With Biological Filter Patents (Class 119/227)
  • Patent number: 11685674
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus (1), the apparatus (1) comprises a fluid inlet (2), a first MBBR (4) and a second MBBR (5) and a fluid outlet (3), and a controller (C1), wherein the first MBBR (4) and second MBBR (5) are connected in series such that water to be treated flows from the inlet (2) through the first MBBR (4) to the second MBBR (5) and thence to the outlet (3) and wherein the controller or control means (C1) is operable to change the flow direction such that water to be treated flows from the inlet (2) to the second MBBR (5) then to the first MBBR (4) and thence to the outlet (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT, SAS
    Inventors: Andrew Cannon, William Jeal
  • Patent number: 11659796
    Abstract: There is a modular, insulated, all-in-one, plug-and-play (MIAP) aquaponics unit that includes a framework having a single base and plural walls; an aquaculture tank defined by a first portion of the single base and a first set of the plural walls; a clarifier tank defined by a second portion of the single base and a second set of the plural walls; a bio-reactor tank defined by a third portion of the single base and a third set of the plural walls; a hydroponics tank defined by a fourth portion of the single base and a fourth set of the plural walls; and piping extending through the plural walls between each two adjacent tanks for allowing water from the aquaculture tank to flow into the clarifier tank and then into the bio-reactor tank and then into the hydroponics tank and back to the aquaculture tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ryan Lefers, Mahmoud Abdul-Jawad, Aftab Alam, Haitham Anbar
  • Patent number: 11589561
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an aquatic farming system (200) comprising one or more stacked levels of an array of one or more aquatic farming modules (100). Each aquatic farming module (100) comprises an intermodal container (102) comprising a pair of opposing side walls (104) and a pair of opposing end entrances (106), and a housing structure (110) disposed in the intermodal container (102) and extending between the side walls (104) thereof. The aquatic farming module (100) further comprises a set of access doors (130) disposed at one or both end entrances (106) of the intermodal container (100), the access doors (130) actuatable planarly for selectively opening/closing the respective end entrances (106). Selective opening/closing of the end entrances (106) of the intermodal containers (102) in each stacked level facilitates user accessibility to the housing structures (110) in said stacked level for farming aquatic organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory Limited
    Inventor: Chin Heng Goh
  • Patent number: 11272694
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe aquaculture filtration systems comprising a tidal basin, first bead filter unit, second bead filter unit, and optionally an inoculation tank. The tidal basin and first bead filter unit can be in fluid communication. The first bead filter unit can be in fluid communication with the second bead filter unit and optionally the tidal basin via a bypass line. The second bead filter unit can be in fluid communication with the tidal basin and optionally an inoculation tank via an inoculation loop. The aquaculture filtration systems can optionally further comprise pumps for circulating fluids, such as circulation pumps and inoculation pumps, and valves for controlling or directing fluid flow. Embodiments also describe related methods, systems, apparatuses, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: THE TRU SHRIMP COMPANY
    Inventors: Angela Kaye Landsman, Rodney Alan Johnson
  • Patent number: 11161756
    Abstract: A vacuum airlift system for treating an aqueous effluent includes an upflow liquid portion, where the upflow liquid portion is configured to retain a fluid, and a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being fluidly coupled with the upflow liquid portion, where the fluid inlet is positioned at about a bottom of the upflow liquid portion. The vacuum airlift system can also include a downflow liquid portion, where the downflow liquid portion is fluidly coupled with the upflow liquid portion, and a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet being fluidly coupled with the downflow liquid portion, where the fluid outlet is positioned at about a bottom of the downflow liquid portion. The vacuum airlift system can also include a photobioreactor fluidly coupled with the downflow liquid portion such that the fluid is configured to pass through the upflow liquid portion, into the downflow liquid portion, and into the photobioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Searen, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Wood Andrews, Emmanuel Pierre Pascal Briquet, John Rodgers Brooks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10973210
    Abstract: A recirculating aquaculture system for the conditioning and maturation of bivalve molluscs in a controlled environment; subsequently, once reached their optimal development, the mature molluscs will be used as broodstock in another specific system. Through the system of the present invention the complete conditioning and maturation process of bivalve molluscs takes around 8 to 12 weeks, time after which the molluscs are fit to be transferred to the reproduction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Centro de Investigacion Cientifica y EducaciĆ³n Superior de Ensenada
