Fertilizer production method, information processing device, and fertilizer production program

Abstract

To provide a fertilizer production method, an information processing device, and a fertilizer production program, capable of producing a fertilizer that can promote growth of plants.SOLUTION: A fertilizer production method includes the steps of: extracting, from organic wastewater including a phosphorus component, a nitrogen component, and potassium component, a first solution including at least the phosphorus component, a second solution including at least the nitrogen component, and a third solution including at least the potassium component; ionizing the phosphorus component included in the first solution; and producing a fertilizer from at least one of the first solution including the ionized phosphorus component, the extracted second solution, and the extracted third solution.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fertilizer production method, an information processing apparatus, and a fertilizer production program.

Background Art

[0002] For example, there has emerged a technique for producing an organic fertilizer (hereinafter, also simply referred to as fertilizer) that can be used in plant cultivation by using organic drainage such as fish excrement discharged from a fish culture tank (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a culture tank) (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, in the technical field as described above, for example, it is desired to produce a fertilizer that can further promote the growth of plants. Specifically, for example, it is desired to produce a fertilizer that can improve the absorbability by plants.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The fertilizer production method in the present disclosure includes a step of extracting, from organic drainage containing a phosphorus component, a nitrogen component, and a potassium component, a first solution containing at least the phosphorus component, a second solution containing at least the nitrogen component, and a third solution containing at least the potassium component, respectively; a step of ionizing the phosphorus component contained in the first solution; and a step of producing a fertilizer from at least one of the first solution containing the ionized phosphorus component, the extracted second solution, and the extracted third solution.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The fertilizer production method described herein makes it possible to produce a fertilizer that can promote plant growth. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the fertilizer production system 100 in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the control device 10. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the functions of the control device 10. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the fertilizer production control in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 illustrates a specific example of the mixing ratio information DT. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the fertilizer production system 200 in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this description should not be interpreted as limiting, and will not limit the subject matter described in the claims. Furthermore, various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Different embodiments can also be combined as appropriate.

[0009] [Fertilizer production system 100 in the first embodiment] First, the configuration of the fertilizer production system 100 in the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the fertilizer production system 100 in the first embodiment.

[0010] The fertilizer production system 100 is a system that produces fertilizer (liquid fertilizer) from organic wastewater discharged from, for example, aquaculture tanks (not shown). Organic wastewater is, for example, wastewater containing fish feed (leftovers) and excrement from aquaculture tanks. Hereinafter, the method of producing fertilizer in the fertilizer production system 100 will also be referred to as the fertilizer production method.

[0011] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the fertilizer production system 100 includes, for example, a filtration device 1, an ionizer 2, an ion concentrator 3, a storage tank T0, a storage tank T1, a storage tank T2, a storage tank T3, a storage tank T4, and a storage tank T5.

[0012] The storage tank T0 stores, for example, organic wastewater discharged from an aquaculture tank. Specifically, a pump (not shown) installed in a pipe (not shown) connecting the aquaculture tank and the storage tank T0 continuously supplies, for example, organic wastewater stored in the aquaculture tank to the storage tank T0. The storage tank T0 then sequentially stores, for example, the organic wastewater supplied by the pump.

[0013] The organic wastewater supplied from the aquaculture tanks (organic wastewater stored in storage tank T0) is a liquid containing, for example, phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen components. Specifically, the phosphorus component in the organic wastewater includes, for example, insoluble phosphorus. The potassium component in the organic wastewater includes, for example, ionized potassium (hereinafter simply referred to as potassium ions). Furthermore, the nitrogen component in the organic wastewater includes, for example, ionized nitrate (hereinafter simply referred to as nitrate ions).

[0014] The filtration device 1 performs ultrafiltration of organic wastewater supplied from the storage tank T0 via line L1, for example, by using a filtration membrane (not shown). Line L1 is, for example, a pipe connecting the storage tank T0 and the filtration device 1.

[0015] Specifically, a pump (not shown) provided on line L1 continuously supplies, for example, the organic wastewater stored in storage tank T0 to filtration device 1. Then, filtration device 1 performs ultrafiltration on the supplied organic wastewater, for example, to separate the supplied organic wastewater into a liquid containing potassium and nitrate components (hereinafter also referred to as the permeate) and a liquid containing phosphorus and sludge components (hereinafter also referred to as the phosphorus concentrate or the first solution). That is, filtration device 1 extracts, for example, the liquid that has passed through the filtration membrane as the permeate and extracts the liquid that has not passed through the filtration membrane as the phosphorus concentrate.

[0016] Ionization device 2 ionizes, for example, the phosphorus component contained in the phosphorus concentrate supplied from filtration device 1 via line L2. Line L2 is, for example, a pipe that connects filtration device 1 and ionization device 2.

[0017] Here, ionization device 2 may be, for example, one that ionizes the phosphorus component contained in the phosphorus concentrate by biological treatment.

[0018] Specifically, ionization device 2 may be, for example, one that uses phosphorus-accumulating bacteria to accumulate phosphorus under aerobic conditions and further releases phosphoric acid under anaerobic conditions to recover phosphoric acid ions, which are the ionized phosphorus components (hereinafter also simply referred to as phosphoric acid ions). Also, ionization device 2 may be, for example, one that uses phytase-producing bacteria to change phytic acid in the sludge components contained in the phosphorus concentrate into phosphoric acid to recover phosphoric acid ions, which are the ionized phosphorus components.

