The selection of aerator equipment is crucial in aquaculture, as it directly affects the dissolved oxygen content of the aquaculture water, the living environment of the aquaculture organisms, and the aquaculture efficiency. The following is an analysis and selection suggestions for several common aquaculture aerator equipment:
1、 Common types and characteristics of aerator equipment
1. Impeller type aerator
Characteristics: Mature mechanical structure, which is a common configuration in aquaculture. There are mainly two types: fixed frequency and variable frequency, as well as two cooling forms: air-cooled and water-cooled. It has functions such as oxygenation, bottom water extraction, aeration, cooling and heat dissipation.
Advantages: With a large market share, maintenance and after-sales service are relatively complete.
Disadvantages: Old style air-cooled aerators may have power thermal attenuation issues, while water-cooled ones have relative advantages, but maintenance and oil leakage issues of transmission mechanisms such as gearboxes still need to be taken into account. During peak electricity usage periods, insufficient voltage or phase loss may cause equipment damage.
2. Waterwheel type aerator
Characteristics: By artificially creating a flowing water environment, the circulation and rotation of water flow are accelerated, mainly strengthening the circulation of surface water.
Advantages: It can be used as an oxygenation device in conjunction with a impeller aerator, with a wide range of application scenarios, energy-saving and efficiency increasing, and reducing breeding costs.
Disadvantage: Compared to other types of aerators, the oxygenation effect may be slightly inferior in certain specific breeding environments.
3. Surge type aerator
Characteristic: Utilizing the floating impeller to lift water from the center and resonate to create waves that spread outwards.
Advantages: Simple design, lightweight, and energy-saving; It can increase the sunlight intensity and gas-liquid contact area of water bodies, promote algae growth, and utilize the ecological oxygenation capacity of ponds; Strong oxygenation ability when the weather is good.
Disadvantage: When the pond is shallow, excessive surges can easily muddy the water; The ability to increase oxygen on rainy days is average.
4. Jet aerator
Characteristics: High speed jet is sprayed out through a nozzle, forming negative pressure to suck in air. The air and water are compressed and vigorously mixed, squeezed, and sheared into tiny bubbles in the mixing and diffusion tubes, increasing the contact surface between bubbles and water and accelerating the dissolution of oxygen.
Advantages: Simple structure, capable of forming water flow and stirring water bodies; Smooth out the oxygenation of the water body without damaging the fish body, suitable for use in fish fry ponds for oxygenation.
Disadvantage: The oxygenation effect is not ideal, and it is often made into a jet type oxygenation feeding boat in actual production.
5. Water (floating) pump type aerator
Features: It consists of a submersible pump, a water spray head, and a floating bracket. The water spray head sprays a water film into the air and comes into contact with the air, allowing oxygen to dissolve into the water.
Advantages: It can prolong and expand its aeration and oxygenation time and area in the air; Has good oxygenation function, can quickly increase the dissolved oxygen content of surface water in a short period of time; It has an artistic viewing effect and is suitable for fish ponds in gardens or tourist areas.
Disadvantages: Small effective oxygenation area, poor energy conversion, only applicable to parks, sightseeing fish ponds, small ponds, etc.
6. Roots blower
Features: Composed of a compressor, a gas delivery pipe, a gas distribution pipe, etc., using a Roots blower to send air into the gas delivery pipe, and dispersing the air in the form of microbubbles into the water through a microporous tube.
Advantages: Large exhaust volume, high exhaust pressure, stable operation of the machine; Save electricity and improve the ecological environment of aquaculture water bodies; Easy to use, no leakage.
Disadvantages: The initial investment is relatively high; Aeration pipes are prone to clogging; Not suitable for use in deep water ponds.
7. Aerator
Features: Suitable for shallow water areas, air is forced into the water by mechanical or wind force to increase dissolved oxygen in the water.
Advantages: Simple structure, easy maintenance, and relatively affordable price.
Disadvantages: High power consumption, cannot be used in deep water areas.
8. Floating aerator
Features: Suitable for mid to deep water areas, using an impeller type oxygen booster pump to transport oxygen to the oxygen delivery pipe, and releasing oxygen through multiple oxygen release heads.
Advantages: Suitable for deep water areas, stable operation, and good oxygenation effect.
Disadvantages: High maintenance costs, requiring frequent replacement of the booster pump and oxygen release head.
9. Disc aerator
Features: Also known as a feed type aerator, it increases oxygen in water through the rotation of a power driven bottom disk.
Advantages: Simple structure, easy installation, and relatively affordable price.
Disadvantages: Not suitable for deep water areas, and the oxygenation effect is not as good as other equipment.
10 Oxygen Spray Machine
Features: Suitable for large-scale breeding farms, using high-pressure oxygen spraying technology to inject oxygen into water to form bubbles and increase dissolved oxygen in the water.
Advantages: Suitable for water bodies of different depths, with good oxygenation effect and longer lifespan of the oxygen nozzle.
Disadvantages: High equipment prices and maintenance costs.
2、 Selection suggestions
When choosing aquaculture aerator equipment, the following factors need to be considered:
1. Breeding species: Different breeding species have different requirements for dissolved oxygen, for example, fish raised in high-density farming may require higher dissolved oxygen levels.
2. Breeding density: The higher the breeding density, the greater the demand for dissolved oxygen, and it is necessary to choose equipment with higher oxygenation efficiency.
3. Breeding modes, such as intensive, semi intensive, or coarse farming, also have different requirements for aerators. The intensive care mode may require more precise oxygenation control.
4. Pond conditions: The size, shape, and depth of the pond can affect the selection of aerators. For example, deep water ponds may require the selection of aerators suitable for deep water areas.
5. Power supply conditions: Considering the power distribution situation of the breeding farm, choose an aerator with suitable voltage and power.
6. Economy and maintenance costs: When selecting equipment, in addition to considering purchase costs, it is also necessary to consider the operational efficiency, energy consumption, and maintenance costs of the equipment.
In summary, the selection of aquaculture aerator equipment needs to be comprehensively considered based on multiple factors such as breeding species, breeding density, breeding mode, pond conditions, power supply conditions, as well as economic and maintenance costs. In practical applications, suitable aerators can be selected or a combination of multiple aerators can be used according to specific situations to achieve the desired oxygenation effect.
