Gas discharge device in fermentation process of edible fungi
By introducing pressure, foam, and CO2 sensors into the edible fungus fermentation device, combined with defoaming components and safety valves, the problems of improper pressure and foam handling were solved, achieving automated and efficient venting and defoaming, thus improving fermentation safety and efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HARBIN UNIV OF COMMERCE
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing edible fungi fermentation devices cannot distinguish the cause of pressure rise, resulting in frequent and ineffective venting operations. Foam accumulation can easily clog the vents, and the devices have low automation levels and require manual intervention, posing safety hazards.
The system employs pressure sensors, foam sensors, and defoaming components working in tandem, combined with real-time monitoring by CO2 sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors. It dynamically adjusts ventilation volume and defoamer spraying volume to optimize the fermentation environment, with a mechanical safety valve serving as the last line of defense.
It enables real-time monitoring and automated handling of pressure and foam, improves venting efficiency, reduces the risk of fermentation liquid overflow, and enhances fermentation efficiency and safety.
Smart Images
Figure CN224186169U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of fungal fermentation technology, specifically relating to a gas emission device in the fermentation process of edible fungi. Background Technology
[0002] During the fermentation of edible fungi, gases produced by microbial metabolism (such as CO2) inside the tank can cause an increase in pressure. Simultaneously, a large amount of foam easily forms on the surface of the fermentation liquid. If not handled promptly, excessive pressure can lead to tank rupture, fermentation liquid overflow, and other safety accidents. Foam accumulation can also clog exhaust pipes, preventing excess gas from escaping in time, affecting gas exchange efficiency, and causing reduced fermentation efficiency or even failure. Traditional fermentation devices typically monitor tank pressure using pressure sensors. When pressure rises, the controller opens the exhaust valve to release gas, but it cannot distinguish the root cause of the pressure increase (such as increased gas metabolism or foam clogging the exhaust port). This results in frequent but ineffective venting operations. If the pressure remains high after venting, operators still need to troubleshoot and find the cause, indicating a low level of automation. Furthermore, foam management requires manual intervention only after it has accumulated to a certain extent, which can easily lead to fermentation liquid overflow or poor gas discharge. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address the above problems, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a gas emission device during the fermentation process of edible fungi, thereby solving the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0004] This invention provides a gas emission device for the fermentation process of edible fungi, including an exhaust valve installed at the exhaust port on the top of the tank for venting gas inside the tank; a pressure sensor installed on the top of the tank for real-time monitoring of the internal pressure of the tank; a controller electrically connected to the pressure sensor for controlling the operation of the exhaust valve based on the pressure signal monitored by the pressure sensor; a defoaming component installed on the upper part of the tank for breaking up foam inside the tank and reducing foam accumulation; and a foam sensor installed on the tank for real-time monitoring of the foam thickness inside the tank and transmitting the monitored foam thickness signal to the controller. When the pressure sensor detects that the pressure inside the tank exceeds a preset threshold, and the foam sensor detects that the foam thickness exceeds a preset threshold, the controller controls the exhaust valve and the defoaming component to operate in coordination.
[0005] Preferably, the defoaming component includes one or a combination of the following types: a mechanical defoamer, comprising a defoaming rake and a power component; the defoaming rake is installed inside the tank and is driven by the power component to reciprocate, thereby physically breaking up the foam; a chemical defoamer, comprising a liquid supply pipeline and a liquid equalization hole; the liquid supply pipeline is connected to the internal cavity of the defoaming rake for conveying defoaming agent; the liquid equalization hole is evenly distributed at the bottom of the defoaming rake for atomizing and spraying the defoaming agent.
[0006] Preferably, it also includes a carbon dioxide sensor installed on the top of the tank; the carbon dioxide sensor is used to monitor the CO2 concentration in the tank in real time and transmit the concentration signal to the controller; the controller determines whether the pressure increase is caused by enhanced mycelial metabolism based on the CO2 concentration signal and pressure data; when the CO2 concentration increases and the pressure increases, it is determined that the mycelial metabolism is enhanced, and the ventilation volume or stirring rate of the fermenter is adjusted; when the CO2 concentration is stable but the pressure increases, it is determined that the pressure is caused by foam accumulation, and the defoaming component is activated first.
