Investigation on quantitative evaluation method for feed diffusion effect in deep-sea aquaculture cages

Abstract

Feeding is a crucial issue during the aquaculture process. The feed delivery method determines the efficiency of aquaculture on the one hand and the degree of environmental pollution of the aquaculture process on the other hand. A good fish feed delivery method helps increase fish feeding rate, reduce the waste of fish feed and reduce the pollution of the aquaculture environment, which is beneficial to the sustainable development of aquaculture. This paper establishes a numerical model based on the CFD method. The model uses DPM to simulate the diffusion and distribution behavior of particles in still water condition, current condition and wave-current coupling condition, and design the particle diffusion experiment for validation. However, only through the feed diffusion area and feed leakage situation obtained by numerical calculation cannot accurately analyze and compare the feed diffusion effect. Therefore, this paper proposes a method to quantitatively evaluate the feed diffusion effect and verify its reliability. The quantitative evaluation method is based on the finite element method and the weighted average method, considering the factors affecting the diffusion and distribution of feed and the eating habits of aquaculture fish. The method can comprehensively and intuitively judge the diffusion effect of feed. The quantitative evaluation results can help to select a feed delivery method with better feed diffusion and adjust the feed delivery method correctly when the aquaculture sea condition changes.