WO2002099031A1

WO2002099031A1 - Device and method for cultivating micro algae

Info

Publication number: WO2002099031A1
Application number: PCT/JP2002/005263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Toru Sato; Yoshihiro Tsuchiya; Shinsuke Usui; Seishiro Hirabayashi; Yutaka Kondo
Original assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2001-06-01
Filing date: 2002-05-30
Publication date: 2002-12-12
Also published as: JP4079877B2; KR100609736B1; CN1304555C; KR20040019298A; JPWO2002099031A1; CN1513055A

Abstract

A device (1) and a method for cultivating micro algae capable of providing a high productivity by realizing the sufficient stirring of culture solution and maintaining a high culture efficiency over a long period by preventing the micro algae from adhering to the wall surface of a culture container and from precipitating onto the bottom surface of the culture container, wherein, in the micro algae cultivating device (1) for cultivating micro algae in the culture container (2) by filling the culture solution (11) in the culture container (2) having a gas discharge opening part (17) at a top part and letting visible light beam into the culture solution (11) while blowing the gas containing carbon dioxide therein, the culture container (2) is formed in a double tubular shape comprising horizontal inner and outer tubes (4) and (5), at least the outer tube (5) is formed with a transparent material allowing visible light beam to transmit therethrough, and a gas inlet (5b) is open to the inside bottom part of the culture container (2), whereby the swirl flow of the culture solution (11) can be formed in the culture container (2) by blowing the gas from the gas inlet (5b) into the culture container.

Description

Description Microalgae culture device and microalgae culture method <Technical field>

The present invention relates to a closed-type microalgae culturing apparatus for culturing microalgae, which is a photosynthetic organism, and a microalgae culturing method.

Microalgae, which are photosynthetic organisms, are cultivated as feed for aquaculture because they absorb carbon dioxide and produce useful components such as vitamins, amino acids, pigments, proteins, polysaccharides, and fatty acids by photosynthesis. ing. In addition, this kind of microalgae is also used as a means for treating carbon dioxide, which is one of the causes of global warming, and in recent years, a culturing apparatus for culturing the carbon dioxide in a large amount has been studied.

By the way, a culture device is for culturing microalgae in a culture solution, and the light necessary for photosynthesis mainly uses sunlight, and carbon dioxide is air or a mixed gas of carbon dioxide and air. Supply by blowing into.

Therefore, in order to efficiently utilize microbial algae by using solar energy efficiently in a culture device,

(1) High light reception

(2) Thoroughly agitate the culture solution, illuminate the microalgae efficiently, supply nutrients and carbon dioxide uniformly, and remove oxygen discharged from the microalgae.

(3) Achieve agitation without stagnation of the culture solution to reduce light transmission due to the adhesion of microalgae on the wall and to prevent sedimentation by forming colonies.

Is required.

Conventionally, as an cultivation method for microalgae, an open culture method using a culture pond or raceway type culture pond has been implemented, but this method does not allow sufficient agitation of the culture solution, so light is exposed to the surface. , The concentration of the culture is low, and the contamination of dust and dirt or airborne microorganisms cannot be prevented. Only microalgae that can be cultured under the conditions can be cultured, and furthermore, it is difficult to adjust the temperature of the culture solution.

Therefore, various closed-type culturing devices for culturing microalgae in a culture vessel by introducing a culture solution into a culture vessel and injecting visible light while blowing gas containing carbon dioxide into the culture solution have been proposed. Have been.

By the way, the capacity per installation area of a closed type cultivation apparatus is smaller than that of an open type cultivation method, and high concentration cultivation is necessary to increase high productivity.

However, in a closed-type culture device, the light attenuates from the light-receiving wall side to the inside, resulting in some algae being exposed to light and others not being exposed to light.Therefore, sufficient agitation of the culture solution in the device is required. Without it, all algae cannot receive light fairly and high productivity cannot be achieved.

