Fermentation device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a fermentation device. The fermentation apparatus comprises: at least one fermentation tank for performing a fermentation process inside the at least one fermentation tank; the optical probe assembly is used for sending an emergent light signal to a fermentation product of the fermentation process and receiving a reflected light signal obtained after the emergent signal is reflected by the fermentation product; the spectrum analysis assembly is used for generating Raman spectrum information of the fermentation product according to the emergent light signal and the reflected light signal; and the control assembly is used for acquiring the Raman spectrum information of the fermentation product from the spectrum analysis assembly, analyzing the Raman spectrum information to determine the real-time fermentation state of the fermentation product, and determining the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process according to the deviation between the real-time fermentation state and the reference fermentation state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the fields of optics and electrical technology, and in particular to a fermentation device. Background Art

[0002] A fermenter is a device used to perform fermentation processes and is widely used in the fields of biomedicine, food industry, chemical industry, and agricultural industry. The interior of the fermenter provides an environment suitable for the growth and fermentation of microorganisms. Based on the biological transformation of microorganisms, nutrients are consumed and target fermentation products are produced.

[0003] Generally speaking, environmental conditions that affect the fermentation process include, but are not limited to, temperature, pH value, oxygen supply, nutrients, culture medium, stirring, fermentation time, product inhibition, microbial strains, light, vibration, etc. By precisely controlling these key factors, the fermentation process can be optimized and the yield and quality of the fermentation product can be improved.

[0004] For the detection of fermentation products, the commonly used method is to detect the molecular composition and mass purity of the fermentation products through intervention methods such as sampling and analysis of the fermentation products in the fermentation tank by conventional biochemical means. However, such methods often lead to poor monitoring reliability of the fermentation process and low monitoring efficiency of the fermentation process. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a fermentation device to solve the above problems.

[0006] Some aspects of the embodiments of the present invention provide a fermentation device. The fermentation device includes: at least one fermentation tank, used to perform a fermentation process inside the at least one fermentation tank; an optical probe assembly, formed into a plurality of probe arrays, each probe array including a plurality of optical probes, each probe array arranged in any fermentation tank, used to send an outgoing light signal toward a fermentation product of the fermentation process, and receive a reflected light signal after the outgoing signal is reflected by the fermentation product; a spectral analysis assembly, used to transmit the outgoing light signal to the plurality of optical probes of each probe array, obtain the reflected light signal from the plurality of optical probes of the probe array, and generate corresponding optical probe Raman spectrum information about the fermentation product based on the outgoing light signal and the reflected light signal; an optical path switch assembly, connected via an optical cable to the optical probe array. Between the spectral analysis component and each probe array, the multiple optical probes in each probe array correspond to multiple sampling time slots respectively, and the optical path switch component is used to transmit the output light signal of the spectral analysis component to the corresponding optical probe of the sampling time slot in each sampling time slot, and transmit the reflected light signal of the corresponding optical probe to the spectral analysis component in the sampling time slot; the control component is communicatively connected with the spectral analysis component, and the control component is used to obtain Raman spectral information of the fermentation product from the spectral analysis component, analyze the Raman spectral information to determine the real-time fermentation state of the fermentation product, and determine the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process according to the deviation between the real-time fermentation state and the benchmark fermentation state.

[0007] In another implementation of the present invention, the multiple optical probes of each probe array are arranged on the side wall of the fermentation tank where the probe array is arranged along the axial direction or the circumferential direction of the side wall.

[0008] In another implementation of the present invention, the optical path switch component is an optical path multiplexer, which includes an optical cable interface array, the number of each optical cable interface between the optical cable interface array and the optical probe is not less than the number of optical probes of the multiple probe arrays, the interfaces of the optical cable interface array have the same specifications, and the optical cable interfaces have different sampling time slots.

[0009] In another implementation of the present invention, the optical multiplexer is used to perform optical signal scanning based on the optical probes connected to different sampling time slots.

[0010] In another implementation of the present invention, the control component is specifically used to: analyze the Raman spectral information corresponding to the multiple optical probes of each probe array, and determine the multiple real-time concentrations of the fermentation products corresponding to the multiple optical probes; determine the real-time concentration gradient of the multiple real-time concentrations in the direction set in the fermentation tank where the probe array is set; when the real-time concentration gradient exceeds the baseline concentration gradient indicated by the baseline fermentation state, determine the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process so that the real-time concentration gradient does not exceed the baseline concentration gradient.

[0011] In another implementation of the present invention, the control component is specifically used to: determine the stirring acceleration of the stirrer of the fermentation tank where the probe array is set, and control the stirrer of the fermentation tank according to the stirring acceleration.

[0012] In another implementation of the present invention, the control component is specifically used to: when the real-time concentration gradient does not exceed the reference concentration gradient, determine the real-time concentration mean of multiple real-time concentrations of the fermentation product, and make the real-time concentration mean return to the reference concentration indicated by the reference fermentation state.

[0013] In another implementation of the present invention, the control component is specifically used to: determine the molecular composition corresponding to the average scattering wavenumber peak value of each Raman spectral information corresponding to multiple optical probes of each probe array as the molecular composition of the fermentation product corresponding to the probe array; determine the light intensity corresponding to the average scattering wavenumber peak value of each Raman spectral information as the concentration of the fermentation product of the probe array.

