JP7375487B2 - Microorganism production equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a microorganism production device.

In recent years, microorganisms (especially microalgae) that produce biofuels (hydrocarbons and biodiesel), physiologically active substances, or enzymes have attracted attention. Consideration is being given to cultivating large quantities of such microorganisms and using them as an energy alternative to petroleum, or for use in medicines, beverages, foods, chemical products, and the like.

As a technique for culturing algae as microorganisms, a technique for continuously culturing algae in one culture tank has been developed (for example, Patent Document 1). The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 extracts a suspension of grown algae and a culture solution from a culture tank, separates the suspension into solid and liquid, irradiates the culture solution with ultraviolet rays, and then returns the suspension to the culture tank.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-228975

However, in the technique of continuously culturing microorganisms such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, the microorganisms remain in the culture tank for a long period of time, so there is a risk that the microorganisms in the culture tank may change or deteriorate.

In view of such problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a microorganism production device that can suppress alteration and deterioration of microorganisms in a culture tank.

In order to solve the above problems, a microorganism production apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of culture units that contain a suspension of microorganisms and a culture solution, and a first culture unit among the plurality of culture units. A microorganism supply unit that supplies new microorganisms, a culture solution supply unit that supplies new culture solution to any one of the culture units among the plurality of culture units, and a culture solution supply unit that supplies the suspension of the culture unit from the suspension. There is also a concentrating section that separates a concentrated solution with a high concentration of microorganisms and a culture solution, and a culture solution separated from the suspension of any one of the plurality of culture units and the culture solution of the previous stage culture unit. and a concentrated solution delivery section that delivers the concentrated solution separated from the suspension to the next culture unit at a predetermined ratio.

In addition, the concentrated solution delivery unit sends the concentrated solution so that the concentration of microorganisms in the suspension contained in at least a culture unit other than the first culture unit among the plurality of culture units is within a predetermined concentration range. may be sent.

Furthermore, the culture unit may include a suspension delivery section that sends the suspension from the culture unit to the concentration section, and the suspension delivery section may take out the suspension from the lower part of the culture unit.

Further, the volume of the plurality of culture units may be larger in the latter culture unit than in the former culture unit.

In addition, the concentrated liquid sending unit transfers the culture liquid separated from the suspension of the previous culture unit and the concentrate separated from the suspension of the previous culture unit to the next culture unit at a predetermined ratio. You may send it.

The concentrate storage unit includes a concentrate storage unit that stores a concentrate, and the concentrate delivery unit sends the concentrate separated from the suspension of the last culture unit among the plurality of culture units to the concentrate storage unit, The volume of the concentrate storage unit may be smaller than that of the culture unit.

Furthermore, at least a portion of the culture unit may be open to the atmosphere.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress alteration and deterioration of microorganisms in a culture tank.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a microorganism production apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure explaining a sending unit. It is a figure explaining extraction of a suspension and delivery of a concentrated liquid by a delivery unit. It is a figure explaining the microorganism production apparatus of a 1st modification. It is a figure explaining the sending unit of the 2nd modification.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for easy understanding, and do not limit the present disclosure unless otherwise specified. Note that, in this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals and redundant explanation will be omitted. Further, illustrations of elements not directly related to the present disclosure are omitted.

[Microorganism production device 100]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a microorganism production apparatus 100 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the microorganism production apparatus 100 includes a plurality of culture units 110 (indicated by 110A to 110D in FIG. 1), a concentrated solution storage unit 112, a microorganism supply section 120, and a culture solution supply section 130. , and a delivery unit 140 (indicated by 140A to 140D in FIG. 1). In addition, in FIG. 1, the flow of the solution containing microorganisms, the culture solution, and the suspension is indicated by solid arrows.

In this embodiment, the microorganism production device 100 is installed outdoors. Further, a case will be exemplified in which the microorganism production apparatus 100 cultivates microorganisms that perform photosynthesis with sunlight 10.

