JP6943003B2 - Culture equipment and culture system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to devices and systems for culturing organisms in liquids.

In recent years, attention has been focused on a technique for culturing algae to fix carbon contained as carbon dioxide in the air and using it as a biomass fuel. Examples of algae used for producing such biomass fuel include colonial algae having a body length of several μm to several mm, specifically, Euglena, Chlorella, Spirulina, Dunaliella, Botuliococcus, and Pseudocholis. Examples include chis. In addition to these microalgae, aerobic microorganisms contained in activated sludge, yeast, bacteria such as recombinant Escherichia coli that produce useful substances, fungi such as mold that produce useful substances such as antibiotics, and fish. Various organisms are industrially cultivated, such as plankton or bentos such as worms that serve as feed, and large animals such as fish and shellfish.

Culturing of such organisms is carried out, for example, in a culture device in which the culture solution is stored in a culture tank. In the culture device, measures such as stirring the culture solution and sending gas into the culture solution are taken as necessary. Taken.

Prior art documents related to this type of culture apparatus include, for example, the following Patent Document 1.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-208857

In order to install the culture device as described above, for example, a pond as a culture tank is created in an open outdoor environment. In the construction of such a pond, for example, the bottom and walls can be made of concrete. Further, for example, a depression may be formed by shallowly cutting the ground of a flat ground, or a wall may be formed so as to surround the bottom surface by embankment, and a water-impervious sheet may be placed on the wall to store the culture solution. In some cases, the surplus soil from the depression is used as the embankment for the wall.

By the way, if such a culture tank is installed outdoors, the culture tank will be exposed to sunlight. As for the bottom surface, the stored culture solution blocks ultraviolet rays to some extent, but the surface of the wall is directly exposed to sunlight. Therefore, in the type of culture tank in which the wall and the bottom surface are covered with a sheet, the sheet covering the wall is deteriorated by sunlight, and the sheet must be frequently replaced, resulting in labor and cost for maintenance. On the other hand, if the culture tank is made of concrete, there is no need to replace the sheet and maintenance such as cleaning is easy, but there is a drawback that the material cost and transportation cost related to concrete are high at the time of construction. There is.

Further, in any type of culture tank, the wall surface may come into contact with the culture solution and be exposed to sunlight, and as a result, adherent organisms may propagate on the wall surface. These organisms are often not the organisms of interest to be cultivated in the culture tank, and it is necessary to regularly clean the walls for efficient and stable culture. Further, even if the target organism propagates on the wall surface, the dried target organism sticks to the wall surface, so that the wall surface needs to be cleaned regularly.

In view of such circumstances, the present invention intends to provide a culture apparatus and a culture system capable of reducing the influence of sunlight on the surface of a wall.

The present invention includes a culture tank for storing a culture solution in a space provided with a bottom and a wall, and a light-shielding material installed on the upper surface and the wall surface of the wall, and the light-shielding material is the wall. It is a light-shielding plate that is inclined so as to form a downward slope toward either the inside or the outside of the wall above the wall surface, and a plurality of the light-shielding plates are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the wall surface, and each of the light-shielding plates is The upper end of the light-shielding plate, which is inclined so as to form a uniform downward slope toward either the inside or the outside of the wall, and which is the lower side of the inclination, is located below the lower end of the light-shielding plate which is the upper side. Each of the light-shielding plates is arranged, and each of the light-shielding plates is provided with a water guiding portion forming a surface along the light-shielding plate at the upper end, and the light-shielding plates adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the wall surface are light-shielding plates on the lower side of the inclination. It is applied to an algae cultivating device arranged so as to vertically overlap each other at the water conducting portion of the above and the lower end of the light-shielding plate corresponding to the upper side of the inclination.

In the culture apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the wall is formed of sandbags, and the bottom and the surface of the wall are covered with a water-impervious sheet.

In the culture apparatus of the present invention, the light-shielding material may include a power generation unit that generates electricity using sunlight.

Further, the present invention relates to a culture system provided with the above-mentioned culture device, which is configured to utilize the electric power generated by the power generation unit for the operation of the culture device.

According to the culturing apparatus and culturing system of the present invention, it is possible to exert an excellent effect that the influence of sunlight on the surface of the wall can be reduced.

