TOXIC HEAVY METALS REMOVAL SYSTEM FOR SHELLFISH

摘要

The invention refers to a closed loop seawater system. It is a technological application that has the ability to remove heavy metals from shellfish by using biological and physicochemical methods. The present invention contributes to the removal of heavy metals from shellfish and it consists of a specific combination and sequence of main and secondary parts. The main parts of the system are the integrated biosorption filter, the microfiltration hollow fibre bioreactor, suspended material filter and the macroalgae filter. The secondary parts of the system are the isothermal tank for shellfish keeping, the mechanical filter (e.g. sand filter), the ultraviolet (UV) lamps and the appropriate number of water pumps and adjustable flow splitters. The innovation of the present invention is that through water recirculation and by using multiple methods, heavy metals are removed from shellfish without the need to supplement the shellfish with food (microalgae). The suggested system can be installed anywhere and it can be connected with other depuration or recirculation water systems. This invention has two important advantages: (1) low demand for space (60-12Om2 depended on the capacity of the system) and (2) low cost operating costs due to the avoidance of food supplementation.