The microorganism production apparatus 100 includes a plurality of (for example, four) culture units 110 (110A to 110D). The culture unit 110 contains a suspension of microorganisms and a culture solution. In this embodiment, culture unit 110 includes one or more culture tanks. At least a portion (the upper part in this embodiment) of the culture unit 110 is open to the atmosphere. Note that the microorganism is algae, yeast, or fungi. Moreover, the algae are, for example, microalgae such as Botryococcus, Nannochloropsis, Euglena, and Pseudocolicystis.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the volumes of the culture tanks constituting each culture unit 110 (the volumes of the suspensions accommodated in the culture tanks) are substantially equal. On the other hand, the plurality of culture units 110 include a large number of culture tanks toward the rear stage. In other words, the volume of the culture unit 110 in the rear stage is larger than that in the culture unit 110 in the former stage.

The concentrate storage unit 112 accommodates the concentrate separated from the last culture unit 110D by a delivery unit 140, which will be described later. Note that the concentrated liquid is a liquid in which the concentration of microorganisms is higher than that of the suspension. Concentrate storage unit 112 includes one or more storage tanks. Further, the volume of the concentrate storage unit 112 is smaller than that of the culture unit 110.

The microorganism supply unit 120 supplies new microorganisms to the first culture unit 110A among the plurality of culture units 110A to 110D. In this embodiment, the microorganism supply section 120 includes a new microorganism storage section 122, a microorganism supply pipe 124, and a pump 126.

The new microorganism storage section 122 stores a liquid containing new microorganisms (new individual microorganisms). One end of the microorganism supply pipe 124 is connected to the new microorganism storage section 122 . An opening 124a is formed at the other end of the microorganism supply pipe 124. Microorganism supply pipe 124 is provided so that opening 124a faces culture unit 110A. The pump 126 sucks the liquid containing new microorganisms and discharges it to the culture unit 110A.

The culture solution supply unit 130 supplies a new culture solution to the first culture unit 110A. The culture solution is a solution containing components necessary for culturing (proliferating) microorganisms. In this embodiment, the culture solution supply section 130 includes a new culture solution storage section 132, a culture solution supply pipe 134, and a pump 136.

The new culture solution storage section 132 stores the culture solution. One end of the culture solution supply pipe 134 is connected to the new culture solution reservoir 132 . An opening 134a is formed at the other end of the culture solution supply pipe 134. The culture solution supply pipe 134 is provided so that an opening 134a faces the culture unit 110A. The pump 136 sucks in new culture fluid and discharges it to the culture unit 110A.

The delivery unit 140 extracts the suspension from the upstream culture unit 110 and separates it into a concentrated solution and a culture solution. The delivery unit 140 then delivers part or all of the concentrate and part or all of the culture solution to the next stage culture unit 110.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the sending unit 140. As shown in FIG. 2, the delivery unit 140 includes a suspension delivery section 150, a concentration section 160, a concentrate delivery section 170, a concentration measurement section 180, and a delivery control section 190. In addition, in FIG. 2, the flows of the suspension, culture solution, and concentrated solution are indicated by solid arrows. In FIG. 2, the flow of signals is indicated by broken arrows. In addition, in FIG. 2, a broken line showing a signal flow connecting the delivery control unit 190 and the pump 154, a broken line showing a signal flow connecting the delivery control unit 190 and the pump 176a, and a broken line showing the signal flow connecting the delivery control unit 190 and the pump 176a, 176b is omitted from illustration for the purpose of simplifying the drawing.

The suspension delivery unit 150 delivers the suspension from the culture unit 110 to the concentration unit 160. The suspension delivery unit 150 takes out the suspension from the lower part of the culture unit 110. In this embodiment, the suspension delivery section 150 includes a receiving tube 152 and a pump 154. Receiving pipe 152 connects the discharge side of pump 154 and concentration section 160 . The pump 154 is provided within the upstream culture unit 110 (culture unit 110A in FIG. 2). The suction side of the pump 154 opens at the bottom of the upstream culture unit 110. The pump 154 sucks the suspension in the upstream culture unit 110 and discharges it to the concentration section 160.

