Sterilization system, sterilization method, and sterilization device

Abstract

To provide a sterilization system, a sterilization method, and a sterilizer capable of reducing a sterilization component of a liquid.SOLUTION: Provided is a sterilization system comprising sterilization component supply means for supplying a sterilization component for sterilization of a liquid, separating means for separating the liquid from the sterilization component, and a water tank for storing the liquid, wherein the liquid is supplied to the water tank after the sterilization component is separated by the separating means. Thus, the sterilization component can be separated from the liquid to produce a liquid with reduced sterilization component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sterilization system, a sterilization method, and a sterilization device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a method of sterilizing a liquid by generating plasma is known as a method of sterilizing a liquid.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes sterilizing a liquid for growing plants in a hydroponic cultivation device by subjecting the liquid to a plasma treatment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-216872 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the hydroponic cultivation device of Patent Document 1, the sterilizing component that is produced during the plasma treatment and that sterilizes the liquid remains mixed in the liquid, which may adversely affect the growth of plants.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sterilization system, a sterilization method, and a sterilization device that can reduce the sterilizing component of the liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a result of intensive research into the above problems, the present inventors discovered that by providing a separation means for separating the sterilizing component after the sterilizing component is supplied to the liquid by the sterilizing component supply means, the sterilizing component can be separated from the liquid and the amount of the sterilizing component in the liquid can be reduced, and thus completed the present invention.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the sterilization system of the present invention comprises a sterilizing component supplying means for supplying a sterilizing component for sterilizing a liquid, a separating means for separating the liquid from the sterilizing component, and a water tank for storing the liquid, and is characterized in that the liquid is supplied to the water tank after the sterilizing component has been separated by the separating means. According to this feature, by providing a separation step, the sterilizing component can be separated from the liquid, and thus a liquid having a reduced amount of the sterilizing component can be obtained.

[0009] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the sterilization system of the present invention, the water tank is a water tank for growing plants. According to this feature, the bactericidal component is separated from the liquid, which has the effect of reducing the risk of adverse effects on plant growth.

[0010] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the sterilization system of the present invention, the water tank is a water tank for growing plants. According to this feature, the bactericidal component is separated from the liquid, which has the effect of reducing the risk of adverse effects on plant growth.

[0011] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the sterilization system of the present invention, the sterilizing component supplying means is characterized by comprising a plasma generating unit that generates plasma by applying a voltage to a titanium electrode or a tungsten electrode, and a light irradiating unit that irradiates light onto the sterilizing component generated by the plasma generating unit. According to this feature, the liquid can be sterilized by irradiating the sterilizing component generated from the electrodes with light from the light irradiating unit at a location separate from the water tank.

[0012] Furthermore, one embodiment of the sterilization system of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a nitrogen source supplying section for supplying air or nitrogen upstream of the sterilizing component supplying means. According to this feature, the plasma treatment has the effect of producing fertilizer for plants from nitrogen.

[0013] Furthermore, one embodiment of the sterilization system of the present invention is characterized in that a throttle section for generating air bubbles is disposed upstream of the water tank. According to this feature, the air bubbles generated in the throttle portion are supplied to the plants, thereby promoting the growth of the plants.

[0014] The sterilization method of the present invention for solving the above problems comprises a sterilizing component supplying step of supplying a sterilizing component for sterilizing a liquid, a separation step of separating the liquid and the sterilizing component, and a step of storing the liquid in a water tank, wherein the liquid is supplied to the water tank after the sterilizing component has been separated in the separation step. According to the sterilization method of the present invention, by providing a separation step, it is possible to separate the sterilizing component from the liquid, and thus it is possible to obtain a liquid having a reduced amount of the sterilizing component.

[0015] In order to solve the above problems, the sterilization device of the present invention comprises a plasma generating unit which generates plasma by applying a voltage to a titanium electrode or a tungsten electrode, and a light irradiating unit which irradiates light onto the sterilizing component generated by the plasma generating unit, and is characterized in that the light irradiating unit is disposed downstream of the plasma generating unit. According to the sterilization device of the present invention, the sterilizing component generated from the electrodes in the plasma generating unit is irradiated with light from the light irradiation unit, and after sterilization, the sterilizing component is separated in the separation unit, thereby making it possible to achieve a state in which the sterilizing component is reduced. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, a sterilization system, a sterilization method, and a sterilization device capable of reducing the sterilizing component of a liquid can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a sterilization system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a sterilization system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3]FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a sterilization system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a sterilization system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sterilization system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The method of the present invention will be substituted by the following description of the configuration and operation of the system. The embodiment shows an example of a sterilization system. The sterilization system according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and the sterilization system according to the embodiment may be modified within the scope of the gist described in the claims.

