The Life Aquasef project is working on economic and sustainable alternatives for the aquaculture sector.
With energy sustainability a major challenge for the industry, the project hopes to enable producers to replace commercial oxygen by using renewable energy.
Up to 45% of aquaculture facilities are without access to the main grid, this therefore makes their expenses much higher compared to facilities better connected.
During the finish production keeping constant dissolved oxygen rates is crucial, therefore it can become essential to use water aeration systems which can involve high energy consumptions.
The Life Aquasef project is working in oxygen production through the most efficient alternative techniques.
Its partner, D&B Tech has developed two prototypes, MicroBtech and O2BTech. The first is especially designed for reproduction and pre-fattening modules.
While the second prototype, O2BTech, focusing on the aspect of fattening aquaculture. Air and water are pumped through into a specifically designed membranes to generate small bubbles with a reduction in energy consumption.
It has been tested in partner Esteros de Canela facilities, the farm managed the entire production cycle from hatchery to on-growing stages.
Results from MicroBTech testing have proved a better dissolution of oxygen bubbles in depth preventing the gas losses associated to conventional.
In the case of O2BTech, the results showed a successful replacement of commercial oxygen with atmospheric air, thanks to the high transfer efficiency of gas in the device.
