JP5721382B2 - Microorganism culture system and microorganism culture method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a microorganism culture system and a microorganism cultivation method for culturing microorganisms by photosynthesis.

  A technique is known in which microorganisms are cultured by photosynthesis to fix carbon dioxide, and the grown microorganisms are used as industrial raw materials, foods, medicines, feeds, and the like. The culture of this microorganism has a problem that its productivity is low, and research and development are being promoted. In order to increase the productivity of culturing microorganisms, it is necessary to efficiently supply light and carbon dioxide to the culture solution containing the microorganisms in an optimal environment, and to have a low initial cost and a low running cost.

  For example, conventional culture apparatuses are roughly classified into an open system in which a culture solution stored in a culture tank is opened to the atmosphere and a closed closed system. In an open culture apparatus, a box-shaped culture tank whose upper side is open is used. According to such an open type culture apparatus, since the culture tank can be simplified, there is an advantage that the initial investment can be reduced. However, there is a problem that foreign substances, germs, and the like are mixed into the culture tank from the outside and adversely affect the culture.

  On the other hand, a tube-type culture tank (hereinafter also referred to as a tube-type culture tank) having a closed space is used as one of closed culture apparatuses. In a tube-type culture tank, a culture solution is circulated in the tube-type culture tank to culture microorganisms (see Patent Document 1). According to the invention according to Patent Document 1, since it is possible to prevent foreign matters from being mixed in and carbon dioxide to be released, the culture efficiency can be increased.

  In the invention which concerns on patent document 1, the internal diameter of a tube type culture tank is set to 5 cm. Thus, when the inside diameter of a tube type culture tank is small, the temperature of the culture solution which distribute | circulates the inside of a tube type culture tank tends to rise. In general, the optimum temperature for culturing is said to be 25 to 35 ° C. Therefore, in a conventional culture apparatus using a tube-type culture tank, a cooling sprinkler is installed near the tube-type culture tank to suppress an increase in the temperature of the culture solution.

  Here, if the inner diameter of the tube-type culture tank is increased, the temperature rise of the culture solution can be suppressed, and further, the volume of the culture solution can be increased, so that the productivity of microorganisms can be improved. .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-121835

  However, when the inner diameter of the tube-type culture tank is increased, there is a problem that the light does not effectively reach the culture solution flowing in the lower part of the tube-type culture tank and the culture efficiency is lowered. In order to solve this problem, it may be possible to stir the culture medium by installing a stirrer or the like inside the tube-type culture tank. However, in order to stir the culture liquid, a large amount of power is required and the running cost is high There was a problem of becoming.

  Moreover, in order to achieve a large culture capacity using a tube-type culture tank having a small inner diameter, the total length of the tube-type culture tank had to be increased. Therefore, the initial cost has increased and a large facility area has to be secured. In addition, when the total length of the tube-type culture tank is increased, there are problems that the operation for recovering the cultured microorganisms becomes complicated and the recovery cost increases.

  In addition, as described above, when the inner diameter of the tube-type culture tank is small, the temperature of the culture solution is likely to rise, so that the temperature control of the culture solution is difficult. Although it can be dealt with by a sprinkler or the like, there is a problem that initial cost and running cost for the sprinkler increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a microorganism culture system and a culture method capable of improving the culture efficiency of microorganisms and reducing costs.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a bag-shaped culture tank for storing microorganisms and a culture solution, and a collection station for collecting the microorganisms cultured in the culture tank , The recovery station is placed in water so that the upper part of the recovery station is exposed or submerged by a change in the water level, and the culture tank placed on the upper part of the recovery station is lowered. When exposed from the water surface, the microorganism is collected while the culture solution containing the microorganism is discharged from the culture vessel by the gravity of the culture solution.

According to such a configuration, the culture vessel, for example, because it is floating on the water surface, such as the sea, a change in the wave and tide, irregularly swung by wind and rain. Thereby, since the culture solution in a culture tank can be stirred, light can be uniformly irradiated to microorganisms. Moreover, since the culture tank floats on the water surface, the temperature rise in the culture tank can be suppressed. In addition, when the water level drops and the culture tank placed at the top of the recovery station is exposed from the water surface, microorganisms can be recovered from the culture tank by discharging the culture liquid using the gravity of the culture liquid. it can.