In addition, in a closed-type culture device, microalgae adhere to the inner wall of the culture vessel, or microalgae form a colony in the culture vessel and precipitate. There is a problem of doing. Furthermore, precipitation of microalgae in the culture vessel becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and may cause the culture solution to spoil.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to achieve sufficient productivity by achieving sufficient agitation of the culture solution, and to provide microalgae on the culture vessel wall. An object of the present invention is to provide a microalgae culturing apparatus and a microalgae culturing method that can maintain high cultivation efficiency over a long period of time by preventing adhesion and precipitation on the bottom of a culture vessel.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes, while introducing a culture solution into a culture vessel having an opening at the top, blowing a gas containing carbon dioxide into the culture solution, In a microalgae culturing apparatus for culturing microalgae in the culture vessel by irradiating visible light, the culture vessel is formed into a double cylindrical shape composed of a horizontally placed inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, and at least the outer cylinder is formed. The tube is made of a transparent material that transmits visible light, and a gas inlet for blowing a gas for forming a swirling flow of the culture solution in the culture container is opened at a lower portion in the culture container. I do. The invention described in claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are formed of a cylinder, an elliptical cylinder, or a long cylinder, and the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are Are arranged concentrically or eccentrically. The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the culture solution is put into a culture vessel having an opening at the top, and the gas containing carbon dioxide is blown into the culture solution, and visible light is incident on the culture solution. In the microalgae culturing method of culturing microalgae in a culture vessel, an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder that are concentrically arranged are formed into a double cylinder, and at least the outer cylinder is made of a transparent material that transmits visible light. A gas inlet opening at the lower part of the configured culture vessel is arranged on one of the right and left sides of a vertical plane passing through the center axis of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and the gas is injected from the gas inlet. Thus, a swirling flow of the culture solution is formed in the culture vessel. The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the culture solution is put into a culture vessel having an opening at the top, and a gas containing carbon dioxide is blown into the culture solution, and visible light is incident on the culture solution. In the microalgae culturing method of culturing microalgae in a culture vessel, an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder that are eccentrically placed sideways are formed into a double cylinder, and at least the outer cylinder is made of a transparent material that transmits visible light. A gas inlet opening at the lower part of the configured culture vessel is arranged on one of the right and left sides of a vertical plane passing through the center axis of the inner cylinder, and the gas is blown from the gas inlet to thereby culture the culture vessel. A swirling flow of the culture solution is formed therein. The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the gas inlets are arranged on right and left sides of a vertical plane passing through a center axis of the inner cylinder of the culture vessel. In addition, by alternately switching the two gas inlets at predetermined time intervals, the rotating direction of the culture solution in the culture container is alternately switched. The invention described in claim 6 is the invention described in claim 3 or 4. In the method, a plurality of gas inlets are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the culture vessel, and a gas is sequentially blown from the gas inlet at one end of the culture vessel with a predetermined time difference, so that the culture solution is introduced into the culture vessel. It is characterized by forming a swirling flow that changes along the longitudinal direction of the culture vessel. The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a plurality of gas inlets pass through a central axis of the inner cylinder along a longitudinal direction of the culture vessel. The method is characterized in that swirling flows of a culture solution having different directions in the longitudinal direction are alternately formed in the culture container by alternately arranging the gas on the left and right sides of a vertical plane and injecting gas from each gas inlet. The invention described in claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein water is supplied to the outer surface of the outer cylinder of the culture vessel with temperature-regulated water, The temperature of the culture solution is controlled by flowing temperature-regulated water into a water passage formed outside or flowing temperature-regulated water into the inner cylinder. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a gas inlet for injecting a gas for forming a swirling flow of the culture solution into the culture container is opened at a lower portion in the culture container. To form a swirling flow of the culture solution in the culture vessel, and sufficiently agitate the culture solution so that all microalgae can be received fairly, thereby achieving high productivity. Can be. In addition, the multi-phase turbulence during the passage of bubbles in the culture solution and the turbulent boundary layer on the wall surface and the Gertruder vortex caused by the flow of the culture solution along the curved wall of the double cylindrical culture vessel cause A vortex is generated from the curved wall to the curved wall of the inner cylinder and from the curved wall of the inner cylinder to the curved wall of the outer cylinder, and the vortex causes sufficient agitation without stagnation of the culture solution. Eliminates adhesion to wall surfaces or formation of colonies and sedimentation, and light transmission is not blocked by microalgae. Microalgae are efficiently cultured to efficiently and uniformly receive light. Thus, high culture efficiency can be maintained over a long period of time. Furthermore, because the culture vessel is composed of an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder with high pressure resistance, The thickness of the apparatus can be reduced, and the weight and cost