[0019] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a sterilization system 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] [Sterilization System 1A] As shown in FIG. 1, a sterilization system 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a water tank 2, a sterilizing component supplying means 3a, a sterilizing means 4, a separating means 5, a liquid 6, and a flow path 7 through which the liquid 6 flows. Each component of the sterilization system 1A of this embodiment will be described below.

[0021] [Aquarium] The water tank 2 is a place where the liquid 6a supplied to the sterilizing component supplying means 3a is processed by the sterilizing means 4 and the separating means 5 to separate the sterilized liquid 6d, and is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of storing the liquid 6.

[0022] [Bactericidal component supply means] The sterilizing component supplying means 3a is a means for adding the sterilizing component 33 to the supplied liquid 6a. There are no particular limitations on the means as long as it is a means for adding a substance having the sterilizing component 33 to the liquid 6a. In this embodiment, the sterilizing component supplying means 3a includes a plasma generating unit 31 and a bubble generating unit 32.

[0023] <Plasma generating section> The plasma generating section 31 is a section that generates plasma by applying a voltage to an electrode. The plasma generating unit 31 has a pair of electrodes, which are arranged in contact with the liquid 6a. When power is supplied from a power source (not shown) to the pair of electrodes, a voltage is applied to the electrodes to generate plasma, which is then supplied to the liquid 6a. When the liquid 6a is treated by the plasma generating unit 31, the liquid 6a can be sterilized by the plasma.

[0024] Furthermore, the material of the electrodes of plasma generating unit 31 is not particularly limited as long as it can generate plasma, but titanium, tungsten, etc. are preferably used. By using electrodes made of these materials, titanium oxide or tungsten oxide, which is sterilizing component 33, is generated from the electrodes when plasma is generated, and sterilizing component 33 can be supplied to liquid 6a, which is preferable.

[0025] Furthermore, rather than adding titanium oxide or tungsten oxide as the sterilizing component 33 to the liquid 6a from an external inlet (not shown), titanium oxide or tungsten oxide generated from an electrode by plasma has the effect of supplying uniform sterilizing component 33 with small particles to the liquid 6a.

[0026] <Bubble generating section> The bubble generating unit 32 has a function of mixing the liquid 6a with the sterilizing component 33. The bubble generating unit 32 is disposed in the vicinity of the plasma generating unit 31. The bubble generating unit 32 is not particularly limited as long as it is a means for generating bubbles, but it may be a constricting portion such as an orifice that is partially narrower than the other flow paths in the flow path of the liquid 6, and generate bubbles by generating cavitation. Furthermore, by continuously providing constricting portions such as orifices, the sterilizing component 33 is mixed with the liquid 6a, and the concentration of the sterilizing component 33 can be made uniform.

[0027] The air bubble generating section 32 can also be used for nutrient production. When air or nitrogen is introduced into the flow path 7 through which the liquid 6a passes, the air or nitrogen is dissolved in the liquid 6a upstream of the sterilizing component supplying means 3a.

[0028] In this state, by generating plasma in the plasma generating unit 31 and generating cavitation in the bubble generating unit 32, the nitrogen components in the bubbles react with the plasma to generate nitrogen radicals. The generated nitrogen radicals react with hydrogen radicals and oxygen radicals to generate nitrogen compounds (e.g., nitric acid). These nitrogen compounds are also used as nutrients. Furthermore, by providing the bubble generating section 32 with a series of throttle sections such as orifices, the nutrients can be agitated with the liquid 6a, and the concentration of the nutrients can be made uniform.

