JPH0838156A - Culture of alga and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a culture method for high densely mass-producing an unicellular alga such as chlorella useful for, e.g. production of seeds of fish and shellfish in a short time at a low cost and an apparatus therefor. CONSTITUTION:This apparatus for culture of alga is composed of the first stage unit, the second stage unit and the third stage unit. In the first stage unit, plural light sources 7 are set inside a transparent tube 6 vertically set on a base 16 and an upper plate 3 equipped with hooks 4 for respectively hanging a transparent culture tank 5 is set. A tube 8 communicated to an air chamber 17 is inserted into each of the culture tanks 5. In the second stage unit, a tube communicated to an air pipe set to the upper end part of an inclined stand on which the transparent culture tanks are placed is inserted into each of the culture tanks. In the third stage unit, an alga-rearing basket and a submersible pump are set in a water tank and a pipe for delivering the culture solution under pressure is extended from the submersible pump so as to inject the culture solution in the water tank through the top of the pipe.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a culturing apparatus and a method for mass-producing unicellular algae such as chlorella, which are used for seedling production of fish and shellfish, in a short period of time at high density and at low cost. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Single cell algae such as chlorella used in the production of seeds and seedlings of fish and shellfish are cultivated in a rectangular or circular culture tank (capacity 1
(About 200 tons), an aeration hose is put in, and the air discharged from this hose is cultivated in an open system while stirring the culture solution of algae. Then, when the culture density of Chlorella etc. has grown to the number of cells that can be used for seedling production, a part of it is used and a new culture solution corresponding to the amount used is added, and the number of diluted cells further grows. Culture by waiting for the cell number to return to its original value and then using it again,
It is put to practical use. Further, the culturing apparatus such as Chlorella proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-266973 holds pure culture conditions in a closed culture tank and continuously cultures while washing and stirring the inside of the water tank with a self-propelled stirrer. In order for a trader to adopt this device, the existing equipment needs to be renewed and it requires a large amount of money, so it has not been put into practical use, and the above-mentioned method is generally used.

[0003]

The above-mentioned conventional culturing method is adjacent to various dangers of culture failure because it is cultivated in an open system. Although culturing is repeated, it is difficult to restore the original state in a short period of time. For this reason, many seedling producers are actually cultivating large-scale cultures in an open system, and they are used as seeds for mass-culturing by seedling producers who are in poor culture. It is not preferable from the viewpoint. The present invention
It is intended to stably and systematically produce a culture of chlorella algae or the like by utilizing the existing equipment of those skilled in the art without removing the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0004]

In order to solve the above problems, in the algae culture device of the first invention of the present invention, a transparent tube is erected at the center of the pedestal, and an air chamber is provided at the upper end of the transparent tube. And a plurality of light sources are arranged inside, and an upper plate having a hook for suspending a light-transmissive culture container is fixed to the upper end of the air chamber, and the inside of the culture container is The algae culture device of the second invention is characterized in that a tube communicating with the air chamber is inserted, and the upper end of the light-transmissive culture container is fixed to the upper end of the tilt stand and placed on the tilt plate. Then, a tube communicating with an air tube provided at the upper end of the tilt stand is inserted into the culture container, and the algae culture device of the third invention fixes Andon at the center of the aquarium. Install submersible pump inside Andong Nutrient solution pipe allowed extending the for pumping, allowed open distal end of the pipe to the inside below the water tank,
While the culture solution in the water tank is jetted from this tip, the pipe is branched so as to communicate with the outside of the water tank, and the algae culture device of the fourth invention has a transparent tube standing in the center of the pedestal. An upper plate having an air chamber at the upper end of the transparent tube, a plurality of light sources arranged inside, and a hook for suspending a light-transmissive culture container at the upper end of the air chamber. And a first-stage culture device in which a tube communicating with the air chamber is inserted inside the culture container, and an inclined plate by fixing the upper end of the light-transmitting culture container to the upper end of the tilt stand. A second-stage culture device, which is placed on the top of the tilt stand and is connected to the air pipe installed in the upper end of the tilting stand, is inserted into the culture container, and Andon is fixed in the center of the water tank. I installed a submersible pump,
Extend the pipe for pumping the culture fluid from the submersible pump, open the tip of this pipe to the lower inside of the water tank, and eject the culture fluid in the water tank from this tip, while branching the pipe to the outside of the water tank. The method for cultivating algae according to the fifth aspect of the invention is characterized by comprising a third-stage culturing device that is in communication with each other. Part as a seed and most of it as a seed for the second step, increasing the amount of algae culture solution, preserving the seed by pure culture and supplying the seed to the second-stage culturing process. And the first stage of performing the light-transmissive culture container on the tilt stand,
The algae obtained in the first stage by the semi-closed culture method are purely cultivated, and the second stage in which the whole amount is supplied as seeds to the open system large-scale culture process in the third stage, and the submerged pump and water flow in the algae culture tank. It is equipped with a generator and the culture solution obtained in the second step is cultivated in large quantities while being rotated and stirred, and then the whole amount is harvested. It is characterized in that each step of is performed continuously.