  In short, in the present invention, microorganisms can be cultured and recovered using the natural environment, so that the initial cost and running cost of the culture system can be reduced. Moreover, the microorganisms in the culture tank can be easily recovered by utilizing the vertical movement of the water level. In addition, the place where a culture tank floats is the place where the water level changes under the natural environment such as sea, river, lake, pond.

  In addition, the culture tank includes a drain valve, the recovery station includes a separation tank provided below the drain valve, the separation tank includes a filter, and microorganisms discharged from the drain valve are collected. It is preferable that the contained culture solution is passed through the filter, and the microorganism is recovered by the filter.

  According to this structure, since the separation tank provided with the filter is provided below the drain valve, microorganisms can be captured by the filter using gravity.

The upper surface of the collection stations, is preferably inclined downward toward the separation tank.

  Moreover, it is preferable to provide a transfer means for reusing the culture solution separated in the separation tank. According to such a configuration, the culture solution in which nutrients and ungrown microorganisms remain can be reused, so that the cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, it is preferable to provide the microorganism storage tank which stores the said microorganism, and the conveying apparatus which conveys the said microorganisms collect | recovered by the said collection station to the said microorganism storage tank. According to such a configuration, it is possible to increase the recovery efficiency of microorganisms.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said culture tank is connected with the gas adjustment means which adjusts the gas in this culture tank. According to this structure, the gas in a culture tank can be adjusted.

The present invention also provides a culture step of culturing the bag-like culture tank for storing a microorganism and culture medium floating on water surface, the arrangement step of positioning the culture vessel on top of the installed recovery station in water, When the culture tank placed on the upper part of the recovery station is exposed from the water surface, the microorganism containing the microorganism is discharged from the culture tank by the gravity of the culture medium while the microorganism is discharged. And a recovery step for recovering.

According to this method, the culture vessel, for example, because it is floating on the water surface, such as the sea, a change in the wave and tide, irregularly swung by wind and rain. Thereby, since the culture solution in a culture tank can be stirred, light can be uniformly irradiated to microorganisms. Moreover, since the culture tank floats on the water surface, the temperature rise in the culture tank can be suppressed. In addition, when the water level drops and the culture tank placed at the top of the recovery station is exposed from the water surface, microorganisms can be recovered from the culture tank by discharging the culture liquid using the gravity of the culture liquid. it can.

  In short, in the present invention, microorganisms can be cultured and recovered using the natural environment, so that the initial cost and running cost of the culture system can be reduced. Moreover, the microorganisms in the culture tank can be easily recovered by utilizing the vertical movement of the water level. In addition, the place where a culture tank floats is the place where the water level changes under the natural environment such as sea, river, lake, pond.

  According to the microorganism culture system and the microorganism cultivation method according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the microorganism cultivation efficiency and reduce the cost.

1 is a schematic plan view showing a microorganism culture system according to a first embodiment. It is an AA line arrow side view of FIG. It is a top view which shows the collection | recovery station which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is a BB arrow directional cross-sectional view of FIG. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning process of the culture system of the microorganisms which concern on 1st embodiment. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a sectional side view showing the recovery process concerning a first embodiment. It is a sectional side view showing the recovery process concerning a second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the collection | recovery process which concerns on 3rd embodiment, Comprising: (a) is a sectional side view, (b) is a top view. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a culture tank.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a culture system 1 for microorganisms according to a first embodiment includes a plurality of culture tanks 2 for culturing microorganisms, a collection station 3 for mooring the culture tanks 2 and collecting microorganisms, and a culture tank. The gas adjusting means 4 for adjusting the gas No. 2 and the microorganism collecting means 5 for collecting the recovered microorganisms are mainly included. The culture tank 2 is floated on the sea S, and the collection station 3 is installed on the seabed.

