Inactivation and recycling system for residues containing recombinant genes

Abstract

This invention provides a residue inactivation and recycling system containing recombinant genes that conserve energy when inactivating mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms, excluding temperature-sensitive spores. [Solution] The system comprises a manufacturing unit 10 that produces a target substance (industrially useful substance) by introducing genes into raw organisms using mesothermal and cold microorganisms excluding genetically modified spores, and a reaction apparatus 20 that includes a reaction tank 30 into which a primary material A containing mesothermal and cold microorganisms excluding spores, which is discharged as waste from the manufacturing unit 10, is introduced and the primary material A is heated to a temperature of 50°C to 100°C. In the reaction apparatus 20, the primary material A is transformed into a secondary material B in which the mesothermal and cold microorganisms excluding spores are inactivated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inactivation and recycling system for residues containing recombinant genes in a process for producing a target substance (industrially useful substance) by introducing genes into raw material organisms using genetically engineered microorganisms.

Background Art

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, genetic modification technology is being applied to plants to produce high-value-added substances such as pharmaceuticals. This technology usually involves crushing the plant and then separating the solid and liquid to extract the target substance. However, the residue after solid and liquid separation must be inactivated to protect biodiversity under the Cartagena Protocol. This inactivation is carried out by pressurized steam sterilization (autoclave treatment) or chemical treatment of the residue. Pressurized steam sterilization (autoclave treatment) is the most reliable and least environmentally damaging method, and the heating temperature in this case is often equivalent to 121°C for 15 minutes or more. However, conventional pressurized steam sterilization (autoclave treatment) is intended to kill bacterial spores that are not very sensitive to temperature. Therefore, using it to inactivate mesophilic and psychrophilic microorganisms (excluding bacterial spores and spores), such as Rhizobium bacteria including Agrobacterium, is considered excessive heating, and there is room for improvement in terms of thermal energy efficiency.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a residue inactivation and recycling system that includes recombinant genes that conserve energy when inactivating microorganisms at mesothermic and cold temperatures, excluding spores which are highly temperature-sensitive. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The inactivation and recycling system of the present invention comprises a manufacturing unit that produces a target substance by introducing genes using mesothermal and cold microorganisms excluding genetically modified spores, and a reaction apparatus that includes a reaction vessel into which a primary material to be treated, containing mesothermal and cold microorganisms excluding spores, which is discharged as waste from the manufacturing unit, is introduced, and the primary material to be treated is heated at an average temperature of 50°C or more and 100°C or less during processing, wherein in the reaction apparatus the primary material to be treated is transformed into a secondary material in which the mesothermal and cold microorganisms excluding spores have been inactivated.

[0007] (2) The reaction apparatus includes, as a reaction vessel, at least one of the following: a methane fermentation tank that reduces the volume of the primary material to be treated and generates biogas in the process of volume reduction; a cellulose decomposition tank that decomposes the primary material to be treated with cellulose; a lactic acid fermentation tank that ferments the primary material to be treated with lactic acid; a saccharification tank that saccharifies the primary material to be treated with saccharification; an aerobic treatment tank that decomposes organic matter; and a microbial fuel cell tank that decomposes organic matter to obtain electricity.

[0008] (3) Energy, waste heat, and at least one of the following as valuable materials are recovered from the reaction apparatus:

[0009] (4) The manufacturing section is provided with an energy supply facility to supply manufacturing energy, or a heat exchange facility to reuse the waste heat generated in the reactor, wherein the energy recovered from the reactor is supplied to the energy supply facility as manufacturing energy for the manufacturing section, and the waste heat generated in the reactor is supplied to the heat exchange facility.

[0010] (5) The reaction vessel includes a methane fermentation tank, and the biogas produced in the methane fermentation tank is recovered as energy and supplied to the energy supply facility as manufacturing energy for the manufacturing section.

[0011] (6) The reaction apparatus has a temporary storage tank into which the primary material to be processed is introduced from the manufacturing section and which is temporarily stored, and the primary material to be processed is introduced from the temporary storage tank to the reaction tank.

