Self-adjusting constant-pressure bioreactor

Abstract

The invention discloses a self-adjusting constant-pressure bioreactor which comprises a main body reactor, an air pressure sensing and intelligent control center and a gas driving and storing module, the main body reactor comprises a polypropylene (PP) headspace reagent bottle and a three-hole polypropylene cover; the air pressure sensing and intelligent control center comprises an air pressure sensor, a controller and a digital display; the gas driving and storing module comprises a gas inlet pump, a gas outlet pump, a gas bag and a corresponding gas pipeline. According to the invention, the requirement of constant-pressure gas supply required by the headspace of the reactor is fully met, and the starting and stopping of the pump are controlled through the pressure sensing and intelligent control center, so that the constant gas pressure of the headspace of the reactor is further maintained, and stable supply of gas nutrient substances (a carbon source and an electron donor) required by microorganisms in the reactor is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The patent of this invention relates to the technical field of anaerobic pressurized microbial reactor design, and in particular to a device that can self-regulate to maintain a constant gas pressure in the reactor headspace and ensure a stable supply of gaseous nutrients required by the microorganisms in the reactor. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing severity of CO2 emissions and global warming, the resource utilization and fixation technology of CO2 has become a research hotspot. Among them, microbial reduction of CO2 to produce acetic acid, as an efficient bioconversion technology, has gradually attracted widespread attention due to its significant advantages in reaction efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In the technology of microbial reduction of CO2 to produce acetic acid, H2 is usually used as an electron donor and CO2 as a carbon source. Specific microorganisms (such as homoacetogenic bacteria) produce acetic acid anaerobically and autotrophically in liquid culture medium. However, due to the low solubility of gas in liquid, it is often difficult to achieve a high reaction rate in nature. It is necessary to enhance gas-liquid mass transfer to improve the reaction efficiency. Common enhancement methods include pressurization and cooling, but cooling will affect the activity of most microorganisms including homoacetogenic bacteria, so pressurization becomes a relatively better choice. In the literature on pressurized sludge domestication, the sequencing batch aeration method is often used. However, due to the continuous absorption and utilization of gas by microorganisms, the actual living environment may be a variable pressure process, resulting in insufficient inorganic carbon sources (CO2) in the later stage, which may cause the degradation of synthetic organic matter such as acetic acid (heterotrophic growth, glycolysis, etc.), affecting the production of acetic acid; sequencing batch aeration and pressurization will also bring large fluctuations in community composition, and the activity of miscellaneous bacteria that utilize organic matter such as acetic acid may increase in the later stage, thereby affecting the activity of acetic acid-producing bacteria. At present, there is no bioreactor and method that can self-regulate constant air pressure. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the problem that the prior art cannot achieve constant gas pressure in the reactor headspace, the patent of the present invention provides a device that can self-regulate and maintain constant gas pressure in the reactor headspace, thereby ensuring a stable supply of gaseous nutrients required by microorganisms in the reactor.

[0004] The main reactor includes a 250 mL polypropylene (PP) headspace reagent bottle and a three-hole polypropylene cover; the PP headspace reagent bottle can accommodate 70% of the volume of microorganisms and culture medium, and the three-hole polypropylene cover is used to connect the reactor headspace with the pressure sensor, the air inlet pump pipeline, and the air outlet pump pipeline. In addition, after assembling the reactor, it is necessary to cover the silicone gasket and tighten the polypropylene cover to ensure the airtight effect and provide a reaction space for the microorganisms.

[0005] The air pressure sensing and intelligent control center includes an air pressure sensor, a controller and a digital display. The air pressure sensor probe is connected to the top of the reactor. By monitoring the pressure value in the reactor, the signal is transmitted to the controller and the digital display. The controller and the digital display set the required pressure range (low alarm and high alarm values), and compare the monitored value to output the corresponding relay signal.