    Inventor: Manuel Alberto Segovia Quintero
  • Patent number: 10952414
    Abstract: An aquaculture system including an aquaculture tank for holding aquaculture water for culturing an aquatic organism, a thermal insulation house that covers the aquaculture tank, an insulation positioned on at least part of a region surrounding the aquaculture tank, and a temperature adjuster that adjusts a temperature inside the thermal insulation house and/or a temperature of the aquaculture water in the aquaculture tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Minami, Mitsuho Maeda, Eisuke Yasue, Kosuke Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10927024
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus for removing nitrogen in raw water and a water treatment method using the same are provided. The water treatment apparatus includes a denitrification reactor configured to remove nitrogen contained in raw water supplied thereto, a phosphorus treatment tank configured to remove phosphorus (P) contained in the raw water supplied from the denitrification reactor, an anammox reactor configured to remove nitrogen contained in the raw water supplied from the phosphorus treatment tank through an anammox reaction, a partial nitritation tank configured to convert ammonium ions (NH4+) remaining untreated in the anammox reaction into nitrite ions (NO2?), and a sedimentation tank configured to cause settling of suspended matter contained in the raw water supplied from the partial nitritation tank so that sludge forms and discharge the raw water through a raw water discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Seong Ju Kim, Su Nam You, Yang Oh Jin
  • Patent number: 10897861
    Abstract: An insulated passive house, building, or skyscrapers system and method with integrated aquaponics, greenhouse, and mushroom cultivation, includes a glazing on a sun facing side at an angle to maximize winter sunlight, and housing a fish tank; a plant growing area; a mushroom growing area; a shop, apartment or office area; a water wall thermal mass that divides the plant growing area from the mushroom growing and the shop, apartment or office areas, and the fish tank; and a natural air ventilation (NAV) system that provides misted air to the mushroom growing and the shop, apartment or office areas, and the fish tank from O2 generated by the plant growing area, and CO2 generated by the mushroom growing and the shop, apartment or office areas, and the fish tank to the plant growing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventors: Irina Alexeevna Pisarenko, Maria Yevgenyevna Bablyak, Carlos R Villamar
  • Patent number: 10822248
    Abstract: A water filtration device comprising a drum housing a removable canister containing a replaceable water filter media. A pair of lifting handle/media stops, connected to the removable canister, pivotally secure the replaceable water filter media, enabling a user to lift the removable canister from the drum and remove the replaceable water filter media. The drum is located along and connected to a water circulating line comprising a water supply line and a water discharge line. Unfiltered water is circulated into the water filtration device, creating the filtered water circulating into the water discharge line to the decorative water feature thereby re-circulating the unfiltered water from the water filtration device as filtered water back through a decorative water feature to a water feature terminus. As unfiltered water is pumped from the water feature terminus, it again passes through the replaceable water filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventor: Steven James Wagner
  • Patent number: 10687485
    Abstract: An aquaponics and greenhouse system, includes an insulated solar greenhouse with a glazing on a sun facing side at an angle to maximize winter sunlight, and housing a fish tank housed within the solar greenhouse; a plant growing area housed within the solar greenhouse; a mushroom growing area housed within the solar greenhouse; a water wall thermal mass housed within the solar greenhouse and disposed between the plant growing area and mushroom growing area; and a natural air ventilation system housed within the solar greenhouse and configured to provide misted air into the mushroom growing area. O2 generated by the plant growing area is received by the natural air ventilation system and provided to the mushroom growing area, and CO2 generated by the mushroom growing area is provided to the plant growing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: Carlos R. Villamar
  • Patent number: 10194597