  The culture tank (bioreactor) 2 is a container for storing the culture solution L and microorganisms and culturing the microorganisms. In the present embodiment, eight culture tanks 2 are provided radially around the collection station 3. The number of the culture tanks 2 is not particularly limited.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the culture tank 2 mainly includes a culture vessel 11, a mooring tag 12, a drain valve 13, and a gas adjustment pipe 14. The culture vessel 11 is a hollow member that has a cylindrical shape and is formed of a relatively soft resin. The culture solution L and microorganisms are stored in the culture vessel 11. The culture vessel 11 is preferably transparent in order to irradiate the stored microorganisms with sunlight. The size of the culture vessel 11 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is set to a diameter of 1.6 m and a length of 50 m. The shape of the culture vessel 11 is a cylindrical shape in this embodiment, but may be any other shape as long as it is a bag-like vessel that can store the culture solution.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mooring tags 12 are provided at two places on both end surfaces of the culture vessel 11. The mooring tag 12 is connected to mooring piles K1, K2 standing on the seabed via connecting wires W1, W2. Thereby, it can prevent that the culture tank 2 drifts.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mooring pile is erected corresponding to the position where the culture tank 2 is floated. In this embodiment, two mooring piles are provided for each culture tank 2, and a total of 16 mooring piles (mooring piles K1 to K16) are erected. Slits (not shown) are formed in the vertical direction on the opposing side surfaces of the mooring piles K1 to K16 that exhibit a rectangular column. On the other hand, clips (not shown) that can be elastically deformed are formed at the ends of the connecting wires W1, W2. The connecting wires W1 and W2 are detachably formed with respect to the mooring piles K1 to K16. When the tide level changes and the culture tank 2 moves up and down, the above-described clip is attached to the mooring piles K1 to K16. It is formed so as to move in the slit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drain valve 13 is provided at the lower center of the culture vessel 11. The drainage valve 13 is a valve for discharging the culture solution L containing microorganisms in the culture vessel 11. In this embodiment, the drainage valve 13 is provided at the lower center of the culture vessel 11, but may be another part as long as it is the lower portion of the culture vessel 11. It may be provided on the end surface of the culture vessel 11.

  The gas adjustment tube 14 is connected to the upper part of the end surface of the culture vessel 11. The gas adjusting tube 14 is a flexible tube for supplying or exhausting air to the culture tank 2. A plug 14 a is formed at the tip of the gas adjustment tube 14. The plug 14 a is connected to the socket 36 of the gas adjusting means 4.

  The type of microorganisms cultured in the culture tank 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is a living organism that performs photosynthesis such as microalgae. The culture solution L is preferably stored in a volume of about 40% of the culture tank 2 in consideration of stirring efficiency. The culture tank 2 is configured as described above in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto. For example, a blade member projecting laterally may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the culture vessel 11 so that the culture tank 2 can be easily swung in response to waves.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the collection station 3 mainly includes legs 21 and 22, a table 23, and a separation tank 24.

  The leg portions 21 and 22 are erected on the seabed S <b> 1 and are portions that support the table 23. The table 23 is provided on the leg portions 21 and 22 and has a circular shape in plan view, and has a mortar shape inclined toward the center. The surface of the table 23 is inclined downward toward the separation tank 24. It is preferable that the table 23 has a diameter larger than at least the length of the culture tank 2. The table 23 is a part where the culture tank 2 is arranged when collecting microorganisms. An anti-slip layer may be provided on the surface of the table 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the separation tank 24 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and is provided at the center of the table 23. The separation tank 24 is a part for separating the culture solution L and the microorganisms. An opening / closing valve is provided at the lower end of the separation tank 24, and the culture solution L flowing down in the separation tank 24 can be discharged to the sea S by opening the opening / closing valve. Inside the separation tank 24, a partition plate 24a and a filter 25 are provided.

  The partition plate 24 a is a plate-like member that is inclined with respect to the separation tank 24. The partition plate 24 a is a member for installing the filter 25. In the partition plate 24a, a communication hole (not shown) communicating in the vertical direction is formed at a position where the filter 25 is installed. Further, the lower end side of the partition plate 24 a faces the recovery pipe 43. That is, the lower end of the partition plate 24a and the recovery pipe 43 are at the same height position. Thereby, the microorganisms filtered off by the filter 25 flow down in the inclined direction from the partition plate 24a by its own weight and easily flow toward the collection tube 43 side.

