Compost production method

Abstract

To obtain a labor-saving and automated method for producing compost. The method for producing compost disclosed herein includes the steps of storing organic materials in a container 10, mixing the organic materials with n types of specific microorganisms in the container 10 to ferment the organic materials, and generating a mixture. The method further includes the steps of: mixing the kth (1≦k≦n) specific microorganism with a peak wavelength λ k and a step of promoting fermentation by the kth specific microorganism by irradiating light having a wavelength range of 1 to 10, and the step of promoting fermentation is repeated n times from the first specific microorganism to the nth specific microorganism to promote fermentation by each specific microorganism.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a method for producing compost. [Background technology]

[0002] Food manufacturers, restaurants, and even ordinary households generate huge amounts of organic waste, such as food scraps, every day. In addition, the livestock industry routinely produces excrement (a type of organic waste) from livestock. While methods for disposing of organic waste include incineration and landfilling on land designated for industrial waste disposal, these methods cause various social problems, such as air pollution, offensive odors, and the need to secure land for industrial waste disposal.

[0003] As a method for effectively utilizing such organic waste rather than simply disposing of it, so-called food waste treatment, which utilizes the decomposition and fermentation of organic matter by microorganisms, has recently attracted attention. Furthermore, there has been active research and development into the production of compost from organic waste by utilizing microbial fermentation.

[0004] There are two methods for producing compost from organic waste, or a hybrid method of these. (1) Dry type This method uses high-temperature hot air to dry organic waste and reduce its volume. Composting can be completed in about 24 hours, but the drying process requires a large amount of electricity and can significantly reduce the number of microorganisms in the organic waste. (2) Bio-type This method uses microorganisms to decompose organic waste (see, for example, Patent Document 1). After decomposition, compost is produced. The disadvantages are that it takes a long time, more than a week, to completely compost the waste, and problems such as decay can occur during the composting process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-10669 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The compost production method that utilizes the decomposition and fermentation of organic waste by microorganisms is an excellent method for treating organic waste because it is suited to recent environmental issues, but it has the drawback of taking a long time to produce.Furthermore, there are also the drawbacks that the turning work is laborious and the compost production equipment becomes complicated to automate.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a method for producing compost in a shorter period of time by irradiating microorganisms with light of a specific wavelength and appropriately adjusting the promotion and inhibition of microbial fermentation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The method for producing compost disclosed in the present application includes: placing organic material in a container; a step of mixing the organic material with n types of specific microorganisms for fermenting the organic material in the container to produce a mixture; The peak wavelength of the kth specific microorganism (1≦k≦n) is λ k a step of promoting fermentation by the kth specific microorganism by irradiating the kth specific microorganism with light having a wavelength range Equipped with The step of promoting fermentation is repeated n times from the first specific microorganism to the nth specific microorganism, thereby promoting fermentation by each specific microorganism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The compost production method disclosed in the present application has the effect of producing compost in a shorter period of time, and also has the effect of providing a labor-saving and easily automated compost production method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a process diagram illustrating a method for producing compost according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a container used in the method for producing compost according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method for producing compost according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a process diagram illustrating a method for producing compost according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for producing compost according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a diagram showing each step of the method for producing compost according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a container 10 used in the method for producing compost according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method for producing compost according to embodiment 1. The method for producing compost according to embodiment 1 will be described using Figs. 1 to 3.

[0012] Hereinafter, the method for producing compost according to the first embodiment will be described step by step. First, organic materials are placed in a compost production container 10. Examples of organic materials include agricultural waste such as rice straw, wheat straw, rice husks, soybean husks, and buckwheat husks, as well as livestock manure from cows, pigs, horses, chickens, and other animals, bark, and food waste.

[0013] The organic material is mixed with specific microorganisms required for compost production in a container 10 to produce a mixture 11. The specific microorganisms act to ferment the organic material. Examples of the specific microorganisms include filamentous fungi, actinomycetes, yeast, and lactic acid bacteria. Alternatively, this process may be replaced by a process in which natural fermentation occurs within the organic material.

