JP4748296B2 - Gas generation amount measuring method and gas generation amount measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention automatically measures the amount of gas generated in association with a biological or chemical reaction and the amount of a specific gas component contained in the generated gas without requiring complicated operations continuously or at arbitrary intervals. A gas generation amount measurement method and a gas generation amount measurement device that can be performed, for example, the amount of gas generated in the digestion reaction of feed by digestive fluid collected from animals such as cattle, and methane gas contained in the generated gas Gas components such as CO ₂ and CO ₂ can be automatically measured continuously or at arbitrary intervals, and are suitably used for research and development of feeds and additives to suppress the generation of gases that adversely affect the environment The present invention relates to a gas generation amount measuring method and a gas generation amount measuring apparatus.

  In recent years, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased at a rapid rate that humans have never experienced before. Methane, which is the most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, is currently the hottest gas. Recent evaluation results observed all over the world reveal that the atmospheric methane concentration is increasing at an annual rate of 0.8 to 1.0% in the range of 1.7 to 1.8 ppmv. Various research and development have been conducted to reduce methane released from livestock (see Non-Patent Document 1).

  Here, in developing greenhouse gas emission control technology derived from livestock, it is important to establish “exhaust gas control technology from livestock” itself, such as the composition of livestock feed and how to feed livestock. It is important to establish how much effect it has, that is, "a technique for evaluating an exhaust emission control technique". Moreover, as such an evaluation technique, it is preferable that the technique can be easily performed in a laboratory.

  Conventionally, as a method for evaluating methane gas or the like caused by fermentation in the digestive tract of livestock, for example, the gas released from a fistula attached to the rumen of a cow is dehydrated, the flow rate is measured, and the methane gas is collected in a sample bag and collected. A method of measuring the concentration, or a mixture of digestive juice collected from the cow's stomach and livestock feed in a predetermined container to produce a model of the cow's stomach, and digestion reaction is performed in that container for a certain period of time. A method of collecting the generated gas component from a container and measuring the concentration of methane gas or the like has been used.

  However, in the former case, it is possible to directly evaluate the amount of methane gas generated from livestock, but actually feed the livestock such as cattle and measure the gas released from the fistula attached to the stomach of the livestock. Therefore, this method is very unsuitable for research in a laboratory, and it is not preferable from the viewpoint of animal welfare because data tends to vary due to individual differences and physical condition of livestock.

  On the other hand, the latter method is a suitable method for research in a laboratory, but is a so-called batch method in which all gas components in a container are recovered after a certain period of time. In order to investigate changes over time, conduct several experiments with different digestion reaction times, or prepare multiple models with gastric juice and feed in a container, and digestion reaction There is a drawback in that the efficiency of the experiment is inferior because it requires work such as measuring the amount of gas generated at different times.

Junichi Takahashi, “Nutritional Manipulation of Methane Release from Ruminants”, Abstracts of International Conference on Control and Use of Greenhouse Gases in Livestock, 7-11 November 2001, I-10.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the amount of gas generated accompanying a biological or chemical reaction and the amount of a specific gas component contained in the generated gas are continuously or at arbitrary intervals. Automatic measurement can be performed without requiring complicated operations. For example, the amount of gas generated in the digestion reaction of feed by digestive fluid collected from animals such as cattle, methane gas and CO ₂ contained in the generated gas The amount of gas components that can be measured continuously or automatically at any interval, and is suitable for research and development of feeds and additives to suppress the generation of gases that adversely affect the environment An object is to provide a measuring method and a gas generation amount measuring apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following gas generation amount measuring method.
That is, a gas generation amount measuring method for measuring a ratio of a target gas contained in a generation gas whose generation amount is unknown and composed of a plurality of types of gases generated in association with biological or chemical reactions, and is accompanied by the gas generation described above An inert gas as a carrier gas is continuously fed into the reaction tank in which the reaction is performed at a predetermined flow rate, and the generated gas in the reaction tank is continuously discharged from the reaction tank together with the carrier gas. The amount of gas generated during the reaction is calculated from the difference between the measured value and the amount of the carrier gas fed into the reaction tank, and the purpose of the gas contained in the exhaust gas. Measure the concentration of only the gas, calculate the amount of only the target gas generated from the obtained target gas concentration and the above-mentioned exhaust gas flow rate, and select the target from the multiple types of gases contained in the generated gas that accompanies the above reaction. Measure the amount of gas only Further to provide a gas generation amount measurement method characterized by calculating the ratio of the target gas contained from the generation amount and the gas generation amount of the target gas only during generation gas accompanying the reaction.

