Waste treatment system and waste treatment method

Abstract

A waste treatment system (1), includes: at least one reformer (2) for hydrolyzing waste; a microbial reactor (4) for microbially degrading a reformed material containing at least a solid of the waste hydrolyzed by the at least one reformer (2); a microbial reaction detection device (6) for detecting a state of degradation of the reformed material in the microbial reactor (4); and an adjustment device (8) for adjusting amount and timing of supply of the reformed material to the microbial reactor (4), based on a detected value of the microbial reaction detection device (6). Fig. 1

Description

Waste treatment system and waste treatment method

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-162501, filed with the Japan Patent Office on September 28, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an organic waste treatment device that treats organic wastewater and solid waste, such as excess sludge from sewage treatment plants, food waste such as kitchen garbage, livestock waste, etc. In this treatment device, the organic waste is decomposed into soluble low-molecular-weight organic matter, which is then subjected to solid-liquid separation, and the separated liquid is broken down into lower molecular weight substances (methane fermentation) by microorganisms in a microbial reactor (methane fermentation tank), thereby generating biogas.

[0003] Patent No. 4864339

[0004] However, in a microbial reactor, for example, if the properties of the feed material (the material to be decomposed into smaller molecules) supplied to the microbial reactor are heterogeneous or the amount of feed material supplied is insufficient, there is a risk that the microbial decomposition may quickly become unsuitable. Furthermore, because microorganisms are sensitive to environmental changes, once the microbial reactor becomes unsuitable, it takes a lot of time and money to restore it. For this reason, it is desirable to continue maintaining the microbial reactor in a state suitable for microbial decomposition.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a waste treatment system and a waste treatment method that can maintain a microbial reaction device in a state suitable for microbial degradation.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the waste treatment system of the present disclosure comprises at least one reforming device that hydrolyzes waste, a microbial reaction device that uses microorganisms to reduce the molecular weight of the modified material, which includes at least solids from the waste hydrolyzed in the at least one reforming device, a microbial reaction detection device that detects the state of reduction of the molecular weight of the modified material within the microbial reaction device, and an adjustment device that adjusts the amount and timing of the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device based on the detection value of the microbial reaction detection device.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the waste treatment method of the present disclosure comprises the steps of hydrolyzing waste, breaking down modified substances containing at least solids from the hydrolyzed waste into smaller molecules using microorganisms, detecting the state of the broken down modified substances, and adjusting the amount of the modified substances in the step of breaking down the modified substances into smaller molecules using microorganisms based on the detected state of the broken down modified substances.

[0008] According to the waste treatment system and waste treatment method disclosed herein, the amount and timing of the modified material supplied to the microbial reactor are adjusted based on the state of molecular degradation of the modified material within the microbial reactor, thereby allowing the microbial reactor to be maintained in a state suitable for molecular degradation by microorganisms.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a waste treatment system according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a waste treatment system according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a waste treatment system according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a waste treatment system according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a general functional block diagram of an adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a waste treatment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a waste treatment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a waste treatment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a waste treatment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a waste treatment method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Hereinafter, a waste treatment system and a waste treatment method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment shows one aspect of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be modified as desired within the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration of detection system according to embodiment 1> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a waste treatment system 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the waste treatment system 1 includes a reformer 2, a microbial reaction device (biogas fermenter 4), a microbial reaction detection device 6, and an adjustment device 8.

[0012] The reformer 2 hydrolyzes waste. The reformer 2 receives waste directly from, for example, a waste-collecting vehicle or a plant, and hydrolyzes the waste batchwise using steam. Specifically, the reformer 2 is a batch-type reformer including a housing 56 including an inlet 52 through which the waste is introduced and an outlet 54 through which the hydrolyzed waste is discharged. The inlet 52 and the outlet 54 are each provided with an on-off valve (not shown), and the housing 56 can be sealed by closing the on-off valve. The hydrolysis of waste in the reformer 2 may be wet hydrolysis, in which steam contacts the waste to heat it, or dry hydrolysis, in which steam does not contact the waste but indirectly heats it. In the case of dry hydrolysis, moisture in the waste within the housing 56 evaporates to form steam, and the waste within the housing 56 is uniformly heated by the steam. Furthermore, moisture is required for hydrolysis, and this moisture is supplied by the steam adhering to the surface of the waste. Although one reformer 2 is shown in FIG. 1, the configuration may be such that a plurality of reformers 2 are connected in series, a plurality of reformers 2 are connected in parallel, or a combination of a configuration in which the reformers are connected in series and a configuration in which the reformers are connected in parallel.

[0013] The microbial reactor uses microorganisms to reduce molecules of the modified product Y1, which contains at least solids from the waste hydrolyzed in the reformer 2. Such a microbial reactor is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a biogas fermenter that reduces molecules of the hydrolyzed waste using microorganisms to produce biogas such as methane as a valuable resource. In the present disclosure, an example will be described in which the microbial reactor is a biogas fermenter 4. However, the microbial reactor is not limited to the biogas fermenter 4. For example, the microbial reactor may be a saccharification tank that produces sugar as a valuable resource from carbohydrates such as starch and cellulose, or a composting device that produces compost by composting.

[0014] 1, the biogas fermenter 4 is connected to the reformer 2 via a reforming line 51 through which the reformed product Y1 flows. The reforming line 51 is provided with an adjustment valve 53 for adjusting the amount and timing of the reformed product Y1 to be supplied to the biogas fermenter 4. The opening of this adjustment valve 53 is adjusted according to instructions transmitted from the adjustment device 8, as will be described later.

[0015] Here, the advantages of the waste treatment system 1 including the reformer 2 and the biogas fermenter 4 will be described.

[0016] Food waste in waste mainly contains proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. When food waste is hydrolyzed, pinholes form in the cell membranes and walls or the cell membranes and walls dissolve, causing the cell fluid to leak out. This causes the food waste to be broken down into smaller particles, and the high molecular weight components are broken down into smaller molecules. Furthermore, the amount of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) such as acetic acid increases.

[0017] The hydrophobic lignin and hemicellulose that make up the wood-like plant matter in the waste are converted into hydrophilic substances through hydrolysis and dissolved, exposing the cellulose. Paper waste in the waste becomes hydrophilic as chemicals on its surface dissolve. Furthermore, the contents of the biogas fermenter 4 are agitated by an agitator (agitator 44, described below), which finely crushes the waste, softens it, and reduces its size. Plastic waste in the waste is heated and softened, and then sheared and reduced in size by the agitation of the agitator.

[0018] The modified material, which is waste hydrolyzed in the reformer 2, contains the components generated as described above from food waste, paper waste (including wood, etc.), and plastic waste, as well as a small amount of metal that is hardly affected by hydrolysis. Because the water content of waste with the above-described composition is relatively low, the modified material is composed mostly of solid components with only a small amount of liquid. This modified material is discharged from the housing 56 via the outlet 54 and transferred to the biogas fermenter 4. When the waste has a high water content, such as sludge, the modified material also contains a large amount of liquid, resulting in a slurry-like modified material. Even in such cases, the entire modified material is transferred to the biogas fermenter 4 without solid-liquid separation. In the biogas fermenter 4, the modified material is subjected to biological action by microorganisms to reduce its molecular weight, producing valuable resources.

[0019] By micronizing food waste in the waste stream through hydrolysis, the surface area of ​​food waste-derived components increases, increasing the area exposed to biological action by microorganisms and accelerating the breakdown into smaller molecules. Micronization prevents uneven distribution of food waste-derived components and makes them uniform, which makes it possible to uniformize the activity of biological action and stabilizes the breakdown into smaller molecules. Furthermore, an increase in volatile fatty acids promotes the breakdown into smaller molecules. Furthermore, by breaking down food waste-derived components into smaller molecules, fat foaming in the biogas fermenter 4 is suppressed. Such foaming can cause problems such as clogging the overflow port (not shown) of the biogas fermenter 4, but this method can prevent such problems from occurring.

