A solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange

Abstract

The present invention discloses a solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange, which relates to the field of material stirring technology, including: a fermentation tank, a lifting stirring device and a controller, wherein the lower part of the lifting stirring device is arranged in the stirring tank; the lifting stirring device includes a driving device, a stirring shaft, a lifting mechanism and a stirring paddle, the driving device is fixedly arranged, the output end of the driving device is fixedly connected to the upper end of the stirring shaft, the lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the upper part of the stirring shaft, and is used to drive the stirring shaft to reciprocate up and down, the stirring paddle is fixedly connected to the lower part of the stirring shaft, the controller is arranged on the side wall of the fermentation tank, and the fermentation tank and the lifting stirring device are both electrically connected to the controller. The present invention overcomes the defects of mechanical air supply that cannot improve the material mixing effect and the high cost, can improve the material stirring effect, and is conducive to the exchange of gas inside and outside the device, so as to promote fermentation and help save costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of material stirring, and in particular to a solid-state fermentation device for material stirring coupled with gas exchange. Background Art

[0002] Aerobic, anaerobic, or combined aerobic-anaerobic solid-state fermentation is currently the primary technology for producing fermented feed, enzymes, bio-organic fertilizers, and other products from plant and animal-derived organic matter. To improve microbial fermentation efficiency and ensure the quality and safety of fermentation products, the fermentation process is generally carried out in a fermentation device with controlled conditions. The physicochemical properties of the solid-state fermentation substrate determine the degree of mixing of the material particles and the mass transfer efficiency between the material particles, microorganisms, and gases, which are key factors in the overall solid-state fermentation process. Mechanical agitation is often used in the fermentation device to improve the mixing of the material particles, and mechanical ventilation is added during aerobic fermentation to increase the oxygen content of the material and accelerate the fermentation process. Currently, both vertical, horizontal, and cabinet-type solid-state fermentation devices, both domestically and internationally, employ horizontal agitation. This prevents true exchange and mixing of materials between the periphery and center, as well as between the upper and lower portions of the tank. During aerobic fermentation, oxygen-rich gas cannot enter the interior and lower portions of the material, resulting in a significant difference in fermentation efficiency compared to liquid-state fermentation. While mechanical ventilation improves the aerobic fermentation efficiency of the surface material, it also significantly increases production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, improve the material stirring effect, and facilitate the exchange of gas inside and outside the device to promote fermentation and save costs.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solutions:

[0005] The present invention provides a solid-state fermentation device for material stirring coupled with gas exchange, comprising a fermentation tank, a lifting and stirring device and a controller, wherein the lower part of the lifting and stirring device is arranged in the stirring tank; the lifting and stirring device comprises a driving device, a stirring shaft, a lifting mechanism and a stirring paddle, the driving device is fixedly arranged, the output end of the driving device is fixedly connected to the upper end of the stirring shaft, the lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the upper part of the stirring shaft and is used to drive the stirring shaft to reciprocate up and down, the stirring paddle is fixedly connected to the lower part of the stirring shaft, the controller is arranged on the side wall of the fermentation tank, and the fermentation tank and the lifting and stirring device are both electrically connected to the controller.

[0006] Preferably, the driving device includes a power bracket, a motor and a speed changing mechanism, the lower end of the power bracket is fixedly connected to the top of the fermentation tank, the motor and the speed changing mechanism are both fixedly arranged on the power bracket, the output end of the motor is fixedly connected to the input end of the speed changing mechanism, the output end of the speed changing mechanism is fixedly connected to the upper end of the stirring shaft through a coupling, and the motor is electrically connected to the controller.

[0007] Preferably, the lifting mechanism includes a lifting drive device, a lifting shaft, an upper lifting seat, a lower lifting seat and a connecting sleeve, the lifting drive device is fixedly arranged, and the lifting drive device is electrically connected to the controller, the upper part of the stirring shaft passes through the upper lifting seat and the lower lifting seat, the upper lifting seat and the lower lifting seat are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the connecting sleeve at intervals in the vertical direction, bearings are provided above the upper lifting seat and below the lower lifting seat, the bottom of the lower lifting seat is fixedly connected to the power support, the output end of the lifting drive device is fixedly connected to one end of the lifting shaft, a lifting slot is provided on the connecting sleeve, the lifting shaft passes through the lifting slot, the other end of the lifting shaft is rotatably connected to the stirring shaft, and the lifting shaft is used to drive the stirring shaft to reciprocate in the vertical direction within the interval.