The concentrating section 160 separates the suspension from the upstream culture unit 110 guided by the suspension discharging section 150 into a concentrated solution and a culture solution (solid-liquid separation). Various existing technologies such as the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2016-214151 and a centrifugal separator can be applied to the concentrating unit 160, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. In this embodiment, the concentration section 160 is provided for each culture tank that constitutes the destination culture unit 110. That is, the number of concentration sections 160 increases from the front stage to the rear stage (from the delivery unit 140A to the delivery unit 140D).

The concentrated liquid sending unit 170 transfers the culture liquid separated from the suspension of the upstream culture unit 110 and the concentrated liquid separated from the suspension of the upstream culture unit 110 in the flow direction of the microorganisms at a predetermined ratio. Then, it is sent to the next stage culture unit 110 (in FIG. 2, culture unit 110B). Further, the concentrate delivery unit 170 sends out the concentrate separated from the suspension of the last culture unit 110 (culture unit 110D in FIG. 1) among the plurality of culture units 110 to the concentrate storage unit 112. .

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the concentrate delivery unit 170 includes concentrate pipes 172a to 172c, culture solution pipes 174a to 174c, pumps 176a and 176b, and flow rate adjustment valves 178a and 178b. .

The concentrated liquid pipe 172a connects the concentrated liquid retention section in the concentration section 160 and the suction side of the pump 176a. One end of the concentrate pipe 172b is connected to the discharge side of the pump 176a. An opening 172ba is formed at the other end of the concentrated liquid pipe 172b. Concentrate pipe 172b is provided so that opening 172ba faces culture unit 110 at the next stage. One end of the concentrated liquid pipe 172c is connected to the discharge side of the pump 176a. An opening 172ca is formed at the other end of the concentrate pipe 172c. Concentrate pipe 172c is provided so that opening 172ca faces culture unit 110 at the front stage.

The culture solution piping 174a connects the culture solution retention section in the concentration section 160 and the suction side of the pump 176b. Culture liquid piping 174b connects the discharge side of pump 176b and concentrated liquid piping 172b. Culture liquid piping 174c connects the discharge side of pump 176b and concentrated liquid piping 172c.

The pump 176a sucks the concentrated liquid stored in the concentrated liquid retention section of the concentration section 160 and discharges it to the concentrated liquid pipes 172b and 172c. The pump 176b sucks the culture solution retained in the culture solution retention section in the concentration section 160 and discharges it to the culture solution piping 174b, 174c.

The flow rate adjustment valve 178a is provided in the concentrate pipe 172b. The flow rate adjustment valve 178a adjusts the opening degree of the flow path formed in the concentrate pipe 172b. The flow rate adjustment valve 178a adjusts the flow rate of the concentrated liquid passing through the concentrated liquid piping 172b. That is, the flow rate adjustment valve 178a adjusts the flow rate of the concentrated solution guided from the concentration section 160 to the next-stage culture unit 110.

The flow rate adjustment valve 178b is provided in the culture solution piping 174b. The flow rate adjustment valve 178b adjusts the opening degree of the flow path formed in the culture solution piping 174b. The flow rate adjustment valve 178b adjusts the flow rate of the culture solution passing through the culture solution piping 174b. In other words, the flow rate adjustment valve 178b adjusts the flow rate of the culture solution guided from the concentration section 160 to the next-stage culture unit 110.

The concentration measurement unit 180 measures the concentration of microorganisms contained in the suspension contained in the next-stage culture unit 110.

The transmission control section 190 is composed of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a CPU (central processing unit). The output control unit 190 reads programs, parameters, etc. for operating the CPU itself from the ROM. The sending control section 190 manages and controls the entire sending unit 140 in cooperation with the RAM as a work area and other electronic circuits.

In this embodiment, the delivery control unit 190 drives the pumps 154, 176a, and 176b so that the concentration of microorganisms in the suspension contained in the culture units 110A to 110D falls within a predetermined concentration range. control to adjust the opening degrees of the flow rate regulating valves 178a, 178b. Note that the predetermined concentration range is, for example, 0.1 g/L or more and 1 g/L or less.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the extraction of a suspension and the delivery of a concentrated liquid by the delivery unit 140. FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c) are diagrams illustrating changes over time in the amount of microorganisms in the suspension contained in the plurality of culture units 110A to 110D. FIGS. 3(d) to 3(e) are diagrams illustrating changes over time in the amount of culture solution in the suspension contained in the plurality of culture units 110A to 110D.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), it is assumed that at time t0, n microorganisms are accommodated in all of the culture units 110A to 110D. Then, as time passes, microorganisms proliferate within the culture units 110A to 110D. Therefore, at time ta after time t0, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the number of microorganisms housed in the culture units 110A to 110D is (n+1).