[0020] When paper waste and plants in the waste are hydrolyzed, the cellulose is exposed, making it easier for microorganisms to access the cellulose, accelerating the breakdown of molecules into smaller molecules. Furthermore, when hydrolysis makes the materials hydrophilic and reduces their diameter, these components no longer float in the biogas fermenter 4, reducing the risk of hindering the breakdown of molecules into smaller molecules. When plastic waste in the waste is hydrolyzed and its diameter reduced, the risk of hindering the breakdown of molecules into smaller molecules can also be reduced.

[0021] In this way, the reformed product obtained by hydrolyzing waste in the reformer 2 can be broken down into smaller molecules in the biogas fermenter 4 to generate valuable resources without solid-liquid separation, making it possible to generate valuable resources even from waste with a low moisture content. Furthermore, this waste treatment system 1 does not require a device for solid-liquid separation of the reformed product Y1, and only generates valuable resources with a high unit price, such as biogas, so it can treat waste at a lower cost than a system that separates the reformed product Y1, generates biogas from the separated liquid, and produces fuel, fertilizer, etc. from the separated solid.

[0022] The above has described the advantages of the waste treatment system 1 being equipped with the reformer 2 and biogas fermenter 4. However, because the reformer 2 has the effect of amplifying the influence of the raw material (waste) composition, a configuration that only includes the reformer 2 and biogas fermenter 4 often amplifies minute fluctuations in the inlet composition if the reforming operation fails, making it difficult to stably operate the biogas fermenter 4. Therefore, the waste treatment system 1 according to the present disclosure is equipped with a microbial reaction detection device 6 and an adjustment device 8 in addition to the reformer 2 and biogas fermenter 4 in order to continuously maintain the biogas fermenter 4 in a state suitable for degradation by microorganisms into smaller molecules.

[0023] The microbial reaction detection device 6 detects the state of degradation of the modified material Y1 in the biogas fermenter 4 (hereinafter referred to as the "state of the biogas fermenter 4"). In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the microbial reaction detection device 6 includes a collection device 62 that collects a portion of the modified material Y1 in the biogas fermenter 4 as a detection sample X1, a solid-liquid separation device 64 that separates the collected detection sample X1 into a solid component and a liquid component, a dilution device 66 that dilutes the liquid component separated by the solid-liquid separation device 64, and a concentration measurement device 68 that measures the concentration of the diluted liquid, which is the liquid component diluted by the dilution device 66.

[0024] The concentration of the diluted liquid measured by the concentration measuring device 68 is a concentration for evaluating the state of the biogas fermenter 4, and includes, for example, at least one of the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and the concentration of ammonia. In another embodiment, the concentration of the diluted liquid measured by the concentration measuring device 68 includes at least one of the concentrations of inhibitors such as volatile fatty acids, ammonia, sodium, phenol, fural, and melanoidin, the concentration of chlorides such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride, and pH (hydrogen ion concentration). Note that an inhibitor is a substance that inhibits the degradation of the modified product Y1 by microorganisms at a predetermined concentration or higher. For example, when the volatile fatty acids are 10,000 ppm or higher, ammonia is 2,000 ppm or higher, sodium is 2,000 ppm or higher, phenol is 1,000 ppm or higher, fural is 1,000 ppm or higher, and melanoidin is 1,000 ppm or higher, the degradation of the modified product Y1 by microorganisms is inhibited.

[0025] The adjusting device 8 adjusts the amount and timing of the reformate Y1 supplied to the biogas fermenter 4 based on the detection value of the microbial reaction detection device 6. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the adjusting device 8 is a computer such as an electronic control device, and includes a processor such as a CPU or GPU, memory such as ROM or RAM, and an I / O interface (not shown). The adjusting device 8 is electrically connected to each of the concentration measuring device 68 and the adjusting valve 53. The adjusting device 8 acquires the measurement value of the concentration measuring device 68, and calculates the aperture of the adjusting valve 53 by having the processor operate (calculate, etc.) according to instructions of a program loaded into the memory based on the measurement value of the concentration measuring device 68. The adjusting device 8 then instructs the adjusting valve 53 to set the calculated aperture, thereby adjusting the amount and timing of the reformate Y1 supplied to the biogas fermenter 4. The adjusting device 8 may be installed within the plant together with the reformer 2 and the biogas fermenter 4, or may be installed at a location separate from the plant. The adjusting device 8 may also be configured on a cloud server.

[0026] <Functions and Effects of the Waste Treatment System According to Embodiment 1> According to Embodiment 1, the amount and timing of supplying the reformed product Y1 to the biogas fermenter 4 are adjusted based on the state of the biogas fermenter 4 detected by the microbial reaction detection device 6, so that the biogas fermenter 4 can be maintained in a state suitable for degradation to lower molecular weight substances by the microorganisms. Furthermore, although the composition of the reformed product Y1 produced by the reformer 2 may fluctuate, the amount and timing of supplying the reformed product Y1 to the biogas fermenter 4 are adjusted based on the state of the biogas fermenter 4 located downstream of the reformer 2. Therefore, the effect of composition fluctuations of the reformed product Y1 on the biogas fermenter 4 can be suppressed.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the microbial reaction detection device 6 detects the state of the biogas fermenter 4 by using the concentration measurement device 68 to measure the concentration of the diluted liquid obtained by diluting the liquid component of the modified material Y1 in the biogas fermenter 4. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the microbial reaction detection device 6 may include, in addition to the concentration measurement device 68, an electrical conductivity measurement device that measures the electrical conductivity of the diluted liquid. In this case, the state of the biogas fermenter 4 is evaluated based on the concentration and electrical conductivity of the diluted liquid.

[0028] (Embodiment 2) <Configuration of Detection System According to Embodiment 2> A waste treatment system 1 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. The waste treatment system 1 according to Embodiment 2 differs from the waste treatment system 1 according to Embodiment 1 in that it further includes a modified state detection device 10 and a hydrolysis condition adjustment device 12. In Embodiment 2, the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] 2 is a schematic diagram of a waste treatment system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the waste treatment system 1 further includes a modified state detection device 10 and a hydrolysis condition adjustment device 12.

[0030] The reformed state detection device 10 detects the state of hydrolysis of the waste in the reformer 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "state of the reformer 2"). In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, the reformed state detection device 10 includes a sampling device 72 that samples a part of the contents in the reformer 2 as a detection sample X2, a solid-liquid separator 74 that separates the sampled detection sample X2 into a solid component and a liquid component, a dilution device 76 that dilutes the liquid component separated by the solid-liquid separator 74, and a concentration measuring device 78 that measures the concentration of the diluted liquid, which is the liquid component diluted by the dilution device 76.

[0031] The concentration of the diluted liquid measured by the concentration measuring device 78 of the reforming state detection device 10 is a concentration for evaluating the state of the reformer 2, and includes, for example, at least one of the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and the concentration of ammonia. In one embodiment, the concentration of the diluted liquid measured by the concentration measuring device 78 includes at least one of the concentrations of inhibitors such as volatile fatty acids, ammonia, phenols, furals, and melanoidins, the concentrations of chlorides such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride, and pH (hydrogen ion concentration).

[0032] The hydrolysis condition adjusting device 12 adjusts the conditions (temperature, pressure, time, stirring rotation speed, etc.) for hydrolysis of the waste material by the reformer 2 based on the state of the reformer 2 detected by the reforming state detecting device 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 , the adjusting device 8 described above functions as the hydrolysis condition adjusting device 12. Specifically, the adjusting device 8 is electrically connected to both the reformer 2 and the concentration measuring device 78 of the reforming state detecting device 10. The adjusting device 8 acquires the measured values ​​of the concentration measuring device 78, and calculates the hydrolysis conditions by the processor operating (calculating, etc.) according to the instructions of a program loaded into the memory based on the measured values ​​of the concentration measuring device 78. The adjusting device 8 then instructs the reformer 2 to operate under the calculated hydrolysis conditions. Note that, although the adjusting device 8 functions as the hydrolysis condition adjusting device 12 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 , the adjusting device 8 and the hydrolysis condition adjusting device 12 may be provided separately from each other in another embodiment.

