Seaweed net acid treatment ship

Abstract

We provide a seaweed farming acid treatment vessel that can efficiently apply acid treatment to seaweed cultivation. [Solution] The seaweed farming acid treatment vessel of the present invention comprises at least a control unit 50 that controls the pH of the acid treatment solution to a constant pH value by operating an acid concentrate supply device 40 that detects the pH value of the acid treatment solution in the acid treatment tank 35 or the acid treatment solution storage tank 39 and supplies acid treatment agents (acid concentrates) Z1, Z2, ... to the acid treatment tank 35 or the acid treatment solution storage tank 39 based on the detected value, wherein the acid concentrate supply device 40 is equipped with at least two or more acid concentrate tanks 41-1, 41-2, ... and their respective supply routes, and has a function (means: solenoid valve 70, etc.) to supply multiple types of acid treatment agents (acid concentrates) Z1, Z2, ... in appropriate proportions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an acid treatment ship for a cultured laver net, which acid-treats fungi such as diatoms and red rot bacteria adhering to the cultured laver and the laver net during cultivation with an acid treatment agent (liquid). In particular, it relates to a laver cultivation acid treatment ship that can appropriately switch, select, and combine various acid treatment agents (types) according to the situation at the laver cultivation site.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in laver cultivation farms, fungi such as diatoms and red rot bacteria adhering to the laver nets spread on the sea surface part reduce the industrial productivity and quality value of cultured laver. Therefore, in order to eliminate these, acid treatment agents with a composition containing organic acids such as lactic acid, citric acid, and malic acid are used. Also, many types of acid treatment ships for cultured laver nets that use this acid treatment agent and effectively perform acid treatment are known in various forms and structures.

[0003] Regarding acid treatment agents, there are many types available on the market that correspond to different situations of cultured laver, such as for countermeasures against pathogenic bacteria such as red rot bacteria and tuber-shaped bacteria that occur in laver cultivation, for countermeasures against miscellaneous algae such as blue-green laver and attached diatoms, or classified by the appropriate seawater temperature zone of the cultivation sea area. There are also types that have added value other than eliminating pathogenic bacteria and miscellaneous algae, such as those that supply nutrients to laver and improve the quality of thallus. These various acid treatment agents are used for acid treatment of laver nets as an acid treatment solution diluted with seawater in the sea area of the laver cultivation farm using the agent as an acid stock solution. The appropriate dilution concentration during use of the acid treatment agent (acid stock solution) is uniformly 100-fold to 200-fold seawater dilution (pH value of 2.0 to 2.3, detection error of ±0.06), regardless of the type of acid treatment agent (acid stock solution).

[0004] For example, commercially available products include various types of Grogen series (Daiichi Co., Ltd.), Noriact series (Daiichi Co., Ltd.), Greencut series (Nitto Seimo Co., Ltd.), and W-Dash series (Kaiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.), each of which are suitable for different stages of nori cultivation, seawater temperature, and harvesting. These products are sold by various manufacturers. In addition, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, acid treatment agents (and methods of acid treatment) that focus on providing nutrients to cultivated nori and improving its color are known.

[0005] In nori cultivation, appropriately switching, selecting, and combining acid treatment agents (concentrated acid solutions) with various characteristics, based on the climate, the external environment of the sea area, and the disease, growth, and cellular nutritional status of the cultivated nori, leads to the cultivation of high-yielding, high-quality nori, and is of great industrial significance. However, since the external environment of nori cultivation and the condition of the cultivated nori change from time to time, there is currently no practical means of switching, selecting, and combining various acid treatment agents (concentrated acid solutions) to match the conditions at the cultivation site at the time of acid treatment, from the perspective of prior preparation and handling. Therefore, there has been a strong demand for nori cultivation acid treatment vessels that allow fishermen to observe, confirm, and judge the sea conditions and the condition of the cultivated nori at the time of acid treatment, and then appropriately switch, select, and combine various acid treatment agents (concentrated acid solutions).

[0006] Seaweed farming acid treatment vessels that utilize acid treatment agents as a concentrated acid solution are known and have been used to efficiently obtain the effects of the acid treatment solution, such as disease control in seaweed farming, by automatically adjusting the concentration of the acid treatment agent (concentrated acid solution) to an appropriate dilution range (pH 2.0~2.3) through pH control of the acid treatment solution. Furthermore, the form of seaweed farming acid treatment vessels varies depending on the seaweed net installation method of seaweed farms in various regions of Japan where they are used. These include "seaweed farming acid treatment vessels (so-called submerged vessels)" used in floating fishing grounds in the Seto Inland Sea, which supply acid treatment solution from an acid treatment solution storage tank to an acid treatment tank on the upper deck, and then submerging the vessel to treat the seaweed nets in the seawater, allowing contact treatment between the seaweed nets and the acid treatment solution in the upper deck's acid treatment tank, and "seaweed farming acid treatment vessels equipped with a winding rotating roll" used in pillar-type fishing grounds in the Ariake Sea. There are two types of seaweed farming acid treatment vessels: one is a box-shaped vessel containing a box-shaped acid treatment tank, into which seaweed nets are wound from the cultivation area onto a winding roll and immersed in the acid treatment solution (a so-called box-shaped vessel); and the other is a flat-bottomed vessel used in some fishing grounds in the Seto Inland Sea and Ariake Sea, in which the treatment vessel passes under the seaweed nets while they are in the cultivation area, and the seaweed nets are brought into contact with the acid treatment solution in the onboard acid treatment tank (a so-called through-boat vessel). Furthermore, some of these seaweed farming acid treatment vessels are equipped with a control unit that operates an acid concentrate supply device (acid concentrate tank and liquid transfer pump) to supply the acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) based on the detected pH value of the acid treatment solution in the acid treatment tank or acid treatment solution storage tank, thereby controlling the pH value of the acid treatment solution to a constant level.