[0019] [[ID=*15]] Thereby, ionization device 2 can, for example, suppress the cost required for the recovery of phosphoric acid ions and can also suppress the amount of sludge generated. Also, ionization device 2 can, for example, improve the recovery rate of phosphoric acid ions.

[0020] Further, the ionization device 2 may be configured to elute phosphate ions from sludge by physically pulverizing the sludge contained in the phosphorus concentrate.

[0021] Specifically, the ionization device 2 may be configured to recover the phosphate ions eluted from the sludge by, for example, using a pulverizer, an ultrasonic irradiator, or the like to pulverize the sludge contained in the phosphorus concentrate.

[0022] Thereby, the ionization device 2 can, for example, stably recover phosphate ions.

[0023] Note that the ionization device 2 may use biological treatment and pulverization in combination. Further, the ionization device 2 may be configured to concentrate phosphate ions by performing, for example, dialysis or electrodialysis after recovering phosphate ions by biological treatment or pulverization of sludge.

[0024] The storage tank T1 stores, for example, the phosphorus concentrate supplied from the ionization device 2 via the line L3. The line L3 is, for example, a pipe that connects the ionization device 2 and the storage tank T1. Specifically, a pump (not shown) provided in the line L3 continuously supplies, for example, the phosphorus concentrate supplied from the ionization device 2 to the storage tank T1. Then, the storage tank T1 sequentially stores the phosphorus concentrate supplied by the pump.

[0025] The ion concentration device 3 extracts, for example, a liquid containing nitrate ions, which are anions (hereinafter also referred to as a nitrate concentrate or a second solution), and a liquid containing potassium ions, which are cations (hereinafter also referred to as a potassium concentrate or a third solution), by applying a voltage to the permeate supplied from the filtration device 1 via the line L5. That is, the nitrate concentrate is, for example, a liquid in which the concentration of nitrate ions is higher than that of the phosphorus concentrate and the potassium concentrate, and the potassium concentrate is, for example, a liquid in which the concentration of potassium ions is higher than that of the phosphorus concentrate and the nitrate concentrate. Further, the phosphorus concentrate is, for example, a liquid in which the concentration of phosphate ions is higher than that of the potassium concentrate and the nitrate concentrate.

[0026] Specifically, the ion concentrator 3 includes, for example, a channel (not shown) through which the membrane permeate supplied from the filtration device 1 flows, and a pair of electrodes (not shown) provided on either side of the channel. The ion concentrator 3 generates a potential difference between the pair of electrodes, for example, by using a DC power supply (not shown), thereby moving potassium ions (cations) contained in the dissolved ions of the membrane permeate flowing through the channel to the negative electrode side, and moving nitrate ions (anions) contained in the dissolved ions of the membrane permeate flowing through the channel to the positive electrode side. Subsequently, the ion concentrator 3 extracts, for example, a potassium concentrate containing potassium ions that have moved to the negative electrode side, and a nitrate concentrate containing nitrate ions that have moved to the positive electrode side. The ion concentrator 3 may, for example, extract each solution in a manner similar to that of a known dissolved ion analysis system.

[0027] Furthermore, the ion concentrator 3 may, for example, use a resin capable of adsorbing cations (hereinafter also referred to as the first resin) to adsorb potassium ions (cations) contained in the dissolved ions of the membrane permeate flowing through the channel onto the first resin, and extract a potassium concentrate containing potassium ions adsorbed onto the first resin and a nitrate concentrate containing nitrate ions that were not adsorbed onto the first resin. Alternatively, the ion concentrator 3 may, for example, use a resin capable of adsorbing anions (hereinafter also referred to as the second resin) to adsorb nitrate ions (anions) contained in the dissolved ions of the membrane permeate flowing through the channel onto the second resin, and extract a nitrate concentrate containing nitrate ions adsorbed onto the second resin and a potassium concentrate containing potassium ions that were not adsorbed onto the second resin.

[0028] The storage tank T2 stores, for example, concentrated nitric acid supplied from the ion concentrator 3 via line L6. Line L6 is, for example, piping connecting the ion concentrator 3 and the storage tank T2. Specifically, a pump (not shown) provided on line L6 continuously supplies, for example, concentrated nitric acid supplied from the ion concentrator 3 to the storage tank T2. The storage tank T2 then sequentially stores, for example, the concentrated nitric acid supplied by the pump.

[0029] The storage tank T3 stores, for example, potassium concentrate supplied from the ion concentrator 3 via line L7. Line L7 is, for example, piping connecting the ion concentrator 3 and the storage tank T3. Specifically, a pump (not shown) provided on line L7 continuously supplies, for example, potassium concentrate supplied from the ion concentrator 3 to the storage tank T3. The storage tank T3 then sequentially stores, for example, the potassium concentrate supplied by the pump.

[0030] The storage tank T4 stores wastewater supplied from the ion concentrator 3 via line L8, for example. The wastewater is, for example, organic wastewater remaining after nitric acid concentrate and potassium concentrate have been extracted in the ion concentrator 3. Line L8 is, for example, piping connecting the ion concentrator 3 and the storage tank T4. Specifically, a pump (not shown) provided in line L8 continuously supplies wastewater supplied from the ion concentrator 3 to the storage tank T4, for example. The storage tank T4 then sequentially stores the wastewater supplied by the pump, for example.

