Bidirectional flow guide airlift fermentation tank

Abstract

The airlift fermentation tank comprises a tank body, a tank cover capable of being opened and closed is installed at the upper end of the tank body, and a feeding valve body assembly and an exhaust pipe are correspondingly installed on the tank cover; a stirring motor is further installed at the upper end of the tank cover, and a main shaft of the stirring motor extends downwards into the tank body. According to the technical scheme, the three flow guide cylinders are arranged in the tank body, the path of fermentation liquor in the tank body can be increased through the three flow guide cylinders, and the water flow path of the fermentation liquor is obviously increased no matter the fermentation liquor enters the inner side flow guide cylinder from the outer side flow guide cylinder or enters the outer side flow guide cylinder from the inner side flow guide cylinder; the aeration effect can be obviously improved in the process that air entering the fermentation liquor flows along with the fermentation liquor, the effect that the air is blended into the fermentation liquor is improved, the activity of fermentation microorganisms is improved, and therefore the fermentation effect is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to fermentation tank technology and equipment in the field of fermentation technology, specifically a bidirectional airlift fermenter. Background Technology

[0002] In the existing technology, the principle of the airlift fermenter is to introduce air into the fermenter, and under the action of some stirring device or airflow device, the fermentation liquid generates a stable water flow in the fermenter. Then, the air is discharged into the airflow. When the airflow flows with the water, the gas and liquid or oxygen and fermentation liquid are mixed. In the field of fermentation technology, it has very good aeration and fermentation effects, and can significantly improve the fermentation effect.

[0003] In existing technologies, fermenters are typically equipped with stirring devices or airflow devices to create water flow within the fermenter. Existing airlift fermenters also have various structural designs. For example, the "Self-Aspirating Airlift Fermenter" disclosed in Publication No. CN105219618B includes a tank body, an air inlet device, an air outlet device, a flow guide device, and an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe mounted on the tank body. The air inlet device is a swirl mixer located at the bottom of the tank body and connected to the air inlet pipe. The flow guide device is located inside the tank body above the swirl mixer. This technical solution improves air utilization and features a simple structure, good gas-liquid mixing effect, high fermentation efficiency, and significant overall energy savings.

[0004] For example, the "Swirl-flow airlift fermenter" disclosed in Publication No. CN102796650B includes a tank body, an air inlet device, an air outlet device, a cooling device, and an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe installed on the tank body. The air inlet pipe is connected to the air inlet device, and the air outlet pipe is connected to the air outlet device. The swirl-flow airlift fermenter of this technical solution has a simple structure, no stirring device, low air pressure but can make the gas and liquid flow in a swirling state, good gas-liquid mixing effect, low consumption and high efficiency. At the same time, the exhaust is clean and the fermentation efficiency is high, which is suitable for the liquid deep fermentation of aerobic microorganisms.

[0005] The above-mentioned technical solutions and the existing airlift fermenters usually only have one flow direction for the fermentation liquid. In actual use, the single-flow water will still have the problem of low oxygen dissolution efficiency. In particular, the single-flow water has a short path, and the oxygen that cannot be incorporated will be discharged very quickly, which cannot achieve a good oxygen dissolution function.

[0006] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, it is necessary to develop a bidirectional airlift fermenter with a reasonable structure that can improve the fermentation effect. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a bidirectional airlift fermenter; the technical solution is as follows:

[0008] A bidirectional airlift fermenter includes a tank body, the upper end of which is equipped with an openable and closable tank cover, on which a feed valve assembly and an exhaust pipe are correspondingly installed; and a stirring motor is also installed at the upper end of the tank cover, the main shaft of which extends downward into the tank body.

[0009] A lower frame is installed at the lower end of the tank body, and an upper frame is installed at the middle of the tank body. Three outer guide tubes, a middle guide tube, and an inner guide tube are installed between the upper frame and the lower frame, arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside. The three guide tubes are concentric. The inside of the inner guide tube is set as the inner guide area, the area between the inner guide tube and the middle guide tube is set as the middle guide area, and the area between the middle guide tube and the outer guide tube is set as the outer guide area. The upper and lower ports of the three guide tubes are all open.