[0007] For example, Patent Document 3 discloses a continuous treatment method (acid treatment method) for seaweed nets using a submersible vessel. This continuous treatment method involves submerging a submersible vessel beneath the seaweed nets and spraying an acid washing solution (acid treatment solution) from the underside of the nets to remove diatoms attached to the seaweed. In this acid treatment of seaweed nets using a submersible vessel, an acid treatment agent (concentrated acid solution) is supplied to an acid treatment solution storage tank to adjust it to the desired pH of the acid washing solution (acid treatment solution), and this acid washing solution (acid treatment solution) is supplied from the acid washing tank (acid treatment tank) to a sprayer using a first pump and sprayed onto the seaweed nets. There are many examples of conventional submersible vessels, such as those described in Patent Document 4. Furthermore, as another example, Patent Document 5 discloses a winding-type acid treatment method for seaweed nets using a box-shaped vessel. This box-shaped vessel is equipped with an acid treatment tank for storing an acid treatment solution in which the acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) has been diluted, and a winding roll for winding up the seaweed nets to which seaweed has been attached to the acid treatment tank. It has a function to detect the pH of the acid treatment solution in the acid treatment tank with a sensor and, based on that value, discharge the acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) into the acid treatment tank from above the acid treatment solution surface using a pump, and perform acid treatment while automatically adjusting the acid treatment solution to the desired pH. Furthermore, Patent Document 6 discloses another form: a continuous treatment method (acid treatment method) for seaweed nets using a through-boat. This continuous treatment method involves moving a seaweed net guide under the seaweed net and advancing the boat, causing the seaweed net to enter the acid treatment tank from the front, pass under a buoyancy device, and be immersed in the acid treatment solution. After that, the seaweed net returns to the original aquaculture surface from the rear of the boat. This acid treatment of seaweed nets using a through-boat has a function that detects the pH of the acid treatment solution in the acid treatment tank with a sensor and automatically adjusts the supply of an acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) from an acid concentrate tank to the acid treatment tank based on that value, so that the acid treatment solution is maintained at a desired pH.

[0008] However, with these conventional seaweed farming acid treatment vessels (for example, the aforementioned Patent Documents 3, 4, 5, and 6), it is impossible to switch and select the most suitable acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) from among various acid treatment agents (acid concentrates) based on on-site judgment, or to combine multiple acid treatment agents (acid concentrates), in order to match the external environment of seaweed farming and the condition of the cultivated seaweed, which change each time and are only confirmed at the time of acid treatment. This is impossible from the standpoint of prior preparation and handling. There has been a strong demand for a seaweed farming acid treatment vessel that allows fishermen to observe and confirm the sea conditions and the condition of the cultivated seaweed at the time of acid treatment, and then appropriately switch, select, and combine various acid treatment agents (acid concentrates). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 02-131530 (Claims, Examples) [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-259450 (Claims, paragraph 0007, Figure 1) [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-38051 (Claims, paragraph 0007, Figure 1, etc.) [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-162138 (Claims, Figures 1-4, etc.) [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-68164 (Claims, paragraph 0007, Figure 1, etc.) [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-122355 (paragraph 0035, Figure 7, etc.) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] As described above, with conventional seaweed farming acid treatment vessels (for example, the aforementioned Patent Documents 3, 4, 5, and 6), it was impossible to switch and select the appropriate acid treatment agent from among various acid treatment agents (concentrated acid solutions) on-site, or to combine multiple acid treatment agents (concentrated acid solutions), in order to match the external environment for seaweed farming and the on-site condition of the cultivated seaweed, which change each time and are only confirmed at the time of acid treatment, from the standpoint of prior preparation and handling.

[0011] Fishermen who operate seaweed farms predict the type of acid treatment agent (concentrated acid solution) to be used and the dilution ratio based on seawater temperature, weather forecasts, information on farming conditions from the surrounding area, and their experience. They then prepare by filling the concentrated acid solution tanks on their seaweed farming vessels before setting sail. However, it is not uncommon for the actual conditions at the seaweed farms to be worse than expected, or for a different disease to occur than anticipated, or for external environmental conditions such as (surface) seawater temperature to differ significantly from the prior information. In such cases, fishermen would ideally like to use a different acid treatment agent that is more suitable for the current situation, but they have no choice but to use the acid treatment agent they prepared in advance, and at best, they have no choice but to adjust the treatment conditions, such as the dilution ratio, to be stronger (or weaker) than expected. Under these circumstances, the acid treatment carried out by seaweed farming acid treatment vessels lacked proper selection of the acid treatment agent (concentrated acid solution), posing challenges to cultivating high-quality seaweed with good yields.

[0012] Furthermore, the actual conditions at seaweed farms often differ from expectations, with multiple diseases occurring, or the nutritional status of the seaweed thallus, as observed in the field, being worse than anticipated. In such situations, fishermen would ideally like to combine and mix multiple acid treatment agents to suit the specific conditions at hand. However, conventional seaweed farming acid treatment vessels lack such capabilities, and currently, the only option is to adjust the treatment conditions using a single acid treatment agent. Under these circumstances, the acid treatment carried out by seaweed farming vessels lacked a proper combination of multiple acid treatment agents (concentrated acid solutions), posing challenges to cultivating high-quality seaweed with good yields.

