JP6773284B2 - Algae-containing liquid concentration method, algae recovery method, algae concentration system, and algae recovery system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an algae-containing liquid concentration method, an algae recovery method, an algae concentration system, and an algae recovery system.

In recent years, algae have attracted attention as a material for biomass fuels and foods, and algae culture in large-scale plants has been actively carried out. On the other hand, when culturing algae, it is necessary to recover the algae from the culture solution, and as a method for recovering the algae, a method of centrifuging and precipitating the algae using a flocculant (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A method of filtering using a porous filter (see, for example, Patent Document 2) has been proposed and put into practical use.

However, the method of processing with a centrifuge requires a great deal of time and labor to process a large amount of culture solution, and the method of adding and processing a flocculant causes the collected algae to contain the flocculant. As a result, there is a problem that the use of algae is limited, such as difficulty in applying the algae to food use.

Further, even in the method of processing using a porous filter, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time and labor to remove algae clogging the porous filter (cleaning the filter).

On the other hand, a spring type filter in which a precoat material is precoated on the filtration surface is used, and the algae are concentrated by filtering the culture solution with this spring type filter, and after the concentration, the difference in specific gravity between the algae and the precoat material is used. A method of separating the precoat material from the concentrate to recover the algae has been proposed (see Patent Documents 3 and 4).

According to the treatment method using this spring type filter and precoat material, it is possible to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional method such as labor of separation processing, limitation of use, maintenance, etc., and it is possible to efficiently concentrate / recover algae. become.

International Publication No. 2013/024816 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-150768 JP-A-2010-207790 JP-A-2002-126413

Here, many algae have a very small shape (particle size), and it is necessary to use a precoat material having a small particle size in order to reliably capture and remove such algae with a filter. However, when a fine-grained precoat material is used, the precoat material does not settle quickly when the precoat material and the algae are separated in the concentrated solution, and it takes a long time for the separation (it is difficult to separate).

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a method for concentrating an algae-containing liquid, a method for recovering algae, and algae, which makes it possible to more easily and efficiently concentrate and recover algae contained in an algae-containing liquid such as a culture solution. It is an object of the present invention to provide a concentration system and an algae recovery system.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.

The method for concentrating the algae-containing liquid of the present invention includes a precoat layer forming step of filtering a dispersion liquid in which a precoat material is dispersed and laminating a precoat layer on the filtration surface of a tubular spring filter, and a filtration surface using the precoat material. The algae-containing liquid is filtered using a spring-type filter covered with algae, and the algae are accumulated on the surface of the precoat layer. The algae recovery step of peeling the body from the filtration surface and recovering the algae is provided, and the precoat material having magnetism and having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more is used, and in the precoat layer forming step, the magnetic material is used. It is characterized in that the filtration surface is attracted to be covered with the precoat material, the magnetic material is disposed inside the spring type filter, and the floating body is integrally attached .

The algae recovery method of the present invention uses a tubular spring-type filter whose filtration surface is covered with a precoat material, filters the algae-containing liquid with the spring-type filter, and accumulates algae on the surface of the precoat material. Obtained in the body accumulation step, the algae recovery step in which the fluid is allowed to flow back through the spring filter to peel off the precoat material and the algae from the filtration surface, and the algae recovery step is performed. The precoat material having magnetism and having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more is provided with an algae separation step of treating the precoat material and a recovery liquid containing the algae to separate the precoat material and the algae. The precoat material is settled in the algae separation step so as to separate the precoat material from the algae, and a magnetic material to which a floating body is integrally attached is arranged inside the spring filter. It is characterized by being done .

The algae concentration system of the present invention has a tubular spring filter and a magnetic precoat material having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more and covering the filtration surface of the spring filter to form a precoat layer. It is characterized in that it includes a collecting unit for collecting algae filtered by the spring-type filter, and a magnetic material disposed inside the spring-type filter and integrally attached with a floating body. ..

The algae recovery system of the present invention has a tubular spring type filter and a magnetic precoat material having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more and covering the filtration surface of the spring type filter to form a precoat layer. A collection unit that collects the algae filtered by the spring-type filter together with the precoat material, a magnetic material that is arranged inside the spring-type filter and has a floating body integrally attached, and a collection unit that collects the algae. The precoat material is provided with a separation portion for allowing the recovered liquid containing the algae to settle and separating the precoat material.