[0012] (7) The reaction vessel includes at least a first reaction vessel into which the primary material to be treated is introduced from the manufacturing section, and a second reaction vessel into which the primary material to be treated, in which a portion of the total amount of mesothermal and cold microorganisms excluding spores has been inactivated, is introduced from the first reaction vessel.

[0013] (8) The microorganisms to be inactivated are Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria with an optimal growth temperature of 0°C to 40°C, vegetative cells (excluding bacterial spores), or fungi (such as yeast and filamentous fungi, excluding spores).

[0014] (9) Microorganisms that are mesothermic and cold, excluding spores, include Rhizobium bacteria, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterobacter bacteria, Corynebacterium bacteria, and fungi (yeasts, filamentous fungi, etc.). [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a residue inactivation and recycling system containing recombinant genes that conserve energy when inactivating mesothermal and cold microorganisms, excluding temperature-sensitive spores. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an overview of the deactivation and recycling system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure schematically shows the configuration of the first embodiment of the reaction apparatus included in the inactivation and recycling system described above. [Figure 3] This figure schematically shows the configuration of the second embodiment of the above-described reaction apparatus. [Figure 4] This figure schematically shows the configuration of the third embodiment of the above-described reaction apparatus. [Figure 5] This figure schematically shows the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the above-described reaction apparatus. [Figure 6] This figure schematically shows the configuration of the fifth embodiment of the above-described reaction apparatus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an overview of an inactivation and recycling system 1 for residues containing recombinant genes according to an embodiment. The inactivation and recycling system 1 of the embodiment includes a production unit 10, a reactor 20, and an energy supply facility 50. The inactivation and recycling system 1 of the embodiment targets wastes such as genetically modified organisms. Note that the genetically modified organisms, etc. referred to in this specification include, for example, plants, microorganisms, etc., as well as viruses, viroids, etc.

[0018] In the production unit 10 of the embodiment, target substances such as proteins are produced by introducing mesophilic and psychrophilic (optimal growth temperature is 0°C or higher and 40°C or lower) microorganisms excluding recombinant spores into raw material plants as raw material organisms. The genetic modification of the plant here is, for example, the genetic modification of living cells in a plant including cultured cells. In the production unit 10, for example, a culturing process, an extraction process, and a purification process are performed. In these processes, necessary energy is supplied from an energy supply facility 50 including a power generation facility, a hot water boiler, etc., and each process is performed.

[0019] The microorganisms to be inactivated according to the embodiment refer to mesophilic and psychrophilic (optimal growth temperature is 0°C or higher and 40°C or lower) microorganisms excluding bacterial spores, and include, for example, bacteria of the genus Rhizobium, Escherichia coli, Salmonella bacteria (Salmonella genus bacteria), Legionella bacteria (Legionella genus bacteria), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, etc., Enterobacter bacteria (Enterobacter bugandensis), Corynebacterium bacteria (Corynebacterium genus), fungi (yeasts, filamentous fungi, etc.).

[0020] As described above, in the production unit 10, while the target substance is produced, waste including plant residues and waste liquid generated during production is separated. The waste containing plant residues and the like mentioned here includes genetically modified organisms and the like, and it is desirable to dilute it with water or a culture solution or the like to make it slurry-like before processing in the reaction device 20. However, it is also possible to mix and make it slurry-like after introducing it into the reaction device 20. In the embodiment, the waste is discharged from the production unit 10 and introduced into the reaction device 20, and is inactivated in the reaction device 20. Hereinafter, the waste containing plant residues and the like including genetically modified organisms and the like, which is discharged from the production unit 10, is referred to as the primary treated material A.

[0021] A first pipe 61 is arranged from the production unit 10 to the reaction device 20. The primary treated material A discharged from the production unit 10 is introduced into the reaction device 20 from the production unit 10 through the first pipe 61. The temperature of the primary treated material A discharged from the production unit 10 may be, for example, normal temperature (for example, about 25 ° C), but is not limited thereto.

