JP2020005537A - Renewable energy utilization system - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a system in which energy required for fuel oil production by microalgae can be covered by renewable energy, and the microalgae can be used in multiple stages.
A renewable energy utilization system according to the present invention has the following units (1) to (5). (1) a freshwater production unit 1 using the temperature difference desalination method; (2) a terrestrial plant production unit 2 using the freshwater obtained in the freshwater production unit; (3) the temperature is raised by using as a refrigerant in the temperature difference desalination method. A highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit 3 for culturing a highly halophilic microalgae in deep sea water or seawater concentrated by removing fresh water by a temperature difference desalination method; (4) the highly halophilic A separation and recovery unit 4 for separating and recovering the active ingredient from the microalgae; and (5) a glycerin utilization unit 5 for fermenting the glycerin as a carbon (C) source to obtain amino acids, peptides, oils, fermentation residues, and the like.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a renewable energy utilization system that uses deep sea water, microalgae, and the like in multiple stages.

Global warming countermeasures, etc., require that renewable energies, such as solar energy and wind energy, provide energy without emitting greenhouse gases. Produces electricity, a secondary energy.
In addition, renewable energy has a very low energy density, and rapid conversion to renewable energy has a very high hurdle, and fuel oil production by microalgae is expected to lower the hurdle to some extent.

  The idea of fuel oil production using microalgae was already proposed about 70 years ago, and demonstration experiments have been repeated in several countries (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). A lot of R & D expenditures have been invested, and specific figures and roadmaps have been presented, but given the current situation, it has not yet been put to practical use. The prior art has not been able to solve problems such as economic balance and practical application because a firm grand design with a strategy to reach a target is not drawn.

  In recent years, freshwater used for drinking water, industrial water, and the like is in short supply worldwide, and seawater desalination technology has been actively studied. There are two types of seawater desalination technologies: an evaporation method that secures freshwater by extracting water vapor from seawater, and a membrane method that secures freshwater by filtration using a membrane.

As one of the evaporation methods, there are a temperature difference desalination method and a spray flash method. For example, as in Non-Patent Literature 1, fresh water can be obtained by injecting surface warm seawater into a reduced-pressure vessel, evaporating it by discharging it through a nozzle, and cooling this steam with low-temperature deep seawater.
However, a specific method for reusing the deep cold seawater (deep ocean water) which has been used as the above-mentioned refrigerant and has increased temperature has not been proposed so far.

JP 2015-231363 A JP-A-2015-146785

Science and Technology Trends, 2007, 077, p.5-5.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background art, and its object is to solve the above problems, and to provide the energy required for fuel oil production by microalgae with renewable energy, Is to provide a system that can be used in multiple stages.

  In addition, the “depth of seawater with increased temperature” and “freshwater” generated in seawater desalination; by-products, residues, and energy obtained in each unit can be effectively used in other units. It is to provide a system that can do it.

The inventor of the present invention has conducted intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, the economic balance has been increased (in the black), and a plurality of technologies have been developed in order to produce fuel oil using microalgae that can be put to practical use. We noticed that we needed to draw a combined grand design.
In addition, the energy density of renewable energy, which is energy generated from marine resources including sunlight, solar heat, biomass, and seawater itself, is extremely low, while the energy density of (fuel) oil and the like finally produced. In view of its extremely high cost, he tried to combine renewable energy with low energy density and each of the technologies more appropriately in the situation.

Then, when culturing a specific microalgae in deep ocean water, it is used as a refrigerant when producing freshwater from seawater using the temperature difference desalination method (including the spray flash method and the multi-spray flash method). We found that warm deep sea water could be used effectively. Further, when producing fresh water from seawater using the temperature difference desalination method (including the spray flash method and the multi-spray flash method), as the seawater, "deep ocean water heated by various methods (units)" is used. Can be used effectively.
Since deep sea water contains abundant phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), the "concentrated water" after extracting fresh water from deep sea water further contains phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Because it is abundantly contained, it is suitable for culturing microalgae.

  In addition, valuable substances such as glycerin, proteins, carbohydrates, oils and fats can be extracted from the microalgae cultured in the deep sea water, and the glycerin obtained here can be effectively used as a raw material for fermentation. The present inventors have found that the specific microalgae serve as a nitrogen (N) source and a phosphorus (P) source, and have completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention resides in a renewable energy utilization system having all of the following units (1) to (5).
(1) a freshwater production unit that produces freshwater from seawater using a temperature difference desalination method;
(2) a terrestrial plant production unit that produces terrestrial plants with freshwater obtained by the freshwater production unit;
(3) Highly cultivating highly halophilic microalgae in deep ocean water that has been heated by using it as a refrigerant in the temperature difference desalination method, or in seawater that has been concentrated by removing fresh water by the temperature difference desalination method. Salt microalgae culture unit;
(4) a separation and recovery unit for separating and recovering carotenes, glutathione, glycerin, protein, carbohydrate, and / or oil and fat from the highly halophilic microalgae; and
(5) A glycerin utilization unit for fermenting the glycerin as a carbon (C) source to obtain an amino acid, a peptide or a protein, an alcohol having a carbon number of 6 or less, a fat, a fuel, and / or a fermentation residue.

According to the present invention, it is possible to solve the above-mentioned problems and the above-mentioned problems, and to effectively use `` temperature-raised deep sea water '' which is used as a refrigerant when producing fresh water from seawater using a temperature difference desalination method and remains as a by-product. Can be used.
In addition, highly valuable halophilic microalgae are cultured in the deep sea water, and the obtained valuable resources can be effectively used.

  In the cultivation of the highly halophilic microalgae according to the present invention, cleanliness such as having deep seawater, less germs, and less contamination (contamination), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), etc. It is possible to maximize the use of high nutrient salts, which are said to be rich in elements such as.

