Fermentation unit
By using the design of hot and cold water tanks and spiral-wound rectangular heat exchangers in the fermentation unit, the problem of uneven temperature regulation in the fermentation tank was solved, enabling precise temperature control and efficient material separation within the fermentation tank, thus improving the flexibility and efficiency of the fermentation process.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SANYUAN BOKANG MASCH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing fermenters have poor temperature regulation capabilities, making it difficult to achieve flexible control. This results in uneven temperature distribution within the tank, affecting the fermentation process.
The fermentation unit consists of a hot and cold water tank, a fermentation tank, a control box, and a return water tank. The flow direction of hot and cold water in the hot and cold water tank is controlled by thermometers and solenoid valves. Combined with a spirally wound rectangular heat exchanger, the temperature inside the tank is precisely regulated and heat exchange is uniform.
It enables rapid and flexible temperature adjustment within the fermenter, improving the flexibility and efficiency of the fermentation process, simplifying the separation of solid and liquid materials, and ensuring temperature uniformity and fermentation process stability.
Smart Images
Figure CN224172736U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fermentation equipment technology, and in particular to a fermentation unit. Background Technology
[0002] Fermentation is a biochemical process that uses microorganisms or enzymes under specific environmental conditions to convert organic matter into target products such as alcohol, organic acids, and antibiotics. It is widely used in food processing, biopharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental protection. During fermentation, temperature is a key parameter affecting the metabolic rate of microorganisms, the efficiency of product synthesis, and the stability of product quality. Excessively high temperatures may lead to cell inactivation or the accumulation of byproducts, while excessively low temperatures will slow down the reaction process. Therefore, precise temperature control is crucial to ensuring the efficient and stable operation of the fermentation process.
[0003] Currently, fermenters are commonly used as the reaction site for fermentation. However, existing fermenters have poor temperature control capabilities, often relying on external water baths for heating or cooling, making flexible temperature control difficult. Furthermore, the heat or cold source being located at the bottom of the tank can lead to uneven temperature distribution within the tank, thus affecting the fermentation process. Utility Model Content
[0004] This invention provides a fermentation unit to solve the problem of difficult temperature control inside fermenters in the prior art.
[0005] This utility model provides a fermentation unit, including a hot and cold water tank, a fermentation tank, a control box, and a return water tank. The hot and cold water tank is divided into a cold water tank and a hot water tank by a heat insulation plate. The hot water tank is equipped with an electric heater and has a hot water outlet at the bottom of its side wall. The cold water tank has a cold water outlet at the bottom of its side wall. The fermentation tank includes a tank body with a temperature measuring port and a thermometer installed on it. A rectangular heat exchange heating tape is welded to the outer wall of the tank body. The heat exchange heating tape spirals from top to bottom around the outside of the tank body. A heat exchange inlet is located at the bottom of the heat exchange heating tape, and a heat exchange outlet is located at the top. The heat exchange inlet is connected to the hot water outlet and the cold water outlet, respectively, through a solenoid valve. The heat exchange outlet is connected to the return water tank. The thermometer and each solenoid valve are electrically connected to the control box.
[0006] Optionally, the tank has a feed inlet at the top and an inverted cone-shaped structure at the bottom, with a drain outlet at the bottom. A detachable screen is installed inside the tank and is mounted on the top of the inverted cone structure. A manhole is also provided on the side wall of the tank, with the bottom edge of the manhole flush with the detachable screen.
[0007] Optionally, the detachable screen includes two semi-circular screen bodies and a mounting ring; the diameter sides of the two semi-circular screen bodies are hinged together, and multiple inserts are evenly arranged along the circumference of the bottom side of the semi-circular screen bodies; the mounting ring is fixedly installed on the top of the inverted conical structure, and multiple insertion holes that cooperate with the inserts are provided thereon.
[0008] Optionally, the hot water tank has a hot water inlet on the top and a hot water return outlet on the bottom of the side wall. The cold water tank also has a cold water inlet and a cold water return outlet corresponding to the hot water inlet and the hot water return outlet.
[0009] Optionally, both the hot water return inlet and the cold water return inlet are connected to the return water tank.
[0010] Optionally, an insulation layer is provided on the outside of the tank and the heat exchanger, and the insulation layer is made of polyurethane.
[0011] Optionally, a sampling port is provided in the middle of the side wall of the tank, a vent is provided on the feed inlet, and a level gauge is installed on the tank.
[0012] Optionally, the fermentation tank also includes support legs fixed to the bottom of the tank.
