ICSS - SCHEMATIC DESIGN

16. Aquatic

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AQUATIC
JENSEN CHERNOFF THOMPSON ARCHITECTS

October 23 2008 | PAGE 53

ICSS - SCHEMATIC DESIGN

16. Aquatic
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OCTOBER 17, 2008 ..................................................................................................................................... 1
1.

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................... 3

2. GENERAL SYSTEM AND PROCESS DESCRIPTION ..................................................................... 3

2.1 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................................................... 3 
2.2 GENERAL PROCESS DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................................... 4 
3. UNIT PROCESS DESCRIPTIONS ........................................................................................................ 5
3.1 SOLIDS FILTRATION .............................................................................................................................. 5
3.1.1 Micro-screen Drum Filter ............................................................................................................ 5
3.1.2 Wet Land ...................................................................................................................................... 7
3.2. Foam Fractionator...................................................................................................................... 11
3.3 BIOFILTRATION ................................................................................................................................... 11
3.4 GAS BALANCING ................................................................................................................................ 13
3.4.1 Aeration and Carbon Dioxide Stripping .................................................................................... 13
3.4.2 Heating and Cooling System ...................................................................................................... 14
3.5 CONTROLS AND MONITORING ............................................................................................................ 14 
4.0 SUMMARY........................................................................................................................................... 14

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR STURGEON

STUDIES
VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY

DRAFT

October 17, 2008

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By JLH Consulting Inc.

JENSEN CHERNOFF THOMPSON ARCHITECTS

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ICSS - SCHEMATIC DESIGN

16. Aquatic
2.2 GENERAL PROCESS DESCRIPTION

1. Introduction
The aquaculture industry in North America is faced with the challenges of environment
sustainability and maintaining profitability through minimizing costs. To meet with these
often-conflicting objectives, recirculation technology is being considered as an option to
traditional fish rearing techniques.
In any aquaculture facility, a constant flow of water is required to carry oxygen to the fish
and to carry waste products out of the culture tanks. In conventional flow-through
systems, water is typically pumped from a well or from a stream and heated to ideal fish
rearing temperatures. The heated water is then passed through the culture tanks and is
discharged back to the aquatic environment, carrying with it the waste products of the
fish rearing process. In recirculating systems, advanced water-purification processes are
used, allowing a portion or all of the hatchery water to be reused. By implementing
recirculation technology, water consumption and effluent volumes may be dramatically
reduced. Also, because the heated water is treated and reused, optimized temperatures
can be economically achieved despite the outside climate, allowing ideal fish growing
conditions to be maintained year-round. Reducing influent water demands also lowers
the risk of disease entry into the facility by eliminating the use of surface water.

Recirculation technology allows the reuse of a portion or all of the culture water by
reproducing water-purifying processes that occur in nature. Fundamentally, the
recirculation treatment train consists of four basic processes: solids separation to remove
fish feces and waste feed, biofiltration to covert toxic ammonia-nitrogen to the less toxic
nitrate, carbon dioxide removal, and oxygenation. Figure 1 is a process diagram for the
proposed system. The larval room and all research rooms will have a LS system see
separate brochure for description.

2. General System and Process Description

2.1 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

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The facility is to consist of a large fish culture system, an incubation and larval room; two
small research rooms one of which will be a quarantine unit and a large research room.
Each system has its own treatment cell and is able to operate independently. The large
fish culture room will have 2 -6M tanks, 4 -2m tanks and 2 -2.46m tanks. The larval room
will have an incubation unit, and 6 1.6m combi tanks (each will have its own RAS).
The small research room which is also the quarantine unit will have 16 1m tanks and
the other small research room will have the capability to hold 20 -1m tanks, the large
research room will contain 8 -2m tanks. All research rooms will have their own RAS.
The flow rates and culture volumes required were calculated according to the biological
requirements of the species. Each system is designed to operate at a high recirculation
rate with only 2% of the system flow rates. Total make-up water is estimated to be 55
lpm or roughly 15 gpm. The amount of system water discharged per day can be reduced
depending upon site requirements and energy costs, which may dictate a lower exchange
strategy. High internal flow rates through the culture tanks are used to keep
supplementary oxygen requirements to a minimum while facilitating the self-cleaning
attributes of the tanks.

