Waste disposal systems in genetically modified organisms

Abstract

This invention provides a waste treatment system that improves the efficiency of operating energy when processing materials, including genetically modified organisms. [Solution] The system comprises a manufacturing unit 10 that produces a target substance from raw plant material, an energy supply facility 50 that supplies manufacturing energy to the manufacturing unit 10, an inactivation device 20 into which a primary material A containing genetically modified organisms, etc., discharged as residue from the manufacturing unit 10 is introduced and the primary material A is heated at a first temperature to process it into a secondary material B in which the genetically modified organisms, etc., are inactivated, a methane fermentation device 30 which is a volume reduction device into which the secondary material B is introduced and the secondary material B is heated at a second temperature lower than the first temperature to reduce the volume of the secondary material B, a first pipe 61 that introduces the primary material A from the manufacturing unit 10 to the inactivation device 20, a second pipe 62 that introduces the secondary material B from the inactivation device 20 to the methane fermentation device 30, and a heat exchanger 40 located in the middle of the first pipe 61 and the second pipe 62.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste treatment system in a genetically modified organism or the like that treats a treated object including a genetically modified organism or the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in the process of cultivating plants in a plant factory, cultivation residues generated in the process are subjected to methane fermentation in a fermentation tank, and biogas generated in the methane fermentation process is supplied as fuel to a power generation device or a boiler, and electricity, heat, carbon dioxide gas, etc. generated in the power generation process in the power generation device or the combustion process of the boiler are returned to the plant factory as resources consumed in the cultivation process (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, using plant genetic recombination technology, for example, high-value substances such as pharmaceuticals are being produced. In this technology, usually, after crushing the plants, the process of solid-liquid separation and extraction of the target substance is included. However, the residue after solid-liquid separation needs to inactivate genetically modified organisms or the like for the conservation of biodiversity based on the Cartagena Protocol. As the inactivation treatment, the residue is heated or chemically treated, but the heat treatment has less environmental impact and is reliable. Since the heating temperature at that time is, for example, as high as 100°C or more, the efficiency improvement of thermal energy as described in Patent Document 1 becomes an issue.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a waste treatment system for genetically modified organisms, etc., that improves the efficiency of operating energy when treating materials to be treated, such as plant residues containing genetically modified organisms, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The waste treatment system for genetically modified organisms of the present invention comprises: a manufacturing unit that produces a target substance from genetically modified raw organisms; an energy supply facility that supplies manufacturing energy to the manufacturing unit; an inactivation device into which a primary material to be treated, including genetically modified organisms discharged as residue from the manufacturing unit, is introduced and heated at a first temperature to transform the primary material to be treated into a secondary material in which the genetically modified organisms have been inactivated; a volume reduction device into which the secondary material to be treated is introduced and heated at a second temperature lower than the first temperature to reduce the volume of the secondary material; a first pipe for introducing the primary material to be treated from the manufacturing unit to the inactivation device; a second pipe for introducing the secondary material to be treated from the inactivation device to the volume reduction device; and a heat exchanger positioned in the middle of the first pipe and the second pipe, respectively, to exchange heat between the primary material to be treated and the secondary material to be treated. In this invention, "organisms" in the raw organisms include not only plants and animals, but also single-celled organisms such as yeast, which are eukaryotes similar to plants and animals.

[0007] (2) In (1), the first temperature is preferably 100°C or more and 150°C or less.

[0008] (3) In (1) or (2), the volume reduction apparatus is a methane fermentation apparatus that generates biogas in the process of reducing the volume of the secondary material to be treated, and the second temperature is 50°C or higher and 90°C or lower.

[0009] (4)(3) The biogas produced in the methane fermentation apparatus is supplied to the energy supply facility as the energy for production in the production unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, when processing materials to be treated, such as plant residues containing genetically modified organisms, the operating energy efficiency can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows an overview of the waste treatment system for genetically modified organisms and the like in the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows an overview of the waste treatment system (hereinafter abbreviated as "treatment system") 1 for genetically modified organisms, etc., according to the embodiment. The treatment system 1 of the embodiment comprises a manufacturing unit 10, an inactivation device 20, a methane fermentation device 30 as a volume reduction device, a heat exchanger 40, and an energy supply facility 50. In this specification, genetically modified organisms, etc., include, for example, plants, microorganisms, etc., as well as viruses, viroids, etc.