of the apparatus can be reduced. According to the invention set forth in claim 2, the culture vessel can be easily configured by arranging the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, each of which is a cylinder, an elliptic cylinder, or a long cylinder, concentrically or eccentrically. . According to claim 3, a culture vessel formed of a concentrically arranged inner cylinder and an outer cylinder in a double cylindrical shape, wherein at least the outer cylinder is made of a transparent material that transmits visible light. A gas inlet opening at the bottom of the inner cylinder and the right or left of a vertical plane passing through the center axis of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and blowing the gas from the gas inlet into the culture vessel. Since the swirling flow of the culture solution is formed, sufficient agitation of the culture solution is facilitated, and all microalgae can be received fairly, whereby high productivity can be achieved. In addition, multi-phase turbulence when bubbles flow through the culture solution and turbulence on the wall surface easily generate Gertruder vortices due to the flow of the culture solution along the boundary layer and the curved wall of the double cylindrical culture vessel. In this way, a vortex is easily generated from the curved wall of the outer cylinder to the curved wall of the inner cylinder and from the curved wall of the inner cylinder to the curved wall of the outer cylinder, and the vortex sufficiently agitates the culture solution without stagnation. As a result, the microalgae do not adhere to the wall surface of the culture vessel or form a colony and settle out, so that light transmission is not blocked by the microalgae, and the microalgae receive light efficiently and uniformly. Thus, microalgae can be cultured efficiently, and high culture efficiency can be maintained for a long period of time. According to claim 4, a culture vessel formed of an eccentrically placed inner cylinder and an outer cylinder in a double cylindrical shape, wherein at least the outer cylinder is made of a transparent material that transmits visible light. A gas inlet opening at the lower part is arranged on one of the right and left sides of a vertical plane passing through the center axis of the inner cylinder, and the gas is blown from the gas inlet to thereby inject the culture solution into the culture vessel. Since the swirling flow is formed, sufficient agitation of the culture solution is easily performed, so that all microalgae can be received fairly, thereby achieving high productivity. In addition, the multi-phase turbulence when bubbles pass through the culture solution and the turbulent boundary layer on the wall ゲル By easily generating geller vortices due to the flow of the culture solution along the curved wall of the culture vessel having a double cylindrical shape, from the curved wall of the outer cylinder to the curved wall of the inner cylinder and from the curved wall of the inner cylinder A vortex is easily generated toward the curved wall of the outer cylinder, and the vortex allows the culture solution to be sufficiently agitated without stagnation, so that microalgae can adhere to the wall surface of the culture vessel or form a colony and precipitate. The microalgae are not obstructed, and the light transmission is not blocked by the microalgae. The microalgae can be efficiently cultured to efficiently and uniformly receive the microalgae, and the high culture efficiency can be maintained for a long period of time. it can. According to the invention set forth in claim 5, the gas inlets are arranged on the left and right sides of a vertical plane passing through the center axis of the inner cylinder of the culture vessel, and the two gas inlets are alternately cut at predetermined time intervals. By alternately switching the swirling direction of the culture solution in the culture container by switching, the culture solution can be stirred more efficiently. The invention according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of gas inlets are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the culture vessel, and gas is sequentially blown from the gas inlet at one end of the culture vessel with a predetermined time difference. As a result, by forming a swirling flow of the culture solution in the culture vessel that changes along the longitudinal direction of the culture vessel, sufficient agitation of the culture solution can be realized and high productivity can be obtained. At the same time, it is possible to maintain high culture efficiency over a long period of time by preventing the microalgae from adhering to the wall surface of the culture vessel and sedimentation to the bottom surface of the culture vessel. The invention according to claim 7, that is, a plurality of gas inlets are arranged alternately on the left and right sides of a vertical plane passing through a center axis of the inner cylinder along a longitudinal direction of the culture vessel, and each gas inlet is provided. By forming a swirling flow of the culture solution in which the direction is alternately changed in the longitudinal direction by injecting gas from the culture solution, sufficient agitation of the culture solution can be realized and high productivity can be obtained. At the same time, the microalgae can be prevented from adhering to the wall surface of the culture vessel and settling on the bottom surface of the culture vessel, and can maintain high culture efficiency over a long period of time. According to the invention set forth in claim 8, the temperature of the culture solution can be controlled by spraying or passing the temperature-regulated water to the culture vessel. Therefore, it is possible to keep the temperature at an appropriate level all year round, and it is possible to effectively eliminate the adverse effect on algal growth caused by excessive temperature rise of the culture solution particularly in summer.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a microalgae culturing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway front view (a cutaway view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1) of the microalgae culture device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the microalgae culturing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the culture vessel of the microalgae culture apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the culture vessel of the microalgae culture apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the culture vessel of the microalgae culture apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the culture vessel of the microalgae culture apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of actual production equipment using the microalgae culturing apparatus according to the present invention.

