JPH089809A - Condenser plug and algae-culturing apparatus using the plug - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a condenser plug for an algae-culturing apparatus and an algae-culturing apparatus using the plug. CONSTITUTION:This condenser plug is composed of a light-receiving part for receiving external light and having a condenser lens 6 and a reflection wall 7 and a light-emitting cylinder 9 formed integrally with the light-receiving part, receiving the light from the light-receiving part and emitting the light into a culture tank. This algae cultivation tank cultures algae dispersed in a culture liquid in the culture tank by irradiating the algae with light transmitted through the condenser plug as a means for receiving external light and emitting the light into the liquid. The collection and emission of light can be performed in high efficiency with a simple structure to enable the application under various irradiation conditions.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light collecting plug used in an algae culture device and an algae culture device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various techniques for culturing algae in a large amount and at a high density have been studied from the viewpoints of utilization of useful substances produced by algae and fixation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In culturing algae represented by green algae such as Chlorella, sunlight as natural light and artificial light such as electric lamps are required. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing the outline of a conventional culture device. In FIG. 19A, sunlight or artificial light such as an electric lamp is condensed by a condensing device 1 such as a Fresnel lens, and is fiber-split by the light conversion unit 2. Then, it is sent to the culture tank 4 by the optical fiber 3. A nutrient solution in which algae are dispersed circulates in the culture tank, and the algae receives light in the nutrient solution and grows. In the example of FIG. 19B, the concentrating device is provided with the solar light tracking device 5, and the condensing surface is automatically faced to the sunlight.
This is intended to increase the condensed light energy. When increasing the size of the device, these devices are regarded as one unit, and the device is constituted by a plurality of units.

[0003]

The above-mentioned conventional techniques have the following problems. (1) A light collecting system for adjusting light in a certain direction is required, and the light collecting efficiency is low. Therefore, if a structure for holding the device is included, a large and costly light collecting device is required. is there. (2) Since the control of the emitted light from the optical fiber is performed only by the number and the intervals of the fibers, the degree of freedom is small, and it is difficult to appropriately control the emitted light with the growth of algae. (3) Since light is emitted from the cylindrical optical fiber, the distribution of light energy in the culture tank is non-uniform. (4) The number of culture tanks, that is, the light collecting ability cannot be easily increased or decreased once set. The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, enables efficient light collection and light emission with a simple structure, and a light collection plug applicable to various light irradiation conditions and an efficient algae using the same. It is intended to provide a culture device.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there are provided (1) a light entrance portion having a condenser lens and a reflection wall for receiving light from the outside, and the light entrance portion formed integrally with the light entrance portion. (2) The shape of the light-exiting tube is cylindrical, stepped, horizontal cut-in type, double-cylindrical, It is a subdivided type, a subchamber forming type, or a multi-layered disc type, and (3) light is emitted to the algae dispersed in the culture medium in the culture tank and (3) the culture tank. In the algae culture device for irradiating and culturing, one or a plurality of the light-condensing plugs of the above (1) or (2) is used as a means for receiving light from the outside and emitting light into the culture tank. It is an algae culture device characterized by the following.

The light-collecting plug and the algae culture device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic configuration of the light collecting plug of the present invention. In the light-condensing plug 11 of FIG. 1A, a conical reflection wall 7 is provided in a light entrance portion having a lens 6 composed of a convex lens or a Fresnel lens, and the culture tank 4 is provided in this light entrance portion.
A light output tube 9 is integrally formed through a fixture 8 (see FIG. 1C). A fixture 10 for the culture tank 4 is also attached to the tip of the light output tube 9. The position of the fixture 8 is not limited to the boundary between the light entrance portion and the light exit tube 9, and may be provided at any position depending on the attachment conditions to the culture tank 4. For example, it may be provided on the head as shown in FIG. 1B, or the fixing tool 10 at the tip may be omitted as shown in FIG.

