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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #211652
Title: Particle sieve analysis for solids removal efficiency for recirculating aquaculture system components

Author
item Pfeiffer, Tim
item OSBORN, ANDREW - HBOI
item DAVIS, MEGAN - HBOI

Submitted to: Aquacultural Engineering
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/11/2008
Publication Date: 8/1/2008
Citation: Pfeiffer, T.J., Osborn, A., Davis, M. 2008. Particle sieve analysis for solids removal efficiency for recirculating aquaculture system components. Aquacultural Engineering. 39:24-29.

Interpretive Summary: Small-scale farming is destined to become more prevalent as aquaculture develops as an industry. For small-scale farmers it is important to have a system design that is efficient in water and energy use. Filtration components are commonly used in recirculating aquaculture systems for their solids removal ability. Total suspended solids analysis was done for water samples obtained from three treatment components and were fractionated through sieve sizes ranging from 500 to 23 microns. Particle removal efficiency for a bead biofilter and sand filter plumbed in series was approximately 85%. Particle removal through a swirl separator for initial particle capture was approximately 50%. Overall, the serial treatment components of the separator, bead filter, and sand filter removed particles down to 23 microns in size in excess of 75%

Technical Abstract: As the aquaculture industry develops, opportunites for small-scale farms to become an integral part of the industry will become more prevalent. For small-scale operations it is important to have a system design that is efficient in water and energy use. If such operations decide to utilize recirculating technology for tank culture of aquatic species then the solids removal ability of the treatment components commonly used in recirculating aquaculture systems need to be defined. Total suspended solids analysis was done for water samples obtained from three treatment components in a small-scale recirculating system for tilapia culture. The water samples collected from each component was fractionated through sieve sizes ranging from 500 to 23 microns to determine their particle removal efficiency. The particle removal efficiency for a bead biofilter and sand filter plumbed in series was approximately 85%. Particle removal through a swirl separator for initial particle capture was approximately 50%. Overall, the serial treatment components of the separator, bead filter, and sand filter removed particles down to 23 microns in size in excess of 75%.