Compressed air solutions for aquaculture

Whether onshore or offshore, operators of fish farms depend on a reliable supply of compressed air. Even the most temporary failure of a blower or compressor can lead to a total loss of fish stocks. Quality products from KAESER guarantee maximum process security and minimise downtime. For this reason, KAESER is the preferred supplier of compressed air systems for the aquaculture industry.

Discover our compressed air solutions for aquaculture!

KAESER blowers and compressors are designed and constructed to provide the highest level of durability and reliability. What’s more, their high energy efficiency helps to keep operating costs for the entire system to a minimum. Operating costs for compressors, blowers and other technical equipment surpass the initial investment costs by a considerable margin. For this reason, investing in energy-saving technology quickly pays off. The reduced maintenance requirement provides even more savings. KAESER offers special products for the aquaculture industry, precisely tailored to the adverse conditions found on fish farms.

Fields of application

Bubble curtain

In recent years, fish farmers have faced increasing problems with jellyfish and algal blooms. A so-called “bubble curtain” system has been found to be a simple, yet effective, method of preventing jellyfish and algae from adversely affecting the fish within the sea pen. When a threat is reported, a compressor is activated which produces a ring of air bubbles around the sea pen. The rising bubbles and water create a “curtain”, preventing algae or jellyfish from entering the pen. The ocean current drives the threat alongside the bubble curtain until it passes the farm.

Feed barges

Feed barges are essential for the operation of modern fish farms. Some are capable of carrying up to 850 tonnes of feed. Innovative and efficient blower technologies from KAESER generate the airflow required to deliver the feed into the farming pens.

Feed barges may also be equipped with a screw compressor for Sea Pen Aeration (SPA) systems, bubble curtains or airlift systems to remove dead fish from the pens.

Sea Pen Aeration (SPA)

Two main problems associated with fish farming in sea pens located near the coast are algal blooms and oxygen deficiency. Sea Pen Aeration systems (aeration systems deployed inside the net enclosures) can solve both problems at the same time. A compressor is used to blow air into a diffuser ring, whereby the rising bubbles generate an upward flow within the pen that lifts cool, oxygen-rich water from the depths into the upper reaches of the sea pen.

At the surface the water flows outwards, preventing algae and plankton (as well as planktonic stages of sea lice) from entering the sea pen. The rising bubbles also increase the oxygen saturation of the water, thus improving the feed conversion ratio, as well as the overall health of the fish.

Airlift pump

Dead and dying fish quickly transmit disease and infections to their healthy conspecifics. The most reliable and efficient method for keeping the fish population healthy is by removing the morts from the pen.

Here, a conical device is placed at the deepest point in the pen. Compressed air is blown into this cone via a compressor and rises upwards through a hose. The resulting suction removes the dead creatures and the water surrounding them.

Efficient rotary screw compressors for aquaculture applications

Rotary screw compressors deliver a dependable and efficient supply of high-quality compressed air. They are the preferred choice for users requiring constant pressure over prolonged periods.

In aquaculture, rotary screw compressors are frequently used:

to supply PSA oxygen generators with compressed air,
to form bubble curtains against algae or jellyfish incursion,
to create an artificial upwelling in order to lift cool water from deeper layers up to the surface.

In order to ensure that our rotary screw compressors operate as efficiently as possible, KAESER developed a special rotor profile – the so-called SIGMA PROFILE, which provides operators with energy savings of up to 15% in comparison to conventional rotor profile designs. Furthermore, our SIGMA PROFILE airends boast an exceptionally long service life. This is due not least to the roller bearings we use, which are precision-adjusted and generously dimensioned. Our in-house precision-manufacturing processes, combined with worldwide service coverage, deliver exceptional products.

More information on rotary screw compressors

Portable solutions with mobile compressors

MOBILAIR compressors from KAESER provide a dependable supply of compressed air, whenever and wherever it is required – even under the toughest offshore conditions. The central production facility in Coburg manufactures high-performance mobile compressors which are not only equipped with environmentally friendly and energy-saving motors, but also feature a durable chassis. MOBILAIR compressors are available in a wide variety of models, from compact hand-carried units to large, stationary machines.

Numerous models are protected from damage by a PE enclosure. Kaeser can even provide a special solution for the harsh conditions found at sea.
Kaeser aquaculture compressors undergo a special treatment process that makes them ideal for long-lasting, trouble-free operation at sea.
Our mobile compressors stand out for their simple and intuitive operation.
Optimal accessibility to all maintenance points prevents any unnecessary downtime.

Cost-efficient and quiet blowers

Low-maintenance, highly reliable KAESER blowers deliver air quietly and efficiently for a wide variety of aquaculture applications:

Pneumatic conveying of feed
Aeration of biofilters and fish ponds
Removing CO2 from the water

KAESER offers two different design concepts, each catering to a specific requirement:

Rotary lobe blowers with our efficient, three-lobe OMEGA blower blocks for minimal pulsation effects.
Rotary screw blowers with the energy-saving SIGMA PROFILE for optimum pressure and performance. Rotary screw blowers can provide energy savings of up to 30% in comparison with OMEGA blowers.

More information on blowers