Composting methods

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method for compost that allows for labor saving and automation.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method for compost comprises the steps of: storing an organic material in a container 10; producing a mixed component 11 by mixing, in the container 10, specified microorganisms having the capability to ferment the organic material with the organic material or causing natural fermentation in the organic material; promoting the fermentation by the specified microorganisms by applying red light to the mixed component 11; and inhibiting the fermentation by the specified microorganisms by applying blue light to the mixed component 11 when the temperature inside the container 10 has reached a predetermined threshold temperature. The manufacturing method repeats the cycle from the step of promoting the fermentation by applying red light to the step of inhibiting the fermentation by applying blue light plural times.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates to a method for producing compost. [Background technology]

[0002] Food manufacturers, restaurants, and even ordinary households generate enormous amounts of organic waste, such as food scraps, on a daily basis. Furthermore, the livestock industry routinely produces manure (a type of organic waste) from livestock. While methods for disposing of organic waste include incineration and landfilling on industrial waste sites, these methods create various social problems, including air pollution, foul odors, and the need to secure land for industrial waste disposal.

[0003] As a way to effectively utilize such organic waste rather than simply disposing of it, methods such as the decomposition and fermentation of organic matter by microorganisms, known as food waste treatment, have been attracting attention in recent years. Furthermore, the production of compost using microbial fermentation with organic waste is also being actively researched and developed.

[0004] There are two methods, or a hybrid of these, for producing compost from organic waste. (1) Dry type This method reduces the volume of organic waste by drying it with high-temperature hot air. Composting is possible in about 24 hours, but it requires a large amount of electricity for drying and has the problem of significantly reducing the number of microorganisms in the organic waste. (2) Bio-type This method involves decomposing organic waste using microorganisms (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Compost is produced after decomposition. Disadvantages include the fact that complete composting takes a long time, more than a week, and problems such as spoilage during the composting process can occur. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-10669 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Composting methods that utilize the decomposition and fermentation of organic waste by microorganisms are excellent for treating organic waste, as they address environmental issues that have become a concern in recent years. However, they have the drawback of requiring a long production period. Furthermore, the turning process is labor-intensive, and automating it would require complex composting equipment.

[0007] This disclosure was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a method for producing compost in a shorter period of time by irradiating microorganisms with light of a specific wavelength and appropriately adjusting the promotion and inhibition of fermentation by the microorganisms. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The method for producing compost disclosed herein is: The process of placing organic materials into a container, A step of producing a mixed member by mixing the organic material with a specific microorganism having the property of fermenting the organic material in the container, or a step of causing natural fermentation to occur within the organic material, A step of irradiating the mixed material with red light to promote fermentation by the specific microorganism, A step of irradiating the mixing member with blue light to suppress fermentation by the specific microorganism when the temperature inside the container reaches a preset threshold temperature, Equipped with, The method is characterized by repeating multiple steps from the step of promoting fermentation by irradiation with red light to the step of suppressing fermentation by irradiation with blue light. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the compost manufacturing method disclosed in the present application, the effect of manufacturing compost in a shorter period is achieved. Further, the effect of obtaining a compost manufacturing method that is labor-saving and easy to automate is also achieved.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a process diagram for explaining the compost manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining the container 10 used in the compost manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the compost manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] It is a process diagram for explaining the compost manufacturing method according to a modification of Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram for explaining the compost manufacturing method according to Embodiment 2.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing each step of the compost manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the container 10 used in the compost manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the compost manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1. The compost manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1 will be described using FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0012] Hereinafter, the compost manufacturing method according to Embodiment 1 will be described step by step. First, an organic material is stored in a container 10 for manufacturing compost. Examples of organic materials include agricultural wastes such as rice straw, wheat straw, rice husks, soybean hulls, buckwheat husks, manure of livestock such as cows, pigs, horses, chickens, bark, and food waste.

[0013] In container 10, the above-mentioned organic materials are mixed with specific microorganisms necessary for compost production to produce a mixed material 11. The specific microorganisms act to ferment the organic materials. Examples of specific microorganisms include filamentous fungi, actinomycetes, yeasts, and lactic acid bacteria. Alternatively, this process may be replaced with a process that induces natural fermentation within the organic materials.

[0014] After the mixed component 11 is produced, the mixed component 11 in the container 10 is heated to a predetermined temperature. This is to promote fermentation by specific microorganisms. However, the step of heating to the predetermined temperature may be omitted.