[0007] Preferably, it also includes a temperature sensor installed on the top of the tank; the temperature sensor is used to monitor the temperature inside the tank in real time and transmit the temperature signal to the controller; the controller dynamically adjusts the parameters of the fermentation process based on the temperature signal monitored by the temperature sensor and in combination with pressure data.
[0008] Preferably, it also includes a humidity sensor installed inside the tank; the humidity sensor is used to monitor the humidity inside the tank in real time and transmit the humidity signal to the controller; when the humidity is higher than a preset threshold and the foam thickness exceeds the standard, the amount of defoamer sprayed is increased; when the humidity is lower than the preset threshold and the foam thickness exceeds the standard, the amount of defoamer sprayed is reduced or the mode of physical defoaming is switched.
[0009] Preferably, it also includes a mechanical safety valve and an audible and visual alarm; the mechanical safety valve is installed on the top of the tank and has an opening pressure threshold of 1.2 times the working pressure of the tank, serving as a last line of defense in case of electronic control failure; the audible and visual alarm is triggered when the pressure exceeds the preset threshold to alert the operator.
[0010] The beneficial effects of this invention are: by using pressure sensors and foam sensors to monitor the pressure and foam thickness inside the tank in real time, when the pressure increases and foam accumulates, the defoaming component is activated first instead of simply venting, thus avoiding ineffective venting due to foam blockage.
[0011] CO2 concentration and metabolism correlation analysis: By combining CO2 sensor data, we can determine the root cause of the pressure increase and dynamically adjust the ventilation volume or stirring rate to optimize the fermentation environment.
[0012] Temperature and humidity coordinated control: By monitoring the environment inside the tank through temperature and humidity sensors and combining foam thickness data, the amount and frequency of defoamer spraying are dynamically adjusted to further improve defoaming efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0013] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;
[0014] Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of this utility model;
[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first side cross-sectional structure of the present invention;
[0016] Figure 4 This is an enlarged structural diagram of point A in this utility model;
[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the second side cross-sectional structure of the present invention;
[0018] Figure 6 This is a bottom-view cross-sectional structural diagram of the present invention.
[0019] In the diagram: 1. Exhaust valve; 2. Tank body; 3. Pressure sensor; 4. Defoaming component; 5. Foam sensor; 6. Defoaming rake; 7. Liquid supply pipeline; 8. Liquid equalization hole; 9. Temperature sensor; 10. First motor; 11. Drive gear; 12. Driven gear; 13. Second motor; 14. Agitator; 15. Carbon dioxide sensor. Detailed Implementation
[0020] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this utility model, the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description in this part is only exemplary and explanatory, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this utility model in any way.
[0021] The existing gas emission device in the fermentation process of edible fungi mainly includes an exhaust valve 1, installed at the exhaust port on the top of the tank 2, for venting the gas inside the tank 2; a pressure sensor 3, located on the top of the tank 2, for real-time monitoring of the pressure inside the tank 2; and a controller, electrically connected to the pressure sensor 3, for controlling the operation of the exhaust valve 1 based on the pressure signal monitored by the pressure sensor 3. In specific use, the pressure sensor 3 monitors the pressure inside the fermentation tank 2 in real time during fungal fermentation and transmits the pressure signal monitored by the pressure sensor 3 to the controller. When the pressure monitored by the pressure sensor 3 exceeds a preset threshold, the controller opens the exhaust valve 1 to release the excess gas. The pressure sensor 3 can be a piezoresistive pressure sensor 3, a capacitive pressure sensor 3, or a piezoelectric pressure sensor 3. The above is an introduction to the existing gas emission device in the fermentation process of edible fungi.