[0013] Thus, conventional seaweed farming acid treatment vessels use a single acid concentrate and, while it is possible to adjust the pH setting and concentration of the acid treatment solution based on the sea conditions and the state of the cultivated seaweed at the time of acid treatment, it is not possible to switch or combine acid concentrates as needed in response to instantaneous decisions. In the past, there have been proposals for seaweed farming treatment vessels that use inorganic salts, sodium hypochlorite, ozone, and electrolyzed water, which have different properties and mechanisms of action from the acid concentrate, but these require completely separate supply mechanisms and control devices from the acid concentrate, which poses problems for industrial practicality.

[0014] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems of the prior art and provides a seaweed farming acid treatment vessel that allows fishermen to observe and confirm the sea conditions and the state of the cultivated seaweed at the time of acid treatment at the farm site, and then appropriately switch, select, and combine various acid treatment agents (concentrated acid solutions). [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] As a result of diligent study on the aforementioned conventional problems, the present inventors have found that a seaweed farming acid treatment vessel comprises at least an acid treatment tank for bringing seaweed nets into contact with an acid treatment solution, and a control unit that detects the pH value of the acid treatment solution in the acid treatment tank or in an acid treatment solution storage tank for supplying the acid treatment solution to the acid treatment tank, and operates an acid concentrate supply device that supplies the acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) of the acid treatment solution into the acid treatment tank or the acid treatment solution storage tank based on the detected value, thereby controlling the acid treatment solution to a constant pH value, wherein the acid concentrate The present invention was completed by clarifying that the liquid supply device is equipped with storage containers (concentrate tanks) for at least two or more acid treatment agents (concentrates) and separate supply routes for each, and has the function of supplying multiple types of acid treatment agents (concentrates) in appropriate proportions. This allows fishermen to observe and confirm the sea conditions and the state of the cultivated seaweed at the time of acid treatment at the cultivation site, and then appropriately switch, select, and combine various acid treatment agents (concentrates).

[0016] In other words, they are found in (1) to (3) below. (1) A seaweed farming acid treatment vessel comprising at least an acid treatment tank for bringing seaweed nets into contact with an acid treatment solution, and a control unit that detects the pH value of the acid treatment solution in the acid treatment tank or in an acid treatment solution storage tank for supplying the acid treatment solution to the acid treatment tank, and operates an acid concentrate supply device that supplies the acid concentrate of the acid treatment solution into the acid treatment tank or the acid treatment solution storage tank based on the detected value, wherein the acid concentrate supply device is equipped with at least two or more acid concentrate tanks and their respective supply routes, and has the function of supplying multiple types of acid concentrates in appropriate proportions. (2) The seaweed farming acid treatment vessel described in (1) above, characterized in that the means for supplying the multiple types of acid concentrates in appropriate proportions is carried out by adjusting the proportion of each supply path arranged in multiple acid concentrate tanks connected to a single liquid transfer pump, thereby adjusting the flow rate of each acid concentrate. (3) The means for adjusting and supplying the plurality of types of acid stock solutions in appropriate proportions is to provide one liquid delivery pump with an adjustable discharge supply amount for each of the supply paths connected to a plurality of acid stock solution tanks, and to implement by appropriately changing the set value of the discharge supply amount of each liquid delivery pump. The laver cultivation acid treatment ship according to (1) above is characterized in that.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the invention of claim 1, since it has a storage container (acid stock solution tank) for at least two or more acid treatment agents (acid stock solutions) and each supply path, and has the function of adjusting and supplying a plurality of types of acid treatment agents (acid stock solutions) in appropriate proportions, fishermen can select one from two or more acid treatment agents (acid stock solutions) or combine and use two or more acid treatment agents (acid stock solutions) in an appropriate proportion after observing, confirming and judging the sea conditions and the state of cultivated laver at the cultivation site at the timing of acid treatment implementation. A laver cultivation acid treatment ship is provided. According to the invention of claim 2, since the ratio of each supply path arranged in the storage container (acid stock solution tank) of a plurality of acid treatment agents (acid stock solutions) connected to the liquid delivery pump is adjusted as a means for adjusting and supplying a plurality of types of acid treatment agents (acid stock solutions) in appropriate proportions, a laver cultivation acid treatment ship is provided that can adjust the flow rate of each acid treatment agent (acid stock solution) with a simpler structure and easier operation. According to the invention of claim 3, since one liquid delivery pump with an adjustable discharge supply amount is provided for each of the supply paths connected to the storage containers (acid stock solution tanks) of a plurality of acid treatment agents (acid stock solutions) as a means for adjusting and supplying a plurality of types of acid treatment agents (acid stock solutions) in appropriate proportions, a laver cultivation acid treatment ship is provided that can further finely adjust the set value of the discharge supply amount of each liquid delivery pump.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a schematic side view of the Moguri ship type laver cultivation acid treatment ship A showing the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic side view of the Moguri ship type laver cultivation acid treatment ship B showing the second embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a drawing of a Moguri ship type laver cultivation acid treatment ship A showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic side view. The laver cultivation acid treatment ship A is an example of a ship having a function of adjusting and supplying two types of acid treatment agents (acid stock solutions) at an appropriate ratio in the laver cultivation acid treatment ship of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the Moguri ship type laver cultivation acid treatment ship A of the first embodiment includes, at least, a seaweed net guide 20 for guiding a cultivation laver net (not shown) from the bow side onto the ship and returning it to the sea from the stern on the ship body 10, an acid treatment tank 35 for bringing the seaweed net moving along the seaweed net guide 20 into contact with the acid treatment liquid 31, a circulation unit 60 including a path for supplying the acid treatment liquid 31 to the bow side of the acid treatment tank 35, a path for recovering the acid treatment liquid 31 after contacting the seaweed net from the stern side of the acid treatment tank 35, and an acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 to which both paths are connected, and a control unit 50 for detecting the pH value of the acid treatment liquid in the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 and operating an acid stock solution supply device 40 for supplying the acid treatment agent (acid stock solution) Z1 and / or Z2 of the acid treatment liquid 31 into the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 based on the detected value to control the acid treatment liquid 31 to a constant pH value. A crew member sitting in the steering seat 12 operates a steering handle (not shown), a thrust adjustment lever (not shown), and a side thruster adjustment lever (not shown) to adjust the running with the side thruster 80 at the bow bottom of the ship, and潜入under the seaweed net with the propulsion of the outboard motor 11 so as to潜入under the seaweed net and perform acid treatment on the seaweed net. The acid treatment is performed for the purpose of sterilizing the seaweed net and imparting nutrients, and as is well known in the art, it is carried out by bringing the seaweed net into contact with the acid treatment liquid 31. Examples of the acid treatment agents (acid stock solutions) Z 1 and Z 2 include Nori Act 500 (Daiichi Co., Ltd., for the initial stage of laver cultivation), and Nori Act 700 (Daiichi Co., Ltd., for the middle stage of laver cultivation).

