JP2021094532A - Fermentation treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fermentation treatment apparatus having a cleaning mechanism capable of suppressing fastening of a fermentation unsuitable material onto an inner surface of a discharge passage.SOLUTION: In a fermentation treatment apparatus for inputting organic waste containing a solid matter which is a treatment object into a fermentation tank 20, and performing anaerobic fermentation, the fermentation tank 20 includes a cleaning blade 47 constituted of a cylindrical body having a bottom part 24, and a discharge passage 73 for dropping a fermentation unsuitable material to the bottom part and discharging it, for removing the fermentation unsuitable material adhering to an inner peripheral surface of the discharge passage 73 by moving along the inner peripheral surface of the discharge passage 73.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a fermentation treatment apparatus in which an organic waste containing a solid substance to be treated is put into a fermenter without being solubilized in advance and subjected to an anaerobic fermentation treatment.

Patent Document 1 describes biogas (about 60% methane gas, about 40%) that can use organic solid waste such as food waste and paper waste as an energy source by anaerobic microorganisms in order to realize a resource recycling society. It is stated that the methane fermentation treatment for converting carbon dioxide gas, a small amount of hydrogen sulfide, etc.) is being put into practical use, and a suitable fermented liquid circulation type methane fermentation apparatus has been proposed for that purpose.

The fermented liquid circulation type methane fermenter is a raw material tank equipped with a mobile rake and a screw conveyor penetrating the peripheral wall at a predetermined height inside, and organic solid waste mixed with lightweight foreign substances is put into the raw material tank. Equipped with an inlet, a supply path for supplying the fermented liquid to the raw material tank, and a circulation path for pulling out the fermented liquid from the raw material tank from below and returning it upward, the waste put into the raw material tank is pre-solubilized while being immersed in the fermented liquid. Then, it is decomposed into biogas while being circulated together with the fermented liquid, and the lightweight foreign matter floating on the liquid surface of the raw material tank is collected and discharged on the screw conveyor by the movement of the rake.

Then, a methane fermentation tank for storing the fermentation broth is further provided, a supply device for continuously supplying the fermentation broth of the fermentation tub to the raw material tank is provided in the supply channel, and the fermentation broth of the raw material tank is continuously pulled out and solidified in the circulation channel. It is equipped with a solid-liquid separation device that separates the liquid and sends the separated filtrate to the fermentation tank and returns the solid content to the raw material tank.

The fermented liquid circulation type methane fermentation apparatus needs to be provided with a raw material tank for solubilizing organic solid waste in advance and a methane fermentation tank for mainly methane fermentation, which causes a problem that equipment cost increases.

Therefore, the inventor of the present application has diligently researched and developed an organic waste containing a solid substance to be treated, aiming at the realization of a fermentation treatment apparatus in which an organic waste is put into a fermentation tank and anaerobic fermentation treatment is performed without prior solubilization treatment. We are promoting.

In addition to the above-mentioned organic solid wastes such as kitchen waste and paper waste, organic wastes such as sewage sludge, human waste, livestock manure, agricultural residues, and food wastes are targeted as biomass, either alone or in combination. It is a fermentation treatment apparatus to be treated.

In the fermented liquid circulation type methane fermentation apparatus described in Patent Document 1 described above, a fermented liquid containing an object to be treated is provided with a stirring device composed of an external circulation path with a circulation pump in both the raw material tank and the methane fermentation. Is configured to stir.

As a stirring device for stirring the fermented liquid containing the object to be processed, in the wet fermentation device, in addition to the circulation pump method described above, bubbles are supplied into the tank using a blower fan, and the upward flow of the bubbles is used in the tank. A gas circulation method that generates a circulating flow is adopted.

That is, the stirring method used for stirring the object to be treated and the fermented liquid needs to be appropriately selected according to the solid matter concentration (TS or SS [%]) contained in the fermented liquid, and is relatively The above-mentioned circulation pump method and gas circulation method are preferably adopted for organic waste such as sludge, food waste, livestock manure, and food waste, which are homogeneous and have a solid matter concentration of about 5%. However, for combustible waste that is inhomogeneous and has many unsuitable substances for fermentation and has a solid content concentration of 10% or more, a stirring paddle for degassing that rotates at a low speed is installed inside the horizontal fermenter, and it is provided on one side. The component gas method (plug flow type) in which the object to be processed is discharged from the other side, or the object to be processed is input from the lower end of the introduction pipe erected inside the vertical fermentation tank and inside the tank from the upper end. In the dranco method (plug flow type) in which the object to be processed is supplied to the waste and discharged from the bottom, active stirring is not performed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-86157

However, in a fermentation treatment apparatus that targets biomass such as sewage sludge and urine in addition to organic solid waste and uses organic waste alone or in combination as the object to be treated, the object to be treated has various properties. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to uniformly configure a fermenter equipped with a stirrer by a circulation pump system or a gas circulation system, or a plug-flow fermenter without a stirrer.

When the solid content concentration of the fermented liquid in the fermenter is high and the viscosity is high, if a circulation pump method or a gas circulation method is adopted to disperse the object to be processed, a large amount of power is required, which is not realistic and is not realistic. When the solid concentration of the fermentation broth inside is low and the viscosity is low, if the plug flow method is adopted, the plug flow cannot be maintained and the organic solid waste such as combustible waste is separated in the tank, so the fermentation efficiency. This is because the amount of organic solid waste tends to settle and float in the fermented liquid, and it is difficult to deal with it.

Therefore, the inventors of the present application are a fermentation treatment apparatus in which an organic waste containing a solid substance to be treated is put into a fermentation tank to perform an anaerobic fermentation treatment, and the organic waste put into the fermentation tank is used. A stirring mechanism for stirring an object in a tank is provided, and the stirring mechanism is configured to include a stirring shaft rotatably supported at the upper part of the fermentation tank and a stirring blade fixed to the stirring shaft, and the stirring is provided. As for the blades, a fermentation processing apparatus equipped with a scraping blade that scrapes unsuitable substances settled at the bottom of the fermenter into a discharge channel provided in the center of the bottom has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-246539).