[0014] In another implementation of the present invention, the control component is specifically used to: determine the static condition control parameters of the fermentation process, wherein the static condition control parameters at least include the temperature parameters of the fermentation process, and the dynamic condition control parameters include at least one of the pressure parameters, pH parameters, and fermentation nutrient concentration parameters of the fermentation process; while maintaining the static condition control parameters, determine the dynamic condition control parameters that match the baseline fermentation state of the fermentation product.

[0015] In another implementation of the present invention, the control component is specifically used to: obtain a first preset correspondence between a static condition control parameter and a dynamic condition control parameter of the fermentation process, and a second preset correspondence between the static condition control parameter and a collection time; determine a static condition control parameter having the second preset correspondence with a current collection time; determine a fermentation state parameter having the first preset correspondence with the static condition control parameter as a reference fermentation state parameter corresponding to the current collection time; and determine the dynamic condition control parameter of the fermentation process based on the reference state parameter.

[0016] In the scheme of the embodiment of the present invention, the spectral analysis component can be connected to the optical probe component through an optical cable, and can obtain the Raman spectrum information of the fermentation product by sending an outgoing light signal toward the fermentation product of the fermentation process and obtaining the reflected light signal of the outgoing light signal, thereby reducing the difficulty of detecting the fermentation product in the fermentation tank as an isolated environment. In addition, the fermentation product in the fermentation tank is detected by the outgoing light signal and the reflected light signal of the optical probe component, which also reduces the intervention and damage of the isolated environment of the fermentation tank, and ensures the monitoring reliability of the fermentation process. In addition, by analyzing the Raman spectrum information of the fermentation product, the real-time fermentation status including the molecular type and concentration of the fermentation product can be obtained, which improves the monitoring efficiency of the fermentation process. 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 drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the fermentation device according to some embodiments.

[0019] Figure 2A for Figure 1 Schematic top view of some exemplary fermenters of the embodiments.

[0020] Figure 2B for Figure 1 Schematic bottom views of fermenters according to other examples of embodiments.

[0021] Figure 3A for Figure 1 Schematic perspective views of fermentation tanks according to other examples of the embodiments.

[0022] Figure 3B for Figure 1 Schematic side views of fermenters according to other examples of embodiments.

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic exploded views of fermenters according to other examples of the embodiments.

[0024] Figure 5 The present invention is a flow chart of the steps of the fermentation monitoring method according to other embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, 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 only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field based on the embodiments in the embodiments of the present invention should fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] The specific implementation of the embodiment of the present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a fermentation device according to some embodiments is shown. Figure 1 The fermentation device 100 includes at least one fermentation tank 210, an optical probe assembly 220, an optical path switch assembly 230, a spectrum analysis assembly 240 and a control assembly 250.

[0028] Further, the at least one fermentation tank 210 is used to perform a fermentation process inside the at least one fermentation tank.

[0029] Furthermore, the optical probe assembly 220 is formed into a plurality of probe arrays, each probe array comprising a plurality of optical probes, each probe array being arranged in any fermentation tank for sending an outgoing light signal toward a fermentation product of the fermentation process, and receiving a reflected light signal after the outgoing signal is reflected by the fermentation product.

[0030] For example, Figure 2A As shown, the fermentation tank includes a tank body, and the interior of the tank body serves as a fermentation environment for the fermentation process. A sealed upper cover is provided on one side of the tank body in the vertical direction, and a tank bottom and a plurality of supporting legs (for example, three supporting legs) are provided on the other side of the tank body in the vertical direction. The optical probe in the optical probe assembly is provided on the tank body. For another example, Figure 2B As shown, a drain port is provided in the middle of the tank bottom for draining the liquid in the fermentation tank in the later stage of the fermentation process.

[0031] In addition, the optical probe assembly can be formed into a plurality of probe arrays, each probe array includes a plurality of optical probes, and each probe array can be arranged on the tank body of the fermenter. Exemplarily, probe array 1 includes optical probes A1, B1, and C1; probe array 2 includes optical probes A2, B2, and C2; and probe array 3 includes optical probes A3, B3, and C3; generally, at least one probe array can be arranged on the tank body of each fermenter, and the number of optical probes in each probe array can be multiple, and the number of optical probes in different probe arrays can be different.

[0032] In addition, a mounting portion corresponding to the probe array may be provided on the side wall of the tank body of the fermenter, and the mounting portion may include a light guide portion corresponding to each optical probe, the light guide portion being used to guide the outgoing light signal of the optical probe to be incident on the fermentation product in the tank body at a preset angle, and to collect the reflected light signal at the preset angle. In addition, each light guide portion in the mounting portion may be pre-fixed and installed on the tank body of the fermenter by means such as welding. The distance between the light guide portions in the mounting portion may match the distance between the optical probes in the probe array. The number of light guide portions in the mounting portion is not less than the number of optical probes in the probe array of different specifications, so that probe arrays of different specifications can be flexibly provided.

[0033] For example, Figure 3A As shown, probe array 1, probe array 2 and probe array 3 are respectively arranged on the side wall of the tank body (for example, arranged at different circumferential positions of the side wall), so that the outgoing light signals of the optical probes of probe array 1, probe array 2 and probe array 3 are irradiated to the fermentation products in the tank body at different preset angles.

