Source: Lindgren-Pitman Inc. submitted to NRP
MECHANICAL SCRUBBER FOR AQUACULTURE NETTING
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0228902
Grant No.
2012-33610-19516
Cumulative Award Amt.
$97,692.00
Proposal No.
2012-00231
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
May 15, 2012
Project End Date
Jan 14, 2013
Grant Year
2012
Program Code
[8.7]- Aquaculture
Recipient Organization
Lindgren-Pitman Inc.
2615 NE 5th Ave.
Pompano Beach,FL 33064
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Net cleaning and maintenance represent a significant cost in the aquaculture industry. Clean nets are essential in maintaining a healthy stock, and achieving optimal yield. Fouled nets also generate drag, and the dirtier the net, the higher the loading on moored structures in the farm, which could lead to failures. However, few options exist that are truly efficient in terms of their consumption of power, labor, or massive capital investment. This project proposes a mechanical scrubber that will clean netting efficiently, thereby drastically lowering operating costs, and increasing margins for the farmer. Efficiency is especially important in the development of the aquaculture industry in the U.S. because of increased competition with products farmed in developing nations with lower labor costs. The U.S. has a ~$10 billion trade offset, and is becoming increasingly reliant on foreign seafood (FAO, 2008). The accountability of these foreign supplies is often suspect as well. A growing and accountable domestic aquaculture industry would increase food safety and security. However, due to high labor costs, advancements in technology, as proposed in this project, will be necessary to make this industry successful. Deliverables in this project include a comprehensive design report, prototype testing, and a working prototype at the end of Phase I. Phase II will include the construction of more robust prototype units, with more robust control systems for pilot study testing at aquaculture facilities.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
40253102020100%
Knowledge Area
402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
5310 - Machinery and equipment;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering;
Goals / Objectives
It is understood that cleaning costs represent a large portion of the operating costs for marine aquaculture operations. The objective of this project is to develop a novel mechanical scrubbing system that is scalable for use in all size marine aquaculture situations. Deliverables will include several iterations of scrubber element design (brush design), propulsion design, and electro-mechanical drive design. Field testing will be performed at AquaRanch in Long Key FL, using netting previously deployed as a testing platform for each design iteration. The data collected will consist of electrical amperage and voltage (of the drive), solidity (quantified cleanliness) before and after cleaning, and visual observations taken from underwater pictures and video. Milestones will include- development of prototype and final designs of the mechanical scrubbing element, development and testing of preliminary (basic) electronic control package, design and construction of a basic prototype drive, insight and research on propeller design and functionality, and prototype propeller fabrication. By the interim report, deliverables should include a design engineering report and the beginning of fabrication of a prototype. Design criteria will be evaluated, and optimized, with the final deliverable being in the form of a basic, small, functional prototype for more robust Phase II pilot studies.
Project Methods
The proposed mechanical scrubber represents a significant departure from conventional net cleaning methods. At present, nets are typically cleaned by hand, though net rotation, or using high pressure water devices. The proposed design should prove to be more efficient in its consumption of power , and drastically reduce operating costs, while eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure. The ideal design, and ultimate goal of this project is to identify the most efficient scrubbing mechanism in terms of power consumption as it relates to cleaning ability. Cleaning ability/efficiency will be measured as the change in solidity before and after cleaning. Amperage and voltage will also be recorded to determine the efficiency of the whole system- by relating amperage and voltage to reduction of solidity. This will help in determining the scale of the cleaner as it relates to individual applications in the aquaculture industry, as well as determining power requirements, and relating that to the availability/feasibility of power available at farms of corresponding scale.

Progress 05/15/12 to 01/14/13

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project on the whole is the cage aquaculture business. The proposed scrubber will be used by farmers to clean the netting on their cages. Changes/Problems:The project exceeded expectations while remaining within the budget. Testing conditions prevented the collection of some numerical data, but qualitative results were noticeable, and were adequate for making design adjustments. The major decision at the end of Phase I, and planning for Phase II was to change the design from an autonomous cleaner to a tethered version meant for use on surface cages. This decision was made becausesubmerged cages are dwarfed in popularity amongst farmers at present, who favor floating cages. This makes the immediate need in the market if for a scrubberdesigned for floating cages the logical step for Phase II. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Phase I effort did not involve any professional development at any major scale, however Phase II will involve on-the-water training of employees of American Gold on the operation of prototype scrubbers for use in the pilot study. This could evolve into full-scale training of workers once the product is commercialized. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes, the PI has made several, internally funded trips to both aquculture conferences/tradeshows, as well as visits to several farm sites in the US. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The results of the Phase I effort in this case prepared the PI for a much more thorough and concentrated effort in Phase II of the project. At the end of Phase I, the PI has thoroughly explored many aspects of propeller and scrubbing finger design, as well as explored the manufacturing processes involved in producing the consumable (scrubbing fingers) entities in the final design. A prototype autonomous scrubber was also developed and tested over a series of days at Aquaranch in Long Key Florida. The PI also investigated changes to the design that would involve a dock-mounted, tethered version of the scrubber for use on surface cages. This was in response to the overwhelming favoritism at present for surface-cage aquaculture around the world as observed by the PI on internally funded trips to Worldaquaculutre and AquaNor. This evolved into the focus for the pilot study testing and prototypes to be deployed at American Gold Seafood in Phase II. The identification of scrubber finger design and propeller design, however will remain consistent from Phase I to Phase II, with optimized scrubber finger designs identified in Phase I.

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