Automatic sterilization and pressure maintaining device for methanol feeding pipeline of fermentation tank

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automatic sterilization pressure-maintaining device for a methanol feeding pipeline of a fermentation tank, which comprises the fermentation tank, a methanol tank and the methanol feeding pipeline, a methanol tank bottom valve, a first filter, a variable frequency pump and a feeding valve are arranged on the methanol feeding pipeline, the feeding valve is mounted on the fermentation tank, and a steam component for sterilization is arranged between the variable frequency pump and the feeding valve; the steam assembly comprises a steam pipeline, a second filter and a third filter, a pre-filtering front valve, a pressure sensor, a pre-filtering rear valve and a refined filtering rear valve are mounted on the methanol supplementing pipeline, and the pre-filtering rear valve is connected with the third filter through a tee joint and the steam pipeline. According to the utility model, the second filter is used for pre-filtering, and the third filter is used as a fine filter, and a plurality of valves and steam pipelines are arranged, so that the steam sterilization on the methanol supplementing pipeline is realized section by section; and two sets of second filters are arranged, one is used, and the other is standby, so that the working efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a fermentation tank device, and more particularly to an automatic sterilization and pressure-maintaining device for a methanol feeding pipeline in a fermentation tank. Background Technology

[0002] Pichia pastoris is a type of methanol-nutritional yeast that can utilize methanol as its sole carbon and energy source. Methanol is soluble in water, alcohol, and ether; it is flammable, has anesthetic effects, is toxic, and harmful to the eyes, potentially causing blindness in severe cases. Methanol vapor forms an explosive mixture with air, posing a risk of combustion and explosion when exposed to open flames, high temperatures, or oxidizers. Pichia pastoris fermentation requires a sterile environment, and the methanol used must be filtered through a liquid filter for sterilization. The liquid filter contains a liquid filter cartridge, and both the filter and the methanol feed pipeline downstream of the filter must undergo high-temperature steam sterilization to meet aseptic requirements. This necessitates operators working in methanol-prone explosion-proof areas, involving frequent operations and inherent risks. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem this invention aims to solve is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing an automatic sterilization and pressure-maintaining device for methanol feed pipelines in fermenters that is rationally designed, simple in structure, and easy to use. This device can automatically complete the sterilization of the filter and pipeline, as well as the pressure maintenance of methanol within the pipeline, without the need for personnel to be present when methanol flows into it, thus avoiding safety risks associated with manual operation.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] An automatic sterilization and pressure-maintaining device for methanol feed pipeline in a fermenter is provided. The device includes a fermenter, a methanol tank, and a methanol feed pipeline connecting the fermenter and the methanol tank. A bottom valve of the methanol tank, a first filter, a variable frequency pump, and a feed valve are sequentially arranged on the methanol feed pipeline along the methanol feed direction. The feed valve is installed on the fermenter. The device is characterized in that a steam assembly for sterilization and pressure maintenance is provided on the methanol feed pipeline between the variable frequency pump and the feed valve.

[0006] The steam assembly includes a steam pipeline, a second filter and a third filter installed on the methanol feed pipeline along the methanol feed direction. A pre-filter valve is installed on the methanol feed pipeline on the feed side of the second filter. A pressure sensor is installed on the methanol feed pipeline between the pre-filter valve and the variable frequency pump. A post-filter valve is installed on the methanol feed pipeline on the discharge side of the second filter. A post-fine filter valve is installed on the methanol feed pipeline on the discharge side of the third filter. The post-filter valve and the third filter are connected to the steam pipeline via a tee.

[0007] A pressure transmitter is installed on the methanol feed pipeline between the post-filtration valve and the feed valve. Both the feed valve and the post-filtration valve are equipped with exhaust valves.

[0008] The first filter is a Y-type filter, the second filter is a pre-filter, and the third filter is a fine filter.

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can also be achieved through the following technical solution: the steam pipeline includes a first steam pipeline and a second steam pipeline. One end of the first steam pipeline is used for steam inlet, and the other end of the first steam pipeline is located on the methanol feed pipeline between the fine filter valve and the pressure transmitter. One end of the second steam pipeline is used for steam inlet, and the other end of the second steam pipeline is located on the methanol feed pipeline between the pre-filter valve and the third filter. A steam regulating valve is installed on the first steam pipeline, and a steam pressure reducing valve and a steam regulating valve are installed on the second steam pipeline.

[0010] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can also be achieved through the following technical solution: a drain valve is provided at the bottom of both the second and third filters, and a pressure gauge is installed at the top of both the second and third filters.

