Gas decomposing apparatus

A gas cracking apparatus adapted to simultaneously efficiently discharge gas heavier than air and gas lighter than air resulting from assimilations of malodorous gas and greenhouse gas. The main frame of the gas cracking apparatus includes a closed metallic circular tube or angular tube. This tube is provided at its superior portion with a superior vent and provided at its inferior portion with an inferior vent, and the tube is further provided with a gas inlet disposed between the superior vent and the inferior vent.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a gas decomposition apparatus utilizing a carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation mechanism and a biological deodorization mechanism based on photosynthesis bacteria and/or other bacteria and so forth, which is characterized in that combustible gases, which are created when photosynthetic bacteria and/or other bacteria and so forth are grown, propagated and advanced, are discharged in accordance with relative densities thereof, and which is provided with a sprinkler and a light source to facilitate growth, propagation and advance of photosynthetic bacteria and/or other bacteria and so forth, a carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation ability, and a stink gas decomposition ability.

BACKGROUND OF ART

A gas such as a greenhouse gas and a stink gas, which exerts bad influence on an environment, is socially coming up as a serious problem. Conventionally, a biological deodorization method is known as a method for eliminating a stink generated when processing garbage, a stink derived from a food factory and a human waste treatment center, or a stink derived from a honey truck. As main stink components, there are hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methyl mercaptan and so forth. Also, a greenhouse gas, i.e., six kinds of gas, such as carbon dioxide, methane, dinitrogen monoxide, CFC substitute and so forth, is defined as a gas to be reduced in “Law About Promotion Of Global Warming Measure” established in 1998, and an emission reduction of the greenhouse gas is globally promoted. Nevertheless, conventionally, for example, as a method of eliminating carbon dioxide (CO2) defined as the greenhouse gas, only two method are known: one method is to utilize photosynthesis of plants; and the other method is to lay a liquid containing carbon dioxide under the ground.

As a deodorization apparatus utilizing a biological gas decomposition method, an apparatus utilizing photosynthetic bacteria and/or other bacteria and so forth is a representative. The deodorization apparatus utilizing the photosynthetic bacteria has an arrangement wherein a bacteria bed material layer is formed of porous substances, bamboo charcoal substances and/or leaf mold substances and so forth, to which the photosynthetic bacteria activated by lights are adhered, and wherein either a greenhouse gas or a stink gas is made to pass through the bacteria bed material layer under a condition that the bacteria bed material layer is sufficiently illuminated with lights, to thereby eliminate either the greenhouse gas or the stink gas (see: Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, a gas decomposition apparatus utilizing bacteria has an arrangement wherein a bacteria bed material layer is formed of porous substances, bamboo charcoal substances and/or leaf mold substances and so forth, to which the bacteria are adhered, and wherein a gas containing either a greenhouse gas or a stink gas is made to pass through the bacteria bed material layer while feeding a nutrition solution to the bacteria bed material layer, to thereby eliminate the greenhouse gas or the stink gas. In every one of the aforesaid apparatuses, a hydrogen gas lighter than the air and a butane gas heavier than the air are created. Every one of the hydrogen gas and the butane gas is combustible.

Also, for example, as a biological greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus utilizing a biological gas decomposition method, there is the one disclosed in JP-2000-032004 A. This conventional technique is depicted inFIG. 13in a schematic cross-sectional view. The conventional gas decomposition apparatus comprises a substrate101ahaving a recess formed in an upper surface thereof, a schizophycean-culturing-layer feeding pipe (photosynthetic-microorganism-culturing-layer feeding means)101bfor feeding a schizophycean-culturing-layer to the aforesaid recess, a schizophycean-culturing-layer exhausting pipe101copening at a bottom of the aforesaid recess, and a schizophycean-culturing-layer exhausting valve101dfor regulating a flow rate of the schizophycean-culturing-layer discharged from the schizophycean-culturing-layer exhausting pipe101c, and is constituted as a construction-purpose cladding panel (roof cladding panel) having a carbon dioxide decomposition function (see: Patent Document 2).