Further, by using the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention, by culturing microalgae for feed and feed in the deep sea water remaining as the by-product, and cultivating bivalves and crustaceans, the deep sea water can be effectively used. Can be.
Further, marine animals are cultivated in deep sea water using feed and feed microalgae as a feed, and cultivation of seaweed in cultivation wastewater (generated by the marine animal cultivation unit) obtained in the course of the cultivation provides the cultivation wastewater. Is purified (for example, elements such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are reduced), and can be discharged to the ocean without performing wastewater treatment, thereby preventing marine pollution by nitrogen and phosphorus.

  In addition, the freshwater obtained in the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention can be used for production of terrestrial plants and drinking water. The effect can be fully exhibited.

  In addition, since proteins and the like remain in the fermentation residue obtained by the glycerin utilization unit of the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention, highly suitable nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) sources tend to be insufficient. It can be effectively used for cultivation of salty microalgae and production of terrestrial plants, and the substances produced by the renewable energy utilization system can be effectively used without exhaustion.

  In addition, the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention makes it possible to produce fuel oil and the like by microalgae by performing “combined use or multi-stage use of technology and resources”, which has not been anticipated so far; For the first time as a whole system, including the production of valuable resources such as carotenes, glutathione, amino acids, peptides, and proteins; the cultivation of marine animals;

In the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention, carbon dioxide can be reduced and global warming can be suppressed by producing a large amount of photosynthetic organisms in culture of microalgae, production of land plants, and the like.
The energy used in the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention can be minimized by using the energy produced by the units in the system, by inputting the energy to the system.

  In this way, for example, if there are only one to three units, substances and energy produced therefrom and / or residues, by-products, aquaculture wastewater, etc. obtained therefrom are wastefully discarded / dissipated. Would. According to the present invention, baits and fertilizers containing essential elements (nutrient sources) and the like required for one unit; reaction (synthetic) raw materials; appropriate temperature, sterilization (cleaning), desalination and other environments; energy; Can be obtained from other units as residues, by-products, wastewater, etc., so that they can be used effectively without wasting them, and multiple units work synergistically to make the entire system a profitable economy. It can have something.

It is a figure showing an example of the outline of the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of the outline of the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention. It is a graph which shows the culture result at the time of using concentrated seawater. It is a graph which shows the culture result at the time of adding a phosphorus (P) source and a carbon (C) source during culture. It is a figure mainly showing the freshwater production unit of this invention, and showing the deep sea water used there.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following specific embodiments, and can be arbitrarily modified within the scope of the technical idea.

The renewable energy utilization system of the present invention is characterized by having all of the following units (1) to (5).
(1) A freshwater production unit 1 for producing freshwater from seawater using a temperature difference desalination method;
(2) A terrestrial plant production unit 2 that produces terrestrial plants with fresh water obtained in the fresh water production unit 1;
(3) Altitude for culturing highly halophilic microalgae in deep ocean water heated by using it as a refrigerant in the temperature difference desalination method, or in seawater concentrated by removing fresh water by the temperature difference desalination method Halophilic microalgae culture unit 3;
(4) a separation and recovery unit 4 for separating and recovering carotenes, glutathione, glycerin, proteins, carbohydrates, and / or fats and oils from the highly halophilic microalgae;
(5) A glycerin utilization unit 5 for fermenting the glycerin as a carbon (C) source to obtain amino acids, peptides or proteins, alcohols having a carbon number of 6 or less, fats and oils, fuel, and / or fermentation residues.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic example of a renewable energy utilization system having the units (1) to (5). In addition, the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention is not limited to the specific example of FIG.
Hereinafter, the units (1) to (5) will be described in detail.

<Freshwater production unit>
The fresh water production unit 1 produces fresh water from seawater using a temperature difference desalination method. A typical example of the temperature difference desalination method is a spray flash method.

The temperature difference desalination method is substantially (in principle) the same as the method disclosed as the “spray flash method” in Non-Patent Document 1 or the like (based on the same principle). is there). In the spray flash method, "surface warm seawater" (ocean surface water) is injected into a decompression vessel or the like to evaporate the vapor, and the vapor is cooled by "deep cold seawater" (ocean deep water) to be liquefied. This is a method of obtaining fresh water. Generally, the “spray flash method” utilizes a temperature difference between the surface ocean water and the deep ocean water. When producing freshwater from seawater, the larger the temperature difference between the surface ocean water and the deep ocean water, the better.
As a device used for the temperature difference desalination method, a device similar or similar to the device used for the spray flash method can be used.

In the temperature difference desalination method in the present invention, it is preferable to use "deep ocean water heated by a method described below or the like" instead of the above-mentioned ocean surface water as the seawater to be evaporated.
In addition, it is preferable that the temperature difference desalination method be a so-called “multi-temperature difference desalination method” in which pressure reducing vessels are provided in multiple stages. As the “multi-temperature difference desalination method”, a method disclosed as “multi-spray flash method” can be used. As for the apparatus, a multi-spray flash method apparatus is preferably used.

  The fresh water obtained by the fresh water production unit 1 can be used as industrial water such as drinking water, agricultural water, industrial water, and the like. Further, it can be used for the production of land plants in the “land plant production unit 2” described below.

  Deep ocean water varies depending on the location compared to ocean surface water. For example, in the vicinity of Izu Oshima in Japan, nitrate nitrogen (N) is about 30 times, and phosphate phosphorus (P) is about 60 times. Is contained. Deep ocean water is also sterile.

According to the present invention, since these compositions and physical properties can be obtained at low cost, it is suitably effective in the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit 3, marine animal cultivation unit 6, and microalgae culturing unit A for feed and feed described below. It can be used, and the overall system will be in the black. At least, it does not become red as in the conventional single technology (single unit or combination technology of two or three units).
In addition, even if the glycerin utilization unit 5 is omitted from the present invention, that is, only the units (1) to (4) can obtain the above-mentioned effects to some extent.

