Culture device and culture system

Abstract

To provide a culture device and the like that allow the culture solution to receive more light.SOLUTION: A culture device 10 includes a rotating unit 11 that rotates with an external water flow W to store a culture solution C containing photosynthetic microorganisms, and multiple hollow blades 12 installed around the rotating unit 11 to receive the water flow W. The blades 12 are optically transparent. The rotating unit 11 and the blades 12 are connected to allow the culture solution C to flow through them.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a culture device and a culture system for culturing photosynthetic microorganisms. [Background technology]

[0002] Photosynthetic microorganisms such as microalgae and photosynthetic bacteria have excellent CO2 fixation capabilities, and various technologies are being developed to utilize this ability to fix CO2 and utilize useful substances. There is a need to develop a culture tank that efficiently allows microorganisms to photosynthesize and cultivate them. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a bioreactor tank that includes a cylindrical, horizontal, transparent container with a nozzle at one end for injecting culture solution, air and / or CO2 gas, and nutrients, and a culture solution outlet hole at the other end, and multiple stirring blades attached to the inner surface, and a turning roller on which the container is placed and rotated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-344879 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to improve the efficiency of culture, it is necessary to irradiate light efficiently. Conventional technologies use horizontal cylindrical containers made of transparent plastic or glass, which have limitations on the amount of light that can be irradiated onto the culture solution inside the container.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a culture device or the like that allows the culture solution to receive more light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 comprises a rotating part that rotates by an external water flow for storing a culture solution containing microorganisms that perform photosynthesis, and a plurality of hollow blade parts that are installed around the rotating part and receive the water flow, wherein the blade parts are optically transparent, and the rotating part and the blade parts are connected so that the culture solution can be communicated with each other.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the rotating part is cylindrical, the blade parts are flat, and the blade parts are arranged radially around the rotating part.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that the rotating part is cylindrical, the blade parts are cylindrical, and the blade parts are arranged radially around the rotating part.

[0009] The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that a communication control section for controlling communication of the culture medium is provided between the rotating section and the blade section.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that the temperature of the water in the water flow is controlled.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is a culture system having a plurality of culture devices, each of which has a rotating part that rotates due to an external water flow for storing a culture solution containing microorganisms that perform photosynthesis, and a plurality of hollow blade parts that are installed around the rotating part and receive the water flow, the blade parts being optically transparent, the rotating part and the blade parts being connected so that the culture solution can be communicated, and the culture devices being installed in plurality along the water flow. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, the device comprises a rotating part that rotates due to an external water flow for storing a culture solution containing microorganisms that perform photosynthesis, and a plurality of hollow blade parts that are installed around the rotating part and receive the water flow.The blade parts are optically transparent, and the rotating part and the blade parts are connected so that the culture solution can be communicated.As a result, the rotating part has multiple blade parts arranged radially, and light is more easily incident on each blade part, allowing the culture solution inside the blade parts to receive more light. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a culture system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a plan view schematically showing the culture system of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a culture device in the culture system of FIG. 1A. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the culture system. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of culture in a culture device. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of culture in a culture device. [Figure 4C] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of culture in a culture device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a first modified example of the culture device. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the culture system having the culture device of the first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of culture medium injection in the culture device of the first modified example. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of culture medium recovery in the culture device of the first modified example. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of culture medium recovery in the culture device of the first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the culture device. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of a water flow applied to the culture device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a culture system or the like.

[0015] [1. Overview of the culture system configuration and functions] First, the configuration and general functions of a culture system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 2. FIG.

[0016] Fig. 1A is a front view schematically showing a culture system according to this embodiment, Fig. 1B is a plan view schematically showing the culture system, and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a culture device of the culture system.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the culture system 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of culture devices 10 for culturing photosynthetic microorganisms, and a supply / recovery pipe 20 for supplying culture solution and gas and recovering the microorganisms.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the culture device 10 stores a culture solution containing microorganisms and has a rotating part 11 that rotates due to the water flow W of the pool P, and a plurality of blade parts 12 installed around the rotating part 11. The pool P may also be equipped with a pump that generates the water flow W, a heater for maintaining the temperature, etc. The culture devices 10 are installed above the pool P, lined up from upstream to downstream along the water flow W.

