A microbial fermentation device

Abstract

A microbial fermentation device is disclosed, which addresses the problems of insufficient pressure control and susceptibility to contamination during fermentation in existing microbial fermentation devices. This invention comprises a reactor shell, a fermentation tank, an isolation net, a cylindrical lid, a feed pipe, a counterweight, and an air pump. The fermentation tank and cylindrical lid are capable of relative rotation and vertical movement. The air pump supplies gas to the fermentation tank and regulates the pressure to keep the cylindrical lid suspended, allowing the microbial fermentation process to proceed under controllable pressure. Temperature control is simple and easy to implement, exhibiting good stability. This invention utilizes the air pump to increase the pressure inside the tank and uses the feed pipe to discharge materials from different reaction zones. During discharge, materials are only discharged through the feed pipe, ensuring good isolation from the external environment and preventing contamination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a microbial fermentation apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Microbial fermentation, also known as microbial engineering, is an important component and foundation of bioengineering. It is a scientific and technological system that utilizes the action of microorganisms and modern engineering techniques to transform useful substances into industrial production or other industrial processes. Based on the theories of microbiology, biochemistry, and genetics, microbial fermentation develops natural microbial resources and all their potential functions for application in production practices. Microbial fermentation mainly includes the processing of raw materials and the screening and mutagenesis of useful microorganisms; the selection of optimal culture conditions for the industrial application of strains; the regulation and control of metabolism; the research and design of biological reactions; the testing of various parameters in the fermentation process; and the separation and extraction of products.

[0003] Fermentation is a core component of microbiology and bioengineering, involving the cultivation of microorganisms under specific conditions to produce valuable products or specific bioactive substances. This process typically includes selecting suitable microorganisms, optimizing culture medium composition, controlling parameters such as temperature, pH, oxygen supply, and pressure, and monitoring and adjusting these conditions to ensure optimal fermentation efficiency and product quality. Microbial screening is a crucial step in biotechnology research and industrial production. Its core function is to discover microbial strains with specific metabolic capabilities, product production, or functional characteristics from nature or specific environments. This process is of great significance for various fields, including new drug development, the food industry, bioenergy, and environmental remediation. Microbial screening not only provides fundamental materials for subsequent fermentation process optimization but also significantly improves the yield and quality of target products.

[0004] Physical screening is a common method for microbial screening, utilizing differences in the physical characteristics of microorganisms, such as size, shape, and mass, to separate desired microorganisms from complex samples. Physical screening methods include filtering liquid samples using filters of different sizes or capturing microorganisms using perforated metal meshes. However, existing microbial fermentation and screening processes are influenced by various factors, such as the preparation and selection of the culture medium, sterilization, and the control of key fermentation conditions such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, aeration rate, and pressure. Changes in these conditions not only affect the growth and reproduction of the microorganisms but also the formation of their metabolites. However, existing microbial fermentation devices neglect the crucial condition of pressure control. Furthermore, the fermentation process must be free from contamination by other microorganisms; the culture environment must be sterilized, and the fermentation device must be effectively isolated to prevent contamination during the feeding and discharging processes. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problems of insufficient pressure control and easy contamination by other microorganisms in existing microbial fermentation devices, this invention proposes a microbial fermentation device.

[0006] The microbial fermentation device of the present invention consists of a reactor shell (1), a fermentation tank (2), an isolation net (3), a cylindrical tank cover (8), a feed pipe (12), a counterweight (14), and an air pump (16). The fermentation tank (2) is located inside the reactor shell (1), and the cylindrical tank cover (8) is fitted onto the upper end of the fermentation tank (2). A dynamic seal (11) is provided between the inner side wall of the cylindrical tank cover (8) and the upper outer wall of the fermentation tank (2). Several sliders (10) are provided on the outer side wall of the cylindrical tank cover (8), and a vertical groove (9) is provided on the inner wall of the reactor shell (1) opposite to the sliders (10). The sliders (10) are located in the grooves (9). Multiple isolation nets (3) are concentrically fitted together inside the fermentation tank (2). Multiple feed pipes (12) are respectively installed in the cylindrical tank. On the cylindrical tank cover (8), the lower end of the feed pipe (12) is set in the gap between adjacent isolation nets (3) and in the innermost isolation net (3); a limiting ring (5) is set on the upper surface of the base (6) of the reactor shell (1), and the lower end of the fermentation tank (2) is set in the limiting ring (5); multiple rollers (7) are set between the lower outer wall of the fermentation tank (2) and the inner wall of the limiting ring (5), and between the lower end face of the fermentation tank (2) and the upper surface of the base (6); a drive motor (4) for driving the fermentation tank (2) to rotate is set between the reactor shell (1) and the fermentation tank (2); multiple counterweights (14) are set on the cylindrical tank cover (8); an air pump (16) is set on the cylindrical tank cover (8) and is connected to the inside of the fermentation tank (2) through an air inlet pipe (17).