  The deep sea water can be reduced in power required for the rotation of the pump by providing a pipe outlet at a height below sea level on land, on a ship, or the like, and using the water pressure in the deep sea by the siphon principle. Further, even when the pump is used, the water pressure in the deep sea where the deep sea water exists can be used, so that less electric power energy is required, which is more economical.

In the freshwater production unit 1, freshwater is produced from seawater by using a temperature difference desalination method, and the seawater is preferably deep ocean water.
Examples of the deep sea water include those that have been concentrated in the deep sea water enrichment unit E; those that have been heated by the solar heat, the deep sea water enrichment unit E, etc .; those that have passed through various aqua industries, rare metal recovery devices, and the like; And the like (see FIG. 5).
Since deep sea water contains abundant phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), the “concentrated deep water” obtained by extracting freshwater from deep sea water is referred to as the “highly halophilic microalgae culture unit” described later. ", Microalgae can be suitably cultured.

<Land plant production unit>
The terrestrial plant production unit 2 produces terrestrial plants using the freshwater obtained in the freshwater production unit 1.

The water (fresh water) required in the land plant production unit 2 is obtained from the fresh water production unit 1.
Further, the temperature adjustment in the land plant production unit 2 can be performed by “electric power of the cold temperature difference power generation obtained from the power generation unit D”, solar heat, or the like.
The present invention is sufficiently effective in areas where freshwater is difficult to secure, such as deserts, but such areas have abundant solar heat compared to other areas, and furthermore, in such areas, the temperature of ocean surface water is low. Because of the high temperature, the temperature difference between the surface ocean water and the deep ocean water is large, and it is easy to obtain "power for cold temperature difference power generation obtained from the power generation unit D". 1 and the terrestrial plant production unit 2 match very well.

As light required in the land plant production unit 2, it is preferable to use sunlight which is a renewable energy in terms of reduction of carbon dioxide and cost. In areas such as deserts, where there are many sunny days and sunlight is easy to use, the freshwater production unit 1 and the terrestrial plant production unit 2 match very well also from that point.
Further, fertilizers (nitrogen and phosphorus) required in the land plant production unit 2 can be obtained from the fermentation residue of the glycerin utilization unit 5 and the nitrogen fixing unit F described later.

The present invention relates to an area near the sea where it is easy to obtain deep ocean water and surface ocean water; an area where the sea is easily accessible to marine animals, seaweeds, marine microalgae, etc .; an area where the temperature is high; and many sunny days. In areas where sunshine hours are long; preferably in areas where flat land for cultivating land plants and marine animals and culturing microalgae can be secured; and so on, various resources and environments can be secured free of charge. preferable.
Further, it is preferable in an area where the amount of rain is so small that fresh water is insufficient, an area where infrastructure is not provided and energy is difficult to secure, and the like, since the effect of the present invention is particularly exhibited.
As such an area, an area having a sunshine time of 3000 hours / year or more, a rainfall of 400 mm / year or less, or an annual average temperature of 18 ° C. or more is preferable.

The above-mentioned land plant is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, from the viewpoint of securing food, edible plants such as vegetables, fruits, cereals, beans, and potatoes are preferable. The land plant production unit 2 can produce one or more land plants.
It is also preferable to produce microbes such as microalgae, phytoplankton, cyanobacteria, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. It is also preferable to produce microscopic organisms in addition to land plants.

<Highly halophilic microalgae culture unit>
In the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit 3, deep seawater heated by using as a refrigerant in the multi-temperature difference desalination method or seawater concentrated by removing fresh water by the multi-temperature difference desalination method is used. (Preferably concentrated deep water obtained by concentrating deep ocean water), and culturing highly halophilic microalgae.

Examples of highly halophilic microalgae cultured in the highly halophilic microalga culture unit 3 include, for example, genus Aphanocapsa, genus Aphanothece, genus Percursaria, genus Spirulina, and Synechococcus (Shnechococcus) or microalgae belonging to the genus Dunaliella, and the like. In the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit 3, one or more kinds of highly halophilic microalgae can be cultured.
It is possible to extract valuables such as oils and fats; carbon sources other than carbon dioxide can be used; highly halophilic algae (marine microalgae); a wide range of adaptive growth temperature; In this respect, microalgae belonging to the genus Dunaliella are preferred.
With the microalgae, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be recycled.

Dunaliella algae contain highly halophilic algae, and by culturing these algae in seawater with high salinity, it is possible to reduce the risk of contamination (mixed bacteria) at low cost. Becomes
The genus Dunaliella does not have a cell wall, so that oil can be easily extracted. Moreover, since the genus Dunaliella stores glycerin in cells for osmotic pressure adjustment, the glycerin can be recovered and effectively used in the glycerin utilization unit 5 described below. Since glycerin is pure glycerin containing no solvent or catalyst, it is highly useful as a fermentation substrate for cosmetics and foods.
In addition, since Dunaliella can convert carbon dioxide into hydrogen carbonate, bubbling (aeration of carbon dioxide) is unnecessary, and culturing costs can be reduced.
The genus Dunaliella is one of the few microalgae capable of accumulating lipids while growing, and enables continuous culture with higher production efficiency than batch culture.
In addition, by accumulating carotenes, culture can be performed without causing strong light inhibition.
In addition, since the adaptive growth temperature range is wide, culturing can be performed without performing artificial temperature control, so that the culturing cost can be significantly reduced.

Examples of microalgae belonging to the genus Dunaliella include Dunaliella salina, Dunaliella viridis, Dunaliella bioculata, Dunaliella primolecta, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Dunaliella bardawil, and the like.
Cultivating Dunaliella salina (Dunaliella salina) because it can survive and grow at temperatures as low as 4-60 ° C at high or low temperatures, and can withstand high temperatures under high osmotic pressure. Is more preferred. In the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit 3, microalgae belonging to one or more genus Dunaliella can be cultured.

