The Problem:
To compete effectively in the aquaculture industry, the United States must develop approaches to decrease production costs without sacrificing product quality. Aeration of the catfish ponds is one of the four major expenses in production, and extremely important in the aquaculture industry to treat wastewater and aerate bodies of water to sustain organisms' lives. Ensuring high enough concentrations of dissolved oxygen is critical for fish growth and the reduction of morbidity/mortality. Current approaches to aeration involve the use of paddle-wheel designs which require routine maintenance, are energy intensive, and need to be replaced every five to seven years.
The Solution:
Researchers at the University of Alabama have developed a concept for a pumped powered aeration system utilizing confined tubing for aeration in aquaculture and wastewater applications. The proposed confine-tube aspirator is comprised of a network of pipes attached to the outlet of a venturi tube. The venturi tube aspirator produces vacuum by means of the venturi effect with water flowing through a constrained section of a pipe thereby causing an increase in velocity and a decrease in pressure.
Standard Aeration
Confined Tube Aeration
Benefits:
• Increases aeration efficiency.
• Made of readily-available, mass-produced piping.
• Cost efficient compared to current technology.
• Increased average replacement time.
• More reliable.
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
• Relatively low capital investment.
The University of Alabama Research Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) is a non-profit corporation that is responsible for commercializing University of Alabama technologies and for supporting University research. At OIC, we seek parties that are interested in learning more about our technologies and commercialization opportunities, and we welcome any inquiries you may have.