    Abstract: A method of cultivating aquatic product and plant contains steps of: (A) Preparing a cultivation tank with cultivation water; (B) Aerating the cultivation water; (C) Drawing overflow water in a top of the cultivation tank and foul water in a bottom of the cultivation tank into a protein separator and a first ultrafiltration unit; (D) Collecting bubbled fluid from the protein separator and concentrated waste fluid from the first ultrafiltration unit into a collection chamber; (E) Pumping the cultivation wastewater into a second ultrafiltration unit and filtering the cultivation wastewater by using ultrafiltration films of the second ultrafiltration unit; (F) Discharging cloudy high-protein concentration fluid into a first gathering bucket; (G) Pumping filtered fluid filtered by the plurality of ultrafiltration films of the second ultrafiltration unit into a Nano-filtration unit; and (H) Flowing the recyclable water into the cultivation tank from the recycle tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: Chi-Tse Kuo
  • Patent number: 10194601
    Abstract: An aquaponics and greenhouse system, includes a solar greenhouse insulated on north, east and west sides and with glazing on a south side at an angle to maximize winter sunlight, and housing a fish tank, grow beds, and a hard filter. The grow beds and hard filter include geyser pumps in the fish tank powered by air pumps that pump water from the fish tank to the grow bed or hard filter and aerate fish tank water. The hard filter includes algae layer with an air stone powered by an air pump underneath to aerate the algae. Grow beds on the north side have a barrier layer over media, and with a mushroom bulk substrate layer disposed thereover. The air intake of the air pump of the hard filter or the air stone extract CO2 from the mushroom bulk substrate and pump the extracted CO2 to the algae layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: Carlos R. Villamar
  • Patent number: 10015940
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for an aquaponics, and greenhouse system, includes a solar greenhouse with north, east and west sides insulted and with glazing on a south side angled to maximize winter sunlight, and housing a fish tank with grow beds, and a hard filter filtering water from the fish tank coupled thereto, and including a stilling well inside of a solids collection chamber receiving water from a hard filter geyser pump, and with filter media sections of varying coarseness for providing mechanical filtration therearound, including coarser and finer media section from a bottom to a top of the solids collection chamber, a with air stones on top, and with aquatic plants including algae, and/or Duckweed, providing biological filtration growing on a water surface thereabove. A sponge filter receives overflow water from the aquatic plants and with an output thereof provided to the fish tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Carlos R. Villamar
  • Patent number: 9878931
    Abstract: A device for artificial wetland sewage treatment, which comprises a vertical flow artificial wetland bed body with an openmouthed upper portion, a vertical flow sewage treatment artificial wetland arranged on the vertical flow artificial wetland bed body, a diversion canal formed at one end of the vertical flow artificial wetland bed body, a draining ditch formed at the other end of the vertical flow artificial wetland bed body, a baffle wall dividing into a first wetland unit and a second wetland unit, an upper water conduit with an upper water conduit inlet valve at one end. It ensures the service life of the vertical flow sewage treatment artificial wetland and avoids pipe blockage; has the lasting purification treatment capacity; has a simple structure and can achieve the low cost of construction and convenient operation management; and has a long-term stable use effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: NANJING UNIVERSITY ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CHANGSHU
    Inventors: Shuqing An, Delin Xu, Lijun Ren, Tangwu Yang
  • Patent number: 9756832
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature devices and methods for administering medicaments to subjects and, in particular, molecular iodine to animals in drinking water for the treatment of oral bad breath and disease. An exemplary device comprises a source of medicament in a fluid, measuring means, an administration switch and a water reservoir means. The measuring means is in fluid communication with said source of medicament for measuring an aliquot of medicament corresponding to a dose for the treatment of a disease. The measuring means is also in communication with a water reservoir means and releases the aliquot into the water reservoir means upon signal activation. The administration switch means is in signal communication with the measuring means and upon activation by a subject produces an activation signal received by the measuring means. The water reservoir means is for receiving the aliquot and forming an aqueous solution of medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Assure Pet Health, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Richards
  • Patent number: 9497940
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing and researching aquatic species is provided. The apparatus includes a housing rack for housing a tank. The apparatus further includes one or more dividers for dividing the at least one tank into one or more compartments. The apparatus further includes a collection channel and a downspout in each compartment for draining of water from each compartment. The apparatus further includes one or more lids for covering the one or more compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: R&D AQUATICS, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Anthony Castranova
