Supplier companies Redox AS and Proff Kulde AS have entered into a strategic cooperation agreement to provide one of the most hygienic and energy efficient storage solutions for stun and bleed vessels.
Fish is first pumped into a stun and bleed vessel, where the fish is stunned and euthanised. After the fish has been bled out, it is moved to a refrigerated tank where it is stored until the fish is delivered to an onshore processing facility.
The co-operation will combine Redox’s systems for regulating water quality and hygiene with Proff Kulde’s CO2-based RSW-system (refrigerated seawater) for cooling the fish.
‘Combining Redox and Proff Kulde’s competence and technologies will allow us to deliver a more complete integrated solution that that in an energy-efficient way provides the best possible water and storage quality, with the associated cost savings this entails. At the end of the day, what really matters is the quality of the fish that enters the processing facility,’ said Jonas Bergman, managing director of Redox.
As part of the cooperation, Redox will contribute with water purification system, oxygen system to reduce stress levels when crowding the fish, filter and UV system for treatment of inlet and discharge water, automatic cleaning system including ozone disinfection, plus logging system for monitoring and documentation of all processes.
Redox, which has previously delivered cleaning and disinfection systems to eight stun and bleed vessels and approximately 50% of the wellboats that operate in Norway, is also looking into the possibility of implementing new solutions to improve biosecurity and hygiene as well as streamlining operations on board the vessel.
‘We are, among other things, evaluating a new cooling water treatment method that can result in improved hygiene all the way to the processing facility. We are also developing a stun and bleed vessel alternative for ‘Wash Zero’, which is our solution to separate soap from seawater to enable filtering and disinfection of the discharge water,’ Jonas Bergman added.
CO2-based RSW
As part of the partnership, Proff Kulde will provide the its compact CO2-based RSW system that is particularly well suited for stun and bleed vessels. Its proprietary heat exchanger allows the company to halve the use of expensive high pressure refrigeration components. A more compact RSW system design also means lower production costs. In addition, CO2 is a more environmentally friendly refrigerant than other solutions.
‘Co-operating with Redox will enable us to optimise biosecurity, water quality and temperature in an even more holistic and integrated manner, which will ensure top quality fish. We will achieve this with the smallest possible environmental footprint and lowest possible cost for the operator of the stun and bleed vessel,’ said Mathias Ingebrigtsen, managing director of Proff Kulde
