An aeration and oxygenation machine is a device that uses a power source—such as an electric motor or diesel engine—to drive working components, rapidly transferring “oxygen” from the air into the aquaculture water. By comprehensively leveraging physical, chemical, and biological functions, it not only addresses fish mortality caused by oxygen deficiency in pond aquaculture but also helps eliminate harmful gases.

What is the working principle of an aeration and oxygenation machine?

An aeration and oxygenation machine is a device that uses a power source—such as an electric motor or diesel engine—to drive working components, rapidly transferring "oxygen" from the air into the aquaculture water. By comprehensively leveraging physical, chemical, and biological functions, this equipment not only addresses fish mortality caused by insufficient oxygen in pond aquaculture but also eliminates harmful gases, improves water quality, increases stocking density, enhances the feeding efficiency of cultured organisms, promotes growth, significantly boosts sugar-free yields, and fully achieves the goal of increasing farm income.

What is the working principle of an aeration and oxygenation machine?

The application of aerators and oxygenation equipment in aquaculture production is becoming increasingly widespread. However, at present, some fish farmers still lack a clear understanding of their working principles, types, and functions, leading to blind and arbitrary practices in actual operations. It is said that the purpose of using oxygen boosters is to increase the amount of dissolved oxygen in water. The solubility of oxygen is influenced by several factors, including water temperature, salinity, and oxygen partial pressure. The rate of dissolution, meanwhile, depends on the degree of oxygen undersaturation in the water, the surface area and method of contact between water and gas, as well as the state of water movement. Since water temperature and salinity remain relatively stable, the degree of oxygen undersaturation becomes the key factor we must address—and also reflects the current state of the water. Therefore, to increase the oxygen content in the water, we must directly or indirectly alter the oxygen partial pressure, the contact area between water and gas, the manner in which water interacts with gas, and the state of water movement.

1) The mechanical component is used to mix the water body, thereby promoting convective exchange and interface renewal.

2) Water is dispersed in the air phase in the form of tiny droplets, thereby increasing the contact area at once.

3) The gas is dispersed into microbubbles and drawn into the water under negative pressure.

When oxygen levels in the fish farm drop, an aeration device can be activated to increase oxygen levels. The added air prevents fish and shrimp from surfacing for air. On sunny days, when oxygen levels in the upper water layer are relatively high, this promotes faster water convection, enhancing dissolved oxygen levels in the lower water layers, reducing rapid growth rates and improving feed conversion ratios in fish and shrimp, accelerating the oxidation and decomposition of organic matter, and thereby decreasing the incidence of diseases. Moreover, water circulation stimulates the reproduction of plankton, boosting the pond’s primary productivity.

It can be noted that the function of an aeration oxygenator is not only to increase the oxygen content in the water, but also to enhance the pond’s primary productivity and self-sustaining capacity. The results show that while water circulation is not suitable for certain breeding species such as eels, turtles, and shrimp, it does promote the healthy and rapid growth of fish and shrimp.

In recent years, China’s aquaculture industry has gradually shifted toward high-density, intensive farming practices. As a result, total aquaculture production has been increasing year by year, closely linked to the gradual implementation of this new approach in the aquaculture sector—particularly the widespread use of oxygen generators. It is fair to say that oxygen generators have become essential equipment for modernized aquaculture in China. The two primary indicators of an oxygen generator’s efficiency are air capacity and energy efficiency. Air capacity refers to the amount of oxygen temporarily introduced into the water body by the oxygen generator (unit: kg/h); energy efficiency, on the other hand, measures the amount of oxygen added per unit of electricity consumed by the aerator, expressed in kilograms of oxygen per kilowatt-hour. For example, a 1.5-kW hydrogen engine used in aquatic vehicles has an energy efficiency of 1.7 kg/kWh, meaning that for every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed, the machine can add 1.7 kg of oxygen to the water body.