[0014] After the mixture 11 is produced, the mixture 11 in the container 10 is heated to a preset temperature to promote the fermentation action of the specific microorganisms. Note that the step of heating to the preset temperature may be omitted.

[0015] In the production of compost, turning is performed multiple times as described below. Turning is a stirring operation for switching the inside and outside of the pile of mixing material 11 accumulated in container 10 within a certain period of time during the compost production process. Turning is generally repeated multiple times during the compost production process.

[0016] In the process diagram of the compost manufacturing method shown in Figure 1, the steps enclosed by the dashed lines are the steps required for one turning operation (turning cycle). In other words, the steps enclosed by the dashed lines are repeated multiple times.

[0017] First, a red light beam with a peak wavelength λ 1 is emitted from a red light source 15 installed outside the container 10 through the window 10a of the container 10 to the mixing member 11. r By irradiating the mixture with red light in the wavelength range of λ , the fermentation of the specific microorganisms contained in the mixture 11 is promoted. r The wavelength is in the range of 600 nm to 800 nm. A red light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as a red LED) can be used as the red light source 15. In addition to a red LED, a red semiconductor laser (hereinafter referred to as a red LD) can also be used.

[0018] It is known that irradiating certain types of microorganisms with red light activates them and promotes fermentation. The present disclosure aims to utilize the characteristics of microorganisms with such properties to promote fermentation of compost, thereby shortening the time required to produce compost.

[0019] As the compost fermentation progresses, the mixer 11 generates heat. The heat generated during fermentation simultaneously dries the compost, which has the effect of accelerating composting. However, as the compost fermentation progresses, oxygen becomes insufficient inside the mixer 11. If the compost fermentation progresses excessively, problems occur such as the death of certain microorganisms due to heat generation or a decrease in the activity of certain microorganisms due to a lack of oxygen.

[0020] Therefore, when the temperature inside the container 10 reaches a preset threshold temperature T, the above-mentioned switching operation is performed. If the switching operation is performed automatically when the threshold temperature T is reached, for example, by a switching mechanism (not shown) provided inside the container 10, it becomes possible to reduce the labor required for the operation.

[0021] After the switching, light having a peak wavelength λ 1 is emitted from the blue light source 16 installed outside the container 10 through the window portion 10a to the mixing member 11. b The blue light having a peak wavelength λ of the blue light is irradiated to suppress the fermentation of the specific microorganisms contained in the mixture member 11. b The wavelength is in the range of 450 nm to 550 nm. A blue light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as blue LED) can be used as the blue light source 16. In addition to the blue LED, a blue semiconductor laser (hereinafter referred to as blue LD) can also be used.

[0022] The reason for using blue light to inhibit fermentation is to mitigate the adverse effects caused by excessive promotion of fermentation as mentioned above. It is known that irradiating certain microorganisms with blue light inhibits the fermentation process of the microorganisms.

[0023] The above-described process involving turning over is repeated multiple times until the compost is finally completed. Note that, since the degree of heat generation of the mixing member 11 decreases with each turning over operation, it is desirable to set the threshold temperature T lower each time the turning over operation is performed than the threshold temperature T of the previous turning over operation. After going through each of the above steps, compost is completed.

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method for producing compost according to embodiment 1. In the example shown in Figure 3, a total of three turning operations are performed. In the figure, the solid line indicates an example of a method for producing compost according to the present disclosure, and the dashed line indicates a comparative example in which red and blue light are not irradiated.

[0025] First, in the first cycle, the mixing member 11 is charged with a peak wavelength λ r When red light having a wavelength in the range of λ is irradiated, fermentation by specific microorganisms is promoted, and the temperature of the mixing member 11 rises rapidly and reaches the threshold temperature T1. When the threshold temperature T1 is reached, the first switching operation is performed. After the switching, the mixing member 11 is irradiated with red light having a peak wavelength λ b As a result, the temperature of the mixing element 11 drops rapidly.

