JPH11299377A - Nutriculture apparatus of individual water feed and noncircular type - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the subject culture apparatus capable of simultaneously culturing many kinds of plants, without needing the continuous circulation of a culture solution, enabling the feeding of only needed culture solution and free from the danger of environmental pollution by furnishing a culture solution transferring means, a buffer layer, specific culture solution feeding tubes and culturing layers. SOLUTION: This nutriculture apparatus comprises a culture solution transferring pump 5, a buffering layer 7 placed at the downstream side of the pump 5, plural culture solution feeding tubes 9 having a flow-controlling device and culture layers 13 placed at the ends of a feeding tube 9. It is preferable that a culture solution feeding tube 9 is branched at the downstream side of the flow-controlling device, and it is also preferable that plural culture solution feeding tubes 9 have each a flow-controlling device which can separately control the flow. Further, said flow-controlling device may comprise a switching electromagnetic valve 10 and a flow-controlling valve 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for cultivating a nutrient solution, and more particularly to a method for cultivating many kinds of plants at one time and without circulating the nutrient solution constantly, the amount required for plant growth. It can supply only nutrient solution, there is no risk of environmental pollution, and individual water supply / non-recycling type nutrient solution cultivation device and individual water supply using this which does not spread the contamination by invading plant pathogens to the whole plant. The present invention relates to a non-circulating nutrient solution cultivation method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hydroponic cultivation is broadly divided into hydroponic culture and solid medium cultivation.
There are drip irrigation (draining or circulation), submergence, etc., but in order to be able to cultivate many crops in one cultivation tank, the nutrient solution is conventionally larger than the crop to be cultivated. A system for supplying and managing excess nutrient solution was employed.

[0003] A large-sized one-tank hydroponic system for cultivating a large amount of the same plant in one cultivation tank has already been put into practical use. Therefore, once plant pathogens enter the cultivation tank, the plant pathogens infect the plants in the tank one after another, spread immediately throughout the tank, and contaminate all the plants in the tank, causing serious damage. was there.

[0004] In addition, in this nutrient solution, the nutrient solution is constantly circulated, and as the cultivation proceeds, the nutrient solution is contaminated by a part of the plant roots or secretions. was there. In addition, instead of replacing the nutrient solution, a method of removing contaminants by a filtration device such as a filter is also known. However, according to this method, trace nutrients contained in the nutrient solution are removed at the same time. However, there were problems such as a change in the composition of the solution and a change in the pH of the nutrient solution. Further, the old nutrient solution generated by the exchange is released into the environment, but because it still contains a considerable amount of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potassium and the like, it has caused river pollution.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to cultivate many kinds of plants at one time, and to circulate the nutrient solution constantly without increasing the amount of nutrient solution required for plant growth. Water supply and non-circulation type hydroponic cultivation equipment and individual water supply and non-circulation using the same, which can supply only water, does not cause environmental pollution, and does not spread the whole plant due to the invasion of plant pathogens. It is an object of the present invention to provide a nutrient solution cultivation method.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventor of the present invention has made intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, and found that it is basically difficult to solve the above-mentioned problems with a conventional large-sized one-tank hydroponic cultivation apparatus. As a conclusion, an alternative to this is a multi-tank, non-circulating system that does not release old cultures into the environment, as contamination by invading plant pathogens does not spread throughout the plant. The hydroponic cultivation device was studied, and the nutrient solution from the nutrient solution supply pump was not directly supplied to the plants in the plurality of cultivation tanks through the plurality of nutrient solution supply pipes. A buffer tank is provided between the tanks, and a method of separately supplying water from a plurality of nutrient solution supply pipes provided in the buffer tank and individually supplying water to plants in a plurality of cultivation tanks is used, so that a large number of tanks can be formed at once. The present inventors have found that a certain amount of nutrient solution can be supplied, and the present invention It has been completed.

That is, according to the present invention, a nutrient solution transfer means, a buffer tank provided downstream of the transfer means, a plurality of nutrient solution supply pipes having flow rate control means, and an end portion of the nutrient solution supply pipe are provided. Water supply / non-circulating type nutrient cultivation apparatus having a cultivation tank and the individual water supply / non-circulating type nutrient cultivation wherein the nutrient solution supply pipe in the liquid cultivation apparatus is branched downstream of the flow rate control means. The apparatus and the individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient cultivation apparatus in which the flow control means in the nutrient cultivation apparatus comprises an opening / closing electromagnetic valve and a flow control valve, and the flow control means in the nutrient cultivation apparatus is a flow control electromagnetic valve. The individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient cultivation apparatus, and the individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient cultivation apparatus having a flow control means capable of individually controlling a flow rate of each of the plurality of nutrient solution supply pipes in the nutrient cultivation apparatus. About.

