High mass transfer stirring self-suction fermentation tank

Abstract

The invention relates to a high mass transfer stirring self-suction fermentation tank, and belongs to the technical field of microorganisms and fermentation. The invention provides a high-mass-transfer stirring self-suction fermentation tank. The high-mass-transfer stirring self-suction fermentation tank comprises a stirring shaft arranged in the center of a tank body and a motor connected with the stirring shaft. The three-blade push type self-suction stirrer is arranged in the tank body, the mixing requirement of a fermentation system can be met through the horizontal high-projection-rate axial flow stirrer, the shearing force can be reduced through inclined broad blades, and the requirement of high oxygen consumption of the fermentation system can be met due to the self-suction capacity. When the three-blade push type self-suction stirrer at the bottom sucks air at the bottom into the tank body, bubbles are diffused outwards through the stators on the guide wheels, so that on one hand, the tank body can obtain smaller bubble diameter through an impact effect, and on the other hand, the whole fermentation system can obtain higher dissolved oxygen mass transfer efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a high mass transfer stirred self-priming fermenter, belonging to the fields of microbial technology and fermentation technology. Background Technology A bioreactor is a device used for the in vitro culture of plant and animal cells and microorganisms, and to obtain products through biochemical reactions or fermentation processes. It is a core piece of equipment in the modern biomanufacturing field. Bioreactors are also known as the "heart" of the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Industry statistics show that the global bioreactor market reached 9.37 billion yuan in 2021 and is projected to reach 14.29 billion yuan by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.29% from 2021 to 2028. With the rapid development of synthetic biology and artificial intelligence technologies, and the increasing global demand for biological products, bioreactors are evolving towards lower energy consumption, higher mass transfer, and greater intelligence.

[0002] Traditional mechanically aerated stirred bioreactors require significant power for their stirring systems. Traditional impellers (such as Rushton impellers) are motor-driven, and their power consumption increases significantly when used in high-viscosity culture media. In the fermentation industry, mass transfer within the bioreactor is a key factor affecting microbial growth, metabolism, and product synthesis. Mass transfer efficiency directly determines the distribution and exchange rates of oxygen, nutrients, and metabolites within the reactor, thus influencing the overall efficiency of the fermentation process and product yield. Traditional mechanically aerated stirred bioreactors have weak mass transfer capabilities, resulting in uneven mixing and high shear forces. Especially in high-viscosity, high-density fermentation systems, microbial polysaccharides gradually encapsulate the fermenting cells during fermentation, severely limiting oxygen transfer in the fermentation broth.

[0003] Therefore, in order to effectively solve the problems of high shear force, high energy consumption, and low mass transfer efficiency in mechanically aerated stirred bioreactors, it is urgent to develop a new type of bioreactor that can achieve efficient, stable, and large-scale production of the fermentation process by optimizing fluid dynamics design, selecting low-shear stirrers, and optimizing dissolved oxygen mass transfer mechanisms. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a high-mass-transfer stirred self-priming fermenter, comprising a stirring shaft disposed at the center of the tank body and a motor connected to the stirring shaft, and further comprising: A self-priming agitator is located at the end of the agitator shaft. The self-priming agitator has an air inlet channel and an air outlet, and a guide wheel, which serves as a stator, is fitted around its exterior. An anchor-type agitator is positioned in the middle of the agitator shaft and above the self-priming agitator; A temperature control system is installed on the inner wall of the tank and surrounds the stirring shaft, the self-priming stirrer, and the anchor stirrer. The temperature control system is equipped with an outlet pipe and an inlet pipe that connect to the outside of the tank. An aeration device is installed at the bottom of the tank, and the aeration device is equipped with an air inlet pipe that connects to the outside of the tank.

[0005] Furthermore, the self-priming agitator is a three-blade propulsion self-priming agitator, including a central hub disposed on the agitator shaft and three inclined blades surrounding and connected to the central hub, each blade having an angle with the horizontal plane.

[0006] Furthermore, the blade has a curved structure with a curved transition portion that gradually extends towards the periphery of the central hub, and the blade is provided with multiple air inlets arranged along the extension direction.

[0007] Furthermore, the anchor-type agitator has an anchor-shaped structure that is symmetrical about the agitation axis, and a connecting rod is provided between it and the agitation axis.