[0006] The gas drive and storage module includes an air inlet pump, an air outlet pump, an air bag and corresponding gas pipelines. The air inlet pump and the air outlet pump receive signals from the automatic control controller and the digital display, and self-regulate the start and stop, so that the air outlet pump is started when the head gas pressure is greater than the set value, and vice versa, the air inlet pump is started, so as to maintain the reactor head gas pressure value within the set range and provide stable gas nutrients for microorganisms.

[0007] The polypropylene (PP) headspace reagent bottle can be equipped with a magnetic stirring device as needed.

[0008] The three-hole polypropylene cover has a diameter of 3 cm, and the three holes are evenly distributed on the cover. The length of the extended interface is 3 cm, and a 4*6 tube can be connected externally.

[0009] The air pressure sensor, controller and digital display are selected from the MIK1100 and MIK-P300 series of MEACON, and the transformer is connected as needed to adjust the pump speed.

[0010] The transformer uses a 24v to 3v step-down converter commonly found on the market.

[0011] The air inlet pump and the air outlet pump are gas diaphragm pumps, and the final pump speed is less than 250 mL / min.

[0012] The airbag is a common aluminum foil airbag on the market.

[0013] The gas circuit uses a common PU tube in the market with a size of 4*6; a check valve is installed at the connection between the gas circuit and the reactor to prevent gas from escaping.

[0014] The check valve is a common check valve on the market with a pressure resistance of more than 1 MPa.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the patent of the present invention can realize self-regulation of the reactor headspace air pressure within the set range and maintain the stability of microbial gas nutrients.

[0016] The patent of this invention has a wide setting range, and the set value can be adjusted between 0-100kpa according to actual needs.

[0017] The patent of the present invention fully considers the matching problem between the controller and the digital display output voltage and the rated voltage of the air pump, and adjusts the pump speed by connecting a transformer in the circuit.

[0018] The present invention fully considers the reverse escape of gas that may occur after overpressure exists inside the reactor, and sets a one-way check valve to ensure no gas leakage.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the patent of the present invention can realize self-regulation of the reactor headspace air pressure within the set range and maintain the stability of microbial gas nutrients.

[0020] The patent of this invention has a wide setting range, and the set value can be adjusted between 0-100kpa according to actual needs.

[0021] The patent of the present invention fully considers the matching problem between the controller and the digital display output voltage and the rated voltage of the air pump, and adjusts the pump speed by connecting a transformer in the circuit.

[0022] The present invention fully considers the reverse escape of gas that may occur after overpressure exists inside the reactor, and sets a one-way check valve to ensure no gas leakage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the patent of the present invention; the accompanying drawings are marked: 1-polypropylene (PP) headspace reagent bottle, 2-three-hole polypropylene cover, 3-pressure sensor, 4-intelligent control center, 5-air inlet pump, 6-air outlet pump, 7-air inlet bag, 8-air outlet storage bag, 9-check valve, 10-transformer, 11-magnetic stirring device.

[0024] Figure 2 This is the internal circuit schematic of the patented invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the main reactor includes a polypropylene (PP) headspace reagent bottle 1 and a three-hole polypropylene cover 2. The start and stop of the air inlet pump 5 and the air outlet pump 6 are controlled by the pressure sensor 3 and the intelligent control center 4. The air bags 7 and 8 are mainly used to store and buffer the gas. The gas circuit adopts a pressure-resistant PU pipe. A check valve 9 is set at the reactor outlet. A transformer 10 is set on the circuit connection to adjust the pump speed. An external magnetic stirring device 11 is added to further enhance the gas-liquid mass transfer, maintain a constant air pressure in the reactor headspace as a whole, and ensure the stable supply of gas nutrients (carbon source and electron donor) required by the microorganisms in the reactor.

[0027] The assembly process of the present invention patent.

[0028] Circuit: First, connect the pressure sensor 3 and the intelligent control center 4 to the interface and power supply according to the instructions, and debug them. Then connect 3, 4, the air inlet pump 5, the air outlet pump 6 and the transformer 10 according to the instructions. Figure 2 Circuit diagram for connection.

