RAZONE · Development of sustainable and cost effective water quality management technology for the aquaculture industry

The proposers of RAZone have identified a new market opportunity in enhancing the productivity of the aquaculture sector and minimizing risks associated with application of ozone for water quality management in hatchery and ongrow farms that use RAS technology. This will be achieved by developing improved ozoneflotation technology that is cost effective, user friendly and safe both for stock and farm staff. The innovations of RAZone include novel ozone feeding system that ensures enhanced gas dispersion in water and maximizes contact between gas and water for separation of fine particles and dissolved organics in recirculated water. In addition, the development of RAZone includes innovative flotation chamber where fine particles that make up 70% of suspended substances and dissolved organics are efficiently removed. For optimum dosage of ozone and minimizing risk of stock mortality due to toxicity directly from inefficiently dispersed ozone or from generated by products, an intelligent process control unit will be created.Despite the recognized potential of ozone in RAS, there remains a significant lack of equipment and knowledge in the industry related to cost effective and safe use of the technology. Application of ozone via protein skimmers has become a costly component of RAS operation due to poorly designed equipment for ozone feeding, inefficient configuration of skimmers and lack of controlled ozone dosage combined with poor understanding of process. This may result in either avoidance of ozone technology altogether or inefficient application to achieve desired aims in addition to associated risks. By redressing existing limitations in the application of ozone, the SME participants of RAZOne expect significant economic benefit from a superior technology that will improve management of water quality resulting in reduced stock mortality, improved produce quality and increased production as well as increased employment in the industry.