In addition, the code | symbol in a figure, 1 is a microalgae cultivation apparatus, 2, 2 ', 2 "is a culture container, 4, 4', 4" is an inner cylinder, 4a, 4a 'is a gas inlet, 5, 5 , 5 "is the outer cylinder, 5b, 5b" is the gas inlet, 6 and 7 are the side walls, 11 is the culture solution, 14 is the gas introduction pipe, 17 is the gas discharge opening, and 18 is the cap Reference numeral 19 denotes a temperature control water introduction pipe.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the microalga culturing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the microalgae culturing apparatus, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

The microalga culturing apparatus 1 according to the present invention is configured by arranging a culture vessel 2 having a drum-like outer shape on a support base 3 horizontally.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the culture vessel 2 has a double cylindrical shape, and the left and right ends of an inner cylinder 4 and an outer cylinder 5 which are concentrically placed side by side by ring-shaped side walls 6 and 7. It is configured to be closed. That is, the side walls 6 and 7 are respectively incorporated into the left and right ends of the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 5 which are concentrically placed horizontally, and a plurality of holes (each in the illustrated example, 6) through a circular hole (not shown), pass a long port 8 horizontally (see Fig. 1), and tighten a nut 9 screwed to the end of each port 8 to form a drum-shaped culture vessel. 2 is assembled. In this embodiment, the long bonoleto 8 is arranged outside the outer cylinder 5, but may be arranged inside the inner cylinder 4. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which the side walls 6 and 7 are independently attached with short bolts and nuts screwed to the short bolts. Further, a spacer may be interposed between the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 5 to prevent bending. In this case, it is desirable to form a hole in the spacer. On the other hand, an arc-shaped fixed bracket 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) along the outer shape of the side walls 6 and 7 is provided on the left and right upper portions of the frame-shaped support base 3. The left and right side walls 6 and 7 are horizontally fixed and supported on the support base 3 by being fastened together with the fixing bracket 10 by the two ports 8 and the nuts 9 screwed to the two lower portions of the left and right side walls 6 and 7. ing.

Thus, a culture solution 11 is injected into a space surrounded by the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 5 and the side walls 6 and 7 formed in the culture vessel 2, and the liquid level is adjusted to the inner cylinder. It is kept higher than the top surface of 4. The left and right ends of the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 5 are connected to both side walls 6 and 7 via seal members (not shown). Leakage to the outside is prevented.

Here, the inner tube 4, the outer tube 5, and both side walls 6, 7 constituting the culture vessel 2 are made of a transparent material that transmits sunlight (visible light). And an acrylic resin is used. As the transparent material, any material can be used as long as it has excellent light transmittance, high weather resistance and high UV resistance. Resin, glass, etc., such as recarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride can be selected. Further, in the present embodiment, the inner cylinder 4, the outer cylinder 5, and both side walls 6, 7 are formed of a transparent member. However, in order to achieve the object of the present invention, at least the outer cylinder 5 is formed of a transparent member. It should be done.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a circular drain hole 5a (see FIG. 4) is formed at the lower portion in the center in the width direction on the side near one side wall 6 of the outer cylinder 5 of the culture vessel 2. A drain pipe 12 is inserted into and connected to the drain hole 5a. A drain valve 13 is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 12. By opening the drain valve 13, the culture solution 11 in the culture vessel 2 can be discharged to the outside.