A predetermined amount of unsuitable fermentation substances collected by the scraping blades are deposited in the discharge channel and then discharged to the outside of the tank via the unsuitable substance discharge mechanism. However, unsuitable substances for fermentation are deposited in the discharge channel. Over time in this state, there was a risk that unsuitable fermentation substances would stick to the inner surface of the discharge channel and form a thick sticking layer. When the adhesive layer of such an unsuitable fermentation substance becomes large, a crosslink is formed using the site as a foothold, and it becomes difficult to discharge the unsuitable substance for fermentation to the outside of the tank. Then, when the amount of unsuitable substances settled in the fermenter increases, the effective volume for the fermentation process decreases, and the efficient fermentation process is hindered.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a fermentation processing apparatus provided with a cleaning mechanism capable of suppressing the adhesion of unsuitable fermentation substances to the inner surface of the discharge channel.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first characteristic configuration of the fermentation processing apparatus according to the present invention is a fermentation processing apparatus in which an organic waste containing a solid substance to be treated is put into a fermenter to perform an anaerobic fermentation treatment. The fermenter is composed of a bottom and a tubular body provided with a discharge path for dropping and discharging unsuitable fermentation substances at the bottom, and moves along the inner peripheral surface of the discharge path. The point is that it is equipped with a cleaning blade that removes unsuitable fermentation substances adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the.

By moving the cleaning blades along the inner peripheral surface of the discharge passage, it is possible to prevent the unsuitable fermentation substances accumulated in the discharge passage from sticking to the inner peripheral surface of the discharge passage.

In the second feature configuration, in addition to the first feature configuration described above, the discharge path has a diameter expansion in which the inner peripheral surface is connected to the straight pipe portion in a vertical posture and below the straight pipe portion, and the diameter is expanded downward. It is provided with a pipe portion, and at least the cleaning blade is configured to move along the inner peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion.

Fermentation-inappropriate substances that settle toward the discharge channel settle in the enlarged pipe section via the straight pipe section. At that time, unsuitable substances for fermentation adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion are cleaned and removed by cleaning blades, and settle and accumulate in the enlarged diameter pipe portion immediately below the pipe portion. Since the inner peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter pipe portion is inclined outward in the radial direction from the upper side to the lower side, the unsuitable material for fermentation stored in the enlarged diameter pipe portion can be fixed even if it comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface. The sex is very low. Therefore, even if the amount of sedimentation of unsuitable fermentation increases, it can be accommodated in a large-volume enlarged pipe section, and the cleaning blades are enlarged and the strength resistance performance is improved, which is expected when the volume is secured only by the straight pipe section. It does not cause an increase in cost due to.

In the third characteristic configuration, in addition to the above-mentioned first or second characteristic configuration, the fermenter has a funnel-shaped bottom portion, the discharge channel is provided in the center of the bottom portion, and the cylinder. A stirring shaft rotatably supported at the upper part of the body is provided, and the cleaning blade is supported by the stirring shaft and is configured to be pullable from the upper end of the tubular body together with the stirring shaft.

The cleaning blades move along the inner peripheral surface of the discharge path as the stirring shaft supported by the upper part of the tubular body rotates. There is no need to attach a power source for moving the cleaning blades near the bottom of the tubular body, and the configuration is simple. Moreover, since the cleaning blade can be pulled out from the upper end of the tubular body together with the stirring shaft, the cleaning work can be easily performed.

In the fourth characteristic configuration, in addition to the above-mentioned third characteristic configuration, a scraping blade that scrapes the unsuitable material settled on the bottom to the discharge path is rotatably supported by the stirring shaft, and the cleaning is performed. The blade is at a point supported by the stirring shaft via the scraping blade.

Fermentation-inappropriate substances that have settled on the bottom of the funnel are attracted to the discharge path by the scraping blades supported by the stirring shaft and settle in the discharge path. At that time, unsuitable fermentation substances adhering to the inner peripheral surface are efficiently removed by the cleaning blades that rotate integrally with the scraping blades.

In the fifth characteristic configuration, in addition to any of the first to fourth characteristic configurations described above, unsuitable fermentation substances are discharged to the outside of the fermenter in a state where the edge is cut off from the outside at the lower end of the discharge channel. The point is that it is equipped with an unsuitable substance discharge mechanism.

When the unsuitable material for fermentation is discharged from the fermenter by the unsuitable material discharge mechanism, the unsuitable material for fermentation is discharged to the outside of the fermenter in a state where the edge is cut off from the outside by interposing the unsuitable material discharge mechanism. A large amount of outside air (oxygen) does not flow into the tank that is maintained in a normal state.

As described above, according to the present invention, it has become possible to provide a fermentation processing apparatus provided with a cleaning mechanism capable of suppressing the adhesion of unsuitable fermentation substances to the inner surface of the discharge channel.

Explanatory drawing of organic waste treatment system which incorporated the fermentation treatment apparatus by this invention Explanatory drawing of fermentation processing system which incorporated the fermentation processing apparatus by this invention Explanatory drawing of fermentation processing apparatus by this invention (A) is an explanatory view of a plan view of the loading mechanism, (b) is an explanatory view of a side view of the loading mechanism, (c) is an explanatory view of the A cross section of (b), and (d) is an explanatory view of the B cross section of (b). (E) is an explanatory view of the C cross section of (b), (f) is an explanatory view of the positional relationship between the opening formed in the tubular casing and the pressing body, and (f) is the opening formed in the tubular casing. Explanatory drawing of positional relationship between part and pressing body (A) is an explanatory diagram of a settling promoting blade, (b) is an explanatory diagram of a dispersion blade, and (c) is an explanatory diagram of a scraping blade. (A) is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the loading mechanism in which the pressing body is retracted to the vicinity of the rearmost end, and (b) is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the charging mechanism in which the pressing body is advanced to the front end. Explanatory drawing of fermentation processing apparatus by this invention

Hereinafter, the fermentation processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Explanation of the system incorporating the fermentation processing equipment]
FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of an organic waste treatment system. It is a system that treats various organic wastes of different origins such as municipal waste, manure, septic tank sludge, and sewage sludge, and recovers the energy contained in these organic wastes as biogas.

