Optimization of water supply parameters for enhanced thermal uniformity in aquaculture ponds: An experimental study based on orthogonal experimental design

Abstract

The temperature distribution in aquaculture ponds plays a crucial role in the rearing of fish larvae. To achieve a more uniform temperature distribution in the pond and alleviate the problem of thermal stratification, precise control of pond temperature is essential. A recirculating aquaculture pond was taken as the test object. Single-factor experiments and orthogonal experiments were conducted to comprehensively test the aquaculture pond's water supply pipe layout, bend angle, perforation rate, and environmental conditions. Three evaluation indicators were used to analyze the temperature distribution of the aquaculture pond under various water supply pipe structures, leading to the identification of optimal structural configurations. The optimal structure I, obtained from single-factor experiments, was determined to be 2.5 m, 50 %, and 60°, while the optimal structure II, derived from orthogonal experiments, was 1.25 m, 75 %, and 30°. Both optimized structures exhibited significant temperature fluctuations in the pond during the summer season. However, Structure II demonstrated the lowest average temperature difference in the winter season, indicating its superior adaptability during winter. Moreover, Structure II could provide higher temperatures for shallow areas with depths greater than 600 mm, making it more suitable for fish larvae cultivation. Additionally, local devices effectively decreased temperature variations by 17.5 % within the pond. Furthermore, energy consumption output was evaluated for different operational conditions. The results showed that Structure II had the lowest energy consumption output during the summer season. In contrast, during the winter season, the energy consumption output increased by approximately 12 %, indicating significant energy-saving potential in aquaculture ponds during winter.