JP2022188483A - Hydroponic device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

To execute hydroponic using coral gravels by a plurality of culture tanks in a state where maintenance and management are easy.SOLUTION: A hydroponic device comprises: a cultivation tank 101 for performing hydroponic cultivation to plants; a first feeding part 102 which feeds culture solution to the cultivation tank 101; and a second feeding part 103 which feeds aqueous solution into which components of coral gravels are eluted to the cultivation tank 101. The hydroponic device makes it possible to execute elution of the components of the coral gravels 131 into culture solution to be fed to the cultivation tank 101 for performing hydroponic cultivation to plants (first process) first, and then, feeding the culture solution into which the components of the coral gravels 131 are eluted to the cultivation tank 101 (second process).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a hydroponics apparatus and method for hydroponically growing plants such as tomatoes.

Crop cultivation generally uses soil fertilized with fertilizer. However, pests and pathogenic bacteria frequently occur in the soil, sometimes hindering yields and quality. On the other hand, in hydroponics (hydroponic culture) that does not use soil, it is possible to greatly reduce the occurrence of pests. Furthermore, in addition to organic fertilizer, by using coral gravel and adding components such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and silicon contained in the soil, the technology to obtain crops by the so-called organic cultivation method by hydroponics. has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4049370

However, in the above-described technique, since it is necessary to prepare a solid culture medium containing coral gravel in each of the plurality of cultivation tanks, there is a problem that maintenance and management are not easy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and aims to enable hydroponic cultivation using coral gravel in a plurality of cultivation tanks in a state where maintenance and management are easy. With the goal.

A hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the present invention includes a cultivation tank for hydroponically cultivating plants, a first supply unit that supplies a culture solution to the cultivation tank, and an aqueous solution in which components of coral gravel are dissolved in the cultivation tank. and a second supply unit for supplying.

In one configuration example of the above hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the first supply unit and the second supply unit are connected to the cultivation tank by parallel connection.

In one configuration example of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the first supply unit and the second supply unit are connected in series to the cultivation tank.

In one configuration example of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the first supply unit and the second supply unit are connected in parallel to a mixing unit for mixing the culture solution from the first supply unit and the aqueous solution from the second supply unit. , the mixing unit is connected to the cultivation tank.

In one configuration example of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the second supply unit is connected to the cultivation tank downstream of the first supply unit, and dissolves the components of the coral gravel into the culture solution to form an aqueous solution.

In one configuration example of the above hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the second supply unit includes a container for storing coral gravel, an introduction unit for introducing water into the container, and components of the coral gravel eluting into the water introduced inside the container. and a discharge unit for discharging the aqueous solution generated by the above from the container.

In one configuration example of the above hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the discharge unit discharges the aqueous solution from the top of the container.

In one configuration example of the above hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the introduction unit introduces water into the container from the top of the container.

In one configuration example of the above hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the introduction part introduces water into the container from the bottom of the container.

One structural example of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a stirring mechanism for stirring the aqueous solution contained in the container.

One structural example of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a foaming mechanism for generating air bubbles in the liquid contained in the container.

In one configuration example of the above hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the container includes a partition plate for making the liquid introduced from the introduction part and discharged from the discharge part meander inside the container.

In one configuration example of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, a first filter layer made of salt-free carbon arranged at the bottom of the container and a second filter layer made of salt-free carbon arranged at the top of the container, Coral gravel is placed between the first and second filter layers, the inlet introduces water into the container from the top of the container, and the outlet discharges the aqueous solution from the bottom of the container.

In one configuration example of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the second supply unit further includes a filter for removing coral gravel mixed with the aqueous solution in the middle of the supply path for supplying the aqueous solution to the cultivation tank.

Further, the hydroponic cultivation method according to the present invention includes a first step of eluting components of coral gravel into a culture solution supplied to a cultivation tank for hydroponically growing plants, and a culture solution in which components of coral gravel are eluted. and a second step of supplying to the cultivation tank.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the cultivation tank is provided with the second supply unit that supplies the aqueous solution in which the components of the coral gravel are eluted, maintenance and management of the coral gravel can be collectively performed on the upstream side of the cultivation tank. Therefore, hydroponic cultivation using coral gravel in multiple cultivation tanks can be carried out in a state where maintenance and management are easy.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of another hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing in detail the configuration of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the second supply unit 103 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4B is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the second supply unit 103a according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4C is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the second supply unit 103b according to the third embodiment. FIG. 4D is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the second supply unit 103c according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 4E is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the second supply unit 103d according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

A hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[Embodiment 1]
First, a hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a cultivation tank 101 for hydroponically cultivating plants, a first supply unit 102 for supplying a culture solution to the cultivation tank 101, and an aqueous solution of coral gravel components dissolved in the cultivation tank 101. and a second supply unit 103 that supplies the In Embodiment 1, the 1st supply part 102 and the 2nd supply part 103 are connected to the cultivation tank 101 by parallel connection.