[0005]

The culturing apparatus of the present invention enables reuse of a part of algae cultivated in the light-transmissive culturing vessel arranged around the light source as its seed, and most of it as seed for the next step. Increase the amount of Chlorella algae culture broth to preserve the seeds by pure culture and supply the seeds to the second stage culture process. Further, the culture device of the present invention, a light-transmissive culture container is installed on an inclined stand, and culture is performed while maintaining pure culture by a semi-closed system culture method, and the next step is an open system mass culture process. Supply all as seeds. In addition, the culture device of the present invention is equipped with an underwater pump and an algae water flow generator in a water tank for algae culture to rotate and agitate the culture solution while performing large-scale culture of algae in an open system to harvest the whole amount. Further, the culture apparatus of the present invention continuously carries out the steps of the above-mentioned three inventions in a series of steps. That is, a part of the algae cultivated in a light-transmissive culture vessel placed around the light source is reused as its seed, and most of it is used as the seed of the next stage to increase the amount of chlorella algae culture solution. , Preservation of seeds by pure culture and supply of seeds to the second stage of the culture process, followed by installation of a light-transmissive culture container on a tilt stand to maintain pure culture by a semi-closed culture method. While culturing, the whole amount is supplied as seeds to the next stage, an open-system large-scale culturing process, and then the aqua culture tank is equipped with an underwater pump and an algae water flow generator while rotating and stirring the culture solution. , Algae are cultivated in large quantities in the open system, and the whole amount is harvested.

[0006]

1 to 3 show one embodiment of the apparatus used in the first stage of the culture apparatus of the present invention, which is a culture apparatus for inoculating seed subculture and intermediate culture. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the drawings. A transparent acrylic tube 6 is erected in the center of a disk-shaped pedestal 16 having casters 11 at its lower end, and a plurality of fluorescent lamps 7 serving as light sources are installed therein. A vent hole 13 for ventilation is formed in the upper part of the transparent acrylic tube 6 and an air intake hole 12 is opened in the bottom part so that the air warmed by the fluorescent lamp 7 and lightened is discharged, and the temperature inside the transparent acrylic tube 6 is discharged. Is preventing the rise of.

A closed air chamber 17 is formed above the transparent acrylic tube 6. An upper disc 3 as an upper plate is attached to the upper end of the air chamber 17, and a hook 4 for suspending a culture vinyl bag 5 of algae such as chlorella is installed around the upper disc 3. Further, on the upper surface of the upper plate 3, there are provided an air pump 1 for ventilating the culture vinyl bag 5, a switch box 2 accommodating a switch of the fluorescent lamp 7 and the air pump 1, and a glow box 14.

The culture vinyl bag 5 suspended from the hook 4 is obtained by cutting a cylindrical vinyl bag into an appropriate length.
One end of the vinyl tube 8 is bent and pressure-bonded to form an insertion hole for the vinyl tube 8 at an appropriate position. The size was about 5 to 15 cm in diameter and about 0.5 to 1.5 m in length, and this was arranged around a circle centered on the fluorescent lamp 7 which is a light source for algae culture. Therefore, the culture device was unitized, and the culture conditions were made uniform for each culture container because the culture container was equidistant from the light source.

The operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the culture vinyl bag 5 is hung on the hook 4. In this culture vinyl bag 5, chlorella seeds as algae and a necessary amount of seawater or the like are put. Then, the switch is operated to send air from the air pump 1 into the air chamber 17 above the transparent acrylic tube 6. Then, this air is aerated from the air chamber 17 through the air cock 15, the vinyl tube 8 and the air stone 10 in the culture vinyl bag 5 to culture the chlorella.

The seed culture in the first stage is a basic part of the present system, and it is necessary to keep the culture time constant for growing to a culture density usable in the second stage.
For this reason, in this embodiment, filtered seawater and chlorine for sterilization are injected through the hole into which the vinyl tube 8 is inserted, and the culture seawater is left to stand overnight for sterilization by chlorine, and after dechlorination by waterfall, a constant culture with nutrient salts is performed. Inoculate and culture the seeds to the initial density. After culturing under a certain condition and a certain number of days after the start of culturing, the harvest and a part thereof can be used as seeds. By repeating this operation, it became possible to stably and intentionally carry out pure culture.

The culturing apparatus used for the first-stage culturing can be used under sunlight, but it is preferable to use it in an air-conditioned room. By using artificial light in a temperature-controlled room, the culture conditions are kept constant, which allows planned and stable chlorella culture production. This device can be easily made into a semi-closed culture system by using a plastic bag for the culture container.
By attaching the casters 11, it is possible to move the culture vinyl bag 5 to the installation location of the intermediate culture device while hanging it, and it is possible to transfer it to the second-stage intermediate culture device in a pure culture state and save labor. To help.

If a pure culture seed is inoculated to the seeds to be inoculated into the present apparatus, the sterilized culture vinyl bag 5 can be used in a disposable state to maintain and maintain its purity. As the material of the device, wood, metal, synthetic resin or the like can be used as long as the desired strength can be maintained.
Further, the material for the culture container is not limited to a vinyl bag, and is not particularly limited as long as it is light-transmissive and capable of retaining strength, and does not elute a substance harmful to algae such as chlorella to be cultured. Further, the size and shape of the culture vinyl bag 5 are arbitrary and are not limited to those shown in this embodiment.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an intermediate culture device used in the second stage. In this device, a wing nut 32, a bolt 34, and a fixing plate 33 are attached to the upper part of the tilt stand 21 having the tilt plate 21a so that the sun rays can be received at a right angle, and the upper end of the culture vinyl bag 20 is fixed by these. An air pipe 26 attached with an air cock 31 for ventilating the culture vinyl bag 22 is passed through a vinyl tube 23 having an air stone 24 at the tip thereof on the rear surface of the upper portion of the tilt stand 21. By attaching the air main valve 27 to the air pipe 26, the inclined stand 21 having 1 to 10 culture vinyl bags 22 as a set can be connected.

Further, a cooling water supply pipe 25 having a flexible pipe 30 having a water spray nozzle 29 attached to the upper portion is attached to the bottom of the front surface of the inclined stand 21, and the cooling water is supplied to the culture vinyl bag 22 in the summer when the temperature rises. I was able to sprinkle it on. Therefore, the water temperature of the culture solution can be lowered by the heat of vaporization of water. Further, a water supply main valve 28 can be attached to the cooling water supply pipe 25 to connect the inclined stand 21 having one to ten culture vinyl bags 22 set therein.

The sloping plate 21a of the sloping stand 21 is coated with a paint such as white or silver in order to enhance the reflectance of sunlight. The material for forming the tilt stand 21 is not limited to wood, but metal, synthetic resin, concrete, block, FRP, or the like can be used. Also, the tilt stand 2
The sheet 1 may be a sheet that can reflect the sun's rays on the frame made of metal or the like, or a mesh sheet that stretches the sheet, as long as it can maintain the strength against the weight of the cultured vinyl bag 22 during culture.

In this second stage intermediate culture device, the seeds cultured in the first stage described above are inoculated and cultured. When this seed is inoculated with a pure culture seed, it is possible to continuously maintain the purity by sterilizing and using a sterilized culture vinyl bag as in the previous device. By performing the preparation before seeding at this stage, for example, the sterilization method of seawater to be used, in the same manner as in the first stage, the state at the start of culture can be made close to a pure culture. Further, seeding can be transferred from the first-stage culture container to the second-stage container by using the first-stage air tube as a siphon tube. Furthermore, since the disposable vinyl bag is used as the culture container, the culture can be performed in the semi-closed culture system, and the stability and planning of the culture in the second stage can be secured.

