The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 22, 2011
Filed:
Dec. 12, 2008
James T. Michaels, Ii, Bradenton, FL (US);
Heather J. Hamlin, Gainesville, FL (US);
William H. Dutt, Wolfeboro Falls, NH (US);
William Graham, Bradenton, FL (US);
Peter Steinbach, Kallstadt, DE;
Brian Babbitt, Sarasota, FL (US);
Brian A. Richards, Ii, Sarasota, FL (US);
James T. Michaels, II, Bradenton, FL (US);
Heather J. Hamlin, Gainesville, FL (US);
William H. Dutt, Wolfeboro Falls, NH (US);
William Graham, Bradenton, FL (US);
Peter Steinbach, Kallstadt, DE;
Brian Babbitt, Sarasota, FL (US);
Brian A. Richards, II, Sarasota, FL (US);
Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a novel arrangement of denitrification reactors for removal of nitrate compounds in a recirculating aquaculture system. The novel arrangement of an aquaculture system of the present invention includes positioning one or more anaerobic denitrification reactors upstream of aerobic nitrification and degassing processes. One aspect of the present invention includes a flow of aqueous medium from aquatic species rearing tanks towards one or more denitrification reactors. Another aspect of the present invention includes flow of aqueous medium from aquatic species rearing tanks to a solids removing filter or mechanical filtration means for removal of solid waste matter or biomass prior to flow of aqueous medium towards one or more denitrification reactors. In a sequence of components comprising a system of the present invention, treated and denitrified aqueous medium exiting one or more denitrification reactors is directed towards a solids removing filter wherein treated and denitrified aqueous medium combines with untreated aqueous medium. Combined untreated aqueous medium and denitrified aqueous medium exits a solids removing filter and is directed towards an aerobic nitrification unit. Aqueous medium exiting the aerobic nitrification unit is degassed and oxygenated and returned to aquatic species rearing tanks. A system of the present invention which utilizes denitrification reactors positioned upstream of aerobic nitrification has advantages over existing aquaculture systems which use denitrification in reduction of nitrate concentrations. This results in greater mitigation of water chemistries and compounds which are harmful to aquatic species and more efficient use and conservation of water resources.