[0033] <Actions and Effects of the Waste Treatment System According to Embodiment 2> According to Embodiment 2, the waste treatment system 1 adjusts the conditions for hydrolysis of the waste by the reformer 2 based on the state of the reformer 2, so that the modified product Y1 under conditions suitable for the microbial reaction can be supplied to the biogas fermenter 4, and valuable materials can be efficiently produced by the microbial reaction.

[0034] Furthermore, the state of the reformer 2 may be determined based on the concentration of the liquid component of the contents within the reformer 2. However, these contents may also contain solid components. Therefore, when measuring the concentration of the liquid component of the contents within the reformer 2, it is necessary to remove the solid components. According to the second embodiment, the solid-liquid separator 74 separates the detection sample X2 into solid and liquid components. It is more effective to add a chemical (such as a flocculant) before the separator for solid-liquid separation. The dilution device 76 dilutes this liquid component. The concentration measuring device 78 measures the concentration of the diluted liquid, which is the diluted liquid component. Thus, according to the second embodiment, the detection accuracy of the state of the reformer 2 can be improved. When diluting the liquid component in the dilution device 76, adding a chemical to the dilution water can improve color development and thereby improve measurement accuracy.

[0035] The hydrolysis conditions in the reformer 2 may be adjusted based on the state of the biogas fermenter 4 .

[0036] Although not shown, in some embodiments, the waste treatment system 1 is configured to set the hydrolysis conditions (temperature / pressure / time / agitation speed, etc.) in the reformer 2 based on the state of the biogas fermenter 4 detected by the microbial reaction detection device 6.

[0037] Although not shown, in some embodiments, the concentration measuring device 68 of the microbial reaction detection device 6 detects the concentrations of inhibitors such as melanoidins, furals, and phenols contained in the detection sample X1 supplied from the biogas fermenter 4. The waste treatment system 1 is configured to set hydrolysis conditions in the reformer 2 based on the state of the biogas fermenter 4 and the concentrations of the inhibitors.

[0038] (Embodiment 3) <Configuration of the detection system according to embodiment 3> A waste treatment system 1 according to embodiment 3 will be described. The waste treatment system 1 according to embodiment 3 differs from the waste treatment system 1 according to embodiment 1 in that an adjustment device 8 is configured to adjust the supply amount and timing of the easily decomposable materials Y2, which are part of the modified material Y1, to be supplied to the biogas fermenter 4. In embodiment 3, the same components as those in embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In another embodiment, the adjustment device 8 of the waste treatment system 1 according to embodiment 2 may be configured to adjust the supply amount and timing of the easily decomposable materials Y2 to be supplied to the biogas fermenter 4.

[0039] Here, the easily decomposable products Y2 and the difficult to decompose products Y3 will be described. The easily decomposable products Y2 are those of the modified product Y1 supplied to the biogas fermenter 4 that can be decomposed into lower molecular weight substances by microorganisms within a predetermined time, such as sugars such as glucose. The difficult to decompose products Y3 are those that take longer to be decomposed into lower molecular weight substances by microorganisms in the biogas fermenter 4 than the easily decomposable products Y2, such as casein and cellulose. The predetermined time may be any time that can be determined, such as 100 hours.

[0040] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a waste treatment system 1 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the waste treatment system 1 further includes a separation device 14, an easily decomposable material tank 16 for storing easily decomposable materials Y2, and a difficult to decompose material tank 18 for storing difficult to decompose materials Y3. The easily decomposable material tank 16 and the difficult to decompose material tank 18 are disposed in parallel with each other between the reformer 2 and the biogas fermenter 4.

[0041] The separator 14 is disposed between the reformer 2 and the biogas fermenter 4. The separator 14 separates unsuitable materials for reaction that are not suitable for degradation to lower molecules by microorganisms from the reformed product Y1 in the biogas fermenter 4. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the separator 14 separates the reformed product Y1 supplied from the reformer 2 into easily decomposed materials Y2 and less decomposed materials Y3. Such a separator 14 is, for example, a screen that separates the reformed product Y1 into large particle size components and small particle size components having particle sizes smaller than those of the large particle size components.

[0042] The small particle size components separated by the separator 14 are supplied to a decomposable material tank 16 as easily decomposable materials Y2. The decomposable material tank 16 is connected to the biogas fermenter 4 via a decomposable material line 20 through which the easily decomposable materials Y2 flow. The easily decomposable material line 20 is provided with an easily decomposable material regulating valve 22 for regulating the amount of easily decomposable materials Y2 supplied from the easily decomposable material tank 16 to the biogas fermenter 4. The easily decomposable material regulating valve 22 is configured similarly to the above-described regulating valve 53, and its opening is adjusted according to instructions transmitted from the adjusting device 8. In other words, the adjusting device 8 adjusts the amount and timing of the easily decomposable materials Y2 supplied to the biogas fermenter 4 based on the state of the biogas fermenter 4 detected by the microbial reaction detection device 6. The easily decomposable materials Y2 (small particle size components) supplied to the biogas fermenter 4 are decomposed into smaller molecules to generate biogas G. The biogas G generated in the biogas fermenter 4 is stored in a gas holder 58.

[0043] The large particle size components separated by the separator 14 are supplied to the non-degradable product tank 18 as non-degradable product Y3. The main components of the large particle size components are those that have relatively large particle sizes even when hydrolyzed in the reformer 2, and cannot be broken down into smaller molecules in the biogas fermenter 4, such as those derived from plastic waste or metals. In other words, the large particle size components and the small particle size components are unsuitable and suitable for reaction with the microbial reaction, respectively. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the non-degradable product tank 18 is connected to the biogas fermenter 4 via a non-degradable product line 24 through which the non-degradable product Y3 flows.

[0044] <Actions and Effects of the Waste Treatment System According to the Third Embodiment> Whether the biogas fermenter 4 is in a suitable state for degradation by microorganisms is often determined by the amount and timing of the easily decomposable materials Y2 supplied to the biogas fermenter 4. According to the third embodiment, the adjustment device 8 adjusts the amount of easily decomposable materials Y2 supplied to the biogas fermenter 4 and the timing of supplying the easily decomposable materials Y2 to the biogas fermenter 4 based on the state of the biogas fermenter 4, so that the biogas fermenter 4 can be continuously maintained in a suitable state for degradation by microorganisms.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, the waste treatment system 1 is equipped with the separation device 14, which allows the difficult-to-decompose product Y3 to be separated from the modified product Y1, thereby reducing the amount of unsuitable reaction materials supplied to the biogas fermenter 4. As a result, the risk of inhibiting the decomposition into lower molecular weight substances in the biogas fermenter 4 is reduced, and the decomposition can be carried out efficiently. Furthermore, compared to a case in which the separation device 14 is not provided, the easily decomposable product Y2 with high purity and fluidity can be supplied to the biogas fermenter 4. This allows the biogas fermenter 4 to be quickly brought into a state suitable for decomposition into lower molecular weight substances by microorganisms.

[0046] 3, the waste treatment system 1 is equipped with a separator 14, a tank 16 for easily decomposed materials, and a tank 18 for less decomposed materials, and an ideal form is described in which the easily decomposed materials Y2 and the less decomposed materials Y3 are clearly separated and stored in separate tanks, but complete separation is not necessarily required. The waste treatment system 1 can obtain the same effects as those described above by configuring it so that the supply amount of the easily decomposed materials Y2, which react particularly quickly, can be adjusted.