[0013] The beneficial effects of the fermentation unit provided by this utility model are as follows:
[0014] 1. The flow of hot and cold water in the hot and cold water tanks is controlled by the control box, thereby regulating the temperature inside the tank. When the temperature is high, the cold water in the cold water tank is controlled to flow out, and when the temperature is low, the hot water in the hot water tank is controlled to flow out. The control box, thermometer and multiple solenoid valves work together to achieve rapid switching between heating and cooling, improving the flexibility of the fermentation process.
[0015] 2. By designing the cross-section of the heat exchanger tape to be rectangular and spirally wound from top to bottom around the outer wall of the tank, the heat exchange area between the heat exchanger tape and the tank is increased, thereby improving the efficiency of heat exchange between the hot and cold water and the materials inside the tank. Furthermore, the heat exchanger tape is evenly distributed around the outside of the tank, ensuring uniform contact with all parts of the tank during heat exchange, thus enabling comprehensive heat exchange within the tank.
[0016] 3. By installing a detachable screen at the upper end of the inverted conical structure at the bottom of the tank, the liquid phase material flows out through the detachable screen during discharge, leaving the solid phase material on the detachable screen, and then collecting it through the manhole. This achieves batch collection of solid and liquid materials, eliminating the need for overall removal and secondary separation, simplifying the fermentation process and improving efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0018] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the fermentation unit is provided for the embodiments of this utility model;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the hot and cold water tank provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the fermenter provided in this embodiment of the utility model;
[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the detachable screen provided in an embodiment of the present utility model.
[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0023] 1-Hot and cold water tanks, 2-Fermentation tank, 3-Control box, 4-Return water tank, 5-Insulation layer, 6-Sampling port, 7-Breathing port, 8-Level gauge, 11-Insulation plate, 12-Cold water tank, 13-Hot water tank, 20-Tank body, 21-Temperature measuring port, 22-Heat exchanger, 23-Feed inlet, 24-Drain outlet, 25-Removable screen, 27-Manhole, 28-Support leg, 121-Cold water outlet, 122-Cold water tank replenishment port, 123-Cold water return port, 131-Electric heater, 132-Hot water outlet, 133-Hot water tank replenishment port, 134-Hot water return port, 210-Thermometer, 221-Heat exchange inlet, 222-Heat exchange outlet, 223-Solenoid valve, 251-Semi-circular screen body, 252-Mounting ring, 253-Insertion block, 254-Insertion hole. Detailed Implementation
[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model are described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are also within the scope of protection of this utility model.
[0025] like Figure 1-4The present invention provides a fermentation unit, including a hot and cold water tank 1, a fermentation tank 2, a control box 3, and a return water tank 4. The hot and cold water tank 1 is divided into a cold water tank 12 and a hot water tank 13 by a heat insulation plate 11. The hot water tank 13 is equipped with an electric heater 131 and a hot water outlet 132 at the bottom of its side wall. The cold water tank 12 is equipped with a cold water outlet 121 at the bottom of its side wall. The fermentation tank 2 includes a tank body 20, with a temperature measuring port 21 on the tank body 20. A thermometer 210 is installed on the temperature measuring port 21. A rectangular heat exchange heating tape 22 is welded to the outer wall of the tank body 20. The heat exchange heating tape 22 spirals downwards around the outside of the tank body 20. A heat exchange inlet 221 is located at the bottom of the heat exchange heating tape 22, and a heat exchange outlet 222 is located at the top. The heat exchange inlet 221 is connected to the hot water outlet 132 and the cold water outlet 121 respectively via a solenoid valve 223. The heat exchange outlet 222 is connected to the return water tank 4. The thermometer 210 and each solenoid valve 223 are electrically connected to the control box 3.
[0026] When the fermentation unit is in use, tank 20 serves as the main site for the fermentation reaction, where the material ferments. The fermentation temperature inside tank 20 is detected by a thermometer 210 installed on the temperature measuring port 21. The thermometer 210 transmits the measured temperature inside tank 20 to the control box 3 in real time. The control box 3 then controls the output of hot and cold fluids from the hot and cold water tank 1 based on the results measured by the thermometer 210 to regulate the fermentation temperature inside tank 20.
