Supply system, information processing device, and control method

Abstract

In bioreactors, this aims to avoid a decrease in production efficiency when generating valuable materials. [Solution] A supply system for supplying a culture medium and carbon dioxide to a bioreactor, comprising: a hydrogen dissolution device for dissolving hydrogen contained in a first gas into a culture medium; and a carbon dioxide control device for controlling the amount of carbon dioxide contained in a second gas supplied to a bioreactor, the supply system comprising: a first measuring device for measuring the first pH value of the culture medium in the culture medium supply path; an input device for adding a pH adjusting agent upstream or downstream of the first measuring device in the culture medium supply path; a second measuring device for measuring the second pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor; and an information processing device for predicting how the second pH value will change when the pH adjusting agent is added to the culture medium, using at least the first pH value and the second pH value, and controlling the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added so that the changed second pH value satisfies predetermined conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a supply system, an information processing apparatus, and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] As a technology for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, for example, a technology is known in which a gas containing hydrogen and a gas containing carbon dioxide are supplied to a culture medium in a bioreactor, and valuable substances are produced using chemosynthetic bacteria contained in the culture medium. If this technology can be put into practical use, it will be possible to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, and it will also be possible to produce valuable substances (for example, ethanol) at a high yield with less energy as compared with a chemical process using an industrial catalyst or the like.

[0003] On the other hand, the applicant of the present application focuses on the fact that the dissolution of hydrogen in the culture medium is rate-determining with respect to the production efficiency of valuable substances, and is working on the development of a supply system capable of supplying a culture medium in which an appropriate amount of hydrogen is dissolved.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] On the other hand, in order to avoid a decrease in the production efficiency of valuable substances, it is important not only to control the amount of hydrogen dissolved in the culture medium but also to control, for example, the acidity of the culture medium. This is because the acidity of the culture medium affects the growth and lifespan of chemosynthetic bacteria.

[0006] In one aspect, it is an object to avoid a decrease in the production efficiency when producing valuable substances using chemosynthetic bacteria in a bioreactor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect is, A hydrogen dissolution facility for dissolving hydrogen contained in the first gas into the culture medium, A supply system comprising a carbon dioxide control device that controls the amount of carbon dioxide contained in the second gas supplied to the bioreactor, and which supplies the culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved and the carbon dioxide to the bioreactor, In a culture medium supply path that supplies the culture medium in which the hydrogen is dissolved to the bioreactor, a first measuring device is provided for measuring the first pH value of the culture medium in which the hydrogen is dissolved. An input device for adding a pH adjusting agent at a location upstream or downstream of the first measuring device in the culture medium supply path, A second measuring device for measuring the second pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor, The system includes an information processing device that predicts how the second pH value will change when the pH adjusting agent is added to the culture medium in which the hydrogen is dissolved, using at least the first pH value and the second pH value, and controls the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added so that the predicted second pH value after the change satisfies predetermined conditions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to avoid a decrease in production efficiency when producing valuable substances using chemosynthetic bacteria in a bioreactor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates the general method for generating valuable substances in a bioreactor. [Figure 2] The first figure shows an example of the configuration of a valuable material generation system. [Figure 3A] The first figure shows an example of the configuration of a hydrogen dissolution facility. [Figure 3B] This is the second figure, which shows an example of the configuration of a hydrogen dissolution facility. [Figure 4A] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a carbon dioxide control system. [Figure 4B] It is a second diagram showing a configuration example of a carbon dioxide control facility. [Figure 5] It is a first diagram for explaining an outline of a flow rate management method by an information processing device. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 7] It is a first diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 8] It is a second diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 9] It is a second diagram showing a configuration example of a valuable product generation system. [Figure 10A] It is a third diagram showing a configuration example of a carbon dioxide control facility. [Figure 10B] It is a fourth diagram showing a configuration example of a carbon dioxide control facility. [Figure 11] It is a second diagram for explaining an outline of a flow rate management method by an information processing device. [Figure 12] It is a third diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 13] It is a fourth diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 14] It is a third diagram showing a configuration example of a valuable product generation system. [Figure 15] It is a fourth diagram showing a configuration example of a valuable product generation system. [Figure 16] It is a first diagram showing a configuration example of a pH adjuster input facility. [Figure 17] It is a fifth diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 18] It is a fifth diagram showing a configuration example of a valuable product generation system. [Figure 19] It is a second diagram showing a configuration example of a pH adjuster input facility. [Figure 20] It is a sixth diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 21] It is a sixth diagram showing a configuration example of a valuable product generation system. [Figure 22] The third figure shows an example of the configuration of a pH adjusting agent input device. [Figure 23] Figure 6 shows an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 24] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of a pH adjusting agent input device. [Figure 25] Figure 6 shows an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] [First Embodiment] <Overview of methods for generating valuable materials in bioreactors> First, we will describe the overview of the method for producing valuable substances in a bioreactor. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the method for producing valuable substances in a bioreactor. In the first embodiment, the method for producing valuable substances in a bioreactor includes, as shown in Figure 1, • A process for manufacturing and supplying a culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen to a bioreactor. • A carbon dioxide supply process that supplies carbon dioxide to a bioreactor. • A process for generating valuable materials, It includes.

[0012] (1) Culture medium manufacturing and supply process In the culture medium manufacturing and supply process, a hydrogen-containing gas (referred to as the first gas) is blown into the culture medium for chemosynthetic bacteria, thereby producing a culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved. The manufactured culture medium is then supplied to the bioreactor.

[0013] (2) Carbon dioxide supply process In the carbon dioxide supply process, a gas containing carbon dioxide (referred to as the second gas) is supplied to the bioreactor. The carbon dioxide contained in the supplied second gas dissolves in the culture medium inside the bioreactor, and a gas without carbon dioxide is discharged from the bioreactor.

[0014] (3) Valuables production process Hydrogen and carbon dioxide (gas-dissolved components) dissolved in the culture medium within the bioreactor are taken up by chemosynthetic bacteria within the bioreactor and used for the growth of the chemosynthetic bacteria or for the production of valuable substances. The produced valuable substances are extracted together with the culture medium and chemosynthetic bacteria, and the valuable substances are removed in a subsequent process.

[0015] <Configuration of the valuable material generation system> Next, the configuration of the valuable substance generation system that performs each of the above steps will be described. Figure 2 is the first diagram showing an example of the configuration of the valuable substance generation system. As shown in Figure 2, the valuable substance generation system 200 has a gas generation area 210, a supply system 220, and a reaction system 230.

[0016] The gas generation area 210 includes various plants in various industrial processes such as oil refineries, steel mills, power plants, petrochemical complexes, and petrochemical plants. The low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211 indicates a plant that emits low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas containing low concentrations of hydrogen.

[0017] Examples of low-concentration hydrogen-containing gases emitted from the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211 include gases containing unreacted hydrogen from plants that use hydrogen as a raw material. Specifically, examples include gases emitted from hydrodesulfurization plants in petrochemical complexes.

[0018] Alternatively, low-concentration hydrogen-containing gases emitted from low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas sources 211 include, for example, hydrogen-containing gases from plants that do not use hydrogen. Specifically, these include gases emitted from coke ovens in steel mills, gases emitted by naphtha pyrolysis in petrochemical plants, and gases emitted by fluid catalytic cracking in oil refineries.

[0019] In the first embodiment, the gas discharged from the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211 is supplied to the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 as the first gas for the culture medium manufacturing and supply process.

[0020] The low-concentration carbon dioxide gas source 212 indicates a plant that emits low-concentration carbon dioxide gas containing low concentrations of carbon dioxide.

[0021] Examples of gases emitted from low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas sources 212 include gases emitted from manufacturing equipment that produces various industrial products, gases emitted from heating furnaces, boilers, incinerators, etc. These various industrial products include not only products provided to consumers, but also components of products provided to consumers, materials for those components, and raw materials used in manufacturing those materials.

[0022] In the first embodiment, the gas emitted by the low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212 is supplied to the carbon dioxide control equipment 222 as the second gas in the carbon dioxide supply process.

[0023] The supply system 220 includes a hydrogen dissolution facility 221 and a carbon dioxide control facility 222, both installed near the gas generation area 210. The supply system 220 also includes an information processing device 223 that manages the hydrogen dissolution facility 221 and the carbon dioxide control facility 222.

[0024] The hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 is equipment that performs the culture medium manufacturing and supply process. The hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 has a culture medium tank and blows a first gas supplied from a low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211 into the culture medium loaded in the culture medium tank, thereby dissolving the hydrogen contained in the first gas into the culture medium. In this way, the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 manufactures a culture medium in which hydrogen has been dissolved.

[0025] The hydrogen dissolution equipment 221, in order to maximize the amount of hydrogen dissolved in the culture medium under predetermined pressure and temperature (to reach saturation solubility), for example, brings the first gas into contact with the culture medium by bubbling, using the smallest possible bubbles. This is because increasing the contact area allows for an increase in the amount of hydrogen dissolved in the culture medium.

[0026] Furthermore, the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 repeatedly blows the first gas into the culture medium, for example, in order to maximize the amount of hydrogen dissolved in the culture medium under predetermined pressure and temperature (to reach saturation solubility). This is because increasing the number of contacts can increase the amount of hydrogen dissolved in the culture medium.

[0027] The hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 has a heating and cooling device (not shown) that controls the pressure and temperature in the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 to be approximately the same as, for example, the pressure and temperature in the bioreactor. The hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 also returns the first gas containing hydrogen that did not dissolve in the culture medium under the said pressure and temperature to the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211. In the gas generation area 210, the gas discharged by the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211 is originally configured to be reused in the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211, etc. Therefore, by configuring the system to return the first gas containing hydrogen that did not dissolve in the culture medium to the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211, this first gas can also be reused in the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211, etc.

[0028] The hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 supplies the culture medium in which hydrogen has been dissolved, produced in the culture medium tank, to one of the multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n of the reaction system 230.

[0029] The carbon dioxide control equipment 222 is equipment that performs the carbon dioxide supply process. The carbon dioxide control equipment 222 blows the second gas, supplied from the low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212, into the bioreactor, thereby dissolving the carbon dioxide contained in the second gas into the culture medium inside the bioreactor. At this time, the carbon dioxide control equipment 222 blows the second gas into one of the multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n of the reaction system 230.

[0030] The carbon dioxide control equipment 222 controls the amount of second gas injected into the bioreactor so that an amount of carbon dioxide corresponding to the amount of hydrogen dissolved in the culture medium supplied to the bioreactor by the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 is supplied to the bioreactor. The carbon dioxide control equipment 222 has a heating and cooling device (not shown) that controls the pressure and temperature in the carbon dioxide control equipment 222 when injecting the gas so that they are approximately the same as, for example, the pressure and temperature inside the bioreactor.

[0031] The information processing device 223 manages the culture medium manufacturing and supply processes performed by the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221. For example, the information processing device 223 calculates the amount of hydrogen to be supplied to the bioreactor in order to achieve the amount of chemosynthetic bacteria required to produce a predetermined target amount of valuable material. The information processing device 223 also controls the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 so that the calculated amount of hydrogen is supplied to the bioreactor under predetermined pressure and temperature.

[0032] Furthermore, the information processing device 223 manages the carbon dioxide supply process performed by the carbon dioxide control equipment 222. For example, the information processing device 223 controls the carbon dioxide control equipment 222 so that an amount of carbon dioxide corresponding to the calculated amount of hydrogen is supplied to the bioreactor under predetermined pressure and temperature.

