Patent Description:
The fish farming industry in Norway is experiencing a strong demand for fish. The need for growth is urgent to meet the demands from key markets. The increased protein needs of the world must, in the future, be covered to a considerable extent by aquaculture. In recent years, it has been a challenge to increase production in line with demand.

Lice problems and access to areas have, in several instances, been cited as the main reasons why farming volumes cannot be sufficiently increased.

Development of new solutions to address these challenges will be required for an increased growth in the future. It is a prerequisite that growth shall take place within defined sustainability criteria, including economic sustainability. This means that the solutions must be cost effective.

In particular, because of the great challenges with infection of farmed fish with parasites, floating closed cage installations have lately been developed. Such installations have a watertight cage bag, i.e. it is watertight or water- impermeable in the bottom section and wall sections of the bag. It is common practice that a conventional net cage can be placed inside this watertight bag.

The various cages are large, often with sizes of 50x50 metres or round installations with a diameter of <NUM>, and the depth can be significant and often more than <NUM> metres. When such a watertight cage bag (cage with water-impermeable walls) is placed at sea or in water then large forces will act on the cage bag and one often experiences that these forces become too large in terms of the choice of material and the construction of the cage, and the cage bags rupture.

<CIT> describes a floating closed cage with two separate walls, where the outer wall is not water permeable, while the inner wall is water permeable, wherein the closed cage further comprises one inlet pipe for the supply of fresh water to the cage via one or more water distributors and an outlet in the bottom section of the cage for outflow of water and waste via an outflow pipe.

<CIT> describes a closed cage in which the water is pumped from a depth where there are no salmon lice.

<CIT> describes a cage with two floating collars located outside each other such that the cage gets improved floating properties.

<CIT> describes a cage surrounded by a delousing tarpaulin. The amount of water inside the tarpaulin can be regulated in that the tarpaulin is raised and lowered as needed.

<CIT> describes in one embodiment a floating closed cage comprising an impermeable bag which can be subdivided into smaller farming modules separated from the surrounding water when lifting a ring shaped body attached to the bottom of the bag.

These solutions describe watertight cages, but the solutions do not mean that the cage can withstand greater external strains.

Thus, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a cage arrangement with watertight closed cage bags that can withstand larger external forces than the conventional solutions of today.

The forces that act on a cage bag in a cage arrangement are flow and wave forces, and also some wind forces. Furthermore, different filling degrees (amount of water in the cage) will also be able to contribute to strong forces on the cage bag.

The aim of the invention is to develop a cage arrangement that withstands more external strain than known solutions, and with this one obtains that the cages can be used in regions and areas where the weather has been considered to be too harsh.

As in other closed installations, the cages will be shielded against lice and other parasites and microorganisms that are led through the seine in installations that are not closed.

To achieve these aims, the invention provides a floating installation according to independent claim <NUM>, wherein the installation comprises a cage bag that is held afloat with the help of floating collars. Conventional solutions have one floating collar, attached to the walls of the cage, which ensures sufficient buoyancy for the cage to be held afloat. Central to the development of the present invention is the use of multiple floating collars. These lie outside each other and a watertight wall is arranged between two such floating collars that lie side by side. Thus, a space is established between the floating collars and the wall, and this space serves as a water reservoir. Such a solution, with several floating collars and several water reservoirs, leads to a much more robust construction that can withstand larger strains.

The solution that is provided can be used for many more practical applications than for the farming of marine organisms.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a floating installation for water treatment. The installation is comprised of at least two water reservoirs and, in some embodiments, each of these water reservoirs are divided into segments.

Thus, the installation can be used for the storage of various liquids, for example, for the storage of fresh water. Furthermore, the installation can be used for various water treatments such as the treatment of water for farming marine organisms, or for the purification of water, or for the recovery of food materials or waste materials from the water.

Thus, the present invention is directed to a floating installation comprising the features of independent claim <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the water-impermeable walls are of a flexible material such as a cloth or a tarpaulin.

In one embodiment, the water-impermeable walls are, in the main, of a stiff material such as fiberglass, steel, concrete.

In one embodiment, the water-impermeable walls are, in some sections, made of a stiff material, and in some sections, they are of a flexible material.

In one embodiment, at least one of said floating collars is designed with a greater buoyancy effect than the other floating collars.

