Fermentation tank
By installing a drain outlet and connecting pipe structure at the bottom of the steam pipe of the fermenter, the problem of bacterial growth caused by condensate deposition was solved, achieving a dry and sterile environment inside the fermenter and ensuring the disinfection effect.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520062005.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-11
AI Technical Summary
During the high-temperature steam sterilization process in the fermenter, condensate in the steam pipes accumulates at the bottom bend and cannot be discharged, leading to bacterial growth and entry into the fermenter, thus affecting the sterile environment.
A drain outlet is installed at the bend at the bottom of the steam delivery pipe. Condensate is discharged through a connecting pipe and an exhaust valve. The liquid level is monitored by a transparent observation tube to ensure timely discharge of condensate.
This effectively prevents the accumulation of bacteria in condensate, ensures a dry and sterile environment at the bottom of the steam pipes, and guarantees the sterile state of the fermenter.
Smart Images
Figure CN223852592U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of fermentation tanks, in particular to a fermentation tank. BACKGROUND
[0002] The fermentation tank is a key equipment in the fields of biotechnology and industry, mainly used for the cultivation of microorganisms and chemical reactions. This equipment not only promotes the progress of many fields such as biological medicine, brewing, biofuel, etc., but also deeply affects all aspects of daily life. After use, the fermentation tank needs to be regularly sterilized with steam to ensure the sterile state of the internal environment of the fermentation tank, which is an important step to ensure the smooth progress of the next batch of fermentation process and product quality. Steam sterilization uses the sterilization effect of high-temperature steam to effectively kill residual microorganisms, including bacteria, molds and viruses, thereby reducing the risk of cross contamination.
[0003] At present, when the fermentation tank is sterilized with high-temperature steam, steam will enter the fermentation tank from the steam pipeline. The condensate formed in the steam pipeline cannot be discharged and is deposited at the bottom bend of the steam pipeline, which is prone to bacterial growth. After the air enters the steam pipeline, bacteria will enter the fermentation tank with the air, affecting the sterile environment in the fermentation tank. CONTENT OF THE UTILITY MODEL
[0004] In view of the defects of the prior art, the present application provides a fermentation tank, which has the advantages of being capable of discharging the condensate deposited at the bottom bend of the steam pipeline, avoiding the deposition of condensate to produce a large amount of bacteria entering the fermentation tank with the steam pipeline, and ensuring the dry and sterile environment at the bottom bend of the steam pipeline. The problem of the present application is that when the fermentation tank is sterilized with high-temperature steam, steam will enter the fermentation tank from the steam pipeline. The condensate formed in the steam pipeline cannot be discharged and is deposited at the bottom bend of the steam pipeline, which is prone to bacterial growth. After the air enters the steam pipeline, bacteria will enter the fermentation tank with the air, affecting the sterile environment in the fermentation tank.
[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of discharging the condensate deposited at the bottom bend of the steam pipeline, avoiding the deposition of condensate to produce a large amount of bacteria entering the fermentation tank with the steam pipeline, and ensuring the dry and sterile environment at the bottom bend of the steam pipeline, the present application provides the following technical solution: a fermentation tank, comprising a tank body, a steam conveying pipe connected to the top of the tank body, an air filter connected to one end of the steam conveying pipe, a liquid discharge port formed at the bottom bend of the steam conveying pipe, a first connecting pipe connected to the liquid discharge port at the bottom of the steam conveying pipe, a second connecting pipe connected to one end of the first connecting pipe through a connecting assembly, and an exhaust valve connected to one end of the second connecting pipe.
[0006] Through the above scheme, the condensed water formed in the steam conveying pipe can flow into the first connecting pipe from the liquid discharge port at the bottom bend of the steam conveying pipe, and then be discharged from the exhaust valve in cooperation with the second connecting pipe, so that the condensed water deposited at the bottom bend of the steam pipe can be discharged, and the deposition of the condensed water can be avoided to produce a large amount of bacteria entering the fermentation tank along with the steam pipe, so that the dry and sterile environment at the bottom bend of the steam pipe can be ensured.