Furthermore, the lower part of the outer cylinder 5 of the culture vessel 2 (specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a vertical plane passing through the center axis of the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 5 below the horizontal plane FH and passing through the same center axis) A circular gas inlet 5b (see Figs. 3 and 4) is drilled at three places in the longitudinal direction (either left or right of the surface Fv).

A gas introduction pipe 14 extends horizontally in the longitudinal direction below the culture vessel 2, and three branches branching from the gas introduction pipe 14 and extending toward the culture vessel 2. The tubes 15 are respectively inserted into and bound to the respective gas blowing ports 5b formed in the lower part of the outer cylinder 5 of the culture vessel 2. Although not shown, the gas introduction pipe 14 is connected to a gas supply source such as a compressor for supplying air or a mixed gas of carbon dioxide and air.

On the other hand, a cylindrical gas discharge tube 16 is attached to the top of the culture vessel 2 (outer cylinder), and an inside of the culture vessel 2 is formed with a gas discharge opening 17 that opens into the culture vessel 2. I have. An inverted dish-shaped cap 18 that opens downward is attached to the upper part of the gas discharge cylinder 16. The gas discharge opening 17 is covered by a cap 18. It is possible to prevent contamination of the culture solution 11 in the culture vessel 2 with dust and dirt or floating microorganisms in the air. The same effect can be obtained by providing a filter in the gas discharge opening 17 instead of the cap 18.

A temperature-regulated water introduction pipe 19 is provided horizontally on the left and right sides of the gas discharge cylinder 16 at the upper part of the culture vessel 2 so as to be parallel to the length direction. Temperature control water The introduction pipe 19 is supported by a pair of left and right support brackets 20 attached to the upper portions of the left and right side walls 6 and 7. At the lower part of each temperature control water introduction pipe 19, a plurality of water spouts 19a are drilled as shown in Fig. 3, and the temperature control water introduction pipe 19 is not shown such as a cooling water pump. Connected to a temperature-regulated water supply. Next, the operation of the microalgae culturing apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described.

The microalgae culturing apparatus 1 is installed outdoors, and the microalgae to be cultured and the culture solution 11 are put in the culture vessel 2, and a gas supply source (not shown) is driven to supply a gas containing carbon dioxide (air or carbon dioxide). When gas flows through the gas introduction pipe 14, the gas is supplied from the three branch pipes 15 into the culture vessel 2.

The gas supplied into the culture vessel 2 forms bubbles as shown in Fig. 4 from the three bottoms of the culture vessel 2 and rises in the culture vessel 2, and in the process, the microalgae in the culture solution 11 are oxidized by the microalgae. Supply carbon. Due to the rise of the gas bubbles, a flow of the culture solution 11 swirling in the same direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) is formed in the culture vessel 2 as shown by an arrow in FIG. .

In addition, since sunlight enters the culture vessel 2 through the outer cylinder 5 and the side walls 6 and 7 made of a transparent member, the microalgae in the culture vessel 2 undergo vitamins, amino acids, pigments, and proteins by photosynthesis. It manufactures useful components such as polysaccharides and fatty acids, and absorbs carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming. Oxygen generated by the photosynthetic action is discharged to the atmosphere through a gas discharge opening 17 formed at the top of the culture vessel 2 and a gap between the gas discharge tube 16 and the cap 18. In the present embodiment, an artificial light source can be installed in the center of the inner cylinder 4 of the culture vessel 2, and the microalgae can continuously perform photosynthesis throughout the day and night. Growth is promoted.

If necessary, the temperature control water supply source is driven to flow the temperature control water (cooling water) to the temperature control water introduction pipe 19, and the temperature control water is drilled in the temperature control water introduction pipe 19 From the multiple sprinkler outlets 19a and flow along the outer surface of the outer cylinder 5 to cool the culture 11 in the culture vessel 2 and control the temperature of the culture 11 to control the temperature. Temperature can be maintained year-round regardless of temperature, and especially in the summer, algae growth This can effectively eliminate the adverse effect on the vehicle. In this embodiment, the culture vessel

2 The outer cylinder 5 The temperature of the culture solution 11 was controlled by spraying the temperature-adjusted water to the outer surface, but the temperature was adjusted to the water passage (not shown) formed outside the outer cylinder 11 Similarly, the same effect can be obtained by controlling the temperature of the culture solution 11 by passing the water or the temperature-regulated water into the inner cylinder 4.