[0015] During the production of compost, multiple turning operations are performed, as described below. Turning is a stirring operation in the compost production process to exchange the inside and outside of the pile of the aforementioned mixed material 11 accumulated in the container 10 within a certain period of time. The turning operation is generally repeated multiple times during the compost production process.

[0016] In the process diagram of the composting method shown in Figure 1, the steps enclosed by the dashed lines represent the steps required for one turning operation (turning cycle). In other words, the steps enclosed by the dashed lines are repeated multiple times.

[0017] First, a red light source 15 installed outside the container 10 is transmitted to the mixing member 11 through the window 10a of the container 10, with a peak wavelength λ r By irradiating with red light in the wavelength range λ, the fermentation of specific microorganisms contained in the mixed material 11 is promoted. Peak wavelength of red light λ r The wavelength range is from 600 nm to 800 nm. A red light source 15 can be a red light-emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as a red LED). In addition to a red LED, a red semiconductor laser (hereinafter referred to as a red LD) may also be used.

[0018] It is known that irradiating certain types of microorganisms with red light activates them and promotes fermentation. This disclosure aims to shorten the compost production period by utilizing the characteristics of such microorganisms to accelerate compost fermentation.

[0019] As the compost fermentation progresses, the mixing component 11 generates heat. The heat generated during fermentation simultaneously dries the material, thus accelerating composting. However, as the compost fermentation progresses, oxygen becomes depleted inside the mixing component 11. If the compost fermentation progresses excessively, problems can occur, such as the death of certain microorganisms due to the heat generation or a decrease in the activity of certain microorganisms due to oxygen depletion.

[0020] Therefore, when the temperature inside the container 10 reaches a preset threshold temperature T, the above-described reversal operation is performed. If the reversal operation is performed automatically when the threshold temperature T is reached, for example by a reversal mechanism (not shown) installed inside the container 10, the work can be reduced.

[0021] After turning, the blue light source 16 installed outside the container 10 is transmitted to the mixing member 11 through the window 10a, with a peak wavelength λ b The fermentation of specific microorganisms contained in the mixed material 11 is suppressed by irradiating it with blue light in the wavelength range λ. b The wavelength range is from 450 nm to 550 nm. A blue light source 16 can be a blue light-emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as a blue LED). In addition to a blue LED, a blue semiconductor laser (hereinafter referred to as a blue LD) may also be used.

[0022] The reason for inhibiting fermentation with blue light is to mitigate the harmful effects caused by excessive fermentation as described above. It is also known that irradiating certain microorganisms with blue light inhibits their fermentation activity.

[0023] The process involving the turning described above is repeated multiple times until the compost is finally completed. Note that as the number of turning operations increases, the degree of heat generation of the mixed material 11 decreases, so it is desirable to lower the threshold temperature T with each subsequent turning operation compared to the threshold temperature T of the previous turning operation. Compost is completed through the above steps.

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a composting method according to Embodiment 1. In the example shown in Figure 3, a total of three turning operations are performed. In the figure, the solid line shows an example of a composting method according to the present disclosure, and the dashed line shows a comparative example in which red and blue light irradiation is not performed.

[0025] First, in the first cycle, the mixed member 11 has a peak wavelength λ r When red light in the wavelength range is irradiated, fermentation by specific microorganisms is promoted, and the temperature of the mixed material 11 rises rapidly to the threshold temperature T1. The first turning operation is performed when the threshold temperature T1 is reached. After turning, the mixed material 11 is irradiated with a peak wavelength λ b The fermentation is suppressed by irradiating the mixture with blue light in the specified wavelength range. As a result, the temperature of the mixed component 11 drops rapidly.

[0026] The second cycle begins when the temperature of the mixing component 11 drops to the temperature at the start of compost production. In other words, the mixing component 11 has a peak wavelength λ r When red light in the wavelength range is irradiated, fermentation by specific microorganisms is promoted, and the temperature of the mixed material 11 rises rapidly to the threshold temperature T2. When the threshold temperature T2 is reached, the second turning operation is performed. After the turning operation, the mixed material 11 is irradiated with a peak wavelength λ b The fermentation is suppressed by irradiating the mixture with blue light in the specified wavelength range. As a result, the temperature of the mixed component 11 drops rapidly.