Therefore, the delivery control unit 190 controls the pump 154 to extract the suspension from the preceding culture unit 110 so that n microorganisms are housed in the culture units 110A to 110D. Then, the delivery control unit 190 controls the pump 176a and the flow rate adjustment valve 178a so that the number of microorganisms housed in the culture units 110A to 110D is n, and sends the concentrated liquid to the next stage culture unit 110. .

For example, when one new microorganism is supplied to the culture unit 110A at time ta, the delivery control unit 190 controls the supply of two microorganisms from the culture unit 110A to the culture unit 110B, as shown in FIG. 3(c). The pump 176a and flow rate adjustment valve 178a are controlled so that the liquid is delivered. Similarly, the delivery control unit 190 controls the pump 176a and the flow rate adjustment valve 178a so that the three microorganisms are delivered from the culture unit 110B to the culture unit 110C. Further, the delivery control unit 190 controls the pump 176a and the flow rate adjustment valve 178a so that the four microorganisms are delivered from the culture unit 110C to the culture unit 110D. Further, the delivery control unit 190 controls the pump 176a and the flow rate adjustment valve 178a so that five microorganisms are delivered from the culture unit 110D to the concentrate storage unit 112.

As a result, the amount of microorganisms accommodated in the culture units 110A to 110D is maintained at n bodies (return to FIG. 3(a)). Further, the concentrated liquid sent to the concentrated liquid storage unit 112 is guided to a microbial treatment device (not shown). The microorganism processing device, for example, dries the concentrate to remove microorganisms, and then extracts biofuel, physiologically active substances, or enzymes from the microorganisms.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3(d), it is assumed that all of the culture units 110A to 110D contain mL of culture solution at time t0. Then, as time passes, a portion of the culture solution evaporates from the culture units 110A to 110D. Therefore, at time ta, the culture solution contained in the culture units 110A to 110D becomes (m-1)L, as shown in FIG. 3(e).

Therefore, the delivery control unit 190 controls the pump 154 to extract the suspension from the preceding culture unit 110 so that the culture solution contained in the culture units 110A to 110D becomes mL. Then, the delivery control unit 190 controls the pump 176b and the flow rate adjustment valve 178b so that the culture solution contained in the culture units 110A to 110D is mL, and sends the culture solution to the next stage culture unit 110. .

For example, at time tb, when 6 L of new culture solution is supplied to the culture unit 110A, the delivery control unit 190 controls the supply of 5L of culture solution from the culture unit 110A to the culture unit 110B, as shown in FIG. 3(f). The pump 176b and flow rate adjustment valve 178b are controlled so that the liquid is delivered. Similarly, the delivery control unit 190 controls the pump 176b and the flow rate adjustment valve 178b so that 4L of culture solution is delivered from the culture unit 110B to the culture unit 110C. Further, the delivery control unit 190 controls the pump 176b and the flow rate adjustment valve 178b so that 3L of culture solution is delivered from the culture unit 110C to the culture unit 110D. Further, the delivery control unit 190 controls the pump 176b and the flow rate adjustment valve 178b so that 2L of culture solution is discarded to the outside from the culture unit 110D.

As a result, the amount of culture solution contained in the culture units 110A to 110D is maintained at mL (return to FIG. 3(d)).

As explained above, the microorganism manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of culture units 110, a concentration section 160, and a concentrate delivery section 170. Thereby, the microorganism manufacturing apparatus 100 can sequentially move microorganisms from the first culture unit 110A to the last culture unit 110D. Therefore, the microorganism production apparatus 100 can suppress residence of the same microorganism in the culture units 110A to 110D for a long period of time. Therefore, the microorganism production apparatus 100 can suppress alteration and deterioration of the microorganisms housed in the culture units 110A to 110D. Therefore, the microorganism production apparatus 100 can efficiently culture (propagate) microorganisms in the culture units 110A to 110D.