Combustible waste such as paper waste, kitchen waste, and resin collected from ordinary households is crushed into small pieces using a crusher, etc., and organic solid waste suitable for fermentation treatment and resin and inorganic substances unsuitable for fermentation treatment. , Metals and the like are subjected to pretreatment, unsuitable for fermentation is treated in a waste incineration facility, and suitable for fermentation is put into a fermentation treatment apparatus and subjected to methane fermentation treatment.

In the fermentation treatment apparatus, in addition to combustible waste which is suitable for fermentation, human waste, septic tank sludge, and sewage sludge can be treated at the same time. The objects to be processed by the fermentation treatment equipment include organic solid waste such as kitchen waste and paper waste, sewage sludge, human waste and septic tank sludge, as well as biomass such as livestock manure, agricultural residues, and food waste. Etc. are also targeted, and organic waste containing them alone or in a mixture thereof is targeted.

The methane gas contained in the biogas produced by the methane fermentation treatment is recovered as renewable energy, and the fermentation residue is incinerated after being subjected to a residue treatment such as dehydration treatment. The dehydrated liquid produced by the dehydration treatment of the fermentation residue is biologically treated by an activated sludge method or the like, and the excess sludge generated by the biological treatment is also subject to the methane fermentation treatment as a suitable fermentation product.

[Explanation of fermentation processing equipment]
FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of the fermentation processing apparatus. The fermentation treatment device 10 includes a fermentation tank 20, a charging mechanism 30, a stirring mechanism 40, a gas discharge unit 50, a fermentation broth discharge port 60, an unsuitable substance discharge mechanism 70, and the like, and is an object to be treated. This is an apparatus for anaerobic fermentation treatment in which organic waste containing solid matter, that is, a suitable material for fermentation, is directly put into the fermentation tank 20 without being solubilized using a separate solubilization treatment tank or the like.

The fermenter 20 is a vertical processing tank formed in a cylindrical shape using a steel plate, and a jacket 22 serving as a flow path for the heat medium is provided on the side wall, and the heat medium supplied from the heat medium supply unit 23 is provided. Is configured to pass through the jacket 22 and be discharged from the heat medium discharging unit 21. Hot water is preferably used as the heat medium. For example, by supplying hot water of about 57 ° C. to the jacket 22, the fermentation broth in the tank is heated to a temperature of about 55 ° C. suitable for fermentation.

A disk-shaped lid 25 is detachably fixed to the upper end of the fermenter 20 by a flange portion so that the inside of the tank is sealed. The lid 25 is supported by a stirring mechanism 40, and is connected to a pipe provided with a biogas discharge valve V3 that functions as a gas discharge unit 50 for taking out biogas produced in an anaerobic fermentation process, and further inside the tank. A peephole 26 is provided for visually confirming the above.

At the lower end of the side wall of the fermenter 20, a bottom portion formed of a funnel-shaped portion 24 whose diameter is gradually reduced on the lower side is formed, and an unsuitable substance discharge mechanism 70 is provided at the center of the bottom portion.

The unsuitable substance discharge mechanism 70 is a mechanism for discharging unsuitable substances for fermentation such as sand, shells, and metals mixed in the fermentation broth from the fermentation tank 20, and is formed so as to protrude below the bottom of the fermentation tank 20 and is formed from the fermentation tank 20. It is composed of double damper mechanisms 71 and 72 provided in the discharge path 73 formed of a reduced diameter tubular portion. With the lower damper 72 closed, the upper damper 71 is opened to take in unsuitable fermentation substances, and then the upper damper 71 is closed and the lower damper 72 is opened to cut off the outside of the fermenter 20 and unsuitable for fermentation. Is taken out of the tank.

If unsuitable substances such as sand, metal, and shells mixed in the object to be processed gradually settle in the fermentation broth and deposit on the bottom, the effective fermentation volume may decrease and the fermentation efficiency may decrease. However, by depositing an unsuitable substance for fermentation in the discharge path 73 formed at the bottom and discharging it to the outside of the tank via the double damper mechanisms 71 and 72, it does not require a large power such as a pump device and is anaerobic. It is possible to avoid a decrease in fermentation volume while maintaining the state.

[Explanation of the stirring mechanism built into the fermentation processing device]
The stirring mechanism 40 is provided to stir the organic waste put into the fermenter 20 in the tank, and can be rotated by the stirring motor 45 installed on the upper part of the lid 25 and the lid 25. A vertical rotating shaft supported by a bearing, a stirring shaft 41 connected to the rotating shaft via a coupling 43, and stirring blades 42, 44, 46 and cleaning blades 47 fixed to the stirring shaft 41 are provided. It is configured. The stirring shaft 41 is installed so as to coincide with the axis of the fermenter 20.