[0027] In addition, the threshold temperature T2 in the second cycle is set to a temperature lower than the threshold temperature T1 in the first cycle. In the first cycle, the fermentation of the mixing member 11 has proceeded to a certain extent. Therefore, in the second cycle, heat generation due to fermentation does not occur as much as in the first cycle.

[0028] [[ID=৪]]When the temperature of the mixing member 11 drops to the temperature at the start of compost production, the third cycle is started. That is, when the mixing member 11 is irradiated with red light in the wavelength range of the peak wavelength λ r fermentation by specific microorganisms is promoted, the temperature of the mixing member 11 rises rapidly, and the threshold temperature T3 is reached. When the threshold temperature T3 is reached, the third switching operation is performed. After the switching operation, the mixing member 11 is irradiated with blue light in the wavelength range of the peak wavelength λ b to suppress fermentation. As a result, the temperature of the mixing member 11 drops rapidly. "

[0029] In addition, the threshold temperature T3 in the third cycle is set to a temperature even lower than the threshold temperature T2 in the second cycle. In the first and second cycles, the fermentation of the mixing member 11 has proceeded considerably. Therefore, in the third cycle, heat generation due to fermentation does not occur as much as in the second cycle. By performing the above three cycles, that is, three switching operations, the compost is completed.

[0030] On the other hand, in the comparative example, before and after each switching operation, the promotion and suppression of fermentation are gentler compared to the compost production method according to the present disclosure, so it takes a long time to complete the compost.

[0031] <Effect of Embodiment 1> As described above, according to the compost production method according to Embodiment 1, fermentation by microorganisms is promoted by irradiation with red light, while fermentation by microorganisms after the switching operation is suppressed by irradiation with blue light. Therefore, the effect of shortening the period required for compost production is achieved.

[0032] Modification of Embodiment 1. Figure 4 is a process diagram illustrating a method for producing compost according to a modified example of Embodiment 1. The difference between the method for producing compost according to the modified example of Embodiment 1 and the method for producing compost according to Embodiment 1 is that it does not involve a turning operation that includes so-called stirring, and uses red light λ r and blue light λ b The key feature is that the turning operation is virtually performed solely through irradiation.

[0033] In the composting method according to the modified embodiment of Embodiment 1, the steps from placing organic materials in the container 10 to raising the mixing member 11 inside the container 10 to a set temperature are the same, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0034] In the hypothetical reversal process enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 4, first, a red light source 15 installed outside the container 10 is transmitted to the mixing member 11 through the window 10a of the container 10, with a peak wavelength λ r By irradiating with red light in the wavelength range, the fermentation of specific microorganisms contained in the mixed material 11 is promoted.

[0035] As the compost fermentation progresses, the mixing component 11 generates heat. When the temperature inside the container 10 reaches a preset threshold temperature T, a blue light source 16 installed outside the container 10 emits a peak wavelength λ through the window 10a onto the mixing component 11. b By irradiating with blue light in the wavelength range, the fermentation of specific microorganisms contained in the mixed material 11 is suppressed.

[0036] The above is a virtual turning process. By repeating this virtual turning process multiple times, the compost is completed. In the above compost manufacturing method, fermentation is suppressed by irradiation with blue light, the temperature decreases and the moisture content increases, so a virtual turning process can be performed by irradiating with blue light. In other words, the preparation of a heat source for drying the mixed materials and the turning process that involves stirring can be omitted.

[0037] <Effects of the modified example of Embodiment 1> As described above, the compost manufacturing method according to the modified embodiment of Embodiment 1 is achieved by virtually performing the turning process solely by irradiation with red and blue light. This eliminates the need for turning operations that involve stirring, thus resulting in labor savings and enabling automation.

[0038] Embodiment 2. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the composting method according to Embodiment 2. The decomposition rate of organic matter varies depending on the substance, and the microorganisms involved also differ. In the composting method according to Embodiment 2, the wavelength irradiated to each microorganism in a group of specific microorganisms is limited, and the intensity of the irradiated light is controlled to spatially and temporally control the active microorganisms, thereby enabling efficient fermentation and decomposition.