It is sectional drawing which shows the form of the culture apparatus by the 1st reference example of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the form of the culture apparatus by the 1st reference example of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the form of the culture apparatus by the 2nd reference example of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the form of the culture apparatus by the 3rd reference example of this invention. It is a sectional view showing a form of a culture apparatus and a culture system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a culture apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a sectional view showing another arrangement example of the culture device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2 show a form of a culture apparatus as a reference example of the present invention. In the culture apparatus of the first reference example, sandbags 2a are stacked around the bottom 1 to form a wall 2, and the bottom surface 1a, the upper surface 2b of the wall 2 and the wall surface 2c are covered with a water-impervious sheet 3 to form a culture tank 4. Consists of. A culture solution 5 such as water is stored in the space in the culture tank 4 formed by the bottom 1 and the wall 2, and the target organism such as algae is cultured in the culture solution 5.

Then, in the case of the first reference example, the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c of the culture tank 4 are covered with a light-shielding sheet 6 as a light-shielding material, and the light-shielding sheet 6 reduces the sunlight radiated to the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c. I have to. Here, the upper surface 2b refers to the upper surface of the wall 2 among the surfaces of the wall 2 constituting the culture tank 4, and the wall surface 2c is the side of the surface of the wall 2 facing the bottom 1 of the wall 2. Refers to the face of. Further, the bottom surface 1a refers to the upper surface of the bottom surface 1.

The light-shielding material 6 may be, for example, a black resin sheet, or may be, for example, a thin metal sheet using aluminum or the like. It suffices if it is arranged above the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c and the sunlight irradiating the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c can be reduced or blocked in front of the sheet 3. Since the sheet 3 covered with the light-shielding material 6 is not directly exposed to sunlight, deterioration of the sheet 3 due to sunlight is reduced, and the reproduction of organisms on the sheet 3 covering the wall surface 2c is also suppressed.

Since the light-shielding material 6 itself is exposed to sunlight, it cannot be prevented that the light-shielding material 6 is deteriorated by sunlight or organisms propagate on the surface of the light-shielding material 6 that covers the wall surface 2c. It can be composed of a material that can be replaced at a lower cost than 3. In this way, even if the light-shielding material 6 deteriorates or organisms propagate on the light-shielding material 6, the culture tank 4 can be maintained without much labor and cost simply by replacing the light-shielding material 6. be able to.

Further, in the case of the first reference example, the sandbag 2a is used for forming the wall 2 in the production of the culture tank 4, which also has advantages in terms of cost and function.

That is, when the bottom and the wall of the culture tank are manufactured from concrete, the material cost and the transportation cost are high as described above. However, in the culture device of the first reference example, the sandbag 2a is used for the wall 2. Further, since the bottom 1 is also covered with the sheet 3 to store the culture solution 5, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3 as a second reference example, the wall 2 of the culture tank 7 can be constructed by embankment, but compared with this second reference example, in this first reference example, sandbags 2a are used instead of embankment. It is undeniable that extra material costs will be incurred due to the use of. However, as the bag used for the sandbag 2a in the first reference example, it is sufficient to use a material having sufficient strength to hold the earth and sand, such as a thin polyethylene sheet or a hemp bag. Therefore, the increase in cost due to the use of sandbags 2a can be minimized as compared with the second reference example shown in FIG.

Further, in the second reference example shown in FIG. 3, the wall 2 composed of the embankment has a mountainous cross section, and the bottom surface 1a near the wall 2 is a slope that partially forms an upward slope toward the wall 2. There is no choice but to take the shape having 1b. This is because the embankment is liable to collapse. In such a culture tank 7, a sufficient water depth cannot be secured on the slope 1b, and the volume of the culture solution 5 becomes smaller than the land area and the amount of material required for the installation of the culture tank 7. ..

Further, when culturing an organism, it is common to appropriately stir the culture solution 5 so that substances such as nutrients and air can be uniformly distributed over the entire area of the culture tank 7. At this time, in the second reference example shown in FIG. 3, as a result of the difference in water depth in the portion of the slope 1b, the stirring intensity is different from that in the other portion of the bottom 1, which may be a factor that hinders stable culture. .. In culturing, the culturing apparatus is operated so that the culturing environment is optimized in the central part of the culturing tank 7 having a uniform water depth, so that the area having the slope 1b near the wall 2 is exposed to non-optimized conditions. Therefore, it is difficult to efficiently use the entire area of the culture tank 7.