[0022] As can be seen from the above, existing gas emission devices in the fermentation process of edible fungi have the following defects when in use: the pressure inside the fermentation tank increases due to the following reasons: the increased metabolism of mycelia produces a large amount of CO2 and H2O vapor, leading to increased pressure inside the tank; the evaporation of metabolic products such as organic acids and alcohols or the release of dissolved gases in the fermentation liquid leads to increased pressure; a large amount of foam forms on the surface of the fermentation liquid, blocking the exhaust port or hindering gas discharge, leading to increased pressure; the fermentation heat or the increase in ambient temperature causes gas expansion, and the pressure rises accordingly, etc. Traditional fermentation devices usually monitor the pressure inside the tank 2 through the pressure sensor 3. If the pressure increases, the controller controls the exhaust valve 1 to open and exhaust, but it cannot distinguish the root cause of the pressure increase, resulting in frequent but ineffective exhaust operations. If the pressure still increases after exhaust, the operator still needs to troubleshoot and find the cause of the pressure increase one by one, resulting in a low degree of automation. In addition, when dealing with foam, manual intervention is only required after the foam has accumulated to a certain extent, which can easily cause the fermentation liquid to overflow or the gas discharge to be obstructed. Based on the above problems, this utility model adopts the following improvement method to solve them.
[0023] like Figure 1-6 As shown, a gas emission device in the fermentation process of edible fungi is further equipped with a foam sensor 5 and a defoaming component 4 based on the prior art. The foam sensor 5 is installed on the tank 2 and electrically connected to the controller. It is used to monitor the foam thickness inside the tank 2 in real time and transmit the monitored foam thickness signal to the controller. If the foam thickness exceeds a preset threshold, the controller controls the defoaming component 4 installed on the upper part of the tank 2 to operate, break the foam inside the tank 2, and reduce the accumulation of foam. Foam typically forms on the surface of the liquid, especially in aerated and stirred areas (such as near the agitator 14). Therefore, the foam sensor 5 can be installed in the center of the tank top or above the agitator 14 (the area where foam is most active). For high-viscosity fermenters (such as edible fungi fermentation), it can be installed in the center of the tank top and at multiple points on the side walls (not shown in the figure). The central sensor monitors the overall foam height, while the side wall sensors (30-50 cm from the tank wall, at the same height as the center) detect the uniformity of foam distribution (high-viscosity foam may accumulate along the wall). The foam sensor 5 can be an optical sensor (immersion type, probe pointing vertically downwards), an ultrasonic sensor (suspended outside the tank top), etc. In addition, the defoaming component 4 includes a mechanical defoamer and / or a chemical defoamer. The mechanical defoamer includes a defoaming rake 6 and a power component for driving the defoaming rake 6 to reciprocate, such as... Figure 4-5As shown, the power assembly consists of a first motor 10 mounted on the top of the tank 2, a drive gear 11 mounted on the output shaft of the first motor 10, and a driven gear 12 meshing with the drive gear 11. The bottom of the driven gear 12 extends into the tank 2 and is rotatably connected to the tank 2. It is connected to the defoaming rake 6, which is arc-shaped and has serrated blades installed on its bottom and side walls. The rake breaks up the foam through mechanical force, reducing the accumulation of foam. Since the tank 2 is also equipped with a stirring assembly (such as a stirring paddle 14 and a second motor 13 located on the top of the tank 2 and used to drive the stirring paddle 14 to rotate), in the initial setup, the rotation angle and direction of the first motor 10 are configured to rotate counterclockwise by 180 degrees to reach one side of the arm of the stirring paddle 14, and then rotate clockwise by 180 degrees to reach the other side of the arm of the stirring paddle 14. This process is repeated to achieve the foam breaking operation without interfering with the operation of the stirring paddle 14. The chemical defoamer includes a liquid supply pipe 7 connected to the internal cavity of the defoaming rake 6. The liquid supply pipe 7 is connected to the equipment for storing defoaming agent, which can deliver the defoamer to the internal cavity of the defoaming target and spray it into the tank 2 along the liquid equalization hole 8 at the bottom of the defoaming rake 6. In order to ensure that the defoaming agent is evenly sprayed into the tank 2, the technical solution is designed such that the defoaming agent is evenly sprayed into the tank 2 as the defoaming rake 6 moves. For edible fungi, defoaming agents such as THIX-268 silicone oil defoamer, THIX-298 high-efficiency fermentation-specific defoamer, or THIX-288 polyether defoamer can be used. Unlike existing technologies, this technical solution is configured such that when the pressure sensor 3 detects that the pressure inside the tank 2 exceeds a preset threshold, and the foam sensor 5 detects that the foam thickness or volume exceeds a preset threshold, the controller controls the exhaust valve 1 to open to an appropriate degree to perform exhaust operation based on the difference between the actual pressure inside the tank 2 and the preset pressure threshold; at the same time, the mechanical defoamer is controlled to operate to eliminate foam. If the pressure inside the tank 2 and the foam thickness do not drop to a safe range after the mechanical defoamer has been running for a period of time, the mechanical defoamer and the chemical defoamer will operate in tandem to improve the defoaming effect.