[0022] The reaction device 20 includes a reaction tank 30 into which the primary treated material A is introduced from the production unit 10 through the first pipe 61. The reaction tank 30 of the embodiment is a methane fermentation tank. In the reaction tank 30, mesophilic and psychrophilic microorganisms except spores in the primary treated material A are inactivated, that is, killed, and the primary treated material A is reduced in volume. And in the process of the primary treated material A being reduced in volume, biogas is generated.

[0023] In addition to the methane fermentation tank, as the reaction tank 30, a cellulose decomposition tank for decomposing the primary treated material A into cellulose, a lactic acid fermentation tank for lactic acid fermentation of the primary treated material A, a saccharification tank for saccharifying the primary treated material A, an aerobic treatment tank for decomposing organic substances, and a microbial fuel cell tank for decomposing organic substances to obtain electricity may be used, and the reaction device 20 may include at least one of these.

[0024] In the reaction tank 30, the primary material A is kept in a mixed state with a predetermined reaction solution and heated at the reaction temperature during this period, thereby inactivating mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms in the primary material A, excluding spores. Then, the microorganisms are settled on a carrier for methane fermentation and fermentation is carried out, causing the primary material A to decompose and its volume to be reduced. In the reaction tank 30, the methane fermentation temperature is set to 55°C, and the primary material A is decomposed by being heated to 55°C. In this decomposition, for example, about 70% of the primary material A is decomposed, reducing its volume and thus reducing its overall volume. By reducing the volume of the primary material A in the reaction tank 30, it is possible to reduce CO2 emissions compared to conventional incineration.

[0025] The methane fermentation temperature, i.e., the reaction temperature in reaction vessel 30, is not limited to 55°C, but is selected within the range of 50°C to 90°C. Furthermore, even if reaction vessel 30 is the cellulose decomposition tank, lactic acid fermentation tank, or saccharification tank described above, the reaction temperature is selected within the range of 50°C to 100°C.

[0026] Furthermore, the reaction time required to inactivate the primary material A depends on the reaction temperature and the thermal conductivity of the reaction solution. The reaction time is adjusted to be longer when the reaction temperature is relatively low and shorter when the reaction temperature is relatively high. For example, when the reaction temperature is 55°C, the reaction time is adjusted to 1 day, and when the reaction temperature is 70°C, it is adjusted to 30 minutes. However, the relationship between reaction temperature and reaction time is not limited to these examples.

[0027] In the reaction tank 30, microorganisms at moderate and low temperatures, excluding spores, are inactivated, thereby transforming the primary material A into the secondary material B. This secondary material B is discharged from the reaction tank 30 and transported to a predetermined treatment facility (not shown) for disposal.

[0028] In the reaction tank 30, biogas is generated as the primary material A is decomposed and reduced in volume by methane fermentation. According to the inactivation and recycling system 1 of this embodiment, the biogas generated in the reaction tank 30 can be supplied to the energy supply facility 50 as manufacturing energy for the manufacturing unit 10.

[0029] Figure 1 shows that the biogas produced in the reaction tank 30 is supplied to the energy supply facility 50 via the second pipe 62. This saves energy for production in the manufacturing unit 10. In addition, the CO2 generated after the use of biogas can be used in the cultivation process in the manufacturing unit 10. In the reaction tank 30, by setting the methane fermentation temperature to a relatively high 55°C, the decomposition rate of the primary material A can be increased and the processing speed can be increased, thereby increasing the amount of biogas recovered. Furthermore, by replacing the primary material A with methane fermentation instead of treating it as industrial waste, processing costs can be reduced. In addition, the inactivation and recycling system 1 of this embodiment may be equipped with a heat exchange facility to reuse the waste heat generated in the reaction device 20, and the waste heat generated in the reaction device 20 may be supplied to the heat exchange facility. This saves thermal energy used in the heat exchange facility. Thus, the inactivation and recycling system 1 of this embodiment may recover not only energy as a valuable resource, but also waste heat, sugar, etc.

