Fermentation device, device frame used in fermentation device, fermentation system including device frame, and fermentation method

Abstract

Provided is a fermentation device in which localized unevenness of fermentation does not occur, and which can achieve a reduction in fermentation time without the need for turning. This fermentation device comprises a plurality of high pressure air supply pipes, a high pressure air supply unit, a driving unit, and a control unit. The plurality of high pressure air supply pipes are provided with: a plurality of nozzles which eject high pressure air; and a plurality of temperature sensors and / or a plurality of moisture sensors. The plurality of high pressure air supply pipes are inserted into matter to be fermented. The high pressure air supply unit produces high pressure air and supplies the high pressure air to the plurality of high pressure air supply pipes which have been inserted into the matter to be fermented. The driving unit rotates each of the plurality of high pressure air supply pipes about the central axis thereof, which is along the lengthwise direction thereof. The control unit control amount of high pressure air supplied to each of the plurality of high pressure air supply pipes, on the basis of measurement values from the plurality of temperature sensors and / or the plurality of moisture sensors.

Description

Fermentation device, device frame used in the fermentation device, fermentation system including the device frame, and fermentation method

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for fermenting sewage sludge, livestock excrement, etc. More specifically, a high-pressure air supply pipe is inserted into the deposited fermentation product, and by optimally supplying high-pressure air into the fermentation product, the present invention relates to a fermentation device capable of efficiently fermenting the fermentation product.

[0002] Conventionally, treatment products such as urban sewage sludge and livestock manure have been composted and reused by fermentation in addition to being treated by landfill or incineration. As a fermentation device for aerobically fermenting treatment products, the composting facility described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. The composting facility described in Patent Document 1 arranges a ventilation pipe having ventilation holes for supplying air on the floor surface where the compost material is deposited, and supplies air from the ventilation holes to the compost material to perform an aerobic fermentation treatment.

[0003] Further, as a fermentation device for aerobically fermenting treatment products, the devices described in Patent Document 2 or Patent Document 3 have also been proposed. The device described in Patent Document 2 includes a supply pipe provided with ventilation holes, inserts a plurality of supply pipes into the laminated treatment products, and supplies high-pressure air from the ventilation holes to the treatment products to aerobically ferment the treatment products.

[0004] JP-A-2002-265290 JP-A-2006-198566 JP-A-10-87388 Japanese Patent No. 4086235

[0005] The technology described in Patent Document 1 results in differences in the rate of fermentation between the lower part, where sufficient air reaches, and the upper part, where air is less accessible, when the height of the processed material exceeds approximately 2 meters. This prolongs the time required to achieve uniform fermentation throughout the entire material. Furthermore, because the air passages within the processed material tend to be fixed, fermentation progresses in the material around the passages, but slows down in the material further away, preventing uniform fermentation from being achieved throughout the entire material. The technologies described in Patent Document 2 or Patent Document 3 use a method of inserting multiple supply pipes into the processed material, and unlike the technology described in Patent Document 1, uneven fermentation in the vertical direction is less likely to occur, although the fixed air passages are similar. In addition, the technologies described in Patent Document 2 or Patent Document 3 require the individual insertion of multiple supply pipes into the processed material, which is time-consuming, and the lack of a specified location for inserting the supply pipes presents implementation problems.

[0006] To solve the above problems, conventional methods typically require workers to agitate the material using bulldozers or similar equipment (turning) several times a week, which incurs costs. Furthermore, uneven fermentation can prolong the time it takes for the entire material to undergo proper fermentation.

[0007] Furthermore, conventional methods do not allow for an overall understanding of the fermentation process within the material being processed. Therefore, even when the need to supply a large amount of air has decreased due to the progression of fermentation, high-pressure air continues to be supplied, resulting in additional energy costs.

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a fermentation apparatus that can shorten the fermentation time by eliminating the need for turning over and by understanding the temperature distribution and / or moisture content distribution of the processed material, controlling the amount of air supplied to each of the multiple high-pressure air supply pipes based on that distribution, and by individually rotating each of the multiple high-pressure air supply pipes around a central axis extending in the longitudinal direction, thereby preventing localized uneven fermentation.

[0009] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a fermentation apparatus for fermenting a fermented material by supplying high-pressure air to the interior of the accumulated fermented material. The fermentation apparatus comprises a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes, a high-pressure air supply unit, a drive unit, and a control unit. The plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes are provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting high-pressure air and either a plurality of temperature sensors or a plurality of moisture sensors, or both. The plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes are inserted into the interior of the fermented material. The high-pressure air supply unit generates high-pressure air and supplies it to the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes inserted into the interior of the fermented material. The drive unit rotates each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes around their longitudinal central axis. The control unit controls the amount of high-pressure air supplied to each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes based on the measured values ​​of either a plurality of temperature sensors or a plurality of moisture sensors, or both.

[0010] In another embodiment, this fermentation apparatus comprises a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes, a plurality of temperature measuring pipes or a plurality of moisture measuring pipes, or both, a high-pressure air supply unit, a drive unit, and a control unit. The plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes are provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting high-pressure air and are inserted into the fermentation material. The plurality of temperature measuring pipes are provided with a plurality of temperature sensors and are inserted into the fermentation material. The plurality of moisture measuring pipes are provided with a plurality of moisture sensors and are inserted into the fermentation material. The high-pressure air supply unit generates high-pressure air and supplies it to the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes inserted into the fermentation material. The drive unit rotates each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes around their longitudinal central axis. The control unit controls the amount of high-pressure air supplied to each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes based on the measurements of either the plurality of temperature sensors or the plurality of moisture sensors, or both.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a device frame for use in a fermentation apparatus that ferments a fermented material by supplying high-pressure air into the interior of the accumulated fermented material. The device frame comprises a base, a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes erected on the base, a drive unit that rotates each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes around their longitudinal central axis, and a control valve that controls the amount of high-pressure air supplied to each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes. Each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes is provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting high-pressure air and either a plurality of temperature sensors or a plurality of moisture sensors, or both, and is inserted into the interior of the fermented material.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, the apparatus frame comprises a base, a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes erected on the base, either a plurality of temperature measuring pipes or a plurality of moisture measuring pipes, or both, a drive unit for rotating each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes around their longitudinal central axis, and a control valve for controlling the amount of high-pressure air supplied to each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes. Each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes is provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting high-pressure air and is inserted into the fermentation material. The plurality of temperature measuring pipes are provided with a plurality of temperature sensors and are inserted into the fermentation material. The plurality of moisture measuring pipes are provided with a plurality of moisture sensors and are inserted into the fermentation material.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a continuous fermentation system comprising: a plurality of apparatus frames as described above; a high-pressure air generating device that generates high-pressure air supplied to the plurality of apparatus frames; a control unit that controls control valves of the plurality of apparatus frames based on measurements from one or both of the plurality of temperature sensors and / or a plurality of moisture sensors each of the plurality of apparatus frames has; a deposit moving means capable of moving a plurality of deposits consisting of fermentation material; and an apparatus frame moving means that moves each of the plurality of apparatus frames to insert and withdraw the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes each of the plurality of apparatus frames has into the corresponding deposits. The plurality of apparatus frames are configured to move in synchronization with the movement of the deposit moving means with the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes inserted into each of the corresponding deposits. In response to determining that the fermentation of the deposits is complete, the control unit controls the apparatus frame moving means to withdraw each of the plurality of apparatus frames from the deposits.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a fermentation method for fermenting a fermented material by supplying high-pressure air into the interior of the accumulated fermented material. This method includes the steps of: inserting a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes, each equipped with at least a plurality of nozzles for ejecting high-pressure air, into the interior of the fermented material; supplying high-pressure air to the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes; measuring the temperature inside the fermented material using a plurality of temperature sensors or measuring the moisture content inside the fermented material using a plurality of moisture sensors, or both of these steps; and controlling the supply of high-pressure air to each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes based on the measured values ​​of either the plurality of temperature sensors or the plurality of moisture sensors, or both of these values.

