TY - JOUR
T1 - A novel computer simulation model for design and management of re-circulating aquaculture systems
AU - Halachmi, Ilan
AU - Simon, Yitzchak
AU - Guetta, Rami
AU - Hallerman, Eric M.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors thank Michal Yanai, Shai Tabibian, and Noam Barak supervised by Prof. Moshe Caspi from Ben-Gurion University for analyzing the data, their discussions on the selection of variables describing fish growth rate, and for critical comments on the methodology. Special thanks are due to Mr. Ron Una, the manager of Sde Eliahu's RAS, for collecting the data and useful advice. E.M.H. was supported by the Commonwealth of Virginia Aquaculture Initiative and by the USDA–CSREES Hatch Program.
PY - 2005/4
Y1 - 2005/4
N2 - The aim of this study was to develop a simulation model for finding the optimal layout and management regime for a re-circulating aquaculture system (RAS). The work plan involved: (1) quantifying the effects of fish growth and management practices on production; (2) developing a mathematical simulation model for the RAS, taking into account all factors that directly influence system profitability; and (3) estimating the production costs and, hence, the profitability of an RAS. The resulting model is process-oriented, following the flow of fish through the RAS facility, and generates an animated graphic representation of the processes through which the fish passes as it progress through the system. The simulation assesses the performance in terms of yearly turnover, stocking density, tank utilization and biomass in process, and uses statistics to track the state of the RAS and record changes that affect efficiency. The economic impact of system design and operation was modeled to enable a user to anticipate how changes in design or operating practices, costs of inputs, or price of products affect system profitability. The proposed approach overcomes difficulties in characterizing RAS design and operation. The simulation approach allows all of the RAS's components such as equipment, biological processes (e.g., fish growth), and management practices to be evaluated jointly, so that an initial design can be fine-tuned to produce an optimized system and management regime suited to a specific fish farm within a reasonable time. The methodology was executed step-by-step to design an optimal RAS that meets both economic and stocking-density limits. Optimal design specifications were presented for several case studies based on data from Kibbutz Sde Eliahu's RAS, in which Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) are raised in 20 concrete raceways. Further research should include more extensive testing and validation of the integrated model, which then should be disseminated to the aquaculture community.
AB - The aim of this study was to develop a simulation model for finding the optimal layout and management regime for a re-circulating aquaculture system (RAS). The work plan involved: (1) quantifying the effects of fish growth and management practices on production; (2) developing a mathematical simulation model for the RAS, taking into account all factors that directly influence system profitability; and (3) estimating the production costs and, hence, the profitability of an RAS. The resulting model is process-oriented, following the flow of fish through the RAS facility, and generates an animated graphic representation of the processes through which the fish passes as it progress through the system. The simulation assesses the performance in terms of yearly turnover, stocking density, tank utilization and biomass in process, and uses statistics to track the state of the RAS and record changes that affect efficiency. The economic impact of system design and operation was modeled to enable a user to anticipate how changes in design or operating practices, costs of inputs, or price of products affect system profitability. The proposed approach overcomes difficulties in characterizing RAS design and operation. The simulation approach allows all of the RAS's components such as equipment, biological processes (e.g., fish growth), and management practices to be evaluated jointly, so that an initial design can be fine-tuned to produce an optimized system and management regime suited to a specific fish farm within a reasonable time. The methodology was executed step-by-step to design an optimal RAS that meets both economic and stocking-density limits. Optimal design specifications were presented for several case studies based on data from Kibbutz Sde Eliahu's RAS, in which Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) are raised in 20 concrete raceways. Further research should include more extensive testing and validation of the integrated model, which then should be disseminated to the aquaculture community.
KW - Computer simulation
KW - Intensive aquaculture
KW - Operations research
KW - Re-circulating aquaculture systems (RAS)
KW - Tilapia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=13744255585&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.aquaeng.2004.09.010
DO - 10.1016/j.aquaeng.2004.09.010
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AN - SCOPUS:13744255585
SN - 0144-8609
VL - 32
SP - 443
EP - 464
JO - Aquacultural Engineering
JF - Aquacultural Engineering
IS - 3-4
ER -