[0010] The main shaft of the stirring motor extends into the inner guide tube, and guide vanes are installed on the main shaft. The rotation direction of the main shaft of the stirring motor is controlled accordingly, so that the guide vanes drive the water flow.

[0011] Furthermore, the main shaft of the stirring motor passes through the upper frame, and the shaft end is mounted on the lower frame via a bearing assembly. Two sets of guide vanes are installed on the main shaft.

[0012] Furthermore, a discharge pipe is provided at the bottom of the tank body, and a support assembly is also installed at the bottom of the tank body.

[0013] Furthermore, a support is provided at the lower end of the tank body, the lower frame is fixed on the support, and the upper frame is fixed on the inner wall of the tank body. The upper frame and the lower frame are installed as one unit through three guide tubes set in the middle.

[0014] Furthermore, both the upper and lower frames are provided with mounting slots, and the three guide tubes are respectively installed on the mounting slots.

[0015] Furthermore, an inner air distribution pipe and an outer air distribution pipe are also installed at the bottom of the tank body. The inner air distribution pipe is located below the middle flow guide area, and the upper end of the inner air distribution pipe is provided with evenly spaced inner air distribution holes.

[0016] The outer air distribution pipe is located below the outer flow guiding area, and the upper end of the outer air distribution pipe is provided with evenly spaced outer air distribution holes.

[0017] Furthermore, the bottom of the tank body is also equipped with an inner air inlet pipe and an outer air inlet pipe. The inner air inlet pipe is connected to the inner air distribution pipe, allowing external air to enter the inner air inlet pipe and then exit through the inner air distribution hole before entering the upper inner guide area. The outer air inlet pipe is connected to the outer air distribution pipe, allowing external air to enter the outer air inlet pipe and then exit through the outer air distribution hole before entering the upper outer guide area.

[0018] Furthermore, the inner air inlet pipe and the outer air inlet pipe are arranged concentrically, and a bracket is also installed at the bottom of the tank body to support the inner air distribution pipe and the outer air distribution pipe respectively.

[0019] Furthermore, a steam jacket is provided on the lower outer wall of the tank body, a steam inlet pipe is provided on the upper end of the steam jacket, and a sampling port is installed on the side wall of the tank body.

[0020] Beneficial effects: The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0021] 1) In the technical solution of the present invention, three guide tubes are set in the tank body. The path of the fermentation liquid in the tank body can be improved by the three guide tubes. Whether it enters from the outer guide tube to the inner guide tube or from the inner guide tube to the outer guide tube, the water flow path of the fermentation liquid is significantly improved. As the air entering the fermentation liquid flows with the fermentation liquid, the aeration effect can be significantly improved, the air integration into the fermentation liquid can be improved, the activity of fermenting microorganisms can be improved, and thus the fermentation effect can be improved.

[0022] 2) In this invention, the main shaft of the stirring motor is set in the inner guide tube, and the guide vanes are set in the inner guide area accordingly. The guide vanes generate the water flow direction, which causes the incoming bubbles to flow with the water flow, so that the bubbles will not be quickly discharged from the fermentation liquid, increasing the time the bubbles stay in the water flow and improving the fermentation effect.

[0023] 3) The present invention is provided with two sets of air intake structures. By selecting air intake structures at different positions, the incoming air can be made to flow in different directions, and the fermentation effect can be significantly improved under the guidance of the three guide tubes.

[0024] 4) In this invention, the inner air intake pipe and the inner air distribution pipe can discharge air into the inner guide area, and the outer air intake pipe and the outer air distribution pipe can discharge air into the outer guide area, which is a reasonable structure. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 AA section view

[0027] Figure 3 for Figure 1 BB section view;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the air intake through the inner air distribution pipe in this invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the air intake of the outer air distribution pipe in this invention;