JENSEN CHERNOFF THOMPSON ARCHITECTS

Figure 1: Proposed Large Culture room recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) process
diagram.

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ICSS - SCHEMATIC DESIGN

16. Aquatic

3. Unit Process Descriptions

3.1 SOLIDS FILTRATION

The key to high water clarity and quality is the rapid removal of solids from the system.
Three main mechanisms of solids removal are included in the proposed system. First, the
solids-laden water from the tank drains passes through a radial flow separator, then a
micro-screen drum filter, located in the filtration cell, for the bulk removal of solids.
Thirdly, a high efficiency foam fractionator (with ozone) will be used to further remove
fine particulates from the system.
3.1.1 MICRO-SCREEN DRUM FILTER

All of the water from the bottom drain of the culture tank is passed through a rotary drum
filter for the rapid removal of solids. Solids are removed as quickly as possible in the
filtration system to prevent the degradation of solids during pumping and the fouling of
subsequent filtration processes. In particular, failure to remove solids prior to
biofiltration may result in excessive heterotrophic growth that may be detrimental to the
nitrification process.
The Drum Filter operates under the simple principle of a mechanical sieve. Figure 3 is a
schematic of the operating configuration of the drum filter. The dirty water enters into the
center of the drum where it contacts the screen material. The clean water flows through
while the solids adhere to the screen. As the particles settle in the drum, the screens
become plugged. As the water level in the drum rises, a level control switch
automatically activates the rotation and backwash systems. As the drum turns, the solids
are backwashed into a tray from which they flow out of the drum filter to an off-line
sludge digester. The motor and backwash system automatically shut down to save
backwash water and power.

Figure 2: Operating Schematic for a drum filter

Clean water from the drum filter passes through a level control standpipe into a collection
sump. The standpipe ensures that a necessary water level, as specified by the filter
manufacturer, will be maintained around the drum filter at all times. See Fig. 4 for a
commercial drum filter. From the sump, water is pumped to the subsequent filtration
processes.

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The effluent or the supernatant from the closed contained systems will be micro screened
60 90 micron (drum filter) and the solids (supernatant) from the screens and separators
will be pumped or gravity discharged to municipal sewer. Depending upon site
considerations and the requirements to minimize water discharge from the operation,
active recapture of discharge water for further recycle in the facility or University may be
necessary. In this case, a Geotube reclamation system may be employed (Option 1) or a
constructed wet land (Option 2) which can take all the effluent. For a Geotube system,
the supernatant from the drum filters will be mixed with a polymer (Magnafloc,
Hyperfloc or equivalent) and the reaction that takes place will extract all the water from
the liquid slurry. The water then will drain from the Geotube and be treated prior to
discharge.

JENSEN CHERNOFF THOMPSON ARCHITECTS

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ICSS - SCHEMATIC DESIGN

16. Aquatic

How a Geotube works:

Containment: High strength permeable geotextiles with uniquely designed retention
properties are fabricated into Geotube containers that can be filled with fine grain
sludge, hazardous contaminated soils, or dredged waste materials.
Dewatering: Excess water drains from the Geotube through the small pores in the
geotextiles resulting in effective dewatering and efficient volume reduction of the
contained material. This volume reduction allows for the repeated filling of the
Geotube. In many cases the decanted water is of a quality that can be returned to native
waterways or for reuse.
Consolidation: After the final cycle of filling and dewatering, the retained fine grain
materials can continue to consolidate by desiccation because the residual water vapour
escapes through the geotextile.

Primary Treatment Constructed Wetland

(CWL) drying beds

Stores and composts fish manure for later

application to farm land.