[0033] The reaction system 230, like the supply system 220, includes multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n, which are installed near the gas generation area 210.

[0034] Multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n are facilities that perform a valuable substance production process and each contains chemosynthetic bacteria. Any chemosynthetic bacteria capable of synthesizing valuable substances by fermenting hydrogen and carbon dioxide can be used in each of the multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n. Examples of arbitrary chemosynthetic bacteria include the genera Clostridium and Moorella, which synthesize ethanol. Examples of arbitrary chemosynthetic bacteria include the genera Acetobacterium and Moorella, which synthesize acetic acid. Examples of arbitrary chemosynthetic bacteria include the genera Acetonema, which synthesizes propionic acid, and the genera Acetobacterium, which synthesizes acetone. Examples of arbitrary chemosynthetic bacteria include the genera Hydrogenophilus, which synthesizes butanol, and the genera Eubacterium and Clostridium, which synthesize butyric acid. Examples of chemosynthetic bacteria include the genera Hydrogenovibrio, which produces proteins and amino acids; Hydrogenophilus, which produces lipids; and Cupriavidus, which produces polymers. Note that the above examples of chemosynthetic bacteria are not exhaustive. Furthermore, each genera may include, for example, mesophilic bacteria, thermophilic bacteria, or genetically modified organisms. Also, each bioreactor is not limited to having only one type of chemosynthetic bacteria; it may contain multiple types (i.e., a bioreactor may contain multiple types of chemosynthetic bacteria in a co-culture system).

[0035] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, known bioreactors are used for each of the multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n. Known bioreactors include bioreactors equipped with various devices such as stirred-tank reactors, column fermenters containing immobilized or suspended chemosynthetic bacteria, continuous-flow reactors, and high-pressure reactors, and any of these bioreactors may be used. In addition, each of the multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n may be equipped with various devices such as stirring devices, heating and cooling devices, pressure gauges, thermometers, pH meters, COD meters, hydrogen concentration meters, and carbon dioxide concentration meters.

[0036] In this embodiment, the multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n are described as being switched to perform the valuable material production process, but some of the multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n may perform the valuable material production process in parallel.

[0037] Furthermore, although the reaction system 230 is provided with a plurality of bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n in this embodiment, the reaction system 230 may have only one bioreactor.

[0038] <Details of the supply system> Next, we will describe in detail the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221, carbon dioxide control equipment 222, and information processing equipment 223 included in the supply system 220.

[0039] (1) Details of the hydrogen dissolution equipment First, we will explain the details of the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221. Figure 3A is the first diagram showing an example of the configuration of the hydrogen dissolution equipment.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3A, the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 consists of culture medium tanks 310_1, 310_2, It has a pump 321, a control valve 322, and a flow meter 323.

[0041] A first gas supply path is connected to culture medium tanks 310_1 and 310_2, and the first gas supplied from the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211 is switched and supplied to them. For example, while the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium produced in culture medium tank 310_2 is being supplied to one of the multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n, the hydrogen contained in the first gas is dissolved into the culture medium in culture medium tank 310_1.

[0042] Specifically, when the system is switched to culture medium tank 310_1, the first gas is blown into the culture medium in culture medium tank 310_1 and comes into contact with the culture medium by bubbling. The first gas containing hydrogen that did not dissolve in the culture medium is circulated through the first gas circulation path and blown into the culture medium in culture medium tank 310_1 again. After being repeatedly blown into the culture medium in culture medium tank 310_1, the first gas containing hydrogen that did not dissolve in the culture medium is returned to the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211 via the first gas return path.

[0043] In this way, by configuring the culture medium so that a sufficient amount of hydrogen is dissolved in it, "The rate-limiting factor is the dissolution of hydrogen into the culture medium within the bioreactor, resulting in a low amount of valuable material being produced relative to the amount of hydrogen supplied to the bioreactor (i.e., a decrease in the efficiency of valuable material production)." This makes it possible to avoid situations like the one described above (in other words, "a decrease in the efficiency of generating valuable materials" here refers to a state where the amount of valuable materials produced is less than the amount of hydrogen supplied to the bioreactor). In addition, it can improve the effect of reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

[0044] Furthermore, a switching valve is provided at the connection point between the first gas circulation path and the first gas return path, and the circulation and return are switched by controlling the switching valve.In the example in Figure 3A, the first gas return path is connected to the first gas circulation path and a switching valve is provided at the connection point, but the first gas return path may be directly connected to, for example, the culture medium tank 310_1.In this case, on / off valves may be provided for both the first gas circulation path and the first gas return path, and the circulation and return may be switched by switching the on and off states of each on / off valve.Also, if the first gas return path is directly connected to, for example, the culture medium tank 310_1, the culture medium tank 310_1 does not need to have a first gas circulation path.

[0045] Meanwhile, the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium produced in culture medium tank 310_2 is supplied by pump 321 to one of the multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n via the first culture medium supply pathway.

[0046] A control valve 322, installed in the first culture medium supply path, controls the flow rate of the supplied culture medium. The flow rate of the culture medium is measured by a flow meter 323 and transmitted to an information processing device 223. The information processing device 223 then calculates the valve opening degree at which the measured flow rate of the culture medium becomes the target flow rate. The control valve 322 operates based on the calculated valve opening degree, thereby controlling the flow rate of the culture medium to the target flow rate.

[0047] Furthermore, the first medium supply path after branching is equipped with an on / off valve (not shown). When the on / off valve of the first medium supply path after branching, which is connected to the bioreactor to which the medium is supplied, is fully open, the other on / off valves are fully closed. This allows the medium supply destination to be switched. Possible timing for switching the medium supply destination could be, for example, when the amount of valuable substances (e.g., ethanol) produced in the receiving bioreactor decreases. A decrease in the amount of valuable substances produced refers to, for example, a decrease in the concentration of valuable substances when they are extracted from the bioreactor.

[0048] The hydrogen-infused culture medium produced in culture medium tank 310_2 is supplied to the bioreactor, and when the amount of culture medium in culture medium tank 310_2 decreases, new culture medium is loaded into culture medium tank 310_2.

[0049] Furthermore, culture medium tanks 310_1 and 310_2 contain: • Various sensors (thermometer, pressure gauge, pH meter, COD meter, hydrogen concentration meter, etc.) for measuring the temperature, pressure, pH of the culture medium, chemical oxygen demand of the culture medium, and hydrogen concentration of the culture medium in culture medium tanks 310_1 and 310_2. • Various devices (various control valves, heating and cooling devices, etc.) for controlling the temperature, pressure, and hydrogen concentration of the culture medium in culture medium tanks 310_1 and 310_2 to predetermined temperatures, pressures, and hydrogen concentrations. It shall be installed and controlled as appropriate.

[0050] Next, other details of the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 will be described. Figure 3B is a second diagram showing an example configuration of the hydrogen dissolution equipment. The difference from the first diagram shown in Figure 3A is that in the second diagram shown in Figure 3B, there is a removal equipment 330 on the first gas supply path.

[0051] The removal equipment 330 removes solid impurities contained in the first gas. The removal equipment 330 also removes repellent substances for chemosynthetic bacteria contained in the first gas. These repellent substances include, for example, sulfur, nitrogen, ammonia, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, etc. The removal equipment 330 removes solid impurities and repellent substances, for example, by using a filter function.

[0052] (2) Details of the carbon dioxide control equipment Next, we will describe the details of the carbon dioxide control equipment 222. Figure 4A is the first diagram showing an example configuration of the carbon dioxide control equipment.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4A, the carbon dioxide control equipment 222 includes a control valve 411 and a flow meter 412. The control valve 411, installed in the second gas supply path, controls the flow rate of the second gas supplied to the bioreactor. The flow rate of the second gas is measured by the flow meter 412 and transmitted to the information processing device 223. The information processing device 223 then calculates the valve opening degree at which the measured flow rate of the second gas becomes the target flow rate. The control valve 411 operates based on the calculated valve opening degree, thereby controlling the flow rate of the second gas to the target flow rate.

[0054] The second gas supply path is branched, and each branched second gas supply path is connected to one of several bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n via on / off valves (not shown). The destination of the second gas supply is switched when the on / off valve of the branched second gas supply path connected to the bioreactor to which the second gas is supplied is fully opened, and the other on / off valves are fully closed. The timing of the switch in the destination of the second gas supply is the same as the timing of the switch in the destination of the culture medium in the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221, and may be, for example, when the amount of valuable substance (e.g., ethanol) produced in the destination bioreactor decreases. A decrease in the amount of valuable substance produced refers to, for example, a decrease in the concentration of the valuable substance when it is extracted from the bioreactor.

[0055] In the example shown in Figure 4A, the second gas supplied from the low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212 is directly supplied to the bioreactor via the second gas supply path. However, a storage tank may be installed in the second gas supply path, and the second gas supplied from the low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212 may be stored in the storage tank before being supplied to the bioreactor.

[0056] In this case, the storage tank contains, • Various sensors (thermometers, pressure gauges, carbon dioxide concentration meters, etc.) for measuring the temperature, pressure, and carbon dioxide concentration in the storage tank. • Various devices (various control valves, heating and cooling devices, etc.) for controlling the temperature and pressure inside the storage tank to a predetermined temperature and pressure. It shall be installed and controlled as appropriate.

[0057] Next, other details of the carbon dioxide control equipment 222 will be described. Figure 4B is a second diagram showing an example configuration of the carbon dioxide control equipment. The difference between Figure 4B and the first diagram is that in the case of the second diagram shown in Figure 4B, there is a removal equipment 330 on the second gas supply path.

[0058] The removal equipment 420 removes solid impurities contained in the second gas. The removal equipment 420 also removes chemosynthetic bacteria repellents contained in the second gas. These chemosynthetic bacteria repellents in the second gas include, for example, sulfur, nitrogen, ammonia, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, etc.

[0059] (3) Details of the information processing device Next, we will explain the details of the information processing device 223. As mentioned above, the information processing device 223 manages multiple items for the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 and the carbon dioxide control equipment 222, but here we will explain them in detail. • The flow rate of the culture medium supplied by the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221, and • Flow rate of the second gas supplied by carbon dioxide control equipment 222, This explains how to manage it.

[0060] (3-1) Overview of management methods using information processing equipment First, we will explain the overview of the method for controlling the flow rate of the culture medium and the flow rate of the second gas using the information processing device 223. Figure 5 is the first diagram illustrating the overview of the flow rate control method using the information processing device.

[0061] As shown in Figure 5, the valuable substance production system 200 is constructed based on a target production amount of valuable substances, and the amount of chemosynthetic bacteria required for the target production amount of valuable substances is calculated in advance.

[0062] The information processing device 223 calculates the amount of hydrogen required to produce the target amount of valuable material. Next, the information processing device 223 calculates the saturation solubility, which is the amount of hydrogen that can dissolve in the culture medium, based on the pressure and temperature in the culture medium tanks 310_1 and 310_2. Then, assuming that hydrogen is dissolved at the calculated saturation solubility, the information processing device 223 calculates the amount of culture medium required to supply the amount of hydrogen required to produce the target amount of valuable material.

[0063] Next, the information processing device 223 calculates the target flow rate of the culture medium based on the calculated amount of culture medium.

[0064] Furthermore, the information processing device 223 calculates an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide corresponding to the amount of hydrogen required to produce the target amount of valuable material.

