Patent ID: 7082893
Filing Date: 2006-08-01
Classification: A01K,C02F,Y02W

Abstract:
1. A recirculating aquaculture system comprising: an aquatic species rearing tank for holding fresh water or salt water effluent, an aerobic biofilter reactor in fluid communication with the rearing tank, wherein the aerobic biofilter reactor comprises a tank having an inlet and an outlet for movement of the effluent therein, media means to support the growth of aerobic microorganisms active in nitrification suspended within the fresh water or salt water effluent, and aeration means to inject air or oxygen into the fresh water or salt water effluent for effective aerobic nitrification by the microorganisms; an anaerobic biofilter reactor in fluid communication with the aerobic biofilter reactor and positioned downstream from the aerobic biofilter reactor, wherein the anaerobic biofilter reactor comprises a tank having an inlet and outlet for movement of the effluent from the aerobic biofilter reactor therethrough, media means to support the growth of anaerobic microorganisms active in denitrification suspended within the fresh water or salt water effluent, and means for introducing a carbon source and optionally a nitrite source into the anaerobic biofilter reactor for effective denitrification by the microorganisms; and means for circulating effluent between the rearing tank and aerobic and anaerobic biofilter reactors, wherein the media means in the aerobic and anaerobic biofilter reactors is kept in motion within the fresh water or salt water effluent; wherein the recirculating aquaculture system is characterized by at least one of (a)–(d); (a) the media means in the aerobic and anaerobic biofilter reactor being fabricated from polyethylene and having a wheel shape with about a 10 mm diameter; (b) the aerobic biofilter reactor being fed daily with between 13% and 25% of system effluent; (c) the anaerobic biofilter reactor being fed daily with between 13% and 25% of system effluent after passing through the aerobic biofilter reactor; and (d) The aerobic and anaerobic biofilter reactors comprising up to about 60% to about 75% of its volume with the biomas carrier structures.