Granular material capable of controlling buoyancy and sinking behavior for improving aquatic environments.

Abstract

This invention provides granular materials for environmental improvement that, after being introduced into a body of water, initially float to promote the attachment and dispersal of microorganisms, and then naturally sink to improve the bottom sediment. [Solution] This granular material is formed by mixing a base material containing iron powder and carbon powder with a lightweight porous material derived from plants and then press-molding it. The granular material has a fine void structure inside, and initially floats on the water surface or near the surface due to the buoyancy of the void structure and the lightweight porous material derived from plants. After a certain period of time, as water is absorbed due to the stagnation of the water and the iron powder oxidizes, the specific gravity increases and the material sinks. Without using any special power or equipment, it can gradually achieve both "diffusion and microbial attachment in the surface layer" and "improvement of water and sediment quality in the bottom layer" simply by being added. Furthermore, by using recycled materials such as used hand warmers as the base material, it is possible to provide a resource-recycling material with a low environmental impact.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to granular materials that are put into water for the purpose of improving the water environment in waters such as seas, rivers, lakes, and harbors. In particular, it relates to granular materials for environmental improvement that can control the behavior of transitioning from a floating state to a sedimentation state in water.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, environmental improvement materials using iron powder and carbon materials have been known for the purpose of purifying sludge and improving water quality. These generally have a heavy specific gravity, and most of them immediately settle to the bottom after being put in.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] There has been a problem that materials that immediately settle do not allow sufficient attachment of microorganisms near the water surface or in the surface layer and do not allow sufficient diffusion over a wide range. On the other hand, materials that simply float have problems such as flowing out to unintended sea areas due to tidal currents and not being able to obtain a sediment improvement effect. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a granular material that floats near the surface layer in the initial stage after being put into water to promote the settlement and diffusion of useful microorganisms, and naturally settles over time to improve the sediment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The granular material according to the present invention has iron powder and carbon powder (for example, recovered materials of used heat packs) as main components, and a plant-derived lightweight porous material for buoyancy adjustment and void formation is mixed therein, and it is formed into a pellet shape or a cube shape, etc. This granular material has voids inside due to a drying process or the like during production. In the initial stage of being put in, it floats in water due to the buoyancy of these voids and the plant-derived lightweight porous material. Thereafter, as time passes, moisture penetrates into the voids, and weight changes due to oxidation of the iron powder occur, etc., so that the specific gravity gradually increases and finally it has a configuration of settling.

Effects of the Invention

[0005] According to this invention, both "diffusion and microbial attachment in the surface layer" and "improvement of water and sediment quality in the bottom layer" can be achieved in stages simply by introducing the material, without the need for special power or equipment. Furthermore, by using recycled materials such as used hand warmers, it is possible to provide a resource-recycling material with a low environmental impact. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a granular material according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing the internal structure of the granular material (arrangement of voids and lightweight porous material derived from plants). [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the behavior of granular materials in aquatic environments (from suspension to sedimentation). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The granular material of this invention is obtained by mixing a plant-derived lightweight porous material in a predetermined ratio with a base material containing iron powder and carbon powder, forming it into pellets, cubes, or other granules using a pressure molding machine, and then drying it. The plant-derived lightweight porous material plays a role in forming fine voids within the granular material and adjusting the specific gravity of the entire granular material through its own buoyancy. When recycled material from used hand warmers is used as the base material, it contributes to resource recycling, and the iron powder, which has a history of oxidation reactions, effectively improves water quality.

Claims

1. A granular material for improving the aquatic environment, comprising a base material containing iron powder and carbon powder, and a lightweight porous material derived from plants, which is mixed and pressure-molded, wherein the granular material has a fine void structure inside, and initially floats on the water surface or near the surface due to the buoyancy of the void structure and the lightweight porous material derived from plants, and its specific gravity increases due to water absorption and the oxidation reaction of the iron powder as the water remains stagnant, and it transitions to a sinking state after a certain period of time has elapsed since introduction, characterized in that it is configured to control the buoyancy and sinking behavior for improving the aquatic environment.

2. The granular material for improving the aquatic environment according to claim 1, characterized in that the base material is a recovered material derived from used disposable hand warmers, and capable of controlling buoyancy and sinking behavior.

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