To continue commercial prospecting work to promote the “Self-Cleaning System for Aquaculture” (SAA) technology developed by academicians from the Faculty of Engineering, MSc. Pablo Venegas and Mag. Katherine Lancaleo of the Innovation Directorate’s Technology Transfer Office, in conjunction with the Project Unit of the UCSC Vice-Rector for Research and Graduate Studies, carries out the activity which is part of the UCSC OTL project which is supported by the National Agency for Research and Development. (ANID).
On this occasion, the tour was in the regions of La Araucania and Los Lagos, in the cities of Friar and Puerto Montt, which included meetings with the companies Nalcahue and Yadran, contacts managed with the support of the Technological Institute of Salmon – Intesal, Which belongs to the Chilean Salmon Industry Association AG Salmonchili.
Rapid waste removal and animal welfare
The Self-Cleaning System for Aquaculture operates by means of a fixing disc and a method that allows for the rapid and continuous removal of solid waste that tends to accumulate inside circular culture ponds used in aquaculture on land.
The technology optimizes the fluid-dynamic conditions that ensure self-cleaning and the formation of a mixing effect with less water and energy consumption in the reservoir. Sediment removal and mixing is also done when the fluid-dynamic conditions in the pond, the speed of water circulation and/or the aspect ratio between the diameter of the pond and the height of the water are not considered adequate or conventional by state. Of art
The technology does not need to generate circular velocity values in the water for its operation which negatively affects the normal growth of the species under cultivation, also, it does not need to structurally modify existing ponds.
Catherine Lancaleo, who is part of the team that developed the technology, said that the visits to the companies constitute a linking strategy that has allowed the laboratory and the university to make a direct connection. “It strengthens the institution’s relationship with the environment and society, and forges alliances with key and proactive actors such as technology partners. Furthermore, it has allowed us to learn about the real problems or pain points that companies face in their processes. , includes reform options that can be tackled in many cases with technical solutions”, he said.
He said that these solutions can be solved from the companies’ own funds or through competing funds for the said purpose. It is noteworthy that the approach to companies or society is fundamental and a priority step in the innovation process carried out in the laboratory.
Pablo Venegas, for his part, explained that the idea of the tour was to present the proposal to the end user, in this case farming companies. For this, he met the heads of aquaculture farming centers and production experts who were interested in collaborating in its implementation.
Another important point is animal welfare, on which the academic said that this is a topic that should be considered in relation to how the fish are raised and slaughtered, stressing that the way they are produced is best done with the commodity. Must be in livable condition. In order not to change its development. “The disc can improve water quality and the negative effects caused by the accumulation of solids within ponds. Therefore, the fish are not subjected to the presence of organic matter that can damage their gills and suppress their immunity.” Also, it helps reduce low oxygen levels, which can cause problems with their development,” he remarked.
In addition, he reported that it was pleasant to be reunited with Maximiliano Mendez Gonzalez, a former student at the Los Tilcos de Yadran farm who has a civil engineering degree in aquaculture biotechnology from UCSC.
Recognition in real environment
SAA has a clear industrial application, above all because companies are interested in carrying it out through piloting, as it can solve an important issue for them, which is fish mortality, phytosanitary aspects and animal welfare, which Greatly improves the final quality. product.
Lorena Martinez, Head of the Technology Transfer Office of the UCSC Innovation Directorate, pointed out that links with industry are important to guide and support as well as consolidate the development and maturation of a technology in a relevant environment to accelerate technologies. Processes for technology transfer and commercialization of the same. Therefore, this commercial prospecting is very important and necessary to achieve a piloting of the technology under real conditions, and it reaches the market in the near future.