  • Patent number: 9380766
    Abstract: A recirculating aquaculture system is configured for growing aquatic animals. The system includes an inlet conduit, a tank, a water treatment unit, a clarifier, and an outlet conduit. The tank is in fluid communication with the inlet conduit to receive water displaced from the inlet conduit. The tank also contains water and aquatic animals. The water treatment unit is arranged within the tank and includes algae capable of removing aquatic animal waste from the water within the tank. The clarifier is in fluid communication with the tank to receive displaced water from the tank. The clarifier is also configured to remove solid waste from the displaced water. The outlet conduit is in fluid communication between the clarifier and the inlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher A. Limcaco
  • Patent number: 8997694
    Abstract: A system and method for removal of phosphates from a closed loop estuarine or marine recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), involving denitrification in the presence of a media substrate for: 1) anaerobic nitrate, nitrite and ammonia removal and 2) sequestering of excess phosphate in the RAS. Phosphate is precipitated in or on the denitrifying biofilm formed on the media substrate as phosphate salts. The phosphate salt-containing media substrate can be removed from the RAS, the phosphates can be removed, and both the substrate and the phosphates can be reused or recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: University of Maryland Baltimore County
    Inventors: Kevin R. Sowers, Keiko Saito, Harold J. Schreier
  • Patent number: 8839742
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aquaponics system and method. There is provided an aquaponics system including a tank (10) for housing at least one aquatic animal species; a plant growing apparatus (18) for housing one or more plant species growing in an aqueous environment; and a biofilter module including a solids removal means (12) and a biological waste digestion unit (14) including a biological species for digesting solids to produce plant nutrients. Plant nutrients are transferred to the plant growing apparatus (18) and at least a portion of the water is returned to the tank (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Urban Ecological Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Bodlovich, Kevin Gleeson
  • Patent number: 8813686
    Abstract: A modular aquaculture system and method of use for providing a flexible cost effective system and method for producing aquaculture. The modular aquaculture system and method of use includes aquaculture holding tank for at least facilitating the grow-out of the aquaculture species, at least one oxygenation apparatus operationally couples to each one of the aquaculture holding tanks, and a filter apparatus operationally coupled to the aquaculture holding tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: AquaManf Aquaculture Technologies, Ltd., Dakota Fisheries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8800496
    Abstract: A water circulation pump pre-filter unit (PFU). The PFU is submerged and provides structure to camouflage the system to give a natural and aesthetic look. The PFU comprises at least two cleaning systems: (1) biological cleaning mechanism; and (2) an internal self-cleaning mechanism. Specifically, the PFU comprises several filtering surfaces that form a repository for pond debris on which fish and other aquatic creatures feed, i.e., the biological cleaning mechanism. These filtering surfaces of the PFU also provide a protective barrier that prevents large debris from entering the circulation pump. The internal self-cleaning mechanism is a spray wash water source mechanism used to clean the PFU without removing the PFU or fish from the pond or entering the water. Together these features improve the quality of the water in the pond and extend the life of a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen D. Roche
  • Patent number: 8778184
    Abstract: A modular, vertical bioreactor system includes a plurality of vertical bioreactor chambers each of which encloses an interior volume and has a height dimension which is greater than its width dimension; a drain manifold which maintains the bioreactor chambers in a spaced apart relationship and defines a fluid channel which is in fluid communication with each of the vertical bioreactor chambers; and, a fluid delivery assembly which delivers a fluid to each of the bioreactors. The system may be reconfigured so as to accommodate varying applications. The system may be integrated with an aquaculture system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Derek Byrd
  • Patent number: 8677942
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aquaponics system and method. There is provided an aquaponics system including a tank (10) for housing at least one aquatic animal species; a plant growing apparatus (18) for housing one or more plant species growing in an aqueous environment; and a biofilter module including a solids removal means (12) and a biological waste digestion unit (14) including a biological species for digesting solids to produce plant nutrients. Plant nutrients are transferred to the plant growing apparatus (18) and at least a portion of the water is returned to the tank (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Urban Ecological Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Bodlovich, Kevin Gleeson