Compact - 1/2 acre needed for every 275

metric tonnes of fish production

Figure 3: Geotube configuration

Secondary Treatment Trenches

3.1.2 WET LAND

In this case, a wet land reclamation system may be employed.

Constructed Wetlands

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JENSEN CHERNOFF THOMPSON ARCHITECTS

Treats Leachate and runoff from drying beds.

Lowers BOD from 200+ Mg/L to between 5 to 0 Mg/L.

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ICSS - SCHEMATIC DESIGN

Drying bed after filling for 3 years.

16. Aquatic
When drying beds are emptied composted manure is
applied to hay and vegetable fields.
All Hydroponics and CWL technology works only with
fresh water.

Reduces solids by 700% as it composts.

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Drying

beds and treatment trenches work well in

winter as well as summer.

JENSEN CHERNOFF THOMPSON ARCHITECTS

Salt water makes salt manure which can not be land

applied on a long term basis.

Vegetables growing in applied composted

fish manure.

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ICSS - SCHEMATIC DESIGN

3.2. FOAM
O
FRACTIO
ONATOR

A foaam fractionaator will be used

u
to furtheer remove fiine suspendeed solids andd dissolved
proteeins from thee water. Foaam fractionattion involvess the passingg of air bubbbles through a
waterr column at atmospheric
a
pressure. Air
A is introduuced by pum
mping a smalll portion of
waterr from the frractionator thhrough a vennturi injectorr, drawing aiir into the waater flow. A
smalll pump and venturi
v
injecctor system is used to draaw flow intoo a side-streaam of water.
The oxygen
o
bubb
bles are carriied with the water and innjected at thee bottom of the
t water
colum
mn. As the air
a bubbles rise
r up through the waterr column, finne dissolved particles aree
colleccted on the surface
s
of thhe bubbles. The
T bubbles and particlees create foam
m, which
accum
mulates at th
he surface off the water. In
I the top poortion of the fractionatorr the foam iss
skimm
med off of th
he water, collected and drained
d
to waste.
w
Figuree 7 is a photoograph of
foam
m collecting at
a the top of a foam fracttionator.

16. Aquatic
The AquafilterTM filter is a simple filter similar to a trickling filter, but uses a large
quantity of buoyant microbeads (2mm polystyrene balls) for media. The beads provide
surface area on which the nitrifying bacteria are able to grow, forming a biofilm that
comes into contact with the water for treatment. Water is pumped to the top of the filter
and distributed evenly over the bead bed through the use of an orifice plate. Even
distribution of water is important to ensure that the beads distribute evenly.
Inconsistencies in the bead depth may result in short-circuiting of flow through the filter,
limiting the nitrification capacity of the filter. In large vessels where the even
distribution of beads is more difficult to achieve, proprietary methods are used to more
easily control bead movement. The beads float on top of the treated water that collects at
the bottom of the filter. The filter depth and outlet pipe are designed such that the design
water level is maintained and the beads may not be carried out of the vessel with the
flow. The reservoir at the bottom of the biofilter acts as a header tank from which treated
water returns by gravity to the culture tanks at a constant head. Figure 5 is a photograph
of micro-bead biofilters in operation.

F
s in operation.
Figurre 4: Foam Fractionators
In thee rearing of sturgeon
s
goood water quaality and clarrity is desireed. The air would
w
be
replaced by a con
ntinuous suppply of ozonee. The ozonee would breaak down the small
particcles and protteins more efficiently thuus improvingg water clariity.
3.3 BIOFILTRATION

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Biofiiltration utilizes the metaabolic activitty of microoorganisms, which

w
form a bio-film on
the giiven media (sand,
(
microobead, etc.), to
t covert toxxic ammoniaa-nitrogen too less toxic
nitratte through a process called nitrificatiion. The bioofilters to be used are thee
AquaafilterTM. Sim
milar biofilteers have beeen used in waarm water aqquaculture syystems
throuughout North
h America annd in an indooor recirculaating Barram
mundi facilityy currently
operaating in Austtralia.

