmission coefficients of 0.9 and 0.8, respectively. This study finds that the transmission coefficient could be reduced below 0.4 by having a single collar barrier with h = 4m and ε = 0.25. On the other hand, the transmission coefficient could be further reduced below 0.3 by a double collar barrier with the same h and ε. In addition, the double collar barrier gives lower energy-loss coefficient and better proofing against fish escape, biosecurity and predator intrusion than the single collar barrier. A double collar barrier design with porosity combination of ε₁ = 0.25, ε₂ = 0.5 is recommended for the COSPAR fish cage as it yields competitive wave scattering performances and saves collar material by 25 % when compared with the best performing porosity combination of ε₁ = ε₂ = 0.25.     

Preliminary study on the effects of exclusion of wild fauna from aquaculture cages in a shallow marine environment

Previous investigations into the environmental impacts at a shallow-water oligotrophic marine experimental cage aquaculture site in Western Australia have found no accumulation of organic material, and limited changes in macrofaunal communities. It was hypothesised that wild fish populations in the area consumed particulate wastes emanating from the cage, thus reducing the benthic impacts. An experiment was designed to quantify the accumulation of organic material on the seabed occurring in the presence and absence of wild fauna. Three treatments were arranged in duplicate, cages without exclusion nets (normal situation) (CAGE-FISH); cages surrounded by a 35-mm mesh exclusion net (preventing wild fish access to the sea bed and water column near the cage) (CAGE-FISH-EXCL); and empty cages surrounded by exclusion nets (to control for effects from the exclusion net) (CAGE-EXCL). In addition, four reference sites without cages (REF) were sampled. Following baseline sampling, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were stocked into the CAGE-FISH and the CAGE-FISH-EXCL treatments at an initial stocking density of 2.4 kg m⁻³. The experiment was terminated after 62 days, at a final stock density of 5.6 kg m⁻³. Sampling found significantly greater accumulation of nutrients and fine sediments under the cages enclosed in the exclusion net than in other treatments and sites. Levels of organic carbon deposition at cages with exclusion nets was found to be 4.5±1.0 g C m⁻² day⁻¹ (mean±S.E.) compared to 0.7 to 1.1 g C m⁻² day⁻¹ at control and reference sites.The accumulation of nutrients at the CAGE-FISH-EXCL sites was correlated to distinct changes in macrofaunal community composition, with a sharp increase in overall macrofaunal abundance and a growing dominance of capitellid polychaetes. Based on a comparison between sedimentation rates within and outside excluded areas, the proportions of the total sedimenting nutrients consumed by wild fish were calculated to be 40% to 60%. It was concluded that in the natural coastal system of Western Australia or comparable environments, wild fish are potential important consumers of cage aquaculture waste materials. The fact that sediment C, N and P did not increase below cages with fish and no exclusion nets suggests that the benthic fauna, including surface grazing fish, at these sites were able to assimilate much of the remaining total sedimentary nutrients.     

Analysis of the hydrodynamic characteristics of chain-link woven copper alloy nets for fish cages

Copper alloy nets have drawn attention from researchers and fishermen as an alternative to fabric nets for fish cages, due to such advantages as protection from predators, better cage volume retention, and good resistance to bio-fouling. The drag and lift coefficients of nine chain-link woven copper alloys and three knotless fabric nets were derived using a circulating water channel and structural analysis of the nets. The flow through one copper alloy net was visualized using particle image velocimetry (PIV) to understand better the hydrodynamic characteristics necessary for the use of the net in a fish cage. The trends in behavior of the drag and lift coefficients for the copper alloy nets based on various attack angles and current speeds were highly similar to those of the fabric nets. The coefficients of the copper alloy nets were larger than those of the fabric nets for attack angles less than 30°. For angles greater than 30°, the coefficients of the fabric nets were larger than those of the copper alloy nets. These results might be attributed to structural differences between the two nets, as well as the roughness of the surfaces. The hydrodynamic characteristics of the alloy nets were illustrated using PIV, and a difference in the structure of the net was observed to reduce the resistance when the net was set against the current with an attack angle of 90°.     

不同排布方式圆形重力式网箱容积保持率的模型试验

以目前使用较多、主尺度为周长50 m、深8 m的HDPE圆形重力式网箱为研究对象,通过在主尺度为90 m×6 m×3 m的试验水池内的模型试验,研究其在不同配重、两种排布方式、不同排布间距条件下网箱的容积保持率变化。结果表明:"一字型"的网箱排布方式时,不同的排布间距对第一只网箱的受流影响不大;第二、第三和第四只网箱由于前一只网箱的减流作用,网箱间距越小,其作用越明显,容积保持率越高。"田字型"的网箱排布方式时,由于并排网箱产生的涡流的影响,第一只和第二只网箱在相同流速下其容积保持率较"一字型"排布方式减小,且网箱排布间距越小,涡流的作用越明显,容积保持率越低。模型网箱的容积保持率均随着配重的增加而增加,高流速下配重的调节作用减弱。根据实验数据以及在实际海上作业情况,建议"一字形"排布、25%间距方式设置网箱,可适当增加迎流第一只网箱的配重,其它网箱建议可采用700 kg配重。     