[0034] The spectral analysis component 240 is used to transmit an outgoing light signal to multiple optical probes of each probe array, obtain a reflected light signal from the multiple optical probes of the probe array, and generate Raman spectrum information about the fermentation product of the corresponding optical probe according to the outgoing light signal and the reflected light signal.

[0035] It should be understood that the spectral analysis component can be a spectral analysis device such as a Raman spectrometer. For example, the single scan time of the Raman spectrometer is roughly in the range of tens of seconds to hundreds of seconds. Since the synthesis time of the fermentation product is roughly in the range of several days to dozens of days, the Raman spectrometer can perform real-time analysis of the optical signal to obtain the Raman spectrum information of the fermentation product. In addition, the synthesis time of the fermentation product is roughly in the range of several days to dozens of days, which is much longer than the scanning time of the Raman spectrometer. The Raman spectrometer can use different sampling time slots to perform time-sharing scanning on multiple optical probes in the optical probe assembly.

[0036] It should also be understood that the Raman spectrometer can transmit an outgoing light signal (e.g., a single-frequency laser), while also being able to measure the frequency and energy intensity of the received reflected light signal, and calculate the Raman shift of the received light signal relative to the emitted single-frequency laser based on the frequency as Raman spectral information.

[0037] Furthermore, the optical path switch component 230 is connected between the spectral analysis component and each probe array via an optical cable. The multiple optical probes in each probe array correspond to multiple sampling time slots respectively. The optical path switch component 230 is used to transmit the output light signal of the spectral analysis component to the corresponding optical probe of the sampling time slot in each sampling time slot, and to transmit the reflected light signal of the corresponding optical probe to the spectral analysis component in the sampling time slot.

[0038] Furthermore, the control component 250 is communicatively connected with the spectral analysis component 240, and the control component 250 is used to obtain Raman spectral information of the fermentation product from the spectral analysis component 240, analyze the Raman spectral information to determine the real-time fermentation state of the fermentation product, and determine the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process according to the deviation between the real-time fermentation state and the benchmark fermentation state.

[0039] It should be understood that the synthesis time of the fermentation product is roughly in the range of several days to dozens of days, which is much longer than the scanning time of the Raman spectrometer. The Raman spectrometer can perform real-time analysis of the optical signal to obtain the Raman spectrum information of the fermentation product. The control component can further obtain the real-time fermentation status of the fermentation product based on the Raman spectrum information.

[0040] It should also be understood that the fermentation device may also include an optical multiplexer, which is connected between the spectral analysis component and each probe array via an optical cable, and the multiple optical probes in the probe array correspond to the multiple sampling time slots respectively. The spectral analysis component generates Raman spectrum information corresponding to the optical probes according to the outgoing light signals and reflected light signals of the multiple optical probes. Accordingly, the control component can act as a host computer to control the optical multiplexer and the Raman spectrometer.

[0041] It should also be understood that Figure 3B As shown, a temperature control layer is provided on the outside of the tank body. The temperature control layer is switched on and off by a relay connected to a high-voltage circuit. The relay is electrically connected to the control component and is turned on or off by the control component. For example, when the relay is turned on, the high-voltage circuit supplies power to the temperature control layer, and when the relay is turned off, the high-voltage circuit disconnects the power supply to the temperature control layer. That is, the control component heats the fermentation environment according to the set temperature parameters through the temperature control layer. An agitator may also be provided in the tank body. The agitator is controlled by the control component and rotates at a given speed or power to stir the fermentation product in the tank body. In addition, as Figure 4 As shown, the agitator includes an actuator and a driving part, the actuator of the agitator is arranged inside the tank body, the driving part of the agitator is arranged outside the tank body, and the connecting part between the actuator and the driving part of the agitator passes through the sealing upper cover to be installed on the tank body. The connecting part can pass through the through hole of the sealing upper cover and be sealed with the through hole.

[0042] In the scheme of the embodiment of the present invention, the spectral analysis component can be connected to the optical probe component through an optical cable, and can obtain the Raman spectrum information of the fermentation product by sending an outgoing light signal toward the fermentation product of the fermentation process and obtaining the reflected light signal of the outgoing light signal, thereby reducing the difficulty of detecting the fermentation product in the fermentation tank as an isolated environment. In addition, the fermentation product in the fermentation tank is detected by the outgoing light signal and the reflected light signal of the optical probe component, which also reduces the intervention and damage of the isolated environment of the fermentation tank, and ensures the monitoring reliability of the fermentation process. In addition, by analyzing the Raman spectrum information of the fermentation product, the real-time fermentation status including the molecular type and concentration of the fermentation product can be obtained, which improves the monitoring efficiency of the fermentation process.

[0043] In the above embodiment, at least one fermentation tank may be a plurality of fermentation tanks, and the optical probe assembly is formed into a plurality of probe arrays, each probe array includes a plurality of optical probes, and each probe array is arranged in any one of the plurality of fermentation tanks. That is to say, for each fermentation tank of the fermentation device, the probe array can be independently installed in any one of the fermentation tanks as an installation unit, thereby improving the installation efficiency of the fermentation device. For example, when some of the plurality of fermentation tanks need to increase or reduce the probe array, the installation can be performed flexibly.