[0031] Storage tank T5 stores a mixture (fertilizer) of, for example, phosphorus concentrate supplied from storage tank T1 via line L4, nitrate concentrate supplied from storage tank T2 via line L9, and potassium concentrate supplied from storage tank T3 via line L10. Line L4 is, for example, piping connecting storage tank T1 and storage tank T5. Line L9 is, for example, piping connecting storage tank T2 and storage tank T5. Line L10 is, for example, piping connecting storage tank T3 and storage tank T5.

[0032] In other words, storage tank T5 stores fertilizer produced by mixing, for example, phosphorus concentrate, nitrate concentrate, and potassium concentrate according to a predetermined mixing ratio. The predetermined mixing ratio is determined, for example, by the type of plant that will use the resulting fertilizer.

[0033] Thus, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, for example, the insoluble phosphorus components contained in organic wastewater are ionized in advance before the fertilizer (organic fertilizer) is produced. Specifically, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, for example, the phosphorus components contained in organic wastewater are ionized in advance by biological treatment or physical crushing treatment of sludge.

[0034] As a result, the fertilizer production method in this embodiment makes it possible to produce fertilizers that can shorten the time required for them to become effective compared to fertilizers that are ionized (mineralized) by microorganisms or fungi (hereinafter simply referred to as microorganisms, etc.). Therefore, the fertilizer production method in this embodiment makes it possible to produce fertilizers that can further promote plant growth, for example.

[0035] Furthermore, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, since there is no need to perform ionization by microorganisms, for example, it becomes possible to produce fertilizer that does not contain microorganisms. Therefore, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, it is possible to produce fertilizer that can be used not only in soil cultivation, but also in hydroponic cultivation (hereinafter also simply referred to as hydroponics) carried out in plant factories where sterile management is required.

[0036] In this regard, conventional hydroponic cultivation using fertilizers requires the use of pre-ionized chemical fertilizers to address the issue of insufficient phosphorus absorption caused by, for example, the lack of ionization of phosphorus components. Furthermore, the phosphorus used in chemical fertilizers depends on, for example, mineral resources, and there are concerns about the depletion of these resources due to the expansion of agriculture that relies on chemical fertilizers. In contrast, the fertilizer production method in this embodiment makes it possible to produce a fertilizer that can be used in hydroponic cultivation and contains pre-ionized phosphorus components (i.e., a fertilizer that can be used as an organic fertilizer), thus enabling hydroponic cultivation that does not require the use of chemical fertilizers. Therefore, the fertilizer production method in this embodiment can, for example, promote the spread of hydroponic cultivation and contribute to alleviating food shortages caused by abnormal weather and population growth.

[0037] Furthermore, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, by using, for example, aquaculture wastewater in which the main nitrogen component is nitrate, it becomes possible to supply a membrane permeate containing potassium cations and nitrate anions to the ion concentrator 3. Therefore, in the ion concentrator 3, for example, by applying a voltage to the membrane permeate, it becomes possible to easily separate the potassium component and the nitrogen component (nitrate component).

[0038] Separation of potassium and nitrogen components can also be achieved, for example, by distillation. However, distillation requires the use of a strong base such as sodium hydroxide as a reaction accelerator, making it impossible to produce fertilizer suitable for organic farming. Therefore, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, it is preferable to separate the potassium and nitrogen components by a method other than distillation.

[0039] [Control device 10 in the first embodiment] Next, the configuration of the control device 10 in the first embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the control device 10. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the functions of the control device 10.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the fertilizer production system 100 includes a control device 10 (hereinafter also referred to as an information processing device 10) that performs, for example, fertilizer production control (hereinafter also simply referred to as fertilizer production control). Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the control device 10 performs, for example, opening and closing control of valve V1 provided in line L4, valve V2 provided in line L9, and valve V3 provided in line L10.

[0041] More specifically, the control device 10 controls the amount of phosphorus concentrate supplied from storage tank T1 to storage tank T5 (e.g., the amount supplied per unit time) by appropriately adjusting the opening degree of valve V1, for example. The control device 10 also controls the amount of nitric acid concentrate supplied from storage tank T2 to storage tank T5 (e.g., the amount supplied per unit time) by appropriately adjusting the opening degree of valve V2, for example. The control device 10 also controls the amount of potassium concentrate supplied from storage tank T3 to storage tank T5 (e.g., the amount supplied per unit time) by appropriately adjusting the opening degree of valve V3, for example.

[0042] In other words, the control device 10 controls, for example, the mixing ratio of each solution in the mixed liquid (fertilizer) stored in the storage tank T5.

[0043] Furthermore, the control device 10 is, for example, an electronic device having an electronic circuit, as shown in Figure 2. Specifically, the control device 10 is a computer device having, for example, a CPU 101 which is a processor, a memory 102, a communication device 103, and a storage medium 104. Each part is connected to the others, for example, via a bus 105.

[0044] The storage medium 104 has, for example, a program storage area (not shown) for storing a program 110 for controlling fertilizer production. The storage medium 104 also has, for example, an information storage area 130 (hereinafter also referred to as the storage unit 130) for storing information used when controlling fertilizer production. The storage medium 104 may be, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0045] The CPU 101 controls fertilizer production by, for example, executing a program 110 loaded from the storage medium 104 into memory 102.

[0046] The communication device 103 accesses, for example, an operating terminal (not shown) used by an operator to input necessary information via a network (not shown), such as the Internet.