The light entering the lens 6 at the incident angle γ is refracted and hits the wall surface of the light emitting tube 9 so that a part of the light is emitted into the culture tank 4, while the remaining part is emitted while being reflected in the light emitting tube 9 at the reflection angle α. It advances in the cylinder 9. The light emitting tube 9 is made of a glass-based material or a plastic-based material such as an acrylic resin, and its wall surface is subjected to a coating surface treatment so as to have an appropriate distribution ratio of reflectance and transmittance, and a culture tank. Light emission to the inside of 4 is controlled.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the basic structure of the algae culture device of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality of light collecting plugs 11 are attached to the upper and lower wall surfaces of the culture tank 4 by fixing tools 8 and 10. In this way, a plurality of light collecting plugs 11 are attached to one culture tank 4 and
It is possible to increase the size of the culture device by forming a unit and arranging them as shown in FIG. 2 (b). Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), a reservoir 12 is installed, and the nutrient solution is circulated between the culture tank 4 and the reservoir 12 through a circulation loop 14 having a pump 13 to perform culture, The grown algae can be continuously cultured by extracting it from the product extracting line 15 via a separating device (not shown) in the reservoir 12. In addition,
Although the culture tank 4 and the reservoir 12 are integrally formed in the example of FIG. 2C, the culture tank 4 and the reservoir 12 are separated from each other,
A form in which they are connected by piping is also possible.

As the light emitting tube of the light collecting plug, those having various shapes can be used according to the growth conditions of various algae. Figure 3
8 shows an example of a light collecting plug in which the shape of the light emitting tube is changed to change the light emitting position and the light emitting amount. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the shape of the light emitting tube is stepped. FIG. 3A shows the light emission state from the end surface of the stepped portion, and FIG. 3B shows the light emission state from the side surface. In the case of the cylindrical light emitting tube as shown in FIG. 1, the light parallel to the central axis of the light emitting tube is emitted only from the lower end surface. Idemitsu is also possible. That is, in this type, it is easy to control the end face light emission rate and the side face light emission rate.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a triangular notch type condensing plug as an example of the horizontal notch type. In the example of FIG. 1, the reflection angle α with respect to the incident angle γ is constant, but in this form, it is possible to control the reflection angle α with respect to the incident angle γ by changing the inclination of the side surface by cutting. A part of the light reflected at the reflection angle α can be transmitted depending on the covering condition of the light exit tube. The tip w is a space. Since the space portion w is for giving a change in the refractive index and the reflectance, it may be a cavity or may be separately filled with a material. Figure 5
Has a double structure for the light output tube by enlarging the space portion w, which is particularly effective for uniformizing the light distribution in the culture tank. The portion A near the tip may be a thin cylinder having a diameter d instead of the double cylinder.

FIG. 6 shows a large part of the light emitting tube, which is divided into thin cylinders in the example of the figure. In this form, since the surface area increases, the attenuation of light can be reduced and the plug volume with respect to the liquid volume can be made compact. 6A is a side view, and FIG. 6B is I-I in FIG. 6A.
It is sectional drawing of a surface. In the case of lateral light emission, the ratio d / t of the diameter d of the thin cylinder to the pitch t defines the culture capacity.
The selection of / t determines the optimum size of the fermentor.

FIG. 7 shows a shape in which most of the light emitting tube is cut in the vertical direction to form a sub-compartment chamber between adjacent light emitting tubes. 7A is a side view, and FIGS. 7B and 7C are cross-sectional views taken along the line II-II in FIG. 7A. In this type, a large number of subdivision chambers B are formed in the culture tank between adjacent light emitting tubes, and high-density light energy can be given to algae.

[0012] Fig. 8 shows a further subdivision of the culture tank. Fig. 8 (a) is a multi-layered disc type, and Fig. 8 (b) is a multi-layered disc type with an inner cylindrical cavity to improve the light emission control. FIG. 9 is a side view showing an example of the case, and FIGS.
It is an example of the sectional view of the II-III surface. Providing the grooves C on the upper and lower surfaces of the disc further increases the degree of freedom in optimizing the culture conditions.
FIG. 8C is an example in which a radial groove is formed, and FIG. 8D is an example in which parallel grooves are formed. In addition to this, various shapes such as a checkerboard groove can be considered,
As for their morphology, any optimum one may be adopted according to the culture conditions and the like. FIG. 9 shows a conical cavity CA and a diffuser plate LP.
9A is a side view showing an example of a combination of FIG.
(B) is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of (a).

3 to 9 show the embodiments of the shape of the light output tube 9, the shape of the light output tube 9 may be arbitrarily formed in accordance with the culture conditions and the like. As shown, the invention is not limited to these examples.