  The filter 25 is an instrument that filters out microorganisms contained in the culture solution L. In this embodiment, the filter 25 is a cartridge filter that can capture microorganisms. The filter 25 has a cylindrical shape, and its upper end is also covered with a net-like body. The culture medium L flowing down from above the filter 25 flows from the outside to the inside of the filter 25 and is discharged to the sea S through the hollow portion of the filter 25 and the communication hole of the partition plate 24a.

  Although four filters 25 are provided in this embodiment, the number of filters 25 is not limited. In addition, other types of filters may be used as long as the microorganisms can be filtered and the culture medium L can be discharged.

  The upper end of the collection station 3 is formed so as to be submerged in the sea at high tide and exposed from the sea at low tide. In the present embodiment, even when the culture tank 2 is positioned above the collection station 3 at high tide, the collection station 3 is formed at such a height that the culture tank 2 and the collection station 3 do not contact each other (see FIG. 4). ). On the other hand, the recovery station 3 is formed so that the sea level S2 is located below the separation tank 24 at low tide (see FIG. 7).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gas adjustment means 4 includes a gas adjustment device 31 installed on the land G, a ring-shaped distribution pipe 32, and a gas connection pipe 33 that connects the gas adjustment apparatus 31 and the distribution pipe 32. It is mainly composed of.

  The gas adjustment device 31 is a device that supplies carbon dioxide to the culture tank 2 and exhausts oxygen generated in the culture tank 2. The gas adjusting device 31 is provided with control means (not shown) for controlling supply of carbon dioxide and exhaust of oxygen.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the distribution pipe 32 is a pipe disposed in a ring shape around the collection station 3. The distribution pipe 32 is connected to the gas adjustment device 31 via the gas connection pipe 33. In addition, the distribution pipe 32 is fixed to the side surface of the collection station 3 via the support portion 34.

  The distribution pipe 32 is formed with a branch pipe 35 extending outward. Eight branch pipes 35 are formed at predetermined intervals corresponding to the culture tank 2. A socket 36 is formed at the tip of each branch pipe 35.

  The socket 36 is a part to which the plug 14a of the gas adjusting pipe 14 shown in FIG. 2 is connected. A stop valve (not shown) is formed in the socket 36. When the plug 14a is connected to the socket 36, the flow path communicates and gas flows, and when the plug 14a is pulled out from the socket 36, the flow path on the socket 36 side is blocked by the stop valve.

  In the present embodiment, the control means (not shown) is set to perform the supply of carbon dioxide and the exhaust of oxygen alternately or in parallel for a predetermined time. Although not specifically shown, a pH meter that measures the pH of the culture solution in the culture tank 2, a thermometer that measures the temperature in the culture tank 2, a photon meter that measures the amount of light, and the oxygen concentration in the culture tank 2 At least one measuring instrument such as an oxygen concentration meter that measures the carbon dioxide concentration and a carbon dioxide concentration meter that measures the carbon dioxide concentration in the culture tank 2 is installed, and the control means supplies carbon dioxide based on these measurement results. It is also possible to control the air volume and the timing of supplying air, or to control the oxygen exhaust amount and the exhaust timing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the microorganism collection unit 5 includes a recovery pump 41, a microorganism storage tank 42, and a recovery pipe 43 that connects the separation tank 24 and the microorganism storage tank 42. The microorganism collection means 5 collects the microorganisms collected at the collection station 3.

  The recovery pump 41 is a power source that pumps microorganisms, and is installed in the recovery pipe 43. The recovery pipe 43 connects the side part of the separation tank 24 and the microorganism storage tank 42. In addition, after microorganisms are captured by the filter 25 by the partition plate 24a and the filter 25, the microorganisms flow from the side portion of the separation tank 24 to the collection tube 43 side by their own weight.

  In the present embodiment, the recovery pump 41 and the recovery pipe 43 constitute the “conveying device” in the claims, but the present invention is not limited to this. The transport device may have another form as long as it can transport the microorganisms captured by the filter 25 to the microorganism storage tank 42.