Further, the present invention provides a reaction tank for performing a biological or chemical reaction involving generation of a plurality of types of gases as an apparatus for carrying out the gas generation amount measuring method,
Carrier gas feeding means for continuously feeding an inert gas as a carrier gas into the reaction vessel at a predetermined flow rate;
A gas flow rate measuring means for measuring a flow rate of an exhaust gas including a generated gas whose generation amount is unknown and composed of a plurality of types of gases continuously discharged from the reaction tank;
Gas concentration measuring means for measuring the concentration of the target gas contained in the exhaust gas,
Computation means (computer) for calculating the target gas generation amount and the ratio of the target gas in the generated gas from the exhaust gas flow rate, the carrier gas flow rate and the target gas concentration,
The reaction in the reaction tank is determined from the difference between the amount of the carrier gas discharged from the reaction tank together with the carrier gas and the amount of the carrier gas measured by the gas flow measuring means and fed into the reaction tank. The gas generation amount accompanying the above is calculated by the calculation means, the concentration of the target gas contained in the exhaust gas is measured by the gas concentration measurement means, and the target gas concentration and the exhaust gas measured by the gas flow rate measurement means are measured. The generated amount of only the target gas is calculated from the flow rate by the calculation means, and further, from the generated amount of gas and the generated amount of only the target gas, into the generated gas composed of a plurality of types of gases generated by the reaction. There is provided a gas generation amount measuring apparatus configured to calculate a ratio of a target gas contained in the calculation means.

That is, in the gas generation amount measuring method and the gas generation amount measuring apparatus of the present invention, an inert gas as a carrier gas is supplied at a predetermined flow rate in a reaction tank in which a biological or chemical reaction involving generation of plural kinds of gases is performed. From the difference between the amount of carrier gas sent and the amount of exhaust gas measured by measuring the amount of exhaust gas and continuously discharging the gas generated in the reaction tank together with this carrier gas. By calculating the gas generation amount accompanying the reaction and measuring the concentration of only the target gas contained in the exhaust gas including the generated gas composed of plural kinds of gases, the target gas concentration and the exhaust gas amount The amount of only the target gas included in the generated gas accompanying the reaction is calculated from the amount of gas generated and the amount of target gas generated as necessary. West It is intended.

As described above, in the gas generation amount measuring method and the gas generation amount measuring apparatus according to the present invention, the generated gas composed of a plurality of types of gases is continuously discharged together with the carrier gas from the reaction tank in which the reaction is performed, and the amount of exhaust gas is reduced. By measuring the amount of increase in exhaust gas relative to the carrier gas measured and sent in, and measuring the concentration of only the target gas contained in the exhaust gas, the total amount of generated gas, target gas in which the ratio of only the desired gas contained in the generation amount or the generated gas alone can be easily measured continuously or at any interval.

That is, for example, cow gastric juice and feed are put into a reaction tank, and temperature control and stirring operations are performed by appropriate means to form a cow stomach model. Methane gas, CO _2, etc. associated with the digestion reaction When investigating the generation amount of nitrogen, an inert gas such as nitrogen gas or helium gas is used as the carrier gas, and the generated gas in the reaction tank is continuously discharged together with the carrier gas, and the carrier gas of the exhaust gas is discharged. The total amount of generated gas is calculated by measuring the amount of increase with respect to the target gas component concentration such as methane gas and CO ₂ contained in the exhaust gas by an infrared concentration sensor or the like. The amount of target gas generated is calculated from the amount of exhaust gas, and the ratio of the target gas contained in the generated gas accompanying the reaction is calculated from the amount of generated target gas and the total amount of generated gas. be able to. That is, the total amount of the generated gas, the generated amount of the target gas, or the ratio of the target gas contained in the generated gas can be easily measured continuously or at arbitrary intervals.
Therefore, it is included in the total amount of generated gas such as methane gas and CO ₂ generated in the digestion reaction of cattle, the generated amount of target gas and the generated gas without performing a plurality of experiments or a plurality of experimental devices. The ratio of the target gas can be easily measured, and the measurement can be automatically performed.