[0020] The outboard motor 11 is mounted on the stern of the hull 10 and is used during normal navigation of the seaweed farming acid treatment vessel A by being operated by a crew member seated at the helm 12, as well as to generate thrust when performing acid treatment.

[0021] The seaweed net guide 20 installed on the ship hull 10 is made of a metal pipe or other material and consists of a front guide 21 that can move freely in the front-rear direction at the front of the ship hull 10, an upper guide 22 fixed to the top of the ship hull 10, and a rear guide 23 fixed to the rear of the ship hull 10.

[0022] The forward guide 21 is formed so that its width gradually narrows towards the front (bow) (for example, its planar shape is U-shaped or V-shaped), and its rear end is slidably supported by a guide rod (not shown) on the side of the hull. When the acid treatment is not being performed, the forward guide 21 is pulled up onto the ship, and when the operation is being performed, it is extended forward (bow) of the hull 10 and its tip is submerged in the sea. By moving towards the seaweed net in this state, the seaweed net is pulled up onto the forward guide 21 and transferred from the forward guide 21 to the upper guide 22. By moving the hull 10 further forward, the entire ship is submerged beneath the seaweed net. The seaweed net is then treated with acid while passing beneath it in this manner.

[0023] The upper guide 22 is formed by two metal pipes or other members running in a straight line from the front to the rear of the ship's hull 10, with the rear end bent in a V-shape on the side and the lower end fixed to the stern plate (not shown). The seaweed net moves along this upper guide 22 from the front (bow) to the rear (stern) of the ship.

[0024] The aforementioned aft guide 23 is formed by a metal pipe or other component that extends from the rear end of the ship's hull 10 toward the rear. The total length of this aft guide 23 is set to allow sufficient time for the seaweed net, which has been transferred from the upper guide 22 as the ship moves, to be suspended in the air for a sufficient amount of time to undergo acid treatment as it moves to the rear end of the aft guide 23. The seaweed net returns to the cultivation area (underwater) by crossing this aft guide 23, and the acid treatment of the seaweed net is carried out.

[0025] The acid treatment solution 31 is an acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) Z1 and / or Z2, which contains organic acids such as lactic acid, citric acid, and malic acid, diluted with seawater or the like, and is an acid diluted solution having a predetermined pH value, for example, pH 2.0 to 2.3. A certain amount (500 to 2,000 L) of this acid treatment solution 31 is contained in the acid treatment solution storage tank 39, and the seaweed nets and the seaweed attached to them are acid-treated by contact treatment with the seaweed nets when they are pulled onto the ship. Furthermore, this acid treatment solution 31 is expected to have an acid treatment effect that promotes the growth of seaweed by disinfection and nutrient provision, and in order to exhibit this effect, the seaweed nets need to be in contact with the acid treatment solution within the appropriate concentration range (the concentration threshold recommended for each type of commercially available agent, for example, diluting the acid treatment agent to 0.5 to 1%) under sufficient conditions (amount of contact, intensity, time, etc.).

[0026] High-salinity acid treatment is sometimes applied to enhance the acid treatment effect of the seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel of the present invention. In such cases, a salt concentration 2-8% higher than that of the sea area is often used. The pH value of the acid treatment solution detected by the pH detector 51 is affected by the salt concentration, and as the salt concentration increases, the measured pH value tends to decrease even at the same hydrogen ion concentration. Therefore, when performing high-salinity acid treatment, it is necessary to set and adjust the predetermined pH value mentioned above to match this tendency.