The present invention also provides a nutrient solution introduced into a buffer tank by means of a nutrient solution transfer means, and the introduced nutrient solution is supplied from a plurality of nutrient solution supply pipes connected to the buffer tank while controlling the flow rate of the nutrient solution. In a cultivation tank provided at the end of the supply pipe, an individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient cultivation method for supplying only the amount of nutrient solution required by the plant, or a plurality of nutrient solutions in the nutrient cultivation method The above-mentioned individual water supply / non-circulating nutrient solution cultivation method for supplying nutrient solution from a pipe to a plant of a different series, or the individual water supply wherein the cultivation unit in the cultivation tank is one individual per cultivation tank in the nutrient solution cultivation method・ Related to a non-circulating hydroponic method.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the present invention, the nutrient solution transfer means may be any means for transferring nutrient solution from a nutrient solution preparation tank or the like to a buffer tank. Specifically, a flow rate control valve and a nutrient solution transfer pump provided in the nutrient solution transfer pipe can be exemplified. Opening and closing of the flow control valve may be performed manually or may be automated. The transfer of the nutrient solution by the nutrient solution transfer pump can be automated, and the nutrient solution prepared in advance in the nutrient solution preparation tank or the like is usually intermittently transferred by a timer or the like, and is passed through a flow rate control valve or a nutrient solution transfer pipe. The nutrient solution transferred is stored in the buffer tank. Further, the preparation of the nutrient solution is performed by using a tubular dilution mixer such as a static mixer (Noritake Co., Ltd.).
) May be transferred from various raw material tanks while preparing the nutrient solution when necessary.

The buffer tank in the present invention is provided downstream of the nutrient solution transfer means such as the nutrient solution transfer pump, that is, between the nutrient solution transfer means and a number of cultivation tanks, and is sent from the nutrient solution transfer means. Any material can be used as long as it can store the nutrient solution under pressure. In the buffer tank, the nutrient solution transfer pipe on the upstream side, a plurality of different series of nutrient solution supply pipes that can individually control the flow rate on the downstream side thereof are connected,
Further, a return pipe or an outflow pipe having a flow control valve for allowing a part of the nutrient solution to flow out of the buffer tank when the liquid pressure in the buffer tank becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value is connected. The other end of the return pipe may be connected to a nutrient solution preparation tank. Further, a pressure regulating valve, a pressure sensor, and the like are provided in the buffer tank. The buffer tank includes a type in which the internal pressure is kept constant and a type in which the internal pressure fluctuates.

The other ends of the different series of nutrient solution supply pipes connected to these buffer tanks extend to the cultivation tank, and the buffer tanks of the respective nutrient solution supply pipes are shifted from the buffer tank to the respective cultivation tanks. Flow rate control means for adjusting the supply amount of the nutrient solution is provided, and these nutrient solution supply pipes closer to the cultivation tank can supply a certain amount of nutrient solution to many cultivation tanks of the same series at the same time. It is desirable to be branched as follows. Here, the “different series” refers to a series in which the supply time of the nutrient solution and / or the supply amount thereof are different, and the “same series” refers to a series in which the supply time of the nutrient solution and the amount thereof are equal. That means.

[0012] As such a flow control means, when the nutrient solution flowing in by the nutrient solution transfer pump causes the inside of the buffer tank to reach a predetermined pressure or higher, a part of the nutrient solution that has flowed in is connected to the buffer tank. A flow path individually provided for a plurality of supply pipes of different series, which is used when the pressure in the buffer tank is kept constant by discharging through a flow control valve provided in the outflow pipe. An opening / closing solenoid valve having an opening / closing function and a flow control valve used by adjusting the flow rate to a preset flow rate can be exemplified. According to this type of flow control means, when a preset time is reached for a certain series, the opening / closing solenoid valve is automatically set to "open" for a predetermined set time by a timer, and the nutrient solution in the pressurized buffer tank is released. The nutrient solution is discharged to the cultivation tank via the nutrient solution supply pipe, and a predetermined flow rate of nutrient solution is equally supplied to a plurality of cultivation tanks of the same series. "To automatically stop the supply of nutrient solution.

