DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to an IOT enabled porous membrane based aeration system. Particularly, the present invention relates to an automated aeration system ensuring uniform and efficient distribution of oxygen in a water body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Aquaculture refers to rearing, breeding and harvesting of aquatic organisms in all kinds of aquatic environment. Aquaculture is also one of the major food sources for people. Apart from being a food source, aquaculture also serves a plurality of purposes such as, but not limited to, restoration of endangered and threatened species, enhancement of wild stock population and conservation of biodiversity.

[003] The amount of dissolved oxygen in water bodies may vary from time to time. The level of dissolved oxygen is more during the day time due to enhanced rate of photosynthesis by planktons. The level of dissolved oxygen decreases during the night due to respiration occurring during the night. During cloudy weather conditions, the photosynthesis may not occur thereby resulting in decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen in water. The process of respiration occurring during the night further decreases the level of the dissolved oxygen beyond a threshold value resulting in lethal condition for aquatic organisms.

[004] The survival condition of different aquatic organisms may vary with respect to the amount of dissolved oxygen in water. Warm water fish survive at low concentration of dissolved oxygen such as 1.0 m/L. The cold water fish survive at 2.5 mg/L to 3.5 mg/L of dissolved oxygen. However, the aquatic organisms including fish are susceptible to diseases and grow slowly under low level of dissolved oxygen. Further, the concentration of dissolved oxygen in culture system may not be lower than 50% of saturation i.e. 5mg/L at 15? and 4mg/L at 26? in case of freshwater at sea level. Therefore, there exist a need for an aeration system resulting in uniform and efficient aeration of water bodies.

[005] The use of aerators ensure optimal supply of oxygen in water suitable for the survival of aquatic organisms and for maintaining diseases free surroundings and high productivity. Further, the aeration system provide sufficient amount of oxygen to bacteria residing in the water bodies for efficient breakdown of waste material.

[006] There are several patent applications comprising a system for aeration of water bodies. The United States Patent Application US3539158A discloses a mechanical surface aerator for aerating large bodies of liquid such as sewage aeration tanks and lagoons. More particularly, the invention relates to means for adjusting the effective liquid level in which the aerator operates. Aerators used in the invention comprises of an impeller located at the air-liquid interface that violently agitates the liquid and converts it into spray, streams and waves which are thrown or forced outwardly and entrap large quantities of air as bubbles. However, the mechanical aerators used in the invention are suitable for aeration only at surface level. It provides less aeration at deeper level of the water bodies, resulting in reduced aeration efficiency. Further, the mechanical aerators employ blowers that increases the maintenance cost. Furthermore, the mechanical aerators form surface aerosol resulting in unpleasant odor at the surface of water storage tank.

[007] The United States Patent Application US6877959B2 discloses aeration impellers which are disposed near the surface of a body of liquid in a tank and propel the liquid being aerated in an upward and radially outward direction, thereby efficiently contacting the liquid with the gas for the purpose of exchanging mass between the gas and the liquid phase. However, the surface aeration results in inefficient and non-uniform aeration of water bodies. Furthermore, the electricity consumption in case of surface aeration is more leading to high operational cost.

[008] Therefore, keeping in view the problems associated with the state of the art there is a need of an automatic, cost-effective, energy efficient aeration system ensuring uniform aeration in water bodies.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[009] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an IOT enabled porous membrane based aeration system.

[010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective, energy efficient and automatic aeration system.

[011] Another objective of the present invention is to enhance the efficiency of aeration of the water bodies.

[012] Another objective of the present invention is to ensure uniform aeration throughout the water body.

[013] Another objective of the present invention is to ensure high oxygen transfer rate resulting in efficient, uniform and rapid aeration at low cost by employing bottom up approach.