[0019] Rotating unit 11 is a hollow cylinder made of a light-transmitting plastic such as acrylic or vinyl chloride. The material of rotating unit 11 may be glass, or any other light-transmitting material. The frame of rotating unit 11 may be made of a light-impermeable material such as metal, and the surface of rotating unit 11 that lets light in may be made of a light-transmitting material.

[0020] The blade portion 12 has a hollow rectangular shape and is made of a light-transmitting plastic such as polyvinyl chloride. The shape of the blade portion 12 may be any shape that can store the culture solution inside and receive the external water flow W. For example, in addition to the rectangular flat plate shape shown in the figure, the blade portion 12 may have a trapezoid shape that is thick at the base where it connects to the rotating portion 11 and tapers outward. The material of the blade portion 12 may be glass, or any other light-transmitting material. The frame of the blade portion 12 may be made of a non-light-transmitting material such as metal, and the surface of the blade portion 12 may be made of a light-transmitting material. The material of the blade portion 12 is preferably a material that can exchange heat with the pool P.

[0021] Light L, such as sunlight or LED lighting, is irradiated onto the culture solution containing the microorganisms inside the rotating part 11 and the blade part 12. The LED lighting may irradiate light from a horizontal direction.

[0022] The rotating part 11 and the blade part 12 can store a culture solution containing microorganisms inside. The rotating part 11 and the blade part 12 are connected so that the culture solution can be communicated. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical surface of the rotating part 11 has a hole p. One surface of the blade part 12 is opened, and one surface of the blade part 12 is formed so that this opening surrounds the hole p in the cylindrical surface of the rotating part 11 and is adhered to the cylindrical surface of the rotating part 11. The opening shape of the hole p may be any shape and size that allows the culture solution C and gas to easily move. There may also be multiple holes p. The interior of the rotating part 11 and the blade part 12 functions as a reactor for culturing microorganisms. The blade part 12 has the function of rotating the culture device 10 when subjected to an external force such as a water flow W.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the supply and recovery pipe 20 has a cylindrical structure and is installed horizontally near the top of the pool P. One end of the cylindrical rotating part 11 of the culture device 10 is connected to the supply and recovery pipe 20 so that the rotating part 11 can rotate around the rotation axis Ax. A plurality of culture devices 10 are installed side by side on the pool P so that the blade parts 12 can receive the water flow W.

[0024] The culture device 10 and the supply / recovery pipes 20 are connected so that the culture solution can be communicated. An on-off valve (not shown) is provided at the connection between the culture device 10 and the supply / recovery pipes 20 to control the flow of the culture solution in and out. This on-off valve is an electromagnetic valve, a manually operated cock, or the like.

[0025] The temperature of the pool P is controlled to a temperature suitable for the growth of microorganisms. The pool P is controlled to generate a water current W.

[0026] 2, the lower blade portion 12 is immersed in the pool P and receives the water flow W, causing the rotating portion 11 to rotate. The upper blade portion 12 is more likely to receive light from the light source L.

[0027] Examples of microorganisms include photosynthetic bacteria, algae, plankton, etc. Examples include photosynthetic bacteria such as cyanobacteria, purple bacteria, and green bacteria, green algae such as Chlamydomonas and Chlorella, blue-green algae such as Spirulina, and unicellular eukaryotic algae such as Euglena.

[0028] The culture medium contains minerals, amino acids, etc. necessary for culturing microorganisms.

[0029] Gases include carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

[0030] The supply and recovery pipe 20 may be separated into a supply pipe and a recovery pipe. In this case, the rotation axis Ax of the rotating part 11 is fixed by something other than the supply and recovery pipe 20.

[0031] [2. Example of operation of culture system 1] Next, an example of the operation of the culture system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the culture system 1. Fig. 4A to Fig. 4C are schematic diagrams showing an example of culture in a culture device.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the culture system 1 injects a culture solution (step S1). Specifically, the supply and recovery pipe 20 supplies the culture solution C containing the seed culture of microorganisms to the culture device 10. The culture solution is injected into the interior of the rotating part 11 of the culture device 10 from the connection part of the supply and recovery pipe 20. As shown in FIG. 4A, the culture solution C flows from the rotating part 11 through the hole p into the interior of the blade part 12 below the water level of the supply and recovery pipe 20. The supply and recovery pipe 20 also supplies carbon dioxide gas along with the culture solution C. Air may be bled from the interior of the rotating part 11 and the interior of the blade part 12.