In the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit 3, it is preferable to culture the highly halophilic microalgae in seawater derived from deep sea water.
The “seawater derived from deep sea water” is the one whose temperature has been raised in the above-mentioned freshwater production unit 1 as a refrigerant in the temperature difference desalination method; the “raw material to be separated” in the temperature difference desalination method in the above freshwater production unit 1 Concentrated as "deep ocean water (liquid to be sprayed)"; concentrated in deep ocean water concentration unit E; heated by solar heat, deep ocean water concentration unit E, etc .; Those that have passed through an aqua industry, a rare metal recovery device, etc .;

FIG. 5 shows an outline of the above flow. FIG. 5 illustrates all of the above steps, and some of the steps in FIG. 5 may not be performed, which is also included in the present invention.
In FIG. 5, “−cold heat” indicates that the temperature was raised instead of cold heat, and “−rare metal” indicates that the rare metal was not collected (reduced). A hatched hatch indicates that heat exchange has occurred.

Since deep sea water contains abundant phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), "concentrated deep water" after extracting fresh water from deep sea water has a higher concentration of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). K), which makes it possible to particularly preferably culture highly halophilic microalgae.
Also, if used as a refrigerant in the temperature difference desalination method, or heated by solar heat, used in the deep sea water concentration unit E, used in various aqua industries, recovering rare metals, or combining them In addition, it is possible to raise the temperature of the deep ocean water without heating by separately supplying thermal energy (from fossil fuel), and it is possible to particularly preferably culture highly halophilic microalgae.

In the deep sea water concentration unit E described later, the deep sea water is concentrated by evaporating water using solar heat, thereby obtaining nitrogen (N) source and phosphorus (P) necessary for culturing highly halophilic microalgae. ) The concentration of the source can be increased, which is preferable, but at the same time, the concentration of sodium chloride (sodium chloride) in the deep sea water (sea water) also increases (for example, to about 15% by mass).
However, highly halophilic microalgae can be cultured even at high salt (sodium chloride) concentrations (eg, about 15% by mass).
From that point of view, the “Deep Sea Water Concentration Unit E”, which increases the concentration of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) sources using solar heat, is used to “cultivate highly halophilic microalgae”. It matches well with the microalgae culturing unit 3 ".

  In addition, when the salt (sodium chloride) concentration becomes high (for example, about 15% by mass), it becomes difficult for bacteria to grow and contamination (contamination) is reduced, which is advantageous for the growth of highly halophilic microalgae.

  Deep ocean water is rich in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and is sterile. Since these compositions and physical properties can be obtained at a low cost, or can be obtained as by-products (residuals used as refrigerants or concentrated by removing fresh water) in the fresh water production unit 1 using the multi-temperature difference desalination method, The economic balance of the system as a whole is likely to be in the black. Thus, deep ocean water is suitable for cultivation of highly halophilic microalgae and can reduce variable costs as a whole system.

  In the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit 3, it is preferable to use sunlight as light energy in terms of reduction of carbon dioxide and cost. In addition, it is preferable to use wind power for stirring the culture solution in terms of reduction of carbon dioxide and cost.

  For culturing the microalgae in the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit 3, a known method can be used. From the viewpoint of cost reduction and reduction of artificial control, continuous culture is preferable, and more preferably, a rice terrace type continuous culture.

<Separation and recovery unit>
From the highly halophilic microalgae, valuable resources such as carotenes, glutathione, glycerin, proteins, carbohydrates, oils and fats can be obtained without being limited to the following specific examples.
In the separation and recovery unit 4, it is essential to separate and recover at least one valuable material selected from the group consisting of carotenes, glutathione, glycerin, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats and oils from the cultured microalgae.
The separation and recovery unit 4 separates and recovers carotenes, glutathione, glycerin, proteins, carbohydrates, and / or fats and oils from the cultured microalgae. In this specification, “and / or” means “and” or “or”.
A known method may be used to separate and collect the above components. As the energy required for the separation and recovery, it is preferable to use the power generated by the power generation unit D described below in terms of reduction of carbon dioxide and cost.

  The carotenes recovered by the separation and recovery unit 4 have a high antioxidant action and can be used, for example, for pharmaceuticals, foods, food additives, supplements, and the like.

Glutathione recovered by the separation and recovery unit 4 has a high antioxidant effect, and can be used for, for example, pharmaceuticals, foods, supplements, fertilizers, feeds, and the like.
In addition, the use of the recovered glutathione in the land plant production unit 2 can promote photosynthesis of land plants. Therefore, the combined use of the separation and recovery unit 4 and the land plant production unit 2 has a synergistic effect. To play.

  The glycerin recovered by the separation and recovery unit 4 can be suitably used, for example, both as a raw material for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and as a fuel. In addition, since it can be used as a raw material of the following glycerin utilization unit 5, the separation and recovery unit 4 and the glycerin utilization unit 5 are well matched and exhibit a synergistic effect.

  The fats and oils collected by the separation and collection unit 4 can be used, for example, as food oils, feed oils, fuel oils, and the like.

  In the separation and recovery unit 4, the microalgae after the recovery of the valuables contain high-quality proteins, and thus can be used as feed, fermentation raw materials, and the like. Further, in the marine animal culturing unit 6 described below, it can be used as food for marine animals, and thus it is preferable to use it.

<Glycerin utilization unit>
In the glycerin utilization unit 5, the glycerin obtained in the separation / recovery unit 4 is used as a cosmetic raw material or edible and / or fermented as a carbon (C) source to produce an amino acid, peptide or protein having 6 or less carbon atoms. Obtain alcohol, fat, fuel, and / or fermentation residue.
In the field of renewable energy utilization, the prior art lacks a carbon (C) source worldwide, and for example, the amount of molasses remaining after crystallizing sugar from molasses extracted from sugarcane etc. (Ethanol industry) It is not enough to be established and has not been realized as an industry. In the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention, the glycerin obtained in the separation and recovery unit 4 can be effectively used as a carbon (C) source by combining the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit 3 and the glycerin utilization unit 5. .