[0008] Preferably, the stirring tank includes a tank body and a heating device, the tank body includes an inner layer and an outer layer, the heating device is fixedly arranged between the inner layer and the outer layer, and the heating device is electrically connected to the controller.

[0009] Preferably, the inner layer is a stainless steel inner layer, and the outer layer is a plastic layer.

[0010] Preferably, a water bath interlayer is provided between the inner layer and the outer layer at the bottom of the tank body, the heating device is provided in the water bath interlayer, and a water inlet and a water outlet are provided at the upper and lower parts of the water bath interlayer respectively.

[0011] Preferably, the agitator includes a hub, a plurality of blades and a connecting plate, the upper end of the hub is fixedly connected to the lower end of the agitator shaft, the plurality of blades are fixedly connected to the hub at intervals, one end of each blade is fixedly connected to the hub, and the other ends of the plurality of blades located on one side of the hub are connected through the connecting plate.

[0012] Preferably, the bottom of the tank body is provided with supporting feet, and the side wall of the tank body is fixedly provided with a working ladder.

[0013] Preferably, a feed port, a fermentation agent input port and a one-way exhaust port are provided on the top of the tank body, a discharge port is provided on the lower part of the tank body, a material cover is provided on the feed port, and a vent is provided on the material cover.

[0014] Preferably, an oxygen content sensor and a temperature sensor are fixedly installed inside the tank body, and both the oxygen content sensor and the temperature sensor are electrically connected to the controller.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has achieved the following technical effects:

[0016] The present invention provides a solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange, comprising a fermentation tank and a lifting stirring device, wherein the lower portion of the lifting stirring device is arranged in the fermentation tank, and the lifting mechanism of the lifting stirring device can make the stirring shaft and the stirring paddle reciprocate in the up and down directions while stirring the material, thereby driving the material and the air in the fermentation tank to flow fully in the up and down directions, so that the material is fully mixed, and at the same time is conducive to the extraction of air in the fermentation tank, so as to promote fermentation and save costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the solid-state fermentation device for material stirring coupled with gas exchange provided by the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a lifting and stirring device of a solid-state fermentation device for material stirring coupled with gas exchange provided by the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a stirring tank of a solid-state fermentation device for material stirring coupled with gas exchange provided by the present invention;

[0021] Among them: 1-power support, 2-motor, 3-speed changing mechanism, 4-lifting and stirring device, 41-bearing, 42-connecting sleeve, 43-lower lifting seat, 44-sealing ring, 45-upper lifting seat, 46-lifting shaft, 47-stirring shaft, 48-hub, 49-blade, 410-connecting plate, 5-fermentation tank, 51-fermentation agent input port, 52-one-way exhaust port, 53-tank body, 54-material cover, 55-vent, 56-feed port, 57-heating device, 58-water injection port, 59-discharge port, 510-drainage port, 6-working ladder, 7-controller, 8-support foot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange to solve the problems existing in the prior art, improve the material stirring effect, and facilitate the exchange of gas inside and outside the device to promote fermentation and save costs.

[0024] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown: This embodiment provides a solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange, including a fermentation tank 5, a lifting stirring device 4 and a controller 7. The lower part of the lifting stirring device 4 is arranged in the stirring tank; the lifting stirring device 4 includes a driving device, a stirring shaft 47, a lifting mechanism and a stirring paddle. The driving device is fixedly arranged, and the output end of the driving device is fixedly connected to the upper end of the stirring shaft 47. The lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the upper part of the stirring shaft 47, and is used to drive the stirring shaft 47 to reciprocate up and down, so that the stirring paddle can reciprocate up and down in the fermentation tank 5 while stirring, so as to drive the material and air in the fermentation tank 5 to move up and down. This arrangement can not only improve the stirring effect, but also speed up the extraction of gas in the fermentation tank 5, promote fermentation and save costs compared with the existing mechanical ventilation technical solution; the stirring paddle is fixedly connected to the lower part of the stirring shaft 47, the controller 7 is arranged on the side wall of the fermentation tank 5, and the fermentation tank 5 and the lifting stirring device 4 are both electrically connected to the controller 7.

[0026] The driving device includes a power bracket 1, a motor 2 and a speed changing mechanism 3. The lower end of the power bracket 1 is fixedly connected to the top of the fermentation tank 5. The motor 2 and the speed changing mechanism 3 are both fixedly arranged on the power bracket 1. The output end of the motor 2 is fixedly connected to the input end of the speed changing mechanism 3. The output end of the speed changing mechanism 3 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the stirring shaft 47 through a coupling. The motor 2 is electrically connected to the controller 7. The controller 7 is used to control whether the motor 2 is turned on and the speed of the motor 2.