In another aspect of the present invention, the flow control means includes a pressure sensor which detects a pressure in the buffer tank and controls the flow rate to a preset flow rate based on a signal from the pressure sensor. The flow control solenoid valves provided individually can be exemplified. According to this type of flow control means, at a preset time for a certain series, the flow control solenoid valve automatically adjusts the flow rate based on a signal from the pressure sensor and operates for a certain set time,
The nutrient solution in the pressurized buffer tank is discharged toward the cultivation tank via the nutrient solution supply pipe, and a predetermined amount of nutrient solution is equally supplied to a plurality of cultivation tanks of the same series, and a certain amount is supplied. When the set time elapses, the flow control solenoid valve is automatically operated, the flow path is closed, and the supply of the nutrient solution is stopped.

[0014] Still another embodiment of the flow control means includes:
An opening / closing solenoid valve having an opening / closing function for a flow path, which is individually provided for a plurality of supply pipes of different series and is operated simultaneously with driving of a nutrient solution transfer pump by a timer which is activated when a certain time comes. And a flow control valve that is used by adjusting the flow rate to a preset flow rate. According to this type of flow control means, when a preset time is reached for a certain series, the timer opens and closes the solenoid valve automatically when the nutrient solution transfer pump is driven.
The nutrient solution is discharged to the cultivation tank via a nutrient solution supply pipe for a certain set time, and a predetermined amount of the nutrient solution is equally supplied to a plurality of cultivation tanks of the same series. After a certain time, the timer stops the liquid transfer pump and closes the open / close solenoid valve.
The supply of nutrient solution is automatically stopped. In this case, the hydraulic pressure (flow rate) in the nutrient solution supply pipe is
The number of supply pipes of different series to which the nutrient solution is supplied will vary depending on the mode of use, but it will be constant in a certain mode, and there is no problem in actual use even with this method, and the preset flow rate Can be supplied to each cultivation tank.

When the nutrient solution is supplied to the cultivation tank directly from the nutrient solution transfer pump through the nutrient solution supply pipe without providing a buffer tank as in the present invention, the nutrient solution supply pipe up to the branched end is used. The supply pressure differs for each supply pipe due to differences in the length of the nuts and the number of branched nutrient solution supply pipes. As a result, it is not possible to supply a preset amount of nutrient solution. By temporarily storing the obtained nutrient solution, it is possible to supply a uniform amount of the nutrient solution by adjusting the flow rate and supplying a predetermined amount of the nutrient solution through each nutrient solution supply pipe. .

In the present invention, by providing a plurality of different nutrient solution supply pipes having flow rate control means, different amounts of nutrient solution can be supplied to the respective nutrient solution supply pipes at different times. It is possible to adjust the supply amount according to the size and type of the plant, and it is possible to supply nutrient solution evenly to a plurality of branched supply lines of the same series. A certain required amount of nutrient solution can be supplied to the same series of cultivation tanks. And according to the present invention,
Since only the amount of nutrient solution absorbed by the plant can be supplied, there is no need for a large amount of nutrient solution for constantly flowing the culture solution with a pump as in the conventional circulation system.

In the present invention, for example, by controlling the number and time of the operation of the nutrient solution transfer pump with a timer, only the amount of nutrient solution required per day can be supplied to the terminal cultivation tank. By individually controlling the flow rate of a plurality of nutrient solution supply pipes of different series by an open / close solenoid valve and a flow rate control valve, or a flow rate control solenoid valve, nutrient solution supply in a different mode for each series has become possible. In addition, at the time of initial setting and resetting of the flow control means, it is necessary to confirm whether the supply of a specific series of nutrient solution is properly performed as set based on experience in plant cultivation. After that, various plants can be easily set by adding conventional cultivation knowledge.

As the cultivation tank in the present invention, a cultivation tank for solid culture cultivation or hydroponic culture having a structure that does not discharge a waste liquid of a nutrient solution can be used. Since a separate medium is required, a solid medium (sand, rock wool, kuntan, soil) or a thin hydroponic bench is desirable. In the case of a solid medium, the supply method of the nutrient solution is preferably an irrigation type or a bottom flooded type. .