As described above, in the microalgae culturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, since the swirling flow of the culture solution 11 is formed in the culture vessel 2 by blowing gas, sufficient stirring of the culture solution 11 is performed. As a result, all microalgae can receive light fairly, and thereby high productivity can be achieved.

In addition, the multi-phase turbulence caused by the passage of bubbles in the culture solution 11 and the turbulent boundary layer on the wall surface and the Gellar vortex caused by the flow of the culture solution 11 along the curved wall of the double cylindrical culture vessel 2 As a result, a vortex is generated from the curved wall of the outer cylinder 5 to the curved wall of the inner cylinder 4 and from the curved wall of the inner cylinder 4 to the curved wall of the outer cylinder 5, and the vortex does not cause the culture solution 11 to stay. Since the algae are sufficiently stirred, the microalgae do not adhere to the wall of the culture vessel 2 or form a colony and settle, and light transmission is not blocked by the microalgae. Microalgae can be efficiently cultured to receive light uniformly, and high culture efficiency can be maintained over a long period of time.

If the microalgae adhere to the wall surface of the culture vessel 2 or form a colony and settle, it is not preferable because light reception of the microalgae is hindered, but according to the microalgae culture device 1, different types of mixed-phase turbulence and turbulence Since a flow boundary layer and a Gertler vortex (described in detail below) are generated, a vortex or turbulence is generated between the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 5, so that light transmission is not blocked by the microalgae. Multiphase turbulence: Turbulence caused by bubbles moving in the liquid phase

Turbulent boundary layer: When a flow passes near a wall, the Reynolds number, a parameter representing the similar side of the flow, increases (the flow over the wall increases, or the distance that the flow contacts the wall increases). The boundary layer, which is a slow layer formed near the wall surface, becomes turbulent. This turbulent layer is called a turbulent boundary layer.

Görtler vortex: When there is a flow parallel to a curved surface on a concave surface, a parameter expressing the similarity law of the flow When the Reynolds number, which is a meter, increases (the flow over the wall increases or the distance the flow contacts the wall increases), a rotating vortex perpendicular to the flow is generated. This rotating vortex is called Gel-Toller Evil. Further, since the culture vessel 2 is composed of the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 5 having high pressure resistance, the thickness of the culture vessel 1 can be suppressed to be small, and the weight and cost of the culture apparatus 1 can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the culture vessel 2 can be easily configured by arranging the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 5 formed of cylinders concentrically.

In the culture vessel 2 in which the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 5 are concentrically arranged, the gas inlet 5b is located below the horizontal plane FH passing through the central axis of the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 5, and Since it is arranged on one of the left and right sides of the vertical plane Fv passing through the central axis, the flow of the culture solution 11 that rotates in one direction in the culture vessel 2 can be easily formed, and the multi-phase turbulent flow and turbulent boundary layer The generation of Gertler vortices is easy. If the gas inlet 5b is formed on the opposite side of the vertical plane as shown in FIG. 5, the flow of the culture solution 11 rotating in the opposite direction (the clockwise direction in FIG. 5) to the present embodiment is prevented. Can be formed. Although not shown, gas inlets are formed on the left and right sides of a vertical plane passing through the center axis of the inner and outer cylinders, and the two inlets are alternately switched at predetermined time intervals. The swirling direction can be switched alternately, and the culture solution can be stirred more efficiently. Further, the swirling direction of the culture solution 11 may be partially or transiently changed in the longitudinal direction of the culture vessel 2. A plurality of gas inlets 5b are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the culture vessel 2, and gas is sequentially blown from the gas inlet 5b at one end of the culture vessel 2 with a predetermined time difference into the culture vessel 2. A swirling flow that changes along the longitudinal direction of the culture vessel 2 of the culture solution 11 may be formed. A plurality of gas inlets 5b are alternately arranged along the longitudinal direction of the culture vessel 2 on the left and right sides of a vertical plane passing through the center axis of the inner cylinder, and gas is blown from each gas inlet 5b. A swirling flow of the culture solution 11 whose direction is alternately different in the longitudinal direction may be formed therein.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the culture vessel 2 is configured by concentrically arranging the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 5 formed of cylinders. However, as shown in FIG. The culture vessel 2 may be configured by eccentrically disposing the As shown in the figure, if the air inlet 4a is arranged below the horizontal plane FH passing through the center axis of the inner cylinder 4 and at one of the right and left sides of the vertical plane Fv passing through the center axis as shown in the drawing, A flow of the culture solution 11 swirling in the same direction (counterclockwise in the illustrated example) can be easily formed, and a multiphase turbulent flow, a turbulent boundary layer, and a Gertler vortex can be easily generated.