[0047] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 , the waste treatment system 1 includes the easily decomposable material tank 16 and the less decomposable material tank 18, but the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , the waste treatment system 1 further includes an inhibitor avoidance tank 19 in addition to the easily decomposable material tank 16 and the less decomposable material tank 18. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 further includes a dilution device 21 that dilutes the reformed product Y1 produced in the reforming device 2. The solid component (the less decomposable material Y3) of the reformed product Y1 diluted in the dilution device 21 is stored in the less decomposable material tank 18. When the concentration of inhibitors contained in the liquid component diluted in the dilution device 21 is equal to or lower than a predetermined concentration, the liquid component of the reformed product Y1 is stored in the easily decomposable material tank 16 as the easily decomposable material Y2. On the other hand, when the concentration of inhibitors contained in the liquid component diluted in the dilution device 21 exceeds a predetermined concentration, the liquid component of the reformed product Y1 is stored in the inhibitor avoidance tank 19 as the inhibitor. In one embodiment, if the concentration of inhibitors contained in this liquid component exceeds a predetermined concentration, an adsorbent such as activated carbon is added from an additive supply device (not shown). This adsorbent may be added in the inhibitor avoidance tank 19 or in a line connecting the dilution device 21 and the inhibitor avoidance tank 19. This configuration prevents the inhibitors adsorbed to the activated carbon from being desorbed in the biogas fermenter 4, allowing the inhibitors adsorbed to the activated carbon to be discharged together with the sludge without inhibiting the microbial reaction.

[0048] 4, the inhibitor avoidance tank 19 is connected to the easily decomposable product tank 16 via a connection line 23, and the liquid components stored in the inhibitor avoidance tank 19 can be supplied to the easily decomposable product tank 16. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a shortage of the liquid components of the modified product Y1 stored in the easily decomposable product tank 16.

[0049] In one embodiment, although not shown, the waste treatment system 1 includes a high-concentration inhibitor tank for storing the modified material Y1 containing inhibitors at a concentration equal to or greater than a predetermined level, and a low-concentration inhibitor tank for storing the modified material Y1 containing inhibitors at a concentration less than the predetermined level, instead of the easily decomposed material tank 16 and the less decomposed material tank 18. In this case, the adjusting device 8 adjusts the amount and timing of supplying the modified material Y1 stored in the low-concentration inhibitor tank to the biogas fermenter 4.

[0050] (Embodiment 4) <Configuration of the detection system according to embodiment 4> A waste treatment system 1 according to embodiment 4 will be described. The waste treatment system 1 according to embodiment 4 differs from the waste treatment system 1 according to embodiment 3 in that it further includes an easily decomposable matter state detection device 26 and a cellulase supply device 28. In embodiment 4, the same components as those in embodiment 3 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Note that in the waste treatment system 1 according to embodiment 3, the easily decomposable matter tank 16 is not an essential component, but in the waste treatment system 1 according to embodiment 4, the easily decomposable matter tank 16 is an essential component. In another embodiment, the waste treatment system 1 according to embodiment 2 further includes an easily decomposable matter state detection device 26 and a cellulase supply device 28.

[0051] 5 is a schematic diagram of a waste treatment system 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the waste treatment system 1 further includes an easily decomposable matter state detection device 26 and a cellulase supply device 28.

[0052] The easily decomposable material state detection device 26 detects the state of the easily decomposable material Y2 in the easily decomposable material tank 16 (hereinafter referred to as the "state of the easily decomposable material tank 16"). Such an easily decomposable material state detection device 26 includes a known turbidity measuring device such as a turbidity meter or spectrophotometer that measures the turbidity of the easily decomposable material Y2 in the easily decomposable material tank 16.

[0053] The cellulase supplying device 28 is electrically connected to the easily decomposable material state detecting device 26, acquires the turbidity detected by the easily decomposable material state detecting device 26, and supplies cellulase to the easily decomposable material tank 16 based on this turbidity. Specifically, when the turbidity exceeds a preset value, the cellulase supplying device 28 supplies cellulase to the easily decomposable material tank 16.

[0054] <Functions and effects of the detection system of embodiment 4> According to embodiment 4, the waste treatment system 1 is equipped with an easily decomposable material state detection device 26 that detects the state of the easily decomposable material tank 16, so that the state of the easily decomposable material tank 16 can be quickly known.

[0055] The turbidity of the easily decomposable material Y2 in the easily decomposable material tank 16 is dominated by the cellulose content of the easily decomposable material Y2. When waste containing a large amount of paper waste or plant matter is hydrolyzed, the easily decomposable material Y2 may contain a large amount of cellulose. According to the fourth embodiment, when the turbidity (cellulose) exceeds a set value, cellulase is supplied to the easily decomposable material tank 16, thereby promoting the breakdown of cellulose into smaller molecules in the biogas fermenter 4.

[0056] In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the easily decomposable material state detection device 26 detects the state of the easily decomposable material tank 16 by measuring the turbidity of the easily decomposable material Y2, but the present disclosure is not limited to this form. In one embodiment, the easily decomposable material state detection device 26 includes a sugar content measuring device that measures the sugar content of the easily decomposable material Y2 in the easily decomposable material tank 16, instead of or in addition to a turbidity measuring device that measures turbidity. The sugar content of the easily decomposable material Y2 in the easily decomposable material tank 16 is dominated by the cellulose content contained in the easily decomposable material Y2, and therefore, similar to the effect described above, the breakdown of cellulose into smaller molecules in the biogas fermenter 4 can be promoted.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a schematic functional block diagram of an adjustment device 8 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6 , the adjustment device 8 includes a memory unit 30. The memory unit 30 stores a supply model M created based on first detection values ​​32 previously detected by the microbial reaction detection device 6, modified material information 34 including the amount and timing of the modified material Y1 supplied to the biogas fermenter 4 based on the first detection values ​​32, and status information 36 including the state of the biogas fermenter 4 derived from the supply of the modified material Y1 based on the first detection values ​​32, external environmental information (such as season, weather, events, and other information affecting waste discharge), and operating history information of the waste treatment system. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 , the supply model M is created by machine learning training data 33 that associates the first detection values ​​32, the modified material information 34, and the status information 36. The adjustment device 8 then inputs the second detection value 38 currently detected by the microbial reaction detection device 6 into the supply model M to calculate the opening 35 of the adjustment valve 53 and adjusts the amount and timing of the modified material Y1 to be supplied to the biogas fermenter 4. Note that the machine learning used to create the supply model M is not particularly limited, and for example, a random forest may be applied.

[0058] According to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6 , the opening degree 35 of the adjusting valve 53 is calculated using a supply model M created by machine learning or analyzing teacher data 33 that associates the first detection value 32, modified product information 34, and status information 36, so that the biogas fermentation tank 4 can be maintained in a state suitable for degradation by microorganisms.

[0059] The first detection value 32 included in the teacher data 33 includes a value detected by the microbial reaction detection device 6, such as the concentration of volatile fatty acids, but the teacher data 33 may be configured to include information detected by a device other than the microbial reaction detection device 6. In other words, the amount and timing of the easily decomposable materials Y2 to be supplied to the biogas fermenter 4 may be adjusted taking into consideration not only the state of the biogas fermenter 4 detected by the microbial reaction detection device 6 but also other information.

[0060] For example, the training data 33 includes the concentration of methane gas produced in the biogas fermenter 4, the torque of the motor 42 described below, and an image of the reformed product Y1 captured by a near-infrared sensor such as a hyperspectral camera. With this configuration, the supply model M is created taking into account the concentration of methane gas and the like, further improving the accuracy of the supply model M. In particular, in the case of a reactor involving a microbial reaction, even a single detection error can impair the activity of the microorganisms, so it is preferable to use multiple detection ends.