In the method for concentrating the algae-containing liquid and the algae concentrating system of the present invention, the precoat material in the dispersion liquid is attracted by the magnetic material even when a precoat material having magnetism and a large specific gravity of 2.5 or more is used. , A precoat layer can be suitably formed on the filtration surface of the spring type filter.

In the algae recovery method and the algae recovery system of the algae-containing liquid of the present invention, the precoat material in the recovery liquid is rapidly settled at the separation part by using a precoat material having magnetism and a large specific gravity of 2.5 or more. , Can be separated from the algae.

Therefore, according to the algae-containing liquid concentration method, the algae recovery method, the algae concentration system, and the algae recovery system of the present invention, a large amount of culture solution (algae-containing liquid) can be treated more easily and efficiently than before. It becomes possible to concentrate / recover (produce) the body.

It is a figure which shows an example of the algae enrichment system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the algae concentration system (algae concentration method) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the algae recovery system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the algae recovery system (algae recovery method) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the algae concentration system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, the method of concentrating algae-containing liquid using the algae recovery system, and the method of recovering algae.

Hereinafter, a method for concentrating an algae-containing liquid, a method for recovering algae, a method for concentrating algae, and a system for recovering algae according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

The present embodiment relates to a method and a system for concentrating and recovering the cultured algae using a spring filter when culturing algae used as a biomass fuel, a food material, etc. in a large-scale plant. is there.

(Algae concentration system)
First, the algae concentration system of the present embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the algae concentration system 10 of the present embodiment has a bucket portion 1 having a container for storing the algae culture solution (algae-containing solution) to be filtered, and a cylindrical spring type as a filtration treatment means. At one end of the filter 3, the collection unit 2 having a container in which the spring type filter 3 is arranged, the pump P1 connected to each container of the bucket unit 1 and the collection unit 2, and the spring type filter 3. It is configured to include a connected compressor P2 and a pipe or a valve connecting each part.

Here, in the example of the algae concentration system 10 shown in FIG. 1, the liquid flows from the container of the bucket portion 1 to the container of the recovery unit 2 through the pipe 1a by driving the pump P1, and the internal pressure of the container of the collection unit 2 is reached. This liquid is configured to pass through the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3 and flow to the inner space to be filtered. Further, the filtrate is discharged to the outside from one end of the spring filter 3 through the pipe 3a, and air can be supplied to the inner space of the spring filter 3 through the pipe 3b by driving the compressor P2. ing.

The container of the recovery unit 2 is configured to accommodate and hold the algae filtered on the filtration surface (outer peripheral surface) of the spring filter 3 when the algae are peeled off from the filtration surface and fall. Further, the container of the collection unit 2 of the present embodiment is formed with a smaller volume than the container of the bucket unit 1. A valve and a pipe 2a for carrying out the liquid (fluid) in the container to the outside are connected to the bottom of the container of the collection unit 2.

As the spring type filter 3, for example, a wire rod having a substantially circular or polygonal cross section as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 312491 is wound in a coil shape, and the outer peripheral surfaces adjacent to each other are formed into an arc shape and adjacent to each other. Examples thereof include those in which minute gaps are formed between the wires to be formed. The size of the minute gaps, that is, the size of the eyes of the filter is appropriately set according to the size of the algae to be filtered.

Further, in the algae concentration system 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a magnetic material 6 such as a magnet is placed inside the cylindrical spring type filter 3 in the vertical direction in the central axis O1 direction of the spring type filter 3. It is provided so that you can move forward and backward. Further, in the present embodiment, the floating body 7 is integrally attached to the magnetic body 6, and the magnetic body 6 arranged inside the spring type filter 3 by the floating body 7 is a liquid that has flowed into the container of the recovery unit 2. It is configured to move forward and backward according to the amount (liquid level).

(Algae recovery system)
Next, the algae recovery system of the present embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the algae recovery system 20 of the present embodiment includes a separation unit 5 for separating the precoat material 4 from the recovery liquid concentrated by the recovery unit 2 in addition to the same configuration as the algae concentration system 10. It is composed of.

Specifically, in the algae recovery system 20 of the present embodiment, for example, a spring-type filter 3 in which a filtration surface is covered with a precoat material 4 and a precoat layer is laminated on the filtration surface, and algae filtered by the spring-type filter 3 It is configured to include a recovery unit 2 for collecting the body and the precoat material 4, and a separation unit 5 for separating the collected precoat material 4 and the algae. The separation unit 5 is connected to the collection unit 2 and includes a container that receives and holds the collection liquid from the collection unit 2.