[0027] When the thermometer 210 detects that the temperature inside the tank 20 is higher than the set upper limit, a signal is transmitted to the control box 3. The control box 3 then controls the solenoid valve 223 between the cold water outlet 121 of the cold water tank 12 and the heat exchange inlet 221 at the bottom of the heat exchange tape 22 to open. At this time, cold water in the cold water tank 12 flows through the pipeline to the heat exchange tape 22 to cool the tank 20. The heat exchange tape 22 is spirally wound around the outside of the tank 20 from top to bottom. The cold fluid flows in from the heat exchange inlet 221 at the bottom of the heat exchange tape 22 and flows out from the heat exchange outlet 222 at the top, thus achieving uniform cooling of the tank 20. Simultaneously, because the cross-section of the tank 20 is rectangular, the contact area between the heat exchange tape and the tank 20 is large, meaning the heat exchange area is large. Therefore, when the cold fluid flows through the heat exchange tape 22, it achieves a good cooling and heat exchange effect. When the temperature drops to the set range, the control box 3 controls the solenoid valve 223 to close.
[0028] When the thermometer 210 detects that the temperature inside the tank 20 is lower than the set lower limit, a signal is transmitted to the control box 3. The control box 3 then controls the solenoid valve 223 between the hot water outlet 132 of the hot water tank 13 and the heat exchange inlet 221 at the bottom of the heat exchange heating tape 22 to open. After opening, the hot fluid heated by the electric heater 131 in the hot water tank 13 flows from the hot water outlet 132 to the heat exchange heating tape 22 to heat the tank 20, a process consistent with that during cooling.
[0029] When the cold (hot) fluid from the hot and cold water tank 1 cools (heats) the tank body, it flows out from the heat exchange outlet 222 at the top of the heat exchange tape 22 and flows through the pipeline to the return water tank 4 for temporary storage.
[0030] The fermentation unit provided by this utility model controls the flow of cold and hot water in the cold and hot water tanks 1 through the control box 3, thereby achieving the purpose of regulating the temperature inside the tank 20. When the temperature is high, the cold water in the cold water tank 12 is controlled to flow out, and when the temperature is low, the hot water in the hot water tank 13 is controlled to flow out. The control box 3, the thermometer 210 and multiple solenoid valves 223 work together to realize rapid switching between heating and cooling, thereby improving the flexibility of the fermentation process.
[0031] The heat exchange heating tape 22 has a rectangular cross-section and is spirally coiled from top to bottom around the outer wall of the tank 20. There is a large heat exchange area between the heat exchange heating tape 22 and the tank 20, which improves the efficiency of heat exchange between the hot / cold water and the material inside the tank 20. Furthermore, the heat exchange heating tape 22 is evenly distributed around the outside of the tank 20, ensuring uniform contact with all parts of the tank 20 during heat exchange, thus enabling comprehensive heat exchange within the tank 20.
[0032] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the tank body 20 is further provided with a feed inlet 23 at the top and an inverted cone-shaped structure at the bottom. A drain outlet 24 is provided at the bottom of the inverted cone-shaped structure. A detachable screen 25 is installed inside the tank body 20 and is installed at the top of the inverted cone-shaped structure. A manhole 27 is also provided on the side wall of the tank body 20, and the bottom edge of the manhole 27 is flush with the detachable screen 25.
[0033] The feed inlet 23 at the top of the tank 20 is used to add materials into the tank 20 before fermentation. After the materials are added, the feed inlet 23 is sealed to begin fermentation. A detachable screen 25 is installed at the top of the inverted conical structure. When materials are fed into the tank 20 through the feed inlet 23, they will fall onto the detachable screen 25 for fermentation. After fermentation, the drain outlet 24 at the bottom of the tank 20 is opened first to drain and collect the liquid produced during fermentation. After the liquid is drained, the manhole 27 is opened to remove the remaining solid residue on the detachable screen 25.
[0034] The bottom edge of the manhole 27 is flush with the detachable screen 25, which facilitates the collection and cleaning of solid residue on the detachable screen 25.
[0035] By setting a detachable screen 25 at the upper end of the inverted conical structure at the bottom of the tank 20, the liquid phase material flows out from the detachable screen 25 during discharge, leaving the solid phase material on the detachable screen 25, and then collecting it through the manhole 27. This achieves batch extraction of solid and liquid materials without the need for overall removal and secondary separation, simplifying the fermentation process and improving efficiency.
[0036] It should be noted that smaller openings, such as sampling port 6, can be opened between the spirally coiled heat exchanger tubes 22, while larger openings, such as manhole 27, are opened on the tank body 20. Care should be taken to avoid openings between these openings when installing the heat exchanger tubes 22.