[0029] Air circuit: connect the outlet out of the air inlet pump 5 to the air inlet of the check valve 9 through a PU tube, and then connect it to one hole of the three-hole polypropylene cover 2 through the PU tube, and connect the pump inlet in to the air bag 7; connect the in of the air outlet pump to the second hole of the three-hole polypropylene cover 2 through a PU tube; connect the pump outlet out to the air bag 8; in addition, connect the sensing probe end of the pressure sensor 3 to the PU tube and connect it to the third hole of the three-hole polypropylene cover 2.

[0030] Water circuit: Add the microbial source and culture medium solution into the polypropylene (PP) headspace reagent bottle 1, attach a gasket and tighten the three-hole polypropylene cap 2. Below the reactor is a magnetic stirrer 11, connect the power supply, and adjust the appropriate speed.

[0031] It should be understood that the embodiments and examples discussed here are for illustrative purposes only and may be improved or modified by those skilled in the art, and all such improvements and modifications shall fall within the scope of protection of the claims attached to the patent of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-regulating constant pressure bioreactor, characterized in that: It includes the main reactor, air pressure sensor and intelligent control center, gas drive and storage module; The main reactor includes a polypropylene (PP) headspace reagent bottle and a three-hole polypropylene cover; the PP headspace reagent bottle can accommodate 70% of the volume of microbial sources and culture medium, and the three-hole polypropylene cover is used to connect the reactor with the pressure sensor, the air inlet pump pipeline, and the air outlet pump pipeline. In addition, after assembling the reactor, it is necessary to cover it with a silicone gasket and tighten the polypropylene cover to ensure the airtight effect and provide a reaction space for the microorganisms; The air pressure sensing and intelligent control center includes an air pressure sensor, a controller and a digital display. The air pressure sensor probe is connected to the top of the reactor, and transmits signals to the controller and the digital display by monitoring the pressure value in the reactor. The controller and the digital display set the required pressure range, and output corresponding relay signals by comparing the monitored values; The gas drive and storage module includes an air inlet pump, an air outlet pump, an air bag and corresponding gas pipelines. The air inlet pump and the air outlet pump receive signals from the controller and the digital display, and self-regulate the start and stop, so that the air outlet pump is started when the head gas pressure is greater than the set value, and the air inlet pump is started when it is not, so as to maintain the reactor head gas pressure value within the set range and provide stable gas nutrients for microorganisms.

2. A self-regulating constant pressure bioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The polypropylene (PP) headspace reagent bottle is selected to be 250 mL and has a pressure resistance of ≥1Mpa.

3. A self-regulating constant pressure bioreactor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The polypropylene (PP) headspace reagent bottle can be equipped with a magnetic stirring device as needed.

4. A self-regulating constant pressure bioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The three-hole polypropylene cover has a diameter of 3 cm, and the three holes are evenly distributed on the cover. The length of the extended interface is 3 cm, and a 4*6 tube can be connected externally.

5. A self-regulating constant pressure bioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air pressure sensor, controller and digital display are selected from the MIK1100 and MIK-P300 series of MEACON, and the transformer is connected as needed to adjust the pump speed.

6. A self-regulating constant pressure bioreactor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The transformer uses a 24v to 3v step-down converter commonly found on the market.

7. A self-regulating constant pressure bioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air inlet pump and the air outlet pump are gas diaphragm pumps, and the final pump speed is less than 250 mL / min.

8. The self-regulating constant pressure bioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The airbag is a common aluminum foil airbag on the market.

9. A self-regulating constant pressure bioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas circuit uses a common PU tube in the market with a size of 4*6; a check valve is installed at the connection between the gas circuit and the reactor to prevent gas from escaping.

10. A self-regulating constant pressure bioreactor according to claim 9, characterized in that: The check valve is a common check valve on the market with a pressure resistance of more than 1 MPa.

Images