Here, the thickness of the precoat layer (layer of the precoat material 4) covering the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3 is preferably about 1 to 5 mm, for example. With a thickness of 1 mm or more, it is possible to sufficiently obtain effects such as prevention of filtration leakage (passage of the filtration surface) of algae and prevention / delay of clogging of the filtration surface due to the provision of the precoat layer. .. Further, when the thickness is 5 mm or less, it is possible to suppress an excessive increase in the suction force required for filtration.

Further, in the present embodiment, the precoat material 4 having magnetism is used, and the separation portion 5 separates the precoat material 4 and the algae by using magnetism instead of the difference in specific gravity between the algae and the precoat material 4. It is configured. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic body 8 provided in the separation portion 5 is configured to be separated from the algae body by accommodating the magnetic precoat material 4.

The precoat material 4 of the present embodiment has magnetism and is formed so that its specific gravity is 2.5 or more. The precoat material 4 having magnetism and having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more is formed, for example, by coating the periphery of the magnetic material with a plastic having a small specific gravity. That is, it can be formed by using iron (specific gravity 7.87) as a magnetic inner material and polyethylene (specific gravity 0.94) as an outer specific gravity adjusting material.

In addition to the above, the precoat material 4 may be made of a magnetic material on the outside and a lightweight material (specific gravity adjusting material) on the inside. Further, the precoat material 4 may be formed with a hollow structure. Further, a lightweight material may be used as a base material, and a magnetic material may be provided on a part of the outer side thereof to form the base material. It may be formed by embedding an iron core in a lightweight material.

(Algae-containing liquid concentration method / Algae recovery method)
Next, a method for concentrating the algae-containing liquid and a method for recovering the algae of the present embodiment will be described.

In the method for concentrating the algae-containing liquid of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5E, the dispersion liquid in which the precoat material 4 is dispersed is filtered, and the precoat layer is formed on the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3. The algae-containing liquid is filtered using the precoat layer forming step (FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b)) in which the algae-containing liquid is laminated and the spring type filter 3 whose filtration surface is covered with the precoat material 4 is used to filter the precoat layer. The algae accumulation step (FIG. 5 (c)) in which the algae are accumulated on the surface, and the precoat material 4 and the algae are peeled off from the filtration surface by backflowing the fluid through the spring filter 3 to recover the algae (containing algae). The algae recovery step (FIG. 5 (d), FIG. 5 (e)) for concentrating the liquid is carried out.

As a specific example of this concentration method, a case where the algae concentration system 10 is used will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (d) and FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5A, first, a dispersion liquid containing the precoat material 4 dispersedly introduced is introduced into the container of the bucket portion 1. Next, the pump P1 sends the dispersion liquid from the bucket portion 1 into the container of the recovery portion 2 via the pipe 1a.

In this way, the dispersion liquid is sent to the recovery unit 2, the internal pressure of the container of the recovery unit 2 increases, and the dispersion liquid is filtered on the filtration surface (outer surface) of the cylindrical spring-type filter 3. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5B, the liquid component of the dispersion liquid is filtered into the inner space on the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3, and the precoat material 4 is captured and stays on the filtration surface. As a result, by continuously filtering the dispersion liquid, the precoat material 4 is sequentially deposited on the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3, and the precoat layer is formed.

Here, in the present embodiment, the magnetic body 6 is provided inside the spring type filter 3 so as to be integrated with the floating body 7 so as to be able to move forward and backward in the vertical direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the dispersion liquid is sent to the recovery unit 2, the precoat material 4 in the dispersion liquid is attracted by the magnetic material 6, and the precoat material 4 is attached to the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3. Accumulate. Further, at this time, as the amount of the dispersion liquid (liquid level) increases, the magnetic material 6 automatically rises and moves.

As a result, even when the precoat material 4 having a large specific gravity of 2.5 or more is used, the precoat material 4 in the dispersion liquid is sequentially attracted by the magnetic material 6 and is suitable for the entire filtration surface of the spring type filter 3 ( Can be deposited (evenly). That is, the precoat layer can be suitably laminated on the filtration surface.

At the stage where the precoat layer is laminated on the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3 in this way, as shown in FIG. 5C, the algae culture solution containing algae is introduced into the container of the bucket portion 1. Then, by driving the pump P1, the algae culture solution is sent from the bucket section 1 to the container of the recovery section 2 via the pipe 1a.