The upper end of the stirring shaft 41 is connected to the rotating shaft pivotally supported by the lid 25 via a coupling 43, and the lower end of the stirring shaft 41 is a free end without being pivotally supported. Therefore, when maintenance is required, the stirring blades 42, 44, 46 and cleaning are performed from the upper end of the fermenter 20 by removing the lid 25 from the fermenter 20 without disassembling and without pulling out the sludge in the tank. The stirring shaft 41 can be pulled out integrally with the blade 47.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5A, the settling promotion blades 42 located at the uppermost stage are two pieces fixed to the sleeve 42b fitted and fixed to the stirring shaft 41 so as to have a central angle of 180 °. It is composed of flat plate-shaped blade pieces 42a, and is positioned so as to cross the liquid surface of the fermented liquid in the fermenter 20, preferably at the center of the blade surface in the vertical direction, and the tip is fermented. It is formed so as to extend to a position near the inner wall surface of the tank 20. Specifically, the gap between the tip of the blade piece 42a and the inner wall surface of the fermenter 20 is set to about the diameter of the inlet. The fermented liquid so that the liquid level is located at the center of the blade surface in the vertical direction, the liquid level of the fermented liquid is detected by a liquid level sensor such as a light reflection type, and the fluctuation of the liquid level of the fermented liquid is reduced. It is preferable to adjust by pulling out.

The upper edge 42U of each blade surface is fixed to the sleeve 42b so as to be inclined from the lower edge 42L in the direction of rotation of the stirring shaft 41. Therefore, when the stirring shaft 41 rotates, the sedimentation promoting blade 42 pushes down the unfermented organic solid waste floating on the liquid surface of the fermented liquid so as to efficiently settle below the liquid surface, and in the liquid. Fermentation process will be promoted. In FIG. 5A, the upper drawing is a plan view and the lower drawing is a front view.

In the present embodiment, the radial length of each blade piece 42a is set to be slightly shorter than the inner diameter of the fermenter 20, and the upper end side is in the range of 15 to 60 degrees, preferably 30 to 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. It is set to incline in the direction of rotation within the range of degrees. If the peripheral speed of the tip of the stirring shaft 41 is in the range of 10 to 100 mm / sec, preferably 30 to 60 mm / sec, sedimentation of waste is promoted.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5B, the dispersion blades 44 are provided in three stages in the vertical direction below the sedimentation promoting blades 42. In FIG. 5B, the upper drawing is a plan view and the lower drawing is a front view.

The dispersion blade 44 is composed of two flat blade pieces 44a fixed to a sleeve 44b fixed to the stirring shaft 41 so as to have a central angle of 180 °, and each blade piece 44a has a radial length. Is shorter than the sedimentation promoting blade 42, and is set to a length in the range of 40 to 90%, preferably 50 to 70% of the inner diameter of the fermenter 20. With the flat plate-shaped blade piece 44a, it is possible to efficiently stir the intermediate portion of the fermentation broth in the vertical direction, and it is possible to sort light and heavy ones.

The width of the dispersion blade 44 in the vertical direction may be set to about several tens to several hundreds of mm, and the upper end side may be set to be inclined in the rotation direction by a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane.

By the stirring action of the dispersion blades 44, the biogas trapped in the object to be processed in the fermentation process is released from the object to be processed, the rise in the liquid level due to the volume expansion due to the biogas is suppressed, and the fermentation liquid is suppressed. Fermentation is further promoted by dispersing the object to be treated. Further, by stirring the fermentation broth, the temperature distribution of the fermentation broth transferred from the heat medium supplied to the jacket 22 becomes uniform, and the whole fermentation broth is maintained at a good fermentation temperature.

Further, one of the dispersion blades 44 arranged in three stages in the vertical direction is configured to be located at a height close to the charging position of the organic waste by the charging mechanism 30, and the fermenting tank is arranged by the charging mechanism 30. The organic waste immediately after being charged into 20 is quickly dispersed in the fermented liquid.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 (c), the scraping blade 46 is provided below the dispersion blade 44. In FIG. 5C, the upper drawing is a plan view and the lower drawing is a front view.

The scraping blade 46 is fixed to the stirring shaft 41 at the bottom position of the fermenter 20 and is fixed to the tip of the lower dispersion blade piece 46a for dispersing the object to be processed in the fermentation broth and the lower dispersion blade piece 46a in the fermentation broth. It is provided with a scraping blade piece 46c that scrapes the unsuitable material for fermentation settled in the unsuitable material discharge mechanism 70.

Specifically, the scraping blade 46 includes two U-shaped lower dispersion blade pieces 46a fixed to a sleeve 46b fitted and fixed to the stirring shaft 41 so as to have a central angle of 180 °. It is composed of a scraping blade piece 46c having a U-shaped cross section provided on the tip end side of the lower dispersed blade piece 46a. The scraping blade piece 46c is arranged in an inclined posture so as to face the funnel-shaped portion 24 of the side wall of the fermenter 20, and one end of the lower dispersion blade piece 46a is fixed to the sleeve 46b and the other end is fixed to the blade piece 46c. It is arranged in a horizontal position so as to be.

The openings of the blade pieces 46a and 46c formed in a U-shape in cross section are arranged so as to face the rotation direction, and the unsuitable material settled at the bottom of the fermenter 20 is captured by the U-shaped recess and discharged. It operates so as to squeeze toward the road 73. In the process, the fermentation-suitable substances mixed in the fermentation-inappropriate substances are agitated to promote the fermentation process.

That is, in order to prevent the unsuitable material settled inside the fermentation tank 20 from accumulating on the bottom and to avoid the occurrence of cross-linking due to the unsuitable fermentation material, the scraping blade piece 46c efficiently scrapes the unsuitable material discharge mechanism 70. It is sent. In the process, the object to be treated mixed with the unsuitable material for fermentation is agitated by the lower dispersion blade piece 46a to promote the fermentation process. The blade pieces 46a and 46c are not necessarily formed in a U-shaped cross section, and may be simply formed of a flat plate-like body. The reason why the stirring shaft extends to the vicinity of the tubular portion is to break the crosslink, and if a protrusion is provided at that portion, the effect is further enhanced.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 (c), a pair of cleanings that move in the circumferential direction along the inner peripheral surface of the discharge path 73 and remove unsuitable fermentation substances adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the discharge path 73. The blades 47 and 47 are provided. At least one cleaning blade may be provided.