[0024] Furthermore, such as Figure 1-2As shown, in addition to the above, a carbon dioxide sensor 15, a temperature sensor 9, and a humidity sensor are also installed to work with the pressure sensor 3 and the foam sensor 5 to determine the cause of abnormal pressure inside the tank 2 and to restore the internal pressure of the tank 2 in a timely manner. Specifically, the carbon dioxide sensor 15 is installed on the top of the tank 2 and can be an infrared absorption sensor with an accuracy of ±2% FS, a response time of <5 seconds, and strong resistance to water vapor interference. The carbon dioxide sensor 15 is used to monitor the CO2 concentration inside the tank 2 in real time and transmit the concentration signal to the controller. The controller, based on the CO2 concentration signal and pressure data, determines whether the pressure increase is caused by enhanced mycelial metabolism. Specifically, when the CO2 concentration increases along with the pressure, it is determined that the mycelial metabolism is enhanced, and the ventilation volume or stirring rate of the fermenter is adjusted. When the CO2 concentration is stable but the pressure increases, it is determined that the pressure increase is caused by foam accumulation, and the defoaming component 4 is activated first. The temperature sensor 9 is installed on the top of the tank 2 and is used to monitor the pressure inside the tank 2. The temperature inside tank 2 is monitored in real time, and the temperature signal is transmitted to the controller. Based on the temperature signal monitored by temperature sensor 9 and combined with pressure data, the controller dynamically adjusts the parameters of the fermentation process, such as the aeration rate of the fermenter, the stirring speed (the controller controls the operation of the second motor 13), the spraying frequency of defoamer, or the temperature control during the sterilization stage. Temperature sensor 9 can be non-contact, such as an infrared thermometer. Finally, a humidity sensor is installed inside tank 2 to monitor the humidity inside tank 2 in real time and transmit the humidity signal to the controller. A capacitive humidity sensor can be used, with a range of 0-100% RH and an accuracy of ±3% RH. It is installed in the upper part of tank 2 to avoid direct contact with the fermentation liquid. Specifically, when the humidity is higher than the preset threshold and the foam thickness exceeds the standard, the amount of defoamer sprayed is increased; when the humidity is lower than the preset threshold and the foam thickness exceeds the standard, the amount of defoamer sprayed is reduced or the system switches to a pure mechanical defoaming mode.
[0025] Furthermore, such as Figure 1-2 As shown, to ensure fermentation safety, a mechanical safety valve and an audible and visual alarm (not shown in the figure) are also installed. The opening pressure threshold of the mechanical safety valve is set to 1.1-1.3 times (preferably 1.2 times) the working pressure of tank 2, and its action signal is fed back to the controller to record abnormal events. The audible and visual alarm is electrically connected to the controller. When the pressure sensor 3 detects that the pressure inside tank 2 exceeds the preset safety threshold (1.2 times the working pressure of tank 2), the audible and visual alarm signal is immediately triggered to remind the operator to take emergency measures. In addition, the audible and visual alarm can also be activated when the controller detects a sensor malfunction. The valve body of the mechanical safety valve is made of 316L stainless steel or Hastelloy, and the sealing surface is lined with polytetrafluoroethylene gasket. The audible and visual alarm is equipped with an explosion-proof shell, suitable for flammable and explosive fermentation environments.