[0034] Next, a unidirectional water flow W is generated in the pool P, causing the culture device 10 to rotate. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the culture device 10 rotates due to the water flow W, the culture solution C flows down from the blade portion 12, which has moved upward, into the inside of the rotating portion 11. The culture solution C flows from the rotating portion 11 into the blade portion 12, which has moved from the top to the bottom.

[0035] The water level in the supply / recovery pipe 20 is raised, and as shown in Figures 4B and 4C, the culture device 10 is rotated while further culture solution C is poured in, and the culture solution C is filled to a predetermined height inside the rotating part 11 so that some air remains. When the culture solution C has filled to the predetermined height, the on-off valve at the connection between the culture device 10 and the supply / recovery pipe 20 is closed to create a sealed system. The culture solution C remaining in the supply / recovery pipe 20 may be returned to the supply side.

[0036] Next, the culture system 1 performs culture while rotating (step S2). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4C , the water flow W rotates the rotating part 11, and the culture solution C flows down from the blade part 12 that has moved above the water surface of the culture solution C inside the rotating part 11, stirring the culture solution C inside the rotating part 11. At this time, gas G inside the rotating part 11 is more likely to be taken up by the culture solution C. The culture solution C flows from inside the rotating part 11 into the blade part 12 that has moved downward from the horizontal. The blade part 12 that has moved near the water surface is filled with the culture solution C. The speed of the water flow W depends on the diameter of the hole p, but a speed at which all of the culture solution C inside the blade part 12 flows down into the inside of the rotating part 11 when the rotating blade part 12 is near the top is preferred.

[0037] If the light L is an LED light, the LED is turned on.

[0038] The blades 12 that move upward are more susceptible to light from the light source L, promoting photosynthesis. The blades 12 that move downward and are immersed in the pool P are subjected to the water flow W of the pool P, and the temperature inside the blades 12 is further adjusted by the temperature of the pool P. The water flow W in the pool P may be generated intermittently. A river may be used instead of the pool P. The height of the culture device 10 above the water surface of the pool P may be changed to change the proportion of the blades 12 immersed in the pool P, thereby adjusting the temperature. By adjusting the on-off valve at the connection between the culture device 10 and the supply / recovery piping 20, carbon dioxide may be replenished from the supply / recovery piping 20 or the generated oxygen may be discharged from the supply / recovery piping 20 during the culture.

[0039] Next, the culture system 1 recovers the culture solution (step S3). If the culture has continued for a predetermined amount of time or more, or if the culture has continued while being irradiated with a predetermined amount of light or more, the culture solution C in which the microorganisms have proliferated is recovered. The on-off valve at the connection between the culture device 10 and the supply / recovery piping 20 is opened, and the culture device 10 is rotated by the water flow W to recover the culture solution C. With the on-off valve now open, the culture solution C inside the rotating part 11 flows out into the supply / recovery piping 20. The culture solution C that has flowed down into the inside of the rotating part 11 from the blade part 12 that has moved upward also flows out from the rotating part 11 into the supply / recovery piping 20.

[0040] The culture device 10 may be tilted toward the supply and recovery pipe 20 so that the culture solution C inside the rotating part 11 can easily flow.

[0041] After the culture solution C in which the microorganisms have grown is collected, the culture solution C is reinjected into the culture device 10, and the microorganisms continue to grow.

[0042] The culture system 1 according to this embodiment includes a rotating part that rotates due to an external water flow and stores a culture solution containing photosynthetic microorganisms, and a plurality of hollow blades that are installed around the rotating part and receive the water flow, the blades are optically transparent, and the rotating part and the blades are connected so that the culture solution can communicate with each other. As a result, the rotating part has a plurality of blades arranged radially, which makes it easier for light to hit each blade 12 evenly, and the culture solution C inside the blades 12 can receive more light. This allows for efficient fixation of carbon dioxide.

[0043] Furthermore, the rotation of the culture device 10 and the agitation caused by the culture solution C dropping from inside the blade portion 12 into the rotating portion 11 eliminates localized unevenness in the environment (light, temperature, etc.) within the reactor of the culture device 10, making it easier for gas to dissolve in the culture solution C, thereby improving the culture efficiency. The culture solution C can be agitated even if the culture device 10 itself does not have a motor. The water flow W hitting the blade portion 12 allows rotation and temperature control to be performed simultaneously.