Further, since the water depth of the slope 1b is shallow, it is exposed to stronger sunlight than other parts of the bottom surface 1a. For this reason, problems such as deterioration of the sheet 3 and propagation of unintended organisms are likely to occur.

In this regard, in the first reference example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, since the wall 2 is formed by the sandbags 2a, the wall surface 2c that is closer to vertical can be easily formed as compared with the case where the embankment is used. .. Therefore, it becomes easy to flatten the bottom surface 1a to the vicinity of the wall 2 and make the water depth uniform over the entire area of the culture tank 4, and regarding the installation of the culture tank 4, the capacity of the culture solution 5 with respect to the land area and the amount of material is maximized. Can be limited. In addition, during culturing, the entire area of the culture tank 4 can be efficiently used at a uniform water depth. Deterioration of the sheet 3 on the bottom surface 1a and reproduction of organisms can also be suppressed.

At this time, at least a part of the earth and sand to be stored in the sandbag 2a may be covered by the residual soil obtained by scraping the ground as the bottom 1. In addition to making the bottom surface 1a as flat as possible and contributing to the equalization of the water depth of the culture tank 4, it is possible to reduce the cost and labor of transferring the earth and sand as the material of the wall 2 from others.

Further, the earth and sand contained in the sandbag 2a may be appropriately mixed with a thickening material such as concrete or a solidifying material to increase the strength. The strength is inferior to that of the case where the entire wall 2 is made of concrete, but even if some cracks or deformations occur inside the sandbag 2a constituting the wall 2, there is a particular problem regarding the storage of the culture solution 5. Does not occur. Further, by solidifying the earth and sand with a thickener or a solidifying material, it can be expected to have an effect of suppressing the scattering of fine soil to the surroundings through the bag on the surface of the sandbag 2a.

As an alternative to the first reference example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the second reference example shown in FIG. 3, it is conceivable that the wall is made of a hard substance such as a concrete block or brick. However, as compared with the use of sandbags 2a as in the first reference example, the manufacturing cost is still high. Further, in order to store the culture solution, it is necessary to cover the surface of the wall with a sheet as in the first reference example. Therefore, in order to suppress the deterioration of the sheet and the growth of organisms on the surface of the sheet, it is necessary to cover the surface of the wall with a sheet. In any case, it is preferable to provide a light-shielding sheet such as the light-shielding material 6 of the first reference example, or a light-shielding plate such as the light-shielding materials 8 and 10 of the third reference example and the examples described later.

As described above, in the culture apparatus of the first reference example, the culture tank 4 for storing the culture solution 5 in the space provided with the bottom 1 and the wall 2, and the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c of the wall 2 are stored. Since the light-shielding material 6 installed on the wall 2 is provided, it is possible to prevent the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c of the wall 2 from being directly exposed to sunlight.

Further, in the first reference example, since the wall 2 is formed by sandbags 2a and the surfaces of the bottom 1 and the wall 2 are covered with a water-impervious sheet 3, the culture tank 4 is manufactured at low cost. In addition, the entire area of the culture tank 4 can be efficiently used for culturing.

Further, in the first reference example, since the light-shielding material 6 is a light-shielding sheet that covers the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c of the wall 2, the light-shielding material 6 may deteriorate or organisms may propagate on the light-shielding material 6. However, the culture tank 4 can be maintained by replacing the light-shielding material 6.

Therefore, according to the first reference example of the present, the influence of sunlight on the surface of the wall can be reduced.