[0011] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can also be achieved through the following technical solution: the second filter and the second filter are provided with at least two sets, and the two sets are connected in parallel on the methanol feeding pipeline.

[0012] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can also be achieved through the following technical solution: a pure water pipe is connected to the methanol feeding pipe between the variable frequency pump and the pressure sensor via a tee, and a pure water valve is installed on the pure water pipe.

[0013] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can also be achieved by the following technical solution: a pump inlet valve is installed on the methanol feed pipe on the feed side of the first filter.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, this utility model achieves segmented steam sterilization of the methanol feed pipeline by setting a second filter for pre-filtration, setting a third filter as a fine filter, and multiple valves; it completes segmented steam sterilization of the methanol feed pipeline by setting a first steam pipeline and a second steam pipeline; and it improves the working efficiency of the device and avoids downtime by setting two sets of second filters, one for use and one for backup. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the automatic sterilization and pressure-maintaining device for the methanol feeding pipeline of the fermenter described in this utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0017] In the diagram: 1-Methanol tank, 2-Fermentation tank, 3-Methanol feed pipe, 4-Tank bottom valve, 5-Pump pre-valve, 6-First filter, 7-Variable frequency pump, 8-Pure water valve, 9-Pressure sensor, 10-Pre-filter pre-valve, 11-Second filter, 12-Pre-filter post-valve, 13-Third filter, 14-Fine filter post-valve, 15-Steam regulating valve, 16-First steam pipe, 17-Second steam pipe, 18-Feed valve, 19-Sub-valve, 20-Pressure transmitter, 21-Steam pressure reducing valve. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0019] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0020] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 An automatic sterilization and pressure-maintaining device for a methanol feed pipeline in a fermenter is disclosed. The device includes a fermenter 2, a methanol tank 1, and a methanol feed pipeline 3 connecting the fermenter 2 and the methanol tank 1. Along the methanol feed direction, the methanol feed pipeline 3 is sequentially equipped with a methanol tank bottom valve 4, a first filter 6, a variable frequency pump 7, and a feed valve 18. The feed valve 18 is installed on the fermenter 2. A pump inlet valve 5 is installed on the methanol feed pipeline 3 on the feed side of the first filter 6.

[0021] A steam assembly for sterilization and pressure maintenance is provided on the methanol feeding pipeline 3 between the variable frequency pump 7 and the feeding valve 18.

[0022] The steam assembly includes a steam pipeline, a second filter 11 and a third filter 13 installed along the methanol feeding direction on the methanol feeding pipeline. A pre-filter valve 10 is installed on the methanol feeding pipeline on the feed side of the second filter 11. A pressure sensor 9 is installed on the methanol feeding pipeline between the pre-filter valve 10 and the variable frequency pump 7. A pre-filter valve 12 is installed on the methanol feeding pipeline on the discharge side of the second filter 11. A fine filter valve 14 is installed on the methanol feeding pipeline on the discharge side of the third filter 13. The pre-filter valve 12 and the third filter 13 are connected to the steam pipeline through a tee. At least two sets of the second filter 11 and the second filter 13 are provided, and the two sets are connected in parallel on the methanol feeding pipeline.

[0023] A pressure transmitter 20 is installed on the methanol feed pipeline between the fine filter valve 14 and the feed valve 18. Both the feed valve 18 and the fine filter valve 14 are equipped with exhaust valves 19.

[0024] The steam pipeline includes a first steam pipeline 16 and a second steam pipeline 17. One end of the first steam pipeline 16 is used for steam inlet, and the other end of the first steam pipeline 16 is located on the methanol feed pipeline between the fine filter valve and the pressure transmitter. One end of the second steam pipeline 17 is used for steam inlet, and the other end of the second steam pipeline 17 is located on the methanol feed pipeline between the pre-filter valve 12 and the third filter 13. A steam regulating valve 15 is installed on the first steam pipeline 16, and a steam pressure reducing valve 21 and a steam regulating valve 15 are installed on the second steam pipeline.

[0025] Both the second and third filters are equipped with drain valves at the bottom and pressure gauges at the top. The first filter is a Y-type filter, the second filter is a pre-filter, and the third filter is a fine filter. A pure water pipe is connected to the methanol feed pipe between the variable frequency pump 7 and the pressure sensor 9 via a T-junction, and a pure water valve 8 is installed on the pure water pipe.