The cultivation apparatus of the present invention is an individual water supply type in which one cultivation tank is provided at each of the branched ends of the nutrient solution supply pipe, and cultivation units of a plurality, usually a large number of individual cultivation tanks are provided. Is preferably a minimum, for example, one individual per cultivation tank, and it is not preferable to use a large bench as in the conventional method. In this way, by minimizing the cultivation unit in the cultivation tank, the contamination by the invading plant pathogen does not spread to the whole plant. In addition, in the case of solid medium cultivation, in the conventional method, nutrient solution is supplied to a large bench by an irrigation method. Although it was necessary to circulate the liquid, in the cultivation apparatus of the present invention, as described above, it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of nutrient solution set in advance to each cultivation tank, so that the nutrient solution is circulated. The cultivation tub can be made unnecessary, and the cultivation tub can be reduced in size, and the cultivation unit in the cultivation tub can be reduced. As a result, variations in the nutrient solution in the cultivation tub can be eliminated.

[0020]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. FIG. 1 shows an individual water supply / non-circulation type nutriculture apparatus of the present invention. The individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient solution cultivation apparatus 1 includes a nutrient solution preparation tank 2 and a nutrient solution preparation auxiliary tank 3.
A flow control valve 4, a nutrient solution transfer pump 5, a nutrient solution transfer pipe 6, a buffer tank 7 that can be set to keep the pressure in the tank constant, and a pressure adjustment valve provided in the buffer tank 7. 8, a plurality of nutrient solution supply pipes 9 of different series connected to the buffer tank 7, an opening / closing solenoid valve 10 having an opening / closing function provided near the buffer tank 7 of the nutrient solution supply pipe 9, and a flow control valve 11 And a branched supply pipe 12 provided near the cultivation tank of the nutrient solution supply pipe 8.
And a number of cultivation tanks 13, a buffer tank 7 and a nutrient solution preparation auxiliary tank 3 connected to each other, and a return pipe 1 having a pressure control valve 14.
And 5. In FIG. 1, SP indicates a small plant and LP indicates a large plant.

Next, an individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient solution cultivation apparatus 1
The cultivation method using is described. Flow control valve 4
Is opened, and when a predetermined time comes, a nutrient solution transfer pump 5 is operated by a timer (not shown).
Is driven, and the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution preparation tank 2 is introduced into the buffer tank 7 from the nutrient solution transfer pipe 6 by the nutrient solution transfer pump 5. The nutrient solution in the buffer tank 7 is supplied to the pressure control valve 8 or the pressure control valve 14.
Is maintained at a constant water pressure by discharging and returning the nutrient solution from the buffer tank 7 via. After the water pressure is kept constant, a specific series of the on-off solenoid valves 10 of the on-off solenoid valves 10 and the flow rate control valves 11 provided individually for the plurality of different nutrient solution supply pipes 9 are kept constant by a timer. Set time of "open"
The nutrient solution of a constant flow rate in the buffer tank 7 pressurized to a constant pressure is adjusted to a preset flow rate of the nutrient solution supply pipe 9 via a flow control valve 11 and a branched supply pipe 12. Then, the nutrient solution is discharged to the cultivation tank 13 and the nutrient solution having a preset flow rate is equally supplied to the plurality of cultivation tanks 13 of the same series. When a certain set time has elapsed, the drive of the nutrient solution transfer pump 5 is stopped, the opening / closing solenoid valve 10 is set to “closed”, and the supply of the nutrient solution is stopped.

Also, an individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient cultivation apparatus 1
A cultivation method according to another embodiment using the method will be described. The flow control valve 4 is left open, and when a preset time is reached, the opening / closing solenoid valve 10 is automatically set to “open” at the same time when the nutrient solution transfer pump 5 is driven by a timer (not shown), During a certain set time, the nutrient solution is discharged to the cultivation tub 13 via the flow control valve 11 and the branched supply tube 12 which are adjusted to a preset flow rate of the nutrient solution supply pipe 9, and the same. Multiple cultivation tanks 1
The nutrient solution having a preset flow rate is supplied equally to the tank 3, and when a certain set time has elapsed, the operation of the liquid transfer pump 5 is stopped by the timer, and the opening / closing solenoid valve 10 is set to "closed". Supply stops automatically.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the individual water supply / non-circulating type nutrient cultivation apparatus 16 of the present invention. The individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient solution cultivation apparatus 16 includes a dilution water tank 17, a liquid fertilizer tank 18, a flow control valve 19, and a dilution mixing mixer 20.
, A nutrient solution transfer pump 21, a nutrient solution transfer pipe 22, a buffer tank 23 in which the inside of the tank is under pressure, a pressure sensor 24 provided in the buffer tank 23, and a different series connected to the buffer tank 23. A plurality of nutrient solution supply pipes 25, a flow rate control electromagnetic valve 26 provided near the buffer tank 23 of the nutrient solution supply pipe 25, and a branched supply pipe 27 provided near the cultivation tank of the nutrient solution supply pipe 25; It comprises a number of cultivation tanks 28 and an outflow pipe 30 having a pressure control valve 29. 1, SP indicates a small plant and LP indicates a large plant.