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve optimal supply of high-pressure air for fermentation while controlling the progress of fermentation, and furthermore, by rotating the high-pressure air supply pipe to prevent the air passage from becoming fixed, uniform fermentation of the entire fermented material can be achieved, saving labor and electricity and significantly reducing fermentation time. In the case of batch processing of fermented materials, since air is distributed throughout the entire fermented material, the turning work can be omitted, resulting in cost reduction and labor savings. When using a continuous fermentation system for continuous processing, in addition to the effects of batch processing, the fermentation process of the material can be automated.

[0016] This shows the typical changes in temperature and moisture content over time of a fermented product, with (a) being an example of temperature change and (b) being an example of moisture content change. This is a schematic configuration of the apparatus frame according to one embodiment of the present invention, with (a) being a perspective view showing the apparatus frame and (b) being a diagram showing the relationship between one supply pipe drive unit and a high-pressure air supply pipe. This is a block diagram showing the relationships between the components of a fermentation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the structure of a high-pressure air supply pipe used in a fermentation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of a fermentation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the state of inserting the apparatus frame into one fermented product in a storage facility having side walls in three directions for the fermented product. This shows an example of a temperature reference curve used in a fermentation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a continuous fermentation system including a fermentation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] (Fermented Material) The fermented material processed in the fermentation apparatus according to the present invention is not particularly limited and can be, for example, livestock manure such as cow manure, pig manure, chicken manure, and horse manure, organic sludge such as sewage sludge and food waste, or mixtures thereof. The fermented material may further include auxiliary materials. The auxiliary materials are materials used as a base material, a moisture adjusting material and a density adjusting material, and as auxiliary materials, for example, wood chips, rice straw, sawdust, etc. can be used as appropriate.

[0018] Figure 1 shows an example of typical temperature and moisture changes over time during the fermentation process of a fermented product. As shown in Figure 1(a) as a typical example, when selected aerobic bacteria are used, the temperature during the fermentation process of the fermented product rises rapidly as fermentation progresses, typically exceeding 100°C in about 3 days, depending on the ambient temperature, and then gradually decreases. This varies depending on the contents of the fermented product, but when the fermented product is 40 cm ３ If the amount is moderate, fermentation will be completed in about 5 to 7 days from the start of fermentation. If the fermented material is animal manure, it is favored by bacteria and fermentation will be completed 1 to 2 days earlier, while if the fermented material contains a lot of plant matter, the fermentation process will be delayed by 2 to 3 days.

[0019] In the fermentation of fermented materials, the temperature conditions and the amount of air (oxygen) required for fermentation constantly change over time. During fermentation, a large amount of air is consumed when the temperature rises, and once the temperature exceeds its peak, the amount of air required gradually decreases. Therefore, a fermentation apparatus should, for example, supply the maximum amount of air to the fermented material until the temperature exceeds its peak and drops to a predetermined temperature, and then gradually reduce the amount of air once the predetermined temperature is reached. For example, if the fermented material is cow dung, the peak temperature will exceed approximately 100°C, and the temperature will drop to approximately 20°C when fermentation is complete. If the fermented material is plant matter such as fallen leaves, the peak temperature will exceed approximately 100°C, but it will take an extra 2 to 3 days until fermentation is complete. If the bacteria are well-selected aerobic bacteria, the fermentation temperature will far exceed 100°C, but with ordinary aerobic bacteria, the fermentation temperature will only rise to 70°C to 80°C. As a result, ordinary bacteria present in the sediment survive, meaning that the fertilizer produced after fermentation will contain these bacteria, which may prevent it from being sold commercially in countries with strict environmental regulations. Therefore, it is important to use aerobic bacteria that can ferment at temperatures exceeding 100°C. Regarding the amount of air, it is important to supply sufficient oxygen during fermentation. The amount of air should be gradually reduced from the point when the fermentation temperature reaches its peak, and the air supply should be stopped when fermentation is complete.

[0020] On the other hand, the moisture content of the fermented product during the fermentation process is highest at the start of fermentation, as shown in Figure 1(b) as a typical example, and gradually decreases as fermentation progresses. The moisture content of the fermented product varies depending on the contents of the product, but it is 70% or more before fermentation, preferably 70% to 60%. If the moisture content is 70% or less, fermentation will start smoothly regardless of the product. For fermentation to start smoothly with aerobic bacteria, if the temperature of the fermented product exceeds 70°C, only aerobic bacteria will be involved in fermentation, so the time it takes to reach a fermentation temperature of over 100°C will be shorter, and the fermentation will progress faster. Generally, when fermentation is complete, the moisture content of the fermented product is about 20% or less.

[0021] Here, the changes in temperature and moisture content over time in Figure 1 represent the ideal changes when air is supplied almost uniformly throughout the accumulated fermentation material. However, in conventional fermentation methods, the air passages become fixed within the fermentation material, resulting in uneven air distribution depending on the location within the pile. This leads to problems such as a longer time required to achieve uniform fermentation throughout the pile, or even the inability to achieve uniform fermentation at all. The fermentation apparatus according to the present invention can solve these problems. The configuration of the fermentation apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0022] (Outline of the apparatus) Figure 2 shows a schematic configuration of an apparatus frame 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the relationships between the components of a fermentation apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 1) having an apparatus frame 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus frame 100 has a base 10 and a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes 20 erected on the vertical portion 11 of the base 10 for injecting high-pressure air A into the fermentation material. The high-pressure air supply pipes 20 preferably have a plurality of temperature sensors 22 or moisture sensors 23 or both. Apparatus 1 has a high-pressure air supply unit 30 for supplying high-pressure air A to the high-pressure air supply pipes 20. The apparatus frame 100 preferably has a control valve 33 for controlling the amount of high-pressure air A supplied, but the control valve 33 may be provided outside the apparatus frame 100. The apparatus frame 100 is equipped with a supply pipe drive unit 40 corresponding to each high-pressure air supply pipe 20 for rotating the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes 20 around their longitudinal central axis. Here, the component unit having the base 10, high-pressure air supply pipe 20, control valve 33, and supply pipe drive unit 40 is referred to as the device frame 100.

[0023] The device 1 further includes a control unit 50 that processes data from the temperature sensor 22 and the moisture sensor 23 and controls the operation of the high-pressure air supply unit 30 and the supply pipe drive unit 40 based on that data. The device 1 further includes a power supply unit 60, which supplies power to operate the high-pressure air supply pipe 20, the high-pressure air supply unit 30, the supply pipe drive unit 40, and the control unit 50. In Figure 2, the data lines and power lines between the temperature sensor 22, the moisture sensor 23, the high-pressure air supply unit 30, and the supply pipe drive unit 40 and the control unit 50 and power supply unit 60 are not shown to avoid complexity in the drawing. In Figure 2(a), the nozzle 21 is not shown to avoid complexity in the drawing.

[0024] (Configuration of the device) [Base] The device frame 100 has a base 10. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the base 10 is configured to have a longitudinal cross-section that is generally L-shaped and can have a vertical part 11 and a horizontal part 12. The vertical part 11 of the base 10 is configured to allow a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes 20 to be erected. The vertical part 11 has holes through which the bases of the high-pressure air supply pipes 20 can be inserted, and a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes 20 are erected in these holes. As shown in Figure 2, the vertical part 11 is configured to allow a supply pipe drive unit 40 for rotating the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes 20 around their longitudinal central axis to be attached to each high-pressure air supply pipe 20. The horizontal part 12 is provided so as to extend from the lower end of the vertical part 11 parallel to the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes 20.

[0025] In Figure 1, there are eight high-pressure air supply pipes 20, but the number is not limited to this; any number that can supply high-pressure air A to the entire piled fermentation material is acceptable. For example, although there are eight high-pressure air supply pipes 20, it is preferable that they be arranged so that they are roughly equidistant from each other. When the vertical section 11 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to its surface, the high-pressure air supply pipes 20 can be arranged, for example, in a grid pattern or in a staggered pattern.