The cleaning blades 47 and 47 rotatably support the stirring blades 46 for scraping the unsuitable fermentation substances settled in the funnel-shaped portion 24 at the bottom to the discharge path 73 by the stirring shaft 41, and the cleaning blades 47 and 47 are scraped. It is supported by the stirring shaft 41 via the blade 46. More specifically, each of the cleaning blades 47 and 47 is made of a metal square bar member, and is bolted or welded to the lower part of the back surface of the above-mentioned scraping blade piece 46c via a mounting piece 47a formed above. ..

As the stirring shaft 41 rotates, the cleaning blades 47 and 47 move along the inner peripheral surface of the discharge path 73, so that the unsuitable substance for fermentation is deposited on the discharge path 73 and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the discharge path 73. By removing the above, it is possible to effectively avoid the phenomenon that the adhered matter grows and forms a crosslink.

The gap between the cleaning blades 47 and 47 and the inner peripheral surface of the discharge path 73 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably set in the range of 0.5 mm to several mm. The shape of the cleaning blade 47 is not limited to a square bar member having a rectangular cross section, but may be a round bar member having a circular cross section, or an arc shape having substantially the same curvature as the inner peripheral surface of the discharge path 73. It may be a plate-shaped member having a cross section of.

The cleaning blades 47, 47 may be directly attached to the stirring shaft 41 via a rod-shaped attachment extending in the radial direction, but in that case, fermentation-inappropriate substances settle and deposit on the upper surface of the rod-shaped attachment. It is preferable to provide a cleaning member for removing deposits.

As shown in FIG. 7, the discharge path 73 includes a straight pipe portion 73a whose inner peripheral surface is in a vertical position and a diameter-expanded pipe portion 73b whose inner peripheral surface is connected to the lower side of the straight pipe portion 73a and whose diameter gradually increases downward, and at least the cleaning blade 47. , 47 may be configured to move along the inner peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion 73a.

Fermentation-inappropriate substances that settle toward the discharge path 73 provided in the center of the funnel-shaped bottom are settled in the enlarged pipe portion 73b via the straight pipe portion 73a. At that time, the unsuitable substance for fermentation adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion 73a is cleaned by the cleaning blade 74 and removed, and then settles and accumulates in the enlarged pipe portion immediately below the straight pipe portion 73a. Cleaning blades may be provided on the entire length of the straight pipe portion, or may be provided on a part of the entire length.

Since the inner peripheral surface of the diameter-expanded pipe portion 73b is inclined outward in the radial direction from above to downward, the unsuitable material for fermentation stored in the diameter-expanded pipe portion 73b sticks to the inner peripheral surface. Very unlikely to do. Therefore, even if the amount of sedimentation of unsuitable fermentation material increases, it can be accommodated in the enlarged diameter pipe portion 73b having a large volume, and the cleaning blade 47 is expected to have a large size and strength resistance performance when the volume is secured only by the straight pipe portion 73a. It does not cause an increase in cost due to the improvement of. The fermentation tank is not limited to a structure in which the bottom is formed in a funnel shape and has a discharge path in the center of the bottom, but is also composed of a tubular body having a bottom and a discharge path for dropping and discharging unsuitable fermentation substances at the bottom. I just need to be there. For example, a discharge path may be provided at the lower end of the inclined bottom where the bottom is inclined in one direction, or a discharge path is formed at the peripheral portion of the flat bottom, and a rotary blade that sends the sediment of the flat bottom to the discharge path. Etc. may be provided.

[Explanation of the input mechanism incorporated in the fermentation processing device]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (a) to 4 (f), the charging mechanism 30 is a mechanism for charging organic waste into the fermenter 20, and has a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane. A tubular casing 31 (see FIG. 4E) having a rectangular cross section inserted into a flange tube 36 formed on the wall of the fermenter 20 in an inclined posture so that the tip side faces downward and fixed to the flange. It is composed of a push-in mechanism 30 including a pressing body 32 having a rectangular cross section and a hydraulic drive mechanism 33 for moving the pressing body 32 forward and backward along the axial center of the tubular casing 31. Has been done.

The tip FE of the tubular casing 31 is inserted and fixed in the flange tube 36 provided on the side wall of the fermenter 20 so as to be immersed in the fermentation broth in the fermenter 20. In the present embodiment, the flange pipe 36 is set to an inclined posture of about 30 ° with respect to the horizontal plane, and the inclined posture of the tubular casing 31 is also set to an inclined posture of about 30 ° with respect to the horizontal plane. In the present embodiment, the tilted posture is set to about 30 °, but it can be appropriately set in the range of 15 to 45 °. Therefore, the drive mechanism 33 arranged on the other end side of the tubular casing 31 can be reliably water-sealed without being submerged in the fermentation broth.

Further, a hopper mechanism 35 that supplies organic waste from the tip of the tubular casing 31 to the push-in mechanism 30 is provided above the push-in mechanism 30. In the hopper mechanism 35, a square tubular accommodating portion is formed by four side walls 35a hanging from an upper opening 35d, which is a loading portion provided with a lid 35c that can be opened and closed, and a tubular casing of the side walls 35a in a plan view. An inclined wall portion 35b is formed which is connected to a pair of facing walls provided so as to sandwich the axial center of 31 and gradually narrows toward the lower end.

In FIG. 4A, the lid 35c is shown by a broken line for convenience of explanation. The lid 35 is attached to the side wall 35a at one end via a hinge mechanism h so as to be openable and closable. Reference numeral 35h shown in FIG. 4C is an inspection window.

Fermentation suitable material charged into the accommodating portion from the upper opening 35d falls into the tubular casing 31 from the lower end opening of the inclined wall portion 35b through the opening 31a formed in the tubular casing 31 of the push-in mechanism 30. It is configured to be supplied.