[0013] In the manufacturing unit 10, target substances such as proteins are produced from genetically modified raw material plants. Genetic modification of plants, as referred to here, involves genetically modifying living cells within plants, including cultured cells. In the manufacturing unit 10, processes such as culture, extraction, and purification are carried out. These processes are performed using energy supplied from energy supply facilities 50, including power generation equipment and hot water boilers.

[0014] As described above, in the manufacturing unit 10, the target substance is produced while plant residue is separated. This plant residue contains genetically modified organisms, etc., and is treated with water or before being processed in the inactivation device 20. Culture solutionIt is preferable to dilute the material with the appropriate solution to form a slurry, but it is also possible to mix and form a slurry after introducing each component into the inactivation device 20. In this embodiment, the plant residue is discharged from the manufacturing unit 10 and introduced into the inactivation device 20. Hereinafter, the plant residue discharged from the manufacturing unit 10, which may contain genetically modified organisms, will be referred to as primary treated material A.

[0015] A first pipe 61 connects the manufacturing unit 10 to the inactivation device 20. The primary material A discharged from the manufacturing unit 10 is introduced into the inactivation device 20 through the first pipe 61. The temperature of the primary material A discharged from the manufacturing unit 10 is room temperature (for example, around 25°C).

[0016] The inactivation device 20 is a commonly known steam sterilization device that can maintain a set high temperature condition inside for a specified time using the generated saturated steam, and performs treatments such as microbial sterilization in that environment. Here, the primary material to be treated A is inactivated in the inactivation device 20, thereby inactivating, i.e., killing, genetically modified organisms, etc., within the primary material to be treated A. The inactivation treatment is, for example, a heat treatment at 121°C for 20 minutes or more. Here, 121°C is an example of a first temperature. The first temperature is not limited to 121°C, but can be set to, for example, 100°C to 150°C. The treatment time needs to be set according to the object to be inactivated.

[0017] The plant residue in which genetically modified organisms have been inactivated in the inactivation device 20 is collected from the inactivation device 20, discharged, and introduced into the methane fermentation device 30. In the following, the plant residue in which genetically modified organisms have been inactivated and discharged from the inactivation device 20 will be referred to as secondary processed material B. In other words, in the inactivation device 20, primary processed material A is heated and transformed into secondary processed material B in which genetically modified organisms have been inactivated.

[0018] A second pipe 62 is arranged from the inactivation device 20 to the methane fermentation device 30. The secondary treated material B recovered and discharged from the inactivation device 20 is introduced into the methane fermentation device 30 through the second pipe 62. The temperature of the secondary treated material B recovered from the inactivation device 20 is, for example, about 100°C or about 60°C to 80°C.

[0019] The methane fermentation device 30 decomposes and reduces the volume of the secondary treated material B by, for example, fixing microorganisms on a carrier filled in a fermentation tank for methane fermentation and performing high-temperature fermentation. In the methane fermentation device 30, the methane fermentation temperature is set to 55°C, and the secondary treated material B is decomposed at 55°C. About 70% of the secondary treated material B decomposed in this way is decomposed and the volume is reduced to achieve volume reduction. Here, 55°C is an example of the second temperature. The second temperature is not limited to 55°C and is set, for example, to 50°C or higher and 90°C or lower.

[0020] In the methane fermentation device 30, biogas is generated by decomposing the secondary treated material B. Also, by reducing the volume of the secondary treated material B by the methane fermentation device 30, it is possible to reduce CO2 more than in the case of performing normal incineration treatment.

