JP2000300094A - Water tank for hydroponic - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water tank capable of moderately maintaining the flow velocity of a culture solution in the interior at a smaller amount of the culture solution and a lower flow rate and thereby reduce the equipment cost and running cost in the hydroponic. SOLUTION: This water tank 4 for hydroponic is used for the hydroponic for transferring a culture solution L in the prescribed direction while floating a float supporting a plant corresponding to the growth conditions of the plant on the solution L and is characterized in that the base 44 formed gradually higher in the longitudinal direction is arranged. The base 44 is composed by placing a tilted table 42 on the base of the water tank body 41 having a prescribed depth. The transfer direction of the float supporting the plant is the longitudinal direction of the water tank body 41 and the grown plant is transferred in the direction of a gradually increased water depth (i.e., the direction to lower the level of the base 44) to thereby keep the interval between the root of the plant and the base 44 within a prescribed tolerance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water tank for hydroponic cultivation, and more particularly to a water tank for hydroponic cultivation suitably used for hydroponic cultivation in a plant cultivation factory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part showing an example of a multi-stage hydroponic cultivation apparatus in a plant cultivation factory. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus shown in this figure, a plurality of hydroponic cultivation aquariums 1 are vertically arranged at predetermined intervals. In the figure,
The lower section of the hydroponics tank 1 was shown in a sectional view, and the upper section of the hydroponic tank 1 was shown in a side view. This hydroponic cultivation apparatus is for performing submerged hydroponic cultivation in which plant roots are immersed in a culture solution and cultivates the same. The light source 2 is arranged in a step-like manner above the water tank 1 for hydroponic cultivation. When performing hydroponic cultivation using this hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the float F supporting the plant P is placed in the hydroponic cultivation tank 1.
In the culture solution L inside. Then, the float F is transported in a certain direction (the direction of the arrow in the drawing) in the hydroponic cultivation aquarium 1 while being floated in the culture solution L in accordance with the growth state of the plant P. The light source 2 corresponds to this transfer,
It is provided at a height such that the distance between the plant P and the light source 2 is kept within a predetermined range.

[0003] In this hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the culture solution L in the hydroponic cultivation water tank 1 arranged in the upper stage is dropped into the hydroponic cultivation water tank 1 arranged in the lower stage through the circulating pipe 3, and the water in the lower stage is adjusted. The culture solution L in the water tank 1 for cultivation is pumped into the water tank 1 for cultivation in the upper stage through a circulation pump (not shown) to form a closed loop, and the culture solution L is circulated. Furthermore, the supply position and the discharge position of the culture solution L are separately arranged at both ends of the hydroponic water tank 1 so that the flow of the culture solution L is formed in a fixed direction in each hydroponic water tank 1. ing.

In addition, the water tank for hydroponic cultivation 1 secures a water depth corresponding to the root length of the most advanced state so that the grown roots do not reach the bottom of the water cultivation aquarium 1 and hinder growth. It has a certain depth as possible.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned hydroponics tank used for hydroponics is formed at a certain depth corresponding to the root length of the most grown plant. In the early stage of the plant, the actual water depth is higher than the required water depth. For this reason, there is a problem that the amount of water actually used is increased and the consumption of fertilizer is increased as compared with the amount of culture solution (amount of water) required for plant growth. This is a factor that increases running costs in hydroponics.

[0006] Furthermore, in the submerged hydroponic culture performed in the hydroponic water tank, the nutrients and oxygen are sufficiently supplied to the roots of the plant to promote the growth of the plant. It is necessary to form a flow with a moderate flow rate. Also,
In order to prevent deterioration of liquid quality due to accumulation of substances (for example, waste products from roots) in the aquarium, a flow with an appropriate flow rate should be used without forming local stagnation in the aquarium for hydroponics. Need to be formed. However, since the bottom of the water tank for hydroponic cultivation is wide and long, it is necessary to secure a considerable flow rate in order to obtain an appropriate flow rate. For this reason, there is a problem that the discharge amount of the circulation pump and the diameter of the circulation pipe increase. This is a factor that increases equipment costs in hydroponics.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a water tank for hydroponic cultivation that can maintain the flow rate of the culture liquid inside the tank with a smaller amount and flow rate of the culture liquid. The aim is to reduce emissions.

[0008]

According to the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention relates to a method of transferring a float supporting a plant in a certain direction while suspending the float in a culture solution, in accordance with the growth state of the plant. It is a water tank for hydroponics used for hydroponics, characterized in that it has a bottom surface that is formed gradually higher along the longitudinal direction. This bottom surface is configured by placing an inclined table on the bottom surface of the water tank body having a certain depth.

[0009] In the water tank for hydroponic cultivation having such a configuration, the bottom surface is formed gradually higher along the longitudinal direction. By gradually transferring the water depth to a deeper direction (that is, a direction in which the bottom becomes lower), the interval between the root of the plant and the bottom is kept within a predetermined allowable range.
For this reason, the bottom surface of the water tank is raised without hindering the growth of the plant, and the amount of the culture solution inside the water tank for hydroponic cultivation is smaller than that of the water tank for hydroponic cultivation at a certain depth.