FIG. 4 shows another form of the culture apparatus as a reference example of the present invention. A wall 2 is formed by stacking sandbags 2a around the bottom 1, and the bottom surface 1a, the upper surface 2b of the wall, and the wall surface 2c are covered with a water-impervious sheet 3 to form a culture tank 4, and the culture solution 5 is placed in the culture tank 4. the above-described first reference example configuration storing the but are common (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), if the cultivation apparatus of the third reference example, as a light shielding material, from the bottom just above the top surface 2b of the wall 2 1 It is characterized in that a plate-shaped light-shielding plate 8 is provided so as to project toward the side along the horizontal direction. Here, "the light-shielding plate 8 projects along the horizontal direction" does not mean that the light-shielding plate 8 maintains a strict horizontal position, but "the angle formed by the light-shielding plate 8 is along the horizontal direction". It refers to overhanging "with the ingredients". That is, as described below, it is sufficient that the light-shielding plate 8 is installed at an angle capable of blocking sunlight on the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c of the wall 2, and it is not necessary to keep the horizontal plate strictly.

The light-shielding plate 8 is made of a hard, lightweight, durable, and inexpensive material such as a styrene board or plywood, and is arranged so as to block sunlight from above at a position above the upper surface 2b of the wall 2. .. Even in this way, the sheet 3 provided so as to cover the wall 2 for storing the culture solution 5 can be protected from sunlight, and the deterioration of the sheet 3 due to sunlight and the reproduction of organisms on the sheet 3 can be suppressed. .. On the other hand, unlike the light-shielding material 6 of the first reference example (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the light-shielding material 8 is not in contact with the culture solution 5, so that the light-shielding material 8 and the culture solution 5 are in contact with each other. There is no situation in which organisms breed.

However, since the light-shielding plate 8 is exposed to sunlight, in order to protect the light-shielding plate 8 from deterioration due to sunlight, the upper surface of the light-shielding plate 8 may be covered with a light-shielding sheet, or the upper surface may be light-shielded. The light-shielding layer 8a can also be formed by applying the above paint. The light-shielding layer 8a may be deteriorated by being exposed to sunlight, but when the light-shielding layer 8a is configured as a light-shielding sheet, the light-shielding sheet may be peeled off and replaced, and the light-shielding layer 8a is coated with a coating film. If it is configured as, a new paint may be applied again. Further, it is not always necessary to form the light-shielding layer 8a on the upper surface of the light-shielding plate 8. In that case, when the light-shielding plate 8 is deteriorated by sunlight, the light-shielding plate 8 itself may be replaced. If the light-shielding plate 8 is made of an inexpensive material, the cost for replacement can be suppressed.

As described above, in the culture apparatus of the third reference example, the light-shielding material is a light-shielding plate 8 projecting from directly above the upper surface 2b of the wall 2 toward the bottom 1 side in the horizontal direction. It is possible to block sunlight on the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c of No. 2, and there is no situation in which organisms propagate at the contact portion between the light shielding material 8 and the culture solution 5.

Other configurations and effects are the same as those in the first reference example, and thus are omitted. However, the influence of sunlight on the surface of the wall can also be reduced by the third reference example.

5 and 6 show the form of the culture apparatus according to the practice of the present invention. A sandbag 2a is piled up around the bottom 1 to form a wall 2, and the bottom surface 1a, the upper surface 2b of the wall 2, and the wall surface 2c are covered with a water-impervious sheet 3 to form a culture tank 4, and the culture solution is placed in the culture tank 4. The configuration in which 5 is stored is the same as that of the first and third reference examples (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4), but in the case of the culture apparatus of this embodiment , the upper surface 2b of the wall 2 is used as a light-shielding material. It is characterized in that a plate-shaped light-shielding plate 10 is provided above the wall surface 2c via a support column 9.

In this embodiment , a plurality of light-shielding plates 10 are arranged above the wall 2 along the direction orthogonal to the wall surface 2c. Each light-shielding plate 10 is provided with a power generation unit 10a on which a photovoltaic power generation panel that generates power by using sunlight is installed on the upper surface, and a surface along the light-shielding plate 10 is provided at one end of each light-shielding plate 10. It is provided with an eggplant headrace section 10b.

The plurality of light-shielding plates 10 are arranged to be inclined so as to form a uniform downward slope toward the outside of the wall 2, and are located below the light-shielding plates 10 located on the outside of the wall 2. Further, the water guiding portion 10b is arranged on the upper end side of each of the light-shielding plates 10 which is inclinedly arranged. The water guide portion 10b does not have a solar power generation panel and does not contribute to power generation, but has a function of guiding rainwater as will be described later.