  The above-mentioned glycerin can obtain an oil or fat by fermentation using an oil or fat yeast that assimilates glycerin. The fats and oils can be used as fuels, energy sources and the like.

  Amino acids, peptides, proteins and the like can be obtained from the glycerin by enzyme fermentation. Amino acids, peptides, proteins, and the like can be used as raw materials for foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and the like.

  Examples of the alcohol having 6 or less carbon atoms include ethanol and butanol. The alcohol having 6 or less carbon atoms can be used as a fuel, a raw material for various chemicals, and the like.

  Further, by burning the glycerin, the glycerin itself can be used as thermal energy (fuel).

  The glycerin can be used as a raw material in biorefinery technology, for example, converted into propanediol or the like and used as a chemical raw material.

In the glycerin utilization unit 5, the fermentation residue obtained by fermentation can be reused as a nitrogen (N) source or a phosphorus (P) source in the terrestrial plant production unit 2 or the highly halophilic microalgae culture unit 3. it can.
In the glycerin utilization unit 5, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are used as baits for “oil and fat yeast that assimilates glycerin”, and are externally (for example, nitrogen (N) is a mineral, peptone, etc. Phosphorus (P) must be supplied from minerals, sewage, etc.). However, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) remaining in the fermentation residue of the glycerin utilization unit 5 can be effectively reused in the land plant production unit 2 and the highly halophilic microalga culture unit 3. .

There is a shortage of nitrogen and phosphorus sources worldwide. In the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention, the nitrogen (N) source and the phosphorus (P) source have to be partially supplied from the outside, but they are wasted by combining a plurality of units of the present invention. Never be.
In addition, if nitrogen (N) is fixed by the “nitrogen fixing unit F using cyanobacteria” described later, the insufficient nitrogen (N) source can be reinforced from the atmosphere, and the combined effect (synergistic effect) can be further improved. It is preferable because it demonstrates.

  Further, by generating methane gas from the fermentation residue, the methane gas can be used as fuel.

<Other units>
The renewable energy utilization system of the present invention preferably has “other units” in addition to the units (1) to (5). Examples of the “other units” include the following units (6) and (A) to (F), a rare metal recovery unit that recovers rare metal from deep ocean water, and the like. The renewable energy utilization system may have one “other unit” or two or more “other units” in addition to the units (1) to (5). It may be.
By having "other units", by-products, residues, energy, etc., obtained in each unit including the above units (1) to (5) can be effectively used in other units. This makes it easier for the plurality of units to act synergistically, and furthermore, to make the economic balance of the system as a whole profitable.

(6) A marine animal cultivation unit for culturing marine animals in deep sea water using feed and feed microalgae as a feed (A) A feed / feed microalgae culture unit for culturing the above feed / feed microalgae in deep sea water (B) A seaweed production unit that produces seaweed using the culture wastewater obtained by the marine animal culture unit 6 as a fertilizer (C) A hydrogen production unit that obtains hydrogen using mannitol in the seaweed produced by the seaweed production unit B ( D) A power generation unit that uses solar heat as a heat source and / or generates thermal energy difference using deep sea water as a cold source. (E) Concentrates deep sea water by evaporating water using solar heat. Deep seawater concentration unit (F) Nitrogen fixing unit that fixes atmospheric nitrogen using cyanobacteria Renewable when all of the above units (A) to (F) are included FIG. 2 shows an example of an outline of the energy utilization system. In addition, the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention is not limited to the specific example of FIG.

<Marine Animal Farming Unit>
The marine animal culturing unit 6 cultivates marine animals in deep sea water using as feed microalgae.
It is preferable to use the deep sea water whose temperature is raised by using it as a refrigerant in the temperature difference desalination method in the fresh water production unit 1 in terms of using resources without waste.
Furthermore, if deep sea water is used, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are abundant and sterilization (cleaning) can be achieved, so that it is possible to grow microalgae for feed and feed and to cultivate the marine products. Are also suitable.

  Deep seawater can also be obtained as a by-product (the remainder used as a refrigerant) in the above-mentioned “freshwater production unit 1 using the temperature difference desalination method”. However, since it can be obtained as a by-product (remaining used as a cold source), the present invention can reduce variable costs (raw material costs) as a whole system and easily bring the economic balance into the black.

Examples of the marine animals include clams such as clams, clams, mussels, oysters and scallops; shellfish such as shrimps and crabs; and fishes.
In the marine animal culturing unit 6, one or more marine animals can be cultivated.

Examples of the microalgae for feed / feed include diatoms such as genus Chaetoceros and Skeletonema; haptoalga such as genus Paplova and genus Isochrysis; green algae; Nannochloropsis. ) Genus etc .; Diatoms are preferred in terms of being used as a feed; suitable for culturing in deep ocean water; and the like, and microalgae belonging to the genus Chaetoceros are more preferred.
One or more types of feed and feed microalgae can be used as feed.
The feed and feed microalgae can be obtained from the feed and feed microalgae culture unit A.

<Microalgae cultivation unit for feed and feed>
In the feed / feed microalgae culturing unit A, the feed / feed microalgae is cultured in deep sea water.
The obtained microalgae for feed and feed can be used as a feed for marine animals in the marine animal culturing unit 6 described above.

Specific examples of the microalgae for feed and feed are as described above. In the microalgae culturing unit A for feed and feed, one or more highly halophilic microalgae can be cultured.
Diatoms are preferred in terms of being used as a feed; suitable for culturing in deep ocean water; and the like, and microalgae belonging to the genus Chaetoceros are more preferred.