[0007] Further, the edge of the liquid discharge port at the bottom of the inner wall of the steam conveying pipe is provided with a rounded corner.
[0008] Through the above scheme, the condensed water on the inner wall of the steam conveying pipe can be guided through the rounded corner of the edge of the liquid discharge port, so that the condensed water in the steam conveying pipe can be smoothly discharged from the steam conveying pipe through the liquid discharge port.
[0009] Further, the second connecting pipe is connected with an observation pipe on one side, the observation pipe is provided in a U shape, and the two ends of the observation pipe are in communication with the inside of the second connecting pipe.
[0010] Through the above scheme, the condensed water in the second connecting pipe can normally enter the inside of the observation pipe as the liquid level rises, so that the inside of the second connecting pipe and the inside of the observation pipe form communication.
[0011] Further, the observation pipe is provided with a transparent material as a whole.
[0012] Through the above scheme, the liquid level height in the observation pipe can be directly observed through the transparent observation pipe, and the liquid level height in the second connecting pipe can be directly observed through the communication between the observation pipe and the second connecting pipe.
[0013] Further, the connecting assembly comprises a threaded sleeve, one end of the threaded sleeve is provided at one end of the first connecting pipe, the outer surface of the middle part of the threaded sleeve is threadedly connected with the inner wall of the middle part of the connecting cover, and one end of the connecting cover is provided at one end of the second connecting pipe.
[0014] Through the above scheme, the second connecting pipe can be disassembled from the first connecting pipe by rotating the connecting cover off the threaded sleeve, so that the inner walls of the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe can be conveniently cleaned, and the dirt attached to the inner wall of the end of the exhaust valve close to the second connecting pipe can be conveniently cleaned through the inside of the second connecting pipe.
[0015] Further, a sealing ring is arranged between one end of the threaded sleeve and the bottom of the inner wall of the connecting cover, the sealing ring is installed in a mounting groove, and the mounting groove is opened in the bottom of the inner wall of the connecting cover.
[0016] Through the above scheme, the sealing property between the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe after the connecting cover is connected with the threaded sleeve can be ensured through the arrangement of the sealing ring.
[0017] Further, the inner wall of the middle part of the installation groove is in the shape of a Chinese character, which is matched with the shape of the outer surface of the middle part of the sealing ring.
[0018] Through the above scheme, the sealing ring can be stably installed in the installation groove through the shape of the inner wall of the middle part of the installation groove, so that the sealing ring will not fall out of the installation groove when the second connecting pipe is taken or transported.
[0019] Further, the sealing ring is made of soft rubber.
[0020] Through the above scheme, the sealing ring made of soft rubber can be expanded by the extrusion of the connecting cover and the threaded sleeve, thereby increasing the sealing between the connecting cover and the threaded sleeve. Meanwhile, the sealing ring made of soft rubber can be deformed when being installed in the installation groove, so that the sealing ring can be smoothly installed in the installation groove through the deformation of the sealing ring.
[0021] Compared with the prior art, the technical scheme of the present application has the following beneficial effects:
[0022] The condensate water formed in the steam delivery pipe flows into the first connecting pipe from the drain port at the bottom bend of the steam delivery pipe, and is then discharged from the exhaust valve together with the second connecting pipe. Thus, the condensate water deposited at the bottom bend of the steam pipeline can be discharged, so that the deposition of the condensate water will not produce a large amount of bacteria entering the fermentation tank along with the steam pipeline, thereby ensuring the dry and sterile environment at the bottom bend of the steam pipeline. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present application;
[0024] Figure 2 It is a front structural schematic diagram of the present application;
[0025] Figure 3 It is a partial front sectional structural schematic diagram of the present application;
[0026] Figure 4 It is a chamfered corner schematic diagram of the drain port edge of the present application;
[0027] Figure 5 It is an exploded structural schematic diagram of the connecting assembly of the present application.
[0028] In the drawings:
[0029] 1, tank body; 2, steam delivery pipe; 3, air filter; 4, drain port; 5, first connecting pipe; 6, connecting assembly; 601, threaded sleeve; 602, connecting cover; 603, installation groove; 604, sealing ring; 7, second connecting pipe; 8, exhaust valve; 9, observation tube. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort belong to the scope of protection of the present application.
