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PCI & Chucaotec: Optimizing Oxygen Generation in Aquaculture Efficiency
An Interview with Tomás Bravo, CFO of CHUCAOTEC
Optimizing Oxygen Generation: Nano Bubble Tech’s Impact on Aquaculture and Mining Efficiency
PCI Gases, a renowned American company specializing in on-site oxygen generators and distinguished worldwide for the use of its VSA technology, has more than a thousand oxygen equipment installed in different parts of the world.
Chucaotec, a company based in Llanquihue in southern Chile, that develops innovative technologies that improve efficiency and sustainability across various industries with a focus on nanobubble technology and seabed remediation.
Picture: Tomás Bravo, CFO of Chucaotec
In the realm of oxygen generation, innovation takes center stage as CHUCAOTEC, one of PCI’s most important customers in Chile and a based technology solutions company who introduces a game-changing technology: nanobubble technology. This innovation optimizes oxygen generation in aquaculture and positively impacts mining processes. Nano bubbles significantly improve oxygen efficiency by diffusing oxygen into water, creating an oxygen-rich environment. Vital for fish respiration in aquaculture, this technology also accelerates mineral oxidation in mining processes.
What are the benefits of the use of Oxygen in nanobubble technology?
Nanobubble technology offers several benefits, including:
- Reduced oxygen consumption: Nanobubbles efficiently oxygenate water with minimal oxygen usage, reducing the environmental footprint associated with oxygen generation.
- Enhanced recovery rates: Nanobubbles improve mineral recovery rates in mining, especially in gold and silver leaching processes. This reduces the need for oxygen and other chemicals, making the process more environmentally friendly.
- Reduced environmental impact: Nanobubbles can help remediate seabed conditions in aquaculture by addressing anaerobic conditions caused by organic matter accumulation.
Tomás Bravo said that one example of how nanobubble technology is being used in aquaculture is the use of nanobubbles to treat Caligus, a parasitic sea louse that can infest fish, causing significant damage and mortality. PCI’s oxygen generators have been used to treat Caligus in fish farms by dissolving high concentrations of oxygen in the water, facilitating the treatment with medicine, keeping the fish less stressed and well oxygenated.
Picture: PCI DOCS 500 in Chucaotec
About mining processes, nanobubbles are used to accelerate mineral oxidation in leaching processes. This improves recovery rates and reduces the need for oxygen and other chemicals. Nanobubbles can also be used to remediate wastewater to improve environmental conditions in mining operations. According to Tomás, Nano bubbles enhance gold recovery by accelerating leaching kinetics, making the process faster and more efficient. Additionally, there is potential for reducing cyanide consumption in gold leaching, addressing environmental concerns and offering cost-saving benefits.
What role does PCI Gases play in Chucaotec’s success processes?
According to Tomás Bravo, PCI’s equipment is crucial for CHUCAOTEC’s applications in diverse environments, from the deep sea to high-altitude mining locations. PCI Gases’ VSA (Vacuum Swing Adsorption) technology, coupled with CHUCAOTEC’s nano bubble expertise, has resulted in efficient and environmentally friendly oxygen generation solutions. PCI’s equipment has performed exceptionally well in marine applications, such as treating Caligus in fish. The plug-and-play nature of PCI’s generators, combined with their resilience in challenging marine conditions, has been crucial. The equipment’s operational success and low maintenance requirements have garnered positive feedback from clients in the aquaculture industry.
How does nanobubble technology contribute to sustainability in the evolving environmental landscape?
Tomás Bravo said that Nanobubble technology is essential for achieving sustainability goals amid the current climate crisis. Its ability to reduce oxygen consumption, enhance recovery rates, and minimize environmental impact positions it as a key player in the transition to a more sustainable future.
How has PCI’s equipment been performing in marine applications, and what challenges has it encountered in relation to temperature variations in this demanding environment?
According to Tomás Bravo, PCI’s equipment has been operating smoothly in marine applications, demonstrating reliability and effectiveness in challenging conditions. The plug-and-play nature of the equipment has been particularly valuable in marine environments. We haven’t encountered issues related to temperature variations in marine applications. While temperatures in the ocean remain relatively stable, the increased demand for oxygen due to rising temperatures is seen as an opportunity in the aquaculture market.
Advancing towards a Sustainable Future
In conclusion, nano bubble technology is transforming oxygen generation processes, making them more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable. As the world embraces these advancements, the synergy between PCI and Chucaotec exemplifies the potential of innovative partnerships in shaping the future of aquaculture and mining industries.
Tomás bravo indicates that “PCI’s equipment’s robustness and technical reliability, crucial for our applications in varied environments, along with its energy efficiency and smaller footprint impact, were the primary reasons we chose to collaborate with PCI”.
For further information on our products/systems or to obtain a tailored made formal proposal for your specific project, please contact:
Carla Cardenas: ccardenas@pcigases.com +51 (971) 451-614
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Posted May 03, 2024