In one embodiment, the floating collars are designed and have buoyancy properties sufficient that they hold the weight of the increased water volume as a result of pumping water into the bag, or by other movement of water such as by the influence of external forces such as wave or current forces.

In one embodiment, the floating collars are designed with buoyancy properties that are not greater than they will be pulled down in the water they float in with a considerable water displacement in the water reservoir (A), while the floating collar (<NUM>) is designed with sufficient buoyancy characteristics to be held afloat with the same water displacements in the water reservoir (A).

In one embodiment, the floating collars have adjustable buoyancy.

In one embodiment, between the first floating collar and the second floating collar, a net or a netting is arranged to prevent that marine organisms in the cage are transferred between the water reservoir (A) and the water reservoir (B).

In one embodiment, between the first floating collar (<NUM>) and the one or more further floating collars (<NUM>,<NUM>) spacers are arranged to hold the second floating collar at a distance from the outer first floating collar.

In one embodiment, said spacers are flexible and set up so that they can take up some movement between the floating collars when the main water reservoir (A) is subjected to external forces, or when the degree of the filling of the cage is changed.

In one embodiment, the second floating collar is designed in relation to the strengths of the cloth and reduces or eliminates the risk of overloading the capacity of the flexible fabric / net.

In one embodiment, a number of additional floating collars (<NUM>,<NUM>) are arranged inside the first floating collar (<NUM>) to establish the further water reservoirs (B, C, D).

In one embodiment, the floating collars have a circular shape.

In one embodiment, the floating collars have polygonal shape.

In one embodiment, net or netting is placed between said floating collars to prevent marine organisms being transferred between the water reservoirs and spaces are arranged to hold the floating collars a distance apart.

In one embodiment, the at least one further water reservoir (B) and optionally, additional further water reservoirs (C, D) are configured for water treatment, such as for the purification of water, oxygenation, carbon dioxide removal, etc. of water that is supplied to the main reservoir (A).

According to the invention, a number of openings (<NUM>) are arranged in a section of the first floating collar (<NUM>) so that water can flow from the at least one further water reservoir (B) to the first water reservoir (A).

In one embodiment, a number of openings are arranged in a section of the one or more additional floating collars (<NUM>) so that the water can flow from one further water reservoir (C) to another further water reservoir (B).

In one embodiment, the installation comprises more than one further water reservoirs (B, C, D) coupled together by hoses so that one can simply choose the order of the further water reservoirs (B, C, D) the water shall pass through on its way through the installation.

In one embodiment, between neighbouring floating collars and the wall that extends between two such neighbouring floating collars, partitioning walls are arranged to separate the at least one further water reservoir (B, C, D) into a number of sections (B1, B2, B3,. C1, C2, C3. , D1, D2, D3.

In one embodiment, some of the partitioning walls are provided with openings (<NUM>) for the transfer of liquid and any marine organisms from one segment to another. It is preferred that various water treatment methods, such as oxygenation or UV radiation can be carried out as the water flows through these openings.

In one embodiment, the installation comprises more than one further water reservoirs, wherein the further water reservoirs (B, C, D) and any sections for water treatment are configured for water treatment in a recirculation system for water.

In one embodiment, one or more first and further water reservoirs (A, B, C, D) are configured for storing liquid.

In one embodiment, said liquid that is stored in one or more of the further water reservoirs (B, C, D) is liquid that is set up for the treatment of said marine organisms.

In one embodiment, said liquid is a liquid for treatment of parasites.

In one embodiment, said liquid is fresh water, said marine organisms are fish, and said parasites are sea lice.

In one embodiment installations are arranged as platforms/walkways over the floating collars and the at least one further water reservoir (B, C, D).

In one embodiment, said marine organisms are fish.

The installation as given above is adapted for farming of marine organisms.

In one embodiment different marine organisms are farmed in the various water reservoirs (A, B, C, D) and their sections (B1, B2, B3,. C1, C2, C3. , D1, D2, D3.

In a further aspect and according to independent claim <NUM>, an installation as given above is used for the treatment of liquid, preferably for water treatment such as oxygenation, removal of carbon dioxide, UV disinfection, filtration, flotation, and pH regulation, or for the removal of impurities from the liquid, or for the recovery of food materials and / or waste materials from the liquid.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for treating water supplied to a first water reservoir (A) in a farming cage in an installation according to claim <NUM>, said method comprising the features of independent claim <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the installation is composed of at least three floating collars such that at least two further water reservoirs (B, C) are established in addition to the main reservoir (A), and that the water treatment takes place in these at least two further water reservoirs (B, C), as the water that shall be treated is supplied to the water reservoir (C) is forced to flow in the longitudinal direction of the water reservoir (C) and via openings to the reservoir (B), and further via openings (<NUM>) of the main reservoir(A) of the cage (<NUM>).