[0029] [Sterilization means] The sterilization means 4 sterilizes the liquid 6b by making the sterilizing component 33 in the liquid 6b containing the sterilizing component 33 act as a photocatalyst. When the sterilizing component 33 acts as a photocatalyst, an oxidizing power is generated on the surface of the sterilizing component 33, and harmful substances such as organic compounds and bacteria in the liquid 6 that it comes into contact with can be removed. In this embodiment, the sterilization means 4 has a light irradiation unit 41.

[0030] The light irradiation unit 41 may irradiate the sterilizing component 33 with light of a wavelength capable of sterilizing the liquid 6b as a photocatalyst, and may contain light of other wavelengths. The light is not limited to visible light, but also includes ultraviolet light and infrared light. The light irradiation unit 41 is disposed in a location separate from the water tank 2. There are no particular limitations on the location of the light source of the light irradiation unit 41, but it is preferable to dispose the light source in the liquid 6b containing the sterilizing component 33, since this allows the sterilizing component 33 to be efficiently irradiated with light. When the bactericidal component 33 is titanium oxide, the light is preferably ultraviolet light. This is preferable because it provides the bactericidal effects of both the ultraviolet light bactericidal effect on the liquid 6 and the photocatalytic effect of the titanium oxide of the bactericidal component 33.

[0031] [Separation means] The separation means 5 has a separation section 51. The separation section 51 separates the sterilizing component 33 from the post-sterilization liquid 6c containing the sterilizing component. The separation means of the separation section 51 is not particularly limited, and filtration using a filter, sedimentation separation, centrifugation, etc. can be used.

[0032] [liquid] The liquid 6 is a target for sterilization, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a liquid, but examples of the liquid include a mixture of water and organic matter, and a mixture of water and bacteria.

[0033] [Flow path] The flow path 7 is a portion through which the liquid 6 flows. The flow path 7 connects the water tank 2, the sterilizing component supplying means 3a, the sterilizing means 4, and the separating means 5 so that the liquid 6 flows therethrough, and any structure that allows the liquid 6 to flow can be used.

[0034] [Other configurations] When a means for generating bubbles by cavitation is applied as the bubble generating unit 32, a pump (not shown) is disposed somewhere in the flow path 7.

[0035] [Explanation of the process of sterilization system 1A] The process of the sterilization system 1A will be described. In the sterilization system 1A, a liquid 6a to be sterilized is supplied to a sterilizing component supply means 3a. In the liquid 6a, plasma is generated by the plasma generating unit 31 of the sterilizing component supplying means 3a, and sterilizing component 33 is generated by the plasma in a state in which bubbles are supplied to the liquid 6a by the bubble generating unit 32. Then, the liquid 6a becomes liquid 6b containing the sterilizing component 33 generated by the electrodes of the plasma generating unit 31. This process is referred to as the sterilizing component supplying process.

[0036] Thereafter, the sterilizing component 33 in the liquid 6b after the sterilization treatment using the plasma containing the sterilizing component 33 is irradiated with light by the light irradiating section 41 of the sterilizing means 4, and the sterilizing component 33 acts on the liquid b as a photocatalyst to sterilize the liquid. This process is referred to as the sterilization process.

[0037] Next, the liquid 6c sterilized by the photocatalyst is separated into the liquid 6 and the sterilizing component 33 in the separation section 51 of the separation means 5. This process is referred to as the separation process.

[0038] The sterilized liquid 6d from which the sterilizing component 33 has been separated is supplied to the water tank 2, and the liquid 6 is stored in the water tank 2. This process is referred to as a storage process. This completes the process of the sterilization system 1A of this embodiment.

[0039] [Second embodiment] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization system 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that, among the configurations of the sterilization system 1B according to this embodiment, the description of the same components as those of the sterilization system 1A according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0040] [Sterilization System 1B] Sterilization system 1B of this embodiment differs from sterilization system 1A of the first embodiment in that sterilizing component supply means 3a is different from sterilization system 1A of the first embodiment. Sterilizing component supply means 3b of sterilization system 1B of this embodiment has a sterilizing component source supply unit 34 instead of plasma generation unit 31, and further has a microwave generation unit 42.

[0041] [Bactericidal component raw supply department] Sterilizing component raw material supply unit 34 adds powdered titanium oxide or tungsten oxide to liquid 6a from an external inlet (not shown) as sterilizing component raw material 35. Sterilizing component raw material 35 added from sterilizing component raw material supply unit 34 is agitated by bubbles generated by a restricting portion such as an orifice of bubble generation unit 32, and becomes liquid 6b1 containing sterilizing component raw material 35.