[0007] The principle and beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0008] The fermentation tank (2) and the cylindrical lid (8) of this invention can rotate relative to each other and move vertically relative to each other. The air pump (16) is used to supply gas to the fermentation tank (2) and regulate the air pressure. During the microbial fermentation process, the cylindrical lid (8) is in a suspended state. Therefore, during the microbial fermentation process, the air pressure inside the fermentation tank (2) is always equal to the weight of the cylindrical lid (8). At the same time, the air pressure inside the fermentation tank (2) can be regulated by adjusting the weight of the counterweight (14), so that the microbial fermentation process is carried out under controllable pressure. The temperature control process is simple and easy to implement and has good stability. This invention provides a fermentation tank (2) with multiple concentrically nested isolation nets (3). During the microbial fermentation process, the fermentation tank (2) and the isolation nets (3) rotate simultaneously. The isolation nets (3) play a role in stirring and dividing the fermentation process. During the rotation, the reactants in the tank undergo physical separation under centrifugal force. Microorganisms are also separated according to differences in mass and density and enter different reaction zones formed by the isolation nets (3), thus achieving screening and separation. At the same time, the pressure inside the tank can be increased by the air pump (16) and the material can be discharged from different reaction zones through the material pipe (12). During the discharge process, the material is discharged only through the material pipe (12), which has good isolation from the outside world and avoids the problem of contamination by miscellaneous bacteria. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the microbial fermentation device of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the fermentation tank (2). Detailed Implementation

[0011] The technical solution of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments listed below, but also includes any reasonable combination of the specific embodiments.

[0012] Specific Implementation Method 1: The microbial fermentation device in this implementation method consists of a reactor shell (1), a fermentation tank (2), an isolation net (3), a cylindrical tank cover (8), a feed pipe (12), a counterweight (14), and an air pump (16). The fermentation tank (2) is located inside the reactor shell (1), and the cylindrical tank cover (8) is fitted onto the upper end of the fermentation tank (2). A dynamic seal (11) is provided between the inner wall of the cylindrical tank cover (8) and the upper outer wall of the fermentation tank (2). Several sliders (10) are provided on the outer wall of the cylindrical tank cover (8), and vertical grooves (9) are provided on the inner wall of the reactor shell (1) opposite to the sliders (10). The sliders (10) are located in the grooves (9). Multiple isolation nets (3) are concentrically fitted together inside the fermentation tank (2). Multiple feed pipes (12) are distributed... The lower end of the feed pipe (12) is located in the gap between adjacent isolation nets (3) and in the innermost isolation net (3); a limiting ring (5) is provided on the upper surface of the base (6) of the reactor shell (1), and the lower end of the fermentation tank (2) is located in the limiting ring (5); multiple rollers (7) are provided between the lower outer wall of the fermentation tank (2) and the inner wall of the limiting ring (5), and between the lower end face of the fermentation tank (2) and the upper surface of the base (6); a drive motor (4) for driving the fermentation tank (2) to rotate is provided between the reactor shell (1) and the fermentation tank (2); multiple counterweights (14) are provided on the cylindrical tank cover (8); an air pump (16) is provided on the cylindrical tank cover (8) and is connected to the interior of the fermentation tank (2) through an air inlet pipe (17).

[0013] This embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] In this embodiment, the fermentation tank (2) and the cylindrical lid (8) can rotate relative to each other and move vertically relative to each other. The air pump (16) is used to supply gas to the fermentation tank (2) and regulate the air pressure. During the microbial fermentation process, the cylindrical lid (8) is suspended. Therefore, during the microbial fermentation process, the air pressure inside the fermentation tank (2) is always equal to the weight of the cylindrical lid (8). At the same time, the air pressure inside the fermentation tank (2) can be regulated by adjusting the weight of the counterweight (14), so that the microbial fermentation process is carried out under controllable pressure. The temperature control process is simple and easy to implement, and has good stability. In this embodiment, multiple concentric isolation nets (3) are set inside the fermentation tank (2). During the microbial fermentation process, the fermentation tank (2) and the isolation nets (3) rotate simultaneously. The isolation nets (3) play a role in stirring and dividing the fermentation process. During the rotation, the reactants in the tank are physically divided under centrifugal force. Microorganisms are also separated according to the differences in mass and density and enter different reaction zones formed by the isolation nets (3), thus achieving screening and separation. At the same time, the pressure inside the tank can be increased by the air pump (16) and the material can be discharged from different reaction zones through the material pipe (12). During the discharge process, the material is discharged only through the material pipe (12), which has good isolation from the outside world and avoids the problem of contamination by miscellaneous bacteria.