[0044] Furthermore, the multiple optical probes of each probe array are arranged along the axial direction or circumferential direction of the side wall of the fermentation tank where the probe array is set, so that the real-time fermentation status in the axial direction or the distribution in the axial direction of the side wall can be detected by a single probe array.

[0045] Specifically, the optical path switch component can be implemented as an optical path multiplexer (Optical Multiplexer, MUX). In the implementation process of the above example, the switching switch of the optical path multiplexer can be set according to the concentration uniformity characteristics of different fermentation products and the target detection accuracy to scan the Raman spectrum signals of any one or several of the optical probes (for example, nine optical probes in three probe arrays). Generally speaking, the more optical probes there are, the higher the detection accuracy of the fermentation state. Multiple optical probes are connected to the Raman spectrometer through the switching switch of the optical path multiplexer, and the Raman spectrometer is connected to the control component. The switching switch of the optical path multiplexer transmits the outgoing light signal of the Raman spectrometer to each optical probe through the optical cable interface, and at the same time sends the reflected light signal of the fermentation product received by the corresponding optical probe back to the Raman spectrometer.

[0046] It should be understood that the switch of the Raman spectrometer is connected to the control component, and under the control of the control component, the switch scans the optical probe corresponding to the sampling time slot in each sampling time slot, and stops scanning other optical probes. Accordingly, the Raman spectrometer generates Raman spectrum information of the optical probe corresponding to the sampling time slot.

[0047] In some examples, during a scanning cycle, a time-sharing scanning operation can be performed on multiple optical probes of an optical path switch assembly. For example, the scanning cycle consists of sampling time slots corresponding to each of the multiple optical probes, and the time limit lengths of the sampling time slots corresponding to different optical probes can be the same or different.

[0048] Furthermore, the control component as a host computer can determine multiple scanning cycles and each sampling time slot in each scanning cycle. For example, in each scanning cycle, a time-sharing scanning operation can be performed for multiple optical probes in the probe array corresponding to the scanning cycle. For example, the scanning cycle is composed of sampling time slots corresponding to each of the multiple optical probes of the probe array. In other words, the multiple optical probes of the probe array correspond to the identification of the probe array, and the Raman spectrometer generates Raman spectrum information of each of the multiple optical probes of the probe array, and the control component can associate the Raman spectrum information of each of the multiple optical probes with the probe array or the identification of the probe array.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the optical multiplexer can transmit the outgoing light signal of the spectral analysis component to the corresponding optical probe of the sampling time slot in each sampling time slot, and transmit the reflected light signal of the corresponding optical probe to the spectral analysis component in the sampling time slot. In other words, each optical probe in the probe array has a different sampling time slot, so that the optical signals of the optical probes arranged at different positions can be spectrally analyzed by a separate spectral analysis component, thereby reducing the cost of the fermentation device. In addition, the spectral analysis component can analyze the optical signals of each optical probe of the same optical probe in different sampling time slots, so that no matter which fermenter the probe array is installed in, it has no effect on the analysis process of the spectral analysis component.

[0050] In other embodiments, the optical multiplexer includes an optical cable interface array, the number of each optical cable interface between the optical cable interface array and the optical probe is not less than the number of optical probes in the plurality of probe arrays, each interface of the optical cable interface array has the same specification, and each optical cable interface has a different sampling time slot. Accordingly, the optical multiplexer is used to perform optical signal scanning based on the optical probes connected to different sampling time slots. That is, the optical multiplexer is configured so that any part of the optical cable interfaces among the plurality of optical cable interfaces in the optical cable interface array corresponds to different sampling time slots to improve the matching flexibility between each optical probe and the optical cable interface in the probe array. In addition, the optical cable interface array can be formed as a one-dimensional array or a two-dimensional array, and each interface of the optical cable interface array has the same specification, so that the optical probe can be flexibly installed (e.g., inserted) into any plurality of channels of the optical multiplexer.

[0051] In other embodiments, due to reasons such as uneven stirring or different fermentation microenvironments at different positions in the fermenter, the pressure, temperature, stirring and feeding inside the fermenter are deviated from the absolutely uniform situation, and thus the concentration of the fermented product at different positions in the fermenter may be deviated. Each optical probe of the probe array can be arranged in the fermenter along the target direction. For example, there will be a concentration gradient of the fermented product in the axial direction (e.g., vertical direction) of the fermenter. For another example, there will be a concentration deviation of the fermented product in the cross-sectional direction of the fermenter. Accordingly, each optical probe in the probe array can be arranged in the vertical direction or cross-sectional direction of the fermenter.

[0052] That is, when the concentration of the fermentation product inside the fermenter is very uniform, a single optical probe can be used to obtain a relatively high concentration test accuracy. However, when the concentration of the fermentation product at each position inside the fermenter is unevenly distributed, the real-time concentration of multiple positions, i.e., the concentration distribution, can be obtained by each optical probe in the probe array.

[0053] Specifically, the concentration distribution of the fermentation product in the horizontal plane can conform to the random error, and the range can be (-σ, +σ). By measuring with multiple optical probes set at multiple positions, the measurement error can be reduced. For example, by measuring with optical probes set at three positions, the measurement error can be reduced by approximately 42% to (-0.58*σ, +0.58*σ).