[0021] The heat exchanger 40 is arranged in the middle of each of the first pipe 61 and the second pipe 62. The first pipe 61 includes a first pipe upstream side 61a on the manufacturing unit 10 side of the heat exchanger 40 and a first pipe downstream side 61b on the inactivation device 20 side of the heat exchanger 40. The second pipe 62 includes a second pipe upstream side 62a on the inactivation device 20 side of the heat exchanger 40 and a second pipe downstream side 62b on the methane fermentation device 30 side of the heat exchanger 40. When the primary treated material A and the secondary treated material B pass through the heat exchanger 40, heat exchange occurs between the primary treated material A and the secondary treated material B as follows. It is desirable that the first pipe downstream side 61b, the second pipe upstream side 62a, and the second pipe downstream side 62b are provided with heat preservation means for maintaining the temperature of the fluid flowing through the pipe.

[0022] The primary treated material A discharged from the manufacturing department 10 and flowing into the heat exchanger 40 from the upstream side 61a of the first pipe is a fluid on the low-temperature side for the heat exchanger 40. The fluid on the low-temperature side is the primary treated material A with a relatively low temperature (here, 25°C) discharged from the manufacturing department 10. On the other hand, the secondary treated material B recovered and discharged from the inactivation device 20 and flowing into the heat exchanger 40 from the upstream side 62a of the second pipe is a fluid on the high-temperature side for the heat exchanger 40. The fluid on the high-temperature side is the secondary treated material B with a relatively high temperature (here, temporarily 100°C) discharged from the inactivation device 20.

[0023] The low-temperature (25°C) primary treated material A flowing into the heat exchanger 40 from the upstream side 61a of the first pipe is heated by contacting the high temperature (100°C) of the secondary treated material B flowing into the heat exchanger 40 from the upstream side 62a of the second pipe. The heated primary treated material A is discharged from the heat exchanger 40 to the downstream side 61b of the first pipe and introduced into the inactivation device 20 via the downstream side 61b of the first pipe. Here, the temperature of the primary treated material A heated by the heat exchanger 40 and introduced into the inactivation device 20 is temporarily set at 65°C.

[0024] On the other hand, the high-temperature (100°C) secondary treated material B flowing into the heat exchanger 40 from the upstream side 62a of the second pipe is cooled by contacting the low temperature (25°C) of the primary treated material A flowing into the heat exchanger 40 from the upstream side 61a of the first pipe. The cooled secondary treated material B is discharged from the heat exchanger 40 to the downstream side 62b of the second pipe and introduced into the methane fermentation device 30 via the downstream side 62b of the second pipe. Here, the temperature of the secondary treated material B cooled by the heat exchanger 40 and introduced into the methane fermentation device 30 is temporarily set at 60°C.

[0025] By arranging the heat exchanger 40 described above in the middle of the first pipe 61 and the second pipe 62, the primary material A to be treated is introduced into the inactivation device 20 in a heated state by the heat exchanger 40. Therefore, the energy required to heat up to the processing temperature inside the inactivation device 20 can be reduced. That is, if the processing temperature in the inactivation device 20 is 121°C, normally it would be necessary to heat it from, for example, room temperature of 25°C to 121°C (heating to 96°C). In this embodiment, however, since the primary material A to be treated introduced into the inactivation device 20 is 65°C, the inactivation treatment can be performed by heating it from 65°C to 121°C (heating to 56°C). Therefore, the energy required to heat the inactivation device 20 can be reduced by 40°C ("96°C - 56°C"). It should be noted that this temperature transition is purely theoretical, and in reality, the temperature will fluctuate within a certain range.

[0026] On the other hand, by arranging the heat exchanger 40 as described above in the middle of the first pipe 61 and the second pipe, the secondary material B to be processed introduced into the methane fermentation apparatus 30 is introduced in a state where its temperature has been reduced by the heat exchanger 40. Therefore, the energy required to maintain the processing temperature inside the methane fermentation apparatus 30 can be reduced. In other words, if the processing temperature in the methane fermentation apparatus 30 is 55°C, in this embodiment, the secondary material B introduced into the methane fermentation apparatus 30 is 60°C, so the energy required to maintain the temperature inside the methane fermentation apparatus 30 at 55°C can be saved.