[0039] In the example shown in Figure 5, four specific microorganisms, S1, S2, S3, and S4, are listed. Each of the four specific microorganisms has a different peak wavelength of irradiation light at which fermentation efficiency is highest. Note that a different peak wavelength means that the wavelength range of the irradiation light is also different. Specific microorganism S1 has the highest fermentation efficiency in the wavelength range of peak wavelength λ1, specific microorganism S2 in the wavelength range of peak wavelength λ2, specific microorganism S3 in the wavelength range of peak wavelength λ3, and specific microorganism S4 in the wavelength range of peak wavelength λ4. The relative magnitudes of each peak wavelength are shown below. λ1>λ2>λ3>λ4(1)

[0040] As an irradiation method, the mixed material 11 containing four types of specific microorganisms may be simultaneously irradiated from four different light sources, each with a peak wavelength of λ1, λ2, λ3, and λ4.

[0041] Alternatively, in each cycle of the switching operation, one of the four types of light sources in different wavelength ranges may be used for irradiation, and a total of four cycles may be performed to irradiate with light sources in all peak wavelength ranges.

[0042] Furthermore, the irradiation order of the four different wavelength ranges can be adjusted, starting with the light source with the longer peak wavelength and progressing to the light source with the shorter peak wavelength. In the example above, the light source with peak wavelength λ1 is irradiated first, followed by peak wavelengths λ2, λ3, and λ4. Shorter wavelength light generally has strong bactericidal properties, so there is a risk of unintentionally killing and significantly reducing other specific microorganisms that are not the ones that should be promoting fermentation. Therefore, by irradiating sequentially from the light source with the longer peak wavelength as described above, fermentation can be stably promoted by the irradiation light of each peak wavelength.

[0043] The example above described the case of four specific microorganisms, but the case where there are even more types of specific microorganisms will be explained below.

[0044] Suppose there are n specific microorganisms, and each specific microorganism has a different wavelength range of irradiation light at which fermentation is most efficient. For example, the peak wavelength of irradiation light at which fermentation is most efficient for the k-th specific microorganism (1≦k≦n) is λ k In this case, the k-th (1≦k≦n) specific microorganism has a peak wavelength of λ. k The process of promoting fermentation by the k-th specific microorganism by irradiating it with light can be repeated n times for each specific microorganism, from the first specific microorganism to the nth specific microorganism, thereby promoting fermentation by each specific microorganism.

[0045] Furthermore, each of the n peak wavelengths is λ1>λ2>···>λ n If such a relationship exists, the process of promoting fermentation by each specific microorganism may be carried out in order of increasing peak wavelength, starting with the first specific microorganism and ending with the nth specific microorganism.

[0046] <Effects of Embodiment 2> As described above, the compost manufacturing method according to Embodiment 2 efficiently promotes fermentation by irradiating each microorganism with light in the wavelength range corresponding to its peak wavelength, thus enabling compost production with even greater efficiency.

[0047] <Summary of the various aspects of this application> The various aspects of this application are summarized below as an appendix.

[0048] (Note 1) The process of placing organic materials into a container, A step of producing a mixed member by mixing the organic material with a specific microorganism having the property of fermenting the organic material in the container, or a step of causing natural fermentation to occur within the organic material, A step of irradiating the mixed material with red light to promote fermentation by the specific microorganism, The method includes a step of irradiating the mixing member with blue light to suppress fermentation by the specific microorganism when the temperature inside the container reaches a preset threshold temperature, A method for producing compost, characterized by repeating multiple steps from the step of promoting fermentation by irradiation with red light to the step of suppressing fermentation by irradiation with blue light.

[0049] (Note 2) The process of placing organic materials into a container, A step of producing a mixed member by mixing the organic material with a specific microorganism having the property of fermenting the organic material in the container, or a step of causing natural fermentation to occur within the organic material, A step of irradiating the mixed material with red light to promote fermentation by the specific microorganism, The process of turning over the mixed material when the temperature inside the container reaches a predetermined threshold temperature, The process includes a step of irradiating the mixed material after the turning operation with blue light to suppress fermentation by the specific microorganisms, A method for producing compost, characterized by repeating multiple steps from the step of promoting fermentation by irradiation with red light to the step of suppressing fermentation by irradiation with blue light.

[0050] (Note 3) The method for producing compost according to Appendix 1 or 2, further comprising the step of raising the temperature of the air in the container to a predetermined temperature after the completion of the step of producing the mixed material.

[0051] (Note 4) A method for producing compost according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that the threshold temperature is set lower each time the step of promoting fermentation by irradiation with red light and the step of suppressing fermentation by irradiation with blue light are repeated.