After the seeds have been subcultured, the culture is carried out under sunlight, but there is no problem even if the culture is carried out in a room controlled by air conditioning and artificial light. In the culture in direct sunlight in summer, the temperature of the culture solution may rise to a temperature higher than the tolerance temperature of chlorella, but it is possible to lower the temperature of the culture solution by sprinkling water on the culture vessel and evaporating heat of water.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an outdoor culture device used in the third stage. This device has a radius of 1 to 10 m and a water depth of 1
A culture solution suction slit 47 is placed at one end in the center of a circular water tank 40 of about 1.5 m, and a radius of 20 to 50.
A vinyl chloride pipe type ANDON 49 of about cm is installed, and a supporting rope 45 is stretched over the water tank 40.
Fixed to. An underwater pump 48 is installed inside the ANDON 49, and a vinyl chloride pipe 41 for pumping the culture solution from the outlet of the underwater pump 48 to the bottom of the water tank 40 is piped in a U shape, and a jet port 46 at the end thereof. Turn diagonally upward. The size and shape of the above-mentioned device are not limited to those of the embodiment. The pipe 41 is branched into a T-shape at a position above the wall surface of the water tank 40, and a switching valve 42 is attached. It can be easily transported to the place of use.

The culture solution is sucked by a submersible pump 48 installed at the center of the water tank 40 and ejected from the ejection port 46 to make the water tank 4
It is possible to efficiently rotate and agitate the culture solution inside 0. Since this outdoor culture apparatus is used in an open system, various kinds of dust are mixed in the culture solution. Therefore, a closed strainer can be installed in the middle of the pipe 44 for the purpose of removing them. The material of the water tank 40 may be synthetic resin, concrete, metal, FRP or the like. Further, the shape is not limited to a circle, and may be any shape such as an ellipse, an octagon, or a hexagon that allows water to easily rotate. It is also possible to use a cooling tower at the time of high water temperature in summer and to pass the culture solution through it to lower the water temperature of the culture solution by the action of heat of vaporization.

The third-stage culture starts with confirmation of chlorine sterilization and dechlorination before the second-stage culture solution is subcultured in the third-stage culture water tank, and then the seeds are subcultured. A metering pump equipped with a hose that reaches the water tank 40 is inserted into the second-stage culture container, and this pump transfers a certain amount of seeds. After that, the culture solution in the water tank 40 is rotated and stirred by discharging the culture solution from the jet port 46 at the tip of the pipe 41 extending from the submersible pump 48 installed at the center of the water tank 40. It is difficult to make the water depth deep by the conventional method of culturing using a large-sized water tank, but in this device, the water depth of the water tank 40 is 1 to 1.
Even when the length was 5 m, sufficient culture became possible. Rotating and stirring the culture solution increases the probability that each cell of Chlorella appears on the surface, activates the photosynthetic action of Chlorella, and promotes proliferation, shortening the culture time and increasing the density. Was planned.

As described above, in the culturing method using the apparatus of this example, the amount of seed chlorella purely cultivated in the first step was expanded by the semi-closed culturing method in the second step and cultivated in the second step. The whole amount is inoculated into the water tank 40 of the third stage. And
When the culture density in the third stage reaches a usable level, the whole amount is used, and then the water tank 40 is washed. Then, after disinfecting the inner wall surface / bottom surface of the water tank 40 with an alcohol or other disinfectant, the seawater filled in the water tank 40 is sterilized and dechlorinated again, and the seeds cultured in the new second stage are inoculated and cultured. By operating a series of systems called ",", we were able to establish a stable mass-culturing method for chlorella according to the closed system although it was an open system at the final stage.

(Example 1) Implementation place (existence) Amami fish farming (Kunetsu, Setouchi-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima Prefecture) Implementation time March, 1993 Type of algae cultivated Marine chlorella Type of nutrient salt Ammonium sulphate Urea Superphosphate crew Crewat 3
2 (Product of Teikoku Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Result Use the entire amount of Chlorella within 4 days after the completion of the 3rd stage culture. In the conventional method, after using 5 tons (25% of the culture broth), it took 5 days to add the same amount of the filtered seawater and the nutrient salt used to restore the original density. The time until chlorella can be used can be shortened by 8 days in total compared to the conventional method, and the number of chlorella cells that can be used is increased by 67%.

