A vertical fermentation tank and koji making method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a vertical fermentation tank and a method for making koji, including a vertical tank body, a feed inlet and a discharge outlet on the vertical tank body, a drain outlet arranged at the bottom of the vertical tank body, a drain valve installed on the drain outlet, and further including: a middle bottom: used for carrying fermented materials, a collection trough is arranged on the upper surface of the middle bottom, and a plurality of drainage holes are arranged on the collection trough; a screw propeller: used for spirally pushing the fermented materials to the discharge outlet, the screw propeller is assembled in the collection trough; the discharge outlet is arranged on the side wall of the vertical tank body, and is located in the extension direction of the screw propeller; a valve is installed on the discharge outlet. In one embodiment of the vertical fermentation tank of the present invention, full use is made of the three-dimensional space, which is conducive to the factory to upgrade the output based on the original land scale. Using a middle bottom with a collection trough and a screw propeller, it is convenient to take the petal koji, and all the materials can be dug.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of fermentation equipment and facilities, and relates to a fermentation tank, in particular to a vertical fermentation tank. Background Art

[0002] Pixian Douban is one of the most famous Sichuan condiments and is known as the "soul of Sichuan cuisine". Traditional Pixian Douban is made from Douban as raw material, mold as the main microbial strain, and is made through natural koji making and natural fermentation. Broad bean, as the main raw material of Pixian Douban, needs to go through the process of broad bean pre-treatment, making broad bean koji material, and fermenting broad bean koji material.

[0003] For many years, the applicant has used strip pool fermentation in the bean curd making process, which has the following technical problems:

[0004] 1. The strip pond occupies a large area. The land resources in cities and suburbs are in short supply, which limits the expansion and upgrading of production scale.

[0005] 2. The factory has achieved full mechanization operation, and all materials are grabbed by mechanical buckets. However, in actual operation, the mechanical grab buckets cannot grab all the materials at the corners, and manual intervention is still required in the end;

[0006] 3. Strip pool fermentation is a natural fermentation. The materials are in an aerobic state. The aerobic fermentation cycle of broad bean is relatively long. Summary of the invention

[0007] In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide a novel fermentation device, which can improve land utilization, facilitate the transportation of fermentation materials, and shorten the fermentation period of broad bean koji material.

[0008] The inventor has continuously reformed and innovated through long-term exploration and attempts, as well as multiple experiments and efforts, to solve at least one of the above technical problems. The technical solution provided by the present invention is to provide a vertical fermentation tank, including a vertical tank body, a feed inlet and a discharge inlet on the vertical tank body, a drain outlet at the bottom of the vertical tank body, a drain valve installed on the drain outlet, and further comprising:

[0009] Midsole: used to carry fermented materials, the upper surface of the midsole is provided with a collection groove, and the collection groove is provided with a plurality of drainage holes;

[0010] Screw propeller: used for spirally pushing fermented materials toward the discharge port, and the screw propeller is assembled in the collecting tank;

[0011] Discharge port: It is arranged on the side wall of the vertical tank body and is located in the extension direction of the propulsion of the screw propeller; a valve is installed on the discharge port.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the vertical fermentation tank of the present invention, an inner support is installed below the mid-bottom.

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the vertical fermentation tank of the present invention, it further comprises a first pipeline, wherein the first pipeline connects the drain port and the feed port, a water pump is installed on the first pipeline, and a nozzle is installed at the feed port end of the first pipeline.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the vertical fermentation tank of the present invention, it further comprises a second pipeline, one end of the second pipeline is connected to a water pool, the other end of the second pipeline is connected to a feed port, and a nozzle is installed at the feed port end of the second pipeline.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the vertical fermentation tank of the present invention, the middle bottom divides the vertical tank body into an upper first chamber and a lower second chamber, and a temperature regulating device is installed in the second chamber.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the vertical fermenter of the present invention, the temperature regulating device is a heat exchange tube, and a solenoid valve is installed on the heat exchange tube.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the vertical fermenter of the present invention, a first temperature sensor is disposed in the first chamber, and a second temperature sensor is disposed in the second chamber.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the vertical fermentation tank of the present invention, it further comprises a processor, wherein the processor is connected to the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, the solenoid valve and the water pump signal.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the vertical fermentation tank of the present invention, the vertical tank body is a heat preservation tank.

[0020] The present invention also provides a method for making koji, which uses the vertical fermentation tank described in any of the above embodiments to make koji and ferment broad bean, comprising the following steps:

[0021] S1: pre-treatment of broad bean petals;

[0022] S2: Filling broad bean segments, fermentation microorganisms and enzymes into a vertical fermentation tank;

[0023] S3: Start fermentation, maintain the temperature in the fermentation tank at 35-37°C, and keep the bottom above the level of the fermentation precipitate;

[0024] S4: adjusting the temperature of the fermentation eluate to 35-37° C. and introducing the eluate into the upper surface of the broad bean petals from the feed inlet;

[0025] S5: After the fermentation is completed, the valve is opened and the screw propeller is started to push the petals in the vertical fermentation tank out for the next generation process.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, one of the above technical solutions has the following advantages:

[0027] a) In one embodiment of the vertical fermentation tank of the present invention, the three-dimensional space is fully utilized, which is conducive to the factory to upgrade the production based on the original land scale. The use of a mid-bottom with a collection trough and a spiral propeller facilitates the removal of petals and can realize the digging of all materials.

