Diffuser/emulsifier for aquaculture applications

• US 6,702,949 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2002
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Revalesio Corporation
• Original Assignee: Microdiffusion, Inc.
• Inventors: Wood, Anthony B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cecil, Terry K.
• Application Number:
  US10/213,499
• Publication Number:
  US 20030057163A1
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 210/749, 210/750, 210/758, 210/760, 210/805, 952/45, 952/65, 366/101-107
• US Class Current: 210/750
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/042 Introducing gases into the water, e.g. aerators, air pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/305 Treatment of water, waste water or sewage
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/233 using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/23364 the gas being introduced between the stirrer elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/237611 Air
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/237612 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/41 Emulsifying
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/43 using driven stirrers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/431 the liquids being introduced from the outside through or along the axis of a rotating stirrer, e.g. the stirrer rotating due to the reaction of the introduced liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/271 with means for moving the materials to be mixed radially between the surfaces of the rotor and the stator
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/2713 the surfaces having a conical shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/272 with means for moving the materials to be mixed axially between the surfaces of the rotor and the stator, e.g. the stator rotor system formed by conical or cylindrical surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/2723 the surfaces having a conical shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/008 Processes for carrying out reactions under cavitation conditions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/20 by degassing, i.e. liberation of dissolved gases degasification of liquids in general B01D19/00; arrangement of degassing apparatus in boiler feed supply F22D
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/34 with mechanical oscillations
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/68 by addition of specified substances, e.g. trace elements, for ameliorating potable water medicinal water A61K
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/685 Devices for dosing the additives
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/727 using pure oxygen or oxygen rich gas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/74 : with air aeration of stretches of water C02F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 : with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/322 : Volatile compounds, e.g. benzene
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 : Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/205 : Moving, e.g. rotary, diffusers; Stationary diffusers with moving, e.g. rotary, distributors
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/00 : Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage

Abstract

A method of treatment of water in an aquatic environment. Water is first pumped from a reservoir to a first mixing station. An inert gas is introduced into the pumped water at the first mixing station to provide inert gas saturated water, which inert gas saturated water will displace undesired gasses in the water in the reservoir. The inert gas saturated water is then pumped to a sparging column such that the inert gas and undesired gasses will be released from the inert gas saturated water to provide depleted water. The depleted water is then pumped to a second mixing station, wherein oxygen is introduced into the depleted water to provide oxygen enriched water. The oxygen enriched water is then returned to reservoir.

Claims

1. A method of treatment of water in an aquatic environment, comprising the steps of:

pumping water from a reservoir to a first mixing station;

introducing an inert gas into the pumped water at the first mixing station to provide inert gas saturated water, which inert gas saturated water will displace undesired gasses in the water in the reservoir;

pumping the inert gas saturated water to a sparging column such that the inert gas and undesired gasses will be released from the inert gas saturated water to provide depleted water;

pumping the depleted water to a second mixing station;

introducing oxygen into the depleted water to provide oxygen enriched water; and

returning the oxygen enriched water to reservoir.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the inert gas is nitrogen.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the undesired gas is carbon dioxide.

4. The method of claim 1 and further comprising the step of filtering the depleted water prior to introducing oxygen into the depleted water to remove particulates therefrom.