(Example 2) Implementation place (with) A & A Hatchery (Ushikuda, Ashihanabe, Naze-shi, Kagoshima) Implementation time October, 1993-March, 1994 Type of algae cultivated Marine chlorella Nutrient salt Type Ammonium sulfate Urea Super lime lime Crewat 3
2 (Product of Teikoku Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Although the culture time was different from that in Example 1, almost the same results could be obtained.

[0024]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the process of mass-cultivating algae such as chlorella is divided into three stages and each stage is independently operated, or each stage is system-coupled to carry out mass culture. Cultivation based on an algae culture plan adapted to the time when algae are needed in the seedling production process has become stable. In addition, at the off-season stage of production that does not require algae, it is possible to save costs by performing only the first stage of subculture with a small amount of culture solution. Since the culture conditions of each stage of the present invention can be kept stable culture conditions,
It is effective for long-term mass harvesting and stable culture of algae such as Chlorella.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a first-stage culture device.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of the first-stage culture device.

FIG. 3 is a partially omitted bottom view of the first-stage culture device.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the second-stage culture device.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the second-stage culture device.

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the third-stage culture device.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a third stage culture device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 hooks 5 culture vessel 6 transparent tube 7 light source 8 tube 20 culture vessel 21 tilting stand 40 water tank 41 tube 49 ANDON

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A transparent tube is erected at the center of a pedestal, an air chamber is formed at the upper end of the transparent tube, and a plurality of light sources are arranged inside the transparent tube. The upper plate provided with a hook for suspending the culture container is fixed, and a tube communicating with the air chamber is inserted into the culture container, and air is supplied from the air chamber to the culture container by the tube. An algae culture device characterized by being sent to 2. A light-transmissive culture container is fixed to the upper end of the tilt stand and placed on the tilt plate, and a tube communicating with an air tube provided at the upper end of the tilt stand is inserted into the culture container. The algae culture device is characterized in that air is sent into the culture container by this tube. 3. An Andon is fixed at the center of the water tank, an underwater pump is installed inside the Andon, and a pipe for feeding the culture solution is extended from the underwater pump, and the tip of this pipe is opened to the lower inside of the water tank. An apparatus for cultivating algae, characterized in that the culture solution in the water tank is jetted from this tip while the pipe is branched to communicate with the outside of the water tank. 4. A transparent tube is provided upright in the center of the pedestal, an air chamber is formed at the upper end of the transparent tube, and a plurality of light sources are arranged inside the transparent tube. The upper plate with a hook for suspending the culture container of is fixed, and the culture device of the first stage in which the tube communicating with the air chamber is inserted inside the culture container, and the upper end of the tilt stand. A second-stage culture device in which the upper end of the culture container is fixed and placed on an inclined plate, and a tube communicating with an air tube provided at the upper end of the inclination stand is inserted into the light-transmissive culture container. An Andon is fixed in the center of the aquarium, an underwater pump is installed inside this Andon, a pipe for pumping the culture solution is extended from the underwater pump, and the tip of this pipe is opened inside the aquarium. A method of ejecting the culture solution in the aquarium , Culture apparatus algae, comprising the culturing apparatus of the third stage comprising brought outside communicating aquarium branches of the pipe. 5. Culturing algae in a light-transmissive culture vessel placed around a light source, and then using some of this algae as its seed and most of it as a second stage seed. To increase the amount of algae culture solution, to store the seeds in pure culture and to supply the seeds to the second stage of the culture process, and to install a light-transmissive culture vessel on the tilt stand. The algae obtained in the first stage by the closed culture method are purely cultivated, and the second stage is to supply the whole amount as seeds to the open system large-scale culture process in the third stage, and the submerged pump and water flow are generated in the algae culture tank. Equipped with a device, the culture solution obtained in the second step is cultivated and agitated in a large amount in an open system, and then the whole amount is harvested. Algae characterized by continuously performing each of the three stages Method of culturing.