The relationship among the sizes of the lens 6, the reflection wall 7 and the light exit tube 9 is as shown in FIG. 1 in the shapes shown in FIGS.
The diameter of the light emitting tube is made substantially equal to the diameter of the lower end of the reflection wall, and the diameter of the lens is made larger than the diameter of the light emitting tube to increase the amount of light collection. Further, when adopting the shapes as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the diameter of the light exit tube may be appropriately determined between the lens and the diameter of the lower end of the reflection wall. In the example of FIG. 10, a fixture 8 having a diameter substantially the same as that of the projecting portion of the light output tube 9 is provided, inserted into the culture tank 4 and fixed by the fixture 8, and the lens 6 and the reflection wall 7 are larger than that. The amount of light collected is increased as the diameter. However, the size relationship between the lens 6 and the light output tube 9 can be freely selected,
What is illustrated here does not prescribe the magnitude relation.

The position and number of the fixtures 8 can be freely set, and it is sufficient to select a specification that facilitates insertion and fastening into the culture device. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, it may be supported in the middle of the light output tube 9 in the culture tank 4. In the case of FIG. 11, different types of algal cells can be cultured in the regions I and II divided by the fixture 8, and can be divided into a plurality of stages if necessary.

In the multilayer disc type light output tube of FIG. 8, the shape of the disc is arbitrary, but the purpose is to make the light uniform and to divide the culture solution. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the status of division. Figure 1
In the example of 2, the culture area can be divided by the areas of w and z. Figure 1
In the w region having the shape as shown in (b) of 2, light can be taken in from almost the entire circumference. Also, in the z range, FIG.
The splitting element of one light-collecting plug as shown in (c) surrounds the culture area, resulting in the situation as shown in (d) and (e) of FIG. 12, and light can be taken in from almost all directions. When it is necessary to further increase the amount of light input, a light collecting plug of 9x may be added by additionally using a light collecting plug having a small diameter. The volume (ω × t) of the culture zone z and the intensity of light are optimal depending on the alga to be cultured.

Next, FIG. 13 shows an example in which a condensing plug having a light emitting tube of the type shown in FIG. 9 is used in combination. FIG.
When arranged side by side as in (a), FIG. 13 (b) and (c)
As described above, the divided areas of w1 and z1 are three-dimensionally formed.
Also in this case, the light irradiation condition can be improved by using a 9x light emitting tube together.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the shape of the lens 6 and a combination method. In the case of the simple arrangement shown in FIG. 14A, the mutual distance between the light output tubes 9 in the culture tank is greatly separated as shown by the hatched portion in the figure. With the zigzag arrangement as shown in FIG. 14B, the area of the shaded area is slightly reduced and slightly improved. When higher density light irradiation is required, the dead area of light irradiation can be eliminated by supplementing the light emitting tube 9x having a lens of any shape as shown in FIGS. 14 (c) and (d). The amount of light can be increased by adding the light emitting tube. When it is not always necessary to improve the shaded area in FIG. 14A or 14B, the shape of the lens 6 is changed to that shown in FIG.
It is possible to increase the light collecting amount by increasing the light collecting area by forming a quadrangle, a hexagon, or another polygon as shown in (e). As a method for increasing the light irradiation density, FIG.
In addition to the method of inserting a condenser plug having a small lens aperture from the same direction as in (b) or (c), FIG.
Alternatively, as shown in (b) and (b), it is also possible to adopt a method of inserting the condensing plugs 11 and 11x of the same shape or arbitrary sizes from opposite directions.

The algae culture device is constructed by inserting these light-condensing plugs into the culture tank and fixing them with a fixture. As an example of the structure of the algae culture device, there is a rectangular horizontal arrangement type as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). A reservoir 12 is attached to this, and a circulation loop 14 is provided by a pump 13.
It is also possible to use a continuous culture apparatus in which the culture solution is circulated through and the grown algae are taken out from the product extraction line 15. Also, as shown in FIG. 16A, a rectangular vertical arrangement type in which light collecting plugs are inserted from both sides of a rectangular culture tank,
As shown in FIG. 16 (b), the lens surface is oriented outward in a cylindrical culture tank, and the light output tube is inserted toward the center of the cylinder. It is also possible to form a vertical truncated cone type as in c).

The algae culture device of the present invention is not limited to these examples, and may be arbitrarily designed according to the culture conditions suitable for each algae such as the light irradiation amount and the installation conditions of the culture device. it can. When increasing the size of the device, a plurality of culture devices configured as described above may be arranged as one unit. An example of multiple arrays is shown in FIG. Figure 1
7 (a) is a simple vertical arrangement, and FIG. 17 (b) is an inclined arrangement toward the sunlight. 16 and 17, a dotted arrow indicates that the same light-collecting plug or the same unit of the culture device is arranged in this direction.