[0047] The control device 10 may, for example, have an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The fertilizer production control may, for example, be performed by the FPGA or ASIC.

[0048] Furthermore, the following description will focus on the case where fertilizer production control is performed by a single control device 10, but is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, if the fertilizer production system 100 has multiple control devices 10, each process performed in fertilizer production control may be performed in a distributed manner across each of the multiple control devices 10.

[0049] [Flowchart diagram of fertilizer production control] Next, we will explain the flowchart for fertilizer production control. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating fertilizer production control in the first embodiment.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the control device 10 waits until it receives input of a fertilizer production instruction (hereinafter also simply referred to as a production instruction), which includes, for example, the intended use of the fertilizer and the amount of fertilizer to be produced. Specifically, the control device 10 waits until, for example, an operator inputs a production instruction via an operation terminal. The intended use of the fertilizer may be, for example, the type of plant that will use the produced fertilizer. The amount of fertilizer to be produced may be, for example, the amount of fertilizer that the operator wishes to produce.

[0051] Then, upon receiving a generation instruction (step S1 in Figure 4), the control device 10 refers to, for example, the mixing ratio information DT stored in the information storage area 130 and identifies the mixing ratio (hereinafter also simply referred to as the mixing ratio) corresponding to the application for which input was received in step S1 (step S2 in Figure 4). The mixing ratio information DT is, for example, information indicating the mixing ratio of phosphate ions, nitrate ions, and potassium ions. Note that the mixing ratio information DT may be generated in advance by, for example, an operator. A specific example of the mixing ratio information DT will be described below.

[0052] [Specific example of mixing ratio information DT] Figure 5 illustrates a specific example of the mixing ratio information DT.

[0053] The mixing ratio information DT shown in Figure 5 includes items such as "Phosphate Ions," which sets the mixing ratio of phosphate ions; "Nitrate Ions," which sets the mixing ratio of nitrate ions; "Potassium Ions," which sets the mixing ratio of potassium ions; and "Use," which sets the use of the fertilizer.

[0054] Specifically, in the mixing ratio information DT shown in Figure 5, for example, the information in the first row is set to "30 (g / L)" for "phosphate ions", "40 (g / L)" for "nitrate ions", "30 (g / L)" for "potassium ions", and "Plant A" for "Purpose".

[0055] Furthermore, in the mixing ratio information DT shown in Figure 5, for example, the information in the second row is set to "10 (g / L)" for "phosphate ions," "10 (g / L)" for "nitrate ions," "80 (g / L)" for "potassium ions," and "Plant B" for "use." Explanation of the other information included in Figure 5 is omitted.

[0056] Therefore, for example, if the intended use of the fertilizer received in step S1 of Figure 4 is plant B, the control device 10, in step S2 of Figure 4, refers to the mixing ratio information DT shown in Figure 5 and identifies 10 (g / L) as the mixing ratio of phosphate ions, 10 (g / L) as the mixing ratio of nitrate ions, and 80 (g / L) as the mixing ratio of potassium ions.

[0057] Furthermore, the information included in the mixing ratio information DT may be updated as needed. Specifically, the operator may update the information included in the mixing ratio information DT according to the growth status of plants when using fertilizer produced according to the mixing ratio information DT.

[0058] Furthermore, the information storage area 130 may store, for example, multiple mixing ratio information DTs. The control device 10 may then select the mixing ratio information DT according to the season, weather, etc., at the time of fertilizer production control, and perform step S2 in Figure 4 by referring to the selected mixing ratio information DT.

[0059] Returning to Figure 4, the control device 10 determines, for example, the amount of phosphorus concentrate to be mixed (hereinafter also called the first mixing amount), the amount of nitrate concentrate to be mixed (hereinafter also called the second mixing amount), and the amount of potassium concentrate to be mixed (hereinafter also called the third mixing amount) based on the amount of fertilizer produced, which was input in step S1 of Figure 4, and the mixing ratio, which was identified in step S2 of Figure 4 (step S3 of Figure 4).

[0060] Specifically, in the information for "Plant A" in the mixing ratio information DT shown in Figure 5 (the information in the first row), for example, "30 (g / L)" is set for "phosphate ions," "40 (g / L)" for "nitrate ions," and "30 (g / L)" for "potassium ions." Therefore, for example, if the use of the fertilizer received as input in step S1 of Figure 4 is Plant A, and the amount of fertilizer produced received as input in step S1 of Figure 4 is 10 (L), the control device 10 calculates 300 (g) as the amount of phosphate ions mixed by multiplying 10 (L) by 30 (g / L), calculates 400 (g) as the amount of nitrate ions mixed by multiplying 10 (L) by 40 (g / L), and calculates 300 (g) as the amount of potassium ions mixed by multiplying 10 (L) by 30 (g / L).

[0061] For example, if the concentration of phosphate ions in the phosphorus concentrate stored in storage tank T1 is 100 g / L, the control device 10 calculates 3 L as the amount of phosphorus concentrate mixed (first mixing amount) by dividing the amount of phosphate ions mixed, 300 g, by the concentration of phosphate ions in the phosphorus concentrate stored in storage tank T1, which is 100 g / L. Also, for example, if the concentration of nitrate ions in the nitric acid concentrate stored in storage tank T2 is 200 g / L, the control device 10 calculates 2 L as the amount of nitrate concentrate mixed (second mixing amount) by dividing the amount of nitrate ions mixed, 400 g, by the concentration of nitrate ions in the nitric acid concentrate stored in storage tank T2, which is 200 g / L. Furthermore, for example, if the potassium ion concentration in the potassium concentrate stored in storage tank T3 is 300 (g / L), the control device 10 calculates 1 (L) as the amount of potassium concentrate mixed (third mixing amount) by dividing the amount of potassium ions mixed, which is 300 (g), by the potassium ion concentration in the potassium concentrate stored in storage tank T3, which is 300 (g / L).