[0054] Similarly, the random distribution error in the axial direction of the fermenter will also be reduced. For example, by setting the optical probes in the probe array at three different heights of the tank body, the measurement data can also be reduced by about 42%. In addition, if there is a gradient error in uniformity, the test error will also be effectively reduced during the multi-point test. Therefore, the accuracy of real-time monitoring of product concentration can be further improved by adding more optical probes.

[0055] Without loss of generality, as an example of determining the real-time fermentation status of fermentation products based on Raman spectral information, the control component can parse the Raman spectral information corresponding to multiple optical probes of each probe array to determine multiple real-time concentrations of fermentation products corresponding to the multiple optical probes.

[0056] Specifically, the control component can associate the Raman spectral information of each of the multiple optical probes with the probe array or the identifier of the probe array, that is, divide different probe arrays into different scanning cycles, so as to facilitate the storage and maintenance of the Raman spectral information of each of the multiple optical probes belonging to a specific probe array. Accordingly, the control component can parse the Raman spectral information corresponding to the multiple optical probes of the probe array based on the above-mentioned association relationship to obtain multiple real-time concentrations of the fermentation products corresponding to the multiple optical probes, so as to further determine the real-time concentration gradient corresponding to the multiple optical probes of the probe array. In other words, the real-time concentration gradient corresponding to the multiple optical probes belonging to the specific probe array is associated with the probe array (for example, the identifier of the probe array).

[0057] Furthermore, each fermentation tank may be provided with at least one probe array. In the case of a single probe array, the real-time concentration gradient and real-time concentration mean corresponding to the probe array may be determined according to the Raman spectrum information of each of the multiple optical probes of the probe array, and used as the real-time concentration gradient and real-time concentration mean of the fermentation tank to adjust the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation tank. In the case of multiple probe arrays, the real-time concentration gradient and real-time concentration mean corresponding to each probe array may be determined, and then the real-time concentration gradients and real-time concentration means of the multiple probe arrays may be combined to determine the real-time concentration gradient and real-time concentration mean of the fermentation tank to adjust the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation tank.

[0058] As an example of comprehensively analyzing the real-time concentration gradients and real-time concentration means of multiple probe arrays to determine the real-time concentration gradient and real-time concentration mean of the fermenter, the real-time concentration gradients of the multiple probe arrays can be averaged to obtain the real-time concentration gradient of the fermenter. When the real-time concentration gradient of the fermenter does not exceed the baseline concentration gradient of the fermenter, the real-time concentration means of the multiple probe arrays can be averaged to obtain the real-time concentration mean of the fermenter.

[0059] Further, the real-time concentration gradient of multiple real-time concentrations in the direction in which the probe array is set can be determined to reduce the detection error of the real-time concentration gradient. In addition, the real-time concentration mean of multiple real-time concentrations in the direction in which the probe array is set can also be determined to reduce the detection error of the real-time concentration.

[0060] In some examples, in order to determine the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process according to the deviation between the real-time fermentation state and the reference fermentation state, the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process can be determined when the real-time concentration gradient exceeds the reference concentration gradient indicated by the reference fermentation state, so that the real-time concentration gradient does not exceed the reference concentration gradient. That is, when the real-time concentration gradient does not exceed the reference concentration gradient, the uniformity of the fermentation product and the reliability of the fermentation process are ensured, and the monitoring of the fermentation process is also made more reliable.

[0061] Furthermore, in order to determine the dynamic condition control parameter of the fermentation process according to the deviation between the real-time fermentation state and the reference fermentation state, the stirring acceleration of the stirrer of the fermentation tank where the probe array is set can be determined, and the stirrer of the fermentation tank can be controlled according to the stirring acceleration. In other words, the operation of the stirrer avoids the internal intervention of the fermentation tank, and the uniformity of the fermentation product is reliably improved.

[0062] Further, in order to determine the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process according to the deviation between the real-time fermentation state and the reference fermentation state, it is also possible to determine the real-time concentration mean of multiple real-time concentrations of the fermentation product when the real-time concentration gradient of the fermentation tank does not exceed the reference concentration gradient of the fermentation tank, so that the real-time concentration mean regresses to the reference concentration indicated by the reference fermentation state. That is to say, dynamic condition control is performed when the real-time concentration gradient of the fermentation tank does not exceed the reference concentration gradient, which improves the consistency and uniformity of the fermentation product, thereby improving the reliability of the fermentation process. When performing dynamic condition control, the real-time concentration mean regresses to the reference concentration indicated by the reference fermentation state, thereby achieving efficient and reliable control of the fermentation state. For example, according to the real-time concentration mean corresponding to at least one probe array, the real-time concentration mean corresponding to the fermentation tank provided with at least one probe array is determined, and the real-time concentration mean corresponding to the fermentation tank is regressed to the reference concentration indicated by the reference fermentation state of the fermentation tank, thereby achieving efficient and reliable control of the fermentation state of the fermentation tank.

[0063] Specifically, since the control component can determine multiple real-time concentrations of the fermentation product corresponding to multiple optical probes, and then determine the real-time concentration mean of the multiple real-time concentrations, in other words, the real-time concentration mean corresponding to multiple optical probes belonging to a specific probe array is associated with the probe array (e.g., the identifier of the probe array).