[014] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an automated aeration system for uniform distribution of aerated water in the water bodies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[015] The present invention will be better understood after reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred aspects thereof with reference to the appended drawings, in which the features, other aspects and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing in which:

[016] Figure 1 illustrates an aeration system for aeration of water bodies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[017] The present invention relates to an IOT enabled porous membrane based aeration system. The aeration system (100) of the present invention includes a primary aeration system and a secondary aeration system. The primary aeration system provides an efficient aeration of unaerated water received from the water bodies. The secondary aeration system enables storing aerated water for long duration and supplying the water to the water bodies via a distributor. The system (100) includes a pump (102), U-shaped pipe (104), porous membrane (106), nozzles (108), distributor (110), belt drive (112), motor (114), storage tank (116), pipes (118), and sensors (120). The primary aeration system comprises a porous membrane system to ensure efficient and rapid aeration of unaerated water received from the water bodies. The secondary aeration system includes a sparger based aeration tank which includes a sparger placed at the bottom of the storage tank. The sparger pumps air bubbles into the tank and ensures aeration of semi-aerated water entering the storage tank by mass transfer of oxygen from the air bubbles to the water. The present invention is based on venturi principle for mixing air with water within the aeration system. The aeration system is automated with sensors for automatic regulation of working of the aeration system and transmission of data regarding water quality of the water bodies. The present invention employs bottom-up approach ensuring high oxygen transfer rate resulting in an efficient, uniform and rapid aeration of the entire water bodies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[018] The following description describes various features and functions of the disclosed system and method with reference to the accompanying figure. In the figure, similar symbols identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative aspects described herein are not meant to be limiting. It may be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed system and method can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

[019] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[020] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

[021] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.

[022] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[023] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. The equations used in the specification are only for computation purpose.

[024] The present invention relates to an IOT enabled porous membrane based aeration system. The aeration system (100) of the present invention includes a primary aeration system and a secondary aeration system. The primary aeration system provides an efficient aeration of unaerated water received from water bodies. The secondary aeration system enables storing aerated water for long duration and supplying the water to the water bodies via a distributor.

[025] Figure 1 illustrates an aeration system comprising the following components:

[026] (a) Pump (102): A pump (102) used in the present invention is configured to supply unaerated water from the water bodies to the aeration system (100).

[027] (b) U-shaped pipe (104) - A U-shaped pipe (104) is connected to the pump (102) of the aeration system (100). The U-shaped pipe (104) provides a U-shaped passage for the flow of unaerated water within the aeration system (100). The U-shaped passage provided at a certain depth permits enhanced dissolution of oxygen into the water thereby ensuring semi-aeration of the unaerated water.

[028] (c) Porous Membrane (106) - A porous membrane (106) of the present invention comprises of a plurality of replaceable porous blocks fitted on an upper extended arm of the U-shaped pipe (104) connected to the pump (102). The porous blocks exhibit large surface area, which enables an enhanced mass transfer of oxygen in air to oxygen in water. Such porous blocks absorb air by a suction effect as the pressure reaches below the atmospheric pressure.

[029] (d) Nozzles (108) – The system (100) comprises of a plurality of nozzles (108) fitted within the porous blocks of the porous membrane (106). The nozzles (108) aid in reducing pressure and increasing velocity of the water within the porous membrane (106).

[030] (e) Storage Tank (116) – A storage tank (116) is connected to the U-shaped pipe (104). The storage tank (116) receives semi-aerated water from the U-shaped pipe and facilitates complete aeration of the semi-aerated water using a sparger placed at the bottom of the storage tank (116).

[031] (g) Distributor (110) – A distributor (110) is connected to the storage tank (116) via a plurality of pipes (118). The distributor (110) is movable to supply aerated water to the water bodies. The distributor (110) comprises of distribution arms that automatically spread across the breadth and move across the length of the water body, resulting in efficient aeration of the entire water body.

[032] (h) Belt Drive (112) – The belt drive (112) is connected to the distributor (110) and facilitates the movement of the distributor (110) from one region of the water body to another region of the water body.

