Engineered-airlift pumps developed at U of G and field-tested at Ontario Aquaculture Research Centre can improve performance of aquaculture systems

The pumps, called FloMov, were created using the research of Dr. Wael Ahmed, researcher in the U of G School of Engineering.

They were designed to help fish farmers reduce energy usage and improve the quality of the culture products for the aquaculture industry. The airlift pump was engineered and prototyped in U of G’s Multiphase Flow and Energy Lab with support from the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance Gryphon’s LAAIR program. 

Field tests were performed at the Ontario Aquaculture Research Centre to evaluate the FloMov technology compared to an optimized control tank equipped with aerators designed for land-based fish production 

See the results in an Aquaculture Magazine article written by Ahmed, Ontario Aquaculture Research Centre Manager Dr. Marcia Chiasson and Josh Rosettani of FloNergia System Inc.: Engineered-Airlift pumps can help aquaculture systems to perform better

With support from the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the FloNergia pump was commercialized for the agriculture, aquaculture, aquaponics, hydroponics, vertical farming and water/wastewater industries. It performs as well as or better than conventional pumps while reducing operating costs and energy consumption. It won U of G's Innovation of the Year Award in 2021.