[0027] The acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 is a rectangular tank formed in the middle of the ship's hull 10 and is designed to hold a predetermined amount (500 to 2,000 L) of acid treatment liquid 31. The acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 is equipped with an acid concentrate supply device 40, a control unit 50, an acid treatment liquid supply pump 32, and a battery (not shown) to drive these devices.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the acid concentrate supply device 40 is positioned at an appropriate location in the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 and supplies the acid concentrates Z1 and Z2 of the acid treatment liquid 31 into the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39. In this embodiment, the acid concentrate supply device 40 includes acid concentrate tanks 41-1 and 41-2 that contain the acid concentrates Z1 and Z2 of the acid treatment liquid 31, and the supply routes from the acid concentrate tanks 41-1 and 41-2 are combined into a single route by a solenoid valve 70 and connected to the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 by an acid concentrate line 43 via an acid concentrate pump 42. By adjusting the flow path of the solenoid valve 70 using a controller (not shown), fishermen can appropriately perform sorting from the acid treatment agents (concentrated acid solutions) Z1 and Z2, and mix and use Z1 and Z2 in appropriate proportions.

[0029] The control unit 50 has a pH detector 51 located at an appropriate position in the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 (an appropriate position where the average pH of the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 can be detected) to detect the pH value of the acid treatment liquid 31. Based on the detected value from the pH detector 51, the control unit 50 operates the acid concentrate pump 42 of the acid concentrate supply device 40 to supply the acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) Z1 and / or Z2 of the acid treatment liquid 31 into the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 to control the acid treatment liquid 31 to a constant pH value. The control unit 50 automatically adjusts the supply amount of the acid concentrate Z1 and Z2 based on the detected value from the pH detector 51.

[0030] The side thrusters 80 are pump-type or propeller-type thrusters mounted on the bottom of the bow and stern of the ship's hull 10. They suppress and control vertical and lateral motion during seaweed net processing. A hydraulic motor (not shown) rotates due to hydraulic pressure supplied from a hydraulic system (not shown) via a hydraulic interlocking pipe (not shown), which in turn operates the pump water flow or propeller. In seaweed farming acid processing vessels, this equipment allows for flexible suppression and control of vertical and lateral motion during seaweed net processing by adjusting the pump water flow rate, propeller rotation speed, and rotation direction. This adjustment control during operation is performed by a crew member seated at the helm 12 operating a side thruster adjustment lever (not shown). The hydraulic system (not shown) consists of a small engine (not shown) and a hydraulic pump (not shown).

[0031] The acid treatment tank 35, in which the seaweed nets come into contact with the acid treatment solution 31 and undergo acid treatment, is formed in a shallow, rectangular dish shape using fiber-reinforced plastic or the like.

[0032] In the seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel A (Figure 1) of this embodiment, a tubular member 61 (nozzle) for supplying acid treatment liquid 31 into the acid treatment tank 35 is formed at the upper end (entire area) of the acid treatment tank 35, and an acid treatment liquid recovery duct 36 (opening) for returning the acid treatment liquid 31 to the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 located below the vessel body 10 is formed at the lower end (rear end) of the acid treatment tank 35. Below this tubular member 61, i.e., on the back side of the acid treatment tank 35, is connected to an acid treatment liquid supply line 33 for supplying acid treatment liquid 31 from the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 to the tubular member 61 via an acid treatment liquid supply pump 32. Furthermore, this acid treatment liquid recovery duct 36 is connected to an acid treatment liquid recovery line 37 for returning the acid treatment liquid 31 to the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39.

[0033] The tubular member 61 has a structure that supplies the acid treatment liquid 31, which is pressurized and supplied by the acid treatment liquid supply pump 32, from the upper end (front end) of the acid treatment tank 35 towards the stern. Preferably, multiple elongated discharge slits or discharge holes are arranged in a row at intervals so as to extend in a line over substantially the entire width of the acid treatment tank 35. With such a setup, the acid treatment liquid 31 is sprayed evenly across the width of the acid treatment tank 35 from the front (bow) to the rear (stern). The seaweed net acid treatment vessel A in Figure 1 is an example of a case where there are multiple discharge holes. In this embodiment, the total discharge volume of the acid treatment solution 31 from the tubular member 61 to the acid treatment tank 35 is adjusted according to the length of the seaweed leaves, the amount of buds, and the degree of disease, but is approximately 10 to 20 L / second, and in this embodiment, it is 15 L / second. The pH control of the acid treatment solution 31, the total discharge volume (L / second) to the acid treatment tank 35, and the oscillation control of the side thrusters 80 can be controlled by the crew seated in the steering seat 12 using a control unit located near the steering seat 12.

[0034] The acid treatment work on seaweed nets using the seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel A (submersible vessel) of this first embodiment, configured as described above, will be explained below. After moving the aquaculture seaweed acid treatment vessel A to the sea where the seaweed cultivation nets are set up, the ship As the main unit 10 is moved forward, the nori net (not shown) is guided by the nori net guide 20 and enters the acid treatment tank 35 from the front. As it flows through the acid treatment tank 35, it comes into contact with the acid treatment liquid 31 contained within, and the nori is treated with acid.

[0035] More specifically, when the ship hull 10 is propelled forward towards the seaweed net by the thrust of the outboard motor 11, while operating (controlling) the side thrusters 80, the front guide 21 of the seaweed net guide 20 is extended forward, causing the ship hull 10 to submerge beneath the seaweed net. As the seaweed net is guided by the upper guide 22 and comes into contact with the acid treatment liquid 31 in the acid treatment tank 35, the seaweed net and the seaweed attached to it are treated with acid.