Further, for example, there is the one disclosed in JP2001-062248 A. This conventional technique is depicted inFIG. 14in a schematic cross-sectional view. The conventional gas decomposition apparatus has an arrangement wherein an exhaust-gas pH regulating means214for regulating a pH of an exhaust gas to fall in the range from pH5 to pH9 which microorganisms like, wherein an exhaust-gas temperature regulating means216for regulating a temperature of the exhaust gas to fall in the range from 40° C. to 50° C. which the microorganisms like, are provided in an exhaust-gas introduction pipe218in the vicinity of an introduction port213thereof, and wherein an organism treatment reaction means is provided in each of decomposition tanks201constructed in an exhaust-gas discharging side of the exhaust-gas introduction pipe218, with the decomposition tanks201being arranged side by side in a given number. The exhaust-gas introduction pipe218branches so as to be connected to respective exhaust-gas spraying main pipes220passing through the decomposition tanks201, with the exhaust-gas spraying main pipes220having exhaust-gas spraying branch pipes221in the respective decomposition tanks201. In each of the decomposition tanks201, air-injection pipes224are provided so as to be longitudinally extended to the bottom of the decomposition tank201. The exhaust gas is sprayed in a synthetic soil of the organism treatment reaction means provided in each of the decomposition tanks201, so that contamination substances are absorbed by the organism treatment reaction means. Then, the contamination substances thus absorbed are subjected to a decomposition treatment with the microorganisms.Patent Document 1: JP-2004-195423 APatent Document 2: JP2000-320041 APatent Document 3: JP2001-062248 A

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Resolved by the Invention

However, in every one of the aforesaid conventional gas decomposition apparatus, a single gas exhaust port is merely provided for a processed gas, and thus it is impossible to efficiently discharge a hydrogen gas lighter than the air and a butane gas heavier than the air. The present invention has been created to resolve the aforesaid conventional problem and an object of the present invention is to provide a gas decomposition apparatus which is able to simultaneously and efficiently discharge efficiently a gas lighter than the air and a gas heavier than the air which result from assimilation of a greenhouse gas and a stink gas. Also, it is not possible to reduce an emission of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) defined as the greenhouse gas, which is gradually increased every year, because there is only a carbon dioxide gas (CO2) fixation/elimination utilizing photosynthesis of plants.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to resolve the aforesaid problems, the comprises a tubular gas decomposition apparatus body in which a bacteria bed material layer containing bacteria selecting and decomposing a specific gas component is received, and into which a gas to be subjected to a decomposition processing, containing said specific gas component, is introduced from a gas introduction port thereof, and is characterized by the fact that an upper exhaust port is provided in an upper section of said gas decomposition apparatus body, and that a lower exhaust port is provided in an lower section of said gas decomposition apparatus body.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said specific gas component is either a greenhouse gas or a stink gas. In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said gas introduction port is provided in a middle location between said upper exhaust port and said lower exhaust port.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said bacteria bed material layer comprises an upper bacteria bed material layer provided between said gas introduction port and said upper exhaust port, and a lower bacteria bed material provided between said gas introduction port and said lower exhaust port.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said upper bacteria bed material layer or said lower bacteria bed material layer is composed of a plurality of bacteria bed material layer units which are stacked in order, and which are arranged in such a manner that a number of said units is able to be regulated.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that at least one of said gas introduction port, said upper exhaust port and said lower exhaust port is provided with a fan.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said gas decomposition apparatus body comprises a plurality of dividable segments which are connected to each other, and that said bacteria bed material layer is received as a detachable unit in an interior of said gas decomposition apparatus body.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said gas introduction port is provided with a backward-flow prevention device for preventing a backward flow of the gas to be subjected to the decomposition processing from said gas decomposition apparatus to said gas introduction port.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said backward-flow prevention device includes a tank, an upper section of which is in communication with said gas decomposition apparatus body, and a lower section of which charged with a liquid, and a porous gas ejector which is provided in the lower section of said tank, and to which the gas to be subjected to the decomposition processing is fed.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said backward-flow prevention device is a check valve which is provided in said gas introduction port, and which is opened in only a direction from an upstream side of the gas to be subjected to the decomposition processing toward a downstream side thereof.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that a sprinkler is provided in the upper section of said gas decomposition apparatus body, and is connected to either a tank, in which a liquid containing photosynthetic bacteria and/or other bacteria and so forth is held, or a water pipe for feeding a water.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that a light source is provided above said bacteria bed material in said gas decomposition apparatus body.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that a light source is provided on a side wall face of said gas decomposition apparatus body, so that a top, sides and an interior of said bacteria bed material layer are illuminated with said light source in said gas decomposition apparatus body.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said gas decomposition apparatus body is formed so as to be horizontally extended, that said gas introduction port being placed at a central location in a longitudinal direction of said gas decomposition apparatus body, that the upper exhaust port and the lower exhaust port are respectively placed at upper and lower sides of each end of said gas decomposition apparatus body, and that the bacteria bed material layers are provided between said gas introduction port and the upper and lower exhaust ports at one end side and between said gas introduction port and the upper and lower exhaust ports at the other end side, respectively.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that two divided chambers are defined in the lower section of said gas decomposition apparatus body by a partition, that said gas introduction port is placed at one of said two divided chambers, that said lower exhaust port is formed in the other divided chamber, that said bacteria bed material layer is placed between the upper section of said gas decomposition apparatus body and the one of said two divided chambers, and that said upper exhaust port is placed at the upper section of said gas decomposition apparatus body.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said bacteria for eliminating a greenhouse gas or decomposing a stink gas comprise photosynthetic bacteria.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said bacteria for eliminating a greenhouse gas or decomposing a stink gas comprise chemoautotrophic bacteria.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said bacteria for eliminating a greenhouse gas or decomposing a stink gas comprise mixed-cultured bacteria containing photosynthetic bacteria, chemo-mixotrophic bacteria and chemoautotorophic bacteria.

