JP6129799B2 - Bacteria supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bacteria supply apparatus for continuously supplying bacteria into water and related technology.

  It is well known that bacteria are used to decompose organic matter. Bacteria are also used in fish tanks to improve water pollution due to residual food and excrement.

  As a method of supplying bacteria to a fish breeding aquarium, a method in which a porous filter medium is impregnated with bacteria-containing water and submerged in the aquarium (Patent Document 1), the bacteria are placed on a forced circulation channel for circulating water in the aquarium. There is a method (Patent Document 2) in which a purification module containing a propagated ceramic is installed, and water and bacteria are brought into contact when water in the water tank passes through the purification module. As a simple supply method that does not use equipment, there is a method of directly administering powder or liquid bacteria into water.

JP 2009-142211 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-131198

  The supply methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 must be exchanged if the activity of the bacteria supported on the porous filter medium or ceramic decreases. In the supply method of Patent Document 1, a used porous filter medium is collected and a new porous filter medium is introduced. In the supply method of Patent Document 2, the circulation of water is stopped, and the ceramic is replaced by replacing the purification module or disassembling the module. In any case, since the replacement of the member in contact with water is required, maintenance is troublesome.

  In addition, since the method of direct administration in water does not use equipment, there is no replacement of the members. However, since it is manual administration, human error such as forgetting administration or wrong dosage is likely to occur.

  In view of the above-described technical background, an object of the present invention is to provide a bacteria supply module and a bacteria supply apparatus that can reliably supply a predetermined amount of bacteria into water without trouble.

  That is, this invention has the structure as described in following [1]-[6].

  [1] A bacteria supply module, characterized in that beads having bacterial powder attached are packed in a case having an air inlet and an outlet.

  [2] The bacteria supply module according to [1], wherein the beads are silica gel.

  [3] The bacteria supply module according to item 1 or 2, wherein the bacteria are bacteria of the genus Bacillus.

  [4] The bacteria supply module according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein a fragrance is adsorbed on the beads.

[5] The bacteria supply module according to any one of items 1 to 4,
An air pump connected to the inlet of the bacteria supply module to send air into the case;
A bacteria supply apparatus, comprising: a tube connected to a delivery port of the bacteria supply module and having a tip portion drawn into water to introduce air into the water.

  [6] The bacteria supply device according to [5], wherein a bubble generator made of a porous material is attached to the tip of the tube.

  The bacteria supply module according to [1] is filled with beads with bacterial powder attached in a case. When air is introduced from the inlet of the case, the air is sent out from the outlet through the gap between the beads. The fine particles of the bacterial powder are detached from the bead surface by the air flow, and are sent out from the outlet through the air flow.

  According to the bacteria supply module described in [2], since the inside of the case is maintained at a low humidity by the silica gel constituting the beads, moisture absorption of the bacteria powder can be prevented and it can be easily carried on the air, and the quality of the bacteria Can be held.

  Since the bacteria supply module according to [3] uses bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus, the bacteria supply module has good storage stability in a dry state and can easily be put on the air flow.

  According to the bacteria supply module of [4], the fragrance adsorbed on the beads is carried by the flow of air.

  According to the bacteria supply device of [5], a predetermined amount of bacteria can be continuously supplied into the water by inserting the distal end side of the tube into the water and operating the air pump, and at the same time aeration is performed. be able to. And the effect by the bacteria supply module described in [1]-[4] is acquired.

  According to the bacteria supply apparatus of [6], since air is supplied into the water as a large number of fine bubbles by the bubble generator, the bacteria can be diffused into the water by stirring the water.

It is sectional drawing of one Embodiment of the bacteria supply module of this invention. It is typical explanatory drawing which shows one Embodiment of the bacteria supply apparatus of this invention, and its use condition. It is a graph which shows the time-dependent change of turbidity in an ornamental fish breeding test. It is a graph which shows the time-dependent change of the ammonia concentration in an ornamental fish breeding test.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the bacteria supply module of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an embodiment and an example of use of a bacteria supply apparatus incorporating the bacteria supply module.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bacteria supply module 10 is composed of a large number of beads 11 and a case 20 filled with these beads 11.

  The beads 11 are made of spherical silica gel and have fine particles 12 of dry bacterial powder attached to the surface.