[0026] When the temperature of the mixing element 11 has dropped to the temperature at the start of compost production, the second cycle begins. r When red light having a wavelength in the range of λ is irradiated, fermentation by specific microorganisms is promoted, and the temperature of the mixing member 11 rises rapidly and reaches the threshold temperature T2. When the threshold temperature T2 is reached, the second turning operation is performed. After the turning operation, the mixing member 11 is irradiated with red light having a peak wavelength λ b As a result, the temperature of the mixing element 11 drops rapidly.

[0027] The threshold temperature T2 in the second cycle is set to a temperature lower than the threshold temperature T1 in the first cycle because the fermentation in the mixing element 11 has progressed to a certain extent in the first cycle, and therefore the heat generated by fermentation in the second cycle is not as great as in the first cycle.

[0028] When the temperature of the mixing element 11 has dropped to the temperature at the start of compost production, the third cycle is started. rWhen red light having a wavelength in the range of λ is irradiated, fermentation by specific microorganisms is promoted, and the temperature of the mixing member 11 rises rapidly and reaches the threshold temperature T3. When the threshold temperature T3 is reached, the third turning operation is performed. After the turning operation, the mixing member 11 is irradiated with red light having a peak wavelength λ b As a result, the temperature of the mixing element 11 drops rapidly.

[0029] The threshold temperature T3 in the third cycle is set to a temperature lower than the threshold temperature T2 in the second cycle because the fermentation in the mixing element 11 has progressed considerably in the first and second cycles, and therefore the heat generated by fermentation in the third cycle is not as great as in the second cycle. By completing the above three cycles, i.e., turning the compost three times, the compost is completed.

[0030] On the other hand, in the comparative example, the promotion and inhibition of fermentation before and after each turning operation are slower than in the compost manufacturing method according to the present disclosure, so it takes a longer time to complete the compost.

[0031] <Advantages of First Embodiment> As described above, according to the compost manufacturing method of embodiment 1, microbial fermentation is promoted by irradiating with red light, while microbial fermentation after turning is suppressed by irradiating with blue light, thereby achieving the effect of shortening the time required to produce compost.

[0032] A variation of the first embodiment. 4 is a process diagram illustrating a method for producing compost according to a variation of embodiment 1. The method for producing compost according to the variation of embodiment 1 differs from the method for producing compost according to embodiment 1 in that the method for producing compost according to the variation of embodiment 1 does not involve turning over the compost with so-called stirring, but instead involves irradiating the compost with red light λ r and blue light λ b The point is that the turning operation is virtually performed by only irradiating the light.

[0033] In the compost manufacturing method according to the modified example of embodiment 1, the process from placing organic material in the container 10 to raising the temperature of the mixing element 11 in the container 10 to the set temperature is the same, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] In the virtual switching operation process surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 4, first, a red light having a peak wavelength λ 1 is emitted from a red light source 15 installed outside the container 10 through the window portion 10a of the container 10 to the mixing member 11. r By irradiating the mixture with red light in this wavelength range, the fermentation of the specific microorganisms contained in the mixture member 11 is promoted.

[0035] As the fermentation of the compost progresses, the mixing member 11 generates heat. When the temperature inside the container 10 reaches a preset threshold temperature T, a blue light source 16 installed outside the container 10 emits a light of a peak wavelength λ 2 into the mixing member 11 through the window 10a. b By irradiating the mixture with blue light in this wavelength range, the fermentation of specific microorganisms contained in the mixture is suppressed.

[0036] The above is the virtual turning process. By repeating this virtual turning process multiple times, compost is completed. In the above compost manufacturing method, fermentation is suppressed by irradiating with blue light, which lowers the temperature and increases the moisture content, making it possible to perform the virtual turning process by irradiating with blue light. In other words, it is possible to omit the preparation of a heat source for drying the mixing components and the turning process that accompanies the stirring process.

[0037] <Effects of the Modification of the First Embodiment> As described above, according to the compost manufacturing method relating to the modified example of embodiment 1, the turning over work is virtually carried out by irradiating only red and blue light, which eliminates the need for turning over work that involves stirring, thereby achieving labor savings and enabling automation at the same time.