[0028] b) In one embodiment of the vertical fermentation tank of the present invention, the first pipeline is used to facilitate the reuse of the fermentation precipitate, and the fermentation precipitate is rich in fermentation microorganisms and enzymes. Through circulation, the fermentation microorganisms and enzymes are distributed more evenly. At the same time, the fermentation precipitate can also be used as a heat exchange medium to quickly adjust the fermentation temperature in the fermentation tank, which is more conducive to maintaining a relatively constant temperature in the fermentation tank.

[0029] c) Compared with adjusting the temperature by mechanical stirring, the present invention can ensure the integrity of the broad bean peel.

[0030] d) In one embodiment of the vertical fermenter of the present invention, the fermentation process is mainly anaerobic fermentation, and a small amount of oxygen enters the fermentation material through the liquid sprayed from the nozzle, which can greatly reduce the fermentation time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 It is a front view schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the vertical fermentation tank of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the left side.

[0034] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure.

[0035] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure from another perspective.

[0036] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 AA cross-sectional view.

[0037] Figure 6 yes Figure 2Schematic diagram of the BB cross-section.

[0038] The marks in the figure are:

[0039] 10 fermentation tanks,

[0040] 100 tanks,

[0041] 101 First Chamber,

[0042] 111 Feed port,

[0043] 121 Screw propeller,

[0044] 1211 shaft,

[0045] 1212 spiral blade,

[0046] 141 discharge port,

[0047] 103 midsole,

[0048] 123 internal support,

[0049] 113 drain hole,

[0050] 102 Second Chamber,

[0051] 112 Drainage outlet,

[0052] 132 Temperature control device,

[0053] 1322 heat medium outlet,

[0054] 1321 heat medium inlet,

[0055] 110 external bracket,

[0056] 120 First pipeline,

[0057] 130 Second pipeline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The following is a description with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0059] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are 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. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention.

[0060] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and thus, once an item is defined in one drawing, it may not be further defined or explained in the subsequent drawings.

[0061] Example 1

[0062] See also Figures 1 to 6 . In the figure, 10 is a fermentation tank, 100 is a tank body, 101 is a first chamber, 111 is a feed port, 121 is a screw propeller, 1211 is a shaft, 1212 is a spiral blade, 141 is a discharge port, 103 is a middle bottom, 123 is an inner bracket, 113 is a drainage hole, 102 is a second chamber, 112 is a drain port, 132 is a temperature regulating device, 1322 is a heat medium outlet, 1321 is a heat medium inlet, 110 is an outer bracket, 120 is a first pipeline, and 130 is a second pipeline. The vertical fermentation tank 10 described in this embodiment includes a vertical tank body 100, a feed port 111 and a discharge port 141 are provided on the vertical tank body 10, and a drain port 112 is provided at the bottom of the vertical tank body, and a drain valve (not shown) is installed on the drain port 112. The tank body 100 is made of known insulation materials.

[0063] The vertical fermentation tank 10 also includes a midsole 103. The midsole divides the vertical tank body into an upper first chamber 101 and a lower second chamber 102. The midsole 103 is used to carry fermented materials, and the first chamber 101 is a fermentation chamber, and the fermented materials such as broad bean are filled in the first chamber. A collection trough is provided on the upper surface of the midsole 103, and a plurality of drainage holes 113 are provided on the collection trough. The second chamber 102 is a liquid accumulation chamber, and the fermented materials such as broad bean will precipitate liquid during the fermentation process, and the liquid enters the second chamber from the drainage holes 113. The drain port 112 is provided at the bottom of the second chamber 102. The drain port 112 can be one or two. In this embodiment, the situation of two drain ports is shown. The upper surface of the midsole 103 is a concave surface, such as a cambered surface, a curved surface, with a low middle and high sides, which is convenient for collecting fermented materials. When the midsole 103 carries a large weight, an inner bracket 123 needs to be assembled below the midsole 103.

[0064] The vertical fermentation tank 10 further includes a screw propeller 121 for spirally pushing the fermented material toward the discharge port, and the screw propeller is assembled in the collecting tank. The screw propeller 121 includes a rotating shaft 1211, a spiral blade 1212 fixedly mounted on the rotating shaft, and a motor for driving the rotating shaft to rotate.

[0065] The discharge port of the vertical fermentation tank 10 is arranged on the side wall of the vertical tank body, and is located in the extension direction of the propeller; a valve is installed on the discharge port. After the fermentation is completed, the valve is opened, and the propeller 121 is started, and the propeller 121 pushes the fermented material such as the curved petals out of the discharge port. The curved petals are then transferred to the next fermentation tank through a conveyor belt.

[0066] The vertical fermenter 10 further includes two sets of pipeline systems: a first pipeline 120 and a second pipeline 130 .