JENSEN CHERNOFF THOMPSON ARCHITECTS

Figure 5: Micro-bead biofilters (AquafilterTM).

To build a degree of flexibility and safety into the operation of the system, multiple
pumps (typically one as a backup) are specified to drive the biofilter(s). The pumps used
are of a high industrial grade and are very reliable. The AquafilterTM requires minimal
hydraulic head pressure, allowing the use of high volume low head pumps that are
economical to operate thus reducing production costs. The system is designed so that the
main flow in the system is pumped only once and that all subsequent flow is by gravity.

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16. Aquatic

3.4 GAS BALANCING

3.4.2 HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM

Dissolved oxygen levels in hatchery waters are depleted through the respiration of the
cultured fish and by the oxidation of organic matter in the water. Increased temperature in
the system not only decreases the oxygen carrying capacity of the water; it also increases
the metabolic rate of the fish, depleting the oxygen concentration of the water more
rapidly through increased respiration. Because recirculation systems are typically run at
higher temperatures than flow through hatcheries, due to increased ability to heat, the
aeration and oxygenation of the water in recirculating hatcheries becomes increasingly
important.

Having the ability to heat and cool the water allows for much greater control of fish
growth rates. Recirculation systems make it possible to economically maintain ideal
water temperature year round. In this case heat pumps will be used one for each area.
The heating or cooling will be transferred via immersion radiators.

The same reactions that deplete oxygen tend to increase carbon dioxide concentrations in
the system. As the culture becomes more intensive, the carbon dioxide accumulates in
the system and the need to remove it becomes increasingly important. Heightened levels
of carbon dioxide in the system reduce the oxygen carrying ability of the blood
hemoglobin, causing respiratory distress despite adequate oxygen levels in the water.
Carbon dioxide levels also affect the pH of the system by overwhelming the buffering
capacity of the water, tipping the equilibrium towards acidity. However, excessive
stripping of carbon dioxide can cause the pH to be too high causing ammonia toxicity
issues. Careful control of pH is required.

3.4.1 AERATION AND CARBON DIOXIDE STRIPPING

Carbon dioxide removal and aeration of the water to saturation are accomplished
simultaneously using a custom designed, forced-air carbon dioxide stripper. Water enters
at the top of the vessel and is broken into a spray by a series of low-pressure nozzles or
splash screens, providing a high water surface area. The water then falls through an
air/water contact chamber of approximately 1.2 meters in height. Airflow from a high
volume, fan style blower is passed counter flow through the water spray. As air travels
across the water droplets, carbon dioxide is driven off and oxygen is absorbed until the
dissolved gases are essentially at equilibrium with air (i.e. saturation is reached). Ducting
is used to directly exhaust air to outside of the building space from the CO2 stripping
chamber, minimizing moisture and CO2 loads on the structure, and noise levels within the
building. Consequently, worker comfort is greatly improved inside the rearing facility.
The CO2 stripper is designed to work integrally with the Aquafilter. The two units are
stacked with the CO2 stripper on the top and the biofilter on the bottom. By stacking the
units and flowing directly from one to the other, equipment footprint and capital cost are
minimized while preserving hydraulic head.

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Make-up water will be form the City of Nanaimo and as a result it will be chlorinated.
The make-up water is a relatively small flow 15 gpm. It will pass through an aeration
tower to strip most of the chlorine and then it will be subjected to activated carbon to
further removal all residual chlorine.

JENSEN CHERNOFF THOMPSON ARCHITECTS

Figure 6: Typical immersion-style heat exchanger Heat pump (typical)

3.5 CONTROLS AND MONITORING

Monitoring systems may range from simple critical limit monitoring of dissolved oxygen,
level, and pH, to full control systems with remote telemetry and Internet connectivity. It
is suggested that such a system be utilized in this case a PT4 oxygen monitoring system
(Point Four Systems, #100-13720 Mayfield Place, Richmond BC V6V 2E4, Canada).
Each large tank will have its own probe whilst the smaller systems and tanks may have
have one common probe. Such monitors provide the ability to continuously monitor
parameters such as dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, pH, conductivity, and may also
be configured for inputs from level and flow sensors. Additionally, such monitors may
provide programmable control functionality for the operation of devices such as
solenoids and metering pumps based on monitored parameters.
4.0 Summary
The process utilized in this design is intended to optimize operational flexibility while
maintaining optimal water quality for the culture of the fish. The design is similar in
concept to many successful commercial and research facilities that are currently in
operation in North America. Furthermore, the system was designed to be inexpensive to
operate and easy to maintain.