[0015] Specific Implementation Method 2: This implementation method differs from Specific Implementation Method 1 in that the dynamic seal (11) is a rotary dynamic seal.

[0016] Specific implementation method three: This implementation method differs from specific implementation method one or two in that: the lower outer wall of the fermentation tank (2) and the inner wall of the limiting ring (5) are respectively provided with relatively annular rolling grooves, and the roller (7) is set in the rolling groove; the lower end face of the fermentation tank (2) and the upper surface of the base (6) are respectively provided with relatively annular rolling grooves, and the roller (7) is set in the rolling groove.

[0017] Specific implementation method four: This implementation method differs from one of the specific implementation methods one to three in that: a valve (13) is provided on the material pipe (12).

[0018] Specific implementation method five: This implementation method differs from one of the specific implementation methods one to four in that the drive motor (4) is fixed on the inner wall of the reactor shell (1).

[0019] Specific implementation method six: This implementation method differs from specific implementation methods one to five in that: a toothed ring is provided on the outer wall of the fermentation tank (2), and a drive gear is provided on the power output shaft of the drive motor (4), and the drive gear meshes with the toothed ring.

[0020] Specific implementation method seven: This implementation method differs from one of the specific implementation methods one to six in that: a fixing rod (15) is provided at the center of the upper surface of the cylindrical can lid (8), and a through hole is provided at the center of the counterweight (14), and the counterweight (14) is sleeved on the fixing rod (15).

[0021] Specific implementation method eight: This implementation method differs from one of the specific implementation methods one to seven in that: the upper surface of the cylindrical can lid (8) is provided with a disposal hole (18).

[0022] Specific implementation method nine: This implementation method differs from specific implementation methods one to eight in that the mesh size of the isolation net (3) is 2~5cm and the spacing is 1~2cm.

[0023] Specific Implementation Method 10: This implementation method differs from Specific Implementation Methods 1 to 9 in that: the upper and lower parts of the slide groove (9) are respectively provided with limit blocks (19) to limit the starting positions of the cylindrical can lid (8) and the slider (10).

[0024] Example 1

[0025] Combination Figure 1The microbial fermentation apparatus, as illustrated in the figures, consists of a reactor shell (1), a fermentation tank (2), an isolation net (3), a cylindrical tank cover (8), a feed pipe (12), a counterweight (14), and an air pump (16). The fermentation tank (2) is located inside the reactor shell (1), and the cylindrical tank cover (8) is fitted onto the upper end of the fermentation tank (2). The upper surface of the cylindrical tank cover (8) is provided with a disposal hole (18), and a dynamic seal (11) is provided between the inner wall of the cylindrical tank cover (8) and the upper outer wall of the fermentation tank (2). The dynamic seal (11) is a rotary dynamic seal. Several sliders (10) are provided on the outer wall of the cylindrical tank cover (8). A vertical groove (9) is provided on the inner wall of the reactor shell (1), and a slider (10) is provided in the groove (9). Limiting blocks (19) are provided in the upper and lower parts of the groove (9) to limit the starting position of the cylindrical tank cover (8) and the slider (10). Multiple concentric isolation nets (3) are provided in the fermentation tank (2). The mesh size of the isolation nets (3) is 2cm and the spacing is 1cm. Multiple feed pipes (12) are respectively provided on the cylindrical tank cover (8). The lower end of the feed pipe (12) is provided in the gap between adjacent isolation nets (3) and in the innermost isolation net (3). A valve (13) is provided on the feed pipe (12). A limiting ring (5) is provided on the upper surface of the base (6) of the reactor shell (1), and the lower end of the fermentation tank (2) is located inside the limiting ring (5); multiple rollers (7) are provided between the lower outer wall of the fermentation tank (2) and the inner wall of the limiting ring (5), and between the lower end face of the fermentation tank (2) and the upper surface of the base (6); relatively annular rolling grooves are provided on the lower outer wall of the fermentation tank (2) and the inner wall of the limiting ring (5), and the rollers (7) are located in the rolling grooves; relatively annular rolling grooves are provided on the lower end face of the fermentation tank (2) and the upper surface of the base (6), and the rollers (7) are located in the rolling grooves; the reactor shell (1) and the fermentation tank (2) are located in the upper surface of the base (6), and the lower end face of the fermentation tank (2) and the upper surface of the base (6) are located in the rolling grooves; A drive motor (4) for driving the fermentation tank (2) to rotate is provided between the reactor shell (1) and the outer wall of the fermentation tank (2) is provided with a gear ring. A drive gear is provided on the power output shaft of the drive motor (4) and the drive gear meshes with the gear ring. Multiple counterweights (14) are provided on the cylindrical tank cover (8). An air pump (16) is provided on the cylindrical tank cover (8) and is connected to the inside of the fermentation tank (2) through an air inlet pipe (17). A fixing rod (15) is provided at the center of the upper surface of the cylindrical tank cover (8). A through hole is provided at the center of the counterweight (14) and the counterweight (14) is sleeved on the fixing rod (15).In this embodiment, the fermentation tank (2) and the cylindrical lid (8) can rotate relative to each other and move vertically relative to each other. The air pump (16) is used to supply gas to the fermentation tank (2) and regulate the air pressure. During the microbial fermentation process, the cylindrical lid (8) is suspended. Therefore, during the microbial fermentation process, the air pressure inside the fermentation tank (2) is always equal to the weight of the cylindrical lid (8). At the same time, by adjusting the weight of the counterweight (14), the air pressure inside the fermentation tank (2) can be regulated, so that the microbial fermentation process is carried out under controllable pressure. The temperature control process is simple and easy to implement, and has good stability. In this embodiment, multiple concentrically nested isolation nets (3) are installed inside the fermentation tank (2). During the microbial fermentation process, the fermentation tank (2) and the isolation nets (3) rotate simultaneously. The isolation nets (3) play a role in stirring and dividing the fermentation process. During the rotation, the reactants in the tank undergo physical separation under centrifugal force, and the microorganisms are also separated according to differences in mass and density and enter different reaction zones formed by the isolation nets (3), thus achieving screening and separation. At the same time, the pressure inside the tank can be increased by the air pump (16) and the material can be discharged from different reaction zones through the material pipe (12). During the discharge process, the material is discharged only through the material pipe (12), which has good isolation from the outside world and avoids the problem of contamination by miscellaneous bacteria.