The shape of the head of the lens forming the condenser plug of the present invention can be formed into any shape depending on the conditions of use. FIG. 18 shows an example of the head shape of the lens. The basic shape is the convex lens shown in FIG. 18 (a) or the Fresnel lens shown in FIG. 18 (b), but other shapes can be used in consideration of tilted light from each direction. Figure 1
8, (c) and (d) are conical, (e) is a beveled lens,
(F) is an inclined lens whose surface is a mirror-finished surface (M). These three-dimensional lenses are improvements in this point because the lenses of FIGS. 18 (a) and 18 (b) lack the ability to take in incident light from the lateral direction, and are incident in the lateral direction perpendicular to the plug axis. Light can also be introduced into the light output tube 9. The lens of this system is necessary when the sunlight shines from above as in the vertical arrangement device shown in FIGS.

[0022]

In the light collecting plug of the present invention, the light energy collected by the lens is directly emitted from the light emitting tube into the culture tank without passing through the optical fiber. Further, since the shape of the light emitting tube can be selected optimally in accordance with the growth of algae, the control of emitted light is facilitated, and further, three-dimensionally uniform light energy is emitted into the culture tank. The condensing plug and the culture device of the present invention have a great improvement effect when using sunlight, but since the method of emitting light to the inside of the culture tank has also been improved, when using artificial light (lamp) Is also valid.

[0023]

The present invention has the following effects. (1) Since the light collection and the light emission are integrated, a so-called light collection device (including the holding structure) is not required, and the cost of the algae culture device can be reduced. (2) The shape of the light emitting tube can be freely selected, and the optimum amount of light for the growth of algae can be applied to any location in the algae culture tank. (3) Three-dimensional light emission is possible, the distribution of light energy in the tank can be optimized, and high-density irradiation is possible. (4) The light collection efficiency is close to 100%, and all incident light is emitted into the culture tank. (5) The light concentrating plug can be easily attached to and detached from the culture tank, and the maintenance cost of the device can be reduced. It is also possible to use a closed structure. (6) The light irradiation condition can be improved by combining the plugs of the large diameter lens and the small diameter lens or by adopting the polygonal lens. (7) The vertical type allows a large number of arrangements, and when used in combination with a three-dimensional lens, the amount of light taken in can be increased.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing a basic configuration of a light collecting plug according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing a basic configuration of an algae culture device body according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing an example of a stepped type light collecting plug.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a triangular notch type light collecting plug.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing an example of a double cylindrical light collecting plug.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view of a finely divided type light collecting plug.

FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a sub-chamber forming type light collecting plug.

FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory view of a multilayer disc type and a multilayer disc type light collecting plug with an inner cylinder.

FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory view of a conical cavity and a light collecting plug with a light diffusing plate.

FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory view of a light collecting plug provided with a fixture having a diameter substantially the same as that of a multilayer disc.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing the outline of a culture tank in which a fixture is provided in the middle of a light output tube and divided.

FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example in which a culture area is divided by a combination of multilayer disc-shaped light collecting plugs.

FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example in which the culture area is divided using the light collecting plug shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a lens shape and a combination method.

FIG. 15 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of how to combine light collecting plugs.

FIG. 16 is a schematic explanatory view showing a configuration example of an algae culture device in which a plurality of light collecting plugs are arranged.

FIG. 17 is a schematic explanatory view showing a configuration example of an algae culture device including a plurality of culture device units.

FIG. 18 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of a head shape of a lens.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing the outline of a conventional culture device.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A light entrance portion having a condenser lens and a reflection wall for receiving light from the outside, and light exit light for receiving light from the light entrance portion formed integrally with the light entrance portion and irradiating the light into a culture tank. A light-condensing plug having a tube. 2. The shape of the light emitting tube is any one of a cylindrical shape, a stepped shape, a horizontal notch shape, a double cylinder shape, a subdivision type, a subdivision chamber forming type, and a multi-layer disc shape. Item 1. The light collecting plug according to item 1. 3. An algae cultivating device for irradiating light on algae dispersed in a culture solution in a culture tank to culture the algae, wherein as means for receiving light from the outside and emitting light into the culture tank. An algae culture device comprising the light-condensing plug described in 2. 4. The algae culture device according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of light collecting plugs are attached to the culture tank.