[0026] The base 10 has sufficient strength to support multiple high-pressure air supply pipes 20 in a cantilevered manner, and to support the supply pipe drive unit 40 of each high-pressure air supply pipe 20. As long as it is lightweight, its material is not limited. In one embodiment, the base 10 can be made of a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum.

[0027] The size of the vertical section 11 of the base 10 is not limited, but should be large enough to support the necessary number of high-pressure air supply pipes 20 at the required intervals to uniformly supply air to the entire fermentation material. The size of the horizontal section 12 is not limited, but should be large enough to allow the device frame 100 to be mounted on, for example, a construction machine such as a loader, and the high-pressure air supply pipes 20 to be inserted from the side of the piled-up fermentation material.

[0028] In another embodiment, the base 10 may be a rectangular plate-like body instead of an L-shape. As described above, the apparatus frame 100 equipped with an L-shaped base 10 is suitable when the horizontal portion 12 of the base 10 is placed on, for example, a construction machine such as a loader, and the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted from the side of the accumulated fermentation material. On the other hand, the apparatus frame 100 equipped with a rectangular plate-like base 10 is suitable when the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted from above the accumulated fermentation material.

[0029] [High-Pressure Air Supply Pipe] Figure 4 shows an example of the structure of a high-pressure air supply pipe 20 used in the device frame 100. The high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is preferably a hollow pipe made of stainless steel or corrosion-resistant plastic, and has a pointed shape with a closed tip so that it can be inserted into the sediment with little resistance. The length of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is not limited, but is preferably about 3m to 4m. The diameter is not limited, but is preferably 3cm to 5cm, and it is preferable that the base is thick so that it does not sag under its own weight when attached to the L-shaped base 10. It is preferable that the base (or inside the hole) has a roller bearing so that the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 erected in the hole of the base 10 can be rotated. High-pressure air A is supplied to the hollow part inside from the high-pressure air supply unit 30.

[0030] Multiple nozzles 21 for injecting high-pressure air A are provided on the peripheral wall 20a of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20. The nozzles 21 are nozzles well known to those skilled in the art and are not particularly limited as long as they can appropriately inject high-pressure air A into the interior of the fermentation material when the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted into the fermentation material. The number and position of the nozzles 21 are not limited as long as they are suitable in number and position to ensure that high-pressure air A reaches the entire fermentation material when the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted into the fermentation material and high-pressure air A is supplied. The number of nozzles 21 can be determined, for example, by assuming that a cube of fermentation material with sides of 40 cm is fermented with one nozzle 21, taking into account the volume of the fermentation material and the number of high-pressure air supply pipes 20. For example, if nozzles 21 are arranged linearly at intervals of 30 cm to 40 cm in a high-pressure air supply pipe 20 that is 4 m long, eight nozzles 21 will be provided. The nozzle 21 is preferably embedded in the peripheral wall 20a of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 so that the surface of the nozzle 21 and the outer surface of the peripheral wall 20a of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 are flush, in order to facilitate insertion of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 into the fermentation material. The diameter of the hole in the nozzle 21 is not limited, but is preferably about 0.2 mm in order to prevent clogging.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the nozzles 21 can be arranged in a row at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20, with multiple sets (for example, four sets) provided along the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall. For example, the predetermined interval is not limited and can be, for example, 30 cm to 40 cm. The four nozzle sets can be arranged, for example, at a 45-degree angle to each other along the circumferential direction. It is preferable that adjacent sets of the four nozzle sets are arranged so that the nozzles 21 are arranged in a staggered pattern. In another embodiment, the multiple nozzles 21 can also be arranged in a spiral pattern along the longitudinal direction of the peripheral wall 20a.

[0032] In one embodiment, it is preferable that a plurality of nozzles 21 in a single high-pressure air supply pipe 20 include orthogonal injection nozzles 21a that eject high-pressure air A in a direction perpendicular to the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20, and oblique injection nozzles 21b that eject high-pressure air A in a direction tilted with respect to the central axis. The injection direction of high-pressure air A by the oblique injection nozzles 21b is preferably 45 degrees with respect to the central axis, but is not limited thereto. In a single high-pressure air supply pipe 20, it is preferable that the number of orthogonal injection nozzles 21a and oblique injection nozzles 21b be the same, but is not limited thereto, and one may be more than the other. The number of orthogonal injection nozzles 21a and oblique injection nozzles 21b is not limited, and should be a number suitable for delivering high-pressure air A to the entire fermentation material.

[0033] In a structure where multiple nozzles 21 include orthogonal injection nozzles 21a and oblique injection nozzles 21b, it is preferable, but not limited to, that the orthogonal injection nozzles 21a and oblique injection nozzles 21b be arranged alternately in parallel to each other with spacing between them in a single high-pressure air supply pipe 20 (Figure 4 shows an example of this structure). For example, multiple orthogonal injection nozzles 21a may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20, and similarly, multiple oblique injection nozzles 21a may be arranged on the opposite side of the radial direction of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20, also along the longitudinal direction.

[0034] In another embodiment, the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes 20 may include one or more orthogonal injection supply pipes having a plurality of orthogonal injection nozzles 21a that eject high-pressure air A in a direction perpendicular to its central axis, and one or more oblique injection supply pipes having a plurality of oblique injection nozzles 21b that eject high-pressure air A in a direction tilted with respect to the central axis. The number of orthogonal injection supply pipes and oblique injection supply pipes is preferably the same, but is not limited to this, and one may be greater than the other. The number of orthogonal injection supply pipes and oblique injection supply pipes is not limited, and should be a number suitable for delivering high-pressure air A to the entire fermentation material.

[0035] The high-pressure air supply pipe 20 preferably has a plurality of temperature sensors 22 and a plurality of moisture sensors 23. In another embodiment, the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 has either a plurality of temperature sensors 22 or a plurality of moisture sensors 23. In yet another embodiment, the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 may have a structure that does not have temperature sensors 22 or moisture sensors 23, assuming that a measuring pipe having either a temperature sensor 22 or a moisture sensor 23 or both is provided in the apparatus frame 100 as described later. The plurality of temperature sensors 22 are temperature sensors well known to those skilled in the art and are not particularly limited as long as they can appropriately measure the internal temperature of the fermented material when the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted into the fermented material. It is preferable to provide an insulating structure between the temperature sensors 22 and the peripheral wall 20a of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 to block the influence of the temperature of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20.

[0036] The multiple temperature sensors 22 are provided along the length direction, and preferably two are located midway between two adjacent nozzles 21 and at both ends of the diameter in the circumferential direction. However, they are not limited to this arrangement, as long as they are positioned along the length direction of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 in a way that allows for appropriate measurement of the internal temperature distribution of the fermented material. For example, two more may be placed midway between two circumferentially adjacent nozzles 21, i.e., four temperature sensors 22 in the circumferential direction. In another embodiment, separate from the high-pressure air supply pipe 20, multiple temperature measuring tubes, each containing only multiple temperature sensors 22, may be erected on the base 10 and inserted into the fermented material to measure the internal temperature distribution. The measurement data from the multiple temperature sensors 22 is transmitted to the control unit 50, which will be described later. The measurement data can be transmitted using either a wired or wireless connection.

[0037] Similarly, the multiple moisture sensors 23 can be moisture sensors well known to those skilled in the art, and are not particularly limited as long as they can appropriately measure the moisture content of the fermented material when the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted into the fermented material. The multiple moisture sensors 23 are preferably arranged along the length direction, with two in the circumferential direction midway between two adjacent nozzles 21 and at both ends of the diameter, but are not limited to this as long as they can appropriately measure the moisture content distribution of the fermented material along the length direction of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20. For example, two temperature sensors 22 may also be placed midway between two circumferentially adjacent nozzles 21, i.e., four temperature sensors 22 in the circumferential direction. In another embodiment, multiple moisture measuring pipes, each containing only multiple moisture sensors 23, which can be inserted into the fermented material to measure the internal moisture distribution, may be erected on the base 10 separately from the high-pressure air supply pipe 20. The measurement data from the multiple moisture sensors 23 is transmitted to the control unit 50, which will be described later. The measurement data can be transmitted using either wired or wireless methods.