[0027] Thus, according to the processing system 1 of this embodiment, the energy consumption of the inactivation device 20 and the methane fermentation device 30 can be suppressed, thereby improving the efficiency of operating energy when processing materials to be treated, such as plant residues containing genetically modified organisms. As a result, the running costs of the processing system 1 can be reduced.

[0028] According to the processing system 1 of this embodiment, the primary material A is heated by the inactivation device 20 to inactivate genetically modified organisms, etc., thereby effectively solubilizing the primary material A and increasing the amount of soluble biodegradable substances after processing with the inactivation device. This improves the methane fermentation decomposition rate in the methane fermentation device 30 and leads to more efficient biogas production.

[0029] According to the processing system 1 of this embodiment, the biogas produced in the methane fermentation apparatus 30 may be supplied to the energy supply facility 50 as production energy for the manufacturing unit 10. Figure 1 shows that biogas is supplied to the energy supply facility 50 via piping 63. This saves production energy for the manufacturing unit 10. In addition, the CO2 generated after the use of biogas can be used in the cultivation process in the manufacturing unit 10. In the methane fermentation apparatus 30, by setting the methane fermentation temperature to a relatively high 55°C, the decomposition rate of the secondary material B can be increased and the processing speed can be increased, thereby increasing the amount of biogas recovered. Furthermore, by replacing the secondary material B with methane fermentation instead of treating it as industrial waste, processing costs can be reduced.

[0030] According to the processing system 1 of this embodiment, compost and liquid fertilizer may be produced as methane fermentation residue in the methane fermentation apparatus 30. These compost and liquid fertilizers can be used in the cultivation process in the manufacturing section 10. This allows for the saving of culture fertilizer in the cultivation process. In addition, the hydroponic solution and culture solution used in the cultivation process in the manufacturing section 10 may contain genetically modified organisms and require inactivation. In such cases, these hydroponic solutions and culture solutions can be put into the inactivation device 20 and inactivated together with the primary material A.

[0031] The processing system 1 of this embodiment can be applied not only to facilities that manufacture target substances using genetic engineering technology as in this embodiment, but also to facilities where it is necessary to prevent the leakage of genetically modified organisms, etc., as sources of contamination, such as facilities installed in outer space, pharmaceutical factories, plant factories, and food factories in space development.

[0032] The waste treatment system 1 for genetically modified organisms, etc., as described above, provides the following effects.

[0033] (1) The waste treatment system 1 for genetically modified organisms, etc. according to the embodiment includes a manufacturing unit 10 that produces a target substance from raw plant material which is a genetically modified raw organism, an energy supply facility 50 that supplies manufacturing energy to the manufacturing unit 10, and an inactivation device 20 into which a primary material to be treated A containing genetically modified organisms, etc. discharged as residue from the manufacturing unit 10 is introduced and heated at a first temperature to change the primary material to be treated A into a secondary material to be treated B in which the genetically modified organisms, etc. have been inactivated, and The system includes a methane fermentation apparatus 30 as a volume reduction device that reduces the volume of the secondary material B by introducing the material B to be processed and heating the secondary material B at a second temperature lower than the first temperature; a first pipe 61 that introduces the primary material A from the manufacturing section 10 to the inactivation apparatus 20; a second pipe 62 that introduces the secondary material B from the inactivation apparatus 20 to the methane fermentation apparatus 30; and a heat exchanger 40 positioned in the middle of the first pipe 61 and the second pipe 62 respectively to exchange heat between the primary material A and the secondary material B.

[0034] This will improve the efficiency of operating energy when processing materials such as plant residues containing genetically modified organisms.

[0035] (2) In the waste treatment system 1 for genetically modified organisms etc. according to the embodiment described in (1) above, the inactivation device is the inactivation device 20, and the first temperature is preferably 100°C or more and 150°C or less.