[0061] A specific example will be described. In one embodiment, the supply model M is created based on reformer information, including the torque for stirring the contents of the reformer 2, tank information, including the concentration of volatile fatty acids contained in the contents of the easily decomposable material tank 16, the first detection value 32, the reformed material information 34, and the status information 36. When the waste contains a large amount of easily decomposable materials Y2, such as food waste, the stirring torque for stirring the contents of the reformer 2 is lower than usual, and the amount of easily decomposable materials Y2 contained in the reformed material Y1 increases. Furthermore, the concentration of volatile fatty acids contained in the liquid components of the easily decomposable materials Y2 in the easily decomposable material tank 16 increases, and the pH of this liquid component decreases. Furthermore, the stirring torque for stirring the contents of the biogas fermenter 4 decreases, and the concentration of volatile fatty acids contained in the liquid components of the easily decomposable materials Y2 in the biogas fermenter 4 increases, and the pH of this liquid component decreases. In this case, the amount of biogas produced in the biogas fermenter 4 tends to increase. The supply model M of the adjustment device 8 has previously machine-learned this tendency for biogas to increase. The adjustment device 8 inputs the state of the reformer 2 (stirring torque value) as reformer information and the state of the easily decomposable material tank 16 (volatile fatty acid concentration) or the state of the biogas fermenter 4 (volatile fatty acid concentration) as tank information into the supply model M, thereby predicting an increase in the concentration of the easily decomposable material Y2 in the biogas fermenter 4 and reducing the amount of the easily decomposable material Y2 supplied to the biogas fermenter 4. The reformer information may include the amount of the easily decomposable material Y2 contained in the reformer 2 in addition to or instead of the torque for stirring the contents of the reformer 2. The tank information may include at least one of the concentration of inhibitors, the concentration of ammonia, and the pH of the liquid component of the easily decomposable material Y2 in addition to or instead of the concentration of volatile fatty acids. The first detection value 32 may include, in addition to or instead of the concentration of volatile fatty acids contained in the contents of the biogas fermenter 4, the concentration of inhibitors, the concentration of ammonia, the pH of the liquid component of the easily decomposed product Y2, and the torque for stirring the contents of the biogas fermenter.

[0062] Incidentally, when the waste contains a small amount of proteins, the concentration of inhibitors (such as melanoidins) contained in the liquid component of the modified product Y1 immediately after production in the modifying device 2 decreases, and the pH of this liquid component also decreases. Furthermore, the concentration of inhibitors contained in the liquid component of the easily decomposable product Y2 in the easily decomposable product tank 16 also decreases, and the pH of this liquid component also decreases. Furthermore, the concentrations of inhibitors and ammonia contained in the liquid component of the easily decomposable product Y2 in the biogas fermenter 4 also decrease, and the pH of this liquid component also decreases. Furthermore, the alkalinity of the biogas fermenter 4 also decreases. In this case, the nitrogen component contained in the easily decomposable product Y2 in the biogas fermenter 4 tends to be insufficient. The supply model M of the adjustment device 8 is created based on reformer information including the inhibitor concentration, which is the concentration of ammonia contained in the contents of the reformer 2, tank information including the inhibitor concentration contained in the contents of the easily decomposable material tank 16, a first detection value 37 (different from the first detection value 32 described above) previously detected by the biogas fermenter 4, which first detection value 37 includes the inhibitor concentration, ammonia concentration, and alkalinity contained in the contents of the biogas fermenter 4, the modified material information 34 described above, and the state information 36 described above, and the tendency for this nitrogen component to be insufficient is learned in advance by machine learning. The adjusting device 8 inputs the state of the reformer 2 (inhibitor concentration), the state of the easily decomposable material tank 16 (inhibitor concentration), or the state of the biogas fermenter 4 (inhibitor concentration, ammonia concentration, and alkalinity) into the supply model M, thereby predicting a shortage of nitrogen components contained in the easily decomposable material Y2 in the biogas fermenter 4 and increasing the amount of nitrogen-containing additives supplied to the biogas fermenter 4 or increasing the amount of nitrogen-containing sludge separated water circulated to the biogas fermenter 4. The reformer information may include the concentrations of melanoidin, phenol, or ferral in addition to the ammonia concentration contained in the reformed material Y1 in the reformer 2. The reformer information may include at least one of the concentration of volatile fatty acids, the concentration of inhibitors, and the pH of the liquid component of the easily decomposable material Y2, together with or instead of the ammonia concentration.The tank information may include at least one of the concentration of volatile fatty acids, the concentration of ammonia, and the pH of the liquid component of the easily decomposable material Y2, in addition to or instead of the concentration of inhibitors. The first detection value 37 may include at least one of the concentration of volatile fatty acids, the concentration of inhibitors, the concentration of ammonia, and the pH of the liquid component of the easily decomposable material Y2 contained in the modified material Y1 in the biogas fermenter 4.

[0063] 7 to 10 are schematic diagrams of the configuration of a waste treatment system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] 7 , the waste treatment system 1 further includes a flow meter 40 that acquires the amount of biogas G flowing from the biogas fermenter 4 to the gas holder 58. The adjustment device 8 is electrically connected to the flow meter 40 and acquires the amount of biogas G. The adjustment device 8 then adjusts the amount and timing of the easily decomposable materials Y2 to be supplied to the biogas fermenter 4, based on the state of the biogas fermenter 4 detected by the microbial reaction detection device 6 and the amount of biogas G acquired by the flow meter 40.

[0065] An example of adjustment of the easily decomposable materials Y2 by the adjustment device 8 will be described. The adjustment device 8 reduces the amount of easily decomposable materials Y2 supplied to the biogas fermenter 4 when the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) is within a preset range (for example, 1,000 ppm to 10,000 ppm) but the amount of biogas G is less than a preset value.

[0066] 7, the adjustment device 8 adjusts the amount and timing of the easily decomposable materials Y2 to be supplied to the biogas fermenter 4 based on the state of the biogas fermenter 4 detected by the microbial reaction detection device 6 and the amount of biogas G acquired by the flow meter 40. This allows the biogas fermenter 4 to be brought into a state suitable for degradation by the microorganisms more quickly.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 8, the biogas fermenter 4 may be provided with an agitator 44 driven by a motor 42 to agitate the contents of the biogas fermenter 4. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the adjustment device 8 is electrically connected to the motor 42 and acquires the torque of the motor 42. The adjustment device 8 then adjusts the amount and timing of the easily decomposable materials Y2 to be supplied to the biogas fermenter 4 based on the state of the biogas fermenter 4 detected by the microbial reaction detection device 6 and the torque of the motor 42.

[0068] An example of adjustment of the easily decomposable materials Y2 by the adjustment device 8 will be described below. When the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) exceeds a predetermined upper limit (e.g., 10,000 ppm) and the torque of the motor 42 is lower than the predetermined set torque, the adjustment device 8 reduces the amount of easily decomposable materials Y2 supplied to the biogas fermenter 4. When the concentration of volatile fatty acids falls below a predetermined lower limit (e.g., 1,000 ppm) and the torque of the motor 42 is higher than the predetermined set torque, the adjustment device 8 increases the amount of easily decomposable materials Y2 supplied to the biogas fermenter 4.

[0069] 8, the adjustment device 8 adjusts the amount and timing of supply of easily decomposable materials Y2 to the biogas fermenter 4 based on the state of the biogas fermenter 4 detected by the microbial reaction detection device 6 and the torque of the motor 42. This allows the biogas fermenter 4 to be brought into a state suitable for degradation by microorganisms more quickly.

[0070] As shown in Figure 9, in one embodiment, the waste treatment system 1 includes a nitrogen component supply device 46 that supplies a nitrogen-containing liquid Y4 containing a nitrogen component such as ammonia water to the easily decomposable material tank 16, and a nitrogen component adjustment device 48 that adjusts the amount of nitrogen-containing liquid Y4 supplied from the nitrogen component supply device 46 to the easily decomposable material tank 16 based on the ammonia concentration measured by the concentration measurement device 68 of the microbial reaction detection device 6.

[0071] When the waste is municipal solid waste, the easily decomposable materials Y2 stored in the easily decomposable material tank 16 may contain a large amount of carbon components and a small amount of nitrogen components. Even if such easily decomposable materials Y2 are supplied to the biogas fermenter 4, there is a risk that the decomposition of the materials by microorganisms (methane fermentation) will not be promoted. According to the configuration illustrated in Figure 9, the nitrogen-containing liquid Y4 is supplied to the easily decomposable material tank 16 based on the ammonia concentration measured by the concentration measuring device 68, so that the biogas fermenter 4 can be brought into a state suitable for the decomposition of the materials by microorganisms more quickly. Note that the adjusting device 8 may function as the nitrogen component adjusting device 48, or the adjusting device 8 and the nitrogen component adjusting device 48 may be provided physically separately.