[0064] In other embodiments, the environmental conditions of the fermentation process include, but are not limited to, temperature, pH parameters (i.e., pH value), oxygen concentration, nutrient concentration, fermentation tank pressure, stirring speed, light intensity, etc. Specifically, the environmental condition control parameters of the fermentation process include static condition control parameters and dynamic condition control parameters. The static condition control parameters at least include the temperature parameters of the fermentation process, and the dynamic condition control parameters include at least one of the pressure parameters, pH parameters, and fermentation nutrient concentration parameters of the fermentation process.

[0065] That is to say, dynamic condition control parameters such as pressure parameters, pH parameters, fermentation nutrient concentration parameters, etc. of fermentation process are more complex and flexible. For different fermentation processes, the baseline state of static condition control parameters such as temperature parameters does not change much. For example, the volume of the fermentation tank is large, and the speed of adjusting the temperature is often very slow, resulting in low adjustment efficiency.

[0066] In some examples, as an example of determining the static condition control parameters of the fermentation process, the control component can determine the static condition control parameters according to the temperature process curve that is optimal for generating the fermentation product, that is, the control group controls the temperature control layer of the fermentation tank, and controls the ambient temperature parameters in the fermentation tank according to the temperature process curve during the fermentation process. For example, in the first three days of the fermentation process, the temperature is controlled at 18-20°C, and from the fourth day the temperature is reduced to 12°C and remains unchanged.

[0067] In other words, in order to perform better real-time monitoring of fermentation products, real-time adjustment of parameters, and real-time response of the environment, the feedback efficiency of these three steps needs to be improved. The temperature parameter is an extremely important static condition in the fermentation process. Therefore, by determining the static condition control parameter according to the pre-set temperature process curve, the temperature adjustment can be no longer considered in the process of real-time adjustment of environmental conditions, but the focus can be on the dynamic condition control parameter, which accelerates the convergence speed of real-time adjustment.

[0068] In other examples, as an example of analyzing Raman spectral information to determine the real-time fermentation state of the fermentation product, the control component can obtain the Raman spectral information of the fermentation product from the spectral analysis component, and calculate the molecular composition and concentration of the fermentation product as the fermentation state parameter according to the determined Raman shift and energy intensity. Accordingly, as an example of determining the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process, it can be determined whether the fermentation process deviates from the reference fermentation state according to the fermentation state parameters. If it is found that the fermentation process deviates from the reference fermentation state, the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process are determined according to the reference state parameters, so that the real-time fermentation state parameters return to the reference fermentation state parameters.

[0069] Without loss of generality, as an example of determining the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process, the static condition control parameters of the fermentation process can be determined, and then, while maintaining the static condition control parameters, the dynamic condition control parameters that match the baseline fermentation state of the fermentation product are determined. That is, conditions such as the temperature parameters of the fermentation process are used as static conditions, which simplifies the control complexity of each condition variable of the fermentation process and reduces the cost of complex condition control.

[0070] In other examples, as an example of calculating the molecular composition and concentration of the fermentation product as fermentation state parameters according to the determined Raman shift and energy intensity, for example, when the fermentation process is a beer fermentation process, the concentration uniformity of the liquid in the fermentation tank in the horizontal direction can be considered to be relatively ideal, while the concentration in the axial direction of the fermentation tank may have a concentration gradient. Accordingly, the Raman spectrum information corresponding to the optical probes A1, B2 and C3 can be scanned, and according to the scattering wave number peak value average of each Raman spectrum information corresponding to each optical probe of each probe array in the axial direction of the fermentation tank, the molecular composition corresponding to the scattering wave number peak value average is determined as the molecular composition of the fermentation product corresponding to the probe array, and the higher the molecular concentration, the stronger the corresponding scattering spectrum signal, and the light intensity corresponding to the scattering wave number peak value average of each Raman spectrum information can be determined as the concentration of the fermentation product corresponding to the probe array. Further, in the case where the molecular composition corresponding to multiple probe arrays is consistent, the mean value of the concentration of the fermentation product corresponding to the multiple probe arrays can be determined as the real-time concentration mean value of the fermentation product in the fermentation tank with multiple probe arrays.

[0071] More specifically, in some examples, when the fermentation process is in the early stage of beer fermentation, the molecular composition of the fermentation product is mainly sugar molecules, and the average scattering wavenumber peak value of each Raman spectral information is concentrated at 850.96 cm -1 、910.63cm -1 、1121.57cm -1 and 1454.82cm -1 Correspondingly, in the case of the late stage of beer fermentation, the molecular composition of the fermentation product is mainly ethanol molecules, and the peak value of the scattering wavenumber is concentrated at 888.8 cm, which is closely related to ethanol. -1 、980cm -1 、2900cm -1 Place.

[0072] Specifically, while maintaining the static condition control parameters, as an example of determining the dynamic condition control parameters that match the reference fermentation state of the fermentation product, the first preset correspondence between the static condition control parameters and the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process, and the second preset correspondence between the static condition control parameters and the collection time can be obtained, and then the static condition control parameters having the second preset correspondence with the current collection time are determined, and then the fermentation state parameters having the first preset correspondence with the static condition control parameters are determined as the reference fermentation state parameters corresponding to the current collection time, and then the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process are determined according to the reference state parameters. That is, the complexity and flexibility of dynamic condition control parameters such as pressure parameters, pH parameters, and fermentation nutrient concentration parameters of the fermentation process are high, and it is difficult to pre-set or construct the relationship between dynamic conditions and sampling time through experience, but the dynamic condition control parameters can be obtained through the stable relationship between the static condition control parameters and the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation product, that is, the correspondence between the temperature parameters and the pressure parameters, pH parameters, and fermentation nutrient concentration parameters of the fermentation product can be obtained by numerical fitting or statistics.