[0030] In the inactivation and recycling system 1 of this embodiment, the reaction apparatus 20 inactivates the microorganisms to be inactivated contained in the primary material A. The microorganisms to be inactivated are vegetative cells (excluding bacterial spores) of Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria with an optimal growth temperature of 0°C to 40°C, or fungi (yeast, filamentous fungi, etc., excluding spores). Heat treatment at 50°C to 100°C is sufficient to inactivate these microorganisms.

[0031] When inactivating genetically modified organisms by heating, steam sterilizers (autoclaves) with heating temperatures of 100°C or higher are sometimes used. However, when inactivating mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms excluding spores, setting the reaction temperature to 100°C or higher is excessively high, leading to a waste of thermal energy. In contrast, in the inactivation and recycling system 1 of this embodiment, mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms excluding spores are inactivated in the reaction vessel 30 of the reaction apparatus 20 at a reaction temperature of 55°C (50°C to 100°C). This allows for the efficient inactivation of mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms excluding spores without wasting unnecessary thermal energy.

[0032] According to the inactivation and recycling system 1 of the embodiment, compost and liquid fertilizer may be produced as methane fermentation residue in the reaction apparatus 20. These compost and liquid fertilizers can be used in the cultivation process in the manufacturing section 10. This allows for the saving of culture medium and fertilizer in the cultivation process. In addition, the hydroponic nutrient solution and culture medium used in the cultivation process in the manufacturing section 10 may contain genetically modified organisms and require inactivation. In such cases, these hydroponic nutrient solutions and culture mediums can be introduced into the reaction apparatus 20 and inactivated together with the primary material A.

[0033] The inactivation and recycling system 1 of this embodiment can be applied not only to facilities that manufacture target substances using genetic engineering technology, as in this embodiment, but also to facilities where it is necessary to prevent the leakage of genetically modified organisms, etc., as sources of contamination, such as facilities installed in outer space, pharmaceutical factories, plant factories, and food factories in space development.

[0034] The above-described reaction apparatus 20 is a basic embodiment that includes a reaction tank 30 into which the primary material A is introduced, and the reaction apparatus of this disclosure may have other configurations. Below, the first to fourth embodiments of the reaction apparatus 20 will be described as more specific examples of the configuration of the reaction apparatus 20. The reaction tank 30 shown in these embodiments may be a methane fermentation tank, as in the above embodiments, or it may be any of a cellulose decomposition tank, a lactic acid fermentation tank, a saccharification tank, an aerobic treatment tank, or a microbial fuel cell tank.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the reaction apparatus 20. The reaction apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment has a temporary storage tank 40 upstream of the reaction tank 30. The reaction tank 30 and the temporary storage tank 40 have approximately the same volume. The primary material to be processed A is introduced into the temporary storage tank 40 from the manufacturing section 10 via a first pipe 61 and stored therein. The reaction apparatus 20 further includes a first intermediate pipe 21 that introduces the primary material to be processed A from the temporary storage tank 40 into the reaction tank 30, a valve 22 arranged in the pipeline of the first intermediate pipe 21 to open and close the pipeline, and a control unit 23 that controls the opening and closing of the valve 22. The valve 22 is a one-way valve that allows the primary material to be processed A to flow from the temporary storage tank 40 to the reaction tank 30.

[0036] According to the reaction apparatus 20 of the first embodiment, the primary material A remaining in the reaction tank 30 is heated at 55°C for a predetermined time and transformed into the secondary material B. When the secondary material B is discharged from the reaction tank 30, the valve 22, which was in a closed state, is opened by the control unit 23, and the primary material A in the temporary storage tank 40 is introduced into the reaction tank 30. After this, the valve 22 is closed, and new primary material A is introduced from the manufacturing unit 10 into the temporary storage tank 40 via the first piping 61. In order to smoothly introduce the primary material A from the temporary storage tank 40 into the reaction tank 30 by gravity, it is desirable to install the temporary storage tank 40 higher than the reaction tank 30. Alternatively, the primary material A may be introduced from the temporary storage tank 40 into the reaction tank 30 by pump.