In addition, cows have four stomachs from the first stomach to the fourth stomach. Four reaction tanks are prepared and digestion reactions are performed under conditions corresponding to the first stomach to the fourth stomach, respectively. By continuously feeding the carrier gas into each tank at a predetermined flow rate and measuring the amount of generated gas and the amount of target gas generated such as methane gas and CO ₂ contained in the generated gas as described above, A digestion model equivalent to the head can be constructed, and the total amount of generated gas, the amount of target gas generated, and the ratio of the target gas contained in the generated gas can be easily measured.

Thus, when a model for one cow is constructed to measure the total amount of generated gas, the amount of target gas generated and the ratio of target gas contained in the generated gas, the conventional batch method described above, A reaction tank corresponding to the stomach must be prepared, and a plurality of reaction tanks with different reaction times must be prepared for the reaction tanks corresponding to the individual stomachs, and in order to prevent changes in data due to variations in reaction conditions. The reaction conditions must be strictly controlled in this reaction tank, which requires very complicated work and results in very poor experimental efficiency.
On the other hand, according to the gas generation amount measuring method and the gas generation amount measuring apparatus of the present invention, four reaction tanks are prepared by devising the pipes constituting the gas flow path as in the examples described later. By performing digestion reactions corresponding to the four stomachs of cattle, the total amount of generated gas, the amount of target gas generated, and the ratio of the target gas contained in the generated gas can be measured easily and efficiently. It is.

As described above, according to the gas generation amount measuring method and the gas generation amount measuring apparatus of the present invention, the total amount of generated gas generated by biological or chemical reaction, the specific gas component contained in the generated gas And the ratio of the target gas contained in the generated gas can be automatically measured continuously or at arbitrary intervals without requiring complicated work. For example, the total amount of gas generated with digestion reaction of feed by digestive fluid collected from animals such as cattle, and the amount of specific gas components such as methane gas and CO ₂ contained in the generated gas, Therefore, the gas generation amount measuring method and the gas generation amount measuring apparatus according to the present invention suppress the generation of gases that adversely affect the environment. It is preferably used for research and development of feeds and additives.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, an Example is shown and this invention is demonstrated more concretely.
FIG. 1 shows a gas generation amount measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for measuring a gas generation amount according to the gas generation amount measuring method of the present invention. The amount of methane gas generated with the digestion reaction in each stomach is measured over time.

  In the figure, 1a to 1d are a first reaction tank 1a, a second reaction tank 1b, a third reaction tank 1c and a fourth reaction tank 1d corresponding to the four stomachs of the cow's first stomach to the fourth stomach, respectively. Each reaction tank is equipped with a heating device 11 and a stirring device 12 controlled by the control unit 2, respectively, and can set and maintain reaction conditions under conditions corresponding to the first stomach to the fourth stomach of a cow. It is like that.

  In the figure, reference numeral 3 denotes a carrier gas feeding means for supplying a carrier gas to each of the reaction tanks 1a to 1d. Usually, a gas cylinder filled with an appropriate gas can be used. Here, a gas cylinder filled with nitrogen gas is used. And nitrogen gas is used as a carrier gas. Here, the carrier gas may be any gas as long as it does not affect the reaction in each of the reaction tanks 1a to 1d, but usually an inert gas such as nitrogen gas is preferably used.

The carrier gas feeding means 3 is connected in parallel to the reaction tanks 1a to 1d, and feeds a carrier gas (N ₂ ) to the reaction tanks 1a to 1d. The gas supply pipes 4a to 4d connecting the carrier gas feeding means 3 and the reaction tanks 1a to 1d are respectively provided with flow rate adjusting valves V1a to V1d that can adjust the opening degree and gas supply valves V2a that perform opening and closing operations. V2d is attached, and the flow rate of the carrier gas fed to each reaction vessel 1a-1d can be adjusted by the flow rate adjustment valves V1a-V1d, and each reaction vessel can be opened and closed by opening and closing the gas supply valves V2a-V2d The delivery of the carrier gas to 1a to 1d can be stopped / started.

  The gas supply pipes 4a to 4d connecting the carrier gas feeding means 3 and the reaction vessels 1a to 1d are disposed between the flow control valves V1a to V1d and the gas supply valves V2a to V2d. One ends of the gas flow pipes 5a to 5d are connected, and calibration valves V3a to V3d for performing an opening / closing operation are attached to one end connection ends of the exhaust gas flow pipes 5a to 5d.