In addition, the culture solution is supplied from one end in the longitudinal direction where the height of the bottom is the highest, and the culture solution is discharged from the other end in the lengthwise direction where the height of the bottom is the lowest. Is formed, the diameter of the flow path in the flow direction of the culture solution is reduced by the amount by which the bottom of the water tank is raised. Therefore, in comparison with a water tank for hydroponic cultivation having a constant depth, a required flow velocity can be obtained with a smaller flow rate.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment in which a water tank for hydroponics according to the present invention is applied to a multi-stage hydroponic cultivation apparatus in a plant cultivation factory, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a main part for describing hydroponics by the cultivation device. First, the configuration of the water tank for hydroponic cultivation will be described based on these figures. Note that the same components as those described in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The water tank 4 for hydroponic cultivation shown in these figures comprises a long water tank main body 41 and an inclined table 42 placed on the bottom surface of the water tank main body 41. The tip of the culture solution supply end 31 is inserted into one end of the tank body 41 in the longitudinal direction. Further, in this embodiment, a circulation hole 43 and a drainage hole 43 ′ (both shown only in FIG. 1) are provided on the bottom surface at the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the water tank main body 41. Each figure shows a cross section in the longitudinal direction of the water tank 4 for hydroponics. In addition, in FIG. 2, the water tank 4 for hydroponics
Is shown in a cross-sectional view, and the water tank 4 for hydroponic cultivation in the upper stage is shown in a side view.

The aquarium main body 41 has a certain depth such that the roots of the most grown plants in the hydroponics aquarium 4 can secure a water depth that does not reach the bottom thereof. It is assumed that. Here, the state in which the growth has progressed most is a state immediately before harvesting. For this reason,
The depth of the aquarium main body 41 is appropriately selected depending on the type of the plant to be cultivated.
It is assumed that a water depth of about mm to 70 mm can be secured.

The inclined table 42 is formed in such a shape that its upper surface is inclined in one direction, and the bottom of the water tank 4 for hydroponic cultivation extends from the position where the circulation hole 43 and the drainage hole 43 'are arranged. It is installed in the water tank main body 41 so as to gradually increase in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface. Then, in a state where the inclined table 42 is installed, the inclination angle of the inclined table 42 is set such that a water depth of, for example, about 20 mm is secured at the position where the bottom surface of the hydroponic aquarium 4 is the highest. It shall be. However, the inclined table 42 is provided at the one end in the longitudinal direction opposite to the circulation hole 43 and the drainage hole 43 ′, with the culture solution supply end 3 provided with the waterfall device 5 and the filter 6.
1 are provided with an interval as long as the leading end can be arranged.

The inclined table 42 is made of, for example, styrofoam arranged in a staircase. And
A polyethylene sheet 44 is placed so as to cover the upper surface of the inclined table 42 and the inner wall of the water tank main body 41. A circulation hole 43 and a drainage hole 43 ′ are formed in the polyethylene sheet 44 and the water tank main body 41, and a circulation hole 43 is formed. The gap between the polyethylene sheet 44 and the tank main body 41 on the inner wall of the drainage hole 43 'is sealed to form the water tank 4 for hydroponics.

In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus using the hydroponic water tank 4 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of hydroponic water tanks 4 are vertically arranged at predetermined intervals. Have been. A water level cylinder 45 is provided in the circulation hole 43 of each hydroponic aquarium 4.
The water level in the tank is kept constant. One end of the circulation pipe 3 is connected to the circulation hole 43, and the other end of the circulation pipe 3 is supplied to the inside of one end in the longitudinal direction of the water tank 4 for hydroponics arranged one step below. It is arranged as an end 31. However, one end of a circulation pipe 3 'provided with a circulation pump 8 is connected to the circulation hole 43 of the water tank 4 for hydroponic cultivation arranged at the lowest stage. The other end of the circulation pipe 3 ′ is connected to a culture solution supply end 31 arranged in each hydroponic cultivation water tank 4.
A culture solution supply pipe 32 is also connected to the circulation pipe 3 '. The drain hole 43 ′ is connected to a drain pipe 9 whose end is disposed in the drain groove 7. With such a configuration, the operation of the circulation pump 8 causes the circulation hole 43 into the hydroponic cultivation aquarium 4 from the culture solution supply end 31 side.
Further, a flow of the culture solution L is formed along the longitudinal direction toward the arrangement portion of the drainage hole 43 ′. FIG.
Shows the flow of the culture solution L in this hydroponic cultivation apparatus with arrows. Further, above each hydroponic water tank 4, in the longitudinal direction of the hydroponic water tank 4, a stepwise light source 2 (which gradually rises toward the arrangement part of the circulation hole 43 and the drainage hole 43 ′) ( 2 only).