[0036] As described above, after contact with the seaweed nets in the acid treatment tank 35, the acid treatment solution 31, due to the consumption of active ingredients as the treatment effect manifests and the addition of seawater from the aquaculture area brought in via the seaweed nets, drops from the appropriate concentration to a low value (the pH fluctuates to a high value). It is then recovered in the acid treatment solution recovery duct 36 located at the lower end (rear end) of the acid treatment tank 35 and returned to the acid treatment solution storage tank 39 via the acid treatment solution recovery line 37.

[0037] As described above, the acid treatment solution 31 recovered in the acid treatment solution storage tank 39 is mixed with the acid treatment solution 31 already present in the acid treatment solution storage tank 39. Due to this mixing, the concentration of the acid treatment solution 31 in the acid treatment solution storage tank 39 temporarily deviates from the desired appropriate value. However, the pH of the acid treatment solution 31 in the acid treatment solution storage tank 39 is detected by the pH detector 51, and the detected value from the pH detector 51 is output to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 then provides feedback control to the acid concentrate pump 42 of the acid concentrate supply device 40 based on the detected value input from the pH detector 51 and a preset control threshold (set pH value). Based on the operation signal input from the control unit 50, the acid concentrate pump 42 draws a predetermined amount of acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) Z1 and / or Z2 corresponding to the operation signal from the acid concentrate tanks 41-1 and 41-2 and supplies it to the acid treatment solution storage tank 39 via the acid concentrate line 43. Furthermore, the control unit 50 can control the acid concentrate pump 42 based on the pH detector 51 to automatically adjust the supply amount of the acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) Z1 and / or Z2 supplied to the acid treatment solution 31.

[0038] As described above, the acid treatment solution 31, which has reached the desired appropriate concentration in the acid treatment solution storage tank 39, is supplied under pressure to the acid treatment tank 35 via the acid treatment solution supply line by the acid treatment solution supply pump 32 through the tubular member 61, thereby completing the smooth circulation of the acid treatment solution in the entire seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel. In addition, the seaweed nets that have come into contact with the acid treatment solution 31 in the acid treatment tank 35 are guided by the rear guide 23, move outside the main body of the vessel 10, and return to the cultivation area (underwater), thereby completing the acid treatment of the seaweed nets.

[0039] According to the submersible type seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel A, which is the first embodiment of the present invention configured in this way, fishermen can easily make decisions based on the climate, the external environment of the sea area, and the disease, growth, and cellular nutritional status of the cultivated seaweed, and select from the acid treatment agents (concentrated acid solutions) Z1 and Z2, and mix and use them in appropriate proportions.

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a submersible-type seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel B, which illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals in the drawing, and their descriptions are omitted. Seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel B, like seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel A, is an example of a seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel of the present invention that has the function of adjusting and supplying two types of acid treatment agents (acid concentrate) in appropriate proportions. As shown in Figure 2, the second embodiment of the present invention, the seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel B, replaces the solenoid valve 70 of the first embodiment with two liquid supply pumps 42-1 and 42-2, each capable of adjusting the discharge amount to the two acid concentrate tanks 41-1 and 41-2, and is individually connected to the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39 by acid concentrate lines 43-1 and 43-2.

[0041] In the seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel B of this second embodiment, the fisherman can appropriately set the discharge supply amounts of the liquid supply pumps 42-1 and 42-2 by operating a controller (not shown), and appropriately perform sorting from the acid treatment agents (acid concentrate) Z1 and Z2, and mixing and using Z1 and Z2 in appropriate proportions.

[0042] The control unit 50 is connected in such a way that it can control the operation of both the liquid transfer pumps 42-1 and 42-2. Based on the detected value from the pH detector 51, it operates the liquid transfer pumps 42-1 and 42-2 to supply the acid treatment agent (concentrated acid) Z1 and / or Z2 of the acid treatment liquid 31 into the acid treatment liquid storage tank 39, thereby controlling the acid treatment liquid 31 to a constant pH value.

[0043] The acid treatment of seaweed nets by the seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel B (submersible vessel) of this second embodiment, configured in this way, is the same as that of the seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel A described above, except that the operation of adjusting the acid treatment agent (concentrated acid solution) to an appropriate ratio and supplying it to the acid treatment liquid storage tank is different (first embodiment: adjustment of the flow path of the solenoid valve 70, second embodiment: adjustment of the discharge supply amount of each liquid supply pump 42-1 and 42-2).

[0044] As described above, according to the submersible type nori cultivation acid treatment vessel B, which represents the second embodiment of the present invention, fishermen can easily make decisions based on the climate, the external environment of the sea area, and the disease, growth, and cellular nutritional status of the cultivated nori, and select from the acid treatment agents (concentrated acid solutions) Z1 and Z2, and mix and use them in appropriate proportions.

[0045] The seaweed farming acid treatment vessel of the present invention is equipped with multiple acid concentrate tanks (41-1, 41-2, ...) that individually store at least two or more acid treatment agents (Z1, Z2, ...), and each acid concentrate tank is provided with a supply route that connects to an acid treatment tank or an acid treatment liquid storage tank, and each has the function of supplying multiple types of acid treatment agents in appropriate proportions. Because the seaweed farming acid treatment vessel of the present invention has this unique equipment, it is possible for the first time for fishermen to select the most appropriate acid treatment agent from multiple acid treatment agents (Z1, Z2, ...) after observing the conditions (sea conditions and the condition of the cultivated seaweed) at the time of acid treatment on site, and it is also possible for the first time for fishermen to combine and mix multiple acid treatment agents based on their on-site judgment.