[0038] The device frame 100 may be configured in the following ways: (a) an air supply pipe having multiple nozzles 21, multiple temperature sensors 22, and multiple moisture sensors 23; (b) a combination of an air supply pipe having only multiple nozzles 21, a temperature measuring pipe having only multiple temperature sensors 22, and a moisture measuring pipe having only multiple moisture sensors 23; (c) a combination of an air supply pipe having only multiple nozzles 21, and a temperature and moisture measuring pipe having multiple temperature sensors 22 and multiple moisture sensors 23; (d) a combination of an air supply pipe having multiple nozzles 21 and multiple temperature sensors 22 and a measuring pipe having only multiple moisture sensors 23; and (e) a combination of an air supply pipe having multiple nozzles 21 and multiple moisture sensors 23 and a measuring pipe having only multiple temperature sensors 22. The choice of which of the above combinations to adopt for the device frame 100 will be determined by considering factors such as ease of mounting of temperature and moisture sensors, cost-effectiveness, and durability.

[0039] A control valve 33 can be provided at the base of each high-pressure air supply pipe 20, as shown in Figure 4. In another embodiment, the control valve 33 may be located at a different location from the high-pressure air supply pipe 20, rather than at its base. In this case, the device frame 100 does not include the control valve 33. The control valve 33 of each high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is connected to a supply pipe 32 extending from the compressor 31 of the high-pressure air supply unit 30. The control valve 33 is not limited to those that can change its opening degree based on a command from the control unit 50 (described later) and adjust the amount of high-pressure air A supplied to the high-pressure air supply pipe 20; any control valve well known to those skilled in the art can be used.

[0040] [Supply Pipe Drive Unit] A supply pipe drive unit 40 is provided for each of the multiple high-pressure air supply pipes 20 and includes a motor 41 that generates a driving force to rotate the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 and a gear set 42 that transmits the rotation of the motor 41. Figure 2(b) shows the relationship between one supply pipe drive unit 40 and a high-pressure air supply pipe 20. The gear set 42 includes a pipe-side gear 42a and a drive-side gear 42b. On the high-pressure air supply pipe 20, a pipe-side gear 42a is provided around the base on the inner surface of the vertical portion 11 of the base 10, that is, in the direction in which the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 extends. On the inner surface of the vertical portion 11, a drive-side gear 42b is arranged in a positional relationship that meshes with the pipe-side gear 42a. The motor 41 is attached to the outer surface of the vertical portion 11, and the motor 41 and the drive-side gear 42b are connected by a shaft 42c that penetrates the vertical portion 11. In another embodiment, both the motor 41 and the gear set 42 may be provided on the outer surface of the vertical section 11, that is, on the side opposite to the direction in which the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 extends.

[0041] The motors 41 can be driven individually based on commands from the control unit 50, which will be described later. Therefore, the supply pipe drive unit 40, configured as shown in Figure 2(b), can rotate the high-pressure air supply pipes 20 individually by the required angle (for example, ±30 degrees, ±90 degrees, ±180 degrees, etc.). For example, all of the high-pressure air supply pipes 20 can be rotated at different speeds. Alternatively, some of the high-pressure air supply pipes 20 can be rotated while the rest remain stationary. Or, some of the high-pressure air supply pipes 20 can be rotated in one direction while the rest rotate in the other direction.

[0042] [High-Pressure Air Supply Unit] The high-pressure air supply unit 30 includes a compressor 31 that generates high-pressure air A, a supply pipe 32 that supplies the high-pressure air A generated by the compressor 31 to the high-pressure air supply pipe 20, and a control valve 33 connected to the supply pipe 32 and provided at the base of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20. The compressor 31 can be any compressor well known to those skilled in the art, and is not particularly limited as long as it has the capacity to generate high-pressure air A to be sent to all of the multiple high-pressure air supply pipes 20 of the device 1. The supply pipe 32 is not particularly limited as long as it can withstand the pressure of the high-pressure air A generated by the compressor 31. The control valve 33 is as described above.

[0043] [Device Configuration Block Diagram] Referring to Figure 3, the high-pressure air supply pipe 20, which has multiple nozzles 21, multiple temperature sensors 22, and multiple moisture sensors 23, receives power from the power supply unit 60 for the operation of the multiple temperature sensors 22 and the multiple moisture sensors 23. The measured values ​​measured by the multiple temperature sensors 22 and the multiple moisture sensors 23 are transmitted to the control unit 50 via wired or wireless communication. The control unit 50 receives power from the power supply unit 60 for its operation.

[0044] The high-pressure air supply unit 30 having a compressor 31, a supply pipe 32, and a control valve 33 receives power supply from a power supply unit 60 for the operations of the compressor 31 and the control valve 33. The high-pressure air A generated by the compressor 31 is sent to the control valve 33 via the supply pipe 32, and the air volume is adjusted by the control valve 33 and then supplied to a plurality of nozzles 21. The opening degree of the control valve 33 is controlled by a command from the control unit 50 based on the measurement values of the temperature sensor 22 and / or the moisture sensor 23.

[0045] The supply pipe drive unit 40 having a motor 41 and a gear set 42 individually rotates each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes 20. The operation of the motor 41 can be controlled by a command from the control unit 50 based on a pre-specified method or based on the measurement values of the temperature sensor 22 and / or the moisture sensor 23. The supply pipe drive unit 40 receives power supply from the power supply unit 60 for the operation of the motor 41.

[0046] [Control Unit] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 50 of the apparatus 1. The control unit 50 can be realized by using a general-purpose computer including a CPU 51, a memory 52, a storage unit (SSD) 53 such as an SSD or a hard disk, a communication unit (COM) 54 capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the outside, and an input / output unit (I / O) 55. The control unit 50 further includes a data processing unit 56 that processes the measurement values measured by the temperature sensor 22 and the moisture sensor 23, a rotation drive control unit 57 that controls the operation of the motor 41 of the supply pipe drive unit 40, a control valve control unit 58 that controls the opening degree of the control valve 33 that adjusts the supply amount of the high-pressure air A, and a fermentation management unit 59 that manages the fermentation state of the fermentation product. Each of the above-mentioned parts included in the control unit 50 is connected by a bus, and data transmission and reception are performed via the bus.

[0047] The data processing unit 56 performs a process of converting the measurement data from the temperature sensor 22 and the moisture sensor 23 into a data format necessary for the processing in the fermentation management unit 59, and transmits it to the fermentation management unit 59. The fermentation management unit 59 receives the data from the data processing unit 56, and manages the fermentation state of the fermented product using these data. The fermentation management unit 59 can send commands such as which high-pressure air supply pipe 20 among the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes 20 to rotate in which direction and to what extent, and which high-pressure air supply pipe 20 to increase or decrease the air supply amount by how much, to the rotation drive control unit 57 and the control valve control unit 58 according to the fermentation state of the fermented product.

[0048] (Steps of the fermentation method) Here, a method for fermenting a fermented product to produce compost will be described. This method can include the following steps. (1) Dehydration of the fermented product and addition of fermenting bacteria At the beginning of dehydration of the fermented product and addition of fermenting bacteria, the target fermented product is dehydrated to a predetermined moisture content by means well-known to those skilled in the art. The dehydration is preferably carried out until the moisture content of the fermented product reaches 70% to 80%, and more preferably until it reaches about 60% to 70%. Next, fermenting bacteria are added to the fermented product dehydrated to the predetermined moisture content. The fermenting bacteria are selected according to the type of the fermented product, and are not limited as long as efficient fermentation proceeds. For example, the hyperthermophilic bacteria described in Patent Document 4 can be used as the fermenting bacteria. The fermented product to which the fermenting bacteria are added is sufficiently mixed so that the fermenting bacteria are uniformly present throughout the fermented product.