In the gas decomposition apparatus, the invention is characterized by the fact that said bacteria bed material layer contains not only a nutrition substance but also a kind of lactic acid bacteria or more than one kindnof lactic acid bacteria, such aslactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus plantarum, lactobacillus brevis, lactobacillus salivarius, lactobacillus pentose, lactobacillus reuteri, lactobacillus caseiand so forth.

Effect of the Invention

According to the inventions, it is possible to efficiently and simultaneously discharge a gas lighter than the air and a gas heavier than the air, which result from assimilation of a greenhouse gas and a stink gas. Also, it is possible to efficiently and simultaneously discharge a combustible gas lighter than the air and a combustible gas heavier than the air which are created by a variety of bacteria when a greenhouse gas and a stink gas are taken in the bacteria as a carbon source for creating cells of the bacteria, and a gas lighter than the air and a gas heavier than the air which may be created by activity of various kinds of bacteria when the various kinds of bacteria floating in the art are adhered to bacteria bed material layers or when the various kinds of bacteria are adhered to the bacteria bed material layers during handling of the bacteria bed material layers. Also, by mixing and culturing chemoautotrophic bacteria and chemoautotorophic bacteria in addition to photosynthetic bacteria, it is possible to more enhance an ability of gas decomposition in comparison of a case where only the photosynthetic bacteria is used. Also, when rock candy or solid milk for nutrition is added together with lactic acid bacteria to photosynthetic bacteria, the rock candy or the solid milk are changed into lactic acid due to a reaction based, so that it is possible to efficiently nourish the photosynthetic bacteria. Further, when photosynthetic bacteria coexist with substrates, featuring a low oxidation level, such as lactic acid, i.e., when there is an excess deoxidization force, a non-cyclic electron transport system is operated so that it is possible to obtain an advantage that a fixation reaction of carbon dioxide (CO2) can be considerably facilitated (about three times), resulting in exercise of a high gas decomposition ability.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

THE BEST MODE FOR EMBODYING THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the present invention is depicted inFIGS. 1 to 5. As shown in these drawings, a greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1is a closed cylindrical or rectangular metallic tube, and has an upper exhaust port7provided in an upper section thereof, a lower exhaust port8provided in a lower section thereof, and a gas introduction port6provided between the upper exhaust port7and the lower exhaust port8.