In the cultivation tank 101, for example, rock wool, coco bag, soil, coco peat, etc. are spread as a culture medium. The coral gravel stored in the container described later is branch coral gravel with a particle size of 3 to 5 mm, branch coral gravel with a particle size of 5 to 10 mm, fossil coral gravel with a particle size of 0.6 to 2.8 mm, and a particle size of 2.8 to 2.8 mm. It can be 5.0 mm fossil coral gravel, 5.0-7.0 mm particle size fossil coral gravel, 5-13 mm particle size fossil coral gravel, and the like. Coral gravel can also be fossil coral granules.

Using the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 1, the following hydroponic cultivation method can be carried out. First, a culture solution for hydroponically cultivating plants is supplied from the first supply unit 102 to the cultivation tank 101 . In addition, the aqueous solution in which components of coral gravel are eluted is supplied from the second supply unit 103 to the cultivation tank 101 . Hydroponic cultivation using the cultivation tank 101 can be implemented by these things.

According to the first embodiment described above, since it is not necessary to prepare a solid culture medium containing coral gravel in the cultivation tank 101, maintenance and management of the coral gravel can be collectively performed on the upstream side of the cultivation tank. Therefore, hydroponics using coral gravel can be carried out in a state where maintenance and management are easy.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, a hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a cultivation tank 101 for hydroponically cultivating plants, a first supply unit 102 for supplying a culture solution to the cultivation tank 101, and an aqueous solution of coral gravel components dissolved in the cultivation tank 101. and a second supply unit 103 that supplies the In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 2, the first supply unit 102 and the second supply unit 103 are connected in series to the cultivation tank 101 . In Embodiment 2, the second supply unit 103 is connected to the cultivation tank 101 on the downstream side of the first supply unit 102, and in the second supply unit 103, coral gravel is added to the culture solution from the first supply unit 102. The components can be eluted into an aqueous solution.

According to Embodiment 2, the components of the coral gravel 131 are eluted into the culture solution supplied to the cultivation tank 101 for hydroponically cultivating plants such as tomatoes (first step), and then the components of the coral gravel 131 are extracted. is supplied to the cultivation tank 101 (second step), hydroponics using the cultivation tank 101 can be performed. In addition, in the second supply unit 103, a filter 104 for removing coral gravel mixed with the aqueous solution can be further provided in the middle of the supply path for supplying the aqueous solution to the cultivation tank 101. FIG. By providing the filter 104, clogging of the supply path can be prevented. In addition, the filter 104 can collect and reuse coral gravel mixed with the aqueous solution.

In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of cultivation tanks 101a, 101b, 101c, and 101d can be provided. Also, the first supply unit 102 can have a first liquid fertilizer tank 121 , a second liquid fertilizer tank 122 , a water storage tank 123 , a recovery tank 124 , a sterilization device 125 and a mixing device 126 .

The 1st liquid fertilizer tank 121 and the 2nd liquid fertilizer tank 122 store water-soluble fertilizer. The water storage tank 123 stores raw water. The collection tank 124 collects and stores the nutrient solution discharged from the cultivation tank 101a, the cultivation tank 101b, the cultivation tank 101c, and the cultivation tank 101d. The sterilizer 125 sterilizes the nutrient solution stored in the collection tank 124 by, for example, ultraviolet irradiation.

The mixing device 126 contains the water-soluble fertilizer supplied from the first liquid fertilizer tank 121, the water-soluble fertilizer supplied from the second liquid fertilizer tank 122, the raw water supplied from the water storage tank 123, and the nutrient solution supplied from the sterilization device 125. are mixed, and the mixed liquid is supplied to the second supply unit 103 . In the second supply unit 103 , components of coral gravel are eluted into the mixture (culture solution) supplied to the second supply unit 103 .

Fine coral gravel is removed from the culture solution from which coral gravel components have been eluted by the second supply unit 103, and the culture solution is supplied to the cultivation tanks 101a, 101b, 101c, and 101d. Since fine coral gravel can be removed by the filter 104, it is possible to prevent clogging of the opening provided in the supply pipe such as a tube for supplying the culture solution to each cultivation tank with fine coral gravel. . In addition, the culture solution in which the components of the coral gravel are eluted in the second supply unit 103 can be supplied by spraying from above in the cultivation tank 101a, the cultivation tank 101b, the cultivation tank 101c, and the cultivation tank 101d.