  • Publication number: 20140041594
    Abstract: An aquaponic system generally comprises an aquarium module, a garden module and a reservoir module. The aquarium module is generally configured to be installed on a supporting structure (e.g. a cabinet). The garden module is generally configured to be installed on the supporting structure near the aquarium module, in front, beside or even all around it. The garden module is generally configured to support terrestrial and/or semi-aquatic plants. The reservoir module is typically installed inside the supporting structure with the utilities (e.g. pumps). The system is generally designed such that the waste water from the aquarium module flows to the garden module where it irrigates the plants and where it is at least partially filtered by plants which consume at least some of the waste products contained in the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Robin Plante
  • Publication number: 20130319342
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein disclose a fish brooding and filtration system. The system includes a brooding tank configured to contain water and fish for breeding. The brooding tank is in fluid communication a filtration tank, which is configured to extract nitrites from the water circulating through the system. A pump circulates the water through at least one conduit and an injector that receives a flow of water generated by the pump and draws air into the injector. The injector is further operable to inject a mixture of the drawn air and the water into the brooding tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: John Musser
  • Patent number: 8506811
    Abstract: A recirculated marine aquaculture system and process for growing crustaceans or other fish within a body of water. Water from the body of water is treated by stripping carbon dioxide and biological byproducts and by oxygenating the water. A water treatment unit may be provided to treat the water and provide movement to the body water. The water treatment unit can be configured to provide cavitation to the water, which aids in the removal of carbon dioxide and biological byproducts. Water may also be cycled through a deflocculation tank to reduce the floc of bacteria within the body of water to acceptable levels for optimal growth of crustaceans or other fish within a body of water. Using the system and the deflocculation tank has the advantage of significantly reducing the water exchange rates and even the water effluent, while maintaining acceptable water quality for growing crustaceans or other fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Bradley Innovation Group, LLC
    Inventors: James E. Bradley, Jeremy L. Bradley
  • Publication number: 20130180460
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of operating a pump in an aquaculture system including a water tank that houses aquatic life. The method includes monitoring a dissolved oxygen level in the culture tank, determining a flow rate threshold based on the dissolved oxygen level, and changing a speed of the pump to maintain a current flow rate through the culture tank above the flow rate threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Dennis P. Delong
  • Publication number: 20130098303
    Abstract: A system and method of sustainable aquaponics that vertically integrates unique aquaponic system designs with alternative aquaculture fish feed sources, fingerling production methods, alternative aquaculture/farmed fish grow out models, and green energy sources that yield organic produce in the form of fruits and vegetables. A raceway system serves for grow-out throughout the warm and cold months. During the summer months, fish can be spawned and fed for steady growth, while during the winter months, the fish continue to grow at slower quite acceptable growth rates. The present invention derives its water from an open, natural, established pond or lake ecosystem to ensure that the raceways are adequately seeded with all of nature's good and bad bacteria and algae. The present invention can include winter quarters for the fish that is well-insulated and heated to ensure that the fish are comfortable and will continue growing and spawning throughout winter months.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Trent Jones
  • Patent number: 8267045
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for aquaculturing marine life forms such as coral utilizing a rotating tray that exposes the marine life forms to variable water flow conditions during each revolution of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Karen R. Spartz
  • Publication number: 20120152176
    Abstract: A system and method for removal of phosphates from a closed loop estuarine or marine recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), involving denitrification in the presence of a media substrate for: 1) anaerobic nitrate, nitrite and ammonia removal and 2) sequestering of excess phosphate in the RAS. Phosphate is precipitated in or on the denitrifying biofilm formed on the media substrate as phosphate salts. The phosphate salt-containing media substrate can be removed from the RAS, the phosphates can be removed, and both the substrate and the phosphates can be reused or recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY
    Inventors: Kevin R. Sowers, Keiko Saito, Harold J. Schreier
  • Patent number: 8117992
    Abstract: A system related to inland farming of seafood products within an environmentally-controlled seafood-farming environment. The seafood-farming environment is preferably established within at least one substantially buried space. The associated apparatus preferably comprises at least one nutrient supplier to supply adequate nutrients to at least one aqueous medium supporting the farming of the seafood, and at least one waste remover to remove unwanted waste from the aqueous medium. Surface crops are grown above and around the seafood-farming environment to maximize production within the farming site. A kit and methods of implementation are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Aqua Culture Joint Venture
    Inventors: Neal S. Parsons, Steven De Wayne Wooten, Louis J. Raj, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110131880
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aquaponic facility with closed water circulation, including at least one aquaculture unit and at least one hydroponic unit, characterized in that the aquaculture unit has at least one water outlet which is functionally connected with the hydroponic unit by a one-way valve such that water from the aquaculture unit can be supplied to the hydroponic unit, and the hydroponic unit has at least one cold trap, wherein the at least one cold trap is functionally connected with the aquaculture unit in such a way that the water obtained from the at least one cold trap can be supplied to the aquaculture unit, as well as its use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: FORSCHUNGSVERBUND BERLIN E.V.
    Inventors: Werner Kloas, Bernhard Rennert, Christoph Van Ballegooy, Manfred Drews
  • Patent number: 7736509
    Abstract: An aquaculture or wastewater effluent water quality device to improve water quality and food supply in an aquaculture pond or body of water by incubating beneficial microbes in a temperature controlled environment and systematically releasing them to the surrounding water, allowing the beneficial microbes to perform sanitation functions and to help such systems or water bodies overcome the natural production of harmful microbial species without substantially heating or cooling the entire system any more than is required by the present state of the system or body of water or the inhabitants thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Alan Kruse
  • Patent number: 7662279
    Abstract: A filtering device, in particular for fish basins, having a housing (10) encompassing a filter chamber (20) and a filter drum (30), which is rotatably disposed in the filter chamber (20) and is loadable with water to be purified, about which a filter belt (40) is guided along part of its circumference from a dispensing roller (42) to a receiving roller (41) that is driven by a paddle wheel (5) disposed outside the filter chamber (20). The paddles (51) of the filter wheel are activated by unpurified water in such a way that the filter belt (40) is wound from the dispensing roller (42) onto the receiving roller (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Rupp
  • Publication number: 20100031893
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aquaponics system and method. There is provided an aquaponics system including a tank (10) for housing at least one aquatic animal species; a plant growing apparatus (18) for housing one or more plant species growing in an aqueous environment; and a biofilter module including a solids removal means (12) and a biological waste digestion unit (14) including a biological species for digesting solids to produce plant nutrients. Plant nutrients are transferred to the plant growing apparatus (18) and at least a portion of the water is returned to the tank (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: URBAN ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew Bodlovich, Kevin Gleeson
  • Patent number: 7624703
    Abstract: A method for reducing ammonia concentration in an aqueous medium caused by the presence of fish gill/urine discharge, fish faeces and uneaten organic fish-feed particulate matter in recirculating aquaculture tanks. Fish in fish tank water are remotely located or partially isolated from the fish tank water utilized by the sono-molecular-conversion apparatus. Transient cavitation-created, collapsing microsized bubbles generated in the fishless portion of the fish tank water completes ammonia nitrification, mineralization and denitrification therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Edward Vago
  • Patent number: 7544286