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ICSS - SCHEMATIC DESIGN

16. Aquatic
Curler Advance X-1 Bio-Media
for crystal clear water.
Curler Advance X-1 is a revolutionary
new Bio-Media for use in Moving Bed
Biofilters for water purification in
recirculating aquaculture systems
developed by Inter Aqua Advance.

Large Active Surface Area

The open curler design makes these

elements particularly advantageous as
carrier elements for nitrification in
biofilters. These media stand apart
from traditional bio-elements in their
open profile which provides optimal
conditions for maintaining a thin
active biofilm on the surface.
It is important to bear in mind that it is
the active surface area that counts.
This is the area that in practice can be
utilized for bacterial growth and
dictates the performance. In this
respect the Curler Advance X-1 is
superior to other products.

Easy to Clean

Easy cleaning is a crucial aspect of

maintaining optimal nitrification
performance or active surface area. If
inactive layers of old biofilm are not
continuously exfoliated, the interstitial
area can clog greatly reducing the
active surface area resulting in
decreased nitrification performance.
The Curler Advance X-1 is designed to
enhance the cleaning capability and
hence optimal nitrification by
facilitating easy maintenance of a thin
healthy biofilm.

Better But Not More Expensive

The advantages of Curler Advance X-1

make these bio-media the most costeffective media available, but not the
most expensive.

PBF-3 PBF-5 PBF-5S PBF-10 PBF-10S PBF-25 PBF-25S PBF-50 PBF-50S PBF-100 PBF-100S
1Flow Rate

(gpm)

2Max Daily

Feed Input
(lbs)
Food Protein
3Estimated

30

50

100

100

200

200

300

300

600

600

1,200

15

25

25

50

50

125

125

250

250

500

500

35%

35%

35%

35%

35%

35%

35%

35%

35%

35%

35%

Total Daily
TAN
220
366
366
732
732
1,830
1,830
3,656
3,659
7,318
7,318
Production
(g TAN/lb
feed-day)
Assumes 95% Oxygen Saturation in Bio-Reactor with Volumetric TAN Removal Rate of 17.14 g TAN/ft3 Curler
Advance X-1 Media at 25 to 30 deg C
Volume of
16
26.75 26.75
53.5
53.5
133.5
133.5
267
267
534
534
Media
Required (ft3)
4Reactor

240
400
400
800
800
2,000
2,000
4,000
4,000
8,000
8,000
Volume @
50% fill (gal)
5Retention
8
8
4
8
4
10
7
13
7
13
7
Time in BioReactor (min)
Estimated Air
Required to
3.5
5.75
4.5
11.25
11.25
28
28
55.75
55.75
111.25
111.25
Mix Media
(cfm)
Assumes 95% Oxygen Saturation in Bio-Reactor with Volumetric TAN Removal Rate of 13.26 g TAN/ft3 Curler
Advance X-1 Media at 15 to 20 deg C
Volume of
21
34.5
34.5
69
69
172.5
172.5
345
345
690
690
Media
Required (ft3)
4Reactor

Volume @
50% fill (gal)