[033] (i) Motor (114) – A motor (114) is connected to the belt drive (112). The motor (114) is configured to supply power for the functioning of the belt drive (112) of the aeration system (100).

[034] (j) Sensors (120) – The system (100) comprises of a plurality of sensors (120) The sensors (120) placed on the distributor (110) and communicably coupled to IoT enabled handheld devices of an operator/user. The sensors (120) are configured to automatically regulate the functioning of the aeration system (100) by detecting the water quality and transmitting the detected data regarding the water quality to IoT enabled handheld device of an operator/user via a data transfer unit, such as but not limited to GSM module or WiFi module. In an exemplary embodiment, the data is transmitted to the handheld device of the operator/user through SMS and/or web interface. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensors (120) may include such as, but not limited to, temperature sensor, pH sensor and dissolved oxygen sensor used for measuring temperature, pressure and amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, respectively. The sensor is configured with a data transfer unit to transfer data to the handheld device and receive feedback from the handheld device of the user.

[035] In an embodiment, the system (100) comprises of a primary aeration system comprising pump, U-shaped pipe (104), porous membrane (106), and nozzles; secondary aeration system comprising storage tank (116); sparger; distributor (110) comprising a plurality of distribution arms; belt drive (112); motor (114); plurality of sensors (120); and microcontroller.

[036] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the aeration system was constructed using the following parameters:

Primary Aeration System(min)
Total Height 7.5 ft
Pipe Diameter 4 in.
Porous Media Length 28 in.
U-Diameter 12 in.
Nozzle Inlet Diameter 4 in.
Nozzle Outlet Diameter 1 in.
Nozzle Length 20 in.
Secondary Aeration System (Storage Tank)
No. of Pipes 7
No. of Holes in each pipe 19
Length of each pipe 700 mm

[037] In an embodiment, the parameters mentioned hereinabove includes minimum workable conditions required for construction of the aeration system. The efficiency of the aeration may increase with an increase in such conditions.

[038] In an embodiment, the secondary aeration system includes a sparger based aeration tank. The sparger is placed at the bottom of the storage tank (116) which pumps air bubbles into the tank. The sparger ensures uniform dispersion of the air bubbles within the tank. The mass transfer of oxygen to the water take place from the air bubbles released from the sparger resulting in aeration of semi-aerated water entering the storage tank (116) from the U-shaped pipe (104).

[039] In a preferred embodiment, an IOT enabled porous membrane based aeration system comprises of a, but not limited to, Wi-Fi and GSM module. The sensors are connected with a microcontroller alongside the pump. The sensors are communicably coupled to a handheld device of a user. The sensors (120) detect water quality of the water bodies and transmit the data to the user via SMS and/or web interface. Based on the feedback, the microcontroller automatically regulates the working of the aeration system (100) such as by moving the distribution arms to a specific area within the water bodies as per the requirement.

[040] In an embodiment, method of working of the system is based on bottom -up approach, facilitating uniform distribution of aerated water. The bottom-up approach involves compression of oxygen and pumping the compressed oxygen into the water through diffuser/sparger positioned at the bottom of the water storage tank. The air bubbles diffuse to bottom of the tank. The oxygen is transferred across the surface of the bubble and into the water as the bubbles rise up from the bottom of the tank resulting in an efficient aeration of the entire water body irrespective of the water level. The method comprises of a following steps;
a pumping of unaerated water from water bodies into a U-shaped pipe (104);
b entering of unaerated water into a plurality of porous membranes (106) fitted on an upper extended arm of the u-shaped pipe (104);
c transmitting oxygen from air into water through the porous membranes (106) such as, but not limited to, porous blocks facilitate;
d reducing pressure and increasing velocity of water within the porous membrane (106) via a plurality of nozzles (108) fitted within the porous blocks;
e absorbing air as the pressure reaches below the atmospheric pressure through the porous membranes (106); resulting in semi-aeration of the water;
f entering of semi-aerated water into a storage tank (116) via the U-shaped pipe (104), enabling dissolution of oxygen into the water;
g pumping of air bubbles into the storage tank (116) through a sparger placed at bottom of the storage tank (116) to ensure uniform dispersion of air bubbles in the water;
h transferring oxygen across surface of air bubbles and into the water as the air bubbles rise upward from the bottom of the storage tank (116); resulting in complete aeration of the semi-aerated water;
i entering of aerated water into the distributor (110) via pipes (118);
j supplying aerated water to the water bodies through a plurality of distribution arms of the distributor (110) immersed in the water bodies;
k moving the distributor (110) from one region of the water body to another region of the water with help of the belt drive (112); and
l detecting water quality of the water bodies through the sensors (120) placed on the distribution arm, and transmitting detected data to a user/ operator via SMS and/or web interface through a data transfer unit such as, but not limited to a GSM module or Wi-Fi module.

