JP5742539B2 - Algae culture apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

 The present invention relates to an algal culture apparatus and method.

  In Patent Document 1 below, a carrier is suspended above a culture tank that stores a suspension of adherent microalgae and a culture solution, and the suspension is aerated to generate splashes by scattering the suspension. And a method and apparatus for mass-cultivating adherent microalgae by adhering the droplets to a carrier.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-80186

  However, since the above prior art attaches the droplets generated by aeration of the suspension to the carrier, it is difficult to stably attach the droplets of the suspension to the carrier. That is, the amount of splash and the direction of the splash generated by aeration are unstable. Therefore, it is difficult to stably attach the necessary amount of suspension, that is, adherent microalgae and culture solution, to the carrier with the above-described conventional technology. As a result, the adherent microalgae cannot be stably cultured.

  Further, since the amount of splash and the direction of splash generated by aeration are unstable, it is difficult to stabilize the surface temperature of the carrier, that is, the culture temperature of the adherent microalgae adhering to the surface of the carrier to a desired temperature. Furthermore, since the above-described conventional technique requires a large aeration apparatus to aerate the suspension, there is a problem that initial equipment cost and running cost are high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has the following objects.
(1) A culture solution, or microalgae and a culture solution are stably supplied to an algal carrier.
(2) Stabilize the culture temperature of microalgae.
(3) Reduce the initial equipment cost and running cost related to the cultivation of microalgae.

 In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as a first solution for an algal culture apparatus, one or a plurality of algae carriers formed in a strip shape and the algae carriers are set up along a prescribed transport path. A means is used which comprises a carrier transporting means for transporting in an orientation and a culture liquid supply means for supplying a culture liquid from the upper part of the algal carrier.

   As a second solving means relating to the algae culture apparatus, in the first solving means, provided with an algae collecting means that is installed in the middle of the carrying path and collects the algae-containing liquid by pressing the algae carrier being carried. , Is adopted.

   As the third solving means relating to the algae culture apparatus, in the second solving means, the algae collecting means adopts means in which the algal support is sequentially sterilized, washed and dried after squeezing the algal support. To do.

   As a fourth solution according to the algal culture apparatus, in any one of the first to third solutions, the culture solution supply unit is provided below the algae carrier, and a culture solution storage tank opened at an upper portion is provided. And a pump that pumps the culture solution from the culture solution storage tank and supplies it to the upper part of the algal carrier.

 As a fifth solving means related to the algae culture apparatus, in any of the first to fourth solving means, the culture solution supply means includes a sterilization device for sterilizing or sterilizing various bacteria contained in the culture solution. Adopt the means.

 As a sixth solving means relating to the algae culture apparatus, in any one of the first to fifth solving means, the culture liquid supply means includes a temperature adjusting device for adjusting a temperature of the culture liquid. adopt.

 As a seventh solving means relating to the algae culture apparatus, a means is adopted in which any one of the first to sixth solving means further includes a protective sheet covering the algal carrier.

 As an eighth means for solving the algae culture apparatus, in any one of the above fourth to seventh means, instead of the culture solution storage tank, a funnel is provided below the algae carrier to collect the culture solution. The means for storing the culture solution in a small culture solution storage tank is adopted.

 As a ninth solving means relating to the algae culture apparatus, in the above first to eighth solving means, the algae carrier is formed in an endless belt shape, and the carrier transporting means circulates the algae carrier. A means is adopted in which endless feeding is performed in a standing posture along the above-described conveyance path.

 Further, in the present invention, as a first solving means relating to the algae culture method, one or a plurality of algae carriers formed in a belt shape are conveyed in a standing posture along a prescribed conveying path, The means of supplying the culture solution from the top is adopted.

According to the present invention, since the culture solution is supplied from the upper part of the algal carrier while conveying the one or more algae carriers formed in a strip shape in a standing posture along a predetermined conveyance path, Compared with the supply method by splashing of the liquid, it is possible to stably supply the culture liquid, or the microalgae and the culture liquid to the algal carrier, and to stabilize the culture temperature of the microalgae.
Furthermore, since a large aeration apparatus is not required as in the prior art, it is possible to reduce initial equipment costs and running costs related to the cultivation of microalgae.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the algae culture apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the algae culture apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing the modification of each embodiment.

Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the algae culture apparatus according to the first embodiment includes an algae carrier 1, a carrier transport apparatus 2, a culture droplet dropping apparatus 3, a culture liquid storage tank 4, a pump 5, a sterilization apparatus 6, a temperature control apparatus 7, The algae collecting device 8 and the defense sheet 9 are configured. 1A is a top view of the algae culture apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the algae culture apparatus (viewed from direction A in FIG. 1A).

    The algae carrier 1 is a carrier for supporting microalgae, and is formed by forming a porous material such as a sponge in an endless belt shape. Hereinafter, the algal carrier 1 is referred to as a sponge belt. The sponge belt 1 runs endlessly in a standing posture along a prescribed conveyance path (here, a circumferential circuit-shaped conveyance path) by a driving force applied from a carrier conveyance device 2 described later, and culture drip described later. The culture medium X is supplied (dropped) from above by the device 3.

  Innumerable fine pores exist on the surface of the sponge belt 1, and microalgae adhere to these pores and multiply. Therefore, the material of the sponge belt 1 is preferably a material to which microalgae easily adhere (a material having a large number of fine holes on the surface). For example, inexpensive foamed polyester or polyurethane is preferable. Moreover, the color of the sponge belt 1 is preferably transparent with excellent light transmittance or a color that hardly absorbs heat (white color). The thickness of the sponge belt 1 is preferably about 1 to 10 cm in consideration of light transmittance.

    The above-mentioned microalgae are industrially useful phytoplankton that can be used as raw materials for foods and fuels. For example, Botryococcus braunii (scientific name: Botryococcus braunii) that produces hydrocarbons (fuel) in the body Chlorella is useful as a raw material. Such microalgae grow by repeating photosynthesis by being irradiated with illumination light (for example, sunlight) while being supplied with the culture solution X on the surface of the sponge belt 1. The culture medium X preferably contains a nutrient salt necessary for culturing algae represented by C medium (NIES-Collection. List of Strains Fifth Edition Microalgae and Protozoa, Nissei Eblo Co., 140pp (1997)).

 The carrier transport device 2 (carrier transport means) causes the sponge belt 1 to run endlessly in a standing posture along a circumferential circuit-shaped transport path, and is in a standing posture at a plurality of locations on the transport path. 1 includes a pair of conveying rollers 2a and 2b that are erected so as to sandwich 1 from both sides, and a rotation drive mechanism (not shown) such as a motor that rotates the conveying rollers 2a and 2b. By these transport rollers 2a and 2b, the sponge belt 1 is transported along the transport path while being maintained in a standing posture.

The distance between the transport rollers 2a and 2b is preferably set to an appropriate value so that the sponge belt 1 is not squeezed between the transport rollers 2a and 2b. Accordingly, when it becomes difficult to transport the sponge belt 1, a sprocket is coaxially connected to at least one upper end (or lower end) of the transport rollers 2a and 2b, and an upper end edge (lower end edge) of the sponge belt 1 may be used. ) May be provided so as to convey the sponge belt 1 by the rotation of the sprocket.
Further, when the sponge belt 1 falls down without being supported by the transport rollers 2a and 2b, the lower end edge of the sponge belt 1 is supported by a support member such as a guide rail. May be adopted.

 In addition, in this embodiment, as shown to Fig.1 (a), the case where the linear section and the meandering section are provided on the conveyance path | route of the sponge belt 1 is illustrated. By providing the meandering section, the entire length of the sponge belt 1 can be increased within a limited site area, so that the adhesion area of the microalgae can be increased, and as a result, the culture efficiency of the microalgae can be improved. Moreover, although the incidence of strong light becomes a factor that inhibits the growth of microalgae, by making the sponge belt 1 meander and providing a location where the sponge belts 1 face each other, the incident light is moderately weakened by reflection and absorption. It can be used effectively even with strong light such as sunlight.