[0052] (Note 5) The method for producing compost according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that the peak wavelength of the red light is in the range of 600 nm to 800 nm.

[0053] (Note 6) The method for producing compost according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that the peak wavelength of the blue light is in the range of 450 nm to 550 nm.

[0054] (Note 7) The method for producing compost according to any one of the appendices 1 to 6, characterized in that the red light source that irradiates the red light is a red LED.

[0055] (Note 8) The method for producing compost according to any one of the appendices 1 to 7, characterized in that the blue light source that emits the aforementioned blue light is a blue LED.

[0056] (Note 9) The method for producing compost according to any one of the appendices 1 to 6, characterized in that the red light source that irradiates the red light is a red LD.

[0057] (Note 10) The method for producing compost according to any one of the appendices 1 to 6, 9, characterized in that the blue light source that irradiates the blue light is a blue LD.

[0058] (Note 11) The process of placing organic materials into a container, A step of producing a mixed member by mixing the organic material with n types of specific microorganisms for fermenting the organic material in the container, The k-th specific microorganism (1≦k≦n) has a peak wavelength of λ k A step to promote fermentation by a specific microorganism of the kth order by irradiating it with light having a certain wavelength range, Equipped with, A method for producing compost, characterized by promoting fermentation by each specific microorganism by repeating the fermentation promotion step n times from the first specific microorganism to the nth specific microorganism.

[0059] (Note 12) The peak wavelengths mentioned above are λ1>λ2>···>λ n They have a relationship, The method for producing compost according to Appendix 11, characterized in that the step of promoting fermentation by the n types of specific microorganisms is started with the first specific microorganism and carried out sequentially from the one with the longest peak wavelength until the step with the nth specific microorganism is completed.

[0060] (Note 13) A method for producing compost according to Appendix 11 or 12, further comprising the step of turning over the mixed material after the step of promoting fermentation by the specified microorganism k.

[0061] While this disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments and examples, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to the application of a particular embodiment, but are applicable individually or in various combinations to the embodiments.

[0062] Accordingly, countless variations not illustrated are conceivable within the scope of the technology disclosed herein. These include, for example, modifications, additions, or omissions of at least one component, as well as the extraction of at least one component and its combination with components of other embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 10 Container, 10a Window section, 11 Mixing component, 15 Red light source, 16 Blue light source

Claims

1. The process of placing organic materials into a container, A step of producing a mixed member by mixing the organic material with a specific microorganism having the property of fermenting the organic material in the container, or a step of causing natural fermentation to occur within the organic material, A step of irradiating the mixed material with red light to promote fermentation by the specific microorganism, The method includes a step of irradiating the mixing member with blue light to suppress fermentation by the specific microorganism when the temperature inside the container reaches a preset threshold temperature, A method for producing compost, characterized by repeating multiple steps from the step of promoting fermentation by irradiation with red light to the step of suppressing fermentation by irradiation with blue light.

2. The process of placing organic materials into a container, A step of producing a mixed member by mixing the organic material with a specific microorganism having the property of fermenting the organic material in the container, or a step of causing natural fermentation to occur within the organic material, A step of irradiating the mixed material with red light to promote fermentation by the specific microorganism, The process of turning over the mixed material when the temperature inside the container reaches a predetermined threshold temperature, The process includes a step of irradiating the mixed material after the turning operation with blue light to suppress fermentation by the specific microorganisms, A method for producing compost, characterized by repeating multiple steps from the step of promoting fermentation by irradiation with red light to the step of suppressing fermentation by irradiation with blue light.

3. The method for producing compost according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of raising the temperature of the air in the container to a predetermined temperature after the completion of the step of producing the mixed material.

4. The method for producing compost according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the threshold temperature is set lower each time the step of promoting fermentation by irradiation with red light and the step of suppressing fermentation by irradiation with blue light are repeated.

5. The method for producing compost according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the peak wavelength of the red light is in the range of 600 nm to 800 nm.

6. The method for producing compost according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the peak wavelength of the blue light is in the range of 450 nm to 550 nm.

7. The method for producing compost according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the red light source that irradiates the red light is a red LED.

8. The method for producing compost according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blue light source that emits the aforementioned blue light is a blue LED.

9. The method for producing compost according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the red light source that irradiates the red light is a red LD.

10. The method for producing compost according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blue light source that irradiates the blue light is a blue LD.

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