  The exhaust gas flow pipes 5a to 5d are connected to the other ends of the gas discharge pipes 6a to 6d, one end of which is connected to the reaction tanks 1a to 1d. The gas discharged from the reaction vessels 1a to 1d through 6d is guided to the exhaust gas flow pipes 5a to 5d. A moisture condenser 7 and a dehumidifier 8 are sequentially attached to the gas discharge pipes 6a to 6d from the reaction tank side, respectively, and moisture is removed from the gases discharged from the reaction tanks 1a to 1d and dried. These are sent to the exhaust gas flow pipes 5a to 5d. Further, gas discharge valves V4a to V4d that are opened and closed between the dehumidifier 8 and the exhaust gas flow pipes 5a to 5d are attached to the gas discharge pipes 6a to 6d, respectively. .

  In the figure, 9a to 9d are mass flow sensors (gas flow rate measuring means), and each mass flow sensor 9a to 9d is connected to the other end of each of the exhaust gas flow pipes 5a to 5d, and each mass flow sensor 9a to 9d. The flow rate of the exhaust gas discharged from each of the reaction tanks 1a to 1d is measured. In the figure, reference numeral 91 denotes a filter for protecting the mass flow sensors 9a to 9d.

  The gas discharge sides of the mass flow sensors 9a to 9d are connected to the gas concentration sensor 10 via three-way valves V5a to V5d, respectively, and the concentration of methane gas contained in the exhaust gas that has passed through the mass flow sensors 9a to 9d. Is measured by the gas concentration sensor 10 (gas concentration measuring means). The three-way valves V5a to V5d are electromagnetic valves that can automatically switch the flow path according to a signal from the control unit 2, and the three-way valves V5a to V5d have exhaust gas as outdoor flow in the outdoor atmosphere. An exhaust pipe 13 is connected to the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas from each of the mass flow sensors 9a to 9d is sent to the gas concentration sensor 10 by switching these three-way valves V5a to V5d, or exhausted to the outside through the exhaust pipe 13 You can switch between what to do. The exhaust gas after being sent to the gas concentration sensor 10 and measuring the concentration is discharged into the outdoor atmosphere through the exhaust pipe 14.

  Here, the gas concentration sensor 10 may be appropriately selected according to the target gas type. In this example, in order to measure the concentration of methane gas, a non-dispersive infrared methane gas concentration measurement sensor is used.

  In the figure, S1 is a pressure sensor, and the pressure sensor S1 measures the nitrogen gas supply pressure from the gas cylinder (carrier gas feeding means) 3 to monitor the pressure drop. S2 is a sensor for monitoring the state in the reaction tank. The sensor S2 monitors the environment in each of the reaction tanks 1a to 1d, and controls the heating device 11 and the stirring device 12 by signals from the control unit 2. Thus, the reaction tanks 1a to 1d are kept in a constant or predetermined environment. Further, 15 is a computer connected to the control unit 2, and various settings are input to the control unit 2 by the computer 15 and an operation for calculating a measurement result is performed, and the result is displayed and recorded. Aggregate and process. In the drawing, V6 is a main valve of the gas cylinder (carrier gas feeding means) 3.

  This gas generation amount measuring device is a digestion reaction model of cattle in which the four reaction tanks 1a to 1d correspond to four stomach bags of cattle, and measures the generation amount of methane gas generated by digestion reaction by cattle diet, The purpose is to conduct research on feed and additives that can reduce methane gas generation.

  When measuring generation | occurrence | production of the methane gas by digestion reaction, while each gas | steam liquid extract | collected from the 1st-4th stomach of a cow is each accommodated in each said reaction tank 1a-1d, respectively, each 1st-4th stomach of a cow is accommodated. Each of the feeds processed in the same manner as the actual feed sent to each stomach is fed, and the reaction tanks 1a to 1d are adjusted in temperature and degree of agitation according to the environment in the first to fourth stomachs of the cow. It adjusts and prepares to perform each digestion reaction in each reaction tank 1a-1d.