[0049] (2) Deposition of the fermented product The dehydrated fermented product to which the fermenting bacteria are added is deposited at a predetermined deposition location in the deposition facility. The fermented product is not limited, but for example, it is deposited at a deposition location of 4 meters square to a height of about 2 meters.

[0050] (3) Moving the apparatus frame and inserting the high-pressure air supply pipe Next, before the start of fermentation, the apparatus frame 100 is brought closer to the fermentation material that has been deposited in a predetermined storage area in order to insert the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 into the fermentation material. The apparatus frame 100 can be brought closer to the fermentation material from the side using construction machinery such as a loader, or it can be brought closer to the fermentation material from above using a mechanism that raises and lowers the apparatus frame 100 up and down. The apparatus frame 100 is then moved in the direction of the fermentation material, and the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted into the fermentation material.

[0051] (4) Connection of the apparatus frame, data lines, supply piping, and power supply After the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted into the fermentation material, the apparatus frame 100 is connected to various data lines, supply piping, and power supply unit. Specifically, the temperature sensor 22 or the moisture sensor 23 or both are connected to the control unit 50 by a data line, and the control valve 33 is connected to the high-pressure air supply pipe 32. The data lines may be wired or wireless. The control unit 50 is also connected to the supply pipe drive unit 40. The power supply unit 60 supplies power to the temperature sensor 22 and moisture sensor 23, the high-pressure air supply unit 30, the supply pipe drive unit 40, and the control unit 50.

[0052] (5) Starting the air supply Next, the compressor 31 is operated to generate high-pressure air A. The generated high-pressure air A is supplied to the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 via the supply pipe 32 and the control valve 33. The high-pressure air A supplied to the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is injected into the fermentation material from the nozzle 21, and the fermentation of the fermentation material is started. At the start of fermentation, the control valve 33 is, in principle, fully open.

[0053] (6) Measurement of temperature and moisture content of fermented product Once fermentation has started, the internal temperature, moisture content, or both of the fermented product are measured. The measurements are performed in real time by the temperature sensor 22 and the moisture sensor 23, and the measurement data is transmitted to the data processing unit 56 of the control unit 50. The data processing unit 56 processes the measurement data into the appropriate data format and transfers it to the fermentation management unit 59. The fermentation management unit 59 uses the measurement data to create historical information that shows the fermentation state, representing the relationship between the internal temperature or moisture content of the fermented product and time.

[0054] (7) Rotation of the high-pressure air supply pipes The high-pressure air supply pipes 20 rotate around their longitudinal central axis according to a predetermined operating schedule. The operating schedule for each rotation of the high-pressure air supply pipes 20 is not limited as long as it prevents the formation of fixed air passages inside the fermented material and ensures uniform fermentation of the entire fermented material. For example, the operating schedule could be such that half of the multiple high-pressure air supply pipes 20 are rotated individually by 90 degrees at 6-hour intervals, and the remaining half are rotated by 30 degrees at 3-hour intervals. The operating schedule can be determined, for example, when creating the reference curve described later.

[0055] (8) Control of the supply amount of high-pressure air based on comparison of measurement data with reference curves The historical information created from the measurement data obtained by the temperature sensor or the moisture sensor or both is compared with the temperature reference curve and moisture reference curve that have been created in advance and stored in the fermentation management unit 59. The reference curves will be described later. The actual temperature progression created from the data obtained by the temperature sensor is represented as a temperature history of the temperature inside the fermented material and the elapsed time. Similarly, the actual moisture content progression created from the data obtained by the moisture sensor is represented as a moisture history of the moisture content inside the fermented material and the elapsed time. If uniformity of the entire fermented material is achieved from the temperature data and / or moisture data, the data from multiple sensors will show similar values, so the average value of the multiple obtained data is calculated and used as the temperature history and / or moisture history. If it is found from the temperature data and / or moisture data that there is a large variation in the data from multiple sensors, the control valves 33 of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 are adjusted to control the data to reduce the variation. Based on the results of this control, it is possible to create a new reference curve with revised rotation schedules for each high-pressure air supply pipe 20 and operating algorithms for each control valve 33 before the next actual processing operation of the fermented material.

[0056] For a new fermentation product, the temperature history obtained as the average of multiple data points is compared with a pre-created temperature reference curve, and the opening and closing of the control valve 33 is controlled so that the temperature history changes in a direction that matches the temperature reference curve. For example, if the temperature at a certain point in time is higher than the temperature reference curve, the control valve 33 is controlled to reduce the amount of pressurized air to indicate that the temperature of the fermentation product is higher than the temperature required for fermentation to proceed at an appropriate level. Similarly, the moisture history obtained as the average of multiple data points is compared with a pre-created moisture reference curve, and the opening and closing of the control valve 33 is controlled so that the moisture history changes in a direction that matches the moisture reference curve. For example, if the moisture content at a certain point in time is higher than the moisture reference curve, the control valve 33 is controlled to increase the amount of pressurized air to indicate that the moisture content of the fermentation product is higher than the moisture content required for fermentation to proceed at an appropriate level. Whether to use one or both of the temperature reference curve and the moisture reference curve for managing the fermentation state can be selected depending on the type and state of the fermentation product, environmental conditions, the requirements for the final compost, economics, durability, etc.

[0057] (9) Determination of completion of fermentation The fermentation state is monitored while continuing the process in (8) above, and when the internal temperature, moisture content, or both of the fermented material reach the predetermined conditions for completion of fermentation on the reference curve, fermentation is determined to be complete. Completion of fermentation can be determined when the internal temperature of the fermented material reaches a predetermined temperature, or when the internal moisture content of the fermented material reaches a predetermined moisture content, or both. Whether to determine completion of fermentation by temperature, moisture content, or both is selected depending on the type of fermented material, the type of fermenting bacteria, the desired state of the fermented product, etc.

[0058] (10) Stopping the supply of high-pressure air Once it is determined that fermentation has been completed in step (9) above, the control valve 33 is closed and the supply of high-pressure air A to the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is stopped.

[0059] (Creation of Reference Curve) As described above, the historical information created from measurement data obtained by the temperature sensor, moisture sensor, or both is compared with the reference curve. The reference curve is created experimentally using the target fermented material before the actual processing operation of the fermented material is started in apparatus 1. The creation of the reference curve is carried out as follows, for example: (a) The apparatus is test-run using the same apparatus, the same fermented material, and the same fermenting bacteria as the apparatus used in actual operation, and the fermented material is allowed to ferment. The state of fermentation differs depending on various variables such as the type of material to be fermented, the type of fermenting bacteria used, the temperature environment in which the apparatus is installed, the size and shape of the pile of fermented material (width, depth, height), and the number and length of the high-pressure air supply pipes. Therefore, the reference curve is created under conditions that are the same as the processing state during actual operation. (b) The test run of the apparatus is started, and the rotation schedule and air supply amount are trial and error performed while controlling the rotation and air supply state of each of the multiple high-pressure air supply pipes 20 so that the values ​​of the temperature sensor or moisture sensor change uniformly throughout the fermented material over time. If the values ​​from multiple temperature sensors or moisture sensors across the entire fermentation material change uniformly, a control algorithm for rotation and air supply to create a reference curve is determined. Using the control algorithm thus determined, a trial run is performed again with the same fermentation material, and the temperature history or moisture history created during this trial run is the reference curve. (c) If necessary, the trial and error process and control algorithm determination in (b) are repeated several times to create a reference curve. (d) For temperature, the reference curve is represented as a graph of the temperature of the fermentation material and the elapsed time, and for moisture, it is represented as a graph of the moisture content of the fermentation material and the elapsed time. Figure 7 is an example of a temperature reference curve. The reference curve thus created is used continuously during actual processing operations, provided that there are no changes in the type of fermentation material, the type of fermenting bacteria, or the configuration of the equipment. If the conditions during actual processing operations change from the conditions when the reference curve was created, it is preferable to create a new reference curve.

