Nanobubbles in Aquaculture, the future for the industry?

Aquaculture has experienced exponential growth in recent decades, becoming one of the main sources of protein worldwide. According to FAO, aquaculture now accounts for more than 50% of the seafood we consume. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for sustainable food, which has led to the expansion of the industry in various parts of the world, from the cold waters of Norway to the warm coasts of Chile.

However, this growth has not been without its challenges. The industry faces issues such as cage overcrowding, disease proliferation, the management of parasites such as sea lice, the need to maintain high water quality to ensure optimal fish health and growth. In addition, sustainability and energy efficiency have become key factors as aquaculture operations are under pressure to reduce their environmental footprint and operating costs.

Challenges in Aquaculture: The Need for Innovation

One of the most significant challenges in modern aquaculture is the control of water quality, especially oxygenation. Low availability of dissolved oxygen in water can lead to stress, increase mortality and affect fish growth. In this context, advanced oxygenation technologies have become crucial to the success of the industry.

Traditionally, oxygenation systems have relied on bubbler diffusers or mechanical aeration systems to maintain adequate oxygen levels. However, these methods are often inefficient and costly in terms of energy and resource consumption. The growing demand for more efficient solutions has driven research and development of new technologies in the field of aquaculture oxygenation.

Different Oxygenation Technologies

1. Oxygenation technologies in aquaculture have evolved considerably, and today there are several options on the market. Some of the main ones are described below:
2. Traditional Bubble Diffusers: use compressed air to create bubbles that release oxygen into the water. Although widely used, they tend to have limited efficiency, as much of the oxygen is lost before it is completely dissolved.
3. Mechanical Aerators: These systems use paddles or wheels to mix the water and increase the amount of dissolved oxygen. They are effective in smaller bodies of water, but can be expensive and energy intensive.
4. Nanobubble generators: These are extremely small bubbles, with diameters of less than 200 nanometers, that have almost zero buoyancy. This allows them to remain suspended in the water for a long period of time, providing a larger contact surface and thus greater oxygen transfer efficiency.

Nanobubbles: The Best Option for Aquaculture

Nanobubbles have positioned themselves as the most advanced and efficient technology for oxygenation in aquaculture and that is why at CPI we wanted to have the best nanobubble technology on the market from Moleaer. Thanks to their ultra-fine size and unique behavior in water, these bubbles offer several benefits that surpass traditional methods.

1. Energy Efficiency and Cost Reduction:

A recent study conducted in Norway, one of the world’s leading salmon producers, demonstrated the superiority of nanobubbles over other oxygenation technologies. In this study, a company compared the efficiency of Moleaer’s nanobubble generators with two different oxygen diffusion systems during the sea lice removal process. The results were impressive: energy consumption was reduced by 63% and oxygen consumption by 57% compared to the first system. In the second system, the reduction was 23% in energy and 73% in oxygen.

2. Improved Fish Health and Growth:

Nanobubbles not only optimize oxygenation, but also contribute to improved water quality by removing pathogens and other contaminants that can affect fish health. By maintaining optimal oxygen levels, stress on the fish is reduced, which improves their overall well-being and promotes faster and healthier growth.

Versatility and Adaptability:

One of the great advantages of nanobubbles is their ability to be implemented in diverse aquaculture environments. They can be used in floating cages, onshore recirculation systems, wellboats and sea lice treatment vessels. This flexibility makes them an ideal choice for any aquaculture operation looking to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Aquaculture faces significant challenges on its path to sustainability and operational efficiency. However, technological innovation, such as nanobubble generators, offers promising solutions that not only address these challenges, but also provide additional benefits, such as reduced costs and improved fish health. As the industry continues to grow, technologies such as nanobubbles will be critical to ensuring a sustainable and prosperous aquaculture future.

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