  On the other hand, the main valve V6 and the calibration valves V3a to V3d are opened, the gas supply valves V2a to V2d and the gas discharge valves V4a to V4d are closed, and the three-way valves V5a to V5d are directed to the exhaust pipe 13. The carrier gas (nitrogen gas) is supplied from the carrier gas inlet means 3 in a state where the flow path is switched, and the carrier gas is supplied from the gas supply pipes 4a to 4d to the flow rate control valves V1a to V1d and the calibration valves. V3a to V3d are continuously passed directly to the exhaust gas flow pipes 5a to 5d without passing through the reaction vessels 1a to 1d. The mass flow sensors 9a to 9d pass through the exhaust gas flow pipes 5a to 5d. The flow rate of the flowing carrier gas is measured and exhausted from the exhaust pipe 13.

  In this state, the flow rate control valves V1a to V1d are operated to adjust the flow rate of the carrier gas supplied through the gas supply tubes 4a to 4d, and the gas flow rates are adjusted to the gas supply tubes 4a to 4d and the gas discharge tubes. Calibration is performed by setting a zero point for each flow path including 6a to 6d and exhaust gas flow pipes 5a to 5d. In this case, the flow rate of the carrier gas supplied to each flow path may be set in accordance with the approximate gas generation amount expected in each reaction tank 1a to 1d. For example, the gas generation amount in the reaction tank is small. It is preferable that the flow path expected to reduce the flow rate of the carrier gas to easily detect an increase in the exhaust gas flow rate due to gas generation.

  In this state, the gas supply valves V2a to V2d and the gas discharge valves V4a to V4d are opened, the calibration valves V3a to V3d are closed, and a carrier gas having a flow rate set to 0 in the calibration operation is set. The gas supply pipes 4a to 4d are fed into the reaction tanks 1a to 1d and discharged from the reaction tanks 1a to 1d through the gas discharge pipes 6a to 6d to the exhaust gas flow pipes 5a to 5d. The flow rate of the exhaust gas is continuously measured by the sensors 9a to 9d and discharged from the exhaust pipe 13 to the outdoor atmosphere. At this time, the exhaust gas discharged from each of the reaction tanks 1a to 1d has its moisture removed by the moisture condenser 7 and the dehumidifier 8 attached to the gas discharge pipes 6a to 6d, and each mass flow as a dry gas. The flow rate is measured by passing through the sensors 9a to 9d, so that condensation in the pipe is prevented and an increase in the flow rate due to water vapor is prevented.

  In this state, the digestion reaction of the feed with gastric juice is performed in each of the reaction tanks 1a to 1d. As a result, the generated gas generated by the digestion reaction in each of the reaction tanks 1a to 1d passes through the gas discharge pipes 6a to 6d and the exhaust gas flow pipes 5a to 5d as the exhaust gas together with the carrier gas. Through 9d, the flow rate is measured, and the increase from the flow rate set at the above-mentioned 0 point is calculated as the amount of gas generated by the digestion reaction in each of the reaction tanks 1a to 1d. The amount of gas generated is continuously monitored.

  In this state, the three-way valves V5a to V5d are switched by a signal from the control unit 2, and the exhaust gas flowing through each flow path is sent to the gas concentration sensor 10 sequentially or in a preset order or interval. The concentration of methane gas in the exhaust gas is measured to calculate the amount of methane gas alone, and if necessary, the proportion of methane gas in the generated gas is calculated and released into the outdoor atmosphere through the exhaust pipe 14. .

  That is, when measuring the amount of methane gas generated in the first reaction tank 1a, the three-way valve V5a performs the switching operation of the flow path, and only the exhaust gas from the first reaction tank 1a is sent to the gas exhaust pipe 6a and the exhaust gas feed. The flow pipe 5a, the mass flow sensor 9a and the three-way valve V5a are sequentially passed to the gas concentration sensor 10, and the exhaust gas is exhausted from the three-way valves V5b to V5d through the exhaust pipe 13 as before in the other flow paths. . When the methane gas concentration in the exhaust gas is measured by the gas concentration sensor 10, the amount of only methane gas generated is instantaneously calculated from the methane gas concentration and the exhaust gas flow rate measured by the mass flow sensor 9a. The amount of methane gas generated in the reaction tank 1a is obtained and recorded in the computer 15. Further, if necessary, the ratio of methane gas in the generated gas is calculated from the methane gas concentration and the gas generation amount measured and calculated by the mass flow sensor 9a, and similarly recorded in the computer 15.