[0060] (Processing by the Fermentation Control Unit) The fermentation control unit 59 is mainly involved in the above processes (5) to (10) and (b) to (c). (5) In the "Start of Air Supply" process and in the (b) or (c) process, the fermentation control unit 59 sends a control command to the control valve control unit 58 to open the control valve 33. (6) In the "Measurement of Temperature and Moisture Content of Fermented Product" process and in the (b) or (c) process, the fermentation control unit 59 creates historical information from the measurement data that represents the relationship between the internal temperature or moisture content of the fermented product and time.

[0061] (7) In the "rotation of the high-pressure air supply pipe" step, the fermentation control unit 59 sends a command to the motor 41 of the supply pipe drive unit 40 via the rotation drive control unit 57 to control the rotation of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20. This command may concern the need for rotation of each of the multiple high-pressure air supply pipes 20, the amount of rotation of the motor 41, and the direction of rotation, based on a predetermined operation schedule. In step (b) or (c), the fermentation control unit 59 sends a command to the rotation drive control unit 57 based on measurement data from the temperature sensor or the moisture sensor or both, to control the rotation of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20.

[0062] (8) In the step of "controlling the amount of high-pressure air supplied based on a comparison of measurement data and a reference curve" and in step (b) or (c), the fermentation management unit 59 sends a command via the control valve control unit 58 to control the opening and closing of the control valve 33 so that the temperature history matches the temperature reference curve. For example, if the temperature at a certain point in time is below the temperature reference curve, the fermentation management unit 59 controls the control valve 33 to increase the amount of high-pressure air A supplied to the fermented material. Similarly, the fermentation management unit 59 controls the opening and closing of the control valve 33 so that the moisture history matches the moisture reference curve. For example, if the moisture content at a certain point in time is below the moisture reference curve, the fermentation management unit 59 controls the control valve 33 to stop the supply of high-pressure air A. The fermentation management unit 59 sends a control command to the control valve control unit 58, and the control valve control unit 58 sends a command to the control valve 33 to control the valve opening based on the command from the fermentation management unit 59.

[0063] The fermentation control unit 59 continuously monitors the fermentation state of the fermented product and performs steps (9) "determination of completion of fermentation" and (b) or (c). Based on the determination that fermentation is complete, the fermentation control unit 59 sends a command to the control valve control unit 58 to close the control valve 33 in steps (10) "stopping supply of high-pressure air" and (b) or (c), and the control valve control unit 58 transmits a valve close signal to the control valve 33.

[0064] (Storage Facility for Fermented Processed Materials) Figure 6 shows the state in which the apparatus frame 100 is inserted into one fermented processed material in a storage facility 200 for fermented processed materials according to one embodiment of the present invention. Note that in Figure 6, the data lines and power lines between the temperature sensor 22, moisture sensor 23, high-pressure air supply unit 30, and supply pipe drive unit 40 and the control unit 50 and power supply unit 60 are not shown to avoid complexity in the drawing. Similarly, in Figure 6, the compressor 31 and supply piping 32 for supplying high-pressure air A to the multiple high-pressure air supply pipes 20 are not shown to avoid complexity in the drawing. Furthermore, in Figure 6, the nozzle 21, temperature sensor 22 and moisture sensor 23 are not shown on the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 to avoid complexity in the drawing.

[0065] The fermentation material storage facility 200 is preferably a facility having side walls 203 in three directions. The fermentation material is stored in the space surrounded by the three side walls 203. Preferably, a plurality of high-pressure air supply buried pipes 204 are embedded in each of the side walls 203, and it is preferable that high-pressure air is supplied to the stored fermentation material from these high-pressure air supply buried pipes 204. The number of high-pressure air supply buried pipes 204 in one side wall 203 is not limited and can be appropriately determined according to the size of the storage facility 200 and the amount of fermentation material to be stored.

[0066] The high-pressure air supplied to the buried high-pressure air supply pipe 204 can be supplied via the compressor 31 and supply piping 32 of the high-pressure air supply unit 30 for supplying air to the device frame 100, or a separate high-pressure air supply unit can be prepared and supplied from there.

[0067] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the apparatus frame 100 is brought into contact with the fermented material piled in the loading facility 200 from above, and the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is then inserted into the fermented material. The loading facility 200 is equipped with an apparatus frame vertical movement mechanism 210 that can move the apparatus frame 100 up and down relative to the fermented material. In one embodiment, the apparatus frame vertical movement mechanism 210 includes one or more rails 211 that are provided on any of the three side walls 203 so as to extend in the height direction and support the apparatus frame 100, and are configured so that the apparatus frame 100 moves up and down along them, and an apparatus frame moving part 212 configured to move the apparatus frame 100 in the vertical direction. The apparatus frame moving part 212 can be moved, for example, by hydraulics or by electric power.

[0068] In another embodiment, the apparatus frame 100 is brought close to the fermented material piled in the storage facility 200 from the side, and the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted into the fermented material. In this case, it is preferable that the apparatus frame 100 has an L-shaped base 10 as described above, and the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 can be inserted into the fermented material from the side by moving the horizontal portion 12 of the base 10 with construction machinery such as a loader.

[0069] (Preheating Fermentation System) As another embodiment of the present invention, a preheating fermentation system that effectively utilizes fermentation heat by combining multiple fermentation apparatus 1 shown in Figure 3 will be described. In this system, heat is recovered from fermented material that has already undergone fermentation and reached a high temperature (hereinafter referred to as "fermented material in progress") and used to heat unfermented fermented material that is yet to begin fermentation (hereinafter referred to as "fermented material before fermentation").

[0070] This system comprises multiple fermentation apparatuses 1, a heat recovery unit, a heat exchange unit, and a preheating unit. The heat recovery unit functions to recover a portion of the fermentation heat from the fermented material during fermentation in at least some of the multiple fermentation apparatuses 1. Specifically, the heat recovery unit may include, for example, one or more rod-shaped structures (hereinafter referred to as "heat recovery rods") that can be inserted into the fermented material during fermentation. A heat transfer medium such as water or air is configured to flow inside these heat recovery rods. The heat recovery rods are not limited to these, but it is preferable to insert them into the fermented material so that heat can be recovered from the hottest part of the fermented material during fermentation (for example, the central part of the fermented material).

[0071] The heat exchange section is configured to transfer the fermentation heat recovered in the heat recovery section. Specifically, the heat exchange section is configured as a circuit that circulates the heat transfer medium, heated by the heat recovered by the heat recovery rod, to the preheating section described later, via a circulation pump or the like.

[0072] The preheating unit functions to preheat the fermentation material before fermentation by transferring fermentation heat through the heat exchange unit. The fermentation material to be preheated may be the fermentation material deposited in the fermentation apparatus 1, or the fermentation material before it is deposited in the fermentation apparatus 1. Specifically, the preheating unit is equipped with, for example, multiple rod-shaped structures (hereinafter referred to as "preheating rods") that can be inserted into the fermentation material before fermentation, and effectively transfers thermal energy to the fermentation material before fermentation by flowing a heated heat transfer medium from the heat exchange unit through its interior. This makes it possible to heat the temperature of the fermentation material before fermentation to, for example, around 80°C, thereby starting the fermentation process of selected aerobic bacteria early and inhibiting the fermentation of other anaerobic bacteria.

[0073] In this system, the timing of heat exchange is preferably managed by the fermentation management unit 59 of the control unit 50 shown in Figure 5. This is because if the heat exchange unit operates excessively and removes too much heat from the fermented material during fermentation, the temperature of the fermented material will drop, which may hinder the fermentation efficiency of the bacteria. The control unit 50 performs hysteresis control on the heat exchange unit based on the temperature history of the fermented material during fermentation obtained from the temperature sensor 22. This control criterion is determined experimentally from the viewpoint of maintaining bacterial activity and heat utilization efficiency.

