New system design for the cultivation of extractive species at exposed sites - Part 2: Experimental modelling in waves and currents

Aquaculture is projected to be a major supplier of marine proteins large parts the global population. This includes bivalves, which have high potential offset protein deficits, as they are highly adaptable varying water temperature, salinity, desiccation, and oxygen conditions. work part two-piece contribution on novel aquaculture technology details physical laboratory tests new cultivation system for bivalve farming called “Shellfish Tower”. The tested 1:20 model consists rectangular cage (2 × 2 m prototype scale) with central buoyancy element height – 4 m. Testing was done in current flume well wave basin velocities between 0.4 2.2 m/s heights 1.6 5.0 periods 5 14 s. were conducted prove feasibility functionality this system, usable collection mussel spat grow-out oysters, scallops, seaweed environments. Tests carried out revealed that drag coefficients decrease increasing velocities, range from Cd=0.5 2.5, while mooring inclination increases 12° 84° flow velocity, dependant related pretension. examination line tensions recorded showed largest values snap-induced tension up 10 times semi-static tension. maximum-recorded 48 kN single 89 double configuration, compared non-snap values, 6 kN. insights gathered study will inform future design systems high-energy environments allow an integration into numerical models.