[0044] When the rotating part 11 is cylindrical, the blades 12 are flat, and the blades 22 are arranged radially around the rotating part 11, the blades 22 are more likely to receive the water flow W, which facilitates the rotation of the culture device 10. Furthermore, the thinner blades 12 allow light to more easily reach the culture solution C inside the blades 12.

[0045] The blades 12 receive an external force, causing the culture device 10 to rotate, making it possible to utilize natural energy such as hydraulic power and wave power. By adjusting the water level in the rotating part 11, the ratio of the culture solution C and gas can be controlled, allowing for efficient stirring.

[0046] By controlling the water temperature of the pool P, when the temperature of the water in the water flow W is controlled, it is possible to bring the culture solution C to a temperature suitable for photosynthesis through the blade portion 12, and carbon dioxide can be fixed efficiently.

[0047] (First Modification) Next, a first modified example of the culture device will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals will be used for the same or corresponding parts as in the above embodiment, and only the different configurations and operations will be described. The same applies to the other embodiments and modified examples.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a first modified example of the culture device.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the culture device 10A has a rotating part 11, blade parts 12, and on-off valves v installed between the rotating part 11 and each blade part 12.

[0050] The on-off valve v is installed at a portion connecting the inside of the rotating part 11 and the inside of the blade part 12. The on-off valve v controls the flow of the culture solution C passing through the inside of the rotating part 11 and the inside of the blade part 12.

[0051] The on-off valve v is a solenoid valve or a valve that can be opened or closed depending on the angle of the blade portion 12. The on-off valve v is configured to close when the blade portion 12 is tilted at a first predetermined angle and open when the blade portion 12 is tilted at a second predetermined angle. For example, a partition plate slides to block or open the hole p in the rotating portion 11. More specifically, when the blade portion 12 is tilted at an angle θ1 from the bottom position, the partition plate moves due to gravity, and the on-off valve v is closed. When the blade portion 12 is tilted at an angle θ2 from the top position, the partition plate moves due to gravity, and the on-off valve v is opened. Note that if the on-off valve v is a solenoid valve, the tilt of the blade portion 12 is sensed to control the opening and closing of the on-off valve v.

[0052] Next, the operation of the first modified example will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a culture system having the culture device 10A. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of culture medium injection in the culture device 10A. Figs. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams showing an example of culture medium recovery in the culture device 10A.

[0053] 6, the culture system 1 injects the culture solution (step S10). Specifically, as in step S1, the culture solution C is supplied to the culture device 10 from the supply / recovery pipe 20 until the culture solution C is filled to a predetermined height inside the rotating part 11 of the culture device 10.

[0054] Next, the culture system 1 starts culturing while rotating (step S11). The on-off valve at the connection between the culture device 10 and the supply / recovery pipe 20 is closed, and the culture is started while the culture device 10 is rotated by the water flow W, as shown in FIG.

[0055] Next, the culture system 1 closes the openings of the blade portions 12 tilted at the first predetermined angle (step S12). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the openings of the on-off valves v of the blade portions 12 tilted at the first predetermined angle θ1 from the bottom position are closed. In the figure, the blade portions 12 with the openings of the on-off valves v closed extend from the blade portion 12 that is tilted at the first predetermined angle θ1 from the bottom position to the blade portion 12 at the apex position in the rotation direction. Even for the blade portion 12 at the apex position, the openings of the on-off valves v are closed, so the interior of the blade portion 12 is filled with the culture solution C. Therefore, the culture solution C inside the blade portion 12 can receive more light.

[0056] Next, the culture system 1 opens the opening of the blade portion 12 tilted at the second predetermined angle (step S13). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the opening of the on-off valve v of the blade portion 12 tilted at the second predetermined angle θ2 from the apex position opens. Through the open on-off valve v, the culture solution C inside the blade portion 12 flows down vigorously into the inside of the rotating portion 11. The culture solution C flows into the inside of the blade portion 12 that has moved below the surface of the culture solution C inside the rotating portion 11 through the open on-off valve v. In the drawing, the blade portion 12 with the opening of the on-off valve v extends from the blade portion 12 that is tilted at the second predetermined angle θ2 from the apex position to the blade portion 12 at the bottom position in the rotation direction.

[0057] Next, the culture system 1 determines whether or not the culture is to be terminated (step S14). The culture system 1 determines whether or not a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the start of culture, whether or not a predetermined amount of light has been irradiated, etc. The time is measured by a timer, and the total amount of light is measured by an actinometer, etc.