Also, a culture vessel 2 'is constructed by concentrically arranging an inner cylinder 4' and an outer cylinder 5 'made of an elliptical cylinder as shown in FIG. 7, or an inner cylinder made of a long cylinder as shown in FIG. 4 "and the outer cylinder 5" may be arranged concentrically to form the culture vessel 2 ". In these cases, the gas inlets 4a 'and 5b" are connected to the inner cylinder 4' and 4 ". By arranging it below the horizontal plane FH passing through the center axis of the outer cylinders 5 ', 5 "and on either the left or right of the vertical plane Fv passing through the center axis, the same direction can be set in the culture vessel 2', 2". (In the illustrated example, a flow of the culture solution 11 that rotates in the counterclockwise direction can be formed. In addition, "not shown, the eccentric arrangement of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder made of an elliptical cylinder or a long cylinder is not shown.) In such a case, the culture vessel may be formed, and in these cases, the gas blowing port may be below the horizontal plane passing through the center axis of the cylinder and passing through the same center axis. It is possible to form a flow of the culture liquid to pivot in the same direction within the culture vessel by placing one left or right face.

Here, an example of an actual production facility using the microalgae culturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 9, but in the actual production facility, a plurality of microalgae culturing apparatuses 1 are arranged in a row as shown in the figure. Are connected over several rows. In this case, in each row, one gas introduction pipe 14 and two temperature control water introduction pipes 19 are shared for each culture apparatus 1. Next, the results of a culture experiment performed using the microalgae culture apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

Culture experiments were carried out over a period of 13 days using Chlorococcum littorale as microalgae. In this case, the sunshine duration was 10 hours / day, the southern medium photon quantity was 800 μm 1 Zm2 / s, the average daytime photon quantity was 34 0 μmo 1 Zm2 Zs, and the culture volume was 70 liters. The culture result was an average growth rate of 0.15 g dry weight / liter day. Also, no microalgae adhered to the culture vessel wall during the culture period. In another culture experiment, Spirulina platensis (microalgae)

(Spirul ina platencis), the cultivation concentration was 0.3 to 0.5 g / l and the productivity per day was 0.1 to 0.2 g / l in the conventional culture pond method. In the microalgae culturing apparatus according to the present invention, good results were obtained with a culture concentration of 1 to 20 _g / y liter and a productivity of 2.8 to 7.0 g / l per day. Industrial applicability>

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, a culture solution is put into a culture vessel having an opening at the top, and visible light is emitted while blowing gas containing carbon dioxide into the culture solution. In the microalgae culturing apparatus for culturing microalgae in the culture vessel by being incident, the culture vessel is formed into a double cylindrical shape comprising a horizontally placed inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, and at least the outer cylinder is made of visible light. And a swirling flow of the culture solution is formed in the culture vessel by blowing the gas, thereby achieving sufficient agitation of the culture solution to obtain high productivity. In addition to this, it is possible to obtain an effect that high culture efficiency can be maintained for a long period of time by preventing microalgae from adhering to the wall surface of the culture vessel and sedimentation on the bottom face of the culture vessel.