Next, a method for culturing microorganisms using the microorganism culture system 1 will be described.
In the method for culturing microorganisms, a culture process for culturing microorganisms, an arrangement process for positioning the culture tank 2 on the recovery station 3, a recovery process for recovering microorganisms from the culture tank 2 when the water level drops, I do.

  In the culture process, as shown in FIG. 1, the culture tank 2 in which the microorganisms and the culture solution L are stored is floated on the sea S for a predetermined time to culture the microorganisms. Adjustment of the carbon dioxide and oxygen concentration in the culture tank 2 is performed by the gas adjusting means 4.

  In the arrangement step, as shown in FIG. 2, the gas adjusting tube 14 of one culture tank 2 that has been cultured for a predetermined time is removed from the socket 36, and the connecting wires W1, W2 are removed from the mooring piles K1, K2, respectively. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the culture tank 2 is moved above the table 23 of the collection station 3. More specifically, the drainage valve 13 of the culture tank 2 moves so as to be positioned above the separation tank 24 in the vertical direction.

  It is preferable that the arrangement process is performed when the culture tank 2 is moved above the collection station 3 such as at high tide and the water level is such that the culture tank 2 and the collection station 3 do not contact each other. After the movement, the connection wire W1 of the culture tank 2 is engaged with the mooring pile K9 and the connection wire W2 is engaged with the mooring pile K1 so that the culture tank 2 does not drift. As shown in FIG. 6, after moving the culture tank 2, the culture tank 2 is moored above the table 23 away from the collection station 3. When the culture tank 2 is moored above the collection station 3, it waits until the tide is pulled.

  In the recovery step, the culture solution L is discharged from the culture tank 2 to recover the microorganisms. As shown in FIG. 7, when the tide is pulled and the water level of the sea level S2 is lowered, the upper part of the culture tank 2 and the recovery station 3 is exposed from the sea level S2. In the present embodiment, the recovery step is performed when the sea level S2 is located below the separation tank 24. At this time, since the culture tank 2 is formed of a relatively soft resin, the shape is changed to a substantially V shape along the table 23 formed in a mortar shape.

  When the drainage valve 13 of the culture tank 2 is opened, the culture solution L containing microorganisms flows down into the separation tank 24 by gravity. When the culture solution L passes through the filter 25, the microorganisms are captured by the filter 25, and the culture solution L is discharged to the sea S through the hollow portion in the filter 25 and the communication hole (not shown) of the partition plate 24a. .

  Further, the microorganisms captured by the filter 25 flow down on the partition plate 24a by its own weight, and are discharged from the side of the separation tank 24 to the collection tube 43 side. Then, the collection pump 41 transports the microorganisms to the microorganism storage tank 42 installed on the land G.

  When the inside of the culture tank 2 becomes empty, the drain valve 13 is closed, and the culture medium L and the microorganism are newly injected from the opening (not shown) of the culture tank 2. When the water level of the sea surface S2 rises to a position where the culture tank 2 and the collection station 3 do not contact each other, for example, at high tide, the culture tank 2 is removed from the mooring piles K1 and K9, and moved to the original position. 2 is moored to mooring piles K1, K2 (see FIG. 1). And while performing a culture | cultivation process with the culture solution L and microorganisms which were newly inject | poured, an arrangement | positioning process and a collection | recovery process are performed with respect to the other culture tank 2. FIG.

  Thus, culture | cultivation and collection | recovery of microorganisms can be performed continuously by performing in order for every culture tank 2 according to the vertical movement of a water level according to a culture | cultivation process, an arrangement | positioning process, and a collection | recovery process.

  According to the microorganism culture system 1 described above, since the culture tank 2 floats in the sea S, the culture tank 2 fluctuates irregularly due to changes in waves, tide levels, and wind and rain. Thereby, since the culture solution L in the culture tank 2 is agitated, it is possible to uniformly irradiate the microorganisms with sunlight. If microorganisms adhere to the inner surface of the culture tank 2, the culture efficiency of the microorganisms may be reduced. However, in this embodiment, the culture tank 2 swings, so that microorganisms can be prevented from attaching to the inner surface of the culture tank 2.