[0037] In the reaction apparatus 20 of the first embodiment, the above steps, namely, the inactivation of microorganisms at medium and low temperatures by heating the primary material A in the reaction tank 30 for a predetermined time to remove spores, followed by the discharge of the secondary material B from the reaction tank 30 and the introduction of new primary material A from the temporary storage tank 40 into the reaction tank 30, are carried out continuously.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the reaction apparatus 20. The reaction apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has a spiral pipe 39 inside the reaction tank 30 and the reaction tank 30 is filled with high-temperature saturated steam at 90°C, but is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. The pipes inside the spiral pipe 39 are heated to about 90°C by the high-temperature saturated steam. Primary material A is introduced into the spiral pipe 39 from the temporary storage tank 40 via the first intermediate pipe 21. As the primary material A flows through the spiral pipe 39, it is heated to about 90°C and transformed into secondary material B in which medium- and low-temperature microorganisms, excluding spores, are inactivated, and then discharged from the reaction tank 30.

[0039] According to the reaction apparatus 20 of the second embodiment, it is operated as follows: The control unit 23 adjusts the opening of the valve 22, so that a constant amount of primary material A per hour is continuously introduced into the spiral piping 39 in the reaction vessel 30 from the temporary storage tank 40 via the first intermediate piping 21. As the primary material A flows through the spiral piping 39 at a constant speed, it changes into secondary material B, inactivated by medium- and low-temperature microorganisms excluding spores, and is discharged from the reaction vessel 30. For example, if it is desired to inactivate the primary material A by heating it at 90°C for 1 minute, the length of the spiral piping 39 is set to 1 m, and the flow rate of the primary material A is adjusted to 1 m / min. In this case, it is preferable to pump the primary material A into the spiral piping 39. According to the second embodiment, the reaction rate can be adjusted by selectively adjusting the reaction temperature, the opening of the valve 22, and the length of the spiral piping 39.

[0040] In the first and second embodiments described above, a predetermined amount of the primary material A is continuously introduced from the manufacturing unit 10 to the reaction tank 30 at regular intervals, while the primary material A is continuously processed into the secondary material B. This reduces the risk of infection that would be expected if a batch system requiring manual labor by workers were adopted, for example, and enables safe operation. Furthermore, since new primary material A can be introduced from the temporary storage tank 40 into the reaction tank 30 after the secondary material B is discharged from the reaction tank 30, mixing of the primary material A and the secondary material B can be avoided.

[0041] Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of the reaction apparatus 20. The reaction apparatus 20 according to the third embodiment includes a plurality of reaction tanks 30, namely a first reaction tank 31, a second reaction tank 32, and a third reaction tank 33. The primary material to be processed A is introduced from the manufacturing unit 10 to the first reaction tank 31 via the first piping 61, then from the first reaction tank 31 to the second reaction tank 32 via the second intermediate piping 25, then from the second reaction tank 32 to the third reaction tank 33 via the third intermediate piping 26, and thereafter discharged from the third reaction tank 33 as the secondary material to be processed B. The reaction temperature of each reaction tank 31, 32, and 33 is a common 55°C.

[0042] During the process of the primary material A remaining in the first and second reaction tanks 31 and 32 for a predetermined time, the mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms, excluding spores, are gradually inactivated, reducing the content of these microorganisms. Heating in the third reaction tank 33 inactivates all of the mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms, excluding spores, resulting in the secondary material B. This stepwise inactivation of the primary material A reduces the temperature burden on each reaction tank 30 and ensures reliable inactivation.

[0043] Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the reaction apparatus 20. The reaction apparatus 20 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that it does not have a third reaction vessel 33 and the reaction temperature of the second reaction vessel 32 is 75°C, but is otherwise the same as the third embodiment.