[0062] Subsequently, the control device 10 generates fertilizer by mixing, for example, the phosphorus concentrate corresponding to the first mixing amount determined in step S3 of Figure 4, the nitrate concentrate corresponding to the second mixing amount determined in step S3 of Figure 4, and the potassium concentrate corresponding to the third mixing amount determined in step S3 of Figure 4 (step S4 of Figure 4).

[0063] Specifically, the control device 10 controls the supply of phosphorus concentrate corresponding to the first mixing amount determined in step S3 of Figure 4 from storage tank T1 to storage tank T5 by, for example, controlling the opening and closing of valve V1. The control device 10 also controls the supply of nitric acid concentrate corresponding to the second mixing amount determined in step S3 of Figure 4 from storage tank T2 to storage tank T5 by, for example, controlling the opening and closing of valve V2. The control device 10 also controls the supply of potassium concentrate corresponding to the third mixing amount determined in step S3 of Figure 4 from storage tank T3 to storage tank T5 by, for example, controlling the opening and closing of valve V3.

[0064] More specifically, for example, if the intended use of the fertilizer received in step S1 of Figure 4 is plant A, the amount of fertilizer to be produced received in step S1 of Figure 4 is 10(L), the first mixing amount determined in step S2 of Figure 4 is 3(L), ​​the second mixing amount determined in step S2 of Figure 4 is 2(L), and the third mixing amount determined in step S2 of Figure 4 is 1(L), then the control device 10 will, for example, supply 3(L) of phosphorus concentrate from storage tank T1 to storage tank T5, supply 2(L) of nitrate concentrate from storage tank T2 to storage tank T5, supply 1(L) of potassium concentrate from storage tank T3 to storage tank T5, and further supply 4(L) of water (dilution water) to storage tank T5, thereby producing 10(L) of fertilizer usable for plant A.

[0065] This enables the control device 10 to produce fertilizer corresponding to the intended use and quantity specified by the operator, for example.

[0066] In the above example, we have described a case where fertilizer is produced in response to the input of a fertilizer production instruction, but this is not the only example. Specifically, the control device 10 may, for example, produce fertilizer according to a preset use and production amount in response to a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing may be, for example, every few hours. Alternatively, the predetermined timing may be, for example, when the amount of each solution stored in at least one of storage tanks T1, T2, and T3 exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0067] Furthermore, the above example describes a case where the amount of each solution supplied to the storage tank T5 is adjusted by controlling the opening and closing of valves V1, V2, and V3, but it is not limited to this. Specifically, the storage tank T5 may be, for example, placed on a belt conveyor (not shown) and move sequentially below a supply port for phosphorus concentrate (not shown) communicating with line L4, a supply port for nitric acid concentrate (not shown) communicating with line L9, and a supply port for potassium concentrate (not shown) communicating with line L10. The control device 10 may, for example, adjust the amount of each solution supplied to the storage tank T5 by adjusting the opening degrees of valves V1, V2, and V3, as well as controlling the moving speed of the storage tank T5.

[0068] Thus, the fertilizer production method in the fertilizer production system 100 of this embodiment includes, for example, the steps of extracting a phosphorus concentrate containing at least phosphorus, a nitrate concentrate containing at least nitrogen (nitrate), and a potassium concentrate containing at least potassium from organic wastewater containing phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium; ionizing the phosphorus contained in the phosphorus concentrate; and producing fertilizer from at least one of the phosphorus concentrate containing the ionized phosphorus, the extracted nitrate concentrate, and the extracted potassium concentrate.

[0069] Specifically, in the fertilizer production system 100 of this embodiment, the organic wastewater is, for example, aquaculture wastewater, the nitrate concentrate contains, for example, ionized nitrate components, and the potassium concentrate contains, for example, ionized potassium components. In the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, in the extraction step, for example, a phosphorus concentrate is extracted from the organic wastewater, and a nitrate concentrate containing nitrate components (anions) and a potassium concentrate containing potassium components (cations) are extracted from the organic wastewater from which the phosphorus concentrate has been extracted by, for example, extracting a phosphorus concentrate from the organic wastewater, applying a voltage to the organic wastewater from which the phosphorus concentrate has been extracted, or by using at least one of a resin capable of adsorbing anions and a resin capable of adsorbing cations.

[0070] Furthermore, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, in the ionization step, for example, the phosphorus components contained in the phosphorus concentrate are ionized by biological treatment.

[0071] Furthermore, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, in the ionization step, for example, the ionized phosphorus component is eluted from the sludge by crushing the sludge contained in the phosphorus concentrate.