    Abstract: Submerged media useful with or without aeration and/or mixing to enhance an aquatic environment by promoting and retaining biogrowth. The media takes the form of a cluster of individual flexible elements having free ends. The media are submerged in a liquid such as a water or wastewater treatment basin or an aquaculture environment. The media are characterized by the ability to promote and retain microbial growth. The media clusters have substantial flow through thicknesses to provide a three dimensional effect along with baffling for increased contact with the liquid being treated. The media may be thin strips constructed to avoid sticking together to allow maximum exposed surface area. The media clusters can create oxic, anoxic and anaerobic environments for maximum treatment during flow through the media cluster. The flexibility of the media elements and their free ends automatically dislodges excessive biomass buildup to avoid clogging of the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Environmental Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Tharp, Peter Riddell
  • Patent number: 7523718
    Abstract: A system for transporting live aquatic animals between shipping points, said system comprising water filled tank units 300 for containing the live animals in a life supporting aquatic environment during the transport; and a refrigerated marine container 200 provided with means 240, 250, 260 for cooling, aerating and circulating the water in said tank units at least during the transport; said system further comprising docking stations 100 situated at said shipping points, said docking stations comprising docking means for receiving said refrigerated marine container 200 containing said tank units 300; and means 120, 130, 140 for providing a life supporting aquatic environment for the live aquatic animals in said tank units 300 placed in said refrigerated marine container 200 while the refrigerated marine container 200 is attached to the docking station 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignees: Maersk A/S, Fjord's Logistic APS
    Inventors: Ditte Torring, Christian Lauersen, Arne Baekgard, Lars Nannerup, Flemming K. Nielsen, Richard D. Schmidt, Gert Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 7462284
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel approach for nitrate removal from a marine recirculating system (10) wherein high concentrations of sulfate found in seawater is used in combination with sludge (20) collected from fish growing tanks (12) to promote dissimilatory sulfate reduction to hydrogen sulfide. The sulfide is used as an electron source to promote autotrophic denitrification in an up-flow fix bed bioreactor (16), followed by nitrification in a nitrification unit (14). By utilizing the symbiotic relationship between the sulfate-reducing and sulfide-oxidizing bacterial community, nitrate accumulation is controlled in the recirculating water of the system thereby reducing water exchange in the marine recirculating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute
    Inventors: Harold J. Schreier, Yossi Tal
  • Patent number: 7306733
    Abstract: The present invention describes novel biological systems for efficiently reducing nitrate levels and otherwise conditioning aquarium water and water in similar environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Laurent Olivier
  • Patent number: 7222585
    Abstract: A method suitable for commercial aquaculture, the method comprising the steps of: (a) at least partially filling a tank (3) with an aqueous medium (13), the tank (3) being adapted for control of the quality of the aqueous medium (13), (b) locating one or more supports (2, 4) in the tank (3), each support (2, 4) being adapted to vertically hold multiple cells (1) containing marine or fresh water organisms, (c) removing one or more supports (2, 4) from the tank (3) to harvest the marine or fresh water organisms wherein a cell (1) is a self-contained unit including a barrier such as a wall to enclose marine or fresh water organisms in a volume of aqueous medium (13) and includes one or more apertures or interstices to facilitate free flow of the aqueous medium (13) between the interior and exterior of the cell (1). Each cell (1) further includes a port for insertion of the marine or fresh water organisms, the port being blocked or restricted when the cell (1) is held by the support (2, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Viktor Jablonsky
  • Patent number: 7052601
    Abstract: A process and a means are described for treatment of water that forms a growth environment for marine organisms, where this water is in a main tank that is placed on land. The invention provides a sufficient treatment/cleaning of the water so that it can be continuously re-circulated, and thus form a closed loop where one is not dependent on supply of external water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: ECO Farm AS
    Inventor: Arve Gravdal
  • Patent number: 7029577
    Abstract: A self-contained aquaculture system comprising a modular building defining a first main chamber for containing fish or marine invertebrates, a second swirl chamber comprising a primary filter communicating with the main chamber for removing solids from the main chamber, a drum filter for receiving and filtering water from the swirl chamber, a third biological filter chamber beneath the drum filter for receiving water therefrom and a biological filter tank. Water is pumped from the chamber. The building defines an enclosed space over the chambers, the temperature of which is controlled by an air conditioning unit. A foam fractionator, ultraviolet unit and ozone generator are used for treating the water in the main chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Cumminscorp.Limited