That is, an opening 31a having a shape in the longitudinal direction along the axial center of the tubular casing 31 is formed on the upper portion of the tubular casing 31 forming a part of the charging mechanism 30, and is formed at each longitudinal edge of the opening 31a. Each lower end 35u (see FIG. 4A) of the inclined wall portion 35b is arranged so as to be continuous without a step.

Then, the pressing surface 32a of the pressing body 32 is configured to have a rectangular shape extending upward from the virtual plane P passing through the connecting portions P1 and P2 of each longitudinal edge portion of the opening 31a and each lower end of the inclined wall portion 35b. Further, the inclination angle of the inclined wall portion 35b connected to the tubular casing 31 is set to an inclination angle in the range of 10 to 60 degrees, preferably 30 to 50 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction (see FIG. 4 (f)). .).

By adopting such a configuration, even if there is a possibility that the organic waste charged into the hopper mechanism 35 may be consolidated near the lower end of the inclined wall portion 35b to form a bridge, the pressing surface 32a may be used. As a result of the consolidation portion being scraped off, the weight balance of the organic waste near the lower end of the inclined wall portion 35b is lost and the formation of a bridge is prevented. Further, even if a bridge is formed near the lower end of the inclined wall portion 35b of the hopper mechanism 35, the bridge is destroyed because the compacted portion is scraped off by the pressing surface 32a.

Moreover, if the object to be treated is organic solid waste such as kitchen waste or paper waste, or if it is highly fluid sewage sludge, human waste, livestock manure, agricultural residue, food waste, etc., a mixture thereof In any case, such as in some cases, since the tubular casing 31 in which the pressing body 32 is built is attached to the side wall of the fermenter 20 in an inclined posture, it is stably driven by the pressing body 32 that is driven forward and backward by the drive mechanism 33. It can be pushed into the fermenter 20.

The tip FE of the tubular casing 31 is formed so as to extend further toward the tip side from the maximum advance position of the pressing body 32. Therefore, when the pressing body 32 is driven backward, the organic waste pressed and compacted by the pressing body 32 remains on the tip FE of the tubular casing 31 and the sealing function is exhibited. As a result, it is possible to prevent a large amount of the fermented liquid in the fermenter 20 from flowing into the tubular casing 31 and prevent the fermentation gas from leaking into the tubular casing 31.

Further, the opening of the tip FE of the tubular casing 31 is formed at a vertical or acute-angled edge when viewed from the side. Therefore, when the fermentation gas generated inside the fermenter 20 rises vertically in the fermentation broth, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of an inconvenient situation in which the fermentation gas flows into the tubular casing 31 and leaks to the outside. Can be done.

Communication position of the hopper mechanism 35 to the wall of the tubular casing 31 The mounting position of the hopper mechanism 35 to the tubular casing 31 is set so that the vicinity of CA is the liquid level of the fermented liquid in the fermenter 20 (FIG. See 4 (b).). According to such a setting, the fermented liquid flowing into the tubular casing 31 does not leak to the outside from the hopper mechanism 35, and an appropriate amount of water is imparted to the organic waste supplied from the hopper mechanism 35. Therefore, after being pushed into the fermenter 20 and charged, it quickly disperses in the fermented liquid.

The hopper mechanism 35 is composed of a square tubular accommodating portion 35a having a side wall that hangs down from a rectangular upper opening, and an inclined wall portion 35b in which the lower end of the accommodating portion 35a is narrowed toward the tubular casing 31. Combustible waste, which is an organic solid waste charged into the casing 35a, is provided with a funnel-shaped portion, and is suitable for fermentation. In addition, human waste, septic tank sludge, and sewage sludge are also included. It is charged and charged into the fermenter 20 by the push-in mechanism 30 while being mixed in a state of being deposited inside.

Of the wall portion 35a of the hopper mechanism 35 connected to the tubular casing 31, the front wall portion 35e on the advancing direction side of the pressing body 32 is in an inclined posture toward the advancing direction of the pressing body 32 at the connecting portion with the tubular casing 31. (See FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (d)).

The organic waste pressed in the tubular casing 31 by the pressing body 32 is compacted into the front wall portion 35e and the pressing body 32 when it is consolidated with the front wall portion 35e connected to the tubular casing 31. Stress acts. At this time, if the front wall portion 35e on the advancing direction side of the pressing body 32 is formed in an inclined posture toward the advancing direction of the pressing body 32 at the connecting portion with the tubular casing 31, it is near the upper part of the pressing body 32. Since a part of the organic waste escapes to the space formed in the front wall portion 35e in the inclined posture, a sudden consolidation action is avoided and the pressure is smoothly supplied.

Of the wall portion 35a of the hopper mechanism 35 connected to the tubular casing 31, the rear wall portion 35f on the retracting direction side of the pressing body 32 is located on the retracting direction side of the pressing body 32 from the opening 31a.

When the pressing body 32 is driven to the maximum advance position, the pressing body is longer than the length of the opening 31a in the longitudinal direction so that organic waste does not fall from the opening 31a behind the rear end wall of the pressing body 32. It is necessary to increase the length of 32, which causes an inconvenience that the component cost increases accordingly. Therefore, if the length of the opening 31a in the longitudinal direction is limited, the capacity of the hopper mechanism 35 must be limited accordingly. Even in such a case, of the wall portion 35a of the hopper mechanism 35 connected to the tubular casing 31, the rear wall portion 35f on the receding direction side of the pressing body 32 is configured to be located on the receding direction side from the opening 31a. For example, the capacity of the hopper mechanism 35 can be secured while limiting the length of the pressing body 32 to reduce the cost of parts.

6 (a) and 6 (b) show a state in which the pressing body 32 is driven backward to the vicinity of the rearmost end and a state in which the pressing body 32 is driven forward to the front end along the tubular casing 31. The rearmost end position of the pressing body 32 driven backward is on the rear end wall 35f side of the hopper mechanism 35 in the opening 31a of the tubular casing 31 so that the tip of the pressing body 32 can be slightly seen from the opening 31a. It is set to be located inside the tubular casing.