By this liquid feeding, the internal pressure of the container of the recovery unit 2 rises, and the algae culture solution in contact with the filtration surface (outer surface) of the cylindrical spring type filter 3 is filtered. Further, at this time, the liquid component is sucked into the inner space, and the relatively large solid component such as algae does not pass through the fine gaps on the surface of the precoat layer laminated and formed on the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3. , Stay on the surface of this precoat layer.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5D, the algae culture solution is continuously filtered, and the algae are accumulated on the filtration surface (surface of the precoat layer) of the spring type filter 3.

After filtering an appropriate amount of the algae culture solution, as shown in FIG. 5 (e), the supply of the algae culture solution is stopped from the bucket portion 1, and air is sent to the inner space of the spring type filter 3 by the compressor P2. A small amount of air is made to flow back to the filtration surface side (flow in the direction opposite to the filtration direction). This air can be replaced by other fluids and may be a liquid such as water.

Due to this backflow (backwashing), the precoat layer (precoat material 4) laminated on the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3 and the algae (algae) lumps accumulated on the surface of the precoat layer are peeled off from the spring type filter 3. It is collected in the container of the collection unit 2. At this time, since the precoat material 4 is formed with a large specific gravity of 2.5 or more, the precoat layer can be relatively easily peeled off from the spring type filter 3 by backwashing, and the algae can be easily separated together with the precoat material 4. It can be collected by peeling it from the filter.

As a result, the algae culture solution is concentrated, and if the recovered solution containing the recovered algae is carried out from the carry-out valve of the recovery unit 2 via the pipe 2a, the algae concentrate can be obtained. According to the algae concentration method of the present embodiment described above, the total volume (for example, 20 parts by volume) of the algae-containing liquid supplied from the bucket unit 1 and filtered by the spring filter 3 is collected by the collection unit 2. The algae-containing liquid can be concentrated at a magnification (20 times in this example) divided by the volume of the liquid (for example, 1 volume part).

Further, it has been troublesome to clean and clear the clogging of the conventional porous filter, but according to the algae concentration method of the present embodiment, the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3 is temporarily clogged. However, since the precoat material 4 is formed with a large specific gravity of 2.5 or more, the precoat layer and the algae mass can be easily peeled off by backwashing, and the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3 can be easily clogged. It can be resolved (instantly).

Next, the algae recovery method of the present embodiment will be described.

In the algae recovery method of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 (c) to 5 (f), the algae-containing liquid is filtered using the spring type filter 3 whose filtration surface is covered with the precoat material 4, and the algae-containing liquid is precoated. The algae accumulation step (FIG. 5 (c)) in which the algae are accumulated on the surface of the layer, and the precoat material 4 and the algae are peeled off from the filtration surface by backflowing the fluid through the spring filter 3, and the precoat material 4 and the algae. The algae recovery step (FIGS. 5 (d) and 5 (e)) for recovering (concentrating the algae-containing liquid) and the recovery liquid containing the precoat material 4 and the algae obtained in the algae recovery step are processed. Then, the algae body separation step (FIG. 5 (f)) for separating the precoat material 4 and the algae body is carried out.

That is, in the algae recovery method of the present embodiment, the precoat material 4 is separated and removed from the recovery liquid obtained by the above-mentioned algae concentration method to obtain a concentrated algae (algae).

As a specific example of this recovery method, a case where the algae recovery system 20 is used will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (c) to 5 (f) and FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5 (c) to 5 (f), the recovery liquid containing the algae and the precoat material 4 obtained in the same manner as the above-mentioned algae concentration method is separated from the carry-out valve of the recovery section 2 through the pipe 2a. Carry out to the container of 5.

Here, when a conventional precoat material (for example, a precoat material having a particle size of 38 μm and a true specific gravity of 2.3) is used, it takes about 1 hour for sedimentation separation to separate the algae and the precoat material. That is, the smaller the particle size of the precoat material, the longer it takes to recover the algae, and this separation treatment is one of the factors that cause a decrease in efficiency.

On the other hand, the precoat material 4 of the present embodiment has magnetism and is formed with a specific gravity of 2.5 or more. Further, in the present embodiment, the magnetic body 8 is provided in the separation portion 5. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the precoat material 4 having a large specific gravity can be quickly settled by allowing the recovered liquid sent to the separation unit 5 to stand still.

Further, the magnetic material 8 provided in the separation unit 5 is brought into contact with the recovery liquid, and the precoat material 4 is brought into contact with the precoat material 4 settled at the bottom of the separation unit 5 to bring the precoat material 4 into the magnetic material 8. It can be separated from the algae and recovered.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, by configuring the magnetic body 8 so as to rotate and circulate, the precoat material 4 in the recovered liquid is sequentially conveyed to the outside of the container of the separation unit 5 for efficiency. Can be recovered.