[0072] 10 , in one embodiment, the waste treatment system 1 includes a measuring device 50 that measures the electrical conductivity of the liquid component of the contents of the biogas fermenter 4. The adjusting device 8 adjusts the amount and timing of supply of easily decomposable materials Y2 to the biogas fermenter 4 based on the state of the biogas fermenter 4 detected by the microbial reaction detecting device 6 and the measurement value of the measuring device 50. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 , the measuring device 50 is configured to measure the electrical conductivity of the detection sample X1 after it has circulated through the microbial reaction detecting device 6 (i.e., the diluted liquid after its concentration has been measured by the concentration measuring device 68).

[0073] 2 and 3 , in the present disclosure, the detection ends of the waste treatment system 1 excluding the microbial reaction detection device 6 are exemplified as the reformed state detection device 10 that detects the state of the reformer 2 and the easily decomposable material state detection device 26 that detects the state of the easily decomposable material tank 16. However, the waste treatment system 1 may include detection ends other than the reformed state detection device 10 and the easily decomposable material state detection device 26. For example, detection ends for detecting raw material images (including hyperspectral), the agitation motor torque of the reformer 2, the weight of the less decomposable material and the easily decomposable material Y2 separated by the separator 14, the motor torque of the easily decomposable material tank 16, the agitation motor torque of the biogas fermenter 4, the amount of biogas generated in the biogas fermenter, and biogas properties (methane concentration, carbon dioxide concentration, moisture concentration, etc.) may be included.

[0074] 2 and 3, the present disclosure illustrates the reformer 2 capable of adjusting hydrolysis conditions and the cellulase supply device 28 that supplies cellulase to the easily decomposable material tank 16 as control elements of the waste treatment system 1 excluding the regulating valve 53 and the easily decomposable material regulating valve 22. However, the waste treatment system 1 may include control elements other than the reformer 2 and the cellulase supply device 28. For example, control elements that adjust the separation sieve conditions (mesh size, feed speed, amplitude, moisture adjustment, etc.) of the separator 14 and the amount of additives supplied to the biogas fermenter 4 may be mentioned.

[0075] By providing multiple detection terminals and operating terminals in this way, the adjustment device 8 can determine and take measures against poor methane bacteria activity, production of inhibitory substances, an increase in the amount of difficult-to-decompose substances, an increase in the amount of easily decomposable substances, a decrease in the amount of nitrogen in the raw material, an increase in moisture in the raw material, an increase in the plastic content, etc.

[0076] As shown in Figure 11, in one embodiment, the waste treatment system 1 further includes a concentration adjuster 55. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, the waste treatment system 1 includes a dehydrator 57 that dehydrates the fermentation residue in the biogas fermenter 4. The dehydrator 57 is connected to the easily decomposable material line 20 via a water injection pipe 59. The water injection pipe 59 is provided with a concentration adjuster 55 (adjustment valve) for supplying water dehydrated from the fermentation residue to the easily decomposable material line 20. This concentration adjuster 55 is electrically connected to the adjustment device 8, and its opening is adjusted in accordance with instructions transmitted from the adjustment device 8. The concentration adjuster 55 adjusts the concentration of ammonia contained in the easily decomposable material Y2 based on the concentration of ammonia contained in the diluted liquid measured by the concentration measuring device 68.

[0077] 11 , the concentration of ammonia contained in the contents of the biogas fermenter 4 can be adjusted, and the biogas fermenter 4 can be maintained in a state suitable for low decomposition by microorganisms. To increase the fluidity of the easily decomposable material Y2, water can be added to the easily decomposable material Y2 to increase its water content. Meanwhile, since the water obtained by dehydrating the fermentation residue contains ammonia, nitrogen-containing substances can also be added if the nitrogen content of the contents of the biogas fermenter 4 is low. Although not shown, in another embodiment, the waste treatment system 1 includes a nitrogen component addition device that adds an additive containing a nitrogen component to the easily decomposable material Y2, and the concentration adjustment device 55 adjusts the amount of additive added to the easily decomposable material Y2 by the nitrogen component addition device.

[0078] 12 is a flowchart of a waste treatment method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 12 , the waste treatment method 100 includes a step 102 of hydrolyzing waste, a step 104 of using microorganisms to reduce molecular weight molecules of a modified product Y1 containing at least solids from the hydrolyzed waste, a step 106 of detecting the state of reduction of molecular weight molecules of the modified product Y1 in the biogas fermenter 4 (the state of the biogas fermenter 4), and a step 108 of adjusting the amount of the modified product Y1 used in the step 104 of reducing molecular weight molecules of the modified product Y1 based on the detected state of reduction of molecular weight molecules of the modified product Y1. This method allows the biogas fermenter 4 to be continuously maintained in a state suitable for reduction of molecular weight molecules by the microorganisms.

[0079] The contents described in each of the above embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0080] [1] A waste treatment system (1) according to the present disclosure comprises at least one reforming device (2) for hydrolyzing waste, a microbial reaction device (4) for microorganisms that convert the modified material containing at least solids from the waste hydrolyzed in the at least one reforming device into smaller molecules, a microbial reaction detection device (6) for detecting the state of the modified material being converted into smaller molecules within the microbial reaction device, and an adjustment device (8) for adjusting the amount and timing of the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device based on the detection value of the microbial reaction detection device.

[0081] According to the configuration described in [1] above, the amount and timing of the modified substance supplied to the microbial reaction device are adjusted based on the state of molecular degradation of the modified substance within the microbial reaction device detected by the microbial reaction detection device, so that the microbial reaction device can be maintained in a state suitable for molecular degradation by microorganisms.

[0082] [2] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [1] above, the microbial reaction detection device includes a sampling device (62) that samples a portion of the modified material in the microbial reaction device as a detection sample, a solid-liquid separation device (64) that separates the detection sample into a solid component and a liquid component, a dilution device (66) that dilutes the liquid component separated by the solid-liquid separation device, and a concentration measurement device (68) that measures the concentration of the diluted liquid, which is the liquid component diluted by the dilution device.

[0083] The state of degradation of the modified substance in the microbial reactor (hereinafter referred to as the state of the microbial reactor) may be determined based on the concentration of the liquid component of the modified substance in the microbial reactor. According to the configuration described in [2] above, the microbial reaction detection device includes a sampling device, a solid-liquid separator, a dilution device, and a concentration measurement device, so that the state of degradation of the modified substance in the microbial reactor can be detected.

[0084] [3] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [2] above, the measurement value of the concentration measuring device includes at least one of the concentration of volatile fatty acids and the concentration of ammonia contained in the diluted liquid.

[0085] The state of the microbial reaction device may be determined based on at least one of the concentrations of volatile fatty acids and ammonia among the liquid components of the contents of the microbial reaction device. According to the configuration described in [3] above, the concentration measuring device of the microbial reaction detection device measures at least one of the concentrations of volatile fatty acids and ammonia contained in the diluted liquid, so the microbial reaction detection device can detect the state of the microbial reaction device. If poor methane bacteria activity is determined, freeze-dried bacteria may be added to the methane fermentation tank.

[0086] [4] In some embodiments, the configuration described in any one of [1] to [3] above further comprises a reforming state detection device (10) that detects the state of hydrolysis of the waste in the reforming device, and a hydrolysis condition adjustment device (12) that adjusts the conditions for hydrolysis of the waste in the reforming device based on the state of hydrolysis of the waste in the reforming device detected by the reforming state detection device.

[0087] According to the configuration described in [4] above, the waste treatment system adjusts the hydrolysis conditions of the waste in the reformer based on the state of hydrolysis of the waste in the reformer, so that modified material with conditions suitable for the microbial reaction can be supplied to the microbial reaction device, and valuable materials can be efficiently produced by the microbial reaction.

[0088] [5] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of [1] to [4] above, the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device includes easily decomposable materials that can be broken down into smaller molecules by microorganisms within a predetermined time in the microbial reaction device, and the adjustment device adjusts the amount of easily decomposable materials supplied to the microbial reaction device and the timing of supplying the easily decomposable materials to the microbial reaction device based on the detection value of the microbial reaction detection device.