[0038] Embodiment 2 Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for producing compost according to embodiment 2. The decomposition rate of organic matter varies depending on the substance, and the microorganisms involved also vary. In the method for producing compost according to embodiment 2, the wavelength irradiated to each of a plurality of specific microorganisms is limited, and the intensity of the light of the irradiated wavelength is controlled, thereby controlling the activated microorganisms spatially and temporally, enabling efficient fermentation and decomposition.

[0039] In the example shown in Figure 5, four types of specific microorganisms, S1, S2, S3, and S4, are listed as specific microorganisms. The four types of specific microorganisms have different peak wavelengths of irradiated light at which fermentation efficiency is highest. Note that different peak wavelengths means that the wavelength ranges of irradiated light are also different. Specific microorganism S1 has the highest fermentation efficiency in the wavelength range of λ1, specific microorganism S2 has the highest peak wavelength in the wavelength range of λ2, specific microorganism S3 has the highest peak wavelength in the wavelength range of λ3, and specific microorganism S4 has the highest peak wavelength in the wavelength range of λ4. The magnitude relationship of each peak wavelength is shown below. λ1>λ2>λ3>λ4(1)

[0040] As an irradiation method, the mixture member 11 containing the four types of specific microorganisms may be simultaneously irradiated with light from four types of light sources having different peak wavelengths λ1, λ2, λ3, and λ4.

[0041] In addition, in each cycle of the switching work, irradiation with one of the light sources of four wavelength ranges may be performed, and by performing a total of four cycles, irradiation with light sources of wavelength ranges of all peak wavelengths may be performed.

[0042] Furthermore, the order of irradiation of the light sources of the four wavelength ranges may be from the light source with the longest peak wavelength to the light source with the shortest peak wavelength. In the example described above, the light source with peak wavelength λ1 is first irradiated, followed by the light sources with peak wavelength λ2, peak wavelength λ3, and peak wavelength λ4 in that order. Since light with short wavelengths generally has a strong bactericidal effect, there is a risk that specific microorganisms other than the specific microorganisms for which fermentation is to be promoted will be unintentionally sterilized and significantly reduced. Therefore, by irradiating the light source with the longest peak wavelength in the manner described above, fermentation can be stably promoted by the irradiated light of each peak wavelength.

[0043] In the above example, four types of specific microorganisms are given, but the case where more types of specific microorganisms exist will be described below.

[0044] Suppose there are n types of specific microorganisms, and the wavelength range of the irradiation light in which fermentation by each specific microorganism is most efficient is different. For example, the peak wavelength of the irradiation light in which fermentation by the kth specific microorganism, which is the kth (1≦k≦n) specific microorganism, is most efficient is λ k In this case, the peak wavelength of the kth specific microorganism (1≦k≦n) is λ k The step of promoting fermentation by the kth specific microorganism by irradiating the microorganism with light having a concentration of 1000 to 10000 k may be repeated n times for the first to nth specific microorganisms to promote fermentation by each specific microorganism.

[0045] Furthermore, the n peak wavelengths are such that λ1>λ2> . . . >λ n When the relationship is as follows, the step of promoting fermentation by each specific microorganism may be carried out in order of increasing peak wavelength, starting from the first specific microorganism and ending with the nth specific microorganism.

[0046] <Advantages of the Second Embodiment> As described above, according to the compost manufacturing method of embodiment 2, fermentation is efficiently promoted by irradiating light in the wavelength range with a peak wavelength corresponding to each microorganism, thereby achieving the effect of enabling compost to be manufactured with even higher efficiency.

[0047] <Summary of various aspects of the present application> Various aspects of the present application will be summarized below as appendices.

[0048] (Appendix 1) placing organic material in a container; A step of mixing the organic material with specific microorganisms having the property of fermenting the organic material in the container to produce a mixture, or a step of causing natural fermentation in the organic material; a step of irradiating the mixing element with red light to promote fermentation by the specific microorganism; and a step of irradiating the mixing element with blue light to suppress fermentation by the specific microorganism when the temperature inside the container reaches a preset threshold temperature, A method for producing compost, characterized in that the steps of promoting fermentation by irradiating with red light and suppressing fermentation by irradiating with blue light are repeated multiple times.