[041] In another embodiment, mixing of air with water within the aeration system (100) is based on venturi principle. Venturi effect is the decrease in pressure of a fluid resulting from flow of the fluid via narrow section of a pipe. The pressure changes back to the ambient pressure within the pipe as the fluid leaves the narrow section of the pipe. In the present invention, the nozzle (108) fitted within the porous block provides venturi effect by reducing the pressure and increasing the velocity of the water within the porous membrane.

[042] In an embodiment, the operator/ user on receiving the detected data of water quality shares feedback back to the system, which enables the sensors (120) to automatically regulate the working of the aeration system (100) by moving the distribution arms to a specific area within the water bodies as per the requirement.

[043] In another embodiment, the entire aeration system (100) may be powdered using solar power generated by solar panels.

[044] In another exemplary embodiment, result showing the pressure, velocity and oxygen concentration through different components of the aeration system is provided as below:

Primary Aeration System
Pump Outlet Pressure(Assumed) 101425 Pa (absolute)
Top Nozzle Outlet Pressure -3415.693 Pa (gauge)
Middle Nozzle Outlet Pressure -8762.771 Pa (gauge)
Bottom Nozzle Outlet Pressure -14233.502 Pa (gauge)
Inlet Velocity 0.458 m/s
Nozzle Outlet Velocity (each) 7.33 m/s
Inlet O2 Concentration (assumed) 0 ppm
Outlet O2 Concentration 88 ppm
Secondary Aeration System
Critical Velocity 0.023 m/s
Inlet O2 Concentration (assumed) 0 ppm
Outlet O2 Concentration 5.5 ppm

[045] The advantages of the present invention are discussed herein:
? The present invention provide a cost-effective, energy efficient, automatic aeration system.
? The U-shaped tube/pipe utilized in the present invention is flexible, practical and an efficient means ensuring uniform aeration of the unaerated water. Further, the U-shaped pipe requires less space, low operative cost and little maintenance. Moreover, such pipes are effective in increasing the concentration of oxygen in the water bodies up to maximum saturation level suitable for the survival of aquatic organisms.
? The sensors used in the present invention are cost-effective and may be utilized as per the requirement of the user.
? The bottom-up approach utilized in the present invention results in increase in the level of dissolved oxygen in the water bodies thereby supporting the survival of aquatic organisms. Further, the bottom-up approach decreases stratification, ensures efficient aeration of the entire water bodies regardless of the water level and require low/no operative cost. Furthermore, the bottom-up approach ensures the survival of all kinds of bacteria and other organisms in water bodies and reduces the risk to aquatic organisms.