[0044] In the reaction apparatus 20 of the fourth embodiment, during the process of the primary material A remaining in the first reaction tank 31 for a predetermined time, some of the mesothermal and cold microorganisms, excluding spores, are inactivated, reducing the content of mesothermal and cold microorganisms, excluding spores. Heating in the second reaction tank 32 inactivates all of the mesothermal and cold microorganisms, excluding spores, resulting in the secondary material B. This secondary material B is then discharged from the second reaction tank 32. Compared to the reaction apparatus 20 of the third embodiment, the reaction apparatus 20 of the fourth embodiment eliminates the need for a third reaction tank 33 by setting the reaction temperature of the second reaction tank 32 higher than that of the first reaction tank 31, allowing the primary material A to be transformed into the secondary material B using only two reaction tanks. The first reaction tank 31 can be considered a reaction tank for preheating.

[0045] Figure 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the reaction apparatus 20. The reaction apparatus 20 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that the reaction temperature of the first reaction vessel 31 is 80°C and the reaction temperature of the second reaction vessel 32 is 60°C, but is otherwise the same as the fourth embodiment.

[0046] In the reaction apparatus 20 of the fifth embodiment, similar to the fourth embodiment, during the process of the primary material A remaining in the first reaction tank 31 for a predetermined time, some of the mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms, excluding spores, are inactivated, reducing the content of mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms, excluding spores. Heating in the second reaction tank 32 inactivates all of the mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms, excluding spores, resulting in the secondary material B. This secondary material B is then discharged from the second reaction tank 32. According to the reaction apparatus 20 of the fifth embodiment, the reaction temperature of the first reaction tank 31 is set higher than the reaction temperature of the second reaction tank 32. As a result, a large portion of the mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms, excluding spores, are inactivated in the first reaction tank 31, and the entire amount of mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms, excluding spores, is efficiently inactivated in the second reaction tank 32 to become the secondary material B.

[0047] In the third and fourth embodiments, where the reaction apparatus 20 has a plurality of reaction tanks 30, the volume of each reaction tank 30 may be varied. Also, in the third embodiment, the reaction temperatures of the three reaction tanks 30 are not to be the same. If the entire volume becomes the secondary material B in the third reaction tank 33, the reaction temperature may be gradually increased from the first reaction tank 31 to the third reaction tank 33, or conversely, gradually decreased. Furthermore, the number of reaction tanks 30 is not limited to one or two, but may be three or more.

[0048] In a configuration where the reaction apparatus 20 has multiple reaction tanks 30, the purpose of each reaction tank 30 can be changed, for example, to preheating, intermediate heating, and final heating. Furthermore, the upstream reaction tank 30 may be replaced with a temporary storage tank 40, as in the first embodiment.

[0049] The above describes the inactivation and recycling system 1 for residues containing recombinant genes according to the embodiment. This inactivation and recycling system 1 provides the following effects.

[0050] (1) The residue inactivation and recycling system 1 containing recombinant genes according to the embodiment comprises a manufacturing unit 10 that produces a target substance by introducing genes using mesothermal and cold microorganisms excluding genetically modified spores, and a reaction apparatus 20 including a reaction tank 30 into which primary material A containing mesothermal and cold microorganisms excluding spores, which is discharged as waste from the manufacturing unit 10, is introduced and the primary material A is heated to a temperature of 50°C or higher and 100°C or lower. In the reaction apparatus 20, the primary material A is transformed into secondary material B in which mesothermal and cold microorganisms excluding spores have been inactivated.

[0051] As a result, for inactivating mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms, excluding spores which are highly temperature-sensitive, heat treatment at 50°C to 100°C is sufficient. Therefore, mesothermal and cold-temperature microorganisms can be efficiently inactivated without wasting unnecessary thermal energy, resulting in energy savings.