310

525

525

1,050

1,050

2,600

2,600

5,200

5,200

10,350

10,350

5Retention

10.5 10.5
5.25
10.5
5.25
13
8.75
17.5
8.75
17.5
8.75
Time in BioReactor (min)
Estimated Air
Required to
4.5
7.25
5.75
14.5
14.5
36
36
72
72
145
145
Mix Media
(cfm)
Assumes 95% Oxygen Saturation in Bio-Reactor with Volumetric TAN Removal Rate of 10.14 g TAN/ft3 Curler
Advance X-1 Media at 5 to 10 deg C
Volume of
27
45
45
90
90
226
226
451
451
902
902
Media
Required (ft3)
4Reactor
400
675
675
1,400
1,400
3,400
3,400
6,750
6,750
13,500
13,500
Volume @
50% fill (gal)
5Retention

13.5
Time in BioReactor (min)
Estimated Air
Required to
5.75
Mix Media
(cfm)

13.5

6.75

13.5

6.75

17

11.25

22.5

11.25

22.5

11.25

9.5

7.65

19

19

47

47

94

94

188

188

1. Maximum Flow Rate of Corresponding Propeller-Washed Bead Filter.

2. Based on the PBF Filter Being Operated for Solids Capture Only and a Maximum Daily Feed Input of 5 lbs per ft3 bead media with multiple daily backwashes.
3. Does not take into account the effects of in-situ nitrification or flushing.
4. Maximum Reactor Fill Volume 65%.
5. Minimum Recommended Retention Time is 3.2 minutes.
6. For the PBF-50 and PBF-50 Special we would recommend you utilize two Moving Bead Reactors with the same design parameters as those listed in the table for the
PBF-25 and PBF-25 Special or utilize a single patented Clearwater Low Space Bioreactor with internal airlifts by Inter Aqua Advance and available by license through AST. These units
provide additional scouring of the media necessary to maximize the active surface area and achieve the desired performance.
7. For the PBF-100 and PBF-100 Special we would recommend you utilize a patented Clearwater Low Space Bioreactor with internal airlifts by Inter Aqua Advance and
available by license through AST. These units provide additional scouring of the media necessary to maximize the active surface area and achieve the desired performance.

i27029.1

108 Industrial Ave., New Orleans, LA 70121

(504) 837-5575 fax (504) 837-5585
Info@BeadFilters.com
www.Beadfilters.com

JENSEN CHERNOFF THOMPSON ARCHITECTS

October 23 2008 | PAGE 61

ICSS - SCHEMATIC DESIGN

16. Aquatic

PBF-5 Specifications
Min. ROOM HEIGHT b

Min. ROOM HEIGHT a

Overall Height

Motor Mount

Head
Outlet

Custom Orientation available.

Flange

A
Window

Inlet /
Sludge
Drain
Coupling

C
D

H
E
Emergency
Drain

G
Overall Diameter

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K

~77.5
68
60
56
52
30
34
38.5
3
82
7.5FT

Std. Motor HP: Phase / Hz / V c

Std. Motor Amp Draw c
Max. Flow Rate
Ft3 of Media
2
Ft of Surface Area
Inlet / Sludge drain Coupling
Outlet Pipe
Emergency Drain Valve
Inlet Valve
Sludge Drain Valve
Backwash Water Loss
Max. Operating Pressure
Shipping Weight

1/2 HP: 1 / 60 / 115/208-230

7.40/3.60-3.70
50 gpm
5
2,000
1.5 Fipt
(1) 2 Fipt
1 Fipt
1.5 Fipt
1.25 Fipt
6-10 gal
20 PSI
425 Lbs

Assumes mixing motor removed from filter. Minimum height required to drop propeller shaft and
remove filter head.

Assumes mixing motor removed from filter. Minimum height required to remove filter head with
propeller shaft installed. Does not include excess height for installation of lifting device.

Mixing Motor upgrades available in 50 Hz &/or Three Phase.

108 Industrial Ave., Jefferson, LA-70121

www.beadfilters.com

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Filter shown for Illustrative

Purposes only and Drawing is
NOT drawn to scale.

V4/03-04-2008

Phone: (800) 939-3659 Fax: (504) 837-5585

E-mail: info@beadfilters.com

JENSEN CHERNOFF THOMPSON ARCHITECTS

October 23 2008 | PAGE 62