In the interior of the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1, an upper bacteria bed material layer3is received, and is supported by a supporter12, with an upper exhaust chamber2being defined in the upper section thereof, and a lower bacteria bed material layer4is received therein, and is supported by a supporter13, with a lower exhaust chamber5being defined in the lower section thereof. The upper exhaust chamber2is in communication with the upper exhaust port7, and the lower exhaust chamber5is in communication with an exhaust gas11.

The upper bacteria bed material layer3is composed of a greenhouse gas decomposition material which is supported by a gas-passable mesh member23placed on the lower surface thereof, with the greenhouse gas decomposition material containing porous substances, bamboo charcoal substances and/or leaf mold substances and so forth, to which photosynthetic bacteria are adhered. For the photo-synthetic bacteria, purple non-sulfur bacteria, purple sulfur bacteria, green sulfur bacteria and/or gliding filamentous green sulfur bacteria and so forth.

Reaction formulas regarding photosynthesis of these photo-synthetic bacteria are shown below.

Similarly, the lower bacteria bed material layer4is composed of a greenhouse gas decomposition material which is supported by a gas-passable mesh member24placed on the lower surface thereof, with the greenhouse gas decomposition material containing porous substances, bamboo charcoal substances and/or leaf mold substances and so forth, to which photosynthetic bacteria are adhered (for example, to which a liquid or a fluid in which the photosynthetic bacteria are cultured is adhered). The greenhouse gas decomposition material is similar to that of the upper bacteria bed material layer3. Light sources15-22are arranged at predetermined locations in the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1. The light sources15-22are provided to illuminate the photo-activated photosynthetic bacteria with a sufficient amount of light.

Note, as shown inFIG. 2, the upper exhaust port7may be oriented upward, and the lower exhaust port8may be oriented downward. Also, as shown inFIG. 3, for example, two upper exhaust ports7may respectively be provided at two locations so as to be oppositely directed to each other. Similarly, two lower exhaust ports8may be respectively provided at two locations so as to be oppositely directed to each other. Further, although the upper bacteria bed material layer3and/or the lower bacteria bed material layer4are explained as the one to which the photosynthetic bacteria are adhered, the upper bacteria bed material layer3may be formed as a bacteria bed material layer using the photosynthetic bacteria, whereas the lower bacteria bed material layer4may be as a bacteria bed material layer using other bacteria, and vice versa. For the other bacteria, chemoautotrophic bacteria, chemo-mixotrophic bacteria, chemoautotorophic bacteria and so forth may be used. Also, these bacteria may be mixed with the photosynthetic bacteria, with the mixed bacteria being added to the bacteria bed material. Further, the bacteria may be adhered together with lactic acid bacteria to the bacteria bed material, using rock candy or solid milk for nutrition.

FIG. 4shows an example in which a water reservoir25is provided in the bottom of the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1. In short, when a culture liquid, in which the photosynthetic bacteria and other bacteria are cultured, is fed to the upper bacteria bed material layer3and/or the lower bacteria bed material layer4, it is necessary to receive moisture dropping therefrom. In the example shown inFIG. 4, the water reservoir25is formed as a drawer which is movable in directions indicated by an arrow. With this arrangement, it is possible to properly remove the moisture.

FIG. 5shows an example in which the gas introduction port6, the upper exhaust port7and the lower exhaust port8are provided with respective fans26,27and28so that a greenhouse gas9is forcibly introduced and discharged. With this arrangement, the greenhouse gas9can smoothly flow into the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1against a flowing resistance provided therein, resulting in facilitation in an elimination rate of the greenhouse gas.

