Global Aquaculture Alliance — The Advocate
Common factors that affect water chiller performance are inadequate water flow, inadequate heat recovery, inappropriate compressors and imbalances among compressor, condenser, evaporator and thermal expansion valves.
The basic premise of refrigeration is to move heat from a colder heat source to a warmer heat sink. Common pitfalls for refrigeration in aquaculture are a lack of water flow, inadequate evaporator capacity and evaporator freezing.
Increasing the heat recovery efficiency of a system can save both capital and operational costs. Contain water and keep exchangers clean.
As stocking density increases in aquaculture systems, supplemental oxygen becomes necessary. Oxygen generation is becoming a popular option.
Cavitation occurs in a centrifugal pump when the effects of low internal water pressure lead to impeller damage. Proper design and installation of pumping systems can help.