Use of Direct Filtration on the Influent to Floating Bead Filters and Treatment of Waste Discharge with Coagulation Aids for Suspended Solid

As fish species with greater sensitivity to water quality are cultured in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), it becomes vital to improve fine solids capture. Additionally, phosphorous levels in the discharge from RAS are often high (per EPA guidelines and regulations) and can lead to eutrophication of receiving waters. This project has the potential to improve PBF performance in both respects. Certain chemicals which are used in the wastewater industry to cause very fine particles to clump together into larger particles have shown promise to be used for aquaculture applications. This allows for greater overall particle capture by filtration devices. Aside from the benefits of better water quality for the fish that are being culture in a RAS, it has been observed that phosphorous may be sequestered with the use of these very same chemicals. By locking the phosphorous up in the solids component of a waste stream, it becomes far easier to prevent pollution of waters that may receive the discharge from a RAS facility.