  The case 20 is a semi-sealed case having openings at both ends, and caps 22 and 23 having tube connection joints 22a and 23a protruding from both ends of the cylindrical body 21 are fitted into the inlet 24 and the outlet 25. Is formed. Further, a filter 26 is inserted into the cylindrical body 21 in contact with the caps 22 and 23 to prevent the introduction port 24 and the delivery port 25 from being blocked by the beads 11.

  The beads 11 are packed in the case 20 in a close-packed state. However, since the individual beads 11 are spherical, voids 27 are formed even if they are in contact with each other. Fine particles 12 of air and bacterial powder flow through voids 27 between these beads 11. Further, since the eyes of the filter 26 are sufficiently larger than the particle size of the bacterial fine particles 12, the bacterial fine particles 12 are carried by the air flowing in the case 20 and pass through the filter 26.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the bacteria supply device 30 includes a bacteria supply module 10, an air pump 31, a first tube 32 that connects the introduction port 24 of the bacteria supply module 10 and the air pump 31 in a breathable manner, and a bacteria supply. A second tube 33 is connected to the outlet 25 of the module 10 so as to allow ventilation, and a bubble generator 34 made of a porous material is attached to the tip of the second tube 33. The second tube 33 and a large number of pores of the bubble generator 34 communicate with each other, and the air sent from the air pump 31 passes through the first tube 32, the bacteria supply module 10, and the second tube 33, and the bubble generator Released from a large number of 34 pores. In the bacteria supply module 10, the bacterial fine particles 12 adhering to the surface of the beads 11 are gradually separated by the air flow, and are released along with the air bubbles from the bubble generator 34 along the air flow.

  The bacteria supply device 30 connects the air pump 31 and the bacteria supply module 10 with the first tube 32. However, the present invention is also applicable when the air pump 31 and the bacteria supply module 10 are directly connected without the first tube 32. Included in the invention.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which the bacteria supply device 30 is installed in an aquarium 40 for aquarium fish breeding. In the bacteria supply device 30, the bacteria supply module 10 and the air pump 31 are disposed outside the water tank 40, and the bubble generator 34 is submerged near the bottom of the water tank 40. When the air pump 31 is operated, air enters the bacteria supply module 20 via the first tube 32, and air containing bacteria fine particles is released as a large number of fine bubbles from the porous body 34 via the second tube 33. Air and bacteria are fed into the water. Water is agitated by the released fine bubbles and aeration is performed, and bacteria are released into the water and diffuse as the water is agitated. Bacteria, when released into water, recover their activity and proliferate, and decompose organic matter such as residual food, fish excrement and algae to purify the water. The supply of bacteria into the water is continued while the air pump 31 is in operation.

  In addition, since the bacteria in the bacteria supply module 10 are dry powder and do not grow, the bacteria in the module only decrease, and eventually it is necessary to replenish the bacteria. The replenishment of bacteria is performed by replacing the bacteria supply module 10 or by removing the beads 11 from the case 20 and attaching bacterial powder to the case 20 and returning it to the case 20 again. Since both are operations that do not touch water, maintenance is easy. Moreover, since the air pump 31, the tubes 32 and 33, and the bubble generating body 34 are members common to a well-known aeration apparatus, the bacteria supply module 10 of the present invention can be incorporated into an existing aeration apparatus.

  In the bacteria supply apparatus of the present invention, the bacteria are placed in an air flow and supplied into the water tank. Bacteria are used in a dry state to make it easier to get on the air stream. Bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus that maintain a dormant state by forming spores upon drying are preferably used as bacteria that can maintain life in a dry state, and Bacillus subtilis can be particularly recommended. Spores are highly resistant to dryness and high temperatures, and are in a smooth state without biofilm, so they are easy to carry on air. In addition, dry bacteria are easy to quality control during storage.

  The material of the beads 11 is not limited as long as it can attach bacteria to the surface. Silica gel can be recommended as a preferred material for the beads 11. Since silica gel is a desiccant, the inside of the case 20 can be kept at low humidity to prevent moisture absorption of the bacterial powder. When bacterial powder absorbs moisture and becomes heavy, or when moisture-absorbed fine particles agglomerate and become coarse, it becomes difficult to ride the air flow. Moreover, since there is a possibility that the bacteria life may be shortened by moisture absorption, it is preferable to keep the inside of the case 20 at a low humidity from the viewpoint of bacteria quality control.