Since the pressing surface 32a of the pressing body 32 is formed on a surface perpendicular to the advancing direction, the maximum pressing force acts on the organic waste. Then, when the pressing body 32 is driven backward after reaching the maximum advance position in the tubular casing 31, new organic waste is dropped and supplied from the hopper 35 to the cavity formed in the tubular casing 31. The casing.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in the present embodiment, the pressing surface 32a of the pressing body 32 is formed on a surface perpendicular to the advancing direction, and the pressing surface 32a is formed from the upper part to the lower part in the side view. It is formed in a stepped shape that projects step by step, and while applying the maximum pressing force to the organic waste, the organic waste pressed by the pressing surface on the lower side of the tubular casing 31 is a cylinder. It is configured to be pressed to the tip end side F of the tubular casing 31 rather than the organic waste pressed by the pressing surface on the upper side of the cylindrical casing 31.

Therefore, when the pressing body 32 is driven backward, the volume of the cavity formed in the tubular casing 31 is larger than that when the pressing body 32 is pressed by the flat pressing surface, and a large amount of organic waste is discharged into the tubular casing. Drop supply becomes possible within 31.

The stepped inclination angle (inclination angle α of the tip entanglement surface of the step portion with respect to the axial center of the tubular casing 31) formed on the pressing surface 32a is the tubular casing 31 with respect to the orthogonal plane of the axial center of the tubular casing 31. It is preferable that the inclination angle is set to θ or more. Since the previously pressed organic waste does not exist on the falling locus of the organic waste falling vertically from the hopper mechanism 35 into the tubular casing 31, a large amount of the organic waste falls. Will be supplied.

Further, one end side is fixed at or near the connecting portion between the tubular casing 31 and the wall portion 35e on the advancing direction side of the hopper mechanism 35, and the other end side is hung on the charging portion 35d of the hopper mechanism 35 along the opening. It is provided with 35 g of a casing.

Even if a bridge is generated at the inclined wall portion 35b of the hopper mechanism 35, the bridge can be easily collapsed by pulling the cord-like body 35g hung on the loading portion 35d. The cord-like body 35 g can be formed of a wire or a chain. Further, since a space is formed by the inclined portion of the front wall portion 35e at the connecting portion where one end side of the cord-shaped body 35g is fixed, even when the pressing body 32 is driven to the maximum advance position, the pressing body 32 Does not interfere with. The pressing body 32 and the cord-shaped body 35 g may be linked to automate the traction of the cord-shaped body 35 g.

The pressing body 32 is composed of a plurality of pressing body pieces 32c that can be divided in the axial direction of the tubular casing 31, including a block forming a stepped pressing surface 23a on the tip side. When the pressing body 32 is driven forward and backward along the tubular casing 31, there is a risk that organic waste or foreign matter may be caught between the inner wall of the tubular casing 31 and the pressing body 32, whereby the pressing body 32 may be caught. 32 may wear. In such a case, if the pressing body 32 is composed of a plurality of pressing body pieces 32c that can be divided in the axial direction of the tubular casing 32, only the worn pressing body piece 32c needs to be replaced, so that the cost can be reduced. Can be planned. If the pressing body 32 is made of a resin material, wear of the tubular casing 31 can be prevented, slippage can be improved, and acid corrosion caused by the fermentation broth can be avoided. Further, when the opening is enlarged in order to increase the feed amount of the raw material, it is necessary to lengthen the pressing body 32 as well. Even in such a case, the length of the pressing body 32 can be easily adjusted. In order to increase the strength of the pressing body 32, the pressing body 32 can be integrally manufactured with SUS.

Further, a stroke gauge 32g is provided in which the tip is fixed to the rear end portion 32e of the pressing body 32 and the rear end projects from the rear end portion of the tubular casing 31. Since it is a hydraulic drive mechanism 33, a piston rod that drives the pressing body 32 even if the maximum pressure oil is supplied to the oil passage when organic waste is clogged in the tubular casing 31. May not work.

In such a case, it is difficult to confirm from the outside of the tubular casing 31 whether or not the pressing body 32 has reached the maximum advance position, but if a stroke gauge 32 g is provided, the inside of the tubular casing 31 is provided. The position of the pressing body 31 at the above can be easily confirmed from the outside of the tubular casing 31.

If the push-in mechanism 30 is in the vertical position, the highly fluid liquid is charged into the tank in preference to the solid content, and if the push-in mechanism 30 is in the horizontal position, the highly fluid liquid is smoothly charged. In any case, the composition of the object to be treated in the tank becomes unstable, but if the push-in mechanism 30 is mounted in an inclined posture, the occurrence of such a state can be avoided.

A flange tube serving as a fermented liquid discharge port 60 is provided in the lower part of the side wall of the fermenter 20, and the fermented liquid after the anaerobic fermentation treatment, that is, the digested liquid is discharged.

[Explanation of fermentation processing system]
FIG. 2 shows a fermentation processing system in which the fermentation processing apparatus 10 is incorporated. The household waste collected by the waste collection vehicle 90 and carried into the household waste yard 91 is conveyed to the conveyor mechanism by the wheel loader 92 and put into the bag breaking machine 93.

Household waste that has been broken by the bag breaking machine 93 is put into the sorting machine 94, and is suitable for fermentation of lightweight substances such as resin 94a, heavy substances such as metal components 94b, and kitchen waste and paper waste. It is sorted into the fermented product 94c, and the fermented product 94c is accumulated in the fermentation product yard 95. Further, the fermentation suitable material charged from the fermentation suitable material yard 95 into the suitable material hopper 96 is crushed into small pieces by a crushing and sorting machine 97, and the fermentation suitable material selected by wind power and sieving is stocked in the stock case 80. A roll screen sorter or the like is used as the sorter 94.