 The culture droplet dropping device 3 supplies (drops) the culture solution X from the upper part of the sponge belt 1 that travels in the meandering section on the transport path, and extends in parallel with the straight running portion of the sponge belt 1 in the meandering section. The plurality of culture medium supply pipes 3a and a plurality of culture liquid drop nozzles 3b provided at regular intervals at the lower end of each culture liquid supply pipe 3a. The culture solution X supplied to the culture solution supply pipe 3a via the culture solution storage tank 4, the pump 5, the sterilizer 6 and the temperature controller 7 which will be described later is dropped toward the sponge belt 1 from the culture droplet lower nozzle 3b. . In addition, the triangular mark in Fig.1 (a) has shown the dripping location of the culture solution X by said culture | cultivation liquid dropping apparatus 3. FIG.

    The culture medium storage tank 4 is a storage tank provided below the sponge belt 1 and having an open top, and stores the culture medium X dripped from the sponge belt 1. The pump 5 pumps the culture solution X from the culture solution storage tank 4 and supplies it to the culture droplet dropping device 3 (culture solution supply pipe 3 a) via the sterilizer 6 and the temperature controller 7. The supply amount of the culture solution X supplied to the upper part of the sponge belt 1 by the pump 5 is such that the surface of the sponge belt 1 is not dried, that is, microalgae adhering to the surface of the sponge belt 1 is always in the culture solution X. It is set to an amount that can supply nutrients that are consumed when microalgae grow at a normal growth rate while minimizing the degree of soaking.

The sterilizer 6 is provided on the discharge port side of the pump 5 and is a device for sterilizing or sterilizing germs contained in the culture solution X. For example, the germicide device 6 is killed using ultraviolet rays or ozone. The temperature control device 7 is provided downstream of the sterilization device 6 in the flow direction of the culture solution X, and adjusts the culture solution X to a predetermined temperature, that is, a temperature suitable for the growth of microalgae.
Among these components, the culture droplet dropping device 3, the culture solution storage tank 4, the pump 5, the sterilization device 6 and the temperature control device 7 constitute a culture solution supply means.

  The algae collection device 8 (algae collection means) is installed in the straight section, for example, in the straight section, and squeezes the sponge belt 1 running through the straight section to collect the algae-containing liquid. A pair of squeezing rollers 8a and 8b are provided so as to sandwich the sponge belt 1 from both sides with a constant pressure. The algae collection device 8 includes a post-processing device 8c that sequentially performs sterilization, washing, and drying of the sponge belt 1 after the sponge belt 1 is compressed by the pressing rollers 8a and 8b.

  The protective sheet 9 is a transparent sheet that covers the sponge belt 1, the carrier transport device 2, the culture droplet dropping device 3, the culture solution storage tank 4, and the algae collection device 8. The protective sheet 9 plays a role of preventing or suppressing the growth of insects and airborne substances flying from the outside to the microalgae that grow on the surface of the sponge sheet 1 and inhibiting the growth.

    Moreover, by providing such a defense sheet 9, it becomes easy to make the atmosphere of the internal space of the defense sheet 9 an atmosphere suitable for the growth of microalgae. That is, by actively supplying a gas that does not contain oxygen to the internal space of the protective sheet 9, or by substituting oxygen in the internal space of the protective sheet 9 with another gas, oxygen produced by microalgae by photosynthesis Therefore, the photosynthesis by the microalgae is activated and the growth of the microalgae is promoted.

Next, the algae culture method realized using the algae culture apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail.
When cultivating microalgae by operating the algae culture apparatus, there are two conceivable methods for initial microalgae seeding. That is, a method of inoculating microalgae on the surface of the sponge belt 1 and a method of inoculating microalgae into the culture solution X are conceivable. Of these two seeding methods, the method of seeding on the sponge belt 1 is cumbersome and time consuming considering that the overall length of the sponge belt 1 is long. When 5 is activated, the culture medium X is supplied to the sponge belt 1, whereby the microalgae in the culture medium X adhere to the surface of the sponge belt 1, so that the workability is excellent.