Next, an individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient cultivation apparatus 1
The cultivation method using No. 6 will be described. When the flow rate control valve 19 is opened and the operation of the nutrient solution transfer pump 21 managed by a timer (not shown) comes,
The dilution water from the dilution water tank 17 and the liquid fertilizer from the liquid fertilizer tank 18 are transferred while being mixed and diluted in the dilution and mixing mixer 20 so as to be a nutrient solution having a set concentration, and the uniformly mixed nutrient solution is transferred. Is introduced from the nutrient solution transfer pipe 22 to the buffer tank 23 by the nutrient solution transfer pump 21. The pressure in the buffer tank 23 is automatically detected by a pressure sensor 24 provided in the buffer tank 23, and a signal thereof is sent to a controller (not shown) or the like. The flow control solenoid valves 26 provided individually are operated by commands from the controller, and the flow control solenoid valves 2
The flow rate of the nutrient solution is automatically adjusted so that the flow rate of the nutrient 6 becomes a preset flow rate for a predetermined time. The nutrient solution is discharged to the direction 28 and a predetermined amount of nutrient solution is equally supplied to a plurality of cultivation tanks 28 of the same series. When a certain set time has elapsed, the flow control solenoid valve 26 is automatically operated, the flow path is closed, and supply of the nutrient solution is stopped.

[0025]

According to the present invention, the spread of the disease in the cultivation tank can be prevented, and since there is no waste liquid of the nutrient solution, not only is it environmentally friendly, but also the use amount of the nutrient solution is reduced and the running cost is reduced. The equipment cost can be reduced by omitting the equipment corresponding to the cultivation and circulation, and it is also possible to grow crops of different growth stages and different types at the same time. There is an advantage that the nutrient solution can be finely prepared.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of an individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient solution cultivation apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient solution cultivation apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 16 Individual water supply / non-circulating type nutrient solution cultivation device 2 Nutrient solution preparation tank 3 Nutrient solution preparation auxiliary tank 4, 19 Flow rate control valve 5, 21 Nutrient solution transfer pump 6, 22 Nutrient solution transfer pipe 7, 23 Buffer tank 8 Pressure control valve 9, 25 Nutrient solution supply pipe 10 Opening / closing solenoid valve 11 Flow rate control valve 12, 27 Branched supply pipe 13, 28 Cultivation tank 14, 29 Pressure control valve 15 Return pipe 17 Dilution water tank 18 Liquid fertilizer tank 20 Dilution mixing mixer 24 Pressure sensor 26 Flow control solenoid valve 30 Outflow pipe SP Small plant LP Large plant

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A nutrient solution transfer means, a buffer tank provided downstream of the transfer means, a plurality of nutrient solution supply pipes having flow rate control means, and a cultivation tank installed at an end of the nutrient solution supply pipe. An individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient solution cultivation device comprising: 2. The individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient solution cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient solution supply pipe is branched downstream of the flow rate control means. 3. The individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient solution cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of nutrient solution supply pipes has flow rate control means capable of individually controlling a flow rate. 4. The individual water-supply / non-circulation type nutriculture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow control means comprises an open / close solenoid valve and a flow control valve. 5. The individual water supply / non-circulation type nutrient solution cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate control means comprises a flow rate control solenoid valve. 6. A nutrient solution is introduced into a buffer tank by a nutrient solution transfer means, and the introduced nutrient solution is supplied from a plurality of nutrient solution supply tubes connected to the buffer tank while controlling the flow rate of the nutrient solution supply tube. An individual water-supply / non-circulation type nutrient solution cultivation method, characterized in that only an amount of nutrient solution required by a plant is supplied to a cultivation tank provided at an end. 7. The method for cultivating nutrient solution according to claim 6, wherein the nutrient solution is supplied to plants of a different line from a plurality of nutrient solution supply pipes. 8. The method for cultivating nutrient solution according to claim 6, wherein the number of cultivation units in the cultivation tank is one per cultivation tank.