The organic waste filled in the stock case 80 is charged into the hopper mechanism 35 provided in the fermentation processing device 10 by the electric chain mechanism 81, and is charged into the fermenter 20 via the push-in charging mechanism 30 for methane fermentation treatment. ..

Biogas such as methane gas generated in the fermenter 20 is drawn from the gas discharge unit 50, collected in the gas holder 84, desulfurized in the desulfurization tower 86, and then used as fuel for the gas combustion apparatus 88. Reference numeral 87 is a fuel (LPG cylinder). The hot water heated by the gas combustion device 88 is supplied as a heat source to a heat-retaining jacket or the like of the fermenter 20.

The fermented liquid after the anaerobic fermentation treatment in the fermenter 20 is solid-liquid separated (dehydrated), and the liquid is stored in the fermented sludge storage tank 89 filled with activated sludge. The fermented liquid is guided from the fermentation sludge storage tank 89 to the mixing tank 98, a flocculant is added, and then the sludge dehydrator 99 is guided to solid-liquid separation, and the solid content is filled in the stock case 80 and sent to the incinerator. And incinerated. The liquid is biologically treated in the biological treatment tank 89, the treated water is discharged, and the excess sludge is put into the fermenter 20 or treated outside the system.

The above-mentioned fermentation processing apparatus 10 is attached to the side wall of the fermentation tank 20 in an inclined posture so that the tip FE of the tubular casing 31 of the push-in mechanism 30 is immersed in the fermentation broth, and the tip of the tubular casing 31 is attached. Is configured to be located in the vicinity of the stirring blade.

Further, the fermentation processing apparatus 10 is configured so that the vertical mounting position of the push-in mechanism 30 with respect to the side wall of the fermentation tank 20 is adjusted based on the properties of the object to be processed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is desirable that the push-in mechanism 30 is attached to any of the flange tubes 36 and 37 provided above and below the side wall of the fermenter 20. The flange tubes 36 and 37 serve as a mounting position adjusting mechanism in which the vertical mounting position of the charging mechanism 30 with respect to the side wall of the fermenter 20 can be adjusted based on the properties of the object to be processed.

The properties of the object to be processed to be put into the fermentation processing apparatus 10 differ depending on the environment of the area where it is installed, but it is stable in each area and does not fluctuate significantly. Therefore, by adjusting the vertical mounting position of the push-in mechanism 30 based on the properties of the object to be processed, the object to be processed can be charged into the fermenter in a state suitable for the properties of the object to be processed. ..

For example, an object to be treated having a high solid concentration and a high viscosity in the fermented liquid in the fermenter 20 is difficult to float in the fermented liquid. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, it is charged from the upper flange tube 36. Therefore, the fermentation process can proceed while slowly settling.

In the above-described embodiment, the loading mechanism 30 advances and retreats the tubular casing 31, the pressing body 32 having a rectangular cross section inside the tubular casing 31, and the pressing body 32 along the axial center of the tubular casing 31. Although an example configured by the push-in mechanism 30 including the hydraulic drive mechanism 33 is described, the input mechanism 30 includes a tubular casing 31, a screw blade built in the tubular casing 31, and a screw blade. It may be a screw type loading mechanism composed of a drive mechanism capable of rotationally driving the casing.

That is, the charging mechanism 30 has a tubular casing fixed to the wall of the fermenter 20 in an inclined posture having a predetermined tilt angle with respect to the horizontal plane so that the tip side faces downward, and a transport built in the tubular casing. It suffices to be composed of a transport loading mechanism including a mechanism and a drive mechanism for driving the transport mechanism.

The above-described embodiment is an aspect of the present invention, and the description does not limit the present invention, and the specific structure, size, material, etc. of each part are appropriately set as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited. Needless to say, it can be modified and designed.

10: Fermentation processing device 20: Fermentation tank 30: Input mechanism 31: Cylindrical casing 32: Pressing body 36: Flange tube 37: Flange tube 40: Stirring mechanism 41: Stirring shaft 42: Sedimentation promoting blade 44: Dispersion blade 46: Scraping Agitated blade 47: Cleaning blade 50: Gas discharge part 60: Fermented liquid discharge port 70: Unsuitable material discharge mechanism 71: Double damper mechanism 72: Double damper mechanism 73: Discharge path (cylindrical part)
73a: Straight pipe portion 73b: Diameter-expanded pipe portion

Claims (5)

It is a fermentation treatment device that puts organic waste containing solid matter to be processed into a fermentation tank and performs anaerobic fermentation treatment.
The fermenter is composed of a bottom and a tubular body having a discharge path for dropping and discharging unsuitable fermentation substances at the bottom.
A fermentation processing apparatus provided with cleaning blades that move along the inner peripheral surface of the discharge passage and remove unsuitable substances adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the discharge passage. The discharge path includes a straight pipe portion whose inner peripheral surface is in a vertical posture and a diameter-expanded pipe portion whose inner peripheral surface is connected to the lower side of the straight pipe portion and whose diameter is expanded downward, and at least the cleaning blade is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion. The fermentation processing apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured to move along the same. The fermenter has a funnel-shaped bottom, a discharge path in the center of the bottom, and a stirring shaft rotatably supported by the upper part of the tubular body, and the cleaning blades stir. The fermentation processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is supported by a shaft and is configured to be drawn out from the upper end of the tubular body together with the stirring shaft. The claim that a scraping blade for scraping unsuitable fermentation substances settled on the bottom to the discharge path is rotatably supported by the stirring shaft, and the cleaning blade is supported by the stirring shaft via the scraping blade. 3. The fermentation processing apparatus according to 3. The fermentation processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an unsuitable substance discharge mechanism at the lower end of the discharge channel for discharging unsuitable fermentation substances to the outside of the fermenter in a state where the edge is cut off from the outside.

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