[0052] (2) In the inactivation and recycling system 1 described in (1) above, the reaction apparatus 20 includes, as a reaction vessel 30, at least one of the following: a methane fermentation tank that reduces the volume of the primary material A and generates biogas in the process of volume reduction; a cellulose decomposition tank that decomposes the primary material A into cellulose; a lactic acid fermentation tank that ferments the primary material A into lactic acid; a saccharification tank that saccharifies the primary material A; an aerobic treatment tank that decomposes organic matter; and a microbial fuel cell tank that decomposes organic matter to obtain electricity.

[0053] Regardless of whether a methane fermentation tank, cellulose decomposition tank, lactic acid fermentation tank, saccharification tank, aerobic treatment tank, or microbial fuel cell tank is used as the reaction tank 30, effective inactivation of microorganisms at mesothermic and cold temperatures, excluding spores associated with the volume reduction of the primary material A, is possible.

[0054] For example, when a methane fermentation tank is used, as in the embodiment described above, biogas can be recovered as energy and utilized as the energy for production in the manufacturing unit 10. When a cellulose decomposition tank is used, effective inactivation of mesothermal and cold microorganisms, excluding spores associated with the volume reduction or solubilization of the primary material A, is possible, and various effects such as effective utilization of poorly biodegradable resources and production and recovery of useful substances can be obtained. When a lactic acid fermentation tank and a saccharification tank are used, effective inactivation of mesothermal and cold microorganisms, excluding spores associated with the volume reduction of the primary material A, is possible, and effects such as production and recovery of useful substances can be obtained.

[0055] (3) In the inactivation and recycling system 1 described in (1) and (2) above, it is preferable that energy, waste heat, and sugar are recovered from the reaction apparatus 20.

[0056] This allows for the effective utilization of recovered energy, waste heat, and sugar.

[0057] (4) In the deactivation and recycling system 1 described in (3) above, it is preferable to have an energy supply facility 50 that supplies manufacturing energy to the manufacturing unit 10, and that the energy recovered from the reactor 20 is supplied to the energy supply facility 50 as manufacturing energy for the manufacturing unit 10. Furthermore, it is preferable to have a heat exchange facility in order to reuse the waste heat generated in the reactor 20, and that the waste heat generated in the reactor 20 is supplied to the heat exchange facility.

[0058] This allows for saving energy during manufacturing in the production unit 10. It also allows for saving thermal energy in the heat exchange facility.

[0059] (5) In the deactivation and recycling system 1 described in (4) above, the reaction vessel 30 includes a methane fermentation tank, and the biogas produced in the methane fermentation tank is recovered as energy and supplied to the energy supply facility 50 as the energy for production in the manufacturing section 10.

[0060] This allows for saving energy during manufacturing in the manufacturing unit 10.

[0061] (6) In the inactivation and recycling system 1 described in (1) to (5) above, the reaction apparatus 20 may have a temporary storage tank 40 into which the primary material to be processed A is introduced from the manufacturing section 10 and which temporarily stores the primary material to be processed A, and the primary material to be processed A may be introduced from the temporary storage tank 40 to the reaction tank 30.

[0062] In this configuration, the processes of heating the primary material A in the reaction tank 30, discharging the secondary material B from the reaction tank 30, and introducing new primary material A from the temporary storage tank 40 into the reaction tank 30 can be carried out continuously. This allows for efficient inactivation of the primary material A. Furthermore, it reduces the risk of the primary material A coming into contact with workers, for example, as can occur when a batch system is used, thus ensuring safe operation.

[0063] (7) In the inactivation and recycling system 1 described in (1) to (6) above, the reaction vessel 30 may be configured to include at least a first reaction vessel 31 into which the primary material to be treated A is introduced from the manufacturing section 10, and a second reaction vessel 32 into which the primary material to be treated A, in which a portion of the total amount of mesothermal and cold microorganisms excluding spores has been inactivated, is introduced from the first reaction vessel 31.

[0064] By including multiple reaction tanks 30 in this manner and performing the inactivation treatment of the primary material A in stages, passing through each reaction tank 30, the temperature burden on each reaction tank 30 can be reduced, and inactivation can be ensured.