[0008] Furthermore, the temperature control system includes multiple heat exchangers evenly distributed on the circumference of the inner wall of the tank and an external temperature-controlled water tank. The heat exchangers are connected to the inlet pipe, and the temperature-controlled water tank is connected to the outlet pipe. The temperature inside the tank is controlled by the synergistic effect of the temperature-controlled water tank and the heat exchangers.

[0009] Furthermore, the heat exchanger is a guqin-style heat exchanger, comprising multiple guqin-style heat exchange tube groups. Each guqin-style heat exchange tube group includes four guqin-style heat exchange tubes arranged in parallel at equal intervals. Each guqin-style heat exchange tube has symmetrical U-shaped tubes connected to its upper and lower sides and a straight tube structure in the middle.

[0010] Furthermore, the aeration device includes a multi-hole nozzle aeration disc fixed to the bottom of the tank, the multi-hole nozzle aeration disc having an air chamber inside, the air chamber being connected to the internal environment of the tank through multiple nozzles, and an air inlet pipe being connected above the air chamber.

[0011] Furthermore, the nozzles are distributed radially outward from the center in the upper and lower parts of the air chamber, and each nozzle is inclined.

[0012] Furthermore, the top of the tank is provided with a manhole and a sight glass, the side of the tank is provided with a pH electrode port, a DO electrode port, a turbidimeter and a sampling port, and the bottom of the tank is provided with a discharge port.

[0013] In addition, this invention also provides applications of high mass transfer stirred self-priming fermenters in the fields of food, medicine, and biotechnology.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are: (1) The present invention provides a novel three-blade propulsion self-priming agitator. The invented horizontal high projection ratio axial flow agitator can not only meet the mixing requirements of the fermentation system, but also reduce the shear force through the inclined broad blades, and has self-priming capability to meet the high oxygen consumption requirements of the fermentation system.

[0015] (2) The present invention provides a novel combination device of a three-blade propulsion self-priming agitator and a guide wheel. When the bottom three-blade propulsion self-priming agitator draws air into the tank, the bubbles diffuse outward through the stator on the guide wheel. On the one hand, the impact will make the tank obtain a smaller bubble diameter, and on the other hand, the entire fermentation system will obtain a higher dissolved oxygen mass transfer efficiency.

[0016] (3) This invention provides a porous nozzle aeration disc, which achieves efficient and uniform gas distribution and mass transfer through innovative design. The low-resistance fluid channel design reduces the energy consumption of the air compressor, and the densely distributed microporous nozzles can generate fine and uniform bubbles. The nozzles at the bottom can deliver uniform fine bubbles to the bottom of the tank, prolonging the residence time of the bubbles in the fermentation system. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the aeration device in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of an aeration device in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a self-priming stirrer in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the self-priming stirrer and guide wheel combined in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heat exchanger in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an anchor-type stirrer in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] In the diagram: 1. Motor; 2. Manhole; 3. Sight glass; 4. Air inlet; 5. Water outlet; 6. Agitator shaft; 7. Temperature electrode port; 8. Anchor agitator; 9. Guide wheel; 10. Self-priming agitator; 11. Water inlet; 12. pH electrode port; 13. DO electrode port; 14. Turbidity meter; 15. Sampling port; 16. Air inlet; 17. Multi-hole nozzle aeration disc; 18. Discharge port; 19. Upper nozzle; 20. Internal air inlet channel; 21. Air chamber; 22. Nozzle; 23. Air outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0027] In this invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish similar components / parts in different positions or with different characteristics, and have no other limiting meaning; "upper" refers to the direction in which each component is away from the ground, and "lower" refers to the direction in which each component is away from the ground.

[0028] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0029] This invention provides a high-mass-transfer stirred self-aspirating fermenter, including a stirring shaft 6 disposed at the center of the tank body and a motor 1 connected to the stirring shaft 6. Figure 1In the example, the tank is cylindrical with a hemispherical bottom. The motor 1 is located at the top of the tank, and the stirring shaft 6 connected to it extends from the top of the tank into the interior.