[0036] This allows for the effective solubilization of the primary material A, increasing the amount of soluble biodegradable substances after treatment with the inactivation device. As a result, the methane fermentation decomposition rate in the methane fermentation device 30 is improved, leading to more efficient biogas production.

[0037] (3) In the waste treatment system 1 for genetically modified organisms etc. according to the embodiment described in (1) and (2) above, the volume reduction device is a methane fermentation device 30 in which biogas is generated in the process of reducing the volume of the secondary material B, and the second temperature is preferably 50°C or more and 90°C or less.

[0038] In the methane fermentation apparatus 30, by setting the methane fermentation temperature to a relatively high temperature of 50°C to 90°C, the decomposition rate of the secondary material B can be increased, the processing speed can be increased, and the amount of biogas recovered can be increased. In addition, the CO2 generated after the use of biogas can be used in the cultivation process in the manufacturing unit 10. Furthermore, by replacing the secondary material B with methane fermentation without treating it as industrial waste, processing costs can be reduced.

[0039] (4) In the waste treatment system 1 for genetically modified organisms etc. according to the embodiment described in (3) above, it is preferable that the biogas produced in the methane fermentation device 30 is supplied to the energy supply facility 50 as the production energy for the production unit 10.

[0040] This allows for saving energy during manufacturing in the manufacturing unit 10.

[0041] Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes all aspects included in the concepts and claims of this disclosure, and can be modified in various ways within the scope of this disclosure.

[0042] For example, the inactivation device 20 is a device that can raise the temperature to 100-150°C and maintain that temperature for a specified time. However, in order to prevent the primary material A and the secondary material B from mixing, it is preferable to provide a primary storage tank immediately downstream of the inactivation device 20. Alternatively, this primary storage tank may be provided immediately upstream of the inactivation device 20. Furthermore, if such a primary storage tank is not provided, it is possible to prevent the mixing of the primary material A and the secondary material B by installing a pair of inactivation devices 20 in parallel and using them alternately. However, considering that it is desirable to continuously input equal amounts of the material to be processed into the volume reduction device 30, it is most desirable to provide a primary storage tank immediately downstream of the inactivation device 20.

[0043] In the above embodiment, a plant is used as the raw material organism, but in the present invention, a single-celled organism such as yeast, which is a eukaryote similar to plants and animals, can be used as the raw material organism. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1. Waste disposal system for genetically modified organisms, etc. 10 Manufacturing Department 20 Inactivation device 30. Methane fermentation apparatus (volume reduction apparatus) 40 Heat exchanger 50 Energy supply facilities 61. First Piping 62. Second Piping A. Primary processed material B. Secondary processed material

Claims

1. A manufacturing unit that produces the target substance from genetically modified raw organisms, An energy supply facility that supplies manufacturing energy to the aforementioned manufacturing section, An inactivation device is provided that introduces a primary material containing genetically modified organisms discharged as residue from the manufacturing unit, and heats the primary material at a first temperature to transform it into a secondary material in which the genetically modified organisms have been inactivated. A volume reduction apparatus that reduces the volume of a secondary workpiece by introducing the secondary workpiece and heating it at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, A first pipe for introducing the primary material to be processed from the manufacturing section to the inactivation device, A second pipe for introducing the secondary material to be processed from the inactivation device to the volume reduction device, A waste treatment system for genetically modified organisms, comprising a heat exchanger positioned in the middle of the first pipe and the second pipe, respectively, for heat exchange between the primary material to be treated and the secondary material to be treated.

2. The waste treatment system for genetically modified organisms according to claim 1, wherein the first temperature is 100°C or higher and 150°C or lower.

3. The waste treatment system for genetically modified organisms according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the volume reduction device is a methane fermentation device that generates biogas in the process of reducing the volume of the secondary material to be treated, and the second temperature is 50°C or higher and 90°C or lower.

4. The waste treatment system for genetically modified organisms according to claim 3, wherein biogas produced in the methane fermentation apparatus is supplied to the energy supply facility as manufacturing energy for the production unit.

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