[0030] The components include: tank body 1, tank cover 2, feed valve assembly 3, exhaust pipe 4, stirring motor 5, main shaft 6, lower frame 7, upper frame 8, outer guide tube 9, middle guide tube 10, inner guide tube 11, inner guide area 12, middle guide area 13, outer guide area 14, guide vane 15, bearing assembly 16, discharge pipe 17, support assembly 18, bracket 19, mounting groove 20, inner air distribution pipe 21, outer air distribution pipe 22, inner air distribution hole 23, outer air distribution hole 24, inner air inlet pipe 25, outer air inlet pipe 26, bracket 27, steam jacket 28, steam inlet pipe 29, and sampling port 30. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will be further illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. These embodiments are implemented based on the technical solutions of the present invention, and it should be understood that these embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, a bidirectional airlift fermenter includes a tank body 1, with an openable and closable tank cover 2 installed at the upper end of the tank body 1. A feed valve assembly 3 and an exhaust pipe 4 are correspondingly installed on the tank cover 2. A stirring motor 5 is also installed at the upper end of the tank cover 2, and the main shaft 6 of the stirring motor 5 extends downward into the tank body 1.

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, a lower frame 7 is installed at the lower end of the tank body 1, and an upper frame 8 is installed at the middle of the tank body 1. Between the upper frame 8 and the lower frame 7, three outer guide tubes 9, a middle guide tube 10, and an inner guide tube 11 are installed in sequence from the outside to the inside. The three guide tubes are concentric. The inside of the inner guide tube 11 is set as the inner guide area 12. The area between the inner guide tube 11 and the middle guide tube 10 is set as the middle guide area 13. The area between the middle guide tube 10 and the outer guide tube 9 is set as the outer guide area 14. The upper and lower ports of the three guide tubes are all open.

[0034] The main shaft 6 of the stirring motor 5 extends into the inner guide tube 11, and guide vanes 15 are installed on the main shaft 6. The rotation direction of the main shaft 6 of the stirring motor 5 is controlled accordingly, so that the guide vanes 15 drive the water flow.

[0035] The main shaft 6 of the stirring motor 5 passes through the upper frame 8, and the shaft end is mounted on the lower frame 7 through the bearing assembly 16. Two sets of guide vanes 15 are installed on the main shaft 6. A discharge pipe 17 is provided at the bottom of the tank body 1, and a support assembly 18 is also installed at the bottom of the tank body 1.

[0036] A bracket 19 is provided at the lower end of the tank body 1. The lower frame 7 is fixed on the bracket 19, and the upper frame 8 is fixed on the inner wall of the tank body 1. The upper frame 8 and the lower frame 7 are installed as one unit through three guide tubes set in the middle.

[0037] Both the upper frame 8 and the lower frame 7 are provided with mounting slots 20, and the three guide tubes are installed on the mounting slots 20 respectively.

[0038] The bottom of the tank body 1 is also equipped with an inner air distribution pipe 21 and an outer air distribution pipe 22. The inner air distribution pipe 21 is located below the middle guide area 13, and the upper end of the inner air distribution pipe 21 is provided with evenly spaced inner air distribution holes 23.

[0039] The outer air distribution pipe 22 is located below the outer flow guiding area 14, and the upper end of the outer air distribution pipe 22 is provided with evenly spaced outer air distribution holes 24.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the bottom of the tank body 1 is also equipped with an inner air inlet pipe 25 and an outer air inlet pipe 26. The inner air inlet pipe 25 is connected to the inner air distribution pipe 21, which allows external air to enter the inner air inlet pipe 25 and then exit through the inner air distribution hole 23 before entering the upper inner guide area 12. The outer air inlet pipe 26 is connected to the outer air distribution pipe 22, which allows external air to enter the outer air inlet pipe 26 and then exit through the outer air distribution hole 24 before entering the upper outer guide area 14.

[0041] The inner air inlet pipe 25 and the outer air inlet pipe 26 are arranged concentrically, and a bracket 27 is also installed at the bottom of the tank body 1. The bracket 27 supports the inner air distribution pipe 21 and the outer air distribution pipe 22 respectively.

[0042] A steam jacket 28 is provided on the lower outer wall of the tank body 1. A steam inlet pipe 29 is provided on the upper end of the steam jacket 28, and a sampling port 30 is installed on the side wall of the tank body 1.