[0065] Next, the information processing device 223 calculates a target flow rate for the second gas to supply an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide, based on the pressure, temperature, and carbon dioxide concentration of the second gas.

[0066] Thus, by calculating the appropriate amount of carbon dioxide based on the amount of hydrogen, and then calculating the target flow rate of the second gas, "The amount of valuable substances produced is small compared to the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the bioreactor (i.e., the efficiency of valuable substance production decreases)." This makes it possible to avoid situations like this (in other words, "a decrease in the efficiency of valuable material production" here refers to a state where the amount of valuable material produced is less than the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the bioreactor).

[0067] (3-2) Hardware configuration of the information processing device Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 223 will be described. Figure 6 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6, the information processing device 223 includes a processor 601, memory 602, auxiliary storage device 603, connection device 604, communication device 605, and drive device 606. The processor 601, memory 602, auxiliary storage device 603, connection device 604, communication device 605, and drive device 606 of the information processing device 223 are interconnected via a bus 607.

[0069] The processor 601 has various computing devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The processor 601 reads various programs (for example, information processing programs, etc.) into memory 602 and executes them.

[0070] Memory 602 has main memory devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The processor 601 and memory 602 form a so-called computer, and the computer realizes various functions by having the processor 601 execute various programs read from memory 602.

[0071] The auxiliary storage device 603 stores various programs and various information used when these programs are executed by the processor 601.

[0072] The connection device 604 is a connection device for connecting the information processing device 223 to an example of an external device, namely the operating device 611 and the display device 612.

[0073] The communication device 605 is a communication device for communicating with various devices via a network.

[0074] The drive device 606 is a device for setting the recording medium 613. The recording medium 613 here includes media that record information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as CD-ROMs, flexible disks, and magneto-optical disks. The recording medium 613 may also include semiconductor memory that records information electrically, such as ROMs and flash memory.

[0075] The various programs to be installed on the auxiliary storage device 603 are installed, for example, when the distributed recording medium 613 is set in the drive device 606 and the various programs recorded on the recording medium 613 are read. Alternatively, the various programs to be installed on the auxiliary storage device 603 may be installed by downloading them from the network via the communication device 605.

[0076] (3-3) Functional configuration of information processing device for realizing the management method, part 1 Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device 223 for realizing the above management method will be described. Figure 7 is the first diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device. As described above, an information processing program is installed in the information processing device, and when this information processing program is executed, the information processing device 223 functions as a culture medium amount calculation unit 701, a target flow rate calculation unit 702, a difference calculation unit 703, and a valve opening control unit 704. In addition, the information processing device 223 functions as a carbon dioxide amount calculation unit 711, a target flow rate calculation unit 712, a difference calculation unit 713, and a valve opening control unit 714.

[0077] The culture medium volume calculation unit 701 obtains the amount of hydrogen required for the target production amount of valuable material. The culture medium volume calculation unit 701 also obtains the pressure and temperature in the culture medium tanks 310_1 and 310_2, and calculates the saturation solubility based on the obtained pressure and temperature. Furthermore, assuming that hydrogen is dissolved at the calculated saturation solubility, the culture medium volume calculation unit 701 calculates the amount of culture medium required to supply the obtained amount of hydrogen and notifies the target flow rate calculation unit 702.

[0078] The target flow rate calculation unit 702 sets the target flow rate of the culture medium based on the amount of culture medium notified by the culture medium amount calculation unit 701.

[0079] The difference calculation unit 703 calculates the difference between the set target flow rate of the culture medium and the flow rate of the culture medium measured by the flow meter 323 attached to the first culture medium supply path, and notifies the valve opening control unit 704 of the calculated difference value.

[0080] The valve opening control unit 704 calculates the valve opening of the control valve 322 attached to the first culture medium supply path based on the difference value notified by the difference calculation unit 703, and notifies the control valve 322 of the calculated valve opening.

[0081] The carbon dioxide amount calculation unit 711 acquires the amount of hydrogen necessary for the target production amount of valuable material. The carbon dioxide amount calculation unit 711 also calculates an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide based on the acquired amount of hydrogen and notifies the target flow rate calculation unit 712.

[0082] The target flow rate calculation unit 712 calculates and sets the target flow rate of the second gas to supply an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide, as notified by the carbon dioxide amount calculation unit 711, based on the pressure, temperature, and carbon dioxide concentration of the second gas.

[0083] The difference calculation unit 713 calculates the difference between the set target flow rate of the second gas and the flow rate of the second gas measured by the flow meter 412 installed in the second gas supply path, and notifies the valve opening control unit 714 of the calculated difference value.

[0084] The valve opening control unit 714 calculates the valve opening of the control valve 411 installed in the second gas supply path based on the difference value notified by the difference calculation unit 713, and notifies the control valve 411 of the calculated valve opening.

[0085] (3-4) Functional configuration of information processing device for realizing the management method, part 2 Next, other functional configurations of the information processing device 223 for realizing the above management method will be described. Figure 8 is a second diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device. In the first diagram shown in Figure 7, it was explained that the amount of hydrogen dissolved in the culture medium corresponds to the saturation solubility. In contrast, the example in Figure 8 differs from the example in Figure 7 in that the target flow rate of the culture medium is set based on the actual amount of hydrogen dissolved in the culture medium, and the target flow rate of the second gas is set based on the actual amount of hydrogen dissolved in the culture medium.

[0086] Specifically, in the example shown in Figure 8, the information processing device 223 functions as a culture medium quantity calculation unit 701' instead of the culture medium quantity calculation unit 701, and the information processing device 223 newly functions as a hydrogen quantity prediction unit 710. Also, in the example shown in Figure 8, the information processing device 223 functions as a carbon dioxide quantity calculation unit 711' instead of the carbon dioxide quantity calculation unit 711.

[0087] The culture medium volume calculation unit 701' obtains the amount of hydrogen required for the target production amount of valuable material. The culture medium volume calculation unit 701' also obtains the hydrogen concentration of the culture medium loaded in the culture medium tanks 310_1 and 310_2, calculates the amount of culture medium required to supply the obtained amount of hydrogen based on the obtained hydrogen concentration, and notifies the target flow rate calculation unit 702.

[0088] The hydrogen amount prediction unit 710 acquires the hydrogen concentration of the culture medium loaded in the culture medium tanks 310_1 and 310_2. Based on the acquired hydrogen concentration and the flow rate of the culture medium measured by the flow meter 323 attached to the first culture medium supply path, the hydrogen amount prediction unit 710 predicts the amount of hydrogen being supplied to the bioreactor and notifies the carbon dioxide amount calculation unit 711' of the predicted amount of hydrogen.

[0089] The carbon dioxide amount calculation unit 711' obtains the predicted amount of hydrogen from the hydrogen amount prediction unit 710. The carbon dioxide amount calculation unit 711' also calculates an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide based on the predicted amount of hydrogen and notifies the target flow rate calculation unit 712.

[0090] <Summary> As is clear from the above description, the supply system 220 according to the first embodiment is • It has a hydrogen dissolution facility 221 that dissolves the hydrogen contained in the first gas into the culture medium. • It has a carbon dioxide control system 222 that controls the amount of carbon dioxide contained in the second gas supplied to the bioreactor. • A culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide are supplied to the bioreactor.

[0091] As a result, according to the supply system 220 of the first embodiment, it is possible to avoid a decrease in production efficiency when producing valuable substances using chemosynthetic bacteria in the bioreactor.

[0092] [Second Embodiment] In the supply system 220 according to the first embodiment described above, the carbon dioxide control equipment 222 is configured to directly supply the carbon dioxide contained in the second gas to the bioreactor. In contrast, in the supply system according to the second embodiment, the carbon dioxide control equipment dissolves the carbon dioxide contained in the second gas into a culture medium, and supplies the culture medium in which the carbon dioxide has been dissolved, together with the culture medium in which hydrogen has been dissolved, to the bioreactor. The second embodiment will now be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment described above.

[0093] <Configuration of the valuable material generation system> First, the configuration of the valuable material generation system will be explained. Figure 9 is a second diagram showing an example configuration of the valuable material generation system. The difference from the valuable material generation system 200 shown in Figure 2 is that the valuable material generation system 900 in Figure 9 has a supply system 920 that includes a carbon dioxide control device 922 instead of the carbon dioxide control device 222.

[0094] The carbon dioxide control equipment 922 performs the culture medium manufacturing and supply process. In the second embodiment, the culture medium manufacturing and supply process performed by the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 is a process of manufacturing a culture medium in which carbon dioxide is dissolved by blowing a second gas into the culture medium of chemosynthetic bacteria.

[0095] Specifically, the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 has a culture medium tank and blows a second gas supplied from a low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212 into the culture medium loaded in the culture medium tank, thereby dissolving the carbon dioxide contained in the second gas into the culture medium. In this way, the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 produces a culture medium in which carbon dioxide has been dissolved.

[0096] The carbon dioxide control device 922, in order to maximize the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the culture medium under predetermined pressure and temperature (to reach saturation solubility), for example, brings the second gas into contact with the culture medium by bubbling, using the smallest possible bubbles. This is because increasing the contact area allows for an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the culture medium.

[0097] Furthermore, the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 repeatedly blows a second gas into the culture medium, for example, in order to maximize the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the culture medium under predetermined pressure and temperature (to reach saturation solubility). This is because increasing the number of contacts can increase the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the culture medium.

[0098] The carbon dioxide control equipment 922 has a heating and cooling device (not shown) and controls the pressure and temperature in the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 to be approximately the same as, for example, the pressure and temperature in the bioreactor. The carbon dioxide control equipment 922 also returns the second gas containing carbon dioxide that did not dissolve in the culture medium under the said pressure and temperature to the low-concentration carbon dioxide gas source 212. The returned second gas is treated using an exhaust gas treatment facility (not shown) that treats the gas emitted from the low-concentration carbon dioxide gas source 212. This exhaust gas treatment facility includes, for example, a collective chimney, flue gas desulfurization and denitrification equipment, etc.

[0099] The carbon dioxide control equipment 922 supplies the culture medium in which carbon dioxide has been dissolved, produced in the culture medium tank, to the first culture medium supply route. As a result, the culture medium in which carbon dioxide has been dissolved, along with the culture medium in which hydrogen has been dissolved, is supplied to one of the multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n of the reaction system 230.

[0100] <Details of the supply system> Next, we will describe the details of the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 included in the supply system 920.

[0101] (1) Details of the carbon dioxide control equipment Figure 10A is a third diagram showing an example configuration of the carbon dioxide control equipment. As shown in Figure 10A, the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 includes culture medium tanks 1010_1 and 1010_2, a pump 1021, a control valve 411, and a flow meter 412. Of these, the control valve 411 and the flow meter 412 have already been explained using Figure 4A in the first embodiment described above, so their explanation is omitted here.

[0102] A second gas supply path is connected to culture medium tanks 1010_1 and 1010_2, and the second gas supplied from the low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212 is switched and supplied to both. For example, while the culture medium in which carbon dioxide is dissolved, produced in culture medium tank 1010_1, is being supplied to the first culture medium supply path, the carbon dioxide contained in the second gas is dissolved into the culture medium in culture medium tank 1010_1.

[0103] Specifically, when the medium tank 1010_1 is switched on, the second gas is blown into the medium in the medium tank 1010_1 and comes into contact with the medium by bubbling. The second gas, which contains carbon dioxide that did not dissolve in the medium, is circulated through the second gas circulation path and blown into the medium in the medium tank 1010_1 again. After being repeatedly blown into the medium loaded in the medium tank 1010_1, the second gas, which contains carbon dioxide that did not dissolve in the medium, is returned to the low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212 via the second gas return path.