The light-shielding plates 10 adjacent to each other in the direction orthogonal to the wall surface 2c are arranged so that some of them overlap each other in the vertical direction. That is, between the adjacent light-shielding plates 10, the upper end of the light-shielding plate 10 corresponding to the lower side of the inclination is located below the lower end of the light-shielding plate 10 corresponding to the upper side of the inclination, and the light-shielding plate 10 located on the lower side is located below. The upper end provided with the water guiding portion 10b and the lower end of the light-shielding plate 10 located on the upper side without the water guiding portion 10b overlap each other in the vertical direction.

Here, "each shading plate 10 uniformly descends toward the outside of the wall 2" means that the angles formed by each shading plate 10 with respect to the ground are completely the same. do not. The term "uniform gradient" as used herein means that the inclination formed by each of the light-shielding plates 10 constituting the culture device is a downward slope that is lower toward the outside of the wall 2.

Unlike the light-shielding plate 8 of the third reference example (see FIG. 4), in this embodiment , the light-shielding plate 10 is divided into a plurality of parts along a direction orthogonal to the wall surface 2c. This is particularly convenient when considering the properties of the photovoltaic power generation panel provided in the power generation unit 10a. This is because the photovoltaic power generation panel repeatedly expands and contracts greatly depending on the temperature, so it is difficult to configure a photovoltaic power generation panel having a very large area as a single panel.

However, not only the photovoltaic power generation panel but also any material is inevitably expanded or contracted to some extent, so even if the properties of the photovoltaic power generation panel are not taken into consideration, the above-mentioned divided configuration can be used as a light-shielding material. It can be said that it is advantageous to arrange the plate-shaped light-shielding plate 10 above the wall 2. Therefore, in this embodiment , a plurality of light-shielding plates 10 having a plate-shaped power generation unit 10a of about several tens of centimeters to 1 m are arranged above the wall 2, and the thermal expansion of the power generation unit 10a to the light-shielding plate 10 is caused by the light-shielding plate 10. It is absorbed in the gap between them. At that time, by arranging the water guiding portions 10b between the adjacent light-shielding plates 10, there is no problem in guiding the flow of rainwater, which will be described later.

Further, if each light-shielding plate 10 is large, in supporting the light-shielding plate 10, a support column 9 having sufficient strength is installed in consideration of the influence of the weight of the light-shielding plate 10 itself and the wind pressure on the light-shielding plate 10. This has to be done, which increases the cost of installation. In that sense as well, it is preferable to adopt the above-mentioned divided configuration and make each light-shielding plate 10 smaller.

In this way, in the culture apparatus of this embodiment , the light-shielding plate 10 provided with the power generation unit 10a and the water-conducting unit 10b shields the sunlight radiated to the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c of the wall 2. By doing so, as in the first and third reference examples (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4), the sheet 3 covering the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c is protected from sunlight, the deterioration of the sheet 3 is prevented, and the sheet is prevented from deteriorating. It is possible to suppress the reproduction of the organism in 3.

At the same time, in this embodiment , the culture system is constructed so as to generate electric power by the sunlight irradiating the power generation unit 10a and to supply at least a part of the electric power required for operating the culture apparatus. That is, when culturing an organism, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a gas supply machine 11 equipped with an air supply tube 11a and a fan 11b, a stirrer 12 equipped with a motor, and the like are installed, and air is provided to the culture solution 5. It is necessary to introduce a gas such as, or stir the culture solution 5. Then, electric power is usually used as the power for the gas supply machine 11 and the agitator 12. In this embodiment , the energy of sunlight radiated to the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c of the wall 2 is converted into electric power P by the power generation unit 10a of the light-shielding plate 10, and the gas supply device 11 and the stirrer via the transformer 13. It is supplied to 12.

Such a configuration is advantageous not only from the viewpoint of saving energy used in the culture apparatus but also from the viewpoint of effective utilization of the energy recovered by the power generation unit 10a. That is, the electric power P obtained by the power generation unit 10a can be used as it is in the same culture device, and it is not necessary to send the generated electric power P to a distant place. Therefore, the electric power P is converted into a high voltage current. No need. That is, by locally consuming the generated electric power P, the electric power P can be consumed as little as possible, and equipment related to high-voltage current is not required.