[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the detachable screen 25 further includes two semi-circular screen bodies 251 and a mounting ring 252. The diameter sides of the two semi-circular screen bodies 251 are hinged together, and multiple inserts 253 are evenly arranged along the circumference of the bottom side of the semi-circular screen bodies 251. The mounting ring 252 is fixedly installed on the top of the inverted conical structure, and has multiple insertion holes 254 that mate with the inserts 253.
[0038] The detachable screen 25 includes two hinged semi-circular screen bodies 251 and a mounting ring 252 for supporting and installing the semi-circular screen bodies 251. During installation, the two semi-circular screen bodies 251 form a complete circular screen and are installed inside the tank 20 through the engagement of the insert block 253 and the insertion hole 254. After fermentation, the semi-circular screen bodies 251 are lifted upwards, the insert block 253 and the insertion hole 254 separate, and the two semi-circular screen bodies 251 are hinged together. When lifted upwards, the two semi-circular screen bodies 251 will merge together, and can then be removed from the manhole 27 for cleaning.
[0039] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the hot water tank 13 further includes a hot water inlet 133 at the top and a hot water return inlet 134 at the bottom of the side wall. The cold water tank 12 also includes a cold water inlet 122 and a cold water return inlet 123 corresponding to the hot water inlet 133 and the hot water return inlet 134. Furthermore, both the hot water return inlet 134 and the cold water return inlet 123 are connected to the return water tank 4.
[0040] The hot and cold fluids flowing out of the heat exchanger 22 flow into the return water tank 4 for temporary storage. When the fluid temperature drops to room temperature, they are returned according to the liquid level in the cold water tank 12 and the hot water tank 13.
[0041] When the overall heat exchange fluid is insufficient, heat exchange fluid can be added to the hot water tank 13 and the cold water tank 12 through the hot water tank inlet 133 and the cold water tank inlet 122, respectively. In addition, when the low temperature of the cold fluid in the cold water tank 12 is insufficient, low temperature fluid can also be added to it through the cold water tank inlet 122.
[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, furthermore, an insulation layer 5 is provided on the outside of the tank body 20 and the heat exchanger 22, and the material of the insulation layer 5 is polyurethane.
[0043] An insulation layer 5 made of polyurethane material is installed on the outside of the tank 20 and the heat exchanger 22 to reduce heat exchange between the tank 20, the heat exchanger 22 and the external environment, so as to maintain the stability of the temperature inside the tank 20.
[0044] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, a sampling port 6 is further provided in the middle of the side wall of the tank 20, a breathing port 7 is provided on the feed inlet 23, and a level gauge 8 is installed on the tank 20.
[0045] The sampling port 6, located in the middle of the side wall of tank 20, is used to sample the fermenting material during fermentation and to test the samples in order to understand the changes in material composition during fermentation and adjust the proportions in a timely manner. The vent 7 on the feed inlet 23 acts as a safety valve; when the pressure inside tank 20 becomes too high during fermentation, it can be released through the vent 7 to ensure pressure stability within tank 20. The level gauge 8 is used to monitor the liquid content inside tank 20.
[0046] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the fermentation tank 2 further includes support legs 28 fixed to the bottom of the tank body 20.
[0047] Support legs 28 are provided at the bottom of the tank 20 to maintain the stability of the device.
[0048] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the complete working process of the fermentation unit provided by this utility model is as follows:
[0049] When the fermentation unit is in use, fermentation material is added to the tank 20 through the feed inlet 23, and heat exchange fluid is added to the hot water tank 13 and the cold water tank 12 through the hot water tank inlet 133 and the cold water tank inlet 122, respectively. After all materials and fluids have been added, the feed inlet 23, the hot water tank inlet 133, and the cold water tank inlet 122 are closed to prepare for fermentation.
[0050] During fermentation, thermometer 210 measures the temperature of the material inside tank 20 in real time and feeds the measurement results back to control box 3. When thermometer 210 detects that the temperature inside tank 20 is higher than the set upper limit, a signal is transmitted to control box 3, which then controls the solenoid valve 223 between the cold water outlet 121 of cold water tank 12 and the heat exchange inlet 221 at the bottom of heat exchanger 22 to open. At this time, cold water in cold water tank 12 flows through pipes to heat exchanger 22 to cool tank 20. Heat exchanger 22 is spirally wound around the outside of tank 20 from top to bottom. Cold fluid flows in from the heat exchange inlet 221 at the bottom of heat exchanger 22 and flows out from the heat exchange outlet 222 at the top, thus achieving uniform cooling of tank 20. At the same time, because the cross-section of tank 20 is rectangular, the contact area between the heat exchanger and the tank is large, i.e., the heat exchange area between the heat exchanger and the tank is large. Therefore, when cold fluid flows through heat exchanger 22, it can achieve a good cooling and heat exchange effect. When the temperature drops to the set range, the control box 3 controls the solenoid valve 223 to close. When the thermometer 210 detects that the temperature inside the tank 20 is lower than the set lower limit, a signal is transmitted to the control box 3, which then controls the solenoid valve 223 between the hot water outlet 132 of the hot water tank 13 and the heat exchange inlet 221 at the bottom of the heat exchange heating tape 22 to open. After opening, the hot fluid heated by the electric heater 131 in the hot water tank 13 flows from the hot water outlet 132 to the heat exchange heating tape 22 to heat the tank 20, a process consistent with that during cooling.