[0031] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the fermentation tank in the embodiment comprises a tank body 1, a steam conveying pipe 2 connected to the top of the tank body 1, an air filter 3 connected to one end of the steam conveying pipe 2, a liquid discharge port 4 formed at the bottom bending part of the steam conveying pipe 2, a first connecting pipe 5 connected to the bottom liquid discharge port 4 of the steam conveying pipe 2, a second connecting pipe 7 connected to one end of the first connecting pipe 5 through a connecting assembly 6, and an exhaust valve 8 connected to one end of the second connecting pipe 7.
[0032] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the edge of the liquid discharge port 4 at the bottom inner wall of the steam conveying pipe 2 is rounded, and the condensate water on the inner wall of the steam conveying pipe 2 can be guided through the rounded edge of the liquid discharge port 4, so that the condensate water in the steam conveying pipe 2 can be smoothly discharged from the steam conveying pipe 2 through the liquid discharge port 4.
[0033] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the second connecting pipe 7 is connected to an observation pipe 9 on one side, the observation pipe 9 is U-shaped, and the two ends of the observation pipe 9 are in communication with the inside of the second connecting pipe 7, so that the condensate water in the second connecting pipe 7 can normally enter the inside of the observation pipe 9 as the liquid level rises, and the inside of the second connecting pipe 7 is in communication with the inside of the observation pipe 9.
[0034] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the observation pipe 9 is transparent as a whole, the liquid level height in the observation pipe 9 can be directly observed through the transparent observation pipe 9, and the liquid level height in the second connecting pipe 7 can be directly observed through the communication between the observation pipe 9 and the second connecting pipe 7.
[0035] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 5The connecting component 6 includes a threaded sleeve 601, one end of which is disposed at one end of the first connecting pipe 5. The outer surface of the middle part of the threaded sleeve 601 is threadedly connected to the inner wall of the middle part of the connecting cover 602. One end of the connecting cover 602 is disposed at one end of the second connecting pipe 7. By unscrewing the connecting cover 602 from the threaded sleeve 601, the second connecting pipe 7 can be disassembled from the first connecting pipe 5, which facilitates cleaning of the inner walls of the first connecting pipe 5 and the second connecting pipe 7. It also allows for easy cleaning of dirt adhering to the inner wall of the exhaust valve 8 near the end of the second connecting pipe 7 through the inside of the second connecting pipe 7.
[0036] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 5 A sealing ring 604 is provided between one end of the threaded sleeve 601 and the bottom of the inner wall of the connecting cover 602. The sealing ring 604 is installed in the mounting groove 603, which is located at the bottom of the inner wall of the connecting cover 602. The sealing ring 604 ensures the sealing between the first connecting pipe 5 and the second connecting pipe 7 after the connecting cover 602 and the threaded sleeve 601 are connected.
[0037] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 5 The inner wall of the middle part of the mounting groove 603 has a convex shape. The shape of the inner wall of the middle part of the mounting groove 603 is adapted to the shape of the outer surface of the middle part of the sealing ring 604. The shape of the inner wall of the middle part of the mounting groove 603 can stably install the sealing ring 604 in the mounting groove 603, preventing the sealing ring 604 from falling out of the mounting groove 603 when the second connecting pipe 7 is picked up or transported.
[0038] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 5 The sealing ring 604 is made of soft rubber. The soft rubber sealing ring 604 can expand by the compression of the connecting cover 602 and the threaded sleeve 601, which increases the sealing between the connecting cover 602 and the threaded sleeve 601. At the same time, the soft rubber sealing ring 604 can deform when it is installed in the mounting groove 603. The deformation of the sealing ring 604 allows it to be smoothly installed in the mounting groove 603.
[0039] In this embodiment of a fermenter, the condensate formed in the steam delivery pipe 2 flows into the first connecting pipe 5 from the drain port 4 at the bottom bend of the steam delivery pipe 2, and then is discharged from the exhaust valve 8 through the second connecting pipe 7. This achieves the discharge of condensate deposited at the bottom bend of the steam pipe, preventing the deposition of condensate from generating a large number of bacteria that enter the fermenter with the steam pipe, and ensuring a dry and sterile environment at the bottom bend of the steam pipe.