[0072] Furthermore, the control device 10 in this embodiment receives input such as the intended use of the fertilizer and the amount of fertilizer to be produced. The control device 10 then refers to an information storage area 130 which stores mixing ratio information DT relating to the mixing ratio of phosphorus concentrate, nitrate concentrate, and potassium concentrate, and identifies the mixing ratio corresponding to the intended use of the fertilizer for which input was received. Subsequently, the control device 10 determines, for example, a first mixing amount of phosphorus concentrate, a second mixing amount of nitrate concentrate, and a third mixing amount of potassium concentrate based on the amount of production received and the identified mixing ratio. After that, the control device 10 produces fertilizer by mixing, for example, the phosphorus concentrate corresponding to the determined first mixing amount, the nitrate concentrate corresponding to the determined second mixing amount, and the potassium concentrate corresponding to the determined third mixing amount.

[0073] In other words, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, for example, insoluble phosphorus components contained in organic wastewater are ionized before being used in fertilizer production.

[0074] As a result, the fertilizer production method in this embodiment makes it possible to produce fertilizers that can shorten the time required for them to become effective compared to conventional organic fertilizers that require ionization (mineralization) by microorganisms, for example. Therefore, the fertilizer production method in this embodiment makes it possible to produce fertilizers that can further promote plant growth, for example.

[0075] Furthermore, in the fertilizer production system 100 of this embodiment, for example, the phosphorus component contained in the phosphorus concentrate stored in storage tank T1, the nitrate component contained in the nitrate concentrate stored in storage tank T2, and the potassium component contained in the potassium concentrate stored in storage tank T3 all exist in the form of ions. Therefore, in the fertilizer production system 100 of this embodiment, it becomes possible to easily and accurately measure the concentration of each component by using various sensors (not shown), for example. Consequently, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, it becomes possible to accurately produce fertilizer corresponding to the mixing ratio identified in step S2 of Figure 4, for example.

[0076] In the above example, we described the case where the organic wastewater used in fertilizer production is aquaculture wastewater, but this is not the only case. Specifically, the organic wastewater used in fertilizer production may be, for example, a digestate such as methane fermentation liquid (hereinafter also simply referred to as digestate).

[0077] Furthermore, for example, if digestate is used as organic wastewater for fertilizer production, the fertilizer production system 100 may have, for example, a nitrification reactor (not shown) that oxidizes (nitrifies) the ammonia component contained in the digestate to the nitrate component. The storage tank T0 may, for example, store the digestate after oxidation has been carried out in the nitrification reactor.

[0078] [Fertilizer production system 200 in the second embodiment] Next, the configuration of the fertilizer production system 200 in the second embodiment will be described. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the fertilizer production system 200 in the second embodiment. The differences from the fertilizer production system 100 in the first embodiment will be described below.

[0079] As shown in Figure 6, the fertilizer production system 200 includes, in addition to the components of the fertilizer production system 100 described in Figure 1, etc., a filtration device 4, a filtration device 5, a storage tank T6, and a storage tank T7.

[0080] The filtration device 4 is a device that filters the phosphorus concentrate supplied from the storage tank T1 via line L4a, for example, by using a filtration membrane (not shown). Line L4a is, for example, a pipe connecting the storage tank T1 and the filtration device 4. The filtration membrane in the filtration device 4 may be, for example, a reverse osmosis membrane.

[0081] Specifically, a pump (not shown) installed in line L4a supplies, for example, the phosphorus concentrate stored in storage tank T1 to the filtration device 4. The filtration device 4 then extracts the liquid containing the fertilizer components contained in the supplied phosphorus concentrate by filtering the phosphorus concentrate supplied by the pump. In other words, the filtration device 4 extracts the liquid from the phosphorus concentrate supplied by the pump that did not pass through the filtration membrane. The fertilizer components contained in the phosphorus concentrate include, for example, microorganisms with growth-promoting effects such as plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) and plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF). In addition, the fertilizer components contained in the phosphorus concentrate include, for example, high molecular weight organic substances with growth-promoting effects such as humic-like substances and fulvic acid, as well as insoluble substances such as minerals that were not mineralized.

[0082] In this case, the filtration device 4 may, for example, return the liquid after the fertilizer components have been separated to the aquaculture tank via line L4b. Line L4b is, for example, a pipe connecting the filtration device 4 and the aquaculture tank.

[0083] The storage tank T7 stores, for example, a liquid containing fertilizer components supplied from the filtration device 4 via line L4c. Line L4c is, for example, a pipe connecting the filtration device 4 and the storage tank T7. Specifically, a pump (not shown) provided on line L4c supplies, for example, a liquid containing fertilizer components supplied from the filtration device 4 to the storage tank T7. The storage tank T7 then stores, for example, the supplied liquid containing fertilizer components.

[0084] In this case, the control device 10 also performs, for example, the opening and closing control of the valve V5 provided in line L4d. Line L4d is, for example, piping that connects the storage tank T7 and line L4.

[0085] Specifically, the control device 10 controls the amount of liquid containing fertilizer components supplied from storage tank T7 to storage tank T5 via line L4d and a portion of line L4 (for example, the amount supplied per unit time) by appropriately adjusting the opening degree of valve V5.

[0086] In other words, when the fertilizer produced is used in hydroponics, the fertilizer production system 200 needs to produce fertilizer that does not contain, for example, microorganisms. On the other hand, when the fertilizer produced is used in soil cultivation, it is preferable for the fertilizer production system 200 to produce fertilizer that contains microorganisms, for example, from the viewpoint of improving soil fertility.