[0030] In some embodiments, the top of the tank also has a hemispherical structure and is equipped with a manhole 2 and a sight glass 3, through which the liquid level inside the tank can be observed. A temperature electrode port 7 is provided at any location on the middle side wall of the tank, which can be used to insert a temperature electrode for temperature detection; a pH electrode port 12, a DO electrode port 13, a turbidity meter 14, and a sampling port 15 may also be provided. Figure 1 In the example, the settings are arranged from top to bottom.

[0031] In addition, it also includes: In some embodiments, a self-priming agitator 10 is disposed at the end of the agitator shaft 6. The self-priming agitator 10 has an internal air inlet channel 20 and an air outlet 23, and a guide wheel 9 serving as a stator is sleeved on its exterior.

[0032] exist Figure 4 In the example, the self-priming agitator 10 is a three-blade propulsion self-priming agitator 10, including a central hub disposed on the agitator shaft 6 and three inclined blades surrounding and connected to the central hub, each blade having an angle with the horizontal plane. The blades have a curved structure with a curved transition portion that gradually extends outward from the central hub, and multiple air inlet holes 4 are arranged along the extension direction of the blades. Because a planar high projection ratio axial flow agitator is used, the blades are large and the shear force is low, and the intersections of the planes of the blades are all rounded. In addition, the interior of the central hub is hollow, and a total of ten circular air inlet holes 4 are opened on the upper surface of the blades as outlets for the self-priming gas.

[0033] Preferably, the angle between the blade and the horizontal plane is about 45°, which has good mixing and mass transfer characteristics.

[0034] exist Figure 5 In the example, the guide wheel 9 has a spoked structure with a hollowed-out design and is fitted around the self-priming agitator 10 as a stator. The central hub of the self-priming agitator 10 is fixed to the center of the guide wheel 9 and can rotate freely within the guide wheel 9. The combination of the self-priming agitator 10 and the guide wheel 9 allows the blades to be integrated with the guide wheel. When the self-priming agitator 10 draws air from the top of the tank into the tank, the bubbles diffuse outward through the stator on the guide wheel 9. On the one hand, this results in smaller bubble diameters in the tank due to impact; on the other hand, it also increases the dissolved oxygen mass transfer efficiency of the entire fermentation system. In addition, the top of the stirring shaft 6 is hollow, and there are round holes at the fixing point of the self-priming stirrer 10 to facilitate gas flow and enable the self-priming stirrer 10 to smoothly perform gas self-priming and dispersion.

[0035] exist Figure 7 In the example, the anchor mixer 8 is positioned in the middle of the stirring shaft 6 and above the self-priming mixer 10. The anchor mixer 8 has an anchor-shaped structure symmetrical about the stirring shaft 6, and a connecting rod is provided between it and the stirring shaft 6. The blade shape of this anchor-shaped structure is close to the inner wall of the container, which can effectively propel viscous liquids (such as colloids, pastes, polymer melts, etc.) and generates low shear force during operation. It is a widely used mixing device for high-viscosity fluids. It can improve the mixing and mass transfer effect in high-viscosity bio-fermentation processes and effectively reduce damage to microbial cells.

[0036] In some embodiments, the temperature control system is located on the inner wall of the tank and surrounds the stirring shaft 6, the self-priming stirrer 10, and the anchor stirrer 8. The temperature control system is provided with an outlet pipe 5 and an inlet pipe 11 that connect to the outside of the tank.

[0037] In some embodiments, the temperature control system includes multiple heat exchangers evenly distributed on the circumference of the inner wall of the tank and an external temperature-controlled water tank. The heat exchangers are connected to the inlet pipe 11, and the temperature-controlled water tank is connected to the outlet pipe 5. The temperature inside the tank is controlled by the synergistic effect of the temperature-controlled water tank and the heat exchangers.

[0038] exist Figure 6 In the example, the heat exchanger is a guqin-style heat exchanger, comprising multiple guqin-style heat exchange tube groups. Each group consists of four equidistant, parallel guqin-style heat exchange tubes. Each guqin-style heat exchange tube is connected to symmetrical U-shaped tubes on both the upper and lower sides, and has a straight tube structure in the middle. This guqin-style heat exchange tube design allows circulating water to enter from the inlet manifold, then branch into several streams in the upper heat exchange tubes, and finally flow through a single downward heat exchange tube, converging into a single stream before exiting through the outlet pipe. This heat exchanger has advantages such as high heat transfer efficiency, easy drainage of residual water in the heat exchange tubes, low air accumulation, easy cleaning, easy fixing, and fewer welding points.