Here, particularly when culturing algae in the culture solution 5, the amount of gas supplied and the amount of stirring of the culture solution 5 required are larger as the sunlight is stronger. This is because if the sunlight is strong, the amount of carbon dioxide used for photosynthesis of algae is also large. Then, if the solar radiation is strong, the amount of power generated by the power generation unit 10a also increases, and the power P obtained by the power generation unit 10a can be efficiently consumed in the culture system.

Further, the light-shielding plate 10 also has a function of guiding the rainwater that has fallen on the light-shielding plate 10 to the outside of the culture tank 4. In the case of a large amount of rainfall, if excessive rainwater flows into the culture tank 4, the water level of the culture tank 4 rises, and the culture solution 5 overflows beyond the wall 2 and the culture may dissipate. However, in the case of this embodiment , the rainwater W that has fallen on the light-shielding plate 10 flows along the light-shielding plate 10 that forms a downward slope toward the outside of the wall 2 as shown in FIG. At this time, since the adjacent light-shielding plates 10 are vertically overlapped by the water-conducting portion 10b as described above, the rainwater W flowing through the light-shielding plate 10 along the gradient is the water-conducting portion of the next light-shielding plate 10. It is handed over to 10b and flows further downstream toward the outside of the wall 2. In this way, when a large amount of rain falls, the amount of rainwater that has fallen on the light-shielding plate 10 is allowed to flow out of the culture tank 4, and the amount of rainwater that flows into the culture tank 4 can be reduced.

The above-mentioned divisional arrangement of the light-shielding plate 10 is applied not only to the direction orthogonal to the wall surface 2c but also to the direction along the wall surface 2c. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of light-shielding plates 10 are also arranged in the direction along the wall surface 2c. Here, a gap is generated between the adjacent light-shielding plates 10, but if a rain gutter 14 is provided in the direction along each light-shielding plate 10, rainwater falling in the gap is guided to the outside of the wall 2. be able to. The rain gutter 14 is not an essential configuration for the present invention. Since the gap between the light-shielding plates 10 adjacent to each other along the wall surface 2c is as small as several cm to 10 cm, it is acceptable to consider that the amount of rainwater falling here is small and allow the inflow to the culture tank 4. Further, by making the heights of the light-shielding plates 10 adjacent to each other along the wall surface 2c different from each other, a part of the adjacent light-shielding plates 10 may be arranged so as to overlap each other in the vertical direction.

Contrary to the above, when the amount of precipitation is small and it is desired to supply as much rainwater as possible as the culture solution 5 into the culture tank 4 when it rains, the water guide portion 10b can be removed from the light-shielding plate 10 to block light. A part of the rainwater poured on the plate 10 can be guided to the culture solution 5 side along the upper surface 2b and the wall surface 2c of the wall 2.

The support column 9 that supports the light-shielding plate 10 can be installed, for example, by embedding the base end portion of the support column 9 between the sandbags 2a. Further, the support column 9 can be erected on the ground outside the wall 2. Alternatively, if there is no concern that the light-shielding plate 10 will be blown off by a strong wind, the base end portion of the support column 9 may be simply attached to the upper surface 2b of the wall 2. In addition, various configurations can be adopted as the support column 9 as long as the light-shielding plate 10 can be supported at an appropriate position and posture.

FIG. 7 shows another arrangement example in the culture apparatus of the above embodiment (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In this arrangement example, contrary to the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the light-shielding plate 10 located inside the wall 2 is arranged below the light-shielding plate 10, and the surface formed by each light-shielding plate 10 is the wall 2. There is a uniform downward slope toward the inside of the.

Such an arrangement is advantageous in areas and seasons with low precipitation. This is because the rainwater W that has poured onto the light-shielding plate 10 can be positively guided into the culture tank 4. Further, when it is desired to reduce the amount of rainwater W flowing into the culture tank 4 such as when the amount of rainfall is temporarily excessive, the water guide portion 10b may be removed from the light-shielding plate 10. Alternatively, by adjusting the support column 9, it is possible to switch the arrangement of the shading plate 10 between the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the arrangement shown in FIG. 7.