[0104] Furthermore, a switching valve is provided at the connection point between the second gas circulation path and the second gas return path, and the circulation and return are switched by controlling the switching valve.In the example in Figure 10A, the second gas return path is connected to the second gas circulation path and a switching valve is provided at the connection point, but the second gas return path may be directly connected to, for example, the culture medium tank 1010_1.In this case, on / off valves may be provided for both the second gas circulation path and the second gas return path, and the circulation and return may be switched by switching the on and off states of each on / off valve.Also, if the second gas return path is directly connected to, for example, the culture medium tank 1010_1, the culture medium tank 1010_1 does not need to have a second gas circulation path.

[0105] Meanwhile, the culture medium in which carbon dioxide is dissolved, produced in culture medium tank 1010_2, is supplied to the first culture medium supply route via the second culture medium supply route by pump 1021. As a result, the culture medium in which carbon dioxide is dissolved, along with the culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved, is supplied to one of the multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n.

[0106] A control valve 411, installed in the second culture medium supply path, controls the flow rate of the supplied culture medium. The flow rate of the culture medium is measured by a flow meter 412 and transmitted to an information processing device 223. The information processing device 223 then calculates the valve opening degree at which the measured flow rate of the culture medium becomes the target flow rate. The control valve 411 operates based on the calculated valve opening degree, thereby controlling the flow rate of the culture medium to the target flow rate.

[0107] The culture medium containing dissolved carbon dioxide, produced in culture medium tank 1010_2, is supplied to the bioreactor via the first culture medium supply pathway. When the amount of culture medium loaded in culture medium tank 1010_2 decreases, new culture medium is loaded into culture medium tank 1010_2.

[0108] Furthermore, culture medium tanks 1010_1 and 1010_2 contain: • Various sensors (thermometer, pressure gauge, pH meter, COD meter, carbon dioxide concentration meter, etc.) for measuring temperature, pressure, pH of the culture medium, chemical oxygen demand of the culture medium, and carbon dioxide concentration of the culture medium in culture medium tanks 1010_1 and 1010_2. • Various devices (various control valves, heating and cooling devices, etc.) for controlling the temperature, pressure, and carbon dioxide concentration of the culture medium in culture medium tanks 1010_1 and 1010_2 to predetermined temperatures, pressures, and carbon dioxide concentrations. It shall be installed and controlled as appropriate.

[0109] Next, other details of the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 will be described. Figure 10B is the fourth diagram showing an example configuration of the carbon dioxide control equipment. The difference from the third diagram shown in Figure 10A is that in the case of the fourth diagram shown in Figure 10A, there is a removal equipment 1020 on the second gas supply path.

[0110] The removal equipment 1020 removes solid impurities contained in the second gas. The removal equipment 1020 also removes chemosynthetic bacteria repellents contained in the second gas. These chemosynthetic bacteria repellents in the second gas include, for example, sulfur, nitrogen, ammonia, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, etc. The removal equipment 1020 removes solid impurities and repellents, for example, using a filter function.

[0111] (3) Details of the information processing device Next, the details of the information processing device 223 will be described. Similar to the first embodiment described above, the information processing device 223 manages multiple items for the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 and the carbon dioxide control equipment 922, but here, • The flow rate of the culture medium supplied by the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221, and • Flow rate of culture medium supplied by carbon dioxide control equipment 922, This explains how to manage it.

[0112] (3-1) Overview of management methods using information processing equipment First, we will explain the overview of the method for controlling the flow rate of the culture medium using the information processing device 223. Figure 11 is a second diagram illustrating the overview of the flow rate control method using the information processing device.

[0113] As shown in Figure 11, the valuable substance production system 900 is constructed based on a target production amount of valuable substances, and the amount of chemosynthetic bacteria required for the target production amount of valuable substances is calculated in advance.

[0114] The information processing device 223 calculates the amount of hydrogen required to produce the target amount of valuable material. Next, the information processing device 223 calculates the saturation solubility, which is the amount of hydrogen that can dissolve in the culture medium, based on the pressure and temperature in the culture medium tanks 310_1 and 310_2. Then, assuming that hydrogen is dissolved at the calculated saturation solubility, the information processing device 223 calculates the amount of culture medium required to supply the amount of hydrogen required to produce the target amount of valuable material.

[0115] Next, the information processing device 223 calculates the target flow rate of the culture medium based on the calculated amount of culture medium.

[0116] Furthermore, the information processing device 223 calculates an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide corresponding to the amount of hydrogen required to produce the target amount of valuable material.

[0117] Next, the information processing device 223 calculates the saturation solubility, which is the amount of carbon dioxide that can be dissolved in the culture medium, based on the pressure and temperature in the culture medium tanks 1010_1 and 1010_2. Subsequently, the information processing device 223 calculates the amount of culture medium required to supply the appropriate amount of carbon dioxide, assuming that carbon dioxide is dissolved at the calculated saturation solubility.

[0118] Next, the information processing device 223 calculates the target flow rate of the culture medium based on the calculated amount of culture medium.

[0119] In this way, by calculating the appropriate amount of carbon dioxide based on the amount of hydrogen, and then calculating the target flow rate of the culture medium, "The amount of valuable substances produced is small compared to the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the bioreactor (i.e., the efficiency of valuable substance production decreases)." This makes it possible to avoid situations like this (in other words, "a decrease in the efficiency of valuable material production" here refers to a state where the amount of valuable material produced is less than the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the bioreactor).

[0120] (3-2) Functional configuration of information processing device for realizing the management method, part 3 Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device 223 for realizing the above management method will be described. Figure 12 is a third figure showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device. The difference from the first figure described using Figure 7 in the first embodiment above is that in the case of Figure 12, the information processing device 223 functions as a culture medium volume calculation unit 1211, a target flow rate calculation unit 1212, and a difference calculation unit 1213.

[0121] The culture medium volume calculation unit 1211 obtains an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide volume calculation unit 711. The culture medium volume calculation unit 1211 also obtains the pressure and temperature in the culture medium tanks 1010_1 and 1010_2, and calculates the saturation solubility based on the obtained pressure and temperature. Furthermore, assuming that carbon dioxide is dissolved at the calculated saturation solubility, the culture medium volume calculation unit 1211 calculates the amount of culture medium required to supply the obtained appropriate amount of carbon dioxide and notifies the target flow rate calculation unit 1212.

[0122] The target flow rate calculation unit 1212 sets the target flow rate of the culture medium based on the amount of culture medium notified by the culture medium amount calculation unit 1211.

[0123] The difference calculation unit 1213 calculates the difference between the set target flow rate of the culture medium and the flow rate of the culture medium measured by the flow meter 412 attached to the second culture medium supply path, and notifies the valve opening control unit 714 of the calculated difference value.

[0124] (3-3) Functional configuration of information processing device for realizing the management method, part 4 Next, other functional configurations of the information processing device 223 for realizing the above management method will be described. Figure 13 is the fourth figure showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device. In the third figure shown in Figure 12, it was explained that the amount of hydrogen and carbon dioxide dissolved in the culture medium corresponded to the saturation solubility. In contrast, the example in Figure 13 differs from the example in Figure 12 in that the target flow rate of the culture medium is set based on the actual amount of hydrogen dissolved in the culture medium, and the appropriate amount of carbon dioxide is calculated based on the actual amount of hydrogen dissolved in the culture medium. Furthermore, the example in Figure 13 differs from the example in Figure 12 in that the target flow rate of the culture medium is set based on the actual amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the culture medium.

[0125] Specifically, in the example shown in Figure 13, the information processing device 223 functions as a medium volume calculation unit 701' instead of the medium volume calculation unit 701, and the information processing device 223 newly functions as a hydrogen volume prediction unit 710. Also, in the example shown in Figure 13, the information processing device 223 functions as a carbon dioxide volume calculation unit 711' instead of the carbon dioxide volume calculation unit 711, and functions as a medium volume calculation unit 1211' instead of the medium volume calculation unit 1211.

[0126] The culture medium volume calculation unit 701' obtains the amount of hydrogen required for the target production amount of valuable material. The culture medium volume calculation unit 701' also obtains the hydrogen concentration of the culture medium loaded in the culture medium tanks 310_1 and 310_2, calculates the amount of culture medium required to supply the obtained amount of hydrogen based on the obtained hydrogen concentration, and notifies the target flow rate calculation unit 702.

[0127] The hydrogen amount prediction unit 710 acquires the hydrogen concentration of the culture medium loaded in the culture medium tanks 310_1 and 310_2. Based on the acquired hydrogen concentration and the flow rate of the culture medium measured by the flow meter 323 attached to the first culture medium supply path, the hydrogen amount prediction unit 710 predicts the amount of hydrogen being supplied to the bioreactor and notifies the carbon dioxide amount calculation unit 711' of the predicted amount of hydrogen.

[0128] The carbon dioxide amount calculation unit 711' obtains the predicted amount of hydrogen from the hydrogen amount prediction unit 710. The carbon dioxide amount calculation unit 711' also calculates an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide based on the predicted amount of hydrogen and notifies the culture medium amount calculation unit 1211'.

[0129] The culture medium volume calculation unit 1211' obtains an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide volume calculation unit 711'. The culture medium volume calculation unit 1211' also obtains the carbon dioxide concentration of the culture medium loaded in the culture medium tanks 1010_1 and 1010_2, calculates the amount of culture medium required to supply the obtained amount of carbon dioxide based on the obtained carbon dioxide concentration, and notifies the target flow rate calculation unit 1212.

[0130] <Summary> As is clear from the above description, the supply system 920 according to the second embodiment is • It has a hydrogen dissolution facility 221 that dissolves the hydrogen contained in the first gas into the culture medium. • It has a carbon dioxide control device 922 that dissolves the carbon dioxide contained in the second gas into the culture medium. • A culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and a culture medium containing dissolved carbon dioxide are supplied to the bioreactor.

[0131] As a result, according to the supply system 920 of the second embodiment, it is possible to avoid a decrease in production efficiency when producing valuable substances using chemosynthetic bacteria in the bioreactor.

[0132] [Third Embodiment] In the second embodiment described above, the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 and the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 are arranged in parallel, and the second medium supply path is connected to the first medium supply path. However, the connection direction is not limited to this, and the first medium supply path may be connected to the second medium supply path. In this case, branch paths to multiple bioreactors are formed in the second medium supply path of the carbon dioxide control equipment 922.

[0133] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 and the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 are arranged in parallel. However, the arrangement of the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 and the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 is not limited to this, and they may be arranged in series.

[0134] Furthermore, when the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 and the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 are arranged in series, the arrangement order is arbitrary. They may be arranged in the order of hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 → carbon dioxide control equipment 922 (in the culture medium supply path, the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 is placed upstream and the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 is placed downstream). Alternatively, they may be arranged in the order of carbon dioxide control equipment 922 → hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 (in the culture medium supply path, the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 is placed upstream and the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 is placed downstream).

[0135] In other words, the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 may inject a second gas into the culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen, supplied from the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221, to dissolve carbon dioxide. Alternatively, the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 may inject a first gas into the culture medium containing dissolved carbon dioxide, supplied from the carbon dioxide control equipment 922, to dissolve hydrogen. In either case, the culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved in a predetermined ratio is supplied to one of the multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n.