It is preferable to use the deep sea water whose temperature is raised by using it as a refrigerant in the temperature difference desalination method in the fresh water production unit 1 in terms of using resources without waste.
Furthermore, if deep sea water is used, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are abundant and sterilization (cleaning) can be achieved, so that it is suitable for the propagation of the microalgae for feed and feed.
Deep seawater can also be obtained as a by-product (the remainder used as a refrigerant) in the above-mentioned “freshwater production unit 1 using the temperature difference desalination method”. However, since it can be obtained as a by-product (remaining used as a cold source), the present invention can reduce variable costs (raw material costs) as a whole system and easily bring the economic balance into the black.

<Seaweed production unit>
The seaweed production unit B produces seaweed using the culture wastewater obtained in the marine animal culture unit 6 as a fertilizer.
Since nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the deep sea water used in the marine animal culture unit 6 remain in the culture wastewater, the nitrogen (N) source and the phosphorus (P) source And can be used as a fertilizer for the seaweed.

The seaweed includes, for example, kelp, sawtoothed moku, kubirezuta, willow moku, arame, tsuruarame, wakame, aomok, hijiki and the like. So-called large seaweeds are preferred in that a large amount of the following mannitol can be recovered, and specifically, kelp, saw-toothed moku, kubirezuta, alame, seaweed and the like are particularly preferred.
In the seaweed production unit B, one or more seaweeds can be produced.

  In the seaweed production unit B, the seaweed absorbs nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) as a fertilizer, so that the culture wastewater is purified. For example, the seaweed production unit B can be suitably used in the marine animal culture unit 6 again. Can be.

<Hydrogen production unit>
In the hydrogen production unit C, hydrogen is obtained using mannitol in the seaweed produced in the seaweed production unit B. The obtained hydrogen can be used as fuel or the like.
Known methods can be used for obtaining mannitol from seaweed and for obtaining hydrogen from the mannitol.

<Power generation unit>
In the power generation unit D, the thermal temperature difference power generation is performed using solar heat as a heat source and / or using deep ocean water as a cold source.

A method for generating thermal energy difference using solar heat as a heat source and / or deep ocean water as a cold source uses a known means such as a solar absorption chiller / heater using solar heat as a heat source. Can be.
The electric power obtained by the power generation unit D can be used, for example, in the land plant production unit 2, the marine animal cultivation unit 6, the seaweed production unit B, and the like.

<Deep sea water concentration unit>
In the deep sea water concentration unit E, deep sea water is concentrated by evaporating water using solar heat.
The obtained concentrated deep seawater can be used for culturing highly halophilic microalgae in the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit 3 described above.

In the deep ocean water concentration unit E, the concentration of sodium chloride in the deep ocean water is preferably reduced to 5 to 30% by mass, more preferably 10 to 25% by mass, and particularly preferably 15 to 20% by mass.
Concentration within the above range makes it harder for contamination to occur in deep ocean water free of contamination such as germs, so that the highly halophilic microalgae can be cultured efficiently.
The highly halophilic microalgae can be cultured even when the concentration of sodium chloride is high, and the concentration of sodium chloride of 16 to 17% by mass is optimized. Therefore, it is preferable to concentrate seawater within the above range.

<Nitrogen fixing unit>
In the nitrogen fixing unit F, nitrogen in the atmosphere is fixed using cyanobacteria.
The obtained nitrogen (N) source can be used for the production of land plants in the land plant production unit 2 and the culture of highly halophilic microalgae in the highly halophilic microalga culture unit 3.
Even if the deep sea water is concentrated in the deep sea water concentration unit E to a sodium chloride concentration of 16 to 17% by mass, which is optimal for the culture of highly halophilic microalgae, it is necessary for the culture of the microalgae. Nitrogen (N) concentration and phosphorus (P) concentration are not reached (about 1/3 of required amount). Therefore, securing a nitrogen (N) source in the nitrogen fixing unit F and supplying it to the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit 3 is preferable as the system of the present invention.

Examples of the cyanobacteria include genus Anabaena, genus Nostoc, genus Calothrix, genus Trichodesmium, genus Plectonema, and genus Anabaena. Alternatively, it is preferable to use the genus Nostoc.
In the nitrogen fixing unit F, one or more cyanobacteria can be used.

  Further, in the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention, in the glycerin utilization unit 5, the fermentation residue is transferred to the terrestrial plant production unit 2 and / or the highly halophilic microalga culture unit 3 in a nitrogen (N) source. And it is preferable to use it as a phosphorus (P) source from the viewpoint of effectively utilizing the insufficient nitrogen (N) source and phosphorus (P) source.

<Rare metal collection unit>
The rare metal recovery unit recovers rare metals from deep sea water.
In the freshwater production unit 1, the temperature of the deep ocean water is raised by using it as a refrigerant in the temperature difference desalination method in that the product generated by the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention is fully utilized. Preferably, deep water is used.

Examples of the rare metal include lithium, rubidium, strontium, and molybdenum.
As a method for recovering rare metals from deep ocean water, known methods can be used according to each metal.

  The deep sea water from which the rare metal has been collected can be used for culturing marine animals in the marine animal cultivation unit 6 and culturing feed / feed microalgae in the feed / feed microalgae culture unit A.

<Installation location of renewable energy system>
The renewable energy system of the present invention is preferably installed in an area where solar energy can be sufficiently secured. Specifically, it is preferably installed in a middle latitude area where renewable energy potential is high.
In addition, the renewable energy utilization system of the present invention includes the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit 3 for culturing marine microalgae and the marine animal culturing unit 6 for culturing marine animals in deep ocean water. Therefore, it is preferable to be installed near the sea.
In addition, it is particularly preferable to be installed in the area described for the land plant production unit 2.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited to these Examples as long as the gist of the present invention is not exceeded.

Example 1
<Unit 1, 2>
Both the freshwater production unit 1 and the land plant production unit 2 can be implemented by a known method.