    For example, when culturing by inoculating microalgae into the culture medium X, a certain amount of the culture medium X is supplied from the outside to the culture medium storage tank 4 at the start of culture, and a certain amount of microalgae is planted in the culture medium X. After adding for seeding, the carrier conveying device 2 is operated (the conveying rollers 2a and 2b are rotated), and the sponge belt 1 is run endlessly along the conveying path, and the pump 5 is activated to plant the seeds. A culture solution X mixed with microalgae for use is supplied from the culture solution storage tank 4 to the upper part of the sponge belt 1. As a result, the culture medium X gradually hangs downward from the upper part of the sponge belt 1 via its surface and finally drops into the culture medium storage tank 4.

    As a result, the microalgae for planting gradually adhere to the surface of the sponge belt 1, so that the concentration of the microalgae in the culture solution X gradually decreases, and finally the microalgae are contained in the culture solution X. It becomes a state that is hardly included. The microalgae adhering to the surface of the sponge belt 1 grows by repeating photosynthesis by irradiation with nutrient salts and illumination light (sunlight) in the culture solution X sequentially supplied by the operation of the pump 5. And by continuing supply in the culture solution X and irradiation of illumination light (sunlight) over a certain period (culture period), the microalgae adhering to the surface of the sponge belt 1 grows to a desired amount. .

    Here, since the concentration of the nutrient salt in the culture solution X decreases with the progress of the culture period, in the culture period, in order to compensate for such a decrease in the concentration of the nutrient salt, the culture solution X ( It is necessary to carry out a process of replacing the one having a reduced nutrient salt) with a new culture medium X at a certain rate. Various methods for replacing the culture medium X are conceivable. For example, without stopping the operation of the pump 5, the culture medium X in the culture medium storage tank 4 (having a reduced nutrient salt). Is gradually extracted at a predetermined flow rate, and the fresh culture medium X is continuously supplied to the culture medium storage tank 4 at the predetermined flow rate, so that the nutrient salt concentration of the culture medium X during the culture period is a desired value. It is preferable to maintain the above.

    In addition, during the culture period, various germs derived from the initial inclusion in the microalgae for planting also grow. However, such germs are transferred to the upper part of the sponge belt 1 by the pump 5. Since it is removed by the sterilizing device 6 that passes when it is supplied, it does not hinder the growth of microalgae. In the initial stage of culturing, since microalgae for planting are mixed in the culture solution X, it is preferable to put the sterilizer 6 in a non-operational state.

    Further, during the culture period, the culture solution X is adjusted to a temperature suitable for the growth of microalgae by the temperature control device 7, so that the microalgae growth environment is optimized as the temperature environment. For example, when culturing microalgae outdoors using sunlight as illumination light, the culture temperature varies significantly depending on the season and time. That is, since the ambient temperature is high in summer and the ambient temperature is low in winter, the surface temperature of the sponge belt 1, that is, the culture temperature of microalgae also varies accordingly. In such a situation, the temperature control device 7 adjusts the temperature of the culture solution X so that the culture temperature of the microalgae maintains the desired temperature. Further, during the culture period, the defense sheet 9 prevents or suppresses insects and airborne substances flying from the outside from adhering to the microalgae.

 In addition, it is necessary to stop operation | movement of the algae collection apparatus 8 so that a microalga may not be collect | recovered by the algae collection | recovery apparatus 8 in the seeding period and culture | cultivation period of such a micro algae. Specifically, the squeezing rollers 8a and 8b are kept waiting at a position away from the sponge belt 1 and the operation of the post-processing device 8c is stopped so that the sponge belt 1 passes through the algae collection device 8 free of charge. Keep it like that.

    And after the culture | cultivation period of a micro algae passes, the algae collection | recovery apparatus 8 is operated, and while pressing the sponge belt 1 with the squeezing rollers 8a and 8b, algae containing liquid is collect | recovered, and the post-processing apparatus 8c as needed. The sponge belt 1 after squeezing is sterilized, washed, and dried sequentially to regenerate the sponge belt 1. During this time, since the transport of the sponge belt 1 by the carrier transport device 2 and the supply of the culture solution X by the culture droplet dropping device 3 are continued, the regenerated sponge belt 1 is reused for culturing microalgae. Thus, by using this algae culture apparatus, a series of processes of planting, culturing and collecting microalgae can be performed continuously and repeatedly.