  Next, when measuring the amount of methane gas generated in the second reaction tank 1b, the three-way valve V5a again performs the switching operation of the flow path, and the exhaust gas from the first reaction tank 1a is transferred from the exhaust pipe 13 to the outdoors. The three-way valve V5b performs the switching operation of the flow path while switching to the exhaust flow path, and only the exhaust gas from the second reaction tank 1b is the gas discharge pipe 6b, the exhaust gas flow pipe 5b, the mass flow sensor 9b, and the three-way valve. V5b is sequentially sent to the gas concentration sensor 10, and the amount of methane gas generated in the second reaction tank 1b (and its ratio in the generated gas) is obtained and recorded in the computer 15 in the same manner as described above. Similarly, in the measurement of the amount of methane generated in the third reaction tank 1c and the fourth reaction tank 1d, the gas concentration sensor detects only the exhaust gas from each flow path by the flow path switching operation of the three-way valves V5a to V5d. 10, and similarly, the amount of methane gas generated (and its ratio in the generated gas) in the third reaction tank 1 c or the fourth reaction tank 1 d is obtained and recorded in the computer 15.

  Then, the operation of switching the three-way valves V5a to V5d is performed sequentially or at a predetermined interval and order by operating the computer 15 or in accordance with a program preset by the computer 15, and digestion is performed in each reaction tank 1a to 1d. The amount of methane gas generated along with the reaction is measured, and the total amount generated and changes over time in the amount generated are recorded.

  Thus, in the gas generation amount measuring method and apparatus of this example, the carrier gas is continuously fed into the reaction tanks 1a to 1d in which the digestion reaction is performed at a predetermined flow rate, and the gas in the reaction tanks 1a to 1d is supplied. The reaction gas is discharged from the reaction tanks 1a to 1d together with the carrier gas, and the amount of gas generated in the reaction is calculated from the difference between the amount of the carrier gas and the amount of exhaust gas measured and fed into the exhaust gas. Calculate the amount of methane gas generated by measuring the concentration of methane gas (target gas) contained, and if necessary, in the generated gas generated from the methane gas generation amount and the above gas generation amount along with the digestion reaction The ratio of the target gas contained is calculated.

  And in this gas generation amount measuring method and gas generation amount measuring apparatus, generated gas is continuously discharged | emitted with carrier gas from the reaction tanks 1a-1d in which reaction is performed, and the exhaust gas with respect to the delivered carrier gas In addition to measuring the amount of methane gas contained in the exhaust gas, the amount of gas generated in the digestion reaction can be continuously and simply measured, and the generated gas can be measured. The amount of methane gas (target gas) contained in the gas and the ratio of the target gas contained in the generated gas can be easily measured continuously or at arbitrary intervals without requiring complicated operations and operations. It is.

  Therefore, according to this gas generation amount measuring method and gas generation amount measuring apparatus, the generation amount of methane gas (target gas) generated when the feed is digested by the gastric juice of cattle is simply measured continuously or at arbitrary intervals. be able to. In other words, it is possible to easily measure the amount of methane gas generated along with the digestion reaction of cattle and its change over time without conducting a plurality of experiments or using a plurality of experimental devices. It can be done automatically.

  In the present embodiment, the first to fourth reaction tanks 1a to 1d are prepared, and digestion reaction is performed under conditions corresponding to the first stomach to the fourth stomach of the cow, respectively. The carrier gas is continuously sent to 1d at a predetermined flow rate, and the amount of methane gas generated is measured as described above, so that a digestion model equivalent to one cow is constructed and the target gas generation amount And the change with time can be measured easily.

As described above, when a model for one cow is constructed to measure a change over time in the generation amount of the target gas (methane gas), in the conventional batch method described above, reaction tanks corresponding to four stomachs respectively. Multiple reaction tanks with different reaction times for reaction tanks corresponding to individual stomachs, and reaction conditions in each reaction tank to prevent changes in data due to variations in reaction conditions. Must be strictly controlled, requiring very complicated work and very poor experimental efficiency.
On the other hand, in the gas generation amount measuring method and gas generation amount measuring apparatus of the present embodiment, the carrier gas is fed into the four reaction tanks 1a to 1d through the pipe branched in parallel from the one carrier gas feeding means 3. Further, the discharge passages from the reaction tanks 1a to 1d are connected to one gas concentration sensor (gas concentration measuring means) 10 via the three-way valves V5a to V5d, respectively, and by switching the three-way valves V5a to V5d, By sending the exhaust gas from each of the reaction tanks 1a to 1d individually to the gas concentration sensor 10, a digestion reaction model corresponding to one cow is constructed with relatively simple equipment, and methane gas is easily and efficiently used. The amount generated and its change over time can be measured.