Claims

1. A microbial fermentation device, characterized in that: The microbial fermentation device consists of a reactor shell (1), a fermentation tank (2), an isolation net (3), a cylindrical tank cover (8), a feed pipe (12), a counterweight (14), and an air pump (16). The fermentation tank (2) is located inside the reactor shell (1), and the cylindrical tank cover (8) is fitted onto the upper end of the fermentation tank (2). A dynamic seal (11) is provided between the inner wall of the cylindrical tank cover (8) and the upper outer wall of the fermentation tank (2). Several sliders (10) are provided on the outer wall of the cylindrical tank cover (8), and vertical grooves (9) are provided on the inner wall of the reactor shell (1) opposite to the sliders (10). The sliders (10) are located in the grooves (9). Multiple isolation nets (3) are concentrically fitted together inside the fermentation tank (2). Multiple feed pipes (12) are respectively installed in the cylindrical tank. On the cover (8), the lower end of the feed pipe (12) is set in the gap between adjacent isolation nets (3) and in the innermost isolation net (3); a limiting ring (5) is set on the upper surface of the base (6) of the reactor shell (1), and the lower end of the fermentation tank (2) is set in the limiting ring (5); multiple rollers (7) are set between the lower outer wall of the fermentation tank (2) and the inner wall of the limiting ring (5), and between the lower end face of the fermentation tank (2) and the upper surface of the base (6); a drive motor (4) for driving the fermentation tank (2) to rotate is set between the reactor shell (1) and the fermentation tank (2); multiple counterweights (14) are set on the cylindrical tank cover (8); an air pump (16) is set on the cylindrical tank cover (8) and is connected to the inside of the fermentation tank (2) through an air inlet pipe (17).

2. The microbial fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dynamic seal (11) is a rotary dynamic seal.

3. The microbial fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower outer wall of the fermentation tank (2) and the inner wall of the limiting ring (5) are respectively provided with relatively annular rolling grooves, and the roller (7) is set in the rolling groove; the lower end face of the fermentation tank (2) and the upper surface of the base (6) are respectively provided with relatively annular rolling grooves, and the roller (7) is set in the rolling groove.

4. The microbial fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: A valve (13) is provided on the feed pipe (12).

5. The microbial fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive motor (4) is fixed on the inner wall of the reactor shell (1).

6. The microbial fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: A gear ring is provided on the outer wall of the fermentation tank (2), and a drive gear is provided on the power output shaft of the drive motor (4), which meshes with the gear ring.

7. The microbial fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: A fixing rod (15) is provided at the center of the upper surface of the cylindrical can lid (8), and a through hole is provided at the center of the counterweight (14). The counterweight (14) is sleeved on the fixing rod (15).

8. The microbial fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper surface of the cylindrical can lid (8) is provided with a disposal hole (18).

9. The microbial fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mesh size of the isolation net (3) is 2~5cm and the spacing is 1~2cm.

10. The microbial fermentation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: Limiting blocks (19) are provided in the upper and lower parts of the slide (9) to limit the starting position of the cylindrical can lid (8) and the slider (10).

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