[0046] The acid treatment agents (Z1, Z2, ...) used in the seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel of the present invention can be of various types, including commercially available products that are effective against disease-causing fungi such as red rot fungi and pit-shaped fungi that occur in seaweed cultivation, and against miscellaneous algae such as green algae and attached diatoms, depending on the target and intensity of their effects, as well as the appropriate temperature range of the cultivation area. For example, commercially available acid treatment agents are sold by various manufacturers, such as the Grogen series (Daiichi Co., Ltd.), Noriact series (Daiichi Co., Ltd.), Greencut series (Nitto Seimo Co., Ltd.), and W-Dash series (Kaiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.), each suited to the timing of seaweed cultivation, seawater temperature, and harvesting stage. In addition, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, acid treatment agents (and methods of acid treatment) focused on providing nutrients to cultivated seaweed and improving its color can also be applied.

[0047] Furthermore, the appropriate dilution concentration for each of the various acid treatment agents (concentrated acid solutions) is uniform, ranging from 100-fold to 200-fold dilution with seawater (pH value of 2.0-2.3), regardless of the type of acid treatment agent (concentrated acid solution). Therefore, even if the acid treatment agent used is changed from the initially planned type based on on-site judgment, fishermen can operate the seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel of the present invention by selecting the appropriate dilution ratio (pH setting) with the same handling as the originally planned acid treatment agent, without any special considerations. Also, even when using a mixture of multiple acid treatment agents, fishermen can operate the seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel of the present invention by selecting the appropriate dilution ratio (pH setting) with the same handling as a single acid treatment agent, without any special considerations. According to the present invention's seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel, fishermen can easily switch, select, and combine acid concentrates with various characteristics as needed, based on the climate, the external environment of the sea area, and the disease, growth, and cellular nutritional status of the cultivated seaweed. This allows for the cultivation of high-quality seaweed with good yields, and has significant industrial value. On the other hand, with conventional seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessels, while it is possible to adjust the concentration of the acid treatment solution by changing the control pH setting based on the sea conditions and the state of the cultivated seaweed at the time of acid treatment, it is not possible to switch and combine acid concentrates as needed in response to instantaneous decisions.

[0048] The seaweed farming acid treatment vessel of the present invention has the function of adjusting the acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) contained in multiple acid concentrate tanks to an appropriate ratio and supplying it to an acid treatment tank or acid treatment liquid storage tank through operation by a fisherman. This function makes it possible to select and supply one of two or more acid treatment agents (acid concentrates), or to combine and mix two or more acid treatment agents (acid concentrates) in appropriate proportions.

[0049] While there have been previous proposals for seaweed farming treatment vessels that combine inorganic salts, sodium hypochlorite, ozone, and electrolyzed water—substances with different properties and mechanisms of action than acid treatment agents (acid treatment solutions)—combining these requires entirely different supply mechanisms and control devices compared to using only acid treatment agents (acid concentrate), posing problems for industrial practicality. However, with the seaweed farming acid treatment vessel of the present invention, the acid concentrate tank, a component already used in conventional seaweed farming acid treatment vessels, is connected to the acid treatment tank or acid treatment solution storage tank via a supply path through a liquid transfer pump, and only a controller for the liquid transfer pump discharge volume and supply path is added. As a result, the supply and control mechanism is simple, the equipment cost is low, and it is highly practical.

[0050] One means of providing the aforementioned "function of adjusting the proportion of acid treatment agents (acid concentrates) contained in multiple acid concentrate tanks to an appropriate level and supplying them to an acid treatment tank or acid treatment liquid storage tank by the operation of a fisherman" is to adjust the flow path and flow rate at the supply branching point of the acid treatment agent (acid concentrate), where multiple supply routes connected to multiple acid concentrate tanks are consolidated into a single route and connected to a single liquid transfer pump, as adopted in the seaweed farming acid treatment vessel A shown in Figure 1. This is done by providing solenoid valves 70 or the like that can freely open and close the piping flow paths or narrow the diameter of the flow paths (this is an example of the invention of claim 2). In this way, fishermen can combine and mix two or more acid treatment agents (acid concentrates) in appropriate proportions by adjusting the flow path at the supply branching point. When selecting one of two or more acid treatment agents (acid concentrates), it is sufficient to close the flow path corresponding to the acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) other than the one to be selected. The application of this method offers the advantage that fishermen can control the supply of the acid treatment agent simply by adjusting the flow path and flow rate at the supply branching point. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide the seaweed farming acid treatment vessel of the present invention, which has a simple structure and can be easily handled to perform acid treatment.