[0040] The working principle of the above embodiment is that when the fermenter is used up and needs to be sterilized by high-temperature steam, steam enters the steam conveying pipe 2, passes through the air filter 3, and enters the tank body 1 along with the steam conveying pipe 2, the steam in the steam conveying pipe 2 flows to the bending part at the bottom of the inner wall of the steam conveying pipe 2 due to the condensate water generated by the cold and hot alternation, so that the condensate water enters the first connecting pipe 5 through the liquid discharge port 4, and then the condensate water is discharged from the steam conveying pipe 2, the condensate water in the first connecting pipe 5 enters the second connecting pipe 7 for deposition, the condensate water deposited in the second connecting pipe 7 enters the observation pipe 9 connected thereto, the liquid level in the second connecting pipe 7 is confirmed by observing the liquid level in the transparent observation pipe 9, when the sterilization in the tank body 1 is completed, the exhaust valve 8 at one end of the second connecting pipe 7 is opened, the condensate water in the second connecting pipe 7 is discharged, and the dryness of the bending part of the steam conveying pipe 2 is ensured, when the inner walls of the first connecting pipe 5 and the second connecting pipe 7 and the inner wall of one end of the exhaust valve 8 need to be cleaned, the connecting cover 602 is rotated and removed from the threaded sleeve 601, the second connecting pipe 7 is separated from the first connecting pipe 5, the inner walls of the first connecting pipe 5 and the second connecting pipe 7 are cleaned through the adjacent pipe openings of the first connecting pipe 5 and the second connecting pipe 7 by using a tool, and the inner wall of one end of the exhaust valve 8 is cleaned through the second connecting pipe 7.
[0041] It should be noted that the relational terms herein such as first and second and the like are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between such entities or actions. Moreover, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element preceded by "comprises... " does not, without more limitations, foreclose the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the stated elements.
[0042] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present application, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A fermenter comprising a tank (1), characterised in that: The steam conveying pipe (2) is connected with an air filter (3) at one end, and a liquid discharge port (4) is arranged at the bottom bending part of the steam conveying pipe (2), and the first connecting pipe (5) is connected with the liquid discharge port (4) at the bottom of the steam conveying pipe (2), one end of the first connecting pipe (5) is connected with the second connecting pipe (7) through the connecting assembly (6), and the second connecting pipe (7) is connected with the exhaust valve (8) at one end.
2. A fermenter according to claim 1, characterised in that: The edge of the liquid discharge port (4) located at the bottom of the inner wall of the steam conveying pipe (2) is provided with a rounded corner.
3. A fermenter according to claim 1, characterised in that: The second connecting pipe (7) is connected with the observation pipe (9) on one side, the observation pipe (9) is provided in a U shape, and the two ends of the observation pipe (9) are in communication with the inside of the second connecting pipe (7).
4. A fermenter according to claim 3, characterised in that: The observation pipe (9) is provided with a transparent material as a whole.
5. A fermenter as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The connecting assembly (6) comprises a threaded sleeve (601), one end of the threaded sleeve (601) is arranged at one end of the first connecting pipe (5), the outer surface of the middle part of the threaded sleeve (601) is threadedly connected with the inner wall of the middle part of the connecting cover (602), and one end of the connecting cover (602) is arranged at one end of the second connecting pipe (7).
6. A fermenter according to claim 5, characterised in that: The threaded sleeve (601) is provided with a sealing ring (604) between one end and the bottom of the inner wall of the connecting cover (602), the sealing ring (604) is installed in the installation groove (603), and the installation groove (603) is arranged at the bottom of the inner wall of the connecting cover (602).
7. A fermenter according to claim 6, characterised in that: The cross section of the middle part of the inner wall of the installation groove (603) is provided in a convex shape, and the shape of the middle part of the inner wall of the installation groove (603) is matched with the shape of the outer surface of the middle part of the sealing ring (604).
8. A fermenter according to claim 7, characterised in that: The sealing ring (604) is provided with a soft rubber material.