Acoustic sound barrier system for fishes and other animals

Kurzfassung

A Spanish SME has developed an acoustic barrier system which influences the behaviour of fishes,driving them away from potentially dangerous places like hydroelectric or nuclear power stations.Different kinds of signals can be programmed in order to affect other kinds of animals. The company is looking for technical cooperation or financial resources to exploit the existing know how as well as commercial agreements with technical assistance.

Details

A Spanish SME has developed a acoustic fish barrier system based on digital synthesizing of signals. The system has been proved with good results in different hydroelectric power stations to keep fishes away from their water entries and exits. Similarly, different kinds of signals can be programmed in order to affect other kinds of animals like bulls, wolves and bats.

There are several studies which demonstrate that animals can be influenced by acoustic signals in order to attract them or move them away. One interesting application is with fishes because it is a known problem for water dependent industries (chemical industry, hydroelectric or nuclear power stations, etc.) to keep fishes away from their water accesses by sending out specific acoustic sounds which produce a variation in their behaviour, keeping them away from the particular place where the sound is produced.

Nowadays,physical barrier like different kinds of dense grids are used, which must be cleaned frequently to avoid congestion.The acoustic barrier system can replace the grids used for fish expelling or complements the ones which are also used to retain also water particles (leafs, etc.).

Innovative Aspects:
- The acoustic sound barrier system can be implemented as a substitute or complementary element for the actual grids used by water consuming industries or hydroelectric power stations, improving the fish protection and minimize maintenance costs for the industry.
- By programming appropriate sounds, this system can be used with other kinds of marine or terrestrial animals.