圆形网衣在水流作用下的运动变形特性

研究网衣在水流作用下的运动变形是深入了解网箱耐流特性的关键。本研究基于集中质量点法,建立了圆形网衣在水流作用下的数值计算模型,并利用前人的试验结果对数值模型进行了验证。验证结果表明,无论是网衣的变形还是受力情况,模拟结果都与试验结果吻合良好。在此基础上,针对实际应用中的圆形网衣,在不同配重(GW1=400kg、GW2=800kg)和流速(U=0.3～0.9m/s)条件下,对网衣变形、网衣底端前后点位移、网衣底端倾角进行了数值模拟,探讨了流速、配重大小对网衣运动变形特性的影响。结果表明,水流速度的增大会加剧网衣的变形,在配重GW1、流速U=0.75m/s时,网衣容积损失率达到50%以上。网衣底端前点的水平位移大于后点的水平位移,前点的垂直位移则小于后点的垂直位移,随着流速的增大,网衣底端前后点的位移差异将更为明显。当配重增加时,网衣底端位移、倾角以及网衣容积损失率可相应减小,网衣变形得到一定改善。数值模拟证明,本研究所建立的数值计算模式具有较好的稳定性和解的收敛性,可为下一步波浪、流联合作用下的整体网箱模拟奠定良好的理论基础。     

基于FUNWAVE-TVD模型的离岸养殖围网内外波浪场数值模拟研究

本研究利用完全非线性Boussinesq数值模型FUNWAVE-TVD耦合多孔介质模型,建立了模拟围网波浪场的数值模型。将计算结果和实验数据进行对比分析,验证了该模型计算规则波在穿过网箱后传播过程的准确性。进一步研究了波高和周期等因素对围网内外波浪场特性的影响,探讨了围网波浪场特性与这些水动力因素的内在联系。结果显示,离岸养殖围网的存在使波浪场背浪侧出现衰减,波高衰减率受波浪周期影响较大,最大波高衰减达到93.3%。同时,较低频规则波的波高衰减区域呈辐射状趋势扩散,并随着波浪进一步传播,最大波高衰减位置开始向两侧扩散,围网背浪侧的波高衰减程度减小,波高有恢复趋势,而高频波浪的波高衰减区域则较为集中。本研究可为实际海域桩网围护的位置和构造提供分析依据。     

HDPE圆形重力式网箱受力变形特性的数值模拟

该研究旨在综合探讨不同网箱周长、浮管管径、网衣高度及网目大小对整体网箱受力变形的影响,为网箱的科学合理选型提供数据参考。设定的网箱周长40—80m,浮管管径250～630mm,网衣高度6～20m,网目大小45～115mm。通过数值模拟方法对4种规格高密度聚乙烯圆形网箱在不同组合条件下网箱锚绳受力、波流力以及容积损失率进行了数值计算。结果表明,大规格网箱的锚绳受力、波流力更大,容积损失率更小,锚绳数量的增加可以大大降低锚绳受力。相比浮管管径,网衣高度和网目大小对网箱受力变形的影响更显著。整体网箱的受力变形随着网衣高度的增加而增大,随网目的增大而减小。     

Dynamical analysis of net cage structures for marine aquaculture: Numerical simulation and model testing

A numerical model for analyzing dynamic properties of a net-cage system exposed in the open sea is proposed. The model is based on a lumped-mass method. In this model, the mooring lines are divided into linear elements and the net cage divided into several plane surface elements. The interconnected points or corners are called nodes or lumped-mass centers. The external force is calculated on each element and then equally distributed to its nodes. By adding the contributed forces from the neighboring elements, a system of motion equations for nodes is formed. The volume reduction coefficient of a net cage is estimated by the ratio of minimum volume of net cage during fluid and structure interaction to the original volume. In general, the numerical results are in good agreements with the experimental data. However, the results also show that if the Reynolds number is lower than the suggested range of 1400–1800, the numerical model may underestimate the environmental forces on a net-cage system.     