  Moreover, since the culture tank 2 floats on the water surface, the temperature rise in the culture tank 2 can be suppressed. Thereby, culture | cultivation efficiency can be improved. Moreover, since stirring and cooling in the culture tank 2 are performed using natural force, no large power or apparatus is required. Thereby, initial cost and running cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, when the water level falls and the culture tank 2 mounted on the upper part of the collection station 3 is exposed from the water surface, the culture liquid L is discharged using the gravity of the culture liquid L, and microorganisms are collected from the culture tank 2. can do. Conventionally, when recovering microorganisms from the culture tank 2, a large pump or the like for discharging the culture solution L from the culture tank 2 was necessary. In this embodiment, a head generated by vertical movement of the water level is used. Therefore, the cost can be greatly reduced. Further, after the culture tank 2 is moved above the collection station 3, it is only necessary to wait for the sea level S2 to be lowered, so that the collection work is easy.

  In addition, by providing a plurality of culture tanks 2, it is possible to increase the volume of the culture, and the culture process and the recovery process can be performed continuously for each culture tank 2, thereby increasing production efficiency. Can do.

  Moreover, when moving the culture tank 2 to the collection station 3, since it is carried out on the sea surface S2, it can be moved with a small force. Moreover, since the collection station 3 is inclined downward toward the separation tank 24 in the present embodiment, the culture solution L can be efficiently discharged during the collection step.

  Moreover, since the gas adjustment means 4 is provided, the gas in the culture tank 2 can be adjusted on conditions suitable for culture. Moreover, since the microorganism collection means 5 is provided, the microorganisms collected at the collection station 3 can be easily collected.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the culture system 1A for microorganisms according to the second embodiment is the first implementation in that the culture liquid L discharged from the culture tank 2 is transported to the culture tank 2a having the empty contents and reused. It differs from the form. In the description according to the second embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of overlapping parts will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a recovery process according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, a culture tank 2a having an empty content is moored to the mooring pile K9. The collection station 3 according to the second embodiment mainly includes legs 21 and 22, a table 23, a separation tank 24, a transfer pipe 52, and a pump 53. A connecting hose 54 is connected to the culture tank 2a whose contents are empty.

  The table 23 is formed in a mortar shape as in the first embodiment. A separation tank 24 is formed at the center of the table 23, and a partition plate 24a and a filter 25 are formed inside the separation tank 24 as in the first embodiment.

  The transfer pipe 52 is a pipe connected to the lower end of the separation tank 24. A socket 36 is formed at the tip of the transfer pipe 52, and a pump 53 is installed in the middle part. The pump 53 is attached to the leg portion 21.

  The connection hose 54 is a flexible hose connected to the upper part of the culture layer 2a whose contents are empty. A plug 54 a formed at the tip of the connection hose 54 is connected to the socket 36 of the transfer pipe 52. By the transfer pipe 52, the pump 53, and the connection hose 54, the culture liquid L after filtration is conveyed to the culture tank 2a whose content is empty. The transfer pipe 52, the pump 53, and the connecting hose 54 constitute “transfer means” in the claims.

  In the method for culturing microorganisms according to the second embodiment, a culturing step for culturing microorganisms, an arranging step for positioning the culturing tank 2 on the recovery station 3, and the recovery of microorganisms from the culturing tank 2 when the water level drops And a transfer step of conveying the culture solution L discharged from the culture tank 2 to the culture tank 2a having an empty content. Since the culture process, the arrangement process, and the recovery process are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In the transfer process, the culture solution L discharged in the recovery process is conveyed to the culture tank 2a having an empty content. Specifically, in the transfer step, the pump 53 is operated to transport the culture solution L separated from the microorganisms through the transfer pipe 52 and the connecting hose 54 into the culture tank 2a having an empty content.

  The second embodiment has the following effects in addition to the same effects as the first embodiment. Nutrient substances and ungrown microorganisms remain in the culture solution L cultured in the culture tank 2. According to the second embodiment, the discharged culture solution L can be transported and reused in a new culture process. For this reason, since nutrient substances and ungrown microorganisms can be used in new culture, the culture efficiency can be increased. Moreover, cost can be reduced by reusing the culture solution L. In the transfer step, it is preferable to transport all the culture solution L in the culture tank 2, but it is also possible to transport only a part of the culture solution L.