[0089] Whether or not the decomposition by microorganisms is in an optimum state is often determined by the amount and timing of the easily decomposable materials supplied to the microbial reactor. According to the configuration described in [5] above, the adjusting device adjusts the supply amount of easily decomposable materials supplied to the microbial reactor and the timing of supplying the easily decomposable materials to the microbial reactor, so that the microbial reactor can be maintained in an optimum state for the decomposition by microorganisms.

[0090] [6] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of [1] to [5] above, a separation device (14) is further provided between at least one reforming device and the microbial reaction device, which separates unsuitable reactants that are not suitable for degradation by microorganisms in the microbial reaction device from the reformed material.

[0091] According to the configuration described in [6] above, the waste treatment system is provided with a separation device, which separates unsuitable substances for reaction from the modified substance and reduces the amount of unsuitable substances supplied to the microbial reactor. As a result, the risk of inhibiting the depolymerization in the microbial reactor is reduced, and depolymerization can be performed efficiently.

[0092] [7] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [6] above, the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device includes easily decomposable materials that can be broken down into smaller molecules by microorganisms within a predetermined time in the microbial reaction device, and difficult to decompose materials that take longer to be broken down into smaller molecules by microorganisms than the easily decomposable materials, and the separation device separates the modified material into easily decomposable materials and difficult to decompose materials.

[0093] According to the configuration described in [7] above, the amount of persistent decomposition products supplied to the microbial reaction device can be reduced. As a result, the risk of inhibiting the degradation of molecules in the microbial reaction device is reduced, and the degradation can be performed efficiently. In addition, easily decomposed materials with high purity and fluidity can be supplied to the microbial reaction device, and the microbial reaction device can be quickly brought into a state suitable for degradation by microorganisms.

[0094] [8] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of [1] to [7] above, the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device includes easily decomposable materials that can be broken down into smaller molecules by microorganisms within a predetermined time in the microbial reaction device, and the device further includes an easily decomposable material tank (16) for storing the easily decomposable materials, and an easily decomposable material state detection device (26) for detecting the state of the easily decomposable materials in the easily decomposable material tank.

[0095] According to the configuration described in [8] above, the state of the easily decomposable materials in the easily decomposable material tank can be known.

[0096] [9] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [8] above, the easily decomposable material state detection device further includes a cellulase supply device (28) that detects at least one of the turbidity and sugar content of the easily decomposable material in the easily decomposable material tank, and supplies cellulase to the easily decomposable material tank based on at least one of the turbidity and sugar content of the easily decomposable material in the easily decomposable material tank detected by the easily decomposable material state detection device.

[0097] The turbidity and sugar content of the easily degradable material in the easily degradable material tank are dominated by the cellulose content of the easily degradable material. When waste containing a large amount of paper waste or plant matter is hydrolyzed, the easily degradable material may contain a large amount of cellulose. According to the configuration described in [9] above, cellulase is supplied to the easily degradable material tank based on at least one of the turbidity and sugar content of the easily degradable material in the easily degradable material tank, thereby promoting the decomposition of cellulose into smaller molecules in the microbial reaction device.

[0098]

[10] In some embodiments, in the configurations described in [1] to [9] above, the adjustment device includes a memory unit (30) that stores a supply model created based on a first detection value previously detected by the microbial reaction detection device, modified material information including the amount and timing of the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device based on the first detection value, and status information including the state of molecular weight degradation of the modified material within the microbial reaction device, and calculates the amount and timing of the modified material to be supplied to the microbial reaction device by inputting the second detection value detected by the microbial reaction detection device into the supply model.

[0099] According to the configuration described in

[10] above, the amount and timing of the modified material to be supplied to the microbial reaction device are calculated using a supply model created based on the first detection value, modified material information, and status information, so that the microbial reaction device can be maintained in a state suitable for molecular degradation by microorganisms.

[0100]

[11] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in

[10] above, the supply model is created by machine learning training data that associates the first detection value, the modified material information, and the state information.

[0101] According to the configuration described in

[11] above, the accuracy of the supply model can be improved.

[0102]

[12] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in

[10] or

[11] above, the reformate supplied to the microbial reaction device includes easily decomposable substances that can be decomposed into smaller molecules by microorganisms within a predetermined time in the microbial reaction device, and at least one tank is arranged between the at least one reformer and the microbial reaction device and stores the reformate. The supply model is created based on reformer information including at least one of the torque for stirring the contents of the reformer and the amount of easily decomposable substances contained in the reformer, tank information including at least one of the concentration of volatile fatty acids, the concentration of inhibitors, the concentration of ammonia, and pH contained in the contents of the at least one tank, first detection values ​​previously detected by the microbial reaction detection device, the first detection values ​​including at least one of the concentration of volatile fatty acids, the concentration of inhibitors, the concentration of ammonia, pH, and the torque for stirring the contents of the microbial reaction device, reformate information, and status information. The adjustment device calculates the amount and timing of the reformate to be supplied to the microbial reaction device by inputting the first detection value, the reformer information, and the tank information into the supply model.

[0103] According to the configuration described in

[12] above, the adjustment device can calculate the amount and timing of the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device as objective variables by inputting the first detection value, the modified device information, and the tank information as explanatory variables.

[0104]

[13] In some embodiments, the configuration described in

[10] or

[11] above further includes at least one tank disposed between the at least one reformer and the microbial reactor for storing the reformate, and the supply model is created based on reformer information including at least one of the concentrations of volatile fatty acids, inhibitors, ammonia, and pH contained in the contents of the reformer, tank information including at least one of the concentrations of volatile fatty acids, inhibitors, ammonia, and pH contained in the contents of the at least one tank, first detection values ​​previously detected by the microbial reaction detection device, the first detection values ​​including at least one of the concentrations of volatile fatty acids, inhibitors, ammonia, and pH contained in the contents of the microbial reactor, reformate information, and status information, and the adjustment device adjusts the amount of nitrogen supplied to the microbial reactor by inputting the first detection values, reformer information, and tank information into the supply model.

[0105] According to the configuration described in

[13] above, the adjustment device can calculate the amount of nitrogen supplied to the microbial reaction device as a target variable by inputting the first detection value, the reforming device information, and the tank information as explanatory variables.

[0106]

[14] In some embodiments, the configuration according to any one of [1] to

[13] above further comprises a plurality of tanks arranged between the at least one reformer and the microbial reactor for storing the reformate, the plurality of tanks being arranged in parallel with each other.

[0107] According to the configuration described in

[14] above, by storing the modified material in one of the tanks, the adjustment device can adjust the amount and timing of the modified material supplied from one of the tanks to the microbial reaction device.

[0108]

[15] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in

[14] above, the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device includes easily degradable materials that can be broken down into smaller molecules by microorganisms within a predetermined time in the microbial reaction device, and difficult to decompose materials that take longer to be broken down into smaller molecules by microorganisms than the easily decomposable materials, and the multiple tanks include an easily decomposable material tank for storing the easily decomposable materials, a difficult to decompose material tank for storing the difficult to decompose materials, and an inhibitor avoidance tank for storing inhibitors contained in the modified material.

[0109] According to the configuration described in

[15] above, the amount of easily decomposable substances supplied to the microbial reactor can be adjusted, and the amount of less decomposable substances and inhibitors supplied to the microbial reactor can be reduced. As a result, the risk of inhibiting the decomposition in the microbial reactor can be reduced, and the decomposition can be performed efficiently.

[0110]

[16] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of [1] to

[15] above, the microbial reaction detection device includes a sampling device that samples a portion of the modified material in the microbial reaction device as a detection sample, a solid-liquid separation device that separates the detection sample into a solid component and a liquid component, a dilution device that dilutes the liquid component separated by the solid-liquid separation device, and a concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of the diluted liquid, which is the liquid component diluted by the dilution device, wherein the measurement value of the concentration measuring device includes the concentration of ammonia contained in the diluted liquid, and the device further includes a concentration adjusting device that adjusts the concentration of ammonia contained in the modified material based on the concentration of ammonia contained in the diluted liquid measured by the concentration measuring device.