[0027] The lifting mechanism includes a lifting drive device, a lifting shaft 46, an upper lifting seat 45, a lower lifting seat 43 and a connecting sleeve 42. The lifting drive device is fixedly arranged and electrically connected to the controller 7. The lifting drive device adopts a lifting drive device widely used in the prior art to control whether the lifting drive device is turned on or off. The upper part of the stirring shaft 47 passes through the upper lifting seat 45 and the lower lifting seat 43. The upper lifting seat 45 and the lower lifting seat 43 are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the connecting sleeve 42 at intervals in the vertical direction. The connecting sleeve 42 is used to support the upper lifting seat 45. Bearings 41 are provided above the upper lifting seat 45 and below the lower lifting seat 43. The bearings 41 are used to limit the relative positions of the upper lifting seat 45 and the lower lifting seat 43 on the stirring shaft 47. The sealing ring 44 is positioned The bottom of the lower lifting seat 43 is fixedly connected to the power bracket 1 to prevent the lower lifting seat 43 from rotating with the stirring shaft 47. The output end of the lifting drive device is fixedly connected to one end of the lifting shaft 46. A lifting groove is provided on the connecting sleeve 42. The lifting shaft 46 passes through the lifting groove. The other end of the lifting shaft 46 is rotatably connected to the stirring shaft 47. The lifting shaft 46 is used to drive the stirring shaft 47 to reciprocate in the vertical direction within the interval, so that the stirring paddle can reciprocate in the up and down directions while stirring, thereby driving the air in the fermentation tank 5 to flow fully, thereby realizing the extraction and discharge of the air in the fermentation tank 5.

[0028] The stirring tank includes a tank body 53 and a heating device 57. The tank body 53 includes an inner layer and an outer layer. The heating device 57 is fixedly arranged between the inner layer and the outer layer. The heating device 57 is electrically connected to the controller 7. The controller 7 is used to control whether the heating device 57 is turned on or not.

[0029] The inner layer is a stainless steel layer, which is the load-bearing inner layer; the outer layer is a plastic layer, which is used for heat preservation, which is beneficial to energy saving.

[0030] A water bath interlayer is provided between the inner layer and the outer layer at the bottom of the tank body 53, and a heating device 57 is provided in the water bath interlayer, wherein the heating device 57 is a heating device 57 widely used in the existing fermentation tank 5, and a water inlet 58 and a drain outlet 510 are provided at the upper and lower parts of the water bath interlayer respectively.

[0031] The agitator includes a hub 48, multiple blades 49 and a connecting plate 410. The upper end of the hub 48 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the agitator shaft 47, and multiple blades 49 are fixedly connected to the hub 48 at intervals. One end of each blade 49 is fixedly connected to the hub 48, and the other ends of the multiple blades 49 located on one side of the hub 48 are connected by a connecting plate 410. This arrangement can balance the lifting force generated between the upper blades 49 and the lower blades 49 during the lifting process.

[0032] Support legs 8 are provided at the bottom of the tank body 53 , and a working ladder 6 is fixedly provided on the side wall of the tank body 53 .

[0033] The top of the tank body 53 is provided with a feed port 56, a fermentation agent input port 51 and a one-way exhaust port 52, which are respectively used for feeding, adding fermentation agent and exhausting gas to the outside of the tank body 53. The lower part of the tank body 53 is provided with a discharge port 59 for discharging waste. The feed port 56 is provided with a material cover 54, and the material cover 54 is provided with a vent 55.

[0034] An oxygen content sensor and a temperature sensor are fixedly installed inside the tank body 53. Both the oxygen content sensor and the temperature sensor are electrically connected to the controller 7. The oxygen content sensor monitors the oxygen content in the tank body 53 and sends the monitoring value to the controller 7. The controller 7 controls whether the lifting drive device is turned on or not according to the monitoring value of the oxygen content sensor; the temperature sensor is used to monitor the temperature in the tank body 53 and transmits the monitoring value to the controller 7. The controller 7 controls whether the heating device 57 is turned on or not according to the monitoring value.

[0035] The present invention can be applied to the following fermentation processes:

[0036] 1. During aerobic fermentation, the fermentation material is fed into the fermentation tank through the feed port 56, and the stirring system is started at the same time. When the material reaches a charging factor of 7.0, the feeding is stopped, the material cover 54 is closed, the vent 55 is opened, and the one-way exhaust port 52 is closed. The stirring speed, fermentation temperature and fermentation time limit are adjusted and set to the set value through the control system 7. The fermentation bacteria agent or enzyme preparation is introduced through the fermentation agent input port 51. When the fermentation reaches the set time limit, the fermentation product is discharged through the discharge port 59. When the air temperature is below 20°C, the heating device 57 is started in advance before feeding, so that the temperature in the tank reaches the specified value, and then the material is fed. Depending on the type and nature of the product and the storage time, the fermentation product can be used directly, or it can be packaged (canned) by ordinary packaging or vacuum packaging (canning). Vacuum packaging (filling) can effectively extend the storage time of the product.