Example 2
<Unit 3>
[Culture of Dunaliella sp. Using concentrated seawater]
Using concentrated seawater (concentrated marine surface water) transferred from Tsukishima Kikai Co., Ltd., Dunaliella salina, a microalga belonging to the genus Dunaliella, was cultured. Table 1 shows the analysis results of the concentrated seawater.

  From the results in Table 1, when Si (silicon) is excluded, assuming the use of deep ocean water, the concentrated seawater corresponds to double-concentrated seawater at a depth of about 150 m in the Pacific Ocean.

  Next, under the following four conditions, Dunaliella salina, a microalga belonging to the genus Dunaliella, was cultured.

Condition 1: A culture solution prepared by adding NaCl to artificial seawater to a salt concentration of 7% by mass and adding 7.8 mg of N (nitrogen) and 2.4 mg of P (phosphorus) is used.
Condition 2: A culture solution obtained by adding 7.8 mg of N (nitrogen) and 2.4 mg of P (phosphorus) to the above concentrated seawater is used.
Condition 3: A culture solution obtained by adding 7.8 mg of N (nitrogen) and 2.4 mg of P (phosphorus) to the above concentrated seawater, and further adding CH ₃ COONa (sodium acetate).
Condition 4: The above concentrated seawater is used as a culture solution.

Under the conditions 1 to 3, culture was performed by adding 300 mL of the culture solution to 100 mL of Dunaliella salina. Regarding the condition 4, culture was performed by adding 225 mL of the culture solution to 75 mL of Dunaliella salina. Adjustment was made so as to be 4-fold dilution under any conditions.
In addition, culturing was performed at a temperature of 25 ° C. and an illuminance of 5500 Lux under each condition.

The results of the culture are shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the vertical axis indicates the number of cells (× 10 ⁴ cells / mL), and the horizontal axis indicates the number of culture days (days). “1. ASW + NaCl” indicates the result of Condition 1, “2. CSW” indicates the result of Condition 2, “3. CSW + CH ₃ COONa” indicates the result of Condition 3, and “4. Only CSW” indicates the result of Condition 4.

As a result of FIG. 3, the microalgae belonging to the genus Dunaliella even under condition 1 (artificial seawater with a salt concentration of 7% by mass) or condition 4 (only the above-mentioned concentrated seawater) had an increased cell number compared to the first day of culture, even under a high salt concentration. Was found to be cultivable.
In addition, the number of cells was significantly increased in condition 2 (concentrated seawater + N + P) as compared to condition 4 (concentrated seawater only). From this result, it was found that it is better to further add a nitrogen (N) source and a phosphorus (P) source during the culture process.

From the above, it was found that deep sea water was suitable for culturing microalgae belonging to the genus Dunaliella at a temperature of 25 ° C. That is, it was found that at a temperature of 25 ° C. and an illuminance of 5500 Lux, carbon (C) in the atmosphere was taken in and converted to glycerin or the like, whereby the energy density could be suitably increased.
In condition 3 (concentrated seawater + N + P + CH ₃ COONa), the number of cells increased from condition 2 (concentrated seawater + N + P) on days 9 to 18 of culture. These results also suggested that sodium acetate was used as a carbon (C) source.

Example 3
Next, during the culture, a change in the number of cells due to the addition of a phosphorus (P) source or a carbon (C) source was observed. Using the culture solution under the conditions 1 to 3, the culture was adjusted so as to be diluted 4-fold, and the culture was performed under the condition of 5.56 L. One week after the culture was started, phosphorus (P) was added, four weeks later CH ₃ COONa, and five weeks later, phosphorus (P) was added.

The results of the culture are shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the vertical axis indicates the number of cells (× 10 ⁴ cells / mL), and the horizontal axis indicates the number of days of culture (days). B2 indicates the result of Condition 1, B4 indicates the result of Condition 2, and B7 indicates the result of Condition 3.

  As a result of FIG. 4, even when any of the culture solutions under the conditions 1 to 3 is used, the number of cells may rise to the right by adding a phosphorus (P) source or a carbon (C) source during culture. Do you get it.

Example 4
<Unit 4>
[Measurement of active ingredients from microalgae belonging to the genus Dunaliella cultured in deep ocean water]
The active ingredients extracted from Dunaliella salina cultured in deep ocean water were measured. After adjusting to be 4-fold dilution, culture was performed at a temperature of 25 ° C. and an illuminance of 5500 Lux.
After culturing until the number of cells reached about 5 × 10 ⁵ cells / mL, the active ingredient was recovered and quantified by a known method. Table 2 shows the results of the quantification.

  The results in Table 2 suggest that the active ingredient can be recovered from microalgae belonging to the genus Dunaliella cultivated in deep sea water, and that the active ingredient can be used.

Example 5
<Unit 5>
The glycerin utilization unit 5 can be implemented by any known method.
The fermentation residue in the glycerin utilization unit 5 can be used as a nitrogen (N) source and a phosphorus (P) source in the terrestrial plant production unit 2 and the highly halophilic microalgal culture unit 3.
When the units 1 to 5 are combined, the effects of the present invention are exhibited.

Example 6
<Unit 6, A>
Both the marine animal cultivation unit 6 and the feed / feed microalgae culturing unit A can be implemented by a known method.
If the combination of the units 1 to 5 is further combined with any one or more of the units 6 and A, the effect of the present invention is further exhibited.

Example 7
<Unit B>
[Cultivation of seaweed using aquaculture wastewater]
Seaweed was produced using the culture wastewater obtained by the marine animal culture unit 6 as a fertilizer. That is, seaweed Kaurepa lentillifera was cultivated using oyster breeding wastewater. Once a week, 50% by mass water exchange was performed.
As a result, it was found that if the culture wastewater obtained by the marine animal culture unit 6 was used, it was possible to cultivate the collartail over a long period of time.