[0039] In some embodiments, the aeration device is located at the bottom of the tank and is provided with an air inlet pipe 16 that connects to the outside of the tank.

[0040] exist Figures 2-3 The aeration device includes a multi-hole nozzle aeration disc 17 fixed to the bottom of the tank. The multi-hole nozzle aeration disc 17 has an air chamber 21 inside. The air chamber 21 is connected to the internal environment of the tank through multiple nozzles 22. An air inlet pipe 16 is connected above the air chamber 21.

[0041] Furthermore, the nozzles 22 are distributed radially outward from the center in the upper and lower parts of the air chamber 21, with 8 nozzles in each part. Compressed air is pumped into the air inlet of the multi-hole nozzle aeration disc and enters the air chamber through the internal air inlet channels of the 8 multi-hole nozzle aeration discs. Each nozzle 22 is inclined, which allows the gas to be sprayed evenly into the tank.

[0042] In some embodiments, the bottom of the tank is provided with a discharge port 18 for discharging material downwards.

[0043] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A high-mass-transfer stirred self-priming fermenter, comprising a stirring shaft disposed at the center of the tank body and a motor connected to the stirring shaft, characterized in that, Also includes: A self-priming agitator is located at the end of the agitator shaft. The self-priming agitator has an air inlet channel and an air outlet, and a guide wheel, which serves as a stator, is fitted around its exterior. An anchor-type agitator is positioned in the middle of the agitator shaft and above the self-priming agitator; A temperature control system is installed on the inner wall of the tank and surrounds the stirring shaft, the self-priming stirrer, and the anchor stirrer. The temperature control system is equipped with an outlet pipe and an inlet pipe that connect to the outside of the tank. An aeration device is installed at the bottom of the tank, and the aeration device is equipped with an air inlet pipe that connects to the outside of the tank.

2. The high mass transfer stirred self-priming fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The self-priming mixer is a three-blade propulsion self-priming mixer, including a central hub set on the mixing shaft and three inclined blades arranged around and connected to the central hub, each blade having an angle with the horizontal plane.

3. The high mass transfer stirred self-priming fermenter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The blade has a curved structure with a curved transition section that gradually extends towards the outer edge of the central hub. Multiple air inlets are arranged along the extension direction of the blade.

4. The high mass transfer stirred self-priming fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anchor-type agitator has an anchor-shaped structure that is symmetrical about the agitation axis, and a connecting rod is provided between it and the agitation axis.

5. The high mass transfer stirred self-priming fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature control system includes multiple heat exchangers evenly distributed on the inner circumference of the tank and an external temperature-controlled water tank. The heat exchangers are connected to the inlet pipe, and the temperature-controlled water tank is connected to the outlet pipe. The temperature inside the tank is controlled by the coordinated action of the temperature-controlled water tank and the heat exchangers.

6. The high mass transfer stirred self-priming fermenter according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heat exchanger is a guqin-style heat exchanger, which includes multiple guqin-style heat exchange tube groups. Each guqin-style heat exchange tube group includes four guqin-style heat exchange tubes arranged in parallel at equal intervals. Each guqin-style heat exchange tube is connected to symmetrical U-shaped tubes on both the upper and lower sides and has a straight tube structure in the middle.

7. The high mass transfer stirred self-priming fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aeration device includes a multi-hole nozzle aeration disc fixed to the bottom of the tank. The multi-hole nozzle aeration disc has an air chamber inside, which is connected to the internal environment of the tank through multiple nozzles. An air inlet pipe is connected above the air chamber.

8. The high mass transfer stirred self-priming fermenter according to claim 7, characterized in that, The nozzles are distributed radially outward from the center in the upper and lower parts of the air chamber, and each nozzle is inclined.

9. The high mass transfer stirred self-priming fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the tank is equipped with a manhole and a sight glass, the side of the tank is equipped with a pH electrode port, a DO electrode port, a turbidimeter and a sampling port, and the bottom of the tank is equipped with a discharge port.

10. The application of the high mass transfer stirred self-priming fermenter according to any one of claims 1-9 in the fields of food, medicine, and biotechnology.

Images