Similarly, the microorganism production apparatus 100 can sequentially move the culture solution from the first culture unit 110A to the last culture unit 110D. Therefore, the microorganism production apparatus 100 can prevent the same culture solution from staying in the culture units 110A to 110D for a long period of time. Therefore, the microorganism production apparatus 100 can suppress deterioration and deterioration of the culture solution contained in the culture units 110A to 110D. Therefore, the microorganism production apparatus 100 can efficiently culture microorganisms in the culture units 110A to 110D.

Furthermore, as described above, the concentrated solution delivery unit 170 delivers the concentrated solution so that the concentration of microorganisms in the suspension contained in the culture units 110A to 110D falls within a predetermined concentration range. Thereby, the microorganism production apparatus 100 can bring the inside of the culture units 110A to 110D into a state suitable for a microorganism culture environment.

Furthermore, as described above, the suspension delivery section 150 takes out the suspension from the lower part of the culture unit 110. When some microorganisms deteriorate, their specific gravity increases (for example, algae). Therefore, by the suspension delivery section 150 taking out the suspension from the lower part of the culture unit 110, the concentrated solution delivery section 170 can selectively send the degraded microorganisms to the next-stage culture unit 110. Thereby, the microorganism production apparatus 100 can avoid a situation in which degraded microorganisms remain in the culture units 110A to 110D for a long period of time. In other words, the microorganism production apparatus 100 can quickly harvest (recover) degraded microorganisms.

Furthermore, as described above, in the microorganism production apparatus 100, the amount of microorganisms that are transferred increases from the first culture unit 110A to the last culture unit 110D, while the amount of culture solution that is transferred decreases. Therefore, in the microorganism manufacturing apparatus 100, the processing load of the entire concentration section 160 is larger in the latter concentration section 160 than in the former concentration section 160. Therefore, as described above, the microorganism manufacturing apparatus 100 has a plurality of concentrating sections 160, such that the latter culture unit 110 has a larger volume than the former culture unit 110, and the number of concentration sections 160 increases from the former stage to the latter stage. A culture unit 110 and a plurality of concentration sections 160 are configured. This makes it possible to equalize the processing load of one concentration section 160. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the concentration capacity of the concentration section 160 exceeds its limit.

Further, as described above, the volume of the concentrate storage unit 112 is smaller than that of the culture unit 110. Thereby, microorganisms can be easily collected from the concentrated liquid storage unit 112.

Furthermore, as described above, at least a portion of the culture unit 110 is open to the atmosphere. This allows the microorganisms housed in the culture unit 110 to take in carbon dioxide and the like from the atmosphere and release oxygen to the atmosphere.

[First modification]
In the above embodiment, the culture solution supply section 130 supplies a new culture solution to the first culture unit 110A, and the concentrated solution delivery section 170 supplies the culture solution separated from the suspension of the previous culture unit 110. The case of sending to the next-stage culture unit 110 was given as an example. However, there are no limitations on the destination to which the culture solution is supplied and to which it is sent.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a microorganism production apparatus 200 of a first modification. As shown in FIG. 4, the microorganism production apparatus 200 includes a plurality of culture units 110 (indicated by 110A to 110D in FIG. 4), a concentrated solution storage unit 112, a microorganism supply section 120, and a culture solution supply section 230. , and a delivery unit 140 (indicated by 140A to 140D in FIG. 4). In FIG. 4, solid arrows indicate the flow of the microorganism-containing solution, culture solution, and suspension. Note that components that are substantially the same as those of the microorganism manufacturing apparatus 100 described above are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The culture solution supply section 230 includes a new culture solution storage section 132, a culture solution supply pipe 234, and a pump 136. One end of the culture solution supply pipe 234 is connected to the new culture solution storage section 132 . An opening 234a is formed at the other end of the culture solution supply pipe 234. The culture solution supply pipe 234 is provided so that an opening 234a faces the last culture unit 110D. That is, the culture solution supply unit 230 supplies a new culture solution to the last culture unit 110D.