[0042] [Microwave generation section] Microwave generator 42 irradiates liquid 6b1 with microwaves. The microwaves hit sterilizing component raw material 35 supplied from sterilizing component raw material supply unit 34, generating plasma. At this time, sterilizing component 33 (titanium oxide, tungsten oxide) is produced from sterilizing component raw material 35. The application of microwaves to sterilizing component raw material 35 to generate plasma has the effect of making sterilizing component raw material 35 into uniform particles of sterilizing component 33. As a result, liquid 6b2 containing sterilizing component 33 is obtained. This microwave generating unit heats the target area uniformly, which makes it easier for the sterilizing component particles to grow into a spherical shape. Therefore, while heating with a general heater causes uneven temperatures and results in non-uniform particles, the microwave generating unit can form particles with a uniform diameter.

[0043] [Explanation of the process of sterilization system 1B] The process of the sterilization system 1B will be described below. Note that the description of the same process as that of the sterilization system 1A will be omitted.

[0044] In the sterilization system 1B, a liquid 6a to be sterilized is supplied to a sterilizing component supply means 3b. This step is referred to as a liquid supplying step. The liquid 6a is supplied with sterilizing component raw material 35 by sterilizing component raw material supply section 34 of sterilizing component supply means 3b. The liquid 6a is then stirred by air bubble generator 32 to become liquid 6b1 containing sterilizing component raw material 35. This process is referred to as the sterilizing component raw material supply process. Next, microwaves are supplied to liquid 6b1 from microwave generator 42, and the microwaves impinge on sterilizing component source 35 to generate plasma, thereby generating sterilizing component 33. Then, liquid 6b2 containing sterilizing component 33 is generated. This process is referred to as the sterilizing component generating process. Thereafter, the sterilization step, the separation step, and the storage step are performed, completing the processing of the sterilization system 1B.

[0045] [Third embodiment] 3 is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization system 1C according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Note that, among the configurations of the sterilization system 1C according to this embodiment, the description of the same components as those of the sterilization system 1A according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0046] [Sterilization System 1C] This embodiment differs from the sterilization system 1A in the first embodiment in that the water tank 2 is a water tank for growing plants, the liquid 6 contains fertilizer for plants, the flow path 7 is a circulation flow path, a liquid fertilizer sterilization tank is provided, and a liquid fertilizer supplying means is provided. The sterilization system 1C in this embodiment further includes a water tank 2C, a liquid 60, a flow path 7C, and a liquid fertilizer sterilization tank unit 8.

[0047] [Aquarium] The water tank 2C is a water tank for hydroponic cultivation for growing plants, and is not particularly limited as long as it has a structure capable of storing liquid 60. The water tank 2C can be applied to a method called solid medium cultivation, which uses a medium, in addition to hydroponic cultivation, which does not use a medium. The plant 20 in the water tank 2C is supplied with light necessary for the growth of the plant 20.

[0048] [liquid] The liquid 60 is liquid fertilizer containing water in which nutrients necessary for plant growth have been dissolved. The liquid 60 is supplied from the water tank 2C to the sterilizing component supplying means 3a, and then sterilized by the sterilizing means 4. After the sterilizing means 4, the sterilizing component 33 is separated from the liquid 60c by the separating means 5 and returned to the water tank 2C. In other words, the liquid 60 is sterilized and recycled.

[0049] [Flow path] The flow path 7C is a flow path through which the liquid 60 flows, connecting the water tank 2C, the sterilizing component supplying means 3a, and the liquid fertilizer sterilizing tank section 8 including the sterilizing means 4 and the separating means 5 so as to circulate the liquid 60. A pump (not shown) is installed in the flow path 7C to circulate the liquid 60.

[0050] [Liquid fertilizer sterilization tank] The liquid fertilizer sterilization tank section 8 is a tank in which the liquid 60b containing the sterilizing component 33 is stored, and is not particularly limited as long as it has a structure capable of storing the liquid. The liquid fertilizer sterilization tank section 8 has a structure capable of storing the liquid 60b in a location separate from the water tank 2C. In this embodiment, the liquid fertilizer sterilization tank section 8 has a structure including a light irradiation section 41, a separation section 51, and a liquid fertilizer supply section 81.