[0058] If the culture is not finished (step S14; NO), the culture system 1 returns from step S12 to step S13, and continues the culture while rotating.

[0059] When the culture is to be terminated (step S14; YES), the culture system 1 closes the openings of some of the blade portions 12 (step S15). The on-off valve v of at least one of the blade portions 12 is closed. If the on-off valve v is not a solenoid valve, it is manually closed.

[0060] Next, the culture system 1 recovers the culture solution (step S16). The on-off valve v at the connection between the culture device 10 and the supply / recovery pipe 20 is opened, and the culture solution C is recovered while the culture device 10 is rotated by the water flow W. As shown in FIG. 8A, the culture solution C inside the rotating part 11 decreases, and the culture solution C in the blade part 12 with the on-off valve v open flows into the inside of the rotating part 11 as the blade part 12 rotates.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8B, the culture solution C in which the microorganisms have proliferated remains only in the blade portion 12 where the on-off valve v is closed.

[0062] The remaining culture solution C is used as seed culture for microorganisms in the next turn. Specifically, in step S10, the culture solution C is injected with the on-off valve v closed and the blade portion 12 containing the culture solution C present. This culture solution C does not have to contain seed culture for microorganisms. After the injection of the culture solution C is completed, the operation of the on-off valve v of the blade portion 12 containing the culture solution C is set to a state where it can be opened and closed according to the tilt, and then the operations from step S11 onwards are carried out.

[0063] According to this modification, when an on-off valve v, which is an example of a communication control unit that controls the communication of the culture solution C, is provided between the rotating unit 11 and the blade unit 12, the on-off valve v can control the communication of the culture solution C in accordance with the rotation, so that the culture solution C can be held inside the blade unit 12 up to a position near the apex during cultivation, allowing for more light to be received. By holding the culture solution C inside the blade unit 12 up to a position near the apex during cultivation and opening the on-off valve v, the culture solution C can be dropped all at once, allowing for more agitation of the culture solution C. During recovery, the valves of some of the blade units 12 can be closed to hold the culture solution C inside the blade units 12, allowing it to be used as seed culture for further cultivation.

[0064] (Second Modification) Next, a second modified example of the culture device will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the culture device 10B.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 9, the culture device 10B has a rotating part 11 and a blade part 13.

[0066] The blades 13 are cylindrical and are formed radially on the surface of the rotating part 11.

[0067] When rotating part 11 is cylindrical, blade part 13 is cylindrical, and blade parts 13 are arranged radially around rotating part 11, each of blade parts 12 becomes thinner, so that light can easily reach culture solution C inside blade part 12. Also, because it is a cylinder, light can easily reach culture solution C inside blade part 12 even if the sun moves.

[0068] (Variations in water flow) Next, modified examples of the water flow will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the water flow applied to the culture device 10.

[0069] 10, instead of the water flow in the pool P, water is dropped from above onto the blades 12 on one side of the rotating part 11. In this way, the culture solution C inside the culture device 10 can be agitated by various water flows W. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1: Culture system 10, 10A, 10B: Culture device 11: Rotating part 12, 13: Blade section p: hole v: On-off valve W:Water flow

Claims

1. a rotating part that rotates by an external water flow for storing a culture solution containing photosynthetic microorganisms; A plurality of hollow blades are provided around the rotating portion to receive the water flow; Equipped with The blade portion has optical transparency, A culture device characterized in that the rotating part and the blade part are connected so that the culture medium can communicate with each other.

2. The rotating part has a cylindrical shape, 2. The culture device according to claim 1, wherein the blade portions are flat and arranged radially around the rotating portion.

3. The rotating part has a cylindrical shape, 2. The culture device according to claim 1, wherein the blade portions are cylindrical and arranged radially around the rotating portion.

4. 4. The culture device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication control unit between the rotating unit and the blade unit, the communication control unit controlling the communication of the culture solution.

5. The culture device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the temperature of the water in the water flow is controlled.

6. In a culture system having a plurality of culture devices, The culture device comprises: a rotating part that rotates by an external water flow for storing a culture solution containing photosynthetic microorganisms; A plurality of hollow blades are provided around the rotating portion to receive the water flow; and The blade portion has optical transparency, The rotating part and the blade part are connected so that the culture medium can communicate with each other, A culture system characterized in that a plurality of the culture devices are installed along the water flow.

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