Moreover, in the first modification, the culture solution pipe 174c that constitutes the delivery unit 140D is connected to the first culture unit 110A.

Thereby, the microorganism production apparatus 200 of the first modification can wash the microorganisms accommodated in the last culture unit 110D with a new culture solution. Therefore, the microorganism manufacturing apparatus 200 can wash the concentrated liquid introduced to the concentrated liquid storage unit 112, that is, the microorganisms to be harvested. Thereby, the microorganism production apparatus 200 can reduce processing loads such as drying processing and extraction processing in the subsequent microorganism processing apparatus.

[Second modification]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a delivery unit 300 of a second modification. The delivery unit 300 includes a suspension delivery section 150, a concentration section 160, a concentrate delivery section 170, a concentration measurement section 180, a delivery control section 190, a nutrient supply section 310, and a disinfectant supply section 320. , a nutrient salt measurement section 330, and a nutrient control section 340. In FIG. 5, solid arrows indicate the flow of the suspension, culture solution, concentrate, nutrients, and disinfectant. In FIG. 5, the flow of signals is indicated by dashed arrows. In addition, in FIG. 5, broken lines indicate the flow of signals connecting the concentration measurement section 180, the delivery control section 190, the nutrient control section 340, and the nutrient delivery mechanisms 316a and 316b, and the nutrient control section 340 and the disinfectant delivery mechanism. Broken lines indicating the flow of signals connecting 326a and 326b are omitted to simplify the drawing. Further, components that are substantially the same as those of the microorganism production apparatus 100 described above are given the same reference numerals and explanations are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the nutrient supply unit 310 supplies nutrient salts to the concentrate. In this embodiment, the nutrient supply unit 310 includes a nutrient storage unit 312, nutrient supply pipes 314a, 314b, and nutrient delivery mechanisms 316a, 316b. The nutrient salt storage section 312 stores nutrient salts. The nutrient salt may be solid (powder) or liquid. Nutrient salts are, for example, divalent iron (eg iron(II) sulfate, iron citrate), urea, glucose, acetic acid.

The nutrient supply pipe 314a connects the nutrient storage section 312 and the concentrated liquid pipe 172b. The nutrient supply pipe 314b connects the nutrient storage section 312 and the concentrated liquid pipe 172c. The nutrient delivery mechanism 316a is provided in the nutrient supply pipe 314a. The nutrient delivery mechanism 316b is provided in the nutrient supply pipe 314b. When the nutrient salt is solid, the nutrient delivery mechanism 316a, 316b is configured with a screw feeder. If the nutrient is a liquid, the nutrient delivery mechanisms 316a, 316b are comprised of pumps.

The disinfectant supply unit 320 supplies a disinfectant to the culture solution. In this embodiment, the disinfectant supply unit 320 includes a disinfectant reservoir 322, disinfectant supply pipes 324a, 324b, and disinfectant delivery mechanisms 326a, 326b. The disinfectant storage section 322 stores a disinfectant. The disinfectant may be solid (powder), liquid, or gas. Fungicides include, for example, manganese, strong acids such as nitric acid or sulfuric acid (which can be used by algae as part of the culture medium when diluted), and strong alkalis such as potassium hydroxide (which can be used by algae as part of the culture medium when diluted). ), free chlorine, and ozone.

The disinfectant supply pipe 324a connects the disinfectant storage section 322 and the culture solution pipe 174b. The disinfectant supply pipe 324b connects the disinfectant storage section 322 and the culture solution pipe 174c. A disinfectant delivery mechanism 326a is provided in the disinfectant supply pipe 324a. The disinfectant delivery mechanism 326b is provided in the disinfectant supply pipe 324b. If the disinfectant is a solid, the disinfectant delivery mechanism 326a, 326b is comprised of a screw feeder. When the disinfectant is a liquid or gas, the disinfectant delivery mechanisms 326a, 326b are comprised of pumps.

The nutrient measurement unit 330 measures the concentration of nutrient salts contained in the suspension (culture solution) contained in the culture unit 110.