[0074] A specific example of hysteresis control is as follows: If the temperature of the fermentation material during fermentation exceeds 90°C and becomes even hotter, it may lead to a decrease in the activity or death of aerobic bacteria. Therefore, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22 exceeds 90°C (though not limited to this), the control unit 50 activates the heat exchange unit (such as a heat transfer medium circulation pump) to recover some of the fermentation heat from the fermentation material. On the other hand, when the temperature of the fermentation material during fermentation decreases due to heat recovery, and falls below 80°C (though not limited to this), the control unit 50 stops the operation of the heat exchange unit to prevent a decrease in the fermentation efficiency of the fermentation material. By performing such temperature-based control by the control unit 50, the fermentation of the entire fermentation material can be efficiently carried out while reusing the fermentation heat without turning the material over. The temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22 is preferably the average value of multiple temperature sensors 22, but is not limited to this. For example, it can be the average value of multiple temperature sensors 22 located near the heat recovery rod, or the average value of multiple temperature sensors 22 located near the center of the sediment.

[0075] (Continuous Fermentation System for Fermented Products) Figure 8 shows the overall configuration of a continuous fermentation system 300 including a fermentation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Note that in Figure 8, the data lines and power lines between the temperature sensor 22, moisture sensor 23, high-pressure air supply unit 30, and supply pipe drive unit 40 and the control unit 50 and power supply unit 60 are not shown to avoid complexity in the drawing. Similarly, in Figure 8, the compressor 31 and supply piping 32 for supplying high-pressure air A to the multiple high-pressure air supply pipes 20 are not shown to avoid complexity in the drawing. Furthermore, in Figure 8, the nozzle 21, temperature sensor 22, and moisture sensor 23 are not shown on the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 to avoid complexity in the drawing.

[0076] The continuous fermentation system 300 is a system that automatically and continuously ferments a fermented material by synchronously moving multiple piles of the fermented material and the corresponding apparatus frame 100 for each of the multiple piles. The continuous fermentation system 300 comprises multiple apparatus frames 100 and rails 310 for moving the multiple apparatus frames 100. The multiple apparatus frames 100 are attached to the rails 310 via movable bases 302, which are apparatus frame moving means that allow the apparatus frames 100 to move up and down. The movable bases of the apparatus frames 100 are not limited to moving up and down, but may also be configured to move laterally.

[0077] The continuous fermentation system 300 further includes a belt conveyor 303 as a means for moving multiple piles of fermented material continuously. The multiple piles are preferably housed in, for example, stainless steel containers 304, but are not limited to this, and may simply be piled at intervals on the belt conveyor 303. The rails 310 for moving the multiple device frames 100 and the belt conveyor 303 for continuously moving the multiple piles are arranged in a positional relationship that allows them to move adjacent to each other.

[0078] It is preferable that both the rail 310 and the belt conveyor 303 are configured to be roughly circular or elliptical in plan view. By configuring them to be roughly circular or elliptical, effective use of the site is possible. For example, by arranging the belt conveyor 303, which is also roughly circular or elliptical, along the outside of the rail 310, which is also roughly circular or elliptical, the device frame 100 moving on the rail 310 and the container 304 moving on the belt conveyor 303 can maintain an adjacent positional relationship. With such a positional relationship, the container 304 can be moved continuously while the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted into the fermentation material. The rail 310 and the belt conveyor 303 are not limited to being configured to be circular or elliptical; for example, they can both be configured to be linear in plan view and arranged in a parallel positional relationship to each other.

[0079] The continuous fermentation system 300 further includes a feeder 305 that supplies fermented material to the belt conveyor 303 or to each of the multiple containers 304. The feeder 305 is positioned near the front end of the belt conveyor 303 (or the supply position of unfermented fermented material). The continuous fermentation system 300 further includes a bagging machine 306 that bags the fermented material once fermentation is complete. The bagging machine 306 is positioned near the rear end of the belt conveyor 303 (or the removal position of the fermented material once fermentation is complete).

[0080] Although not shown in Figure 8, the continuous fermentation system 300 further includes a compressor 31 and supply piping 32 that supply high-pressure air A to the high-pressure air supply pipes 20 of multiple device frames 100, a control unit 50 that controls the high-pressure air control valve 33 and the supply pipe drive unit 40 of the device frame 100, and manages fermentation by processing data from temperature sensors and / or moisture sensors as described above, and a power supply unit 60. In addition to the above functions, the control unit 50 can also move the device frames 100, run and stop the belt conveyor 303, insert the high-pressure air supply pipes 20 into the fermentation material (i.e., lower the movable base 302), remove the high-pressure air supply pipes 20 from the fermentation material (i.e., raise the movable base 302), and control the feeder 305 and the bagging machine 306.

[0081] The continuous fermentation system 300 operates as follows. The operation is controlled by the control unit 50. First, an unfermented fermented material is supplied from a feeder 305 located at the front end of the belt conveyor 303 (or at the supply position of the unfermented fermented material) to one of the containers 304 on the belt conveyor 303. When the amount supplied from the feeder 305 reaches a predetermined amount, the supply is automatically stopped. When the supply to the first container 304 stops, the belt conveyor 303 moves, and the feeder 305 supplies the unfermented fermented material to the next container 304. In this way, the unfermented fermented material is sequentially supplied from the feeder 305 to multiple containers 304.

[0082] Along the belt conveyor 303, downstream of the feeder 305, there is an insertion point where the device frame 100 approaches the container 304 and inserts the high-pressure air supply pipe 20. The device frame 100 moves along the rail 310 and approaches the belt conveyor 303 at the insertion point. The high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is attached to the device frame 100 that approaches the belt conveyor 303. The high-pressure air supply pipe 20 of the device frame 100 approaches the fermentation material from above the container 304 as the movable base 302 descends, and the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted into the fermentation material.

[0083] When the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted, the control valve 33 is controlled to start supplying high-pressure air A, and the fermentation of the fermented material begins. After the fermentation of the first container 304 begins, the next container 304 containing the fermented material approaches the insertion point as the belt conveyor 303 moves, and at the same time, the next device frame 100 approaches the belt conveyor 303, and the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is inserted into the fermented material in the container 304 as the movable base 302 descends. Similarly thereafter, the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 of the corresponding device frame 100 is sequentially inserted into the fermented material in each of the multiple containers 304.

[0084] The conveyor belt 303 travels with multiple containers 304 containing fermented materials in the process of fermentation. For example, if the fermentation of the fermented materials is completed in 10 days, the travel speed of the conveyor belt 303 is set so that one container 304 moves from the insertion point to near the rear end (the position where the fermented materials are removed) over 10 days. The device frame 100 moves along the rails 310 in synchronization with the travel speed of the conveyor belt 303.

[0085] When it is determined that the fermentation of the fermented material is complete, the movable base 302 rises in response, and the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is removed from the fermented material. After the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 is removed, the fermented material is fed from the container 304 into a bagging machine 306 located near the rear end of the belt conveyor 303 (the position where the fermented material is removed). The apparatus frame 100, which has the high-pressure air supply pipe 20 removed from the fermented material, preferably moves along the rail 310 and returns to the insertion point of the high-pressure air supply pipe 20.

[0086] 1 Fermentation apparatus 10 Base 11 Vertical section 12 Horizontal section 20, 201, 202 High-pressure air supply pipe 20a Peripheral wall 21 Nozzle 21a, 201a Orthogonal injection nozzle 21b, 202b Diagonal injection nozzle 22 Temperature sensor 23 Moisture sensor 30 High-pressure air supply unit 31 Compressor 32 Supply piping 33 Control valve 40 Supply pipe drive unit 41 Motor 42 Gear set 42a Pipe-side gear 42b Drive-side gear 42c Shaft 50 Control unit 51 CPU 52 Memory 53 Storage unit 54 Communication unit 55 Input / output unit 56 Data processing unit 57 Rotation drive control unit 58 Control valve control unit 59 Fermentation management unit 60 Power supply unit 100 Apparatus frame 200 Storage facility 203 Side wall 204 High-pressure air supply buried pipe 210 Equipment frame vertical mechanism 211 Rail 212 Equipment frame moving part 300 Continuous fermentation system 301 Rail 302 Movable base 303 Belt conveyor 304 Container 305 Feeder 306 Bagging machine

Claims

1. A fermentation apparatus for fermenting a fermented material by supplying high-pressure air to the interior of a pile of fermented material, comprising: a plurality of nozzles for ejecting high-pressure air; a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes inserted into the interior of the fermented material, each of which is provided with a plurality of temperature sensors or a plurality of moisture sensors or both; a high-pressure air supply unit for generating high-pressure air and supplying it to the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes; a drive unit for rotating each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes around their longitudinal central axis; and a control unit for controlling the amount of high-pressure air supplied to each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes based on the measured values ​​of the plurality of temperature sensors or a plurality of moisture sensors or both.