Drag force acting on biofouled net panels

Measurements were made to assess the increase in drag on aquaculture cage netting due to biofouling. Drag force was obtained by towing net panels, perpendicular to the incident flow, in experiments conducted in a tow tank and in the field. The net panels were fabricated from netting stretched within a 1 m² pipe frame. They were towed at various speeds, and drag force was measured using a bridle-pulley arrangement terminating in a load cell. The frame without netting was also drag tested so that net-only results could be obtained by subtracting out the frame contribution. Measurements of drag force and velocity were processed to yield drag coefficients.Clean nets were drag tested in the University of New Hampshire (UNH) 36.5 m long tow tank. Nets were then exposed to biofouling during the summer of 2004 at the UNH open ocean aquaculture demonstration site 1.6 km south of the Isles of Shoals, New Hampshire, U.S.A. Nine net panels were recovered on 6 October 2004 and immediately drag tested at sea to minimize disturbing the fouling communities. The majority of the growth was skeleton shrimp (Caprella sp.) with some colonial hydroids (Tubularia sp.), blue mussels (Mytilus edulus) and rock borer clams (Hiatella actica). Since the deployment depth was 15 m (commensurate with submerged cages at the site), no algae were present. The net panels had been subject to several different antifouling treatments, so the extent of growth varied amongst the panels. Drag force measurements were made using a bridle-pulley-load cell configuration similar to that employed in the tow tank. Fixtures and instruments were mounted on an unpowered catamaran that was towed alongside a workboat. Thus, the catamaran served as the “carriage” for field measurements.Increases in net-only drag coefficient varied from 6 to 240% of the clean net values. The maximum biofouled net drag coefficient was 0.599 based on net outline area. Biofouled drag coefficients generally increased with solidity (projected area of blockage divided by outline area) and volume of growth. There was, however, considerable scatter attributed in part to different mixes of species present.     

圆形重力式网箱不同排布方式受力变化的模型试验

以目前使用较多、主尺度为周长50 m、深8 m的HDPE圆形重力式网箱为研究对象,通过在主尺度为90 m×6 m×3 m的试验水池内的模型试验,研究其在不同配重、两种排布方式、不同排布间距条件下网箱的受力变化。结果表明:不论"一字形"还是"田字形"排布,在其它条件相同的情况下,模型网箱阻力随着箱体配重增加而增大,且随着流速的增加而增大。在其它条件相同的情况下,除"一字形"排布的第四只网箱在0%间距排布的模型网箱在高流速下受力大于25%和50%排布间距的受力外,其它排布的模型网箱阻力均随排布间距的增大而增大。在其它条件相同的情况下,随着流速的增加,"田字形"排布第二只网箱受力由小于"一字形"排布逐渐大于"一字形"排布。从模型网箱的受力情况分析,"一字形"排布25%间距的网箱受力最小。     

Dynamical analysis of net cage structures for marine aquaculture: Numerical simulation and model testing

A numerical model for analyzing dynamic properties of a net-cage system exposed in the open sea is proposed. The model is based on a lumped-mass method. In this model, the mooring lines are divided into linear elements and the net cage divided into several plane surface elements. The interconnected points or corners are called nodes or lumped-mass centers. The external force is calculated on each element and then equally distributed to its nodes. By adding the contributed forces from the neighboring elements, a system of motion equations for nodes is formed. The volume reduction coefficient of a net cage is estimated by the ratio of minimum volume of net cage during fluid and structure interaction to the original volume. In general, the numerical results are in good agreements with the experimental data. However, the results also show that if the Reynolds number is lower than the suggested range of 1400–1800, the numerical model may underestimate the environmental forces on a net-cage system.     

Typical hydrodynamic models for aquaculture nets: A comparative study under pure current conditions

The net is regarded as the most critical component in marine aquaculture facilities as it is the only barrier which protects the environment from fish escapes. Accurate predictions of the net cage deformation and drag force on the nets are needed, both for ensuring fish welfare and for dimensioning of the mooring system. Thus, an appropriate hydrodynamic model is essential. In practice, two types of hydrodynamic force models, i.e., the Morison type and the Screen type, are commonly used to calculate the hydrodynamic forces on nets. Application of the models depends on the underlying structural model and the availability of data. A systematic review of hydrodynamic models is therefore undertaken to compare the models and various parameterisations, in aid of model selection during the design. In this study, eleven commonly used hydrodynamic models, i.e., five Morison models and six Screen models, are reviewed comprehensively, and implemented into a general finite element (FE) solver for dynamic simulations. Sensitivity studies on different current velocities, inflow angles and solidities of the nets are carried out. Moreover, different wake effects are also considered in numerical simulations. The numerical results from different models are compared against existing experimental data under pure current conditions. Suggestions for selection of suitable hydrodynamic models are provided, based on the model comparison.     

Technological solutions and operational measures to prevent escapes of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from sea cages

Escapes of cod (Gadus morhua) from sea cages represent an economic problem for farmers and a potential environmental problem. We estimate that 0–6% of cod held in sea‐cage farms in Norway were reported to have escaped each year from 2000 to 2005, which is a high proportion compared with salmon. We interviewed employees at 19 coastal sea‐cage cod farms in Norway to investigate both how and why cultured cod escape and to document cage handling and management strategies that were effective in minimizing escapes. Based on the interviews, we describe five working hypotheses that may explain why a greater proportion of cod than salmon escape: (1) cod are more willing to escape than salmon; (2) cod bite the net cage and create wear and tear; (3) net cages have insufficient technical standards for cod culture; (4) cod are placed in sea cages at considerably smaller sizes than salmon; and (5) cod are more popular feed for predators. Preliminary testing of the hypothesis that cod bite netting and create holes was done by placing pre‐damaged net panels with cut twines and control panels inside sea cages. Holes in the pre‐damaged net panels increased in size over a period of 3 months. The type of damage indicated that biting of netting twines was the likely cause.