[0026] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0027] This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this utility model. The above examples are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this utility model. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be noted that due to the limitations of textual expression, there are objectively infinite specific structures. For those skilled in the art, several improvements, modifications, or changes can be made without departing from the principles of this utility model, and the above technical features can also be combined in an appropriate manner. These improvements, modifications, changes, or combinations, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other situations without modification, should all be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A gas emission device for the fermentation process of edible fungi, comprising: An exhaust valve (1) is installed at the exhaust port on the top of the tank (2) to discharge the gas inside the tank (2); A pressure sensor (3) is installed on the top of the tank (2) to monitor the pressure inside the tank (2) in real time; The controller is electrically connected to the pressure sensor (3) and is used to control the operation of the exhaust valve (1) according to the pressure signal monitored by the pressure sensor (3); Its characteristic is that it further includes: The defoaming component (4) is installed on the upper part of the tank (2) to break up the foam in the tank (2) and reduce the accumulation of foam. A foam sensor (5) is installed on the tank (2) to monitor the foam thickness inside the tank (2) in real time and transmit the monitored foam thickness signal to the controller. When the pressure sensor (3) detects that the pressure inside the tank (2) exceeds the preset threshold, and the foam sensor (5) detects that the foam thickness exceeds the preset threshold, the controller controls the exhaust valve (1) and the defoaming component (4) to operate in coordination.
2. The gas emission device in the fermentation process of edible fungi according to claim 1, characterized in that: The defoaming component (4) includes one or a combination of the following types: Mechanical defoamer: includes a defoaming rake (6) and a power unit; The defoaming rake (6) is installed inside the tank (2) and is driven by a power component to reciprocate, thereby physically breaking up the foam. Chemical defoamer: includes a liquid supply line (7) and a liquid equalization hole (8); The liquid supply pipeline (7) is connected to the internal cavity of the defoaming rake (6) and is used to deliver the defoaming agent; The liquid equalization holes (8) are evenly distributed at the bottom of the defoaming rake (6) for atomizing and spraying defoamer.
3. The gas emission device in the fermentation process of edible fungi according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a carbon dioxide sensor (15), which is installed on the top of the tank (2); the carbon dioxide sensor (15) is used to monitor the CO2 concentration in the tank (2) in real time and transmit the concentration signal to the controller; the controller determines whether the pressure increase is caused by the enhanced mycelial metabolism based on the CO2 concentration signal and pressure data; when the CO2 concentration increases and the pressure increases, it is determined that the mycelial metabolism is enhanced, and the ventilation or stirring rate of the fermenter is adjusted; when the CO2 concentration is stable and the pressure increases, it is determined that the pressure increase is caused by foam accumulation, and the defoaming component (4) is activated first.
4. The gas emission device in the fermentation process of edible fungi according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a temperature sensor (9), which is installed on the top of the tank (2); the temperature sensor (9) is used to monitor the temperature inside the tank (2) in real time and transmit the temperature signal to the controller; the controller dynamically adjusts the parameters of the fermentation process based on the temperature signal monitored by the temperature sensor (9) and in combination with the pressure data.
5. The gas emission device for the fermentation process of edible fungi according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a humidity sensor, which is installed inside the tank (2); the humidity sensor is used to monitor the humidity inside the tank (2) in real time and transmit the humidity signal to the controller; when the humidity is higher than the preset threshold and the foam thickness exceeds the standard, the amount of defoamer sprayed is increased; when the humidity is lower than the preset threshold and the foam thickness exceeds the standard, the amount of defoamer sprayed is reduced or the mode of physical defoaming is switched.
6. The gas emission device in the fermentation process of edible fungi according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a mechanical safety valve and an audible and visual alarm; the mechanical safety valve is installed on the top of the tank (2), and the opening pressure threshold is 1.2 times the working pressure of the tank (2), serving as the last line of defense when the electronic control fails; the audible and visual alarm is triggered when the pressure exceeds the preset threshold to remind the operator.