  The preferred diameter of the beads 11 is in the range of 1 to 3 mm. When the diameter of the beads 11 is reduced, the gaps 27 formed between the beads 11 are also reduced. Therefore, it is difficult for the air to flow and the amount of bacteria supplied may be reduced. Conversely, when the diameter is increased, the air gap 27 is also increased and air can easily flow. However, since the number of beads that can be filled decreases, the total surface area of the beads decreases, the amount of bacteria attached decreases, and the amount of bacteria supplied decreases. There is a fear. A particularly preferable diameter of the beads 11 is 2 to 3 mm.

  The particle diameter of the bacterial powder attached to the beads 11 having the above particle diameter is preferably in the range of 45 to 250 μm, particularly preferably in the range of 75 to 100 μm.

  Alternatively, a fragrance can be adsorbed on the beads 11 and the fragrance can be supplied with air and bacteria to scent the water. As a fragrance, juniper mexicana oil and the like can be exemplified. Silica gel is a porous material having fine pores, and has the ability to adsorb and hold fine particles of fragrance in the pores. From this point of view, it is preferable to use silica gel as the bead material.

  Examples of the method for attaching the bacterial powder to the beads 11 include a method in which the beads 11 and the bacterial powder are put into a mixer and mixed by stirring. It is not necessary to strongly adsorb the fine particles 21 of the bacterial powder to the beads 11, but rather the adhering to such an extent that the fine particles are removed by the air flow is preferable, so the above adhering method can be recommended. Moreover, when making a bead 11 adsorb | suck a fragrance | flavor, it is preferable to make bacterial powder adhere to the bead 11 which adsorb | sucked the fragrance | flavor.

  In the present invention, the main purpose of attaching the bacterial powder to the beads 11 is to form the communicating air gap 27 through which air is circulated without being unevenly distributed in the case, and to allow the bacterial powder to be in contact with the air flow path and to be uniformly present. is there. The shape of the beads 11 is not limited to the spherical shape in the illustrated example, but spherical beads are preferred to square shapes in order to form the gaps 27 communicating in the case 20 without any deviation. In the case of the spherical bead 11, if the beads are packed in the case 20 in the close-packed manner, the gap 27 of the above condition is naturally formed. Since the fine particles 12 of bacteria are attached to the surface of the bead 11, a state is formed in which the bacterial powder is present in an unbiased manner in contact with the air flow path. In addition, as long as air circulation in the case 20 is not hindered, there is no problem even if bacterial powder not attached to the beads 11 is present in the case 20, and if these bacterial powders get on the flow of air, they will enter the water tank. Supplied.

  The case 20 preferably has a shape in which air flows from corner to corner from the inlet 24 to the outlet 25 without stagnation. For example, if the volume of the case is the same, a shape having a small cross-sectional area crossing the air flow direction and a long flow direction is preferable. The case 20 of FIG. 1 has an inlet 24 and an outlet 25 formed at both ends of a cylindrical body 21 having a small cross-sectional area, and satisfies the above conditions.

  The bubble generator 34 is made of a porous material having a large number of continuous air holes, and generates a large number of fine bubbles by dispersing the air flow introduced from the second tube 33 in the large number of pores. Either ceramic or resin can be used. In the bacteria supply apparatus of the present invention, the presence or absence of the bubble generator 34 is optional, but by dispersing the air into a large number of fine bubbles, the water stirring effect can be enhanced and thus the bacteria can be diffused.

  The amount of bacteria released in the bacteria supply device can be adjusted by appropriately combining the bead diameter, the bead filling amount, the amount of attached bacterial powder, the air flow rate, and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, beads 11 having a diameter of 3 mm are closely packed in a cylindrical body 21 having an inner diameter (D) of 10 mm × length (L) of 90 mm (the length of a bead filling portion excluding a cap insertion portion). When 0.8 liters of air is allowed to flow through the packed bacteria supply module 10, it is compatible with 5 to 10 liters of water. Moreover, the supply amount of the bacterial powder is preferably 50 to 100 mg per liter of water.

  In addition, a plurality of the bacteria supply modules 10 can be connected in series or in parallel, and the amount of bacteria supply can be adjusted according to the number and connection of the bacteria supply modules 10.

(Example)
The bacteria supply device 30 was attached to the aquarium fish breeding water tank 40 referred to in FIG. 2, and the bacteria were supplied into the water to visually observe the water quality.

  Details of the aquarium and rearing conditions are as follows.

Amount of water: 10 liters Bottom sand: None Fish species: Three cores Aquatic plants: None

  As the bacteria supply module 10 of the bacteria supply apparatus 30, a module in which spherical beads are filled in a cylindrical case shown in FIG. 1 was used. The detailed configuration of the module is as follows.

