Fermentation device for dairy leavening agent

By installing pH sensors spaced vertically and rotary feed valves in the fermenter, the addition of alkaline powder is automatically controlled, solving the problem of monitoring and adjusting the pH value of the culture medium in the production of dairy starter culture, and improving the fermentation efficiency and production efficiency of lactic acid bacteria.

CN223646538UActive Publication Date: 2025-12-09JIANGSU FUYANG FOOD TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202423150406.6
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-12-20
Publication Date
2025-12-09
Estimated Expiration
2034-12-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In existing dairy starter production, it is difficult to accurately monitor and quickly adjust the pH value of the culture medium in the fermentation tank, which leads to the inhibition of lactic acid bacteria growth, and traditional sampling and testing are inefficient.

Method used

A layered pH sensor with alternating vertical spacing is used for stratified detection. Combined with a rotary feed valve and a stirring rod, the quantitative addition of alkaline powder is automatically controlled. The pH value of the culture medium is quickly stabilized by mixing with the stirring rod.

Benefits of technology

It enables automated, precise monitoring and rapid adjustment of the pH value of the culture medium in the fermenter, improving the efficiency of lactic acid bacteria fermentation and reducing labor costs and detection errors.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN223646538U_ABST
    Figure CN223646538U_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The fermentation device comprises a fermentation tank, a stirring rod, a pH sensor, a hopper, a controller and a rotary feeding valve, a cover body is arranged at the top of the fermentation tank, a first feeding port is vertically formed in the cover body, the rotary feeding valve is arranged on the first feeding port, and a second feeding port is formed in the top of the rotary feeding valve. The hopper is arranged on the rotary feeding valve, the pH sensors are vertically arranged on one side of the fermentation tank at intervals, extend into the fermentation tank and carry out pH detection of different liquid levels, the pH sensors are connected with the controller and carry out signal transmission, and the controller is connected with the rotary feeding valve and carries out feeding control. The stirring rod is rotatably and concentrically arranged in the fermentation tank. According to the fermentation device for the dairy leavening agent, the average value of the pH value of a culture solution is obtained through layered detection, the pH value of the culture solution can be rapidly adjusted, and the requirement for fermentation growth of lactic acid bacteria is met.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of dairy fermentation agent production technology, and in particular to a fermentation device for dairy fermentation agents. Background Technology

[0002] In the production process of dairy starter cultures, fermentation culture of microorganisms is required, and the fermentation culture of microorganisms has relatively high requirements for the pH value of the culture medium. For example, in the culture medium for lactic acid bacteria, the pH value of the culture medium needs to be maintained between 5.7 and 6.0. However, the metabolism of lactic acid bacteria produces acidic substances such as lactic acid and acetic acid, which can cause the pH value of the culture medium to be too low, thereby inhibiting the growth of lactic acid bacteria.

[0003] To improve the fermentation efficiency of lactic acid bacteria, it is necessary to monitor the pH of the culture medium. If an abnormality is detected, alkaline substances are added via chemical neutralization to maintain the pH within a reasonable range. However, because fermenters are sealed, it is difficult to measure the pH of the culture medium. Furthermore, the considerable height of large fermenters makes it impossible to measure the pH at every level by taking random samples.

[0004] Furthermore, the alkaline substances float on top of the culture medium after being added, which makes it impossible to quickly adjust the pH value of the culture medium and can easily affect the pH value detection, resulting in low efficiency, which needs to be improved. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a fermentation device for dairy fermentation agents, which can be used to ferment and cultivate dairy fermentation agents and improve the pH stability of the culture medium.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A fermentation device for dairy starter culture includes: a fermentation tank, a stirring rod, a pH sensor, a hopper, a controller, and a rotary feed valve. The fermentation tank is topped with a cover, and a first feeding port is vertically arranged on the cover. The rotary feed valve is located on the first feeding port, and the hopper is located on the rotary feed valve. The pH sensor is spaced vertically on one side of the fermentation tank and extends into the fermentation tank to detect pH at different liquid levels. The pH sensor is connected to the controller for signal transmission, and the controller is connected to the rotary feed valve for feeding control. The stirring rod is rotatably and concentrically arranged in the fermentation tank.

[0008] The cover has a second feeding port vertically arranged on it.

[0009] The hopper contains alkaline powder.

[0010] The cover is equipped with a motor that drives the stirring rod to rotate, and the controller is connected to the motor to control the rotation.

[0011] The fermentation tank is equipped with a discharge valve at the bottom.

[0012] The fermentation tank is equipped with a frame underneath.