    Inventor: Ian Geoffrey Cummins
  • Patent number: 7001519
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated closed loop system for aquaculture in at least one culturing tank and using continuous bioreactor technology for the biological treatment and removal of organic material, nitrogen and phosphorous, comprising: an integrated, partially or wholly closed loop system for waste water treatment, where the water contains nitrogen containing compounds and/or substances, comprising at least one production unit of such nitrogen containing compounds and/or substances and using continuous bioreactor technology for the biological treatment and removal of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorous from the said water at continuous flow, comprising: a) at least one suspended carrier bioreactor for bacterial growth under anoxic conditions to cause anaerobic denitrification, with one or several compartments, preceding b) at least one suspended-carrier bioreactor for bacterial growth under oxic conditions to cause aerobic nitrification, c) the denitrification taking place after the p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Greenfish AB
    Inventors: Bjorn Linden, Torsten Wik
  • Patent number: 6966982
    Abstract: An aquaculture water quality ecology system to improve water quality in an aquaculture pond by guiding water into a physical filtration tank at the top of the system, then flow into a sedimentation tank to rid of algae, pathogenic bacteria, and parasites before being dripped down to a separately provided ecology process tank containing bio-filtration balls; drops being broken into even smaller drops by the filtration balls; air blower on one side and an exhaustion pipe on the other side to blow away hazardous gases to the ambient leaving the clean water after the final filtration to flow into the aquaculture pond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hi-Q Bio-Tech International Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Sheng Chang
  • Patent number: 6932025
    Abstract: A scalable fish rearing raceway system is provided, incorporating a fish containment structure having two semi-circular end sections, and two or more parallel fish raceways, surrounding a central zone for housing water treatment systems and a secondary fish crop. Heavy particulates are eliminated from the main fish rearing channels by use of conical areas located at either end of the parallel elongated raceways. Continuous removal of dead or dying fish from the raceway is accomplished by means of a floating mortality catcher consisting of a screened ramp at the surface of the cones which continuously collect moribund and dead fish. Grading bars separate and move fish underwater to an adjacent raceway through a common fish transfer channel. This larger scalable fish production system substantially reduces the direct labor and capital costs associated with the production of fish as compared with conventional circular fish rearing tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Kent SeaTech Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Massingill, Rodney J. Chamberlain, James M. Carlberg, Jon C. Van Olst
  • Patent number: 6827855
    Abstract: A first holding tank includes a base and a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the base to define an open top. An inlet pipe provides raw sewage into tank. Tank is part of a sewage treatment plant comprised of a number of like sequentially interlinked tanks. Tank has an average depth of about 1½ meters and a surface area of about 60 hectares. After a predetermined volume of sewage and other fluids are contained within tank, the inflow is halted and a number of live fish, in the form of European carp, are introduced into tank. The inclusion of the fish allows the conversion of the sewage into fish manure that progressively builds up on the bottom of the tank. Moreover, the movement of the fish in tank assists the processing of the sewage by aeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Nremron Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Norman Thomas Jennings, Darryl Ugo Jennings, Garry Gordon Jennings
  • Publication number: 20040149233
    Abstract: A self-contained aquaculture system comprising a modular building defining a first main chamber for containing fish or marine invertebrates, a second swirl chamber comprising a primary filter communicating with the main chamber for removing solids from the main chamber, a drum filter for receiving and filtering water from the swirl chamber, a third biological filter chamber beneath the drum filter for receiving water therefrom and a biological filter tank. Water is pumped from the chamber. The building defines an enclosed space over the chambers, the temperature of which is controlled by an air conditioning unit. A foam fractionator, ultraviolet unit and ozone generator are used for treating the water in the main chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Ian Geoffrey Cummins
  • Patent number: 6730226
    Abstract: A method for purifying water including nitrification by aerobic bacteria and denitrification by anaerobic bacteria in an apparatus by providing an elongated, closed water channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Shunsuke Takada