Further, as described in this embodiment , the culture system in which the power generation unit 10a is provided on the light-shielding plate 10 and the generated power P is used for the operation of the culture device is used in the first and third reference examples (FIGS. 1 and 1). It can also be applied to the incubator of 2 and FIG. 4). When applied to the first reference example (see FIGS. 1 and 2), a flexible photovoltaic power generation panel is added to the light-shielding material 6 which is a light-shielding sheet, or is arranged in place of the light-shielding material 6 to generate electricity. It should be a department. Further, when applied to the third reference example (see FIG. 4), a photovoltaic power generation panel may be installed on the upper surface of the light-shielding plate 8 to serve as a power generation unit.

As described above, in the culture apparatus of the present embodiment , the light-shielding material is inclined so as to form a downward slope above the wall 2 toward either the inside or the outside of the wall 2. Therefore, the rainwater W that has fallen on the light-shielding plate 10 can be guided to the inside or the outside of the culture tank 4.

Further, in the present embodiment , a plurality of the light-shielding plates 10 are inclined and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the wall surface 2c, and the upper end of the light-shielding plate 10 corresponding to the lower side of the inclination is lower than the lower end of the light-shielding plate 10 corresponding to the upper side. Each of the light-shielding plates 10 is arranged so as to be positioned, and each of the light-shielding plates 10 is provided with a water guiding portion 10b forming a surface along the light-shielding plate 10 at the upper end, and the adjacent light-shielding plates 10 are connected to each other of the light-shielding plates 10 on the lower side. Since the water guide portion 10b and the lower end of the light-shielding plate 10 on the upper side are arranged so as to overlap each other vertically, rainwater falling on the light-shielding plate 10 while absorbing the thermal expansion of the light-shielding plate 10 in the gap between the light-shielding plates 10. W can be guided to the inside or outside of the culture tank 4.

Further, in the present embodiment , since the light-shielding material 10 includes a power generation unit 10a that generates power using sunlight, the light-shielding material 10 can generate power by the sunlight irradiating the power generation unit 10a.

Further, in the culture system of the present embodiment , since the electric power P generated by the power generation unit 10a is configured to be used for the operation of the culture device, sunlight is efficiently used and the culture device is operated. You can save energy.

Other configurations and effects are the same as those in the first and third reference examples, and thus are omitted. However, the influence of sunlight on the surface of the wall can also be reduced by the present embodiment.

The culturing apparatus and culturing system of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 Bottom 2 Wall 2a Sandbag 2b Top 2c Wall 3 Sheet 4 Culture tank 5 Culture solution 6 Light-shielding material (light-shielding sheet)
8 Light-shielding material (light-shielding plate)
10 Light-shielding material (light-shielding plate)
10a Power generation unit 10b Water conveyance unit

Claims (4)

A culture tank that stores the culture solution in a space that has a bottom and a wall,
It is provided with a light-shielding material installed on the upper surface of the wall and the wall surface.
The light-shielding material is a light-shielding plate that is obliquely arranged above the wall so as to form a downward slope toward either the inside or the outside of the wall.
A plurality of the light-shielding plates are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the wall surface, and the light-shielding plates are arranged.
Each of the light-shielding plates is inclined so as to form a uniform downward slope toward either the inside or the outside of the wall, and the upper end of the light-shielding plate corresponding to the lower side of the inclination is higher than the lower end of the light-shielding plate corresponding to the upper side. It is placed so that it is located below, and
Each of the light-shielding plates is provided with a water conducting portion forming a surface along the light-shielding plate at the upper end thereof.
The light-shielding plates adjacent to each other in the direction orthogonal to the wall surface are arranged so that the water-conducting portion of the light-shielding plate on the lower side of the slope and the lower end of the light-shielding plate on the upper side of the slope overlap each other . Culture device. The culture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wall is formed of sandbags, and the bottom and the surface of the wall are covered with a water-impervious sheet. The culture apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light-shielding material includes a power generation unit that generates electricity using sunlight. The culture system including the culture device according to claim 3, wherein the electric power generated by the power generation unit is used for operating the culture device.

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