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Title: The LOX calculator for fasted channel catfish

Author
item Pearson, Philip
item BEECHAM, RACHEL - MS VALLEY STATE UNIV
item MINCHEW, C - MSU
item BAILEY, SUSAN - MSU
item Moore Flanagan, Mary

Submitted to: Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE)
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/13/2007
Publication Date: 6/1/2007
Citation: Pearson, P.R., Beecham, R.V., Minchew, C.D., Bailey, S.B., Moore Flanagan, M.E. The LOX calculator for fasted channel catfish. Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE). ASABE Meeting Presentation No. 077047. Available: http://asae.frymulti.com.

Interpretive Summary: Channel catfish are raised in large, open ponds, and are harvested by seining. After seining, the fish are placed in a grading net, where the catch is held overnight. The process is similar to rounding up cattle from an open range, and placing them in a corral. Holding thousands of channel catfish in a relatively small volume of pond water can result in rapid depletion of the oxygen held in the water column, so supplemental aeration is needed. In 2002, a system that adds oxygen to the water in a grading net was invented. Liquid oxygen is stored in special tanks known as Dewar flasks, and is allowed to flow through hoses to diffusers, which are placed in a grading net. When liquid oxygen leaves a Dewar flask, the change in temperature and pressure causes it to become oxygen gas. In 2006, a mathematical model that estimates the volume of oxygen a given biomass of channel catfish consumes over time was developed. Users of a diffused oxygen aeration system can use information from the model to set oxygen flow rates, and ensure that they have enough liquid oxygen on hand. The model also presents an informal benefit-cost analysis. The LOX Calculator for Fasted Channel Catfish is available at http://www.ars.usda.gov/services/software/download.htm?softwareid=149.

Technical Abstract: Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are typically harvested by seining, and are then transferred to a grading net, where the catch is held overnight. Respiratory demands of a large, confined channel catfish biomass can exceed available dissolved oxygen, so supplemental aeration is necessary. In 2002, a diffused oxygen system for aeration of grading nets was invented. Aeration is accomplished by allowing oxygen to change phase from liquid to gas, which is diffused into the water column. A mathematical model for estimation of channel catfish oxygen consumption was developed in 2006. The model computes an estimate of the volume of oxygen consumed by a given channel catfish biomass, over time, in cubic feet and in liquid gallons. Users of diffused oxygen systems can use consumption estimates as a guide for setting flow rates, and for ensuring that adequate liquid oxygen is available. An informal benefit-cost analysis is included in model output. The LOX Calculator for Fasted Channel Catfish is available at http://www.ars.usda.gov/services/software/download.htm?softwareid=149.