In one embodiment, any water treatment can be carried out in the further water reservoirs (B, C, D), preferably selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide removal, addition of oxygen, removal of impurities and skim draining.

In one embodiment, the installation is used as a recirculation system and considerable parts of the water that runs via outlet lines are treated as the water flows though the further water reservoirs (B, C, D).

Preferred embodiments of the invention shall, in the following, be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures, in which;.

Thus, the invention relates to an installation which is arranged to float in water or in the sea. The installation is adapted for the take up of liquid (preferably water, such as sea water) in two or more reservoirs. A bag <NUM> with walls <NUM> forms a reservoir for the uptake of liquid. Liquid can be led out of and into this bag <NUM>, and the water reservoir in the bag is designated as the water reservoir "A". A floating collar <NUM> with buoyancy ensures that the installation <NUM> floats in water or the sea. In addition, the installation <NUM> comprises one or more additional reservoirs, designated as B, C, D. Thus, one or more additional floating collars (<NUM>,<NUM>) are arranged inside or outside of the floating collar <NUM>. Seen from above, when the installation is floating, these floating collars form a closed ring structure, and additional such floating collars lie outside each other, preferably with the same distance between each floating collar. <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show a schematic outline of the installation and it appears that a watertight wall <NUM> is arranged between two floating collars which are neighbours to each other. In a section, the wall forms a U-shape and the two edge sections of the wall are, in the longitudinal direction, fastened to two neighbouring floating collars.

The installation can be used for general storage and treatment of water, Below is described an embodiment of the invention in which the installation is intended to be used for the farming of marine organisms. For example, one can farm fish in the water reservoir A, and the sections and water reservoirs B, C and D can be used to treat the water which is supplied to the water reservoir A, and also the water that is drained from A.

Thus, this embodiment of the invention describes a closed cage that can be placed at more exposed sites in respect to the existing closed systems of today.

The closed cage is comprised of a flexible cloth which is impermeable to water. It is kept afloat by a primary buoyancy element which is designed according to the strength of the flexible cloth. Within this primary or first buoyancy element, a further buoyancy element is provided, and a watertight cloth is arranged between these buoyancy elements. At waves with wave periods that act on the closed cage in such a way that larger volumes of water are lifted out of the water when one fastens the cloth directly to a main floating collar, one will be able to overload the bag or floating collar. What characterises the invention is that the one buoyancy collar (for example, the floating collar <NUM> in <FIG>) can be pulled under water by such stress. This will ensure that the total volume, i.e. the main volume A of the cage itself and the water volume B between the two floating collars will increase when the second floating collar is lifted out of the water. This takes place in that water moves across the second floating collar and into the main volume A.

<FIG> shows such an embodiment of a cage installation <NUM>. The cage installation <NUM> comprises at least one cage <NUM> and establishes a water volume A within the walls <NUM> of the cage <NUM>. The fish is farmed in this body of water. The cage <NUM> or cage installation <NUM> is provided with means for leading water into the cage <NUM>, in the figure shown with a water inlet <NUM>. Furthermore, the cage <NUM> is fitted with means to lead water and waste out of the cage <NUM>, in the figure illustrated with a water outlet <NUM> and an outlet <NUM> for wastes such as sludge, faeces, uneaten feed material, etc..

<FIG> shows schematically the core of the invention, i.e. that two or more floating collars are used. In this embodiment of the invention, a floating collar <NUM> is shown, and fastened to this floating collar <NUM> are the walls <NUM> of the cage <NUM>. Meant here by the term "wall" are both the vertical walls, and any inclined and horizontal wall sections in the bottom section of the cage <NUM>. By the terms "closed wall" and "closed cage" is meant that the large part of the cage wall sections is water impermeable, such that one thereby prevents that water with pathogenic organisms are carried over the walls <NUM> and into the cage <NUM>.

