Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing water hyacinths. The system of the present invention utilizes a transfer mechanism and grapple to collect hyacinth material from a body of water. The collected material is then passed to a transport for delivery to a header unit and grapple. The header unit grapple then retrieves the hyacinth material and delivers it to a collection bin for processing. The chopped hyacinth material is thereafter discharged for subsequent use as a biomass.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for harvesting aquatic plant biomass, and more particularly, to a system and method for harvesting attached algal communities or algal turf whereby water is utilized to transport algal biomass to a central collection location. Additionally, the apparatus and method of the present invention is drawn to a gathering means whereby algal turf or biomass is severed from the ATS and transferred via a towing method, instead of pushing, thereby reducing potential damage to the ATS.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for removing water hyacinths. The system of the present invention utilizes a transfer mechanism and grapple to collect hyacinth material from a body of water. The collected material is then passed to a transport for delivery to a header unit and grapple. The header unit grapple then retrieves the hyacinth material and delivers it to a collection bin for processing. The chopped hyacinth material is thereafter discharged for subsequent use as a biomass.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing water hyacinths. The system of the present invention utilizes a transfer mechanism and grapple to collect hyacinth material from a body of water. The collected material is then passed to a transport for delivery to a header unit and grapple. The header unit grapple then retrieves the hyacinth material and delivers it to a collection bin for processing. The chopped hyacinth material is thereafter discharged for subsequent use as a biomass.

Abstract: An integrated aquaculture system and method are provided that include interrelated and symbiotic modules for adaptively bioremediating wastewater, producing food in the form of fish, and producing plant biomass for animal feed. The system is ecologically and economically self-sustaining. In one embodiment, the system contains a fish cultivation tank, an algal floway, and a water hyacinth system. Two modes of operation are contemplated: a recycle mode and a flow-through mode. The water hyacinth system includes harvesting, conveying, and chopping apparatus.

Abstract: A vascular plant aquaculture system and method are provided that include a water hyacinth enclosure for bioremediating wastewater and producing plant biomass for animal feed. A road and a flume are disposed about the water hyacinth enclosure for permitting access to the plants by a harvester, which is adapted to lift plants from the enclosure and deliver them to the flume, which carries purified water and the harvested plants for further processing. Such further processing may include chopping and vermicomposting.

Abstract: A system for harvesting and processing aquatic plants growing on the surface of a body of water includes a shore mounted harvesting apparatus which gathers the plants from the surface of the water and conveys them to a first chopper assembly which rips and shreds the plants to a first manageable size. The harvester assembly includes a first rotating drum positioned in the water which forces the plants upward and into engagement with a second rotating drum having a plurality of spiral wound vanes which engage the material and forces it along the passageway into further engagement with a third rotating drum which cooperates with a cutting bar to serrate and shred the material. The shredded material is thereafter transferred to a chopping assembly which comminutes the aquatic plants into very small pieces.

Abstract: A system for conditioning and removing aquatic plants growing on the surface of a body of water includes a water craft having at least one rotatable drum, the specific density of which is less than one. Conditioning ribs extend away from the outer peripheral surface of the drum and a prime mover is provided for moving the craft across an area of compacted aquatic plants. The drum is rotated to permit the ribs to separate and condition the plants for a relatively uniform distribution across the surface of the water. The craft has means, such as a rope, cable or pushing fork for drawing the aquatic plants into a conveyor for removal. The water craft is provided with a steering mechanism of rugged construction permitting relatively facile movement.