[0037] During the aerobic fermentation process, the horizontal stirring of the paddle 49 is combined with the lifting motion. In addition to fully mixing the materials, when the stirring paddle descends, the materials sink, the upper space of the tank body becomes larger, and a suction effect is generated. External air is sucked into the tank through the vent 55 equipped with an air filter tube. When the stirring paddle 49 rises, the materials are lifted, the upper space of the tank body becomes smaller, and the gas in the tank is discharged from the tank body through the vent, thereby completing the gas exchange between the inside and outside of the tank body without setting up special ventilation equipment. The oxygen-rich air entering the tank body is mixed with the materials driven by the stirring paddle and evenly enters the interior of the materials, providing sufficient oxygen supply for the fermentation process, while the gas discharged from the outside of the tank body can carry away a large amount of water vapor generated during the fermentation process, effectively reducing the water content of the fermentation product. This fermentation method of material stirring coupled with gas exchange can greatly enhance the stirring process, improve the oxygen content inside the material, effectively increase the aerobic fermentation rate, improve the quality of the fermented product, and at the same time significantly reduce the cost of aerobic fermentation.

[0038] 2. During anaerobic fermentation, the fermentation material is fed into the fermentation tank through the feed port 56, and the stirring system is started at the same time. When the material reaches a charging factor of 7.5, the feeding is stopped, the material cover and the vent 55 are closed, and the one-way exhaust port 52 is opened. The stirring speed, fermentation temperature and fermentation time limit are adjusted and set to the set values ​​through the control system 7. The fermentation agent is connected to the fermentation agent input port 51 or the enzyme preparation is added. When the fermentation reaches the set time limit, the fermentation product is discharged through the discharge port 59. When the temperature is below 20°C, the heating system 57 is started in advance before feeding, so that the temperature in the tank reaches the specified value, and then the material is fed. Depending on the type and nature of the product and the storage time, the fermentation product can be used directly, or it can be packaged (canned) by ordinary packaging or vacuum packaging (canning). Vacuum packaging (filling) can effectively extend the storage time of the product.

[0039] During the anaerobic fermentation process, the paddle 49 combines horizontal stirring with lifting motion to fully mix the materials. However, since the vent 55 is closed, internal and external gas exchange cannot occur, and external oxygen-rich air cannot enter the tank body, thus maintaining the anaerobic state inside the tank body. When the internal gas accumulates to a point where the internal pressure is slightly higher than the external pressure, the internal gas is discharged outward through the one-way exhaust port 52 to maintain the internal and external pressure balance of the tank body. When the gas in the tank is discharged outward through the one-way exhaust port 52, it can carry away a large amount of water vapor generated during the fermentation process, effectively reducing the water content of the fermentation product.

[0040] 3. For those materials that are difficult to degrade and are mainly composed of structural carbohydrates, the aerobic-anaerobic combined fermentation method of first aerobic and then anaerobic is adopted in the device of the present invention, which can greatly improve the digestibility or effectiveness of the product, achieving an effect that cannot be achieved by a single fermentation method.

[0041] During aerobic-anaerobic combined fermentation, aerobic fermentation is carried out first and then anaerobic fermentation. The aerobic fermentation startup operation is the same as in the embodiment. When the aerobic fermentation reaches the set time limit, the vent 55 is closed, the one-way exhaust port 52 is opened, and the fermentation parameters such as stirring speed, fermentation temperature, and fermentation time are adjusted and set according to the anaerobic fermentation process requirements to start the anaerobic fermentation process. When the oxygen content in the tank drops to a stable value, the anaerobic fermentation agent is connected to the fermentation agent input port 51 or the relevant anaerobic fermentation enzyme preparation is added. When the anaerobic fermentation time limit is reached, the material is discharged and packaged, and the subsequent process is the same as that of anaerobic fermentation.

[0042] The conversion from aerobic fermentation to anaerobic fermentation begins when the vent 55 is closed. Closing the vent 55 terminates the gas exchange inside and outside the tank, and oxygen-rich air no longer enters the tank. The remaining oxygen in the tank is quickly consumed by aerobic microorganisms, which enter a state of extinction or dormancy. At this time, the addition of anaerobic fermentation microbial preparations or anaerobic fermentation enzyme preparations can maximize the promotion of the anaerobic fermentation process.