With the arrangement as mentioned above, under the condition that the light sources15-22are turned on, when the greenhouse gas9is introduced from the gas introduction port7into the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body, and when it passes through the upper bacteria bed material layer3and the lower bacteria bed layer4, carbon dioxide (CO2) in the greenhouse gas is taken therein as a carbon source for creating cells of the bacteria so that the fixation and elimination of carbon can be carried out. Also, due to the fact that the photosynthetic bacteria, the chemoautotrophic bacteria, the chemo-mixotrophic bacteria and the chemoautotorophic bacteriais are adhered to the bacteria bed material layers, a creation of both a combustible hydrogen gas lighter than the air and a combustible butane gas heavier than the air, is accompanied by the fixation and elimination of the greenhouse gas. At this time, the hydrogen gas10lighter than the air is discharged from the upper exhaust port7through the upper exhaust chamber2, and the butane gas11heavier than the air is discharged from the lower exhaust port8through the lower exhaust chamber5.

As stated above, it is possible to simultaneously discharge both the hydrogen gas10lighter than the air and the butane gas11heavier than the air. Accordingly, the combustible gases can be prevented from staying in the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1, resulting in contribution to improvement in safety.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the present invention is depicted inFIG. 6. In this embodiment, a greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1is able to be divided in its axial direction into a plurality of segments, and each of an upper bacteria bed material layer3and a lower bacteria bed material layer4is formed as a detachable unit. Note that, in this second embodiment, the same elements as or similar elements to those of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-5) are indicated by the same references, and that the particular explanations of these elements are omitted.

As shown inFIG. 6, the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1is composed of an upper unit1A, an intermediate unit1B and a lower unit1C, and these units are connected and fixed at connecting portions33and34to each other by fasteners35and36, respectively.

Note that the upper unit1A, the intermediate unit1B and the lower unit1C may be threadedly engaged with each other by forming both a male thread and a female thread (not shown) in ends of units to be connected.

With this arrangement, it is possible to easily carry out the maintenance in which an exchange of the upper bacteria bed material layer3and the lower bacteria bed material layer4, a supply of the photosynthetic bacteria, an exchange of the photosynthetic bacteria, and so forth are included.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment of the present invention is depicted inFIG. 7. In this embodiment, a greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1is configured as a laterally-extended one, and is installed horizontally (laterally), and a gas introduction port6is arranged to direct the flow to right and left. Note that, in this third embodiment, the same elements as or similar elements to those of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-5) are indicated by the same references, and that the particular explanations of these elements are omitted.

As shown inFIG. 7, upper exhaust ports7and lower exhaust ports8are provided at the right and left sides of the horizontally-installed greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the gas introduction port6is provided at a center location in the longitudinal direction. Bacteria bed material layers37and39are placed between the gas introduction port6and the respective upper and lower exhaust ports7and8. Similar to the upper bacteria bed material layer3or the lower bacteria bed material layer4(see:FIG. 1), for the bacteria bed material layers37and39, a greenhouse gas decomposition material containing porous substances, bamboo charcoal substances and/or leaf mold substances and so forth, to which photosynthetic bacteria (or a combination of the same with other bacteria) are adhered, is used. Also, although light sources for activating the photosynthetic bacteria are not illustrated, they are provided in the interior of the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1.

With the arrangement as mentioned above, a greenhouse gas9(CO2) is introduced from the gas introduction port6into an inflow chamber45, and is fixed and eliminated when it passes through the bacteria bed material layers37and39by the photosynthetic bacteria. At this time, a created hydrogen gas10lighter than the air is discharged from the upper exhaust ports7, and a created butane gas11heavier than the air is discharged from the lower exhaust ports8.

With this arrangement, an application of the present invention is made possible even if an installation location is specified, and thus not only can the hydrogen gas10lighter than the air be discharged, but also the butane gas11heavier than the air is simultaneously discharged.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is depicted inFIG. 8. This embodiment includes a single deodorant layer43(i.e., a bacteria bed material layer in the aforesaid first, second and third embodiments), and is aimed at deodorizing a stink gas. Herein: the term “single” means that the deodorant layer43per se is formed as an integrated unit, and thus an interior of the deodorant layer may be composed of a plurality of layers. Note that, in this fourth embodiment, the same elements as or similar elements to those of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-5) are indicated by the same references, and that the particular explanations of these elements are omitted.