[0073] Further, continuing the above example, when the fermentation process is the initial stage of the beer fermentation process, the baseline fermentation state is that the sugar concentration decreases rapidly and the alcohol concentration increases rapidly. When the fermentation process is the later stage of the beer fermentation process, the baseline fermentation state is that the alcohol concentration gradually stabilizes. When the fermentation process is the initial stage of the beer fermentation process, if the Raman spectrum information of the fermentation product indicates that the increase in alcohol concentration is lower than expected, while maintaining the static condition control parameters, determine the dynamic condition control parameters (for example, increase the fermentation tank pressure, reduce the pH and increase the nutrient concentration, etc.) to speed up the fermentation speed.

[0074] Figure 5 Other examples of fermentation monitoring methods are shown. Figure 5 Fermentation monitoring methods include:

[0075] S510: According to the baseline fermentation state of the fermentation process, the initial condition control parameters of the fermentation tank are set.

[0076] S520: Setting static condition control parameters of the fermentation tank according to the static condition curve of the fermentation process, and maintaining the static condition control parameters during the execution of the fermentation process.

[0077] S530: Analyze the Raman spectrum information of the optical probe corresponding to the fermentation product to determine the real-time fermentation state of the fermentation product.

[0078] S540: According to the deviation between the real-time fermentation state and the reference fermentation state, the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process are adjusted.

[0079] In the solution of the embodiment of the present invention, the static condition control parameters are maintained during the execution of the fermentation process, and the dynamic condition control parameters are adjusted, which is conducive to improving the monitoring efficiency of the fermentation process. In addition, by analyzing the Raman spectrum information of the optical probe corresponding to the fermentation product, the real-time fermentation state including the type and concentration of the fermentation product molecule can be obtained. According to the deviation between the real-time fermentation state and the reference fermentation state, the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process are adjusted, thereby improving the monitoring reliability of the fermentation process.

[0080] In another implementation of the present invention, the real-time fermentation state of the fermentation product is determined by analyzing the Raman spectrum information of the optical probe corresponding to the fermentation product, including: analyzing the Raman spectrum information corresponding to the multiple optical probes of each probe array, determining the multiple real-time concentrations of the fermentation product corresponding to the multiple optical probes; determining the real-time concentration gradient of the multiple real-time concentrations in the direction set in the fermentation tank where the probe array is set. According to the deviation between the real-time fermentation state and the reference fermentation state, the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process are adjusted, including: when the real-time concentration gradient exceeds the reference concentration gradient indicated by the reference fermentation state, the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process are determined so that the real-time concentration gradient does not exceed the reference concentration gradient.

[0081] In another implementation of the present invention, the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process are determined so that the real-time concentration gradient does not exceed the reference concentration gradient, including: determining the stirring acceleration of the agitator of the fermentation tank where the probe array is set, and controlling the agitator of the fermentation tank according to the stirring acceleration.

[0082] In another implementation of the present invention, the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process are adjusted according to the deviation between the real-time fermentation state and the benchmark fermentation state, and the method also includes: when the real-time concentration gradient does not exceed the benchmark concentration gradient, determining the real-time concentration mean of multiple real-time concentrations of the fermentation product, and making the real-time concentration mean return to the benchmark concentration indicated by the benchmark fermentation state.

[0083] In another implementation of the present invention, adjusting the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process includes: determining the static condition control parameters of the target fermentation process, wherein the static condition control parameters include at least the temperature parameters of the fermentation process, and the dynamic condition control parameters include at least one of the pressure parameters, pH parameters, and fermentation nutrient concentration parameters of the fermentation process; while maintaining the static condition control parameters, determining the dynamic condition control parameters that match the baseline fermentation state of the fermentation product.

[0084] In another implementation of the present invention, while maintaining the static condition control parameters, dynamic condition control parameters matching the baseline fermentation state of the fermentation product are determined, including: obtaining a first preset correspondence between the static condition control parameters and the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process, and a second preset correspondence between the static condition control parameters and the collection time; determining the static condition control parameters having the second preset correspondence with the current collection time; determining the fermentation state parameters having the first preset correspondence with the static condition control parameters as the baseline fermentation state parameters corresponding to the current collection time; and determining the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process based on the baseline state parameters.

[0085] It should be understood that the specific implementation of each step in the fermentation monitoring method can refer to the corresponding description of the embodiment of the control component, and has corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here. A person skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, the specific working process of the fermentation monitoring method described above can refer to the corresponding process description in the embodiment of the control component, which will not be repeated here.