[0136] Figure 14 is a third diagram showing an example configuration of a valuable substance generation system. The example in Figure 14 shows a case where the valuable substance generation system 1400 has a supply system 1420 arranged in series in the order of hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 → carbon dioxide control equipment 922.

[0137] Although not shown in Figure 14, in the supply system 1420, the second culture medium supply route of the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 has branching routes to multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n. In addition, culture medium with dissolved hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 and loaded into the culture medium tanks 1010_1 and 1010_2 of the carbon dioxide control equipment 922.

[0138] In this way, by arranging the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 and the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 in series, according to the third embodiment, the supply path of the culture medium up to the branching point is unified, thus simplifying the supply system.

[0139] [Fourth Embodiment] In each of the embodiments described above, the first gas supplied to the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 was described as a low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas generated in the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211. However, the first gas supplied to the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 may also be a gas containing high-purity (e.g., 100%) hydrogen (hydrogen-containing gas). In each of the embodiments described above, considering economic efficiency, a low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas that has no value other than as a heat source was supplied to the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221. However, if, for example, the price of low-carbon intensity hydrogen (green hydrogen) falls, it is also possible to supply such green hydrogen.

[0140] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, it was explained that the first gas supplied to the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221, which contains hydrogen that did not dissolve in the culture medium, is returned to the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211 via the first gas return route. However, the first gas containing hydrogen that did not dissolve in the culture medium is not limited to being returned to the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211, but may also be secondarily supplied to a combustion facility (e.g., a boiler, heating furnace, etc.) because it can be used as a heat source through combustion. In this case, the first gas is secondarily supplied to the combustion facility via a first gas secondary supply route (not shown).

[0141] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the second gas supplied to the carbon dioxide control equipment 922, which contains carbon dioxide that did not dissolve in the culture medium, was described as being returned to the low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212 via the second gas return route. However, the return destination is not limited to the low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212, and may be returned to exhaust gas treatment equipment (e.g., a collective chimney, flue gas desulfurization / denitrification equipment, etc.). Alternatively, if all the carbon dioxide contained in the second gas supplied to the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 is dissolved in the culture medium, the system may be configured to release it into the atmosphere without returning it.

[0142] Furthermore, although the low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas source 211 and the low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212 were described as separate sources in each of the above embodiments, they may be the same source.

[0143] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, large-scale facilities such as oil refineries, steel mills, power plants, and petrochemical complexes were given as examples of the gas generation area 210, but the gas generation area 210 is not limited to large-scale facilities. For example, the gas generation area 210 may be a small-scale business establishment where measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions are difficult (e.g., a municipal incinerator, a small factory, etc.).

[0144] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the gas emitted from the bioreactor does not contain carbon dioxide and was therefore described as being emitted into the atmosphere (see, for example, Figure 1). On the other hand, if the carbon dioxide control equipment 222 does not have a removal equipment 420 (see, for example, Figure 4A), the gas emitted from the bioreactor may contain air pollutants other than carbon dioxide (sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, etc.). Therefore, instead of emitting the gas emitted from the bioreactor into the atmosphere, it may be configured to be returned to a low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212, etc.

[0145] Furthermore, although the information processing device 223 was described in each of the above embodiments as being implemented by a single device, it may also be implemented by multiple devices. For example, each functional unit implemented by the information processing device 223 may be implemented in a distributed manner across multiple devices.

[0146] [Fifth Embodiment] In the first to fourth embodiments described above, we focused on the fact that the dissolution of hydrogen into the culture medium in the bioreactor is the rate-limiting factor in the efficiency of generating valuable substances, and described a configuration for supplying a culture medium with an appropriate amount of dissolved hydrogen.

[0147] On the other hand, to avoid a decrease in the efficiency of valuable substance production, it is important not only to control the amount of hydrogen dissolved in the culture medium but also to control the acidity of the medium. This is because the acidity of the culture medium affects the growth and lifespan of chemosynthetic bacteria.

[0148] Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, a configuration for managing the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor and controlling it so that the pH value satisfies predetermined conditions will be described. The details of the fifth embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first to fourth embodiments described above.

[0149] <Configuration of the valuable material generation system> First, the configuration of the valuable substance generation system in the fifth embodiment will be described. Figure 15 is the fourth figure showing an example of the configuration of the valuable substance generation system. As shown in Figure 15, the valuable substance generation system 1500 has a gas generation region 210, a supply system 1520, and a reaction system 230.

[0150] Of these, the gas generation region 210 has already been explained using Figure 2 in the first embodiment described above, for example, so its explanation will be omitted here. Similarly, the reaction system 230 has already been explained using Figure 2 in the first embodiment described above, for example, so its explanation will be omitted here. Note that in the example in Figure 2, the reaction system 230 was described as comprising multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n, but in the example in Figure 15, for space limitations, the reaction system 230 is described as comprising only one bioreactor 231.

[0151] The supply system 1520 includes a hydrogen dissolution facility 221, a carbon dioxide control facility 222, and an information processing device 223 that manages the hydrogen dissolution facility 221 and the carbon dioxide control facility 222. The supply system 1520 also includes a pH adjusting agent input facility 1521 and an information processing device 1522 that manages the pH adjusting agent input facility 1521. Although the example in Figure 15 shows the case where the information processing device 223 and the information processing device 1522 are provided as separate components, the information processing device 223 and the information processing device 1522 may be provided as a single unit.

[0152] Of these, the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221, the carbon dioxide control equipment 222, and the information processing equipment 223 have already been explained using Figure 2 in the first embodiment described above, so their explanation will be omitted here.

[0153] The pH adjusting agent input device 1521 is located in the first culture medium supply path, between the hydrogen dissolution device 221 and the bioreactor 231, and adds the pH adjusting agent to the culture medium in which hydrogen has been dissolved, supplied from the hydrogen dissolution device 221. As a result, the pH value of the culture medium in which hydrogen has been dissolved is adjusted, and then the culture medium in which hydrogen has been dissolved is supplied to the bioreactor 231.

[0154] The information processing device 1522 manages the pH adjustment process performed by the pH adjusting agent input device 1521. Specifically, the information processing device 1522 predicts how the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 will change when the pH adjusting agent is added to the culture medium in which hydrogen has been dissolved. The information processing device 1522 also controls the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added so that the predicted pH value after the change satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0155] <Details of the supply system> Next, we will describe in detail the pH adjusting agent input equipment 1521 and the information processing equipment 1522, which are among the equipment included in the supply system 1520.

[0156] (1) Details of the pH adjusting agent input equipment First, we will explain the details of the pH adjusting agent input equipment 1521. Figure 16 is the first diagram showing an example of the configuration of the pH adjusting agent input equipment.

[0157] As shown in Figure 16, the pH adjusting agent input equipment 1521 includes a pH meter 1601, a pH adjusting agent tank 1602, a control valve 1603, a flow meter 1604, and a flow meter 1605.

[0158] The pH meter 1601 is an example of a first measuring device and is installed on the first culture medium supply path that supplies a culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved, and measures the pH value of the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium (an example of a first pH value). The pH value measured by the pH meter 1601 is transmitted to the information processing device 1522.

[0159] The pH adjuster tank 1602 is a tank for storing pH adjusters. The control valve 1603 is a control valve that controls the flow rate when the pH adjuster stored in the pH adjuster tank 1602 is introduced into the first culture medium supply path. The flow rate of the pH adjuster to be introduced into the first culture medium supply path is determined by the information processing device 1522, and the control valve 1603 is notified of the valve opening degree corresponding to the determined flow rate. The flow meter 1604 measures the flow rate when the pH adjuster stored in the pH adjuster tank 1602 is introduced into the first culture medium supply path. The flow rate measured by the flow meter 1604 is transmitted to the information processing device 1522.

[0160] The pH adjuster tank 1602, control valve 1603, flow meter 1604, and the pH adjuster input route from the pH adjuster tank 1602 to the first culture medium supply route are collectively referred to as the input equipment. In the example in Figure 16, the input equipment introduces the pH adjuster into the first culture medium supply route at a location downstream of the pH meter 1601 in the first culture medium supply route.

[0161] The flow meter 1605 measures the flow rate of the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium, to which a pH adjuster has been added, which is supplied to the bioreactor 231 via the first culture medium supply pathway. The flow rate measured by the flow meter 1605 is transmitted to the information processing device 1522.

[0162] (2) Details of the information processing device 1522 Next, the details of the information processing device 1522 will be described. Figure 17 is the fifth diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device. Similar to the information processing device 223, the information processing device 1522 has an information processing program installed, and when this information processing program is executed, the information processing device 1522 functions as a first pH value calculation unit 1701 and a second pH value calculation unit 1702. In addition, the information processing device 1522 functions as a difference calculation unit 1703, a pH adjusting agent target flow rate calculation unit 1704, a difference calculation unit 1705, and a valve opening degree control unit 1706.

[0163] The first pH value calculation unit 1701 is, • The measured flow rate of the culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved (for example, the flow rate measured by the flow meter 323 of the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221), • The measured pH value of the culture medium in which hydrogen has been dissolved (for example, the pH value measured by the pH meter 1601 of the pH adjusting agent input equipment 1521), • Actual flow rate of the pH adjuster (for example, the flow rate measured by the flow meter 1604 of the pH adjuster input equipment 1521), Based on this, the pH value of a culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved and a pH adjusting agent has been added is predicted. The first pH value calculation unit 1701 makes the prediction using, for example, a general method for calculating the pH value of a mixed aqueous solution.

[0164] The second pH value calculation unit 1702 is: • A culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved, and the measured flow rate of the culture medium to which a pH adjuster has been added (for example, the flow rate measured by the flow meter 1605 of the pH adjuster addition equipment 1521), • A culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved, and the predicted pH value of the culture medium to which a pH adjusting agent has been added (for example, the pH value after the pH adjusting agent has been added, as predicted by the first pH value calculation unit 1701), • Measured flow rate of the second gas (for example, the flow rate measured by the flow meter 412 of the carbon dioxide control equipment 222), • Measured composition of the second gas (for example, the concentration of carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides contained in the second gas as measured at the low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212), • Predicted solubility of the second gas (for example, the solubility of the second gas in the culture medium, calculated based on the temperature and pressure inside bioreactor 231), • Actual amount of culture medium in the bioreactor (for example, the amount of culture medium calculated based on the measurement results of the liquid level gauge (not shown) in bioreactor 231), • Actual pH value inside the bioreactor (for example, the pH value measured by a pH meter (not shown, an example of a second measuring device) installed inside bioreactor 231 (an example of a second pH value)), Based on this, the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 is predicted. The second pH value calculation unit 1702 makes the prediction using, for example, a general method for calculating the pH value of a mixed aqueous solution and a general method for calculating the pH value of an aqueous solution.

[0165] The difference calculation unit 1703 calculates the difference between the target pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 and the pH value after the change in the culture medium in the bioreactor 231, which is calculated by the second pH value calculation unit 1702. The difference calculation unit 1703 notifies the pH adjuster target flow rate calculation unit 1704 of the calculated difference value. The target pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 refers to a pH range suitable for the growth and extended lifespan of chemosynthetic bacteria.

[0166] The pH adjuster target flow rate calculation unit 1704 determines the target flow rate of the pH adjuster to be added so that the difference value notified by the difference calculation unit 1703 falls within a predetermined range. This makes it possible to control the flow rate of the pH adjuster to be added so that the pH value after the change in the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 approaches the target value or falls within a predetermined range.