Example 8
<Unit C, D, E, F>
Each of the units C, D, E, and F can be implemented by a known method.
If the combination of the units 1 to 5 is further combined with any one or more of the units C, D, E, and F, the effect of the present invention is further exhibited.

Example 9
Table 3 shows a comparison of the cost of each unit in the present invention having all the units (1) to (5) with the cost when the units (1) to (5) are implemented alone.
In Table 3, the specific numerical value (yen) of the cost is not described, but the comparison can be made when the combination is performed and when the combination is not performed.

As can be seen from Table 3, in the freshwater production unit (unit (1)), when combined, the fuel cost (N) becomes unnecessary.
In the land plant production unit (unit (2)), when combined, the temperature adjustment cost (E) becomes 30% and the fertilizer cost (F) becomes 50%.
In the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit (unit (3)), when combined, the temperature rise and concentration (α) of deep ocean water become unnecessary, and the temperature rise time and temperature rise equipment (α) become unnecessary.

Although not shown in Table 3, carotenes, glutathione, glycerin, proteins, carbohydrates, and / or fats and oils separated and collected by the separation and collection unit (unit (4)) were replaced with other units (see FIG. 2 and the like). ) And other applications can be effectively used, which is naturally advantageous in terms of cost.
Although not shown in Table 3, amino acids, peptides or proteins obtained by fermenting glycerin in a glycerin utilization unit (unit (5)), alcohols having a carbon number of 6 or less, oils and fats, fuels, and / or Alternatively, the fermentation residue can be effectively used in another unit (see FIG. 2 and the like) or in a separate application, which is advantageous in cost.

As described above, since all of the units (1) to (5) are surprisingly and synergistically extremely advantageous in terms of cost, the units (1), (2), (3), (4) , (5) were found to match very well. In units (1) to (5), by-products of a certain unit can be used in another unit, so that the cost can be reduced specifically.
In the present invention, each unit is very large. Therefore, in the "system of the present invention in which the by-products in one unit are concentrated", the effective use of the by-products leads to an extremely large cost reduction.

  Further, when these units are combined with the units (6), (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) and / or (F), the cost becomes more advantageous.

  The synergistic effect of combining microalgae, an untapped resource, and deep sea water with three characteristics (ie, low temperature, cleanliness, and high nutrients), will result in large quantities of instant fossil fuels in desert areas. Inexpensive fresh water can be obtained, and the fermentation industry, the chemical products and the pharmaceutical industries will accumulate. Energy that was previously wasted in deserts will be converted to instant fossil fuels, and at the same time fresh water will be produced, which will enable the establishment of plant factories and onshore aquaculture industries.

  If the above is realized, the greening of the desert, which could not be achieved until now, will be realized, and it will be a model of a sustainable society where industrial activities can be performed while reducing carbon dioxide. In addition, jobs and industries will be brought to the desert, which has been barren until now, and the gap between the rich and the poor will be corrected, and for example, a stabilization in the Middle East can be thrown away.

1 Freshwater production unit 2 Land plant production unit 3 Highly halophilic microalgae cultivation unit 4 Separation and recovery unit 5 Glycerin utilization unit 6 Marine animal cultivation unit A Microalgae cultivation unit for feed and feed B Seaweed production unit C Hydrogen production unit D Power generation Unit E Deep seawater concentration unit F Nitrogen fixation unit

Claims (9)

A renewable energy utilization system comprising all of the following units (1) to (5).
(1) a freshwater production unit that produces freshwater from seawater using a temperature difference desalination method;
(2) a terrestrial plant production unit that produces terrestrial plants with freshwater obtained by the freshwater production unit;
(3) Altitude for culturing highly halophilic microalgae in deep ocean water heated by using it as a refrigerant in the temperature difference desalination method, or in seawater concentrated by removing fresh water by the temperature difference desalination method Halophilic microalgae culture unit;
(4) a separation and collection unit for separating and collecting carotene, glutathione, glycerin, protein, carbohydrate, and / or fat from the highly halophilic microalgae; and
(5) A glycerin utilization unit for fermenting the glycerin as a carbon (C) source to obtain an amino acid, a peptide or a protein, an alcohol having a carbon number of 6 or less, a fat, a fuel, and / or a fermentation residue. The renewable energy utilization system according to claim 1, further comprising the following unit (6).
(6) Marine animal cultivation unit that cultivates marine animals in deep sea water using microalgae for feed and feed The renewable energy utilization system according to claim 2, further comprising the following unit (A).
(A) Feed / feed microalgae culturing unit for culturing the feed / feed microalgae in deep ocean water The renewable energy utilization system according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising the following unit (B).
(B) A seaweed production unit that produces seaweed using the culture wastewater obtained in the marine animal culture unit (6) as a fertilizer The renewable energy utilization system according to claim 4, further comprising the following unit (C).
(C) A hydrogen production unit that obtains hydrogen using mannitol in the seaweed produced in the seaweed production unit (B). The renewable energy utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the following unit (D).
(D) A power generation unit that performs cold temperature difference power generation using solar heat as a heat source and / or using deep ocean water as a cold source. Furthermore, it has the following unit (E), and uses the concentrated deep sea water as a nitrogen (N) source and a phosphorus (P) source, and in the above highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit (3), The renewable energy utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a salty microalga is cultured.
(E) Deep sea water concentration unit that concentrates deep sea water by evaporating water using solar heat Further, the method comprises culturing highly halophilic microalgae in the highly halophilic microalgae culturing unit (3) using the obtained unit as a nitrogen (N) source, comprising the following unit (F): The renewable energy utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
(F) Nitrogen fixing unit that fixes atmospheric nitrogen using cyanobacteria The fermentation residue obtained in the glycerin utilization unit (5) is subjected to the nitrogen (N) source and the phosphorus (P) in the land plant production unit (2) and / or the highly halophilic microalgae culture unit (3). The renewable energy utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is used as a source.

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