2. A fermentation apparatus for fermenting a fermented material by supplying high-pressure air to the interior of a pile of fermented material, comprising: a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes inserted into the interior of the fermented material and equipped with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting high-pressure air; a plurality of temperature measuring pipes inserted into the interior of the fermented material and equipped with either or both of a plurality of temperature sensors or a plurality of moisture sensors; a high-pressure air supply unit that generates high-pressure air and supplies it to the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes; a drive unit that rotates each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes around their longitudinal central axis; and a control unit that controls the amount of high-pressure air supplied to each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes based on the measured values ​​of either or both of the plurality of temperature sensors or the plurality of moisture sensors.

3. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes have one or more orthogonal injection nozzles that eject high-pressure air in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the high-pressure air supply pipe, and one or more oblique injection nozzles that eject high-pressure air in a direction tilted with respect to the central axis.

4. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes include one or more orthogonal injection supply pipes that eject high-pressure air from the plurality of nozzles in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the high-pressure air supply pipe, and one or more oblique injection supply pipes that eject high-pressure air from the plurality of nozzles in a direction inclined with respect to the central axis of the high-pressure air supply pipe.

5. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein half of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes are orthogonal injection supply pipes that eject air from the plurality of nozzles in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the high-pressure air supply pipes, and the remaining half of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes are oblique injection supply pipes that eject air from the plurality of nozzles in a direction inclined with respect to the central axis of the high-pressure air supply pipes, and the plurality of orthogonal injection supply pipes and the plurality of oblique injection supply pipes, which are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart, are inserted into the fermentation material to measure the temperature distribution or moisture distribution or both inside the fermentation material.

6. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes are configured to be inserted into the fermented material from the side of the accumulated fermented material.

7. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes are configured to be inserted into the fermented material from above.

8. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a means for moving the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes to insert them into the fermentation material before the start of fermentation of the fermentation material, and to remove the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes from the fermentation material after the completion of fermentation.

9. The fermentation apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a side wall erected around the piled fermentation material, the side wall having one or more buried high-pressure air supply pipes.

10. A device frame used in a fermentation apparatus for fermenting a fermented material by supplying high-pressure air into the interior of a pile of fermented material, comprising: a base; a plurality of nozzles for ejecting high-pressure air; a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes erected on the base and inserted into the interior of the fermented material, each of which is provided with a plurality of temperature sensors or a plurality of moisture sensors, or both; a drive unit for rotating each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes around their longitudinal central axis; and a control valve for controlling the amount of high-pressure air supplied to each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes.

11. A device frame used in a fermentation apparatus for fermenting a fermented material by supplying high-pressure air into the interior of a pile of fermented material, comprising: a base; a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes erected on the base and provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting high-pressure air, and inserted into the interior of the fermented material; a plurality of temperature measuring pipes or a plurality of moisture measuring pipes, each provided with either or both of a plurality of temperature sensors or a plurality of moisture sensors, and inserted into the interior of the fermented material; a drive unit for rotating each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes around their longitudinal central axis; and a control valve for controlling the amount of high-pressure air supplied to each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes.

12. The apparatus frame according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein one or more of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes have one or more orthogonal injection nozzles that eject high-pressure air in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the high-pressure air supply pipe, and one or more oblique injection nozzles that eject high-pressure air in a direction tilted with respect to the central axis.

13. The apparatus frame according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes include one or more orthogonal injection supply pipes that eject high-pressure air from the plurality of nozzles in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the high-pressure air supply pipe, and one or more oblique injection supply pipes that eject high-pressure air from the plurality of nozzles in a direction inclined with respect to the central axis of the high-pressure air supply pipe.

14. The apparatus frame according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein half of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes are orthogonal injection supply pipes that eject air from the plurality of nozzles in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the high-pressure air supply pipes, and the remaining half of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes are oblique injection supply pipes that eject air from the plurality of nozzles in a direction inclined with respect to the central axis of the high-pressure air supply pipes, and the plurality of orthogonal injection supply pipes and the plurality of oblique injection supply pipes are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart.

15. A continuous fermentation system comprising: a plurality of apparatus frames according to claim 10 or claim 11; a high-pressure air generating device that generates high-pressure air supplied to the plurality of apparatus frames; a control unit that controls control valves having the plurality of apparatus frames based on measurement values ​​from either or both of a plurality of temperature sensors or a plurality of moisture sensors having each of the plurality of apparatus frames; a deposit moving means capable of moving a plurality of deposits consisting of fermentation material; and an apparatus frame moving means for moving each of the plurality of apparatus frames to insert a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes having each of the plurality of apparatus frames into and out of the corresponding deposits, wherein the plurality of apparatus frames are configured to move in synchronization with the movement of the deposit moving means with the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes inserted into each of the corresponding plurality of deposits, and the control unit controls the apparatus frame moving means to remove each of the plurality of apparatus frames from the deposits in response to determining that the fermentation of the deposits is complete.

16. A fermentation method for fermenting a fermented material by supplying high-pressure air into the interior of a pile of fermented material, comprising: inserting a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes, each equipped with at least a plurality of nozzles for ejecting high-pressure air, into the interior of the fermented material; supplying high-pressure air to the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes; measuring the temperature inside the fermented material using a plurality of temperature sensors or measuring the moisture content inside the fermented material using a plurality of moisture sensors, or both; and controlling the supply of high-pressure air to each of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes based on the measured values ​​of either one or both of the plurality of temperature sensors or the plurality of moisture sensors.

17. The fermentation method according to claim 16, wherein half of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes are orthogonal injection supply pipes that eject air from the plurality of nozzles in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the high-pressure air supply pipe, and the remaining half of the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes are oblique injection supply pipes that eject air from the plurality of nozzles in a direction inclined with respect to the central axis of the high-pressure air supply pipe, and the step of inserting the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes into the fermentation material includes the step of inserting the plurality of orthogonal injection supply pipes and the plurality of oblique injection supply pipes, which are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart, into the fermentation material.

18. The fermentation method according to claim 16, wherein the step of inserting a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes into the fermentation material includes the step of inserting the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes into the fermentation material from the side of the piled fermentation material.

19. The fermentation method according to claim 16, wherein the step of inserting a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes into the fermentation material includes the step of inserting the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes into the fermentation material from above the piled fermentation material.

20. The fermentation method according to claim 16, wherein the step of inserting a plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes into the fermentation material includes a step of moving the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes and inserting them into the fermentation material before fermentation of the fermentation material, and further includes a step of removing the plurality of high-pressure air supply pipes from the fermentation material after fermentation is complete.

21. A preheating fermentation system comprising: a plurality of fermentation apparatuses according to claim 1 or claim 2; a heat recovery unit for recovering a portion of the fermentation heat from a fermented product during fermentation in at least a part of the plurality of fermentation apparatuses; a heat exchange unit for transferring the fermentation heat recovered by the heat recovery unit; and a preheating unit for preheating a fermented product before fermentation by applying the fermentation heat transferred via the heat exchange unit.

22. The preheating fermentation system according to claim 21, wherein the control unit of the plurality of fermentation apparatuses according to claim 1 or claim 2 performs hysteresis control on the heat exchange unit based on a measurement value from one or more of the plurality of temperature sensors.

23. The preheating fermentation system according to claim 22, wherein the hysteresis control is a control that operates the heat exchange unit when the measured temperature becomes 90°C or higher, and stops operating the heat exchange unit when the temperature falls below 80°C.

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