[0167] The difference calculation unit 1705 calculates the difference between the target flow rate determined by the pH adjusting agent target flow rate calculation unit 1704 and the actual measured flow rate of the pH adjusting agent (for example, the flow rate measured by the flow meter 1605 of the pH adjusting agent input equipment 1521), and notifies the valve opening control unit 1706 of this difference.

[0168] The valve opening control unit 1706 calculates the valve opening of the control valve 1603 so that the difference value notified by the difference calculation unit 1705 satisfies predetermined conditions, and transmits the calculated valve opening to the control valve 1603.

[0169] In this way, the information processing device 1522 predicts how the current pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 will change by adding a pH adjusting agent to the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium. It also controls the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added so that the predicted changed pH value meets predetermined conditions. In other words, the information processing device 1522 predicts the change in the pH value in the bioreactor 231 based on factors that affect the current pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231, and controls the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added so that predetermined conditions are met. This makes it possible to prevent the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 from deviating from the target value.

[0170] In this embodiment, the factors that affect the current pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 include: • Flow rate of the culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved, • pH value of the culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved, • Flow rate of the second gas, • Composition of the second gas, • Solubility of the second gas, • Amount of culture medium in bioreactor 231, This includes, etc.

[0171] <Summary> As is clear from the above description, the supply system 1520 according to the fifth embodiment is • It has a hydrogen dissolution facility 221 that dissolves the hydrogen contained in the first gas into the culture medium. • It has a carbon dioxide control system 222 that controls the amount of carbon dioxide contained in the second gas supplied to the bioreactor. • A culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide are supplied to the bioreactor.

[0172] Furthermore, the supply system 1520 according to the fifth embodiment is • The first culture medium supply pathway, which supplies the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium to the bioreactor, includes a pH meter for measuring the pH value of the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium. • The system has an input device for adding a pH adjusting agent to adjust the pH value, located downstream of the pH meter in the first culture medium supply route. • It has a pH meter for measuring the pH value of the culture medium inside the bioreactor. • By adding a pH adjuster to a culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen, the change in the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor is predicted using at least the pH value of the culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor. Furthermore, the flow rate of the pH adjuster added is controlled so that the predicted changed pH value satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0173] As a result, according to the supply system 1520 of the fifth embodiment, it is possible to avoid a decrease in production efficiency when producing valuable substances using chemosynthetic bacteria in the bioreactor.

[0174] [Sixth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment described above, we focused on the growth and extended lifespan of chemosynthetic bacteria in the bioreactor and described a case in which a configuration for appropriately controlling the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor is applied to the supply system 220. However, the configuration described in the fifth embodiment may also be applied to the supply system 920, for example. The sixth embodiment will now be described, focusing on the differences from the fifth embodiment.

[0175] <Configuration of the valuable material generation system> First, the configuration of the valuable substance generation system in the sixth embodiment will be described. Figure 18 is the fifth figure showing an example of the configuration of the valuable substance generation system. As shown in Figure 18, the valuable substance generation system 1800 has a gas generation region 210, a supply system 1820, and a reaction system 230.

[0176] Of these, the gas generation region 210 has already been explained using Figure 2 in the first embodiment described above, for example, so its explanation will be omitted here. Similarly, the reaction system 230 has already been explained using Figure 2 in the first embodiment described above, for example, so its explanation will be omitted here. Note that in the example in Figure 2, the reaction system 230 was described as comprising multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n, but in the example in Figure 18, for space limitations, the reaction system 230 is described as comprising only one bioreactor 231.

[0177] The supply system 1820 includes a hydrogen dissolution facility 221, a carbon dioxide control facility 922, and an information processing device 223 that manages the hydrogen dissolution facility 221 and the carbon dioxide control facility 922. The supply system 1820 also includes a pH adjusting agent input facility 1821 and an information processing device 1822 that manages the pH adjusting agent input facility 1821. Although the example in Figure 18 shows the case where the information processing device 223 and the information processing device 1822 are provided as separate components, the information processing device 223 and the information processing device 1822 may be provided as a single unit.

[0178] Of these, the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221, the carbon dioxide control equipment 922, and the information processing device 223 have already been explained using Figure 9 in the first embodiment described above, so their explanation will be omitted here.

[0179] The pH adjuster input device 1821 is located in the third medium supply path (the supply path after the first and second medium supply paths merge) between the hydrogen dissolution device 221 and the carbon dioxide control device 922 and the bioreactor 231. The pH adjuster input device 1821 adds the pH adjuster to the medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which is supplied from the hydrogen dissolution device 221 and the carbon dioxide control device 922 and merged in the third medium supply path. As a result, the pH value of the medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide is adjusted before the medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide is supplied to the bioreactor 231.

[0180] The information processing device 1822 manages the pH adjustment process performed by the pH adjusting agent input device 1821. Specifically, the information processing device 1822 predicts how the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 will change when a pH adjusting agent is added to the culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved. The information processing device 1822 also controls the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added so that the predicted pH value after the change satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0181] <Details of the supply system> Next, we will describe in detail the pH adjusting agent input equipment 1821 and the information processing equipment 1822, which are among the equipment included in the supply system 1820.

[0182] (1) Details of the pH adjusting agent input equipment First, we will explain the details of the pH adjusting agent input equipment 1821. Figure 19 is a second diagram showing an example of the configuration of the pH adjusting agent input equipment.

[0183] As shown in Figure 19, the pH adjusting agent input equipment 1821 includes a pH meter 1601, a pH adjusting agent tank 1602, a control valve 1603, a flow meter 1604, and a flow meter 1605.

[0184] The pH meter 1601 is an example of a first measuring device and is installed on a third medium supply path that supplies a medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide. It measures the pH value of the medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The pH value measured by the pH meter 1601 is transmitted to the information processing device 1822.

[0185] The pH adjuster tank 1602 is a tank for storing pH adjusters. The control valve 1603 is a control valve that controls the flow rate when the pH adjuster stored in the pH adjuster tank 1602 is introduced into the third culture medium supply path. The flow rate when the pH adjuster is introduced into the third culture medium supply path is determined by the information processing device 1822, and the control valve 1603 is notified of the valve opening degree corresponding to the determined flow rate. The flow meter 1604 measures the flow rate when the pH adjuster stored in the pH adjuster tank 1602 is introduced into the third culture medium supply path. The flow rate measured by the flow meter 1604 is transmitted to the information processing device 1822.

[0186] The pH adjuster tank 1602, control valve 1603, flow meter 1604, and the pH adjuster input route from the pH adjuster tank 1602 to the third culture medium supply route are collectively referred to as the input equipment. In the example in Figure 19, the input equipment introduces the pH adjuster into the third culture medium supply route at a location downstream of the pH meter 1601 in the third culture medium supply route.

[0187] The flow meter 1605 measures the flow rate of the culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide, to which a pH adjuster has been added, which is supplied to the bioreactor 231 via the third culture medium supply pathway. The flow rate measured by the flow meter 1605 is transmitted to the information processing device 1822.

[0188] (2) Details of the information processing device 1822 Next, the details of the information processing device 1822 will be described. Figure 20 is the sixth figure showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device. Similar to the information processing device 223, the information processing device 1822 has an information processing program installed, and when this information processing program is executed, the information processing device 1822 functions as a first pH value calculation unit 1701 and a second pH value calculation unit 2002. In addition, the information processing device 1822 functions as a difference calculation unit 1703, a pH adjusting agent target flow rate calculation unit 1704, a difference calculation unit 1705, and a valve opening degree control unit 1706.

[0189] The first pH value calculation unit 1701 is, • The measured flow rate of the culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved (for example, the sum of the flow rate measured by the flow meter 323 of the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 and the flow rate measured by the flow meter 412 of the carbon dioxide control equipment 222), • The measured pH value of the culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved (for example, the pH value measured by the pH meter 1601 of the pH adjusting agent input equipment 1821), • Actual flow rate of the pH adjuster (for example, the flow rate measured by the flow meter 1604 of the pH adjuster input equipment 1821), Based on this, the pH value of a culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide, to which a pH adjusting agent has been added, is predicted.

[0190] The second pH value calculation unit 2002 is: • A culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved, and the measured flow rate of the culture medium to which a pH adjuster has been added (for example, the flow rate measured by the flow meter 1605 of the pH adjuster addition equipment 1821), • A culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved, and the predicted pH value of the culture medium to which a pH adjusting agent has been added (for example, the pH value after the pH adjusting agent has been added, as predicted by the first pH value calculation unit 1701), • Actual amount of culture medium in the bioreactor (for example, the amount of culture medium calculated based on the measurement results of the liquid level gauge (not shown) in bioreactor 231), • Actual pH value inside the bioreactor (for example, pH value measured by a pH meter (not shown, an example of a second measuring device) installed inside bioreactor 231), Based on this, the pH value of the culture medium in bioreactor 231 is predicted.

[0191] The difference calculation unit 1703 calculates the difference between the target pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 and the pH value after the change in the culture medium in the bioreactor 231, as predicted by the second pH value calculation unit 1702. The difference calculation unit 1703 notifies the pH adjuster target flow rate calculation unit 1704 of the calculated difference value. The target pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 refers to a pH range suitable for the growth and extended lifespan of chemosynthetic bacteria.

[0192] The pH adjuster target flow rate calculation unit 1704 determines the target flow rate of the pH adjuster to be added so that the difference value notified by the difference calculation unit 1703 falls within a predetermined range. This makes it possible to control the flow rate of the pH adjuster to be added so that the pH value after the change in the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 approaches the target value or falls within a predetermined range.

[0193] The difference calculation unit 1705 calculates the difference between the target flow rate determined by the pH adjusting agent target flow rate calculation unit 1704 and the actual measured flow rate of the pH adjusting agent (for example, the flow rate measured by the flow meter 1604 of the pH adjusting agent input equipment 1821), and notifies the valve opening control unit 1706 of this difference.

[0194] The valve opening control unit 1706 calculates the valve opening of the control valve 1603 so that the difference value notified by the difference calculation unit 1705 satisfies predetermined conditions, and transmits the calculated valve opening to the control valve 1603.

[0195] In this way, the information processing device 1822 predicts how the current pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 will change by adding a pH adjusting agent to the culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved. It also controls the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added so that the predicted changed pH value meets predetermined conditions. In other words, the information processing device 1522 predicts the change in the pH value in the bioreactor 231 based on factors that affect the current pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231, and controls the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added so that predetermined conditions are met. This makes it possible to prevent the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 from deviating from the target value.

[0196] In this embodiment, the factors that affect the current pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 include: • Flow rate of the culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved, • pH value of a culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved. • Amount of culture medium in bioreactor 231, This includes, etc.

[0197] <Summary> As is clear from the above description, the supply system 1820 according to the sixth embodiment is • It has a hydrogen dissolution facility 221 that dissolves the hydrogen contained in the first gas into the culture medium. • It has a carbon dioxide control device 922 that dissolves the carbon dioxide contained in the second gas into the culture medium. The hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 and the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 are arranged in parallel, and the culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved is supplied to the bioreactor.