[0051] Furthermore, as another means of "the function of adjusting the proportion of acid treatment agents (acid concentrates) contained in multiple acid concentrate tanks to an appropriate level and supplying them to an acid treatment tank or acid treatment liquid storage tank by the operation of the fisherman," as adopted in the seaweed farming acid treatment vessel B shown in Figure 2, one liquid transfer pump with an adjustable discharge rate is provided for each supply route connected to each of the multiple acid concentrate tanks (this is an example of the invention of claim 3). In this way, the fisherman can combine and mix two or more acid treatment agents (acid concentrates) in an appropriate proportion by operating the respective setting values ​​of the discharge rate of each liquid transfer pump connected to each acid concentrate tank. When selecting one of two or more acid treatment agents (acid concentrates), the discharge rate of the liquid transfer pump corresponding to the acid treatment agent (acid concentrate) not to be selected should be set to 0. The application of this means has the advantage of allowing the fisherman to finely adjust the supply of the acid treatment agent at his discretion, and is preferable because it provides the seaweed farming acid treatment vessel of the present invention that enables flexible acid treatment.

[0052] The seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessel of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above (Figures 1 and 2), and the following modified embodiments can be adopted without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to application to the aforementioned submersible boats, but can also be used in other types of submersible boats, box-shaped boats, open-bottom boats, and other forms of seaweed cultivation acid treatment vessels.

[0054] Furthermore, while Figures 1 and 2 show the means for "the function of adjusting the proportion of acid treatment agents (acid concentrate) contained in multiple acid concentrate tanks to an appropriate level and supplying them to an acid treatment tank or acid treatment liquid storage tank by the operation of fishermen," the means are shown as control by adjusting the flow path at the supply branching point and the discharge supply amount of each of the multiple liquid supply pumps. However, the system is not limited to this, and for example, it may be adopted to individually adjust the flow path and flow rate of multiple supply routes connected to each of the multiple acid concentrate tanks using solenoid valves or the like. [Examples]

[0055] Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0056] [Tests: Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1] Using a test vessel (Figure 1) of the first embodiment of the present invention, acid treatment of cultivated seaweed was experimentally performed according to the following test methods and conditions.

[0057] [Testing Methods and Conditions] Acid concentrate Z1: Daiichi "Noriact 500" Acid concentrate Z2: Daiichi "Noriact 700" Prior to departure preparations, it was assumed that Noriact 500 would be the appropriate agent, used at a dilution of 100 times (pH 2.0 setting). However, the actual conditions at the seaweed farm showed a more severe disease infestation and lower (surface) seawater temperature than expected. Therefore, as Comparative Example 1, in addition to the pre-planned acid treatment with "Noriact 500 at 100 times dilution," two other acid treatments were performed based on the on-site conditions: "Example 1: Noriact 700 at 120 times dilution (pH 2.1 setting)" and "Example 2: Noriact 500:Noriact 700 = 8:2 at 100 times dilution (pH 2.0 setting)." One week after the acid treatment, the cultivated seaweed was observed and harvested.

[0058] Comparative Example 1: Although disease control was achieved, disease progression was observed one week after acid treatment (complete eradication was not achieved), resulting in a decrease in the quality and yield of cultivated seaweed. • Example 1: The disease was completely eradicated, and there was no progression of the disease even one week after acid treatment. However, some damage was observed on the nori thallus, and nori growth appeared to be somewhat reduced. The quality of the cultivated nori was maintained, but the yield did not exceed expectations (yield: approximately 103 compared to the comparative example yield of 100). • Example 2: The disease was completely eradicated, and there was no progression of the disease even one week after acid treatment. The growth of the seaweed was also good. The quality and yield of the cultivated seaweed were good (yield: approximately 120 compared to the comparative example's yield of 100). Based on the actual conditions at the seaweed farm, Example 1 (selection of appropriate acid treatment agents) and Example 2 (mixture use of appropriate acid treatment agents) were found to be superior in terms of quality and yield compared to Comparative Example 1, which used the acid treatment agents predicted beforehand. [Industrial applicability]

[0059] This can be effectively used in acid treatment vessels for cultivated seaweed nets, which can efficiently treat diatoms and fungi such as red rot bacteria that attach to seaweed nets during cultivation with an acid treatment agent (liquid). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] A, B: Acid treatment vessels (underground vessels) for cultivating seaweed nets. 10. Ship hull 20 Guides for seaweed nets 31 Acid treatment solution 35 Acid treatment tank 39 Acid treatment liquid storage tank 40 Acid stock solution supply equipment 41-1, 41-2, ... Acid concentrate tanks 50 Control Unit 61 Tubular member 70 Solenoid valve 80 Side Thrusters Z1, Z2,... Acid stock solution

Claims

1. A seaweed farming acid treatment vessel comprising at least an acid treatment tank for bringing seaweed nets into contact with an acid treatment solution, and a control unit that detects the pH value of the acid treatment solution in the acid treatment tank or in an acid treatment solution storage tank for supplying the acid treatment solution to the acid treatment tank, and operates an acid concentrate supply device that supplies the acid concentrate of the acid treatment solution into the acid treatment tank or the acid treatment solution storage tank based on the detected value, wherein the acid concentrate supply device is equipped with at least two or more acid concentrate tanks and their respective supply routes, and has the function of supplying multiple types of acid concentrates in appropriate proportions.

2. The seaweed farming acid treatment vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for supplying the aforementioned multiple types of acid concentrates in appropriate proportions is carried out by adjusting the proportion of each supply path arranged in multiple acid concentrate tanks connected to a single liquid transfer pump, thereby adjusting the flow rate of each acid concentrate.

3. The seaweed farming acid treatment vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for supplying the aforementioned multiple types of acid stocks in appropriate proportions is provided by installing one liquid transfer pump with an adjustable discharge supply amount for each supply path connected to each of the multiple acid stock tanks, and by appropriately changing the set value of the discharge supply amount of each liquid transfer pump.

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