Therefore, in the method for concentrating the algae-containing liquid and the algae concentrating system 10 of the present embodiment, even when the precoat material 4 having magnetism and having a large specific gravity of 2.5 or more is used, the dispersion liquid is made of the magnetic material 6. The precoat material 4 inside can be attracted to form a precoat layer suitable for the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3.

Further, in the algae recovery method and the algae recovery system 20 of the algae-containing liquid of the present embodiment, by using the precoat material 4 having magnetism and a large specific gravity of 2.5 or more, the precoating in the recovery liquid is carried out by the separation unit 5. The material 4 can be rapidly settled and separated from the algae.

Therefore, according to the algae-containing liquid concentration method, the algae recovery method, the algae concentration system 10, and the algae recovery system 20 of the present embodiment, a large amount of culture liquid (algae-containing liquid) can be treated more easily and efficiently than before. This makes it possible to concentrate / recover (produce) algae.

Although one embodiment of the algae-containing liquid concentration method, the algae recovery method, the algae concentration system, and the algae recovery system according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned one embodiment. It can be changed as appropriate without departing from the purpose.

For example, in the present embodiment, the description has been made assuming that the precoat material 4 is separated from the algae by using the magnetism of the precoat material 4, but the precoat material 4 having a large specific gravity is settled and the magnetic material 8 is deposited. It may be separated from the algae without using.

Further, in the present embodiment, the spring type filter 3 is formed in a tubular shape, and the magnetic body 6 is provided inside the spring type filter 3 so as to be able to advance and retreat. However, the precoat material having a large specific gravity on the filtration surface of the spring type filter 3 If it is possible to deposit 4 to form a laminated precoat layer, the magnetic material 6 does not necessarily have to be provided so as to be able to move forward and backward.

1 Bucket part 2 Recovery part 3 Spring filter 4 Precoat material 5 Separation part 6 Magnetic material 7 Floating body 8 Magnetic material 10 Algae concentration system 20 Algae recovery system O1 Central axis of spring type filter

Claims (4)

A precoat layer forming step of filtering a dispersion liquid in which a precoat material is dispersed and laminating and forming a precoat layer on the filtration surface of a tubular spring filter.
The algae accumulation step of filtering the algae-containing liquid using a spring-type filter whose filtration surface is covered with the precoat material and accumulating the algae on the surface of the precoat layer.
The spring-type filter is provided with an algae recovery step of regurgitating the fluid to peel off the precoat material and the algae from the filtration surface and recover the algae.
Using the precoat material having magnetism and a specific gravity of 2.5 or more, in the precoat layer forming step, the filtration surface is covered with the precoat material by being attracted by a magnetic material .
A method for concentrating an algae-containing liquid, wherein the magnetic material is disposed inside the spring-type filter and a floating body is integrally attached to the magnetic material . Using a tubular spring-type filter whose filtration surface is covered with a precoat material, the algae-containing liquid is filtered by the spring-type filter, and the algae accumulation step of accumulating the algae on the surface of the precoat material.
The algae recovery step of regurgitating the fluid through the spring filter to peel off the precoat material and the algae from the filtration surface and recovering the algae.
It is provided with an algae separation step of treating the precoat material obtained in the algae recovery step and a recovery liquid containing the algae to separate the precoat material and the algae.
Using the precoat material having magnetism and a specific gravity of 2.5 or more, the precoat material is settled in the algae separation step so that the precoat material and the algae are separated .
A method for recovering algae, which comprises disposing a magnetic material to which a floating body is integrally attached inside the spring type filter . With a tubular spring filter,
A precoat material that is magnetic, has a specific gravity of 2.5 or more, and covers the filtration surface of the spring filter to form a precoat layer.
A collection unit that collects algae filtered by the spring filter ,
An algae enrichment system comprising a magnetic material disposed inside the spring filter and to which a floating body is integrally attached . With a tubular spring filter,
A precoat material that is magnetic, has a specific gravity of 2.5 or more, and covers the filtration surface of the spring filter to form a precoat layer.
A collection unit that collects the algae filtered by the spring filter together with the precoat material, and
A magnetic material disposed inside the spring type filter and to which a floating body is integrally attached,
An algae recovery system comprising the precoat material recovered by the recovery unit and a separation unit in which a recovery liquid containing the algae body is allowed to stand and the precoat material is settled and separated.

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