[0043] 4. Certain fermentation products with special requirements may need to be produced using an anaerobic followed by an aerobic fermentation method. The device of the present invention can conveniently meet this production process.

[0044] During anaerobic-aerobic combined fermentation, anaerobic fermentation is performed first, followed by aerobic fermentation. The anaerobic fermentation startup and operation process are the same as in Example 2. When the anaerobic fermentation reaches the set time limit, the one-way exhaust port 52 is closed and the vent 55 is opened. When the oxygen content in the tank rises to a stable value, an aerobic fermentation microorganism preparation or an aerobic fermentation enzyme preparation is promptly introduced through the fermentation agent inlet 51, thereby promoting the transition of the material from anaerobic fermentation to aerobic fermentation. The subsequent fermentation process of the anaerobic-aerobic combined fermentation is the same as that of aerobic fermentation.

[0045] This specification uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The above examples are only intended to help understand the method and core concept of the present invention. At the same time, those skilled in the art will find that the specific implementation methods and application scopes may vary based on the concept of the present invention. In summary, the contents of this specification should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. A solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange, characterized in that: The invention comprises a fermentation tank, a lifting and stirring device and a controller, wherein the lower part of the lifting and stirring device is arranged in the stirring tank; the lifting and stirring device comprises a driving device, a stirring shaft, a lifting mechanism and a stirring paddle, the driving device is fixedly arranged, the output end of the driving device is fixedly connected to the upper end of the stirring shaft, the lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the upper part of the stirring shaft, and is used to drive the stirring shaft to reciprocate up and down, the stirring paddle is fixedly connected to the lower part of the stirring shaft, the controller is arranged on the side wall of the fermentation tank, and the fermentation tank and the lifting and stirring device are both electrically connected to the controller; the driving device comprises a power bracket, a motor and a speed change mechanism, the lower end of the power bracket is fixedly connected to the top of the fermentation tank, the motor and the speed change mechanism are both fixedly arranged on the power bracket, the output end of the motor is fixedly connected to the input end of the speed change mechanism, the output end of the speed change mechanism is fixedly connected to the upper end of the stirring shaft through a coupling, and the motor is electrically connected to the controller; the stirring tank comprises a tank body and a heating device, the tank body comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, the heating device is fixedly arranged between the inner layer and the outer layer, and the heating device is electrically connected to the controller.

2. The solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism includes a lifting drive device, a lifting shaft, an upper lifting seat, a lower lifting seat and a connecting sleeve. The lifting drive device is fixedly arranged and electrically connected to the controller. The upper part of the stirring shaft passes through the upper lifting seat and the lower lifting seat. The upper lifting seat and the lower lifting seat are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the connecting sleeve at intervals in the vertical direction. Bearings are provided above the upper lifting seat and below the lower lifting seat. The bottom of the lower lifting seat is fixedly connected to the power support. The output end of the lifting drive device is fixedly connected to one end of the lifting shaft. A lifting slot is provided on the connecting sleeve. The lifting shaft passes through the lifting slot. The other end of the lifting shaft is rotatably connected to the stirring shaft, and the lifting shaft is used to drive the stirring shaft to reciprocate in the vertical direction within the interval.

3. The solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner layer is a stainless steel inner layer, and the outer layer is a plastic layer.

4. The solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water bath interlayer is provided between the inner layer and the outer layer at the bottom of the tank body, the heating device is provided in the water bath interlayer, and a water inlet and a water outlet are provided at the upper and lower parts of the water bath interlayer respectively.

5. The solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stirring paddle includes a hub, a plurality of blades and a connecting plate. The upper end of the hub is fixedly connected to the lower end of the stirring shaft. The plurality of blades are fixedly connected to the hub at intervals. One end of each blade is fixedly connected to the hub. The other ends of the plurality of blades located on one side of the hub are connected through the connecting plate.

6. The solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the tank body is provided with supporting feet, and the side wall of the tank body is fixedly provided with a working ladder.

7. The solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the tank body is provided with a feed port, a fermentation agent input port and a one-way exhaust port, the lower part of the tank body is provided with a discharge port, the feed port is provided with a material cover, and the material cover is provided with a vent.

8. The solid-state fermentation device with material stirring coupled with gas exchange according to claim 1, characterized in that: An oxygen content sensor and a temperature sensor are fixedly arranged inside the tank body, and both the oxygen content sensor and the temperature sensor are electrically connected to the controller.

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