[0086] It should be pointed out that, according to the needs of implementation, the various components / steps described in the embodiments of the present invention can be split into more components / steps, or two or more components / steps or partial operations of components / steps can be combined into new components / steps to achieve the purpose of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0087] The fermentation monitoring method according to the embodiment of the present invention described above can be implemented in hardware, firmware, or can be implemented as software or computer code that can be stored in a recording medium (such as a CD-ROM, RAM, floppy disk, hard disk or magneto-optical disk), or can be implemented as a computer code originally stored in a remote recording medium or a non-temporary machine-readable medium downloaded through a network and will be stored in a local recording medium, so that the method described herein can be stored in such software processing on a recording medium using a general-purpose computer, a dedicated processor or programmable or dedicated hardware (such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). It can be understood that a computer, a processor, a microprocessor controller or programmable hardware includes a storage component (e.g., a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, etc.) that can store or receive software or computer code, and when the software or computer code is accessed and executed by a computer, a processor or hardware, the method described herein is implemented. In addition, when a general-purpose computer accesses the code for implementing the method shown here, the execution of the code converts the general-purpose computer into a dedicated computer for executing the method shown here.

[0088] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and method steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0089] The above implementation methods are only used to illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, and are not limitations of the embodiments of the present invention. Ordinary technicians in the relevant technical field may make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical solutions also belong to the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. The patent protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention should be defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A fermentation device, characterized in that: include: at least one fermentation tank for performing a fermentation process inside the at least one fermentation tank; An optical probe assembly, formed into a plurality of probe arrays, each probe array comprising a plurality of optical probes, each probe array being arranged in any fermentation tank, for sending an outgoing light signal toward a fermentation product of the fermentation process, and receiving a reflected light signal after the outgoing signal is reflected by the fermentation product; A spectral analysis component, used for transmitting the outgoing light signal to the multiple optical probes of each probe array, acquiring the reflected light signal from the multiple optical probes of the probe array, and generating Raman spectrum information of the corresponding optical probe about the fermentation product according to the outgoing light signal and the reflected light signal; An optical path switch component is connected between the spectrum analysis component and each probe array via an optical cable, and a plurality of optical probes in each probe array respectively correspond to a plurality of sampling time slots. The optical path switch component is used to transmit the output light signal of the spectrum analysis component to the corresponding optical probe of the sampling time slot in each sampling time slot, and transmit the reflected light signal of the corresponding optical probe to the spectrum analysis component in the sampling time slot; A control component is communicatively connected with the spectral analysis component, and is used for obtaining Raman spectral information of the fermentation product from the spectral analysis component, analyzing the Raman spectral information to determine the real-time fermentation state of the fermentation product, and determining the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process according to the deviation between the real-time fermentation state and a reference fermentation state.

2. The fermentation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multiple optical probes of each probe array are arranged on the side wall of the fermentation tank where the probe array is arranged along the axial direction or the circumferential direction of the side wall.

3. The fermentation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical path switch component is an optical path multiplexer, which includes an optical cable interface array. The number of optical cable interfaces between the optical cable interface array and the optical probes is not less than the number of optical probes in the multiple probe arrays. The interfaces of the optical cable interface array have the same specifications, and the optical cable interfaces have different sampling time slots.

4. The fermentation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The optical multiplexer is used to scan optical signals based on optical probes connected to different sampling time slots.

5. The fermentation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control components are specifically used for: Analyzing Raman spectral information corresponding to multiple optical probes of each probe array to determine multiple real-time concentrations of fermentation products corresponding to the multiple optical probes; Determine the real-time concentration gradient of the plurality of real-time concentrations in a direction in which the probe array is set in the fermentation tank; When the real-time concentration gradient exceeds the reference concentration gradient indicated by the reference fermentation state, the dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process are determined so that the real-time concentration gradient does not exceed the reference concentration gradient.

6. The fermentation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The control components are specifically used for: The stirring acceleration of the stirrer of the fermentation tank where the probe array is arranged is determined, and the stirrer of the fermentation tank is controlled according to the stirring acceleration.

7. The fermentation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The control components are specifically used for: When the real-time concentration gradient does not exceed the reference concentration gradient, a real-time concentration mean of a plurality of real-time concentrations of the fermentation product is determined, and the real-time concentration mean is made to regress to a reference concentration indicated by a reference fermentation state.

8. The fermentation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The control component is specifically used for: According to the scattering wave number peak values ​​of each Raman spectrum information corresponding to the multiple optical probes of each probe array, determining the molecular composition corresponding to the scattering wave number peak value as the molecular composition of the fermentation product corresponding to the probe array; The light intensity corresponding to the average value of the scattering wavenumber peak of each Raman spectral information is determined as the concentration of the fermentation product of the probe array.

9. The fermentation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The control components are specifically used for: Determine static condition control parameters of the fermentation process, wherein the static condition control parameters at least include temperature parameters of the fermentation process, and the dynamic condition control parameters include at least one of pressure parameters, pH parameters, and fermentation nutrient concentration parameters of the fermentation process; While maintaining the static condition control parameters, dynamic condition control parameters matching the baseline fermentation state of the fermentation product are determined.

10. The fermentation device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The control components are specifically used for: Acquire a first preset corresponding relationship between a static condition control parameter and a dynamic condition control parameter of the fermentation process, and a second preset corresponding relationship between the static condition control parameter and a collection time; Determining a static condition control parameter having the second preset corresponding relationship with the current acquisition time; Determining a fermentation state parameter having the first preset corresponding relationship with the static condition control parameter as a reference fermentation state parameter corresponding to the current collection time; According to the reference state parameters, dynamic condition control parameters of the fermentation process are determined.

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