Bead 11: Silica gel beads having a diameter of 3 mm Bacteria: A dry powder of Bacillus subtilis having a particle size distribution of 45 to 250 μm.

  Case: An introduction port 24 and a delivery port are formed by fitting caps with tube connection joints at both ends of a cylindrical body 21 having an inner diameter (D) of 10 mm. The filter 26 has a thickness of 1 mm, and the length (L) of the bead-filled portion between both filters 26 is 90 mm.

  The beads 11 were filled in the case 20 after bacterial powder was adhered to the surface by stirring and mixing with a mixer.

  The bacteria supply module 10 was connected to an air pump via a first tube 32 and a bubble generator 34 made of porous ceramics was connected via a second tube 33, thereby assembling the bacteria supply device 30.

  The bubble generator 34 was submerged in the bottom of the water tank, and an air pump was operated to supply 0.8 liters of air per minute to supply air and bacteria into the water. In this state, the test breeding for 30 days from April 29 to May 28 was performed while feeding the fish twice a day.

(Comparative example)
Fish were reared under the same conditions as in the Examples except that no bacteria were supplied. That is, with the apparatus configuration in which the bacteria supply module 10 was removed from the bacteria supply apparatus 30, fish were raised while performing only aeration.

  The examples and comparative examples were conducted simultaneously, and in the 30-day test breeding period, the start date (April 29), the third day (May 1), the ninth day (May 7), 14 On the day (May 12), the 22nd (May 20), and the 30th (May 28), the turbidity of water and the ammonia concentration in the water were measured. In addition, the number of bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus in water was measured on the start date (April 29) and the 30th day (May 28). These results are shown in Table 1 and FIGS.

  The organic matter in the water is decomposed by bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus supplied from the bacteria supply device 30 to generate ammonia, and the generated ammonia is decomposed by other types of bacteria that are naturally taken in from the atmosphere or the like. Various bacteria are present in the water, and the organic matter is decomposed by bacteria other than those derived from the bacteria supply device 30, but the decomposition of the organic matter is promoted by positively supplying bacteria from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to know whether or not the bacteria derived from the bacteria supply device 30 and the bacteria taken in naturally are acting in a well-balanced manner by observing the change over time in the ammonia concentration in the water.

  In the above-described test breeding, the increase in ammonia concentration immediately after the start of breeding is faster in the example than in the comparative example, indicating that the bacteria derived from the bacteria supply device 30 are rapidly decomposing organic matter. . Further, the ammonia concentration was lowered more rapidly in the Example, indicating that the balance between the bacteria derived from the bacteria supply device 30 and the bacteria taken in naturally is good, and the decomposition of ammonia is performed quickly.

  In addition, the cloudiness of water at the initial stage of tank setting is often caused by the disruption of bacterial balance due to lack of bacteria. The increase in the turbidity of water from the start of breeding is suppressed in the example compared to the comparative example, the decrease from the maximum value of the turbidity is also faster in the example, and the turbidity stabilizes early . This indicates that the bacteria derived from the bacteria supply device 30 act to eliminate cloudiness.

  Further, in the water tank of the example on the 30th day, 13 times as many bacteria as in the comparative example are present, and it is confirmed that the bacteria supply from the bacteria supply device 30 contributes to the suppression of ammonia concentration and cloudiness. ing.

  The bacteria supply device of the present invention can be used for water purification of fish rearing tanks.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Bacteria supply module 11 ... Bead 12 ... Fine particle 20 of bacteria powder ... Case 24 ... Inlet 25 ... Outlet 27 ... Gap 30 ... Bacteria supply device 31 ... Air pump 32 ... First tube 33 ... Second tube 34 ... Air bubbles Generator 40 ... aquarium for aquarium fish breeding

Claims (6)

  A bacteria supply module, wherein beads having bacterial powder attached are packed in a case having an air inlet and an outlet.   The bacteria supply module according to claim 1, wherein the beads are silica gel. The bacteria supply module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bacteria are bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus.   The bacteria supply module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a fragrance is adsorbed on the beads. The bacteria supply module according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An air pump connected to the inlet of the bacteria supply module to send air into the case;
A bacteria supply apparatus, comprising: a tube connected to a delivery port of the bacteria supply module and having a tip portion drawn into water to introduce air into the water. The bacteria supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a bubble generator made of a porous material is attached to a tip of the tube.

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