In addition, the gas generation amount measuring method and the gas generation amount measuring apparatus of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments, and may be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the amount of methane gas generated in response to the digestion reaction between cattle gastric juice and feed is measured, but by selecting the gas concentration measuring means 10 as appropriate, CO ₂ and other gases are selected. It is possible to measure the generation amount, it is also possible to simultaneously measure the generation amount of a plurality of types of gas components, and to measure the generation amount of gas accompanying biological or chemical reactions other than the above digestion reaction It may be. Moreover, in the said Example, it consists of the 1st reaction tank system flow path which consists of the gas supply pipe | tube 4a, the 1st reaction tank 1a, the gas exhaust pipe 6a, and the exhaust gas feed pipe 5a similarly, 4b, 1b, 6b, and 5b. There are provided four channels, a second reaction tank system flow path consisting of a second reaction tank system flow path, 4c, 1c, 6c and 5c, a fourth reaction tank system flow path consisting of 4d, 1d, 6d and 5d. The gas flowing through the flow path is circulated to one gas concentration measuring means 10 via the three-way valves V5a to V5d, and the target gas amounts generated in the individual reaction tanks 1a to 1d are measured by switching the three-way valves V5a to V5d. However, the gas concentration measuring means 10 may be provided in each flow path, and in this case, each gas concentration measuring means may be provided upstream of each gas flow rate measuring means 9a to 9d. Furthermore, the number of reaction tanks and the number of flow paths thereof may be three systems or less or five systems or more, and may be appropriately set according to the experiment to be performed. For example, when constructing digestion reaction models for sheep, pigs, and other domestic animals, reaction tanks may be installed as many as the number of stomachs of those domestic animals.

Moreover, in the said Example, although the calibration about mass flow sensors 9a-9d is performed, in addition to this, the calibration operation can also be performed also about the gas concentration sensor 10. FIG.
That is, after the calibration for the mass flow sensors 9a to 9d according to the above-described procedure, before the gas supply valves V2a to V2d and the gas discharge valves V4a to V4d are opened and the calibration valves V3a to V3d are closed. (Before starting the measurement of the amount of gas generated in each reaction tank), for example, the flow path of the three-way valve V5a is switched in the direction of the gas concentration sensor 10, and only the first reaction tank 1a is switched from the first reaction tank system flow path. By measuring the gas concentration of the carrier gas passing through the excluded bypass flow path, the measured value is set as 0 point for the first reaction tank system flow path, and calibration may be performed. In this case, it is usually not necessary to calibrate the gas concentration sensor 10 for the second to fourth reaction tank flow paths, but the same applies to the second to fourth reaction tank flow paths if necessary. You can do it.
Here, in the above-described embodiment, the calibration valves V3a to V3d are provided, and the carrier gas is circulated through each flow path without passing through the reaction vessels 1a to 1d, and the calibration is performed to set the zero point. The calibration valves V3a to V3d and the bypass flow path passing through them are omitted, and the carrier gas is circulated through the reaction tanks 1a to 1d in the same manner as in actual measurement, and the zero point is set by calibration. You can also.

  Furthermore, if necessary, appropriate valves and flow paths may be added, the moisture condenser 7 and the dehumidifier 8 may be omitted, and conversely, appropriate devices and mechanisms may be added. As long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention, it may be changed appropriately.