[0049] (Appendix 2) placing organic material in a container; A step of mixing the organic material with specific microorganisms having the property of fermenting the organic material in the container to produce a mixture, or a step of causing natural fermentation in the organic material; a step of irradiating the mixing element with red light to promote fermentation by the specific microorganism; a step of switching the mixing element when the temperature inside the container reaches a preset threshold temperature; and a step of irradiating the mixing element with blue light after the turning operation to suppress fermentation by the specific microorganisms, A method for producing compost, characterized in that the steps of promoting fermentation by irradiating with red light and suppressing fermentation by irradiating with blue light are repeated multiple times.

[0050] (Appendix 3) The method for producing compost according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of heating the air in the container to a preset temperature after the step of producing the mixed material is completed.

[0051] (Appendix 4) The method for producing compost according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the threshold temperature is set lower each time the step of promoting fermentation by irradiation with red light and the step of suppressing fermentation by irradiation with blue light are repeated.

[0052] (Appendix 5) A method for producing compost according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the peak wavelength of the red light is within the range of 600 nm to 800 nm.

[0053] (Appendix 6) The method for producing compost according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the peak wavelength of the blue light is within the range of 450 nm to 550 nm.

[0054] (Appendix 7) 7. The method for producing compost according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the red light source that irradiates the red light is a red LED.

[0055] (Appendix 8) 8. The method for producing compost according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the blue light source that irradiates the blue light is a blue LED.

[0056] (Appendix 9) 7. The method for producing compost according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the red light source that irradiates the red light is a red LD.

[0057] (Appendix 10) 10. The method for producing compost according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 9, wherein the blue light source that irradiates the blue light is a blue LD.

[0058] (Appendix 11) placing organic material in a container; a step of mixing the organic material with n types of specific microorganisms for fermenting the organic material in the container to produce a mixture; The peak wavelength of the kth specific microorganism (1≦k≦n) is λ k a step of promoting fermentation by the kth specific microorganism by irradiating the kth specific microorganism with light having a wavelength range Equipped with A method for producing compost, characterized in that the step of promoting fermentation is repeated n times from a first specific microorganism to an nth specific microorganism, thereby promoting fermentation by each specific microorganism.

[0059] (Appendix 12) The peak wavelengths are λ1>λ2>...>λ n and 12. The method for producing compost according to claim 11, wherein the step of promoting fermentation by the n types of specific microorganisms is carried out starting with the first specific microorganism and proceeding in order from the microorganism with the longest peak wavelength until the step using the nth specific microorganism is completed.

[0060] (Appendix 13) 13. The method for producing compost according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising the step of turning over the mixing member after the step of promoting fermentation by the k specific microorganism.

[0061] Although the present disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments and examples, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to application to a particular embodiment, but may be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations.

[0062] Therefore, countless variations not illustrated are conceivable within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present specification, including, for example, cases where at least one component is modified, added, or omitted, and cases where at least one component is extracted and combined with components of another embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 container, 10a window portion, 11 mixing member, 15 red light source, 16 blue light source

Claims

1. placing organic material in a container; a step of mixing the organic material with n types of specific microorganisms for fermenting the organic material in the container to produce a mixture; The kth (1≦k≦n) specific microorganism has a peak wavelength λ k a step of promoting fermentation by the kth specific microorganism by irradiating the kth specific microorganism with light having a wavelength range Equipped with A method for producing compost, characterized in that the step of promoting fermentation is repeated n times from a first specific microorganism to an nth specific microorganism, thereby promoting fermentation by each specific microorganism.

2. Each of the peak wavelengths is λ 1 >λ 2 >... >λ n and The method for producing compost according to claim 1, characterized in that the process of promoting fermentation by the n types of specific microorganisms starts with the first specific microorganism and is carried out in order from the microorganism with the longest peak wavelength until the process by the nth specific microorganism is completed.

3. 3. The method for producing compost according to claim 1, further comprising the step of turning over the mixing member after the step of promoting fermentation by the kth specific microorganism.

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