Next, a description will be given using hydroponic cultivation using this hydroponic cultivation apparatus. First, by supplying the culture solution L from the culture solution supply pipe 32, the culture solution L is stored in the hydroponic cultivation water tank 4 until the water level reaches a certain level. Thereafter, the circulation pump 8 is operated to circulate the culture solution L at a constant circulation flow rate in each hydroponic cultivation water tank 4. Then, the plant P supported by the float F is floated in the culture solution L, and the light from the light source 2 provided in a stepwise manner above each of the hydroponics tanks 4 is irradiated. At this time, according to the growth situation of the plant P,
The float F suspended in the culture solution is transferred in the direction in which the circulation hole 43 and the drainage hole 43 ′ are provided along the longitudinal direction of the water tank 4 for hydroponics. Thereby, the interval between the plant P and the light source 2 is maintained in a predetermined range.

Here, each hydroponic aquarium 4 is provided with a circulation hole 4.
Since the bottom surface is formed gradually higher in the longitudinal direction from the arrangement portion of the plant 3 and the drainage hole 43 ', the grown plant P is gradually transferred to a deeper water depth, so that the root of the plant P and the bottom surface are separated. The spacing will be kept within a predetermined tolerance. For this reason, in the water tank 4 for hydroponics with the bottom raised,
Hydroponics can be performed without hindering the growth of the plant P. Therefore, compared with the case where the hydroponic cultivation water tank having a certain depth is used, the culture solution L in the hydroponic cultivation water tank 4 is compared.
The amount can be small. As a result, the amount of water and the consumption of fertilizer are reduced, and the running cost in hydroponics can be reduced. In addition, it was confirmed that the amount of water used was reduced by half as compared with the conventional water tank for hydroponics.

Further, since the hydroponic water tank 4 is obtained by raising the bottom of the water tank body 41 having a certain depth, the culture solution L formed along the longitudinal direction of the hydroponic water tank 4 is formed.
That is, the flow path diameter is narrowed with respect to the flow. For this reason,
The required flow velocity can be obtained with a smaller flow rate as compared with a hydroponic cultivation tank formed at a certain depth. Therefore, it is possible to form a flow of the culture solution L having an appropriate flow rate with a circulation pump and a circulation pipe having a smaller discharge flow rate. As a result, it is possible to make the incidental equipment slim and reduce the equipment cost in hydroponics.

In addition, since the bottom surface of the water tank 4 for hydroponic cultivation gradually decreases in the direction in which the circulation holes 43 and the drain holes 43 'are arranged, the bottom surface is directed toward the circulation holes 43 and the drain holes 43'. The flow of the culture solution L is not hindered by the inclination of the bottom surface, and the flow of the culture solution L in the water tank 4 for hydroponic cultivation does not stagnate. For this reason, the substance (organic matter and the like) in the culture solution L does not accumulate on the bottom surface, and the deterioration of the water quality of the culture solution L can be prevented.

Further, when replacing the culture solution L in the water tank 4 for hydroponic cultivation, natural drainage can be performed from the drainage hole 43 '. For this reason, the working efficiency at the time of replacing the culture solution L can be improved, and the deterioration of the water quality due to the remaining solution can be prevented. In the present embodiment,
In order to make the bottom surface of the water tank 4 for hydroponic cultivation an inclined shape, an inclined table 42 made of foamed polystyrene was provided in a water tank main body 41 having a constant depth. For this reason, this hydroponic cultivation water tank 4 has a simple structure, is inexpensive, and can be formed easily.

[0022]

As described above, according to the water tank for hydroponic cultivation of the present invention, by gradually increasing the bottom surface along the longitudinal direction, the plant supported by the float can be kept constant in accordance with the growing condition. When performing the hydroponic cultivation method of transferring in the direction, the distance between the root and the bottom of the plant can be kept within a predetermined allowable range by transferring the plant in a direction in which the water depth is deep (that is, the direction in which the bottom is low). Therefore, it is possible to raise the bottom of the water tank for hydroponic cultivation without hindering the growth of the plant, thereby reducing the amount of the culture solution used. Further, the culture solution was supplied from one end in the longitudinal direction where the height of the bottom surface was the highest, and the culture solution was discharged from the other end side in the longitudinal direction where the height of the bottom was the lowest to form a flow along the longitudinal direction. In this case, the flow path diameter of the culture solution can be narrowed by the amount by which the bottom is raised. Therefore, it becomes possible to form a flow having a required flow rate with a smaller flow rate, and a reduction in the amount of culture solution used,
In addition, it is possible to reduce the size of auxiliary equipment such as a pipe for supplying a culture solution and a circulation pump. As a result, it is possible to reduce running costs and equipment costs in hydroponics.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing an embodiment in which a hydroponic water tank of the present invention is applied to a multi-stage hydroponic cultivation apparatus in a plant cultivation factory.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration view of a main part for explaining hydroponics by the hydroponics apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a main part for describing hydroponics by a conventional hydroponics apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 ... a water tank for hydroponics, 41 ... water tank body, 42 ... inclined table,
44… Bottom, F… Float, L… Culture, P… Plant

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claims 1. A water tank for hydroponic cultivation used for plant cultivation, wherein a float supporting the plant is transferred in a certain direction while being suspended in a culture solution in accordance with the growth state of the plant, A water tank for hydroponic cultivation, characterized by having a bottom surface that is gradually raised along the bottom. 2. The water tank for hydroponics according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is configured by placing an inclined table on a bottom surface of a water tank main body having a constant depth. Cultivation tank.