[0087] Therefore, the control device 10 may, for example, in step S1 of Figure 4, also accept input of information indicating that the generated fertilizer will be used in hydroponics, or information indicating that the generated fertilizer will be used in soil cultivation. For example, if the control device 10 receives input of information indicating that the generated fertilizer will be used in hydroponics, it may control the system to supply the phosphorus concentrate supplied from the storage tank T1 to the filtration device 4, and allow the filtration device 4 to extract the fertilizer components contained in the phosphorus concentrate supplied from the storage tank T1. In other words, in this case, the control device 10 may, for example, control the system to supply the phosphorus concentrate, after the fertilizer components have been separated, to the storage tank T5 via line L4c, storage tank T7, line L4d, and part of line L4.

[0088] Specifically, in this case, the control device 10 may, for example, control the opening of valve V6 provided in line L4a so that the phosphorus concentrate supplied from storage tank T1 is supplied to the filtration device 4 via line L4a, and control the closing of valve V7 provided upstream of the confluence point of line L4 with line L4d in line L4.

[0089] On the other hand, if, for example, the control device 10 receives input indicating that the fertilizer produced will be used in soil cultivation, the control device 10 may control the phosphorus concentrate supplied from the storage tank T1 to be supplied directly to the storage tank T5. In other words, in this case, the control device 10 may control the phosphorus concentrate supplied from the storage tank T1 to be supplied directly to the storage tank T5, bypassing the filtration device 4.

[0090] Specifically, in this case, the control device 10 may, for example, control the closing of valve V6 and the opening of valve V7 so that phosphorus concentrate is directly supplied from storage tank T1 to storage tank T5 via line L4.

[0091] In the example shown in Figure 6, line L4d is connected to line L4, but this is not the only option. Specifically, line L4d may be directly connected to the storage tank T5 without passing through a portion of line L4. In other words, the phosphorus concentrate after the fertilizer components have been separated may be supplied directly to the storage tank T5 without passing through a portion of line L4.

[0092] This makes it possible to completely separate the lines through which the phosphorus concentrate (supplied from storage tank T7) and the phosphorus concentrate (supplied directly from storage tank T1) that have not had their fertilizer components separated can flow in the fertilizer production system 200. Therefore, the fertilizer production system 200 can prevent contamination of the phosphorus concentrate with microorganisms or other substances after the fertilizer components have been separated.

[0093] The filtration device 5 is a device that performs ultrafiltration of waste liquid supplied from the storage tank T4 via line L11, for example, by using a filtration membrane (not shown). Line L11 is, for example, a pipe connecting the storage tank T4 and the filtration device 5.

[0094] Specifically, a pump (not shown) installed in line L11 supplies, for example, waste liquid stored in storage tank T4 to the filtration device 5. The filtration device 5 then extracts liquid containing fertilizer components from the supplied waste liquid by, for example, filtering the waste liquid supplied by the pump. In other words, the filtration device 5 extracts, for example, the liquid from the phosphorus concentrate supplied by the pump that did not pass through the filtration membrane.

[0095] In this case, the filtration device 5 may, for example, return the wastewater from which the fertilizer components have been separated to the aquaculture tank via line L12. Line L12 is, for example, a pipe connecting the filtration device 5 and the aquaculture tank.

[0096] The storage tank T6 stores, for example, a liquid containing fertilizer components supplied from the filtration device 5 via line L13. Line L13 is, for example, a pipe connecting the filtration device 5 and the storage tank T6. Specifically, a pump (not shown) provided on line L13 supplies, for example, a liquid containing fertilizer components supplied from the filtration device 5 to the storage tank T6. The storage tank T6 then stores, for example, the supplied liquid containing fertilizer components.

[0097] In this case, the control device 10 also performs, for example, the opening and closing control of the valve V4 provided in line L14. Line L14 is, for example, piping that connects storage tank T6 and storage tank T5.

[0098] Specifically, the control device 10 controls the amount of liquid containing fertilizer components supplied from storage tank T6 to storage tank T5 (for example, the amount supplied per unit time) by appropriately adjusting the opening degree of valve V4, for example.

[0099] Thus, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, for example, a solution containing fertilizer components such as microorganisms is separated from a phosphorus concentrate in which the phosphorus component has been ionized. Then, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, for example, fertilizer is produced from at least one of the phosphorus concentrate obtained by separating the solution containing fertilizer components, an extracted nitrate concentrate, and an extracted potassium concentrate.

[0100] In other words, in the fertilizer production method of this embodiment, for example, when producing fertilizer for use in hydroponics, the fertilizer is produced without fertilizing components (fertilizing components contained in phosphorus concentrate). On the other hand, for example, when producing fertilizer for use in soil cultivation, the fertilizer production method of this embodiment produces fertilizer that contains fertilizing components (fertilizing components contained in phosphorus concentrate).