[0065] (8) In the inactivation and recycling system 1 described in (1) to (7) above, the mesothermic and cold microorganisms to be inactivated, excluding spores, are microorganisms whose optimal growth temperature is between 0°C and 40°C.

[0066] (9) In the inactivation and recycling system 1 described in (1) to (8) above, mesothermic and cold microorganisms excluding spores include Rhizobium bacteria, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterobacter bacteria, Corynebacterium bacteria, and fungi (yeast, filamentous fungi, etc.).

[0067] Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes all aspects included in the claims.

[0068] In the above embodiment, a plant is used as the raw material organism, but in the present invention, a single-celled organism such as yeast, which is a eukaryote similar to plants and animals, can be used as the raw material organism. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1. Inactivation and recycling system for residues containing recombinant genes 10 Manufacturing Department 20 Reactor 30 reaction vessels 31 First Reactor 32 Reactor No. 2 33 Reactor No. 3 40 Temporary storage tank 50 Energy supply facilities A. Primary processed material B. Secondary processed material

Claims

1. A manufacturing unit that produces the target substance by introducing genes using mesothermal and cold microorganisms, excluding genetically modified spores, The reactor comprises a reaction vessel into which a primary material to be treated, containing microorganisms at medium and low temperatures excluding the spores discharged as waste from the manufacturing section, is introduced, and which is heated to an average temperature of 50°C to 100°C during processing. The reaction apparatus is used to transform the primary material to be treated into a secondary material in which microorganisms at moderate and low temperatures, excluding spores, are inactivated, in an inactivation and recycling system for residues containing recombinant genes.

2. The system for inactivating and recycling residue containing recombinant genes according to claim 1, wherein the reaction apparatus includes, as the reaction vessel, at least one of the following: a methane fermentation tank for reducing the volume of the primary material to be treated and generating biogas in the process of volume reduction; a cellulose decomposition tank for cellulose decomposition of the primary material to be treated; a lactic acid fermentation tank for lactic acid fermentation of the primary material to be treated; a saccharification tank for saccharification of the primary material to be treated; an aerobic treatment tank for decomposing organic matter; and a microbial fuel cell tank for obtaining electricity by decomposing organic matter.

3. An inactivation and recycling system for a recombinant gene-containing residue according to claim 1 or 2, wherein energy, waste heat, and at least one of sugars are recovered from the reaction apparatus.

4. The manufacturing section is equipped with an energy supply facility to supply manufacturing energy, or a heat exchange facility to reuse the waste heat generated in the reaction apparatus, The inactivation and recycling system for residues containing recombinant genes according to claim 3, wherein the energy recovered from the reactor is supplied to the energy supply facility as manufacturing energy for the manufacturing section, and the waste heat generated in the reactor is supplied to the heat exchange facility.

5. The system for inactivating and recycling residue containing recombinant genes according to claim 4, wherein the reaction vessel includes a methane fermentation tank, and the biogas produced in the methane fermentation tank is recovered as energy and supplied to the energy supply facility as manufacturing energy for the manufacturing section.

6. The reaction apparatus has a temporary storage tank into which the primary material to be processed is introduced from the manufacturing section and which temporarily stores the primary material to be processed. An inactivation and recycling system for residues containing recombinant genes according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the primary material to be treated is introduced from the temporary storage tank to the reaction tank.

7. The system for inactivating and recycling residue containing recombinant genes according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reaction vessel comprises at least a first reaction vessel into which the primary material to be treated is introduced from the manufacturing section, and a second reaction vessel into which the primary material to be treated, from which a portion of the total amount of mesothermal and cold microorganisms excluding spores has been inactivated, is introduced from the first reaction vessel.

8. The residue inactivation and recycling system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the microorganism is a vegetative cell of a Gram-positive bacterium or Gram-negative bacterium with an optimal growth temperature of 0°C to 40°C, or a fungus.

9. A residue inactivation and recycling system containing recombinant genes according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mesothermic and cold microorganisms, excluding spores, include Rhizobium bacteria, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria, Enterobacter bacteria, Corynebacterium bacteria, and fungi.

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