As shown inFIG. 8, in a lower section of a deodorization apparatus body1, two divided chambers (an inflow chamber44and an exhaust chamber42) are defined by a partition58. A gas introduction port6is provided so as to be in communication with the inflow chamber44defining one of the divided chambers, and a lower exhaust port8is provided so as to be in communication with the exhaust chamber44defining the other divided chamber. The deodorant layer43is provided between an exhaust chamber41, defined in an upper section of the deodorization apparatus body1, and the exhaust chamber44, with an upper exhaust port7being provided in the upper section of the deodorization apparatus body1. Also, although light sources for activating the photosynthetic bacteria are not illustrated, they are provided in the interior of the deodorization apparatus body1.

A stink gas9introduced from the gas introduction port6flows into the exhaust chamber41through the intermediary of the deodorant layer43, so that a hydrogen gas10lighter than the air is discharged from the upper exhaust port7, and so that a butane gas11heavier than the air is discharged from the lower exhaust port8through the exhaust chamber42. As stated above, by using the single deodorant layer43, the deodorization apparatus can be downsized. As a result, since it is possible to invert the deodorization apparatus with portability, application of the deodorization apparatus can be widened. For example, a mobile vehicle such as a honey truck and so forth can carry the deodorization apparatus.

Fifth Embodiment

A fifth embodiment of the present invention is depicted inFIG. 9. In this embodiment, a bacteria bed material layer is composed of a plurality of layers. Note that, in this fifth embodiment, the same elements as or similar elements to those of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-5) are indicated by the same references, and that the particular explanations of these elements are omitted. In particular, as shown inFIG. 9, an upper bacteria bed material layer3received in a gas decomposition apparatus body1is composed of a plurality of bacteria bed material layers3A,3B and3C, and also a lower bacteria bed material layer3is composed of a plurality of bacteria bed material layers4A,4B and4C.

In the plurality of bacteria bed material layers3A,3B and3C, for example, the bacteria bed material layers3A and3B may be formed as a photosynthetic-bacteria adhesion layer, and the bacteria bed material layer3C may be formed as a mixed-bacteria adhesion layer including a combination of a photosynthetic bacteria with other bacteria. Furthermore, the number of bacteria bed material layers may be regulated so as to be increased or decreased in accordance with a degree of a concentration of a greenhouse gas9. Note that, although light sources for activating the photosynthetic bacteria are not illustrated, they are provided in the interior of the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1. In this embodiment, it is possible to vary a combination of the bacterial bed material layers in accordance with degrees of a concentration and an emission of the greenhouse gas9, so that the apparatus can be constructed in a variety of sizes

Sixth Embodiment

A sixth embodiment of the present invention is depicted inFIG. 10. In this embodiment, not only can a backward flow of a greenhouse gas9from a greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1to a gas introduction port6be prevented, but also the greenhouse gas9can be subjected to a preparatory elimination processing prior to the introduction of the greenhouse gas9into the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1. Note that, in this fifth embodiment, the same elements as or similar elements to those of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-5) are indicated by the same references, and that the particular explanations of these elements are omitted.

As shown inFIG. 10, the gas introduction port6is connected to the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1through the intermediary of a backward-flow prevention filter46. The backward-flow prevention filter46is a water tank which is charged with a culture solution47containing photosynthetic bacteria and/or other bacteria and so forth. A porous gas ejector is placed on a bottom of the backward-flow prevention filter46, and, when the greenhouse gas9, forcibly fed by a pump9, passes through the culture solution47, it is preparatorily subjected to a greenhouse gas fixation/elimination processing.50indicates a feeding pipe. Other elements are similar to those of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-5).

With the arrangement as mentioned above, the greenhouse gas9introduced from the gas introduction port6is forcibly fed to the porous gas ejector through the feeding pipe50by the pump49. The fed greenhouse gas9is ejected as bubbles from the porous gas ejector so as to pass through the culture solution47, and then is fed to an inflow chamber45of the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1through an exhaust chamber48. At this time, the greenhouse gas in the inflow chamber45is isolated from the gas introduction port6by the culture solution47, and the backward flow the greenhouse gas toward the gas introduction port6is prevented due to the forcible blow of the pump49.