[0111] According to the configuration described in

[16] above, the concentration of ammonia contained in the contents of the microbial reaction device can be adjusted.

[0112]

[17] The waste treatment method (100) according to the present disclosure comprises a step (102) of hydrolyzing waste, a step (104) of decomposing a modified substance containing at least solids from the hydrolyzed waste into smaller molecules using microorganisms, a step (106) of detecting the state of decomposition of the modified substance, and a step (108) of adjusting the amount of modified substance in the step of decomposing the modified substance into smaller molecules using microorganisms based on the detected state of decomposition of the modified substance.

[0113] According to the method described in

[17] above, the microbial reaction device can be continuously maintained in a state suitable for degradation by microorganisms.

[0114] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Waste treatment system 2 Modifier 4 Biogas fermenter (microbial reactor) 6 Microbial reaction detector 8 Adjuster 10 Modification state detector 12 Hydrolysis condition adjuster 14 Separator 16 Easily decomposable material tank 18 Hardly decomposable material tank 26 Easily decomposable material state detector 28 Cellulase supply device 30 Memory unit 62 Sampling device 64 Solid-liquid separator 66 Diluter 68 Concentration measuring device 100 Waste treatment method

Claims

1. A waste treatment system comprising: at least one reforming device that hydrolyzes waste; a microbial reaction device that uses microorganisms to reduce molecules of the modified material, which contains at least solids from the waste hydrolyzed in the at least one reforming device; a microbial reaction detection device that detects the state of reduction of molecules of the modified material within the microbial reaction device; and an adjustment device that adjusts the amount and timing of the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device based on the detection value of the microbial reaction detection device.

2. The waste treatment system of claim 1, wherein the microbial reaction detection device includes: a sampling device that samples a portion of the modified material in the microbial reaction device as a detection sample; a solid-liquid separation device that separates the detection sample into solid and liquid components; a dilution device that dilutes the liquid components separated by the solid-liquid separation device; and a concentration measurement device that measures the concentration of the diluted liquid, which is the liquid component diluted by the dilution device.

3. The waste treatment system according to claim 2, wherein the measured values ​​of the concentration measuring device include at least one of the concentration of volatile fatty acids and the concentration of ammonia contained in the diluted liquid.

4. A waste treatment system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a reforming state detection device that detects the state of hydrolysis of the waste within the reforming device; and a hydrolysis condition adjustment device that adjusts the conditions for hydrolysis of the waste by the reforming device based on the state of hydrolysis of the waste within the reforming device detected by the reforming state detection device.

5. A waste treatment system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device includes easily decomposable materials that can be broken down into smaller molecules by microorganisms within a predetermined time in the microbial reaction device, and the adjustment device adjusts the amount of easily decomposable materials supplied to the microbial reaction device and the timing of supplying the easily decomposable materials to the microbial reaction device based on the detection value of the microbial reaction detection device.

6. A waste treatment system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a separation device between the at least one reforming device and the microbial reaction device, which separates unsuitable materials for reaction that are unsuitable for degradation to smaller molecules by the microorganisms in the microbial reaction device from the reformed materials.

7. The waste treatment system described in claim 6, wherein the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device includes easily decomposable materials that can be broken down into smaller molecules by microorganisms within a predetermined time in the microbial reaction device, and less decomposable materials that take longer to be broken down into smaller molecules by microorganisms than the easily decomposable materials, and the separation device separates the modified material into the easily decomposable materials and the less decomposable materials.

8. A waste treatment system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device includes easily decomposable materials that can be broken down into smaller molecules by microorganisms within a predetermined time in the microbial reaction device, and further comprising: an easily decomposable material tank for storing the easily decomposable materials; and an easily decomposable material state detection device for detecting the state of the easily decomposable materials in the easily decomposable material tank.

9. The waste treatment system described in claim 8, wherein the easily decomposable material state detection device detects at least one of the turbidity and sugar content of the easily decomposable material in the easily decomposable material tank, and further comprises a cellulase supply device that supplies cellulase to the easily decomposable material tank based on at least one of the turbidity and sugar content of the easily decomposable material in the easily decomposable material tank detected by the easily decomposable material state detection device.

10. A waste treatment system as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the adjustment device includes a memory unit that stores a supply model created based on a first detection value previously detected by the microbial reaction detection device, modified material information including the amount and timing of the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device based on the first detection value, and status information including the state of depolymerization of the modified material within the microbial reaction device, and calculates the amount and timing of the modified material to be supplied to the microbial reaction device by inputting a second detection value detected by the microbial reaction detection device into the supply model.

11. The waste treatment system according to claim 10, wherein the supply model is created by machine learning training data that associates the first detection value, the modified product information, and the state information.

12. The reformate supplied to the microbial reaction device includes easily decomposable substances that can be decomposed into lower molecules by microorganisms within a predetermined time in the microbial reaction device, and the system further comprises at least one tank arranged between the at least one reformer and the microbial reaction device for storing the reformate, and the supply model is created based on reformer information including at least one of a torque for stirring the contents of the reformer and an amount of the easily decomposable substances contained in the reformer, tank information including at least one of a concentration of volatile fatty acids, a concentration of inhibitors, ammonia concentration, and pH contained in the contents of the at least one tank, the first detection value previously detected by the microbial reaction detection device, the first detection value including at least one of a concentration of volatile fatty acids, a concentration of inhibitors, ammonia concentration, pH, and a torque for stirring the contents of the microbial reaction device, the reformate information, and the status information, The waste treatment system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the adjusting device calculates the amount and timing of the reformate to be supplied to the microbial reaction device by inputting the first detection value, the reforming device information, and the tank information into the supply model.

13. The waste treatment system according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising at least one tank disposed between the at least one reformer and the microbial reactor for storing the reformed product, wherein the supply model is created based on reformer information including at least one of the concentration of volatile fatty acids, the concentration of inhibitors, the concentration of ammonia, and pH contained in the contents of the reformer, tank information including at least one of the concentration of volatile fatty acids, the concentration of inhibitors, the concentration of ammonia, and pH contained in the contents of the at least one tank, the first detection value previously detected by the microbial reaction detection device, the first detection value including at least one of the concentration of volatile fatty acids, the concentration of inhibitors, the concentration of ammonia, and pH contained in the contents of the microbial reactor, the reformed product information, and the status information, and wherein the adjustment device adjusts the amount of nitrogen supplied to the microbial reactor by inputting the first detection value, the reformer information, and the tank information into the supply model.

14. The waste treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a plurality of tanks arranged between the at least one reformer and the microbial reactor for storing the reformate, the plurality of tanks being arranged in parallel with one another.

15. The waste treatment system described in claim 14, wherein the modified material supplied to the microbial reaction device includes easily decomposable materials that can be broken down into smaller molecules by microorganisms within a predetermined time in the microbial reaction device, and difficult to decompose materials that take longer to be broken down into smaller molecules by microorganisms than the easily decomposable materials, and the multiple tanks include an easily decomposable material tank for storing the easily decomposable materials, a difficult to decompose material tank for storing the difficult to decompose materials, and an inhibitor avoidance tank for storing inhibitors contained in the modified material.

16. The waste treatment system described in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the microbial reaction detection device includes: a sampling device that samples a portion of the modified product in the microbial reaction device as a detection sample; a solid-liquid separation device that separates the detection sample into a solid component and a liquid component; a dilution device that dilutes the liquid component separated by the solid-liquid separation device; and a concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of the diluted liquid, which is the liquid component diluted by the dilution device, wherein the measurement value of the concentration measuring device includes the concentration of ammonia contained in the diluted liquid, and further comprises a concentration adjusting device that adjusts the concentration of ammonia contained in the modified product based on the concentration of ammonia contained in the diluted liquid measured by the concentration measuring device.

17. A waste treatment method comprising the steps of: hydrolyzing waste; converting a modified product containing at least solids from the hydrolyzed waste into smaller molecules using microorganisms; detecting the state of degradation of the modified product; and adjusting the amount of the modified product in the step of converting the modified product into smaller molecules using microorganisms based on the detected state of degradation of the modified product.