[0051] The liquid fertilizer sterilization tank section 8 is where the processing by the sterilization means 4 and the separation means 5 is carried out, and after the sterilization means 4 is carried out and the sterilizing component 33 is separated from the liquid 60c by the separation means 5, the liquid 60d is returned to the water tank 2C. Thus, the fertilizer in the liquid 60 is circulated through the flow path 7C and reused. Because the separation means 5 separates the sterilizing component 33, there is an effect of reducing the risk of the sterilizing component 33 having an adverse effect on the plant 20.

[0052] Furthermore, by performing the sterilization means 4 in the liquid fertilizer sterilization tank section 8 separate from the water tank 2C, it is possible to prevent the light from the light irradiating section 41 of the sterilization means 4 from being irradiated onto the plants 20. In particular, when ultraviolet light is used as the light from the light irradiating section 41, it is possible to simultaneously obtain the sterilization of the liquid 60b by ultraviolet light and the sterilization effect of the photocatalyst of the sterilizing component 33, which makes it possible to suppress the growth of algae and reduce the risk of adverse effects on the growth of the plants 20 caused by exposure of the plants 20 to ultraviolet light.

[0053] Moreover, the liquid fertilizer sterilization tank section 8 is provided with a liquid fertilizer supply section 81, which can add fertilizer to the liquid 60 and adjust the concentration of the fertilizer.

[0054] [Explanation of the process of sterilization system 1C] The process of the sterilization system 1C will be described below. Note that the description of the same process as that of the sterilization system 1A will be omitted.

[0055] In the sterilization system 1C, the liquid 60a to be sterilized is supplied from a water tank 2C to a sterilizing component supplying means 3a. This process is referred to as a liquid supplying process. The liquid 60a is subjected to a sterilizing component supplying step, and the liquid 60b containing the sterilizing component 33 is sent to the liquid fertilizer sterilizing tank section 8 and subjected to a sterilizing step.

[0056] Next, liquid 60c containing sterilized sterilizing component 33 is subjected to a separation process, and then liquid 60d from which sterilizing component 33 has been separated and sterilized is supplied to water tank 2C, and liquid 60 is stored in water tank 2C. This process is referred to as a storage process.

[0057] After the sterilizing component supplying step and before the storing step, a fertilizer amount necessary for growing the plant 20 may be supplied from the liquid fertilizer supplying section 81. This step is referred to as a fertilizer supplying step. In this manner, the liquid 60 circulates and the process of the sterilization system 1C of this embodiment is completed.

[0058] [Fourth embodiment] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization system 1D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Note that, among the configurations of the sterilization system 1D according to this embodiment, the description of the same components as those of the sterilization system 1C according to the third embodiment will be omitted.

[0059] [Sterilization System 1D] This embodiment differs from the sterilization system 1C in the third embodiment in that it includes an air bubble supply unit 9 and further includes a nitrogen source supply unit 10. The sterilization system 1D of this embodiment further includes the air bubble supply unit 9 and the nitrogen source supply unit 10.

[0060] [Air bubble supply section] The air bubble supplying unit 9 is a part that generates air bubbles to be supplied to the plant 20. As the means for generating air bubbles, a means having the same structure as the air bubble generating unit 32 can be applied. By disposing the air bubble supplying unit 9 between the water tank 2C and the separating means 5, the generated air bubbles can be efficiently supplied to the plant 20, and there is an effect that the growth of the plant 20 can be promoted.

[0061] [Nitrogen source supply unit] The nitrogen source supplying unit 10 is disposed between the water tank 2C and the plasma generating unit 31, and supplies a nitrogen source to the liquid 60. As the nitrogen source, nitrogen in a gaseous state or air can be used. When the liquid 60 contains a nitrogen source, and plasma is generated in the plasma generating unit 31, active species such as OH radicals and NO radicals are generated, and there is an effect that nitric acid components, which serve as fertilizer for plants, can be produced from the nitrogen and oxygen of the nitrogen source in the liquid 60.