As stated above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize the preparatory elimination processing and the prevention of the backward flow of the greenhouse gas9.

Seventh Embodiment

A seventh embodiment of the present invention is depicted inFIG. 11. In this embodiment, photosynthetic bacteria and/or other bacteria and so forth in bacteria bed material layers are put under an optimally-thermal environment to thereby activate them, resulting in improvement in greenhouse gas decomposition efficiency. Note that, in this seventh embodiment, the same elements as or similar elements to those of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-5) are indicated by the same references, and that the particular explanations of these elements are omitted. As shown inFIG. 11, a warm layer59is provided on an outer wall of a greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1.

For the warm layer59, a thermal insulator material may be used, or a heater, which is thermally controlled by a not illustrated thermal control unit, may be used. It is preferable that a temperature in the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1is maintained within a range between 30° C. and 40° C. A gas introduction port6is provided with a check valve52to thereby prevent a backward flow of an greenhouse gas from an inflow chamber45to the gas introduction port6.

As stated above, according to this embodiment, since an upper bacteria bed material layer3and a lower bacteria bed material layer4can be always put under the optimally-thermal environment, it is possible to always and constantly exercise efficiently a greenhouse gas fixation/elimination ability without being affected by a seasonal or geographic temperature variation.

Eighth Embodiment

An eighth embodiment of the present invention is depicted inFIG. 12. In this embodiment, it is disclosed that supply of photosynthetic bacteria, other bacteria and so forth for a greenhouse gas fixation/elimination is suitably carried out. Note that, in this eighth embodiment, the same elements as or similar elements to those of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-5) are indicated by the same references, and that the particular explanations of these elements are omitted.

As shown inFIG. 12, a sprinkler56is provided in an upper section of a greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1. A solution tank53is connected to the sprinkler56through a feeding pipe. A culture solution54containing photosynthetic bacteria, other bacteria and so forth is contained in the solution tank53, and is suitably fed to an upper bacteria bed material layer3and a lower bacteria bed material layer4by a pump60, using a flow rate controller having a timer or the like. A supply timing of the culture solution54is determined in accordance with a scale or magnitude of the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1. Note that a nutrition solution for the bacteria in the bacteria bed material layers may be substituted for the culture solution54. Also, note that a usual water may be contained in the tank, otherwise a water pipe may be directly connected to the tank, but, when the water pipe is directly connected to the tank, it is necessary to remove chlorine from the water.

Also, although not illustrated, the solution tank53and the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1may be provided with solar panels as a power source for driving the pump60and the flow rate controller, otherwise the solar panels may be installed in the vicinity of them. In this case, the supply of either the bacteria or the nutrition solution can be autonomously carried out, and thus it is unnecessary to perform the wiring work outside.

According to this embodiment, the supply of the bacteria can be suitably carried out, it is possible to stably achieve the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination processing.

In this embodiment, although the sprinkler56is provided in the upper section of the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1, another sprinkler may be further provided between the upper bacteria bed material layer3and the lower bacteria bed material layer4. Also, a substitute for both the upper sprinkler and the middle, sprinklers may be provided in the vicinity of a gas introduction port6, so that a greenhouse gas9can be excessively wetted and fed to the upper bacteria bed material layer3and the lower bacteria bed material layer4. Thus, an optimum moisture condition for activity of photosynthetic bacteria, other bacteria and so forth can be obtained in the greenhouse gas fixation/elimination apparatus body1, and thus it is possible to surely fix and eliminate the greenhouse gas.

Experimental Example

The effect of the gas decomposition apparatus according to Embodiment 1 was investigated, using cultured substances which was obtained by culturing a culture material containing photosynthetic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria under a ventilating condition. Gas decomposition states in the gas decomposition apparatus are shown in Table 1.

From the results shown in Table 1, it was found that concentrations of the introduction gases introduced into the gas decomposition apparatus were reduced. It could be presumed that these results were due to the fact that the photosynthetic bacteria needed and consumed carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) as energy sources.