For some parasites, such as, for example, salmon lice that attacks salmon, it is known that these are only found in certain layers of the water column. One avoids or reduces considerably the problem of salmon lice if the cage is watertight / water-impermeable in the upper part, for example, if such a water-impermeable section has a vertical extension down into the water column of at least <NUM> metres. Cages that are watertight in the sections where the parasites are can be used as the cage is arranged floating, but not according to the invention. The embodiments of the invention comprise cages <NUM> which are completely watertight in all wall and bottom sections. The cages <NUM> are normally open in the part facing upwards, and thus have the form of an open bag. This open upwardly facing section is often provided with a net to prevent escape and ingress of birds.

The aim of the invention is that the cage <NUM> shall withstand greater strain than conventional solutions. This is achieved by using two or more floating collars which in themselves can be flexible. The second cage collar <NUM> has sufficient buoyancy to keep the cage <NUM> afloat under normal stresses. External in relation to the second cage collar <NUM> is arranged a first cage collar <NUM>. Preferably this first cage collar <NUM> has greater buoyancy properties than the second cage collar <NUM>. A watertight wall <NUM> is arranged between the second cage collar <NUM> and the first cage collar <NUM>. Between the cage collars <NUM>,<NUM> and the wall <NUM> a second water reservoir is arranged, given as B in <FIG>. This serves as a compensating body and means greater flexibility and strength in the cage arrangement <NUM>. Thus, the distance (in the horizontal position) between the floating collars <NUM>,<NUM> can be changed when the cage <NUM> is subjected to forces. The vertical position between the floating collars <NUM>,<NUM> can also be altered, for example, in that the second floating collar <NUM> is pulled down into the water as a consequence of strain on the cage walls <NUM>. The outermost floating collar <NUM>, shown in <FIG> as the first floating collar <NUM> is designed so that the cage <NUM> is held afloat in the water and not drawn underwater.

During the influence of waves, one will also avoid the so-called ripple effect which can be compared with what one notices when one shall carry a basin half full of water. The phenomenon is described in the SINTEF report from <NUM>, Mapping of different environmental solutions to meet the environmental challenges of the aquaculture industry. This phenomenon occurs when a wave lifts the one side of a closed cage and thus leaves the water column on one side. The water will then move toward the other side and thus we get the aforementioned ripple effect. The wall <NUM> may have a different flexibility, arranged for that purpose. The walls may be rigid, but they can also be very flexible, for example, constructed from a cloth or tarpaulin material. The ripple effect is greatest if the cage <NUM> is rigid.

As one has more than one floating collar then one also has barriers that prevent the marine organisms in the volume A of the cage <NUM> escaping to the outside of the installation <NUM> at extreme sea conditions.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, a number of spacers <NUM> are arranged between the floating collars <NUM>, <NUM>. These can be elongated, somewhat flexible elements <NUM> which hold two floating collars <NUM>,<NUM> at a given distance apart and that this distance is only changed when the cage <NUM> and the floating collars <NUM>,<NUM> are subjected to external forces. In <FIG>, they are given schematically as they extend straight across from a floating collar to another, but they may also be tilted.

In some preferred embodiments, a net <NUM> is arranged between floating collars <NUM>,<NUM> such that a fish that is in the cage <NUM> cannot pass into the water reservoirs B, C and D.

In <FIG>, an embodiment of the invention is shown where a further floating collar <NUM> is arranged. This floating collar <NUM> is placed between the second floating collar <NUM> and the first floating collar <NUM>. In further embodiments there can be even more floating collars <NUM>. A bordered further water reservoir is established between each of these floating collars <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>. In <FIG>, this is indicated as reservoir B between the floating collars <NUM> and <NUM>, and as reservoir C between the floating collars <NUM> and <NUM>, and <FIG> show, in addition, a water reservoir D.

These further water reservoirs B, C, D can be used to treat water that is supplied to or is drained from the cage <NUM>, as explained below in more detail.

A walkway <NUM> can be placed over the water reservoirs B, C, D and the floating collars <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>.

The present invention, with one or more water reservoirs B, C, D, established between two floating collars <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> and the associated wall sections <NUM>, and preferably floating externally in relation to the cage <NUM>, provides opportunities to treat the water that shall be supplied to the cage <NUM>. This is particularly important in recycling plants for the farming of marine organisms in which all or part of the water that is discharged out of the cage <NUM> via the outlet <NUM> is led back to the cage <NUM> after treatment and cleaning. However, one can also carry out a water treatment if the water is fetched from a given depth.