1 is a schematic view showing an inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a-1d Reaction tank 11 Heating apparatus 12 Stirring apparatus 2 Control part 3 Carrier gas delivery means 4a-4d Gas supply pipe 5a-5d Exhaust gas feed pipe 6a-6d Gas exhaust pipe 7 Moisture condenser 8 Dehumidifier 9a- 9d Mass flow sensor (gas flow rate measuring means)
91 Filter 10 Gas concentration sensor (gas concentration measuring means)
13, 14 Exhaust pipe 15 Computer S1 Pressure sensor S2 Sensors V1a to V1d Flow rate adjusting valves V2a to V2d Gas supply valves V3a to V3d Calibration valves (flow path switching means)
V4a to V4d Gas exhaust valve V5a to V5d Three-way valve (open / close valve)
V6 main valve

Claims (5)

A plurality of kinds of gas generation amount measurement method for measuring the percentage of target gas contained generation amount in the unknown generation gas of the gas generated with the biological or chemical reactions, the reaction with the gas generating An inert gas as a carrier gas is continuously fed into the reaction tank at a predetermined flow rate, and the generated gas in the reaction tank is continuously discharged from the reaction tank together with the carrier gas, and the flow rate of the exhaust gas. The amount of gas generated during the reaction is calculated from the difference between the measured value and the amount of the carrier gas fed into the reaction vessel, and only the target gas contained in the exhaust gas is measured. The target gas concentration is calculated from the obtained target gas concentration and the exhaust gas flow rate, and only the target gas is selected from the multiple gases contained in the generated gas accompanying the reaction. Measure the amount of Gas generation amount measuring method, characterized by generation amount and the amount of gas generated target gas only from the calculated ratio of the target gas contained in the generated gas due to the reaction. In the reaction tank, animal digestion fluid and feed are mixed to cause a digestion reaction, and the generation amount or ratio of the target gas in the generated gas composed of a plurality of gases generated in accordance with the digestion reaction is continuously or intermittently gas generation amount measuring method according to claim 1 Symbol placement measured at arbitrary intervals. A reaction vessel for performing biological or chemical reactions involving the generation of multiple gases;
Carrier gas feeding means for continuously feeding an inert gas as a carrier gas into the reaction vessel at a predetermined flow rate;
A gas flow rate measuring means for measuring a flow rate of an exhaust gas including a generated gas whose generation amount is unknown and composed of a plurality of types of gases continuously discharged from the reaction tank;
Gas concentration measuring means for measuring the concentration of the target gas contained in the exhaust gas,
Computation means (computer) for calculating the target gas generation amount and the ratio of the target gas in the generated gas from the exhaust gas flow rate, the carrier gas flow rate and the target gas concentration,
The reaction in the reaction tank is determined from the difference between the amount of the carrier gas discharged from the reaction tank together with the carrier gas and the amount of the carrier gas measured by the gas flow measuring means and fed into the reaction tank. The gas generation amount accompanying the above is calculated by the calculation means, the concentration of the target gas contained in the exhaust gas is measured by the gas concentration measurement means, and the target gas concentration and the exhaust gas measured by the gas flow rate measurement means are measured. The generated amount of only the target gas is calculated from the flow rate by the calculation means, and further, from the generated amount of gas and the generated amount of only the target gas, into the generated gas composed of a plurality of types of gases generated by the reaction. A gas generation amount measuring apparatus configured to calculate a ratio of a target gas contained in the calculation means. A plurality of the above reaction tanks are provided, a plurality of gas flow rate measuring means are provided corresponding to each reaction tank, and the gas discharge side of each gas flow rate measuring means is connected to one gas concentration measuring means, and each gas flow rate measurement is performed. On-off valves are provided in each flow path connecting the means and the gas concentration measuring means,
Open one on-off valve and close the other on-off valve to allow only the exhaust gas from one reaction tank to flow from the gas flow rate measuring means to the gas concentration measuring means, and measure the exhaust gas flow rate to the gas flow rate. The gas generation amount accompanying the reaction in one reaction tank is calculated by means of the above means, and the concentration of the target gas contained in the exhaust gas is measured by the gas concentration measuring means and the amount of the target gas generated The amount of gas generated in each reaction tank is measured either sequentially or arbitrarily by calculating the above and opening / closing each on-off valve and performing the same operation on the exhaust gas from each reaction tank. The gas generation amount measuring device according to claim 3 configured as described above. Provided is a bypass flow path for allowing the carrier gas to flow directly from the carrier gas feeding means to the gas flow rate measurement means without passing through the reaction tank, and the carrier gas flow path passes through the bypass flow path and the reaction tank. Comprising a flow path switching means for switching to
The carrier gas is circulated directly to the gas flow rate measuring means through the bypass flow path, the flow rate of only the carrier gas is measured, and the flow rate measurement value is set to 0 point when the gas generation amount is measured. The gas generation amount measuring device according to 3 or 4 .

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