[0198] Furthermore, the supply system 1820 according to the sixth embodiment is • The third culture medium supply pathway, which supplies a culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide to the bioreactor, includes a pH meter for measuring the pH value of the culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide. • The third culture medium supply route has an input device for adding a pH adjusting agent to adjust the pH value, located downstream of the pH meter. • It has a pH meter for measuring the pH value of the culture medium inside the bioreactor. The process involves adding a pH adjuster to a culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and predicting how the pH value of the culture medium inside the bioreactor will change, using at least the pH value of the culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide and the pH value of the culture medium inside the bioreactor. Furthermore, the flow rate of the pH adjuster is controlled so that the predicted pH value satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0199] As a result, according to the supply system 1820 of the sixth embodiment, it is possible to avoid a decrease in production efficiency when producing valuable substances using chemosynthetic bacteria in the bioreactor.

[0200] [Seventh Embodiment] In the sixth embodiment described above, we focused on the growth and extended lifespan of chemosynthetic bacteria in the bioreactor and described a case in which a configuration for appropriately controlling the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor is applied to the supply system 920. However, the configuration described in the sixth embodiment may also be applied to the supply system 1420, for example. The seventh embodiment will now be described, focusing on the differences from the sixth embodiment.

[0201] <Configuration of the valuable material generation system> First, the configuration of the valuable substance generation system in the seventh embodiment will be described. Figure 21 is the sixth figure showing an example of the configuration of the valuable substance generation system. As shown in Figure 21, the valuable substance generation system 2100 has a gas generation region 210, a supply system 2120, and a reaction system 230.

[0202] Of these, the gas generation region 210 has already been explained using Figure 2 in the first embodiment described above, for example, so its explanation will be omitted here. Similarly, the reaction system 230 has already been explained using Figure 2 in the first embodiment described above, for example, so its explanation will be omitted here. Note that in the example in Figure 2, the reaction system 230 was described as comprising multiple bioreactors 230_1 to 230_n, but in the example in Figure 21, for space limitations, the reaction system 230 is described as comprising only one bioreactor 231.

[0203] The supply system 2120 includes a hydrogen dissolution facility 221, a carbon dioxide control facility 922, and an information processing device 223 that manages the hydrogen dissolution facility 221 and the carbon dioxide control facility 922. The supply system 2120 also includes a pH adjusting agent input facility 1821 and an information processing device 1822 that manages the pH adjusting agent input facility 1821. In the example in Figure 21, the information processing device 223 and the information processing device 1822 are shown as separate components, but the information processing device 223 and the information processing device 1822 may be provided as a single unit.

[0204] Of these, the hydrogen dissolution equipment 221, the carbon dioxide control equipment 922, and the information processing device 223 have already been explained using Figure 14 in the first embodiment described above, so their explanation will be omitted here.

[0205] Furthermore, the pH adjusting agent input equipment 1821 and the information processing device 1822 have already been explained using Figure 18 in the sixth embodiment described above, so their explanation will be omitted here.

[0206] <Summary> As is clear from the above description, the supply system 2120 according to the seventh embodiment is • It has a hydrogen dissolution facility 221 that dissolves the hydrogen contained in the first gas into the culture medium. • It has a carbon dioxide control device 922 that dissolves the carbon dioxide contained in the second gas into the culture medium. The hydrogen dissolution equipment 221 and the carbon dioxide control equipment 922 are arranged in series, and the culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved is supplied to the bioreactor.

[0207] Furthermore, the supply system 2120 according to the seventh embodiment is • The third culture medium supply pathway, which supplies a culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide to the bioreactor, includes a pH meter for measuring the pH value of the culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide. • The third culture medium supply route has an input device for adding a pH adjusting agent to adjust the pH value, located downstream of the pH meter. • It has a pH meter for measuring the pH value of the culture medium inside the bioreactor. The process involves adding a pH adjuster to a culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and predicting how the pH value of the culture medium inside the bioreactor will change, using at least the pH value of the culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide and the pH value of the culture medium inside the bioreactor. Furthermore, the flow rate of the pH adjuster is controlled so that the predicted pH value satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0208] As a result, according to the supply system 1820 of the seventh embodiment, it is possible to avoid a decrease in production efficiency when producing valuable substances using chemosynthetic bacteria in the bioreactor.

[0209] [Eighth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment described above, the case in which the pH meter 1601 is installed on the first culture medium supply path, upstream of the point where the input equipment adds the pH adjusting agent, was described. However, the pH meter 1601 may also be installed on the first culture medium supply path, downstream of the point where the input equipment adds the pH adjusting agent.

[0210] Figure 22 is a third diagram showing an example configuration of the pH adjusting agent dispensing equipment. The difference from the pH adjusting agent dispensing equipment 1521 shown in Figure 16 is that in the case of the pH adjusting agent dispensing equipment 2221 shown in Figure 22, the pH meter 1601 is installed on the first culture medium supply path, downstream from the point where the dispensing equipment dispenses the pH adjusting agent. As a result, according to the eighth embodiment, the pH meter 1601 (an example of the third measuring device) can measure the pH value (another example of the first pH value) after the pH adjusting agent has been added to the culture medium in which hydrogen has been dissolved.

[0211] Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment described above, the case in which the information processing device 1522 functions as a first pH value calculation unit 1701 and a second pH value calculation unit 1702 was described. However, when the pH meter 1601 measures the pH value after a pH adjusting agent has been added to a culture medium in which hydrogen has been dissolved, it may function as a second pH value calculation unit.

[0212] Figure 23 is the sixth figure showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device. The difference from the functional configuration of the information processing device 1522 shown in Figure 17 is that the information processing device 2322 shown in Figure 23 does not have a first pH value calculation unit 1701. Also, the information processing device 2322 shown in Figure 23 has a second pH value calculation unit 2302 (an example of a pH calculation unit).

[0213] The second pH value calculation unit 2302 is: • A culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved, and the measured flow rate of the culture medium to which a pH adjuster has been added (for example, the flow rate measured by the flow meter 1605 of the pH adjuster addition equipment 2221), • A culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved, and the measured pH value of the culture medium to which a pH adjuster has been added (for example, the pH value after the pH adjuster has been added, as measured by the pH meter 1601 of the pH adjuster addition equipment 2221). • Measured flow rate of the second gas (for example, the flow rate measured by the flow meter 412 of the carbon dioxide control equipment 222), • Measured composition of the second gas (for example, the concentration of carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides contained in the second gas as measured at the low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas source 212), • Predicted solubility of the second gas (for example, the solubility of the second gas in the culture medium, calculated based on the temperature and pressure inside bioreactor 231), • Actual amount of culture medium in the bioreactor (for example, the amount of culture medium calculated based on the measurement results of the liquid level gauge (not shown) in bioreactor 231), • Actual pH value inside the bioreactor (for example, the pH value measured by a pH meter (not shown, an example of a second measuring device) installed inside bioreactor 231 (an example of a second pH value)), Based on this, the pH value of the culture medium in bioreactor 231 is predicted.

[0214] In this way, the information processing device 2322 predicts how the current pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 will change by adding a pH adjusting agent to the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium. It also controls the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added so that the predicted changed pH value meets predetermined conditions. In other words, the information processing device 2322 predicts the change in the pH value in the bioreactor 231 based on factors that affect the current pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231, and controls the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added so that predetermined conditions are met. This makes it possible to prevent the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 from deviating from the target value.

[0215] As a result, this embodiment provides the same effects as the fifth embodiment described above.

[0216] In this embodiment, the factors that affect the current pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 include: • Flow rate of the culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved, • pH value of the culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved, • Flow rate of the second gas, • Composition of the second gas, • Solubility of the second gas, • Amount of culture medium in bioreactor 231, This includes, etc.

[0217] [Ninth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment described above, the case in which the pH meter 1601 is installed on the first culture medium supply path, upstream of the point where the input equipment dispenses the pH adjusting agent, was described. In the eighth embodiment described above, the case in which the pH meter 1601 is installed on the first culture medium supply path, downstream of the point where the input equipment dispenses the pH adjusting agent, was described. However, the installation location of the pH meter 1601 is not limited to one location. For example, the pH meter 1601 may be installed on the first culture medium supply path, both upstream and downstream of the point where the input equipment dispenses the pH adjusting agent.

[0218] In this case, the information processing device 1522 further includes an adjustment unit for adjusting the first pH value calculation unit 1701.

[0219] Specifically, the adjustment unit acquires the measured pH value (an example of the third pH value) measured by a pH meter 1601 (another example of the third measuring device) installed downstream of the point where the input equipment adds the pH adjusting agent. In other words, the adjustment unit acquires the measured pH value of the culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved and the pH adjusting agent has been added. The adjustment unit also compares the acquired measured pH value with the pH value predicted by the first pH value calculation unit 1701 after the pH adjusting agent has been added, and adjusts the first pH value calculation unit 1701 based on the comparison result.

[0220] As a result, according to the ninth embodiment, for example, if the error between the measured pH value and the predicted pH value increases due to changes over time, it becomes possible to adjust the system to reduce the error.

[0221] [Tenth Embodiment] In the above-described sixth and seventh embodiments, the case where the pH meter 1601 is attached at a position on the third medium supply path upstream of the position where the input device inputs the pH adjuster has been described. However, the pH meter 1601 may be attached at a position on the third medium supply path downstream of the position where the input device inputs the pH adjuster.

[0222] FIG. 24 is a fourth diagram showing a configuration example of the pH adjuster input device. The difference from the pH adjuster input device 1821 shown in FIG. 19 is that in the case of the pH adjuster input device 2421 shown in FIG. 24, the pH meter 1601 is attached at a position on the third medium supply path downstream of the position where the input device inputs the pH adjuster. Thus, according to the tenth embodiment, the pH meter 1601 (an example of the third measuring device) can measure the pH value (another example of the first pH value) after the pH adjuster is input into the medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved.

[0223] Also, in the above-described sixth and seventh embodiments, the case where the information processing device 1822 functions as the first pH value calculation unit 1701 and the second pH value calculation unit 1702 has been described. However, when the pH meter 1601 measures the pH value after the pH adjuster is input into the medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved, it may function as the second pH value calculation unit.

[0224] FIG. 25 is a seventh diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device. The difference from the functional configuration of the information processing device 1822 shown in FIG. 20 is that in the case of the information processing device 2522 shown in FIG. 25, the first pH value calculation unit 1701 is not provided. Also, in the case of the information processing device 2522 shown in FIG. 25, the second pH value calculation unit 2502 (an example of the pH calculation unit) is provided.

[0225] The second pH value calculation unit 2502 · the actual measured flow rate of the medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved and into which the pH adjuster has been input (for example, the flow rate measured by the flow meter 1605 of the pH adjuster input device 2421), · A culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved, and the measured pH value of the culture medium into which a pH adjuster has been added (for example, the pH value after the pH adjuster has been added, measured by the pH meter 1601 of the pH adjuster input device 2421), · The measured amount of the culture medium in the bioreactor (for example, the amount of the culture medium calculated based on the measurement result of the liquid level gauge (not shown) in the bioreactor 231), · The measured pH value in the bioreactor (for example, the pH value (an example of the second pH value) measured by a pH meter (not shown, an example of the second measuring device) attached to the bioreactor 231), Based on these, the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 is predicted.

[0226] In this way, the information processing device 2522 predicts how the current pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 changes by adding a pH adjuster to the culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved. Further, the flow rate of the pH adjuster to be added is controlled so that the predicted pH value after the change satisfies a predetermined condition. That is, the information processing device 2522 predicts a change in the pH value in the bioreactor 231 based on the factors that affect the current pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231, and controls the flow rate of the pH adjuster to be added so as to satisfy a predetermined condition. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 from deviating from the target value.