A method for such water treatment is performed in that water is added to one of the water reservoirs B, C, D that is established between the floating collars <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>. In the floating collar <NUM>, a number of openings <NUM> are established so that the water that flows in the water reservoir B is passed through these openings <NUM> and into the main water volume A of the cage <NUM>. Shown in <FIG> is that if there are three floating collars <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> used, the water can be supplied to the outermost water reservoir C, and flow through the openings <NUM> in the floating collar <NUM>, and further through openings <NUM> through the floating collar <NUM> to the cage <NUM>. At different points or areas of the water flow path different water treatments can be carried out, such as removal of carbon dioxide, supplying of oxygen, removal of impurities, skim draining etc. As depicted in <FIG>, the water reservoirs B, C, D are divided into further sections for individual water treatment in each of the sections. Preferably, the openings <NUM>,<NUM> are slanted so that water is set into a rotation (flowing in only one direction) and forced into a water reservoir lying inside.

If the installation is used as a recirculation plant, removal of water from the cage <NUM> can be carried out via a sediment trap in the cage <NUM> and be transferred via a sedimentation pipe to an external collection and water treatment unit (not shown in detail), before the water, after treatment and before further treatment in the water reservoirs B, C, is circulated back to the cage <NUM>.

In this embodiment of a cage installation <NUM> according to the invention where the bag <NUM> is a cage bag <NUM>, and where the water reservoir A is used for farming of marine organisms, one establishes a more robust installation in that there are at least two floating collars and at least two water reservoirs. Furthermore, the water that is supplied to the installation in one of the further water reservoirs B, C or D will be able to be treated (oxygenation, removal of carbon dioxide, UV disinfection, filtration, flotation, pH control, etc.).

Preferably, the water flows from the outer water reservoir, via the water reservoirs within, until it ends up in the bag <NUM>. However, this is not mandatory as the water can also flow in the opposite direction, or also flow from, for example, reservoir D and directly into the water reservoirs B or A. Openings in the floating collars or the wall sections, and associated pipe / pipelines can lead the water flow wherever one wishes, also within externally free-floating tanks or barges.

In some embodiments, the water from the water reservoir A is led to one of the further water reservoirs B, C or D for purification and treatment before it is returned to the water reservoir A.

As the installation comprises at least two separate water reservoirs, it can also be used for the farming of several species at the same time. For example, one can have shrimp, shellfish, algae or plankton in different chambers, and fish in a separate reservoir (preferably A). This is particularly advantageous if one species produces a waste material or biomass which can be used as a nutrient for another species. It is also appropriate to use the installation to have fish at a different stage of growth in the various water reservoirs/sections.

According to a non claimed embodiment, the installation <NUM> can be used for water treatment and water storage in general. For example, the water reservoir A can be used for storing fresh water (subject to watertight walls <NUM>), and the water reservoirs B, C, D can be used for water treatment such as water purification.

Claim 1:
Floating installation (<NUM>), wherein the installation (<NUM>) comprises;
- a bag (<NUM>) with water impermeable walls (<NUM>) for establishing a first water reservoir (A) where the walls (<NUM>) are attached to a first floating collar (<NUM>, <NUM>),
- at least one inlet pipeline (<NUM>) for the supply of water,
- at least one outlet pipeline (<NUM>,<NUM>) for discharge of water and waste from the bag (<NUM>),
- one or more additional floating collars (<NUM>,<NUM>) arranged inside or outside the first floating collar (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein an additional wall (<NUM>) is arranged between two neighboring floating collars (<NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM>) to form a U-shape when viewed in cross-section during use so that at least one further water reservoir (B, C, D) is established, wherein said additional wall (<NUM>) is water impermeable,
- wherein the bag (<NUM>) is a cage bag (<NUM>), the first water reservoir (A) is adapted for farming of marine organisms, and the at least one further water reservoir (B) and possible additional further water reservoirs (C, D) are configured for treatment of water to be supplied to the first water reservoir (A),
- wherein a number of openings (<NUM>) are arranged in a section of the first floating collar (<NUM>) so that water can flow from the at least one further water reservoir (B) to the first water reservoir (A), and preferably wherein the installation comprises more than one further water reservoirs (B C, D) coupled together with hoses so that one can easily choose the order of the further water reservoirs (B, C, D) through which the water shall flow on its way through the installation (<NUM>).