IFAS Circular# EES-100, Evaporative Cooling System for Aquacultural Production

IFAS Circular# EES-100

Evaporative Cooling System for Aquacultural Production

C.D. Baird, R.A. Bucklin, C.A. Watson and F.A. Chapman

Opening Paragraph:
Florida aquaculture sales totaled $54 million in 1991. This included sales of ornamental fish, catfish, alligators, oysters, clams, and other aquatic produce. The ornamental fish industry accounted for the largest portion ($32.8 million) of the sales. Most of the aquaculture production in Florida takes place in open ponds. These ponds are relatively inexpensive but have problems with loss of fish during cold weather and with predators. Water recirculating indoor facilities offer a method of production that avoids these disadvantages and offers the advantages of decreased water and energy use. A recent study reported in Agricultural Engineering Extension Report 92-6, entitled "Heat Pump for Heating and Cooling Water for Aquacultural Production" demonstrated that a heat pump can be used to effectively heat and cool water for aquacultural production. However, due to the heat build up in the greenhouse type structure, considerable mechanical refrigeration is required. This refrigeration can be expensive and would require considerable energy consumption if several months of cooling were required.

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