  In the second embodiment, the pump 53 is provided in the transfer process, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the position of the upper part of the culture tank 2a having a large tide level difference and empty is lower than the lower part of the separation tank 24, the culture solution L may be conveyed by gravity flow. Thereby, productivity can be further improved.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the culture system 1B for microorganisms according to the third embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in the structure of the collection station 3B. In the description according to the third embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the overlapping parts will be omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing a recovery process according to the third embodiment, in which (a) is a side sectional view and (b) is a plan view. As shown to (a) of FIG. 9, the drain valve 13B of the culture tank 2B which concerns on 3rd embodiment is installed in the lower part of the end surface of the culture container 11 so that it may protrude to the side.

  The collection station 3B includes legs 21 and 22, a table 23B, a separation tank 24B, and a stopper plate 61. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the table 23B has a rectangular shape in plan view, and one end side is inclined downward. Mooring piles K <b> 1 to K <b> 8 for mooring the culture tank 2 are installed around the collection station 3. In the collection station 3B, for example, seven culture tanks 2B can be moored.

  The separation tank 24 </ b> B is a bottomed cylindrical container that is open at the top, and is installed outside the leg portion 22. An opening 26 is formed at the bottom of the separation tank 24B. A partition plate 24a and a filter 25 are formed inside the separation tank 24B.

  The stopper plate 61 is a plate standing on the end of the table 23B. The stopper plate 61 is a member for preventing the culture tank 2 from dropping from the table 23B when collecting the microorganisms from the culture tank 2B. The stopper plate 61 is formed in a size that can receive the end of the culture tank 2 corresponding to the position of the separation tank 24B. On the lower side of the stopper plate 61, a notch 61a for allowing the drainage valve 13B of the culture tank 2 to escape is formed.

  In the method for culturing microorganisms according to the third embodiment, a culture process for culturing microorganisms, an arrangement process for positioning the culture tank 2 on the recovery station 3, and the recovery of microorganisms from the culture tank 2 when the water level drops And a recovery step. Since the culture process is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the placement step, one of the culture tanks 2B is removed from the mooring pile K1 and moved onto the collection station 3B. It is preferable that the arrangement step is moved when the culture tank 2B is moved above the recovery station 3B, such as at high tide, and when the culture tank 2B and the recovery station 3B are at a water level where they do not contact each other. At this time, the connection wire W1 of the culture tank 2B is engaged with the mooring pile K1 and the connection wire W2 is engaged with the mooring pile K8 so that the culture tank 2B does not drift. When the culture tank 2B is moored, it waits until the tide is pulled.

  In the recovery step, the culture solution L is discharged from the culture tank 2B to recover the microorganisms. As shown in FIG. 9, when the tide is pulled and the water level of the sea surface S2 is lowered, the culture tank 2B is exposed from the sea surface S2. In the present embodiment, the recovery step is performed when the sea level S2 is located below the separation tank 24B. Since the culture tank 2B has the stopper plate 61, it does not fall from the table 23B. At this time, the tip of the drain valve 13B is inserted into the notch 61a of the stopper plate 61 and positioned above the separation tank 24B.

  When the drainage valve 13B of the culture tank 2B is opened, the culture solution L containing microorganisms flows down into the separation tank 24B by gravity. When the culture solution L passes through the filter 25, the microorganisms are captured by the filter 25, and the culture solution L is discharged from the opening 26 to the sea S.

  The trapped microorganisms flow down on the partition plate 24a by their own weight, and are discharged from the side of the separation tank 24B to the collection tube 43 side. Then, the collection pump 41 transports the microorganisms to the microorganism storage tank 42 installed on the land G.

  When the inside of the culture tank 2B becomes empty, the drain valve 13B is closed, and the culture medium L and the microorganism are newly injected from the opening (not shown) of the culture tank 2. When the water level of the sea surface S2 rises to a position where the culture tank 2B and the collection station 3B do not contact each other, for example, at high tide, the culture tank 2B is removed from the mooring piles K1 and K8, and the original position ((b) in FIG. 9). To the mooring pile K1. Then, a culture process is performed on the newly injected culture solution L and microorganism.