[0043] The technical solution of this invention mainly utilizes three guide tubes installed inside the tank body 1 to achieve bidirectional flow of internal materials, thereby increasing fermentation efficiency and quality. Firstly, the technical solution of this invention requires the establishment of a basic structure, which includes a tank body 1 and a tank cover 2 that can be opened and closed at the top of the tank body 1. The tank cover 2 is equipped with a feeding assembly and an exhaust pipe 4. The exhaust pipe 4 is particularly important, as it is used to assist in the intake of air into the tank body 1. A solenoid valve is also installed on the exhaust pipe 4. Secondly, a stirring motor 5 needs to be installed on the tank body 1. The main shaft 6 of the stirring motor 5 extends into the interior of the tank body 1 and is equipped with guide vanes 15. The guide vanes 15 on the stirring motor 5 are crucial in this invention, as they direct the flow of water inside the tank body 1, thus achieving the flow guidance function. Of course, the bidirectional flow of this invention also relies on the three guide tubes installed inside the tank body 1.

[0044] The structure of the three guide tubes in this invention is based on the upper frame 8 and lower frame 7 inside the tank body 1. First, the lower frame 7 is fixed to the lower end of the tank body 1 by the bracket 19, while the upper frame 8 is directly fixed to the inner wall of the tank body 1. After the positions of the upper frame 8 and lower frame 7 are fixed, the main shaft 6 of the stirring motor 5 can be installed accordingly. The main shaft 6 can pass directly through the upper frame 8 and then be fixed to the lower frame 7 by the bearing, thereby fixing the main shaft 6. On the other hand, mounting grooves 20 are set on the upper frame 8 and lower frame 7 respectively. The positions of the upper and lower mounting grooves 20 are corresponding, so that the three guide tubes can be installed through the mounting grooves 20.

[0045] The three guide tubes are respectively set as inner guide tube 11, middle guide tube 10 and outer guide tube 9. The three guide tubes form three regions inside the tank body 1, namely inner guide region 12, middle guide region 13 and outer guide region 14. The upper part of the three guide tubes needs to be open. The three guide tubes can form three guide regions. Then, together with the air inlet pipe below, bidirectional airflow can be achieved.

[0046] In this invention, two sets of air intake structures are installed at the lower end of the tank body 1. One set of air intake structures is located below the middle guide area 13, mainly including an inner air intake pipe 25 and an inner air distribution pipe 21 connected to the inner air intake pipe 25. The inner air distribution pipe 21 is provided with evenly spaced air distribution holes. When air is intake, the generated bubbles will naturally flow upward and enter the middle guide area 13. The other set of air intake structures is located below the outer guide area 14, including an outer air intake pipe 26 and an outer air distribution pipe 22 connected to the outer air intake pipe 26. The outer air distribution pipe 22 is provided with outer air distribution holes 24. The bubbles generated through the outer air distribution pipe 22 will naturally flow upward and enter the outer guide area 14. The two sets of air intake structures achieve bidirectional airflow.

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, the stirring motor 5 first drives the guide vanes 15 to create a water flow channel in the tank body 1, so that the water flow is directed from the inner guide area 12 to the outer guide area 14. In this technical solution, the gas and water flow are guided by the lower inner air inlet pipe 25 and the inner air distribution pipe 21. The bubbles flowing out from the inner air distribution hole 23 of the inner air distribution pipe 21 will rise with the water flow, and then enter the middle guide cylinder 10 from the upper end downward with the water flow from the outlet of the inner guide cylinder 11. The bubbles themselves flow with the direction of water flow, so the bubbles flow with the water flow under the action of the water flow and basically do not break away from the water flow. Therefore, the bubbles flow from the inner guide area 12 to the outer guide area 14 along the direction of water flow, so that the bubbles can be better absorbed by the water in the fermentation tank, improving the fermentation effect. Finally, the bubbles that are not absorbed will be discharged from the exhaust pipe 4.

[0048] like Figure 5 As shown, the technical solution of the present invention can also achieve reverse water flow and air guidance. In the present invention, the inner air inlet pipe 25 is closed, and the outer air inlet pipe 26 is opened. Air is sent into the outer air distribution pipe 22 through the outer air inlet pipe 26, and then discharged from the outer air distribution hole 24 of the outer air distribution pipe 22. Since the outer air distribution pipe 22 corresponds to the outer air distribution area above, the discharged air directly enters the outer guide area 14, and then enters the middle guide area 13 from the outer guide area 14, and then enters the inner guide area 12, thereby realizing reverse air aeration, which can significantly improve the aeration effect and oxygen absorption effect, and improve the fermentation effect.