    According to the first embodiment as described above, the culture solution X is supplied from the upper part of the sponge belt 1 by the culture liquid dropping device 3 while the carrier belt 2 makes the sponge belt 1 run endlessly along the conveyance path. Therefore, the culture medium X flows from the top to the bottom on the surface of the sponge belt 1, so that a desired amount of the culture medium X can be uniformly and stably supplied to each part of the sponge belt 1.

    In addition, since germs are removed by the sterilizer 6 and the culture solution X is adjusted to a temperature suitable for the growth of microalgae by the temperature controller 7, the growth rate of the sponge belt 1 can be maximized. Furthermore, since a conventional large-sized aeration apparatus is unnecessary, initial equipment cost and running cost can be reduced as compared with the conventional one.

[Second Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 2, the algal culture apparatus according to the second embodiment is provided with a small culture solution storage tank 4 </ b> A instead of the culture solution storage tank 4 of the first embodiment described above and the small culture solution storage tank 4 </ b> A and the sponge belt 1. An inclined plate 10 is interposed therebetween.

    In order to cultivate microalgae as industrial raw materials, an enormous amount is required, but in order to cultivate this enormous amount of microalgae, a large number of algae culture devices are arranged on a vast site. It is necessary to culture efficiently. Therefore, in some cases, it is sufficiently assumed that microalgae are cultured not on a flat land but on an inclined land such as a mountainous area. In the first embodiment described above, the culture solution storage tank 4 is provided over the entire area below the sponge belt 1, but it is difficult to provide such a culture solution storage tank 4 on an inclined land.

    For this reason, in the algal culture apparatus according to the second embodiment, the small culture solution storage tank 4A is provided in a part of the sloping ground, and the sponge belt 1 is provided between the small culture solution storage tank 4A and the sponge belt 1. The culture medium X dripped from the sponge belt 1 is received by the inclination plate 10 and guided to the small culture medium storage tank 4A. That is, the inclined plate 10 functions as a large funnel that receives the culture solution X dripped from the sponge belt 1.

    Moreover, when installing the algae culture apparatus which concerns on such 2nd Embodiment in a sloping ground, it is possible to provide an algae culture apparatus in multiple stages along a slope. That is, the culture medium X is not directly pumped from the small culture medium storage tank 4A by the pump 5, but the culture medium X in the small culture medium storage tank 4A is below the culture droplet of the algal culture apparatus on the lower side, that is, on the lower side in the inclination direction. By connecting to the apparatus 3, it is possible to supply the culture solution X to the upper part of the sponge belt 1 of the lower algal culture apparatus using the gravity due to the height difference.

  Then, by connecting the small culture solution storage tank 4A of the algal culture device located at the lowest place and the culture droplet dropping device 3 of the algal culture device located at the highest place, the culture solution X is supplied to each stage of the algae culture device. Circulate throughout. In addition, it is preferable that the algae culture apparatus at each stage is arranged so that the sponge belt 1 runs on the contour line of the slope, and the sponge belt 1 crosses the contour line at the folded portion of the meandering section.

    According to such 2nd Embodiment, while being able to culture | cultivate a micro algae effectively using an inclined land, it is possible to acquire the effect similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above. In addition, when algae culture devices are provided in multiple stages along the slope, gravity due to the difference in height is used, so the number of pumps 5, sterilizers 6 and temperature control devices 7 is reduced to one each of the minimum necessary. Thus, the initial equipment cost and running cost can be reduced.

The first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and for example, the following modifications can be considered.
(1) In each of the above embodiments, Botryococcus brownies and blue oysters) and chlorella are exemplified as the microalgae (phytoplankton), but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also useful for other microalgae. Moreover, although the case where the culture solution X was dripped from the upper part of the sponge belt 1 was illustrated in each said embodiment, the structure which sprays the culture solution X from the upper part of the sponge belt 1 using a spray etc. may be employ | adopted.

  (2) In each of the above embodiments, the case where there is one sponge belt 1 traveling along the transport path is exemplified, but a configuration in which a plurality of sponge belts 1 travel in parallel along the transport path is adopted. Also good. Thereby, since the adhesion area (surface area of sponge belt 1) of a micro algae can be expanded significantly, the culture | cultivation efficiency of a micro algae can be improved significantly.