[0101] As a result, the fertilizer production method in this embodiment makes it possible to produce fertilizers suitable for various applications, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1: Filtration device 2: Ionization device 3: Ion concentrator 4: Filtration device 5: Filtration device 10: Control device 100: Fertilizer generation system 101: CPU 102: Memory 103: Communication device 104: Storage medium 105: Bus 110: Program 130: Information storage area DT: Mixing ratio information T0: Storage tank T1: Storage tank T2: Storage tank T3: Storage tank T4: Storage tank T5: Storage tank T6: Storage tank L1: Line L2: Line L3: Line L4: Line L4a: Line L4b: Line L4c: Line L4d: Line L5: Line L6: Line L7: Line L8: Line L9: Line L10: Line L11: Line L12: Line L13: Line L14: Line V1: Valve V2: Valve V3: Valve V4: Valve V5: Valve V6: Valve V7: Valve

Claims

1. A step of extracting from organic wastewater containing phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium components a first solution containing at least the phosphorus component, a second solution containing at least the nitrogen component, and a third solution containing at least the potassium component, respectively. A step of ionizing the phosphorus component contained in the first solution, The process includes a step of producing fertilizer from at least one of the first solution containing the ionized phosphorus component, the extracted second solution, and the extracted third solution. In the extraction process, The first solution is extracted from the aforementioned organic wastewater. A method for producing fertilizer, comprising: applying a voltage to the organic wastewater from which the first solution has been extracted, or using at least one of a resin capable of adsorbing anions and a resin capable of adsorbing cations, to extract a second solution containing a nitrate component, which is an anion, and a third solution containing a potassium component, which is a cation, from the organic wastewater from which the first solution has been extracted.

2. The fertilizer production method according to claim 1, wherein the organic wastewater is aquaculture wastewater.

3. Furthermore, the process includes a step of separating a solution containing microorganisms from the first solution in which the phosphorus component has been ionized. The fertilizer production method according to claim 1, wherein the production step involves producing fertilizer from at least one of the first solution obtained by separating the solution containing the microorganisms, the extracted second solution, and the extracted third solution.

4. The fertilizer production method according to claim 1, wherein the ionization step ionizes the phosphorus component contained in the first solution by biological treatment.

5. The fertilizer production method according to claim 1, wherein the ionization step involves pulverizing the sludge contained in the first solution to dissolve the ionized phosphorus component from the sludge.

6. A fertilizer production method in which a computer performs a process of producing fertilizer by mixing a first solution, a second solution, and a third solution extracted from organic wastewater containing phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium components, The first solution comprises at least the ionized phosphorus component, The second solution contains at least an ionized nitrate component as the nitrogen component, The third solution contains at least an ionized potassium component as the potassium component, The first solution is extracted from the organic wastewater, The second solution and the third solution are each extracted from the organic wastewater from which the first solution was extracted by applying a voltage to the organic wastewater from which the first solution was extracted, or by using at least one of a resin capable of adsorbing anions and a resin capable of adsorbing cations. The system accepts input regarding the intended use of the fertilizer and the amount of fertilizer produced. The system refers to a storage unit that stores information regarding the mixing ratio of the first solution, the second solution, and the third solution, and identifies the mixing ratio corresponding to the application for which input was received. Based on the amount of production received as input and the specified mixing ratio, the first mixing amount of the first solution, the second mixing amount of the second solution, and the third mixing amount of the third solution are determined. A method for producing fertilizer, comprising mixing the first solution corresponding to the first mixing amount, the second solution corresponding to the second mixing amount, and the third solution corresponding to the third mixing amount to produce the fertilizer.

7. An information processing device that produces fertilizer by mixing a first solution, a second solution, and a third solution extracted from organic wastewater containing phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium components, The first solution comprises at least the ionized phosphorus component, The second solution contains at least an ionized nitrate component as the nitrogen component, The third solution contains at least an ionized potassium component as the potassium component, The first solution is extracted from the organic wastewater, The second solution and the third solution are each extracted from the organic wastewater from which the first solution was extracted by applying a voltage to the organic wastewater from which the first solution was extracted, or by using at least one of a resin capable of adsorbing anions and a resin capable of adsorbing cations. The system accepts input regarding the intended use of the fertilizer and the amount of fertilizer produced. The system refers to a storage unit that stores information regarding the mixing ratio of the first solution, the second solution, and the third solution, and identifies the mixing ratio corresponding to the application for which input was received. Based on the amount of production received as input and the specified mixing ratio, the first mixing amount of the first solution, the second mixing amount of the second solution, and the third mixing amount of the third solution are determined. An information processing apparatus that produces the fertilizer by mixing the first solution corresponding to the first mixing amount, the second solution corresponding to the second mixing amount, and the third solution corresponding to the third mixing amount.

8. A fertilizer production program that causes a computer to perform a process of producing fertilizer by mixing a first solution, a second solution, and a third solution extracted from organic wastewater containing phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium components, The first solution comprises at least the ionized phosphorus component, The second solution contains at least an ionized nitrate component as the nitrogen component, The third solution contains at least an ionized potassium component as the potassium component, The first solution is extracted from the organic wastewater, The second solution and the third solution are each extracted from the organic wastewater from which the first solution was extracted by applying a voltage to the organic wastewater from which the first solution was extracted, or by using at least one of a resin capable of adsorbing anions and a resin capable of adsorbing cations. The system accepts input regarding the intended use of the fertilizer and the amount of fertilizer produced. The system refers to a storage unit that stores information regarding the mixing ratio of the first solution, the second solution, and the third solution, and identifies the mixing ratio corresponding to the application for which input was received. Based on the amount of production received as input and the specified mixing ratio, the first mixing amount of the first solution, the second mixing amount of the second solution, and the third mixing amount of the third solution are determined. A fertilizer production program that produces the fertilizer by mixing the first solution corresponding to the first mixing amount, the second solution corresponding to the second mixing amount, and the third solution corresponding to the third mixing amount.

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