  The third embodiment described above has the same effect as the first embodiment. Moreover, although the shape of the surface of the collection station 3 is a mortar shape in the first embodiment, it may be flattened and inclined as in the present embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, the transfer pipe 52 and the pump 53 described in the second embodiment are provided so that the culture solution L separated from the microorganisms can be transported to an empty culture tank and reused. Good.

[Modification]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the culture tank. As shown in FIG. 10, the shape of the culture tank 2C may be a flat rectangular parallelepiped. The culture tank 2C is transparent and formed of a relatively soft resin. The size of the culture tank 2C is not particularly limited. For example, the culture tank 2C has a length of 0.5 m, a width of 2.0 m, and a depth of 50.0 m. Since the culture tank 2C has a flat shape, it easily follows the movement of the sea surface S2. Thereby, the stirring efficiency of the culture solution L can be improved. Moreover, since the culture tank 2C has a flat shape, it is easy to incorporate sunlight uniformly.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, design changes can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the culture tank 2 is floated on the sea S is illustrated, but the culture tank 2 may be floated in a natural environment such as a river, a lake, or a pond where there is a change in the water level.

  Further, a plurality of microorganism culture systems 1 in FIG. 1 may be provided. Thereby, the collection amount of microorganisms can be increased. Further, the microorganisms captured by the filter 25 may be directly recovered without providing the microorganism collecting means 5. Moreover, you may provide the nutrient adjustment apparatus which adjusts the nutrient of the culture solution of the culture tank 2. As shown in FIG. Moreover, a reducing agent may be put in the culture tank 2 to adjust the oxygen concentration.

1 Microorganism culture system 2 Culture tank (bioreactor)
2a Empty culture tank 3 Collection station 4 Gas adjustment means 5 Microorganism collection means 11 Culture vessel 12 Mooring tag 13 Drain valve 14 Gas adjustment pipe 14a Plug 23 Table 24 Separation tank 25 Filter 31 Gas adjustment device 32 Distribution piping 33 Gas connection Pipe 34 Support part 35 Branch pipe 36 Socket 41 Recovery pump 42 Microorganism storage tank 43 Recovery pipe 52 Transfer pipe 53 Pump 54 Connecting hose G Land S Sea

Claims (7)

A bag-shaped culture tank for storing microorganisms and culture solution;
A collection station for collecting the microorganisms cultured in the culture tank,
The culture vessel is floated on the water surface,
The recovery station is installed in the water so that the upper part is exposed or submerged by a change in the water level,
When the culture tank placed on the upper part of the recovery station is exposed from the water surface, the microorganism containing the microorganism is discharged from the culture tank by the gravity of the culture medium while the microorganism is discharged. A culture system for microorganisms, characterized in that the microorganism is collected. The culture tank includes a drain valve,
The collection station includes a separation tank provided below the drain valve,
The separation tank includes a filter,
The culture system for microorganisms according to claim 1, wherein a culture solution containing microorganisms discharged from the drain valve is passed through the filter, and the microorganisms are collected by the filter. The upper surface of the collection stations, cultivation system of microorganisms according to claim 2, characterized in that slants downward toward the separation tank.   The culture system for microorganisms according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a transfer means for reusing the culture solution separated in the separation tank. A microorganism storage tank for storing the microorganism;
The microorganism cultivation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a conveyance device that conveys the microorganisms collected at the collection station to the microorganism storage tank.   The culture system for microorganisms according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the culture tank communicates with a gas adjusting means for adjusting a gas in the culture tank. The bag-like culture tank for storing a microorganism and culture medium and culturing step of culturing floating on water surface,
An arrangement step of positioning the culture tank on a collection station installed in water;
When the culture tank placed on the upper part of the recovery station is exposed from the water surface, the microorganism containing the microorganism is discharged from the culture tank by the gravity of the culture medium while the microorganism is discharged. And a recovery step for recovering the microorganism.

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