[0026] The working process of the automatic sterilization and pressure-maintaining device for the methanol feed pipeline of the fermenter described in this utility model is as follows:

[0027] Before using the pipeline, keep all valves closed, open the pre-filter valve 10, the pre-filter valve 12, the fine filter valve 14, the feed valve 18 sub-valve 19, and open the pure water valve 8 after the variable frequency pump 7 to complete the flushing and replacement of the pipeline after the variable frequency pump. After replacement, close the above valves and the operator completes the installation of the filter element.

[0028] Open the methanol tank bottom valve 4, pump inlet valve 5, and pre-filter inlet valve 10. Turn on the variable frequency pump 7 and set the pressure to 0.1 MPa. Open the sub-valve of the third filter, namely the fine filter bottom drain, fine filter top vent, and fine filter outlet, in sequence with pulses, and keep the pulses running.

[0029] Open the steam regulating valve 15 and steam pressure reducing valve 21 on the second steam pipeline 17. Based on the pressure feedback from the pressure gauge on the fine filter, set the pressure to 0.11 MPa. Set the program timer for 30 minutes. When the sterilization timer ends, close the fine filter drain valve, the fine filter vent valve, and the fine filter post-filter sub-valve of the third filter. Close the steam regulating valve 15 on the second steam pipeline 16. Open the pre-filter valve 13 and maintain the methanol pressure at the fine filter post-filter valve 14.

[0030] Open the post-filtration valve and the feed valve in sequence, maintaining a pulsed opening. Open the steam regulating valve on the first steam pipeline, adjust the opening according to the pressure transmitter, and control the pressure at 2.0 MPa for 120 minutes. After the sterilization time is complete, close the post-filtration valve, the feed valve, and the steam regulating valve on the first steam pipeline. Open the post-filtration valve to pressurize the methanol to the methanol feed valve of the fermenter, ready for use.

[0031] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A kind of automatic sterilization pressure maintaining device of methanol feeding pipeline of fermenter, the device includes fermenter, methanol tank and the methanol feeding pipeline connecting fermenter and methanol tank, methanol tank tank bottom valve, first filter, variable frequency pump, feeding valve are sequentially arranged on the methanol feeding pipeline along the methanol feeding direction, and feeding valve is installed on fermenter, characterized in that, The steam assembly is arranged on the methanol feeding pipeline between the variable frequency pump and the feeding valve. The steam assembly comprises a steam pipeline, a second filter and a third filter arranged on the methanol feeding pipeline along the methanol feeding direction, a pre-filtering valve is arranged on the methanol feeding pipeline at the feeding side of the second filter, a pressure sensor is arranged on the methanol feeding pipeline between the pre-filtering valve and the variable frequency pump, a post-filtering valve is arranged on the methanol feeding pipeline at the discharging side of the second filter, a post-precision filtering valve is arranged on the methanol feeding pipeline at the discharging side of the third filter, and the post-filtering valve and the third filter are connected with the steam pipeline through a tee joint. A pressure transmitter is arranged on the methanol feeding pipeline between the post-precision filtering valve and the feeding valve, and a sub-valve for steam exhaust is arranged on the feeding valve and the post-precision filtering valve.

2. The automatic sterilization and pressure maintaining device for methanol feeding pipeline of fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam pipeline comprises a first steam pipeline and a second steam pipeline, one end of the first steam pipeline is used for steam inlet, the other end of the first steam pipeline is arranged on the methanol feeding pipeline between the post-precision filtering valve and the pressure transmitter, one end of the second steam pipeline is used for steam inlet, the other end of the second steam pipeline is arranged on the methanol feeding pipeline between the post-filtering valve and the third filter, a steam regulating valve is arranged on the first steam pipeline, and a steam pressure reducing valve and a steam regulating valve are arranged on the second steam pipeline.

3. The automatic sterilization and pressure maintaining device for methanol feeding pipeline of fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that, A blowdown valve is arranged at the bottom of the second filter and the third filter, and a pressure gauge is arranged at the top of the second filter and the third filter.

4. The automatic sterilization and pressure maintaining device for methanol feeding pipeline of fermenter according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The second filter and the third filter are arranged in at least two groups in parallel on the methanol feeding pipeline.

5. The automatic sterilization and pressure maintaining device for methanol feeding pipeline of fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pre-pump valve is arranged on the methanol feeding pipeline at the feeding side of the first filter.

6. The automatic sterilization and pressure maintaining device for methanol feeding pipeline of fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pure water pipeline is connected with the methanol feeding pipeline between the variable frequency pump and the pressure sensor through a tee joint, and a pure water valve is arranged on the pure water pipeline.

7. The automatic sterilization and pressure maintaining device for methanol feeding pipeline of fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first filter is a Y-shaped filter, the second filter is a pre-filter, and the third filter is a precision filter.

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