Further, according to the present invention, a culture solution is put into a culture container having an opening at a top portion, and while a gas containing carbon dioxide is blown into the culture solution, visible light is incident on the culture solution so that the inside of the culture container is formed. In a microalgae culture method for culturing microalgae, a culture vessel formed of a concentrically arranged inner cylinder and an outer cylinder into a double cylinder and at least an outer cylinder made of a transparent material that transmits visible light The gas inlet opening at the lower part of the cylinder is placed on one of the left and right sides of the vertical plane passing through the center axis of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and the gas is blown from the gas inlet, or eccentrically placed horizontally A gas inlet opening at the bottom of a culture vessel formed of a transparent material that transmits visible light at least in the outer cylinder, What is the left and right of the vertical plane passing through By arranging the culture medium in one side and injecting the gas from the gas inlet to form a swirling flow of the culture medium in the culture vessel, sufficient agitation of the culture medium is easily realized to obtain high productivity. And prevent microalgae from adhering to the wall of the culture vessel and sedimentation on the bottom of the culture vessel, thereby maintaining high culture efficiency over a long period of time. The effect that can be obtained is obtained.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A culture solution is placed in a culture vessel having an opening at the top, and microalgae are cultured in the culture vessel by irradiating visible light while blowing a gas containing carbon dioxide into the culture solution. In microalgae culture equipment,

The culture vessel is formed into a double cylinder composed of an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder which are placed horizontally, and at least the outer cylinder is made of a transparent material that transmits visible light, and the culture solution is swirled in the culture vessel. A microalgae culturing device, characterized in that a gas blowing port for blowing a gas for forming a flow is opened in a lower portion of the culture vessel.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are constituted by a cylinder, an elliptical cylinder or a long cylinder, and the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are arranged concentrically or eccentrically. Microalgae culture equipment.

3. Pour the culture solution into a culture vessel having an opening at the top, and cultivate microalgae in the culture vessel by irradiating visible light while blowing gas containing carbon dioxide into the culture solution. In the microalgae culture method,

A gas injection port formed at the lower part of a culture vessel formed of a transparent cylinder through which visible light is transmitted, wherein at least the outer cylinder is formed of a double cylinder with an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder arranged concentrically, It is arranged on one of the right and left sides of the vertical plane passing through the central axis of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and the gas is blown from the gas inlet to form a swirling flow of the culture solution in the culture vessel. Characteristic microalgal culture method.

4. Pour the culture solution into a culture vessel having an opening at the top, and cultivate microalgae in the culture vessel by injecting visible light while blowing gas containing carbon dioxide into the culture solution. In the microalgae culture method,

A gas inlet that is formed in a double cylindrical shape with an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder that are eccentrically placed sideways and that opens at the lower part of a culture vessel that is made of at least an outer cylinder made of a transparent material that transmits visible light, A microalgae arranged on one of the right and left sides of a vertical plane passing through the center axis of the inner cylinder, and forming the swirling flow of the culture solution in the culture vessel by blowing the gas from the gas inlet. Culture method.

5. Place the gas inlets on the left and right of the vertical plane passing through the center axis of the inner cylinder of the culture vessel The method according to claim 3, wherein the turning direction of the culture solution in the culture vessel is alternately switched by alternately switching the two gas inlets at predetermined time intervals. Microalgae culture method.

6. A plurality of gas inlets are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the culture vessel, and the gas is sequentially blown from the gas inlet at one end side of the culture vessel with a predetermined time difference, so that the culture solution is introduced into the culture vessel. 5. The method for culturing microalgae according to claim 3, wherein a swirling flow that changes along the longitudinal direction of the culture vessel is formed.

7. A plurality of gas inlets are arranged alternately on the left and right sides of a vertical plane passing through the center axis of the inner cylinder along the longitudinal direction of the culture vessel, and gas is blown from each gas inlet to change the direction into the culture vessel. 5. The method of culturing microalgae according to claim 3, wherein a swirling flow of a culture solution is formed alternately in a longitudinal direction.

8. Sprinkling of temperature-regulated water on the outer surface of the outer cylinder of the culture vessel, flow of temperature-regulated water to a water passage formed outside the outer cylinder, or flow of temperature-regulated water into the inner cylinder. The microalgae culturing method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the temperature of the culture solution is controlled.