With water resources becoming increasingly polluted and scarce, delivering large quantities of high-quality seafood presents a major global challenge.
This has resulted in a shift towards more controlled environments which Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) offers. However, there are a lot of factors to address in order to achieve success in this complex environment.
Making reared species thrive requires advanced disease control due to continuous water re-use concerning accumulation of species droppings as well as the nutrients used in its feed. If not properly handled, RAS can be an ideal breeding ground for various bacteria and viruses, potentially contaminating the entire production resulting in huge financial losses.
Implementing UV disinfection is a vital integration of a well-functioning and cost-efficient RAS. UV disinfection ensures comprehensive water biosecurity which reduces any virus or bacteria outbreak significantly. As no chemical by-products are added, the crucial water qualities such as pH and temperature remain unaltered, while causing massive improvements in the water turbidity.
The ULTRAAQUA UV systems have been designed to meet the disinfection requirements for even the most complex RAS and disinfects over 100.000 m3/h of RAS water globally per hour.
The great diversity in the product range makes ULTRAAQUA able to accommodate almost any RAS requirements for a high variety of climates and flows in both open channel and closed vessel systems, available in both stainless-steel and polypropylene materials. The best available solution is just a few steps away, whether it may be influent, effluent, or process water to be installed or retrofitted in a variety of RAS layouts.
Find frequently asked questions regarding UV disinfection for this application by clicking on a question below.
UV disinfection plays an essential role in maintaining optimal health conditions within RAS facilities by neutralizing pathogenic microorganisms that can cause disease. This process helps to prevent the spread of infections among the selected species, leading to healthier, more robust growth and higher survival rates. It is a non-invasive and non-chemical method that sustainably ensures the well-being of the fish.
Integrating UV disinfection systems into an existing RAS facility is an investment in the longevity and productivity of the entire aquaculture operation. While there is an upfront cost for the equipment and installation, the long-term benefits include reduced mortality rates, improved water quality, and decreased reliance on chemical treatments. These factors contribute to an increased long-term cost-efficient operation by lowering ongoing expenses related to fish health and water management, enhancing the overall efficiency of the aquaculture system.
UV disinfection systems are designed for ease of maintenance, ensuring that they can be serviced with minimal downtime. Additionally, alarms regarding performance, lamp lifetime, etc., are available through the control cabinet, allowing for proactive maintenance. This can be combined with automatic sleeve wiping technology to further enhance operational efficiency and minimize maintenance requirements.
UV disinfection positively affects water quality in RAS without altering its chemical composition. Unlike chemical treatments, UV disinfection does not leave any residues or by-products in the water. This means the water remains safe and healthy for the species being cultured, without the risk of chemical buildup in the system.
Depending on the source of intake water, the environment can be very corrosive due to salinity or air humidity. This can be a challenging setting for commonly used materials in UV reactors and control cabinets.
Based on 25 years of experience in seawater disinfection in warm and cold-water environments, ULTRAAQUA has developed the UV stabilized polypropylene (PP), which is resistant to warm seawater due to its non-corrosive construction. For cold seawater and freshwater applications, fully electropolished SS316L reactors are available. This ensures an increased corrosion resistance on the outside surface, and increased UV light performance due to internal reflection on the inside surface.
Bacterial
Aeromonas salmonicida – 5.0 mJ/cm2; Aeromonas hydrophila – 5.0 mJ/cm2; Flavobacterium psychrophilum – 126 mJ/cm2; Vibrio salmonicida – 1.5 mJ/cm2; Vibrio anguillarum – 4.0 mJ/cm2; Pseudomonas Fluorescens – 11.0 mJ/cm2; Renibacterium salmonicida – 20.0 mJ/cm2; Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD) – 60.0 mJ/cm2
Viral
Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus (ISAV) – 10.0 mJ/cm2; Infectious Pancreas Necrosis Virus (IPNV) – 250 mJ/cm2; Nodavirus – 200 mJ/cm2; Infectious hematopoietic necrosis Virus (IHNV) – 30.0 mJ/cm2; Atlantic Salmon Paramyzo Virus – 240.0 mJ/cm2; Heart Sceletal Muscle Inflammation (HSMI) – 250.0 mJ/cm2; Nervous Necrosis Virus (NNV) – 70.0 mJ/cm2