(3) In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the sponge belt 1 travels along one conveyance path is exemplified. However, as shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. A configuration in which the belt 1 travels may be employed. Thereby, since the adhesion area (surface area of sponge belt 1) of a micro algae can be expanded significantly, the culture | cultivation efficiency of a micro algae can be improved significantly. Furthermore, as described in the modification (2) above, a larger culture efficiency can be obtained by additionally adopting a configuration in which a plurality of sponge belts 1 are run in an overlapping manner.

  (4) In each of the above embodiments, the entire culture solution X is sterilized or sterilized by the sterilizer 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it is conceivable that a part of the microalgae adhering to the surface of the sponge belt 1 drops off and is stored in the culture medium storage tank 4 or the small culture medium storage tank 4A together with the culture medium X. For example, by filtering the culture solution X supplied from the pump 5 to the sterilizer 6 with a plankton net having a pore size of about 10 μm, it is possible to separate miscellaneous bacteria having a size of 2 μm or less and microalgae having a size of 10 μm or more. The separated microalgae may be supplied to the culture droplet dropping device 3 by bypassing the sterilizing device 6.

(5) In each of the above embodiments, the case where the sponge belt 1 travels endlessly along a circumferential circuit-shaped conveyance path composed of a straight section and a meandering section is exemplified, but the shape of the conveyance path of the present invention is The shape of the conveyance path may be set so that the surface area of the sponge belt 1 is maximized (the total length is maximized) in consideration of the site area of the algae culture apparatus and the target culture amount. Moreover, it is not always necessary to install the algae collection device 8 in the straight section on the conveyance path, and it may be installed in the middle of the meandering section.

(6) In each of the above embodiments, the case where the endless belt-like sponge belt 1 is run endlessly along the circumferential circuit-shaped transport path as the algal carrier is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, A strip-shaped (end-banded) algae carrier can be wound up by a winder, and when inoculating and culturing microalgae, the algae carrier is developed from the winder along a specified transport path and cultured. A configuration may be adopted in which X is dropped and when the microalgae is collected, the algae-containing liquid is recovered by squeezing while winding the algal carrier with a winder.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sponge belt (algae carrier), 2 ... Carrier conveyance apparatus, 3 ... Culture liquid dropping device, 4 ... Culture solution storage tank, 4A ... Small culture solution storage tank, 5 ... Pump, 6 ... Sterilization device, 7 ... Temperature control device, 8 ... Algae recovery device, 9 ... Defense sheet, 10 ... Inclined plate, X ... Culture solution

Claims (9)

One or more algae carriers formed in a band,
Carrier transport means for transporting the algae carrier in a standing posture along a prescribed transport path;
A culture solution supply means for supplying a culture solution from the upper part of the algae carrier;
Algae recovery means installed in the middle of the transport path and squeezing the algal carrier being transported to recover the algae-containing liquid;
Algae culture apparatus characterized by comprising a. 2. The algal culture apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the algae recovery means sequentially performs sterilization, washing and drying of the algae carrier after the algae carrier is squeezed. The culture medium supply means includes
A culture medium storage tank provided below the algae carrier and open at the top;
The algae culture apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a pump that pumps the culture solution from the culture solution storage tank and supplies the culture solution to an upper portion of the algal support. The algae culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the culture solution supply means includes a sterilizer that sterilizes or sterilizes various bacteria contained in the culture solution. The algae culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the culture solution supply means includes a temperature adjustment device that adjusts the temperature of the culture solution. The algae culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a protective sheet that covers the algae carrier. 4. The algae culture apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a funnel is provided below the algae carrier to collect the culture solution instead of the culture solution storage tank, and the culture solution is stored in a small culture solution storage tank. . The algal carrier is formed in an endless belt shape,
The algae culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the carrier transporting unit feeds the algae carrier endlessly in a standing posture along the circumferential circuit-shaped transport path. While conveying one or more algae carriers formed in a strip shape in a standing posture along a prescribed conveyance path, a culture solution is supplied from the upper part of the algae carriers, and the algae carriers being conveyed are compressed. A method for culturing algae, comprising collecting the algae-containing liquid .

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