Effects of variable porosity net on flow field inside deep-sea aquaculture cage

Abstract

Abstract This paper focuses on the effect of the porosity of nets on the flow field inside the deep-sea aquaculture cage. Based on CFD method, the 2D flow fields inside and surrounding the deep-sea aquaculture cage from different views are simulated. The effects of certain porosity net and variable porosity net with different configurations on the fishability area, aquaculture efficiency and benefit of the cage are investigated. The results showed that the variable porosity net with suitable configurations in vertical direction can increase the fishability area and change the flow field inside the cage. This can be conducive to improving the efficiency of fish aquaculture. In horizontal direction, increasing the porosity of the nets parallel to the incoming flow direction can increase the fishability area and improve the water exchange capacity. This can be beneficial to improve fish aquaculture benefit. The results of this paper can guide for the selection of nets for deep-sea aquaculture cages.