[0013] The controller is located on one side of the rack.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: A fermentation device for dairy fermentation agents can automatically detect the stratification of the culture medium in the fermentation tank through pH sensors distributed at intervals, obtain the average pH value of the culture medium, reduce errors, and use a rotary feed valve to quantitatively add alkaline powder into the fermentation tank, disperse and mix it through a stirring rod, quickly neutralize acidic substances and adjust the pH value of the culture medium to meet the fermentation and growth of lactic acid bacteria. It has a high degree of automation, reduces labor costs, and has a wide range of applications. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The following is combined Figure 1 The technical solution of this utility model will be further illustrated through specific embodiments.

[0017] like Figure 1 The fermentation device for dairy starter shown includes: a fermentation tank 1, a stirring rod 2, a pH sensor 9, a hopper 6, a controller 10, and a rotary feed valve 7. The fermentation tank 1 is equipped with a cover 4 on top, which can be fixed with screws, making disassembly and maintenance convenient.

[0018] A second feeding port 3 is vertically provided on the cover 4 to facilitate the addition of inoculum and culture medium for fermentation. A discharge valve 12 is provided at the bottom of the fermentation tank 1. After fermentation is completed, the discharge valve 12 is opened to discharge the inoculum, facilitating subsequent processing and production.

[0019] The stirring rod 2 is rotatably and concentrically positioned in the fermenter 1. In this embodiment, a motor 5 for driving the stirring rod to rotate is provided on the cover 4, and the controller 10 is connected to the motor 5 to control the rotation. The rotation of the stirring rod 2 can improve the uniformity of the bacterial distribution in the culture medium and also help improve the accuracy of pH detection.

[0020] The pH sensors 9 are spaced vertically on one side of the fermenter 1 and extend into the fermenter 1 to detect pH at different liquid levels. The pH sensors 9 are connected to the controller 10 for signal transmission, eliminating the need for sampling and improving automation. The spaced pH sensors 9 automatically detect the stratification of the culture medium in the fermenter 1, and the controller 10 calculates the average pH value of the culture medium, reducing errors.

[0021] During the cultivation of lactic acid bacteria, the bacteria produce acidic substances such as lactic acid and acetic acid through metabolism. This can lead to a low pH in the culture medium, inhibiting the growth of lactic acid bacteria. It is necessary to maintain the pH of the culture medium between 5.7 and 6.0. This can be achieved by using alkaline powders to neutralize the acidic substances and adjust the pH of the culture medium.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, a first feeding port 8 is vertically arranged on the cover 4, and the rotary feed valve 7 is arranged on the first feeding port 8. The hopper 6 is arranged on the rotary feed valve 7. In this embodiment, alkaline powder is arranged in the hopper 6. A certain amount of alkaline powder is added to the fermentation tank 1 by rotating the rotary feed valve 7.

[0023] In this embodiment, a frame 11 is installed below the fermenter 1 to maintain the ground clearance of the fermenter 1. The controller 10 is located on one side of the frame 11 to avoid occupying ground space, resulting in a compact structure. The controller 10 can be a PLC and can be operated manually or automatically.

[0024] The controller 10 is connected to the rotary feed valve 7 for feeding control. After a certain amount of alkaline powder is added to the fermentation tank 1, it is stirred by the stirring rod 2 to disperse the alkaline powder and mix it with the acidic substances. This quickly neutralizes the acidic substances and adjusts the pH value of the culture medium to meet the fermentation growth of lactic acid bacteria, which is beneficial to improving the fermentation production efficiency.

[0025] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation method and application scope based on the idea of ​​this utility model. The content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

Claims

1. A fermentation apparatus for dairy starter culture, characterized in that, include: The fermentation tank includes a stirring rod, a pH sensor, a hopper, a controller, and a rotary feed valve. The fermentation tank has a cover on top with a first feeding port vertically mounted on it. The rotary feed valve is located on the first feeding port, and the hopper is mounted on the rotary feed valve. The pH sensor is positioned vertically on one side of the fermentation tank and extends into the tank to detect pH at different liquid levels. The pH sensor is connected to the controller for signal transmission, and the controller is connected to the rotary feed valve for feeding control. The stirring rod is rotatably and concentrically mounted in the fermentation tank.

2. The fermentation apparatus for dairy starter culture according to claim 1, characterized in that, A second feeding port is vertically provided on the cover.

3. The fermentation apparatus for dairy starter culture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hopper contains alkaline powder.

4. The fermentation apparatus for dairy starter culture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover is equipped with a motor that drives the stirring rod to rotate, and the controller is connected to the motor to control the rotation.

5. The fermentation apparatus for dairy starter culture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fermenter is equipped with a discharge valve at the bottom.

6. The fermentation apparatus for dairy starter culture according to claim 1, characterized in that, An organic rack is installed below the fermentation tank.

7. The fermentation apparatus for dairy starter culture according to claim 6, characterized in that, The controller is located on one side of the rack.