The AQUAbubble project aims to tackle three major challenges in land-based fish farming using innovative nanobubble (NB) technology:
- Improved oxygenation: Ensuring fish get enough oxygen in closed systems.
- H2S firewall: Preventing the formation of toxic hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
- Biological CO2 capture: Using carbon dioxide (CO2), and other gasses emitted by industrial processes, to grow microalgae sustainably.
By creating and studying ultra-fine bubbles filled with oxygen, CO2, and flue gas, the project aims to understand how these bubbles behave in water and can improve oxygenation in commercial aquaculture.
The NB generator technology developed by Oxy Solutions will be employed in lab experiments and commercial land-based aquaculture systems for Atlantic salmon. Lab experiments will help fine-tune the bubble-making process and test how efficient oxygen NBs can prevent and mitigate H2S. Field trials will be conducted to investigate if NB generators can replace or enhance current oxygenation methods and improve water quality.
The project will monitor fish growth, health, and the surrounding environment over several months to gather data on the effectiveness of NB technology for oxygenation in aquaculture systems.
Additionally, AQUAbubble will explore the use of NB technology for using CO2 and other gases for growing microalgae, contributing to a circular bioeconomy. This will stimulate the efficient capture of CO2 in algae biomass, which can be used as feed ingredients or a source for extracting valuable bioproducts, such as fatty acids or carotenoids.
The project will compare the costs and benefits of NB technology with traditional oxygenation methods, aiming to position Oxy Solutions as a recognised contributor to sustainable aquaculture and create new jobs in the industry.