[046] While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:

1. An IOT enabled porous membrane based aeration system (100), comprising:
a. a pump (102) to supply unaerated water from water bodies to the system (100);
b. a U-shaped pipe (104) connected to the pump (102);
c. a porous membrane (106) comprising a plurality of replaceable porous blocks fitted on an upper extended arm of the U-shaped pipe (104);
d. a plurality of nozzles (108) fitted within the porous blocks of the porous membrane (106);
e. a storage tank (116) connected to the U-shaped pipe (104);
f. a sparger placed at the bottom of the storage tank (116);
g. a distributor (110) comprising a plurality of distribution arms connected to the storage tank (116) via a plurality of pipes (118);
h. a belt drive (112) connected to the distributor (110);
i. a motor (114) connected to the belt drive (112);
j. a plurality of sensors (120) placed on the distributor (110) is communicably coupled to an IoT enabled handheld device of an operator/user;
k. a microcontroller connected to the sensors (120) and the distributor (110);
wherein,
I. the U-shaped pipe (104) is configured to provide a U-shaped passage for flow of unaerated water and permits dissolution of oxygen into the unaerated water;
II. the porous blocks of the porous membrane facilitates mass transfer of oxygen from air to water due to large surface area;
III. the nozzles is configured to reduce pressure and increase velocity of water within the porous membrane (106);
IV. the storage tank (116) is configured to receive semi-aerated water from the U-shaped pipe and facilitates complete aeration of the semi-aerated water using the sparger ;
V. the distributor receives the aerated water from the storage tank (116) via the pipes (118);
VI. the distribution arms automatically spread across the breadth and move across the length of the water body, facilitating aeration of the entire water body; and supplies the aerated water to the distributor (110) via pipes.
VII. The belt drive (112) is configured to move the distributor (100) from one region of the water body to another region of the water body;
VIII. the sensors (120) detect quality of the water bodies and transmit detected data to the user via SMS and/or web interface; and
IX. the microcontroller automatically regulates the working of the aeration system (100) based on the feedback received from the handheld device of the user to move the distribution arms to a specific area within the water bodies.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system comprises:
a.) a primary aeration system, comprising:
i the pump (102);
ii the U-shaped pipe (104);
iii the porous membrane (106); and
iv the nozzles;
b.) a secondary aeration system, comprising:
i the storage tank (116);
ii the sparger;
iii the distributor (110) comprising a plurality of distribution arms;
iv the belt drive (112);
v the motor (114);
vi the plurality of sensors (120); and
vii the microcontroller.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured with a data transfer unit to transfer data to the handheld device and receive feedback from the handheld device of the user.

4. A method for working of an IOT enabled porous membrane based aeration as claimed in claim 1, comprising of:
a entering of unaerated water into a plurality of porous membranes (106) fitted on an upper extended arm of the u-shaped pipe (104);
b transmitting oxygen from air into water through the porous membranes (106) such as, but not limited to, porous blocks facilitate;
c reducing pressure and increasing velocity of water within the porous membrane (106) via a plurality of nozzles (108) fitted within the porous blocks;
d absorbing air as the pressure reaches below the atmospheric pressure through the porous membranes (106); resulting in semi-aeration of the water;
e entering of semi-aerated water into a storage tank (116) via the U-shaped pipe (104), enabling dissolution of oxygen into the water;
f pumping of air bubbles into the storage tank (116) through a sparger placed at bottom of the storage tank (116) to ensure uniform dispersion of air bubbles in the water;
g transferring oxygen across surface of air bubbles and into the water as the air bubbles rise upward from the bottom of the storage tank (116); resulting in complete aeration of the semi-aerated water;
h entering of aerated water into the distributor (110) via pipes (118);
i supplying aerated water to the water bodies through a plurality of distribution arms of the distributor (110) immersed in the water bodies;
j moving the distributor (110) from one region of the water body to another region of the water with help of the belt drive (112); and
k detecting water quality of the water bodies through the sensors (120) placed on the distribution arm, and transmitting detected data to handheld devices of user/ operator via SMS and/or web interface through a data transfer unit.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the data transfer unit is GSM module or Wi-Fi module.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sparger positioned at the bottom of the storage tank provides uniform distribution of aerated water by employing bottom-up approach.