[0051] The hot and cold fluids flowing out of the heat exchanger 22 flow into the return water tank 4 for temporary storage. When the fluid temperature drops to room temperature, they are returned according to the liquid level in the cold water tank 12 and the hot water tank 13.
[0052] After fermentation is complete, first open the drain port 24 at the bottom of tank 20 to discharge and collect the liquid produced during fermentation. Once the liquid has been drained, open the manhole 27 to remove the remaining solid residue from the removable screen 25.
[0053] After the entire process is completed, lift the semi-circular screen body 251 upwards, the insert block 253 and the insertion hole 254 separate, and the two semi-circular screen bodies 251 are hinged together. When lifted upwards, the two semi-circular screen bodies 251 will merge together, and can then be removed from the manhole 27 for cleaning.
[0054] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it; although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.
Claims
1. A fermentation unit, characterized in that, It includes a hot and cold water tank (1), a fermentation tank (2), a control box (3), and a return water tank (4); The hot and cold water tank (1) is divided into a cold water tank (12) and a hot water tank (13) by a heat insulation plate (11). The hot water tank (13) is equipped with an electric heater (131) and a hot water outlet (132) is opened at the bottom of the side wall. The cold water tank (12) is equipped with a cold water outlet (121) at the bottom of the side wall. The fermentation tank (2) includes a tank body (20), a temperature measuring port (21) is provided on the tank body (20), a thermometer (210) is installed on the temperature measuring port (21), a heat exchange heating tube (22) with a rectangular cross-section is welded to the outer wall of the tank body (20), the heat exchange heating tube (22) is spirally wound around the outside of the tank body (20) from top to bottom, a heat exchange inlet (221) is provided at the bottom end of the heat exchange heating tube (22), a heat exchange outlet (222) is provided at the top end, the heat exchange inlet (221) is connected to the hot water outlet (132) and the cold water outlet (121) respectively through a solenoid valve (223), and the heat exchange outlet (222) is connected to the return water tank (4); The thermometer (210) and each of the solenoid valves (223) are electrically connected to the control box (3).
2. The fermentation unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tank (20) has a feed inlet (23) at the top and an inverted cone-shaped structure at the bottom. The inverted cone-shaped structure has a drain outlet (24) at the bottom. A detachable screen (25) is installed inside the tank (20) and is installed at the top of the inverted cone-shaped structure. A manhole (27) is also provided on the side wall of the tank (20) and the bottom edge of the manhole (27) is flush with the detachable screen (25).
3. The fermentation unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The detachable screen (25) includes two semi-circular screen bodies (251) and a mounting ring (252); The diameter sides of the two semicircular screen bodies (251) are hinged together, and a plurality of inserts (253) are evenly arranged along the circumference of the bottom side of the semicircular screen body (251). The mounting ring (252) is fixedly mounted on the top of the inverted conical structure, and has a plurality of insertion holes (254) that cooperate with the insertion block (253).
4. The fermentation unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hot water tank (13) has a hot water tank inlet (133) on the top and a hot water return outlet (134) on the bottom of the side wall. The cold water tank (12) also has a cold water tank inlet (122) and a cold water return outlet (123) corresponding to the hot water tank inlet (133) and the hot water return outlet (134).
5. The fermentation unit according to claim 4, characterized in that, The hot water return inlet (134) and the cold water return inlet (123) are both connected to the return water tank (4).
6. The fermentation unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer side of the tank (20) and the heat exchanger (22) is also provided with a heat insulation layer (5), and the material of the heat insulation layer (5) is polyurethane.
7. The fermentation unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, A sampling port (6) is provided in the middle of the side wall of the tank (20), a breathing port (7) is provided on the feed inlet (23), and a level gauge (8) is installed on the tank (20).
8. The fermentation unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fermentation tank (2) also includes support legs (28) fixed to the bottom of the tank body (20).