The nutrition control unit 340 is composed of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a CPU (central processing unit). The nutrition control unit 340 reads programs, parameters, etc. for operating the CPU itself from the ROM. The nutrient control unit 340 manages and controls the nutrient delivery mechanisms 316a, 316b and the disinfectant delivery mechanisms 326a, 326b in cooperation with the RAM as a work area and other electronic circuits.

In this embodiment, the nutrient control unit 340 drives and controls the nutrient delivery mechanisms 316a and 316b so that the concentration of nutrients in the suspension contained in the culture unit 110 falls within a predetermined concentration range. In addition, the nutrient control unit 340 performs sterilization so that an amount of sterilizing agent suitable for sterilizing microorganisms (contamination) other than microorganisms to be cultured contained in the culture solution passing through the culture solution pipes 174b and 174c is supplied. The agent delivery mechanisms 326a and 326b are driven and controlled.

As explained above, the delivery unit 300 includes the nutrient supply section 310. Thereby, the nutrient supply unit 310 can efficiently supply nutrient salts to the microorganisms to be cultured. Therefore, the nutrient supply unit 310 can avoid a situation where the nutrient is consumed by contamination. Therefore, the microorganism manufacturing apparatus including the delivery unit 300 can efficiently culture the target microorganism. Further, the nutrient supply unit 310 can supply highly concentrated nutrients to the microorganisms. Therefore, the nutrient supply unit 310 can efficiently cause the microorganisms to absorb the nutrient.

Furthermore, when divalent iron is added to the culture solution, the divalent iron is oxidized and becomes trivalent iron over time. In this case, the microorganism will consume energy to reduce trivalent iron. Further, trivalent iron becomes iron oxide hydroxide in the culture solution and precipitates. Therefore, when divalent iron is added to the culture solution, there is a problem that the growth efficiency of microorganisms decreases. In contrast, the nutrient supply unit 310 can cause microorganisms to directly absorb divalent iron as a nutrient. Therefore, the microorganism manufacturing apparatus including the delivery unit 300 can efficiently propagate microorganisms.

Furthermore, when urea is added to the culture solution, the urea changes to ammonia, nitrous acid, or nitric acid over time. In this case, the microorganisms will consume energy to reduce nitric acid. Furthermore, nitrous acid is toxic to microorganisms. Moreover, ammonia, nitrous acid, or nitric acid changes the pH of the culture solution. Therefore, when urea is added to a culture solution, there is a problem in that the growth efficiency of microorganisms decreases. On the other hand, the nutrient supply unit 310 can cause microorganisms to directly absorb urea as a nutrient. Therefore, the microorganism manufacturing apparatus including the delivery unit 300 can efficiently propagate microorganisms.

The delivery unit 300 includes a disinfectant supply section 320 . Thereby, the disinfectant supply unit 320 can concentrate and sterilize contaminants contained in the culture solution without damaging the microorganisms to be cultured.

Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. It is clear that those skilled in the art can come up with various changes and modifications within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. be done.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a configuration is exemplified in which the concentrate delivery unit 170 sends the culture solution separated from the suspension of the culture unit 110 in the previous stage to the culture unit 110 in the next stage. However, the concentrated liquid sending unit 170 transfers the culture liquid separated from the suspension of any one of the plurality of culture units 110 to the concentrated liquid separated from the suspension of the preceding culture unit 110. What is necessary is just to send it to the culture unit 110 of the next stage in a predetermined ratio with the liquid. Further, the culture solution supply unit 130 may supply a new culture solution to any one of the culture units 110 among the plurality of culture units 110.