According to Embodiment 2 described above, it is not necessary to prepare a solid culture medium containing coral gravel in the cultivation tank 101, so hydroponics using coral gravel can be easily performed.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the first supply unit 102 is upstream, the second supply unit 103 is downstream, and the first supply unit 102 and the second supply unit 103 are connected in series to the cultivation tank 101. It is not limited to this. For example, the first supply unit 102 and the second supply unit 103 can be connected in series to the cultivation tank 101 with the first supply unit 102 on the downstream side and the second supply unit 103 on the upstream side.

Next, the second supply section 103 will be described in more detail using examples.

[Example 1]
First, the second supply unit 103 according to Example 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4A. The second supply unit 103 includes a container 132 that stores the coral gravel 131, an introduction unit 133 that introduces water into the container 132, and a component of the coral gravel 131 that is eluted into the water introduced inside the container 132. and a discharge part 135 for discharging the aqueous solution 134 from the container 132 . The introduction part 133 can introduce water into the container 132 from the top of the container 132 . Further, the discharge part 135 can discharge the aqueous solution 134 from the upper part of the container 132 below the liquid surface 134 a of the aqueous solution 134 . Moreover, although not shown, a stirring mechanism for stirring the aqueous solution 134 contained in the container 132 can be provided. The stirring mechanism can be composed of, for example, a stirrer and a motor for rotating the stirrer.

[Example 2]
Next, the second supply unit 103a according to Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 4B. The introduction part 133 of the second supply part 103a can be configured to introduce water into the container 132 from the bottom or bottom of the container 132 .

[Example 3]
Next, the second supply unit 103b according to Example 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 4C. The second supply unit 103 b can include a foaming mechanism 136 that generates bubbles in the liquid contained in the container 132 . The foaming mechanism 136 is, for example, capable of generating air bubbles from the bottom of the container 132. The foaming mechanism 136 is supplied with air from an air supply source (not shown) such as an air compressor. 139 is connected. In this example, the bubbles generated from the foaming mechanism 136 pass through the particles forming the coral gravel 131 and exit upward inside the container 132 . In this process, it can be expected that the components of the coral gravel 131 are eluted more efficiently. In addition, the function of stirring the particles forming the coral gravel 131 in the aqueous solution 134 by the bubbles generated from the foaming mechanism 136 can also be expected.

[Example 4]
Next, the second supply unit 103c according to Example 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 4D. The second supply unit 103c can provide a plurality of partition plates 137 in a zigzag pattern inside the container 132 . By providing the partition plate 137 in this way, the liquid introduced from the introduction part 133 and discharged from the discharge part 135 can meander inside the container 132, and the components of the coral gravel 131 can be more efficiently removed. It can be expected to be eluted in

[Example 5]
Next, the second supply unit 103d according to Example 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 4E. The second supply part 103d includes a first filtration layer 138a made of salt-free carbon arranged at the bottom of the container 132, and a second filtration layer 138a made of salt-free carbon arranged in the upper part of the container 132 above the first filtration layer 138a. 2 filtration layers 138b. The coral gravel 131 is placed between the first filter layer 138a and the second filter layer 138b. In this configuration, water (culture solution) is introduced into the container 132 from the top of the container 132 by the introduction part 133, and the introduced culture solution passes through the first filtration layer 138a and the coral gravel 131. . In the course of passing through the coral gravel 131 in this manner, components of the coral gravel 131 are eluted into the culture solution. The culture solution (aqueous solution 134 ) in which the components of the coral gravel 131 are eluted passes through the second filter layer 138 b and is discharged from the bottom of the container 132 by the discharge part 135 .

[Embodiment 3]
Next, a hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a cultivation tank 101 for hydroponically cultivating plants, a first supply unit 102 for supplying a culture solution to the cultivation tank 101, and an aqueous solution of coral gravel components dissolved in the cultivation tank 101. and a second supply unit 103 that supplies the The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to Embodiment 3 further includes a mixing unit 105 for mixing the culture solution from the first supply unit 102 and the aqueous solution in which the components of coral gravel are eluted from the second supply unit 103. Prepare. In Embodiment 3, the first supply unit 102 and the second supply unit 103 are connected in parallel to the mixing unit 105 , and the mixing unit 105 is connected to the cultivation tank 101 .

According to the third embodiment, the culture solution from the first supply unit 102 and the aqueous solution in which the component of the coral gravel is eluted from the second supply unit 103 reliably become a mixed solution in the mixing unit 105. Therefore, the liquid mixture can be reliably supplied to the cultivation tank 101 .