[0067] The first pipeline 120 is connected to a drain port 112 and the feed port 111. A water pump (not shown) is installed on the first pipeline, and a nozzle (not shown) is installed at the feed port end of the first pipeline. The function of the first pipeline 120 is to recycle the material precipitate in the fermentation process, and by recycling the precipitate, the utilization rate of the fermentation microorganisms and enzymes is improved. At the same time, the temperature of the fermentation material can be adjusted to achieve a relatively constant fermentation temperature, that is, the fermentation temperature is controlled within the optimal temperature range.

[0068] One end of the second pipeline 130 is connected to a water pool, mainly a salt water pool. If the inside of the fermentation tank is to be cleaned, a clean water pool needs to be connected. Of course, the salt water pool and the clean water pool can also be the same pool. The other end of the second pipeline 130 is connected to the feed port, and a nozzle (not shown in the figure) is installed at the feed port end of the second pipeline.

[0069] In order to adjust the fermentation temperature in the fermenter, a temperature regulating device is installed in the second chamber 102, and the temperature regulating device is a heat exchange tube, and a solenoid valve is installed on the heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube includes a heat medium inlet 1321 and a heat medium outlet 1322. The precipitate needs to be heated, and the heat medium can be hot water or water vapor; the precipitate needs to be cooled, and the heat medium can be cold water or ice water. Further, the vertical fermenter also includes a processor, a first temperature sensor is provided in the first chamber 101, and a second temperature sensor is provided in the second chamber. The processor is connected to the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, the solenoid valve and the water pump signal. The temperature of the fermentation material is monitored in real time by the first temperature sensor, and the temperature of the precipitate is monitored in real time by the second sensor. After receiving the temperature signal, the processor adjusts the temperature of the precipitate through the temperature regulating device, starts the pump, and circulates the precipitate, thereby changing the temperature of the fermentation material to maintain it within the optimal fermentation temperature range.

[0070] Example 2

[0071] The present invention also provides a koji making method, which uses the vertical fermentation tank described in Example 1 to carry out koji making and fermentation of broad bean, comprising the following steps:

[0072] S1: pre-treatment of broad bean petals;

[0073] S2: Filling broad bean segments, fermentation microorganisms and enzymes into a vertical fermentation tank;

[0074] S3: Start fermentation, maintain the temperature in the fermentation tank at 35-37°C, and keep the bottom above the level of the fermentation precipitate;

[0075] S4: adjusting the temperature of the fermentation eluate to 35-37° C. and introducing the eluate into the upper surface of the broad bean petals from the feed inlet;

[0076] S5: After fermentation is completed, the valve is opened and the screw propeller is started to push the petals in the vertical fermentation tank out for the next generation process.

[0077] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0078] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0079] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0080] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that the above preferred embodiments should not be regarded as limiting the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention should be based on the scope defined by the claims. For ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for making koji, characterized in that: The method of using a vertical fermentation tank to ferment broad bean koji comprises the following steps: S1: pre-treatment of broad bean petals; S2: Filling broad bean segments, fermentation microorganisms and enzymes into a vertical fermentation tank; S3: Start fermentation, maintain the temperature in the fermentation tank at 35-37°C, and keep the bottom above the level of the fermentation precipitate; S4: adjusting the temperature of the fermentation eluate to 35-37° C. and introducing the eluate into the upper surface of the broad bean petals from the feed inlet; S5: After the fermentation is completed, the valve is opened and the screw propeller is started to push the petals in the vertical fermentation tank out for the next generation process; The vertical fermentation tank comprises a vertical tank body and a middle bottom, the vertical tank body is provided with a feed inlet and a discharge outlet, the bottom of the vertical tank body is provided with a drain outlet, and the drain outlet is installed with a drain valve; Midsole: used to carry fermented materials, the upper surface of the midsole is provided with a collection groove, and the collection groove is provided with a plurality of drainage holes; Screw propeller: used for spirally pushing fermented materials to the discharge port, and the screw propeller is assembled in the collecting tank; Discharge port: It is arranged on the side wall of the vertical tank body and is located in the extension direction of the propulsion of the screw propeller; a valve is installed on the discharge port.

2. The method for making koji according to claim 1, characterized in that: An inner bracket is arranged below the midsole.

3. The method for making koji according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a first pipeline, which is connected to the drain port and the feed port. A water pump is installed on the first pipeline, and a nozzle is installed at the feed port end of the first pipeline.

4. The method for making koji according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a second pipeline, one end of which is connected to a water pool, and the other end of which is connected to a feed port, and a nozzle is installed at the feed port end of the second pipeline.

5. The method for making koji according to claim 3, characterized in that: The middle bottom divides the vertical tank into an upper first chamber and a lower second chamber, and a temperature regulating device is installed in the second chamber.

6. The method for making koji according to claim 5, characterized in that: The temperature regulating device is a heat exchange tube, and a solenoid valve is installed on the heat exchange tube.

7. The method for making koji according to claim 6, characterized in that: A first temperature sensor is disposed in the first chamber, and a second temperature sensor is disposed in the second chamber.

8. The method for making koji according to claim 7, characterized in that: The system also includes a processor, which is connected to the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, the solenoid valve and the water pump signal.

9. The method for making koji according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vertical tank body is a heat-insulating tank.

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