In addition, in the above embodiment and the first modification, the concentrated liquid delivery unit 170 controls the concentrated liquid so that the concentration of microorganisms in the suspension contained in all the culture units 110 is within a predetermined concentration range. An example is given when sending a . However, the concentrated liquid sending unit 170 is configured to ensure that the concentration of microorganisms in the suspension contained in at least the culture units 110B to 110D other than the first culture unit 110A among the plurality of culture units 110 is within a predetermined concentration range. The concentrate may be delivered as shown in FIG.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first modification, and the second modification, the case where the suspension delivery section 150 takes out the suspension from the lower part of the culture unit 110 is exemplified. However, there is no limitation to the location from which the suspension is taken out by the suspension delivery unit 150. For example, when culturing microorganisms whose specific gravity decreases as they deteriorate, the suspension delivery section 150 may take out the suspension from the top of the culture unit 110.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment and the first modification example, the case where the volume of the plurality of culture units 110 is larger in the latter culture unit 110 than in the former culture unit 110 was exemplified. However, there is no limit to the capacity of the plurality of culture units 110. For example, all the culture units 110 may have the same volume, or the volumes of the plurality of culture units 110 may be smaller in the latter culture unit 110 than in the former culture unit 110. Furthermore, in the above embodiments and modified examples, the case where the culture unit 110 is constituted by one or more culture vessels is given as an example. However, the culture unit 110 may be composed of one culture tank.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment and the first modification example, the volume of the concentrate storage unit 112 is smaller than that of the culture unit 110. However, there is no limit to the volume of the concentrate storage unit 112. For example, the volume of the concentrate storage unit 112 may be larger than the culture unit 110 or may be substantially equal to the culture unit 110.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first modification, and the second modification, the case where a part of the culture unit 110 is opened to the atmosphere is exemplified. However, the culture unit 110 does not need to be opened to the atmosphere.

Moreover, in the second modified example, the case where the nutrient supply unit 310 supplies the nutrient to the concentrated liquid pipe 172b has been exemplified. However, the microorganism production apparatus 100 may include a tank that temporarily holds the concentrate separated by the concentration section 160, and the nutrient supply section 310 may supply the nutrient salt to the tank. This allows the microorganisms to reliably absorb the nutrients.

Further, the nutrient supply unit 310 may intermittently supply nutrient salts to the concentrate. This allows a period in which the concentration of nutrients in the suspension contained in the culture unit 110 to be low to occur. Therefore, in the culture unit 110, it is possible to suppress absorption of nutrients into contaminants.

The present disclosure can be utilized in a microorganism production device.

100 Microorganism production device 110 Culture unit 110A Culture unit (first culture unit)
110D culture unit (last culture unit)
112 Concentrate storage unit 120 Microorganism supply section 130 Culture solution supply section 160 Concentration section 170 Concentrate delivery section 200 Microorganism production device 230 Culture solution supply section

Claims (7)

a plurality of culture units containing a suspension of microorganisms and a culture solution;
a microorganism supply unit that supplies the new microorganism to the first culture unit among the plurality of culture units;
a culture solution supply unit that supplies a new culture solution to any one of the culture units among the plurality of culture units;
a concentration section that separates the suspension of the culture unit into a concentrate having a higher concentration of the microorganisms than the suspension and the culture solution;
The culture solution separated from the suspension of any one of the plurality of culture units and the concentrate separated from the suspension of the culture unit in the previous stage at a predetermined ratio in the next stage. a concentrated liquid sending unit that sends out the concentrated liquid to the culture unit;
A microorganism production device comprising: The concentrated liquid sending unit is configured to cause the concentration of the microorganisms in the suspension contained in at least the culture unit other than the first culture unit among the plurality of culture units to be within a predetermined concentration range. The microorganism production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the concentrated liquid is delivered to the microorganism production apparatus. comprising a suspension delivery unit that delivers the suspension from the culture unit to the concentration unit,
The microorganism manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suspension delivery section takes out the suspension from a lower part of the culture unit. The microorganism manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the capacity of the plurality of culture units is larger in the latter culture unit than in the former culture unit. The concentrated liquid sending unit transfers the culture liquid separated from the suspension of the previous stage culture unit and the concentrated liquid separated from the suspension of the previous stage culture unit at a predetermined ratio to the next stage culture unit. The microorganism production device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the microorganism production device is sent to a microorganism production unit. comprising a concentrate storage unit that accommodates the concentrate,
The concentrate delivery unit sends the concentrate separated from the suspension of the last culture unit among the plurality of culture units to the concentrate storage unit,
The microorganism production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the volume of the concentrate storage unit is smaller than that of the culture unit. The microorganism production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a portion of the culture unit is open to the atmosphere.

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