[0227] As a result, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the sixth and seventh embodiments can be enjoyed.

[0228] In the case of the present embodiment, the factors that affect the current pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 include · The flow rate of the culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved, · The pH value of the culture medium in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved, · The amount of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231, and the like.

[0229] [Embodiment 11] In the sixth and seventh embodiments described above, the case in which the pH meter 1601 is installed on the third culture medium supply path, upstream of the point where the input equipment dispenses the pH adjusting agent, was described. In the tenth embodiment described above, the case in which the pH meter 1601 is installed on the third culture medium supply path, downstream of the point where the input equipment dispenses the pH adjusting agent, was described. However, the installation location of the pH meter 1601 is not limited to one location. For example, the pH meter 1601 may be installed on the third culture medium supply path, both upstream and downstream of the point where the input equipment dispenses the pH adjusting agent.

[0230] In this case, the information processing device 1822 further includes an adjustment unit for adjusting the first pH value calculation unit 1701.

[0231] Specifically, the adjustment unit obtains the measured pH value of a culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide, to which the pH adjusting agent has been added, as measured by a pH meter 1601 installed downstream of the point where the input equipment adds the pH adjusting agent. The adjustment unit also compares the obtained measured pH value with the pH value predicted by the first pH value calculation unit 1701 after the pH adjusting agent has been added, and adjusts the first pH value calculation unit 1701 based on the comparison result.

[0232] As a result, according to the 11th embodiment, for example, if the error between the measured pH value and the predicted pH value increases due to changes over time, it becomes possible to adjust the system to reduce the error.

[0233] [Embodiment 12] In the embodiments described above, the source of the culture medium newly supplied to the culture medium tank was not mentioned. However, the culture medium newly supplied to the culture medium tank may be the culture medium used to produce valuable substances in the bioreactor 231, and the culture medium may be recycled after various treatments have been performed following the extraction of the valuable substances.

[0234] Furthermore, although the placement of the pH meter for measuring the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 was not mentioned in the fifth to eleventh embodiments described above, the placement of the pH meter is arbitrary. For example, it may be placed near the inlet of the bioreactor 231 into which the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium is introduced, or it may be placed at a location away from the inlet. This is because the bioreactor 231 is equipped with a device for stirring the culture medium, and the pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor 231 is kept generally uniform.

[0235] Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment described above, the pH adjusting agent input device 1821 was provided in the third medium supply path after the hydrogen-dissolved medium and the carbon dioxide-dissolved medium have merged. However, the installation location and number of pH adjusting agent input devices 1821 are not limited to this. For example, pH adjusting agent input devices 1821 may be installed in the first medium supply path to which the hydrogen-dissolved medium is supplied and in the second medium supply path to which the carbon dioxide-dissolved medium is supplied, and the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be introduced may be controlled in each case.

[0236] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the configurations shown in the above embodiments, including combinations with other elements. These aspects can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention and can be appropriately determined according to their application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0237] 200: Valuable Material Generation System 210: Gas generation area 211: Source of low-concentration hydrogen-containing gas 212: Sources of low-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gases 220: Supply System 221: Hydrogen dissolution equipment 222: Carbon dioxide control equipment 223: Information Processing Device 230: Reaction System 230_1~230_n: Bioreactor 310_1, 310_2: Medium Tank 321: Pump 322: Control Valve 323: Flow Meter 330: Removal Equipment 411: Control Valve 412: Flow Meter 420: Removal Equipment 701, 701': Medium Quantity Calculation Unit 702: Target Flow Rate Calculation Unit 703: Difference Calculation Unit 704: Valve Opening Control Unit 710: Hydrogen Quantity Prediction Unit ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​1820: Supply System 1821: pH adjusting agent input equipment 1822: Information Processing Device 2002: Second pH value calculation unit 2120: Supply System 2221: pH adjusting agent input equipment 2302: Second pH value calculation unit 2421: pH adjusting agent input equipment 2502: Second pH value calculation unit

Claims

1. A hydrogen dissolution apparatus for dissolving hydrogen contained in the first gas into the culture medium, A supply system comprising a carbon dioxide control device that controls the amount of carbon dioxide contained in the second gas supplied to the bioreactor, and which supplies the culture medium in which hydrogen is dissolved and the carbon dioxide to the bioreactor, In a culture medium supply path that supplies the culture medium in which the hydrogen is dissolved to the bioreactor, a first measuring device is provided for measuring the first pH value of the culture medium in which the hydrogen is dissolved. An input device for adding a pH adjusting agent at a location upstream or downstream of the first measuring device in the culture medium supply path, A second measuring device for measuring the second pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor, An information processing device that predicts how the second pH value will change when the pH adjusting agent is added to the culture medium in which the hydrogen is dissolved, using at least the first pH value and the second pH value, and controls the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added so that the predicted second pH value after the change satisfies predetermined conditions. A supply system having

2. When the input equipment inputs the pH adjusting agent at a location downstream of the first measuring device, the information processing device shall The system further includes a first pH value calculation unit that predicts the first pH value of the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium after the pH adjuster has been added, based on the flow rate of the culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen, the first pH value, and the flow rate of the pH adjuster to be added. The supply system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned information processing device is The system further includes a second pH value calculation unit that predicts the changed second pH value based on the flow rate of the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium after the pH adjusting agent has been added, the first pH value after the pH adjusting agent has been added, the flow rate of the second gas, the composition of the second gas, the solubility of the second gas in the culture medium in the bioreactor, the amount of culture medium in the bioreactor, and the second pH value. The supply system according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned information processing device is The flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added is controlled so that the second pH value after the change approaches the target value or falls within a predetermined range. The supply system according to claim 3.

5. When the input equipment inputs the pH adjusting agent at a position downstream of the first measuring device, a third measuring device measures the third pH value of the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium after the pH adjusting agent has been added, at a position downstream of the input equipment from which the pH adjusting agent is added. The device further includes an adjustment unit that adjusts the first pH value calculation unit based on the third pH value measured by the third measuring device, The supply system according to claim 2.

6. When the input equipment inputs the pH adjusting agent at a location upstream of the first measuring device, the information processing device shall The system further includes a pH calculation unit that predicts the changed second pH value based on the flow rate of the hydrogen-dissolved culture medium after the pH adjusting agent has been added, the first pH value after the pH adjusting agent has been added, the flow rate of the second gas, the composition of the second gas, the solubility of the second gas in the culture medium in the bioreactor, the amount of culture medium in the bioreactor, and the second pH value. The supply system according to claim 1.

7. A hydrogen dissolution apparatus for dissolving hydrogen contained in the first gas into the culture medium, A supply system comprising a carbon dioxide control device for dissolving carbon dioxide contained in a second gas into a culture medium, and supplying the culture medium in which the hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved to a bioreactor, In a culture medium supply path that supplies the culture medium in which the hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved to the bioreactor, a first measuring device is provided for measuring the first pH value of the culture medium in which the hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved. An input device for adding a pH adjusting agent at a location upstream or downstream of the first measuring device in the culture medium supply path, A second measuring device for measuring the second pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor, An information processing device that predicts how the second pH value will change when the pH adjusting agent is added to a culture medium in which the hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved, using at least the first pH value and the second pH value, and controls the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added so that the predicted second pH value after the change satisfies predetermined conditions. A supply system having

8. When the input equipment inputs the pH adjusting agent at a location downstream of the first measuring device, the information processing device shall The system further includes a first pH value calculation unit that predicts the first pH value of the culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide after the pH adjuster has been added, based on the flow rate of the culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide, the first pH value, and the flow rate of the pH adjuster to be added. The supply system according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned information processing device is The bioreactor further includes a second pH value calculation unit that predicts the changed second pH value based on the flow rate of the culture medium containing the dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide after the pH adjusting agent has been added, the first pH value after the pH adjusting agent has been added, the amount of culture medium in the bioreactor, and the second pH value. The supply system according to claim 8.

10. The aforementioned information processing device is The flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added is controlled so that the second pH value after the change approaches the target value or falls within a predetermined range. The supply system according to claim 9.

11. When the input equipment inputs the pH adjusting agent at a position downstream of the first measuring device, a third measuring device measures the third pH value of the culture medium in which the hydrogen and carbon dioxide have been dissolved after the pH adjusting agent has been added, at a position downstream of the point where the input equipment inputs the pH adjusting agent. The device further includes an adjustment unit that adjusts the first pH value calculation unit based on the third pH value measured by the third measuring device, The supply system according to claim 8.

12. When the input equipment inputs the pH adjusting agent at a location upstream of the first measuring device, the information processing device shall The bioreactor further includes a pH calculation unit that predicts the changed second pH value based on the flow rate of the culture medium containing dissolved hydrogen and carbon dioxide after the pH adjusting agent has been added, the first pH value after the pH adjusting agent has been added, the amount of culture medium in the bioreactor, and the second pH value. The supply system according to claim 7.

13. A hydrogen dissolution apparatus for dissolving hydrogen contained in the first gas into the culture medium, A carbon dioxide control system that controls the amount of carbon dioxide contained in the second gas supplied to the bioreactor, In a culture medium supply path that supplies the culture medium in which the hydrogen is dissolved to the bioreactor, a first measuring device is provided for measuring the first pH value of the culture medium in which the hydrogen is dissolved. An input device for adding a pH adjusting agent at a location upstream or downstream of the first measuring device in the culture medium supply path, A supply system having a second measuring device for measuring the second pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor, wherein an information processing device controls the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent, By adding the pH adjusting agent to the culture medium in which the hydrogen is dissolved, the change in the second pH value is predicted using at least the first pH value and the second pH value, and the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added is controlled so that the predicted second pH value after the change satisfies predetermined conditions. Information processing device.

14. A hydrogen dissolution apparatus for dissolving hydrogen contained in the first gas into the culture medium, A carbon dioxide control system that controls the amount of carbon dioxide contained in the second gas supplied to the bioreactor, In a culture medium supply path that supplies the culture medium in which the hydrogen is dissolved to the bioreactor, a first measuring device is provided for measuring the first pH value of the culture medium in which the hydrogen is dissolved. An input device for adding a pH adjusting agent at a location upstream or downstream of the first measuring device in the culture medium supply path, A control method for a supply system having a second measuring device for measuring the second pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor, By adding the pH adjusting agent to the culture medium in which the hydrogen is dissolved, the change in the second pH value is predicted using at least the first pH value and the second pH value, and the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added is controlled so that the predicted second pH value after the change satisfies predetermined conditions. Control method.

15. A hydrogen dissolution apparatus for dissolving hydrogen contained in the first gas into the culture medium, A carbon dioxide control system that dissolves the carbon dioxide contained in the second gas into the culture medium, In a culture medium supply path that supplies the culture medium in which the hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved to a bioreactor, a first measuring device is provided for measuring the first pH value of the culture medium in which the hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved. An input device for adding a pH adjusting agent at a location upstream or downstream of the first measuring device in the culture medium supply path, A control method for a supply system having a second measuring device for measuring the second pH value of the culture medium in the bioreactor, By adding the pH adjusting agent to the culture medium in which the hydrogen and carbon dioxide are dissolved, the change in the second pH value is predicted using at least the first pH value and the second pH value, and the flow rate of the pH adjusting agent to be added is controlled so that the predicted second pH value after the change satisfies predetermined conditions. Control method.

Images