In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to Embodiments 1 and 3 described above, the first supply unit 102 includes the first liquid fertilizer tank 121, the second liquid fertilizer tank 122, the water storage tank 123, and the recovery tank shown in FIG. 124, a sterilization device 125 may be provided. Water can be supplied from the water storage tank 123, the collection tank 124, and the like to the second supply unit 103, and the sterilization device 125 can be attached to the water supply path of these.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and many modifications and combinations can be implemented by those skilled in the art within the technical concept of the present invention. It is clear. For example, when a stirring mechanism or a foaming mechanism is provided inside a container containing coral gravel, it is conceivable that these mechanisms will gradually refine the coral gravel. Excessively fine coral gravel makes it difficult to elute the components of the coral gravel. Therefore, it is important to replace excessively refined coral gravel with new large-grained coral gravel. For this purpose, an outlet for taking out excessively fine coral gravel is provided at the bottom of the container so as to be openable and closable, and at the top of the container, an inlet for introducing large grains of coral gravel into the interior of the container is freely openable and closable. can be set to

As described above, according to the present invention, since the cultivation tank is provided with the second supply section that supplies the aqueous solution in which the components of the coral gravel are eluted, maintenance and management of the coral gravel can be performed on the upstream side of the cultivation tank. As a result, it becomes possible to carry out hydroponic cultivation using coral gravel in a plurality of culture tanks in a state where maintenance and management are easy.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101... Cultivation tank, 102... 1st supply part, 103... 2nd supply part, 104... Filter, 105... Mixing part, 131... Coral gravel, 132... Container, 133... Introduction part, 135... Discharge part, 136... Starter Foam mechanism 137 Partition plate 138a First filter layer 138b Second filter layer.

Claims (15)

a cultivation tank for hydroponically growing plants;
a first supply unit that supplies a culture solution to the cultivation tank;
a second supply unit that supplies an aqueous solution in which components of coral gravel are eluted to the cultivation tank;
A hydroponic cultivation device comprising: In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1,
The hydroponic cultivation apparatus, wherein the first supply unit and the second supply unit are connected to the cultivation tank by parallel connection. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1,
The hydroponic cultivation apparatus, wherein the first supply unit and the second supply unit are connected in series to the cultivation tank. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1,
The first supply unit and the second supply unit are connected in parallel to a mixing unit for mixing the culture solution from the first supply unit and the aqueous solution from the second supply unit,
A hydroponic cultivation apparatus, wherein the mixing unit is connected to the cultivation tank. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 3,
The hydroponic cultivation apparatus, wherein the second supply unit is connected to the cultivation tank downstream of the first supply unit, and dissolves components of the coral gravel into the culture solution to form the aqueous solution. . In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The second supply unit is
a container containing the coral gravel;
an introduction part for introducing water into the container;
a discharge unit for discharging from the container the aqueous solution generated by eluting the components of the coral gravel into the water introduced inside the container;
A hydroponic cultivation device comprising: In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 6,
The hydroponic cultivation apparatus, wherein the discharge unit discharges the aqueous solution from the top of the container. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 6,
The hydroponic cultivation apparatus, wherein the introduction part introduces water into the container from an upper portion of the container. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 7,
The hydroponic cultivation apparatus, wherein the introduction part introduces water into the container from a lower portion of the container. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9,
A hydroponic cultivation apparatus comprising a stirring mechanism for stirring the aqueous solution contained in the container. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9,
A hydroponic cultivation apparatus comprising a foaming mechanism for generating bubbles in the liquid contained in the container. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9,
The hydroponic cultivation apparatus, wherein the container includes a partition plate for causing the liquid introduced from the introduction part and discharged from the discharge part to meander inside the container. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 6,
a first filtration layer of salt-free carbon positioned at the bottom of the container;
a second filter layer made of salt-free carbon placed on top of the container;
with
The coral gravel is arranged between the first filter layer and the second filter layer,
The introduction unit introduces water into the container from the upper part of the container,
The hydroponic cultivation apparatus, wherein the discharge unit discharges the aqueous solution from the bottom of the container. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The hydroponic cultivation apparatus, wherein the second supply unit further includes a filter for removing coral gravel mixed with the aqueous solution in the middle of a supply route for supplying the aqueous solution to the cultivation tank. A first step of eluting components of coral gravel into a culture solution supplied to a cultivation tank for hydroponically growing plants;
a second step of supplying the culture solution in which the components of the coral gravel are eluted to a cultivation tank;
A hydroponic cultivation method comprising:

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