[0062] [Explanation of the process of the sterilization system 1D] The process of the sterilization system 1D will be described below. The description of the same process as that of the sterilization system 1C will be omitted.

[0063] The sterilization system 1D performs a liquid supplying step. During this step, the nitrogen source supply unit 10 supplies a nitrogen source to the liquid 60a before the liquid 60 is supplied to the sterilizing component supplying means 3a. This step is referred to as the nitrogen source supplying step. Next, the disinfectant supply process is carried out. During this process, nitrate, which serves as fertilizer, is produced from the nitrogen source and oxygen.

[0064] Thereafter, the liquid 60b containing the sterilizing component 33 is sent to the liquid fertilizer sterilizing tank section 8, where a sterilizing process and a separation process are carried out.

[0065] Before the liquid 60d not containing the sterilizing component 33 is supplied to the water tank 2C, the air bubble supplying unit 9 supplies air bubbles to the liquid 60d. This process is referred to as an air bubble supplying process.

[0066] Thereafter, as a result of the storage step, the liquid 60 containing air bubbles is supplied to the plants and circulated, completing the treatment of the sterilization system 1D of this embodiment.

[0067] The above-described embodiment shows an example of a sterilization system. The sterilization system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the sterilization system according to the above-described embodiment may be modified within the scope of the gist of the claims.

[0068] Furthermore, a sterilization device is configured that includes a plasma generating unit that generates plasma by applying light to the titanium electrode or tungsten electrode in the above-mentioned embodiment, a light irradiating unit that irradiates light to the sterilizing component generated by the plasma generating unit, and a separation unit that separates the sterilizing component, and is characterized in that the light irradiating unit is disposed downstream of the plasma generating unit and the separation unit is disposed downstream of the light irradiating unit. [Industrial Applicability]

[0069] The sterilization system of the present invention is used for the purpose of sterilizing liquids, for example, for treating wastewater discharged from homes and factories, and for breeding water in fish pens. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are a sterilization system, 2 and 2C are water tanks, 3a and 3b are sterilizing component supplying means, 31 is a plasma generating unit, 32 is a bubble generating unit, 33 is a sterilizing component, 34 is a sterilizing component raw supplying unit, 4 is a sterilizing means, 41 is a light irradiation unit, 42 is a microwave generating unit, 5 is a separation means, 51 is a separation unit, 6a, 6b, 6b1, 6b2, 6c, and 6d are liquids, 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d are liquids, 7 and 7C are flow paths, 8 is a liquid fertilizer sterilization tank unit, 81 is a liquid fertilizer supplying unit, 9 is a bubble supplying unit, 10 is a nitrogen source supplying unit, and 20 is a plant.

Claims

1. a sterilizing component supplying means for supplying a sterilizing component for sterilizing the liquid; A separation means for separating the liquid from the sterilizing component; A water tank for storing the liquid; Equipped with The sterilizing component supplying means includes a sterilizing component source supplying unit that supplies a sterilizing component source to the liquid, and a microwave generating unit that irradiates the sterilizing component source with microwaves to generate a sterilizing component from the sterilizing component source, The bactericidal component is a photocatalyst, A sterilization system, characterized in that the liquid is supplied to the water tank after the sterilizing component has been separated by the separating means.

2. 2. The sterilization system according to claim 1, wherein the water tank is a water tank for growing plants.

3. The sterilization system according to claim 1 , wherein the sterilizing component supplying means includes a light irradiating unit that irradiates the sterilizing component with light.

4. 4. The sterilization system according to claim 3, further comprising a nitrogen source supply unit for supplying air or nitrogen to a stage preceding the sterilizing component supply means.

5. The sterilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a throttle section for generating air bubbles is disposed upstream of the water tank.

6. a sterilizing component supplying step of supplying a sterilizing component for sterilizing the liquid; a separation step of separating the liquid from the sterilizing component; A storing step of storing the liquid in a water tank, The sterilizing component supplying step includes a sterilizing component source supplying step of supplying a sterilizing component source to the liquid, and a sterilizing component generating step of irradiating the sterilizing component source with microwaves to generate a sterilizing component from the sterilizing component source, The bactericidal component is a photocatalyst, A sterilization method comprising: supplying the liquid to the water tank after the sterilizing component has been separated in the separation step.

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