[0049] This invention mainly uses two sets of air inlets at different positions to allow external air to enter, thereby sending the generated bubbles into the fermentation liquid. This achieves a good aeration effect and oxygen absorption effect. Different air inlets can be selected at different positions to achieve different aeration flows. When the air flows with the water, it can effectively increase the contact between the airflow and the fermentation liquid, thereby improving the fermentation effect.

[0050] The above-described specific embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention or the scope of the claims. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of patent protection of the present invention should be included within the scope of the present invention patent application.

Claims

1. A bidirectional airlift fermenter, characterized in that: The tank includes a tank body (1), the upper end of which is equipped with a tank cover (2) that can be opened and closed, and the tank cover (2) is equipped with a feed valve assembly (3) and an exhaust pipe (4); and the upper end of the tank cover (2) is also equipped with a stirring motor (5), the main shaft (6) of which extends downward into the tank body (1); The lower end of the tank body (1) is equipped with a lower frame (7), and the middle part of the tank body (1) is equipped with an upper frame (8). Between the upper frame (8) and the lower frame (7), three outer guide tubes (9), a middle guide tube (10) and an inner guide tube (11) are installed in sequence from the outside to the inside. The three guide tubes are arranged in the same circle. The inside of the inner guide tube (11) is set as the inner guide area (12). The area between the inner guide tube (11) and the middle guide tube (10) is set as the middle guide area (13). The area between the middle guide tube (10) and the outer guide tube (9) is set as the outer guide area (14). The upper and lower ports of the three guide tubes are all open. The main shaft (6) of the stirring motor (5) extends into the inner guide tube (11), and guide vanes (15) are installed on the main shaft (6). The rotation direction of the main shaft (6) of the stirring motor (5) is controlled accordingly, so that the guide vanes (15) drive the water flow.

2. The bidirectional airlift fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main shaft (6) of the stirring motor (5) passes through the upper frame (8), and the shaft end is mounted on the lower frame (7) through the bearing assembly (16). Two sets of guide vanes (15) are installed on the main shaft (6).

3. The bidirectional airlift fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the tank body (1) is provided with a discharge pipe (17), and the bottom of the tank body (1) is also provided with a support component (18).

4. A bidirectional airlift fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the tank body (1) is provided with a bracket (19), the lower frame (7) is fixed on the bracket (19), and the upper frame (8) is fixed on the inner wall of the tank body (1). The upper frame (8) and the lower frame (7) are installed as one unit through three guide tubes set in the middle.

5. A bidirectional airlift fermenter according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper frame (8) and the lower frame (7) are both provided with mounting slots (20), and the three guide tubes are installed on the mounting slots (20).

6. A bidirectional airlift fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the tank body (1) is also equipped with an inner air distribution pipe (21) and an outer air distribution pipe (22). The inner air distribution pipe (21) is located below the middle guide area (13), and the upper end of the inner air distribution pipe (21) is provided with evenly spaced inner air distribution holes (23). The outer air distribution pipe (22) is located below the outer flow guiding area (14), and the upper end of the outer air distribution pipe (22) is provided with evenly spaced outer air distribution holes (24). Furthermore, the bottom of the tank body (1) is also equipped with an inner air inlet pipe (25) and an outer air inlet pipe (26). The inner air inlet pipe (25) is connected to the inner air distribution pipe (21), which allows external air to enter the inner air inlet pipe (25) and then exit through the inner air distribution hole (23) before entering the upper inner guide area (12). The outer air inlet pipe (26) is connected to the outer air distribution pipe (22), which allows external air to enter the outer air inlet pipe (26) and then exit through the outer air distribution hole (24) before entering the upper outer guide area (14).

7. A bidirectional airlift fermenter according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inner air inlet pipe (25) and the outer air inlet pipe (26) are arranged in the same circle, and a bracket (27) is also installed at the bottom of the tank body (1). The bracket (27) supports the inner air distribution pipe (21) and the outer air distribution pipe (22).

8. A bidirectional airlift fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower outer wall of the tank body (1) is also provided with a steam jacket (28), the upper end of which is provided with a steam inlet pipe (29), and a sampling port (30) is also installed on the side wall of the tank body (1).

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