Mash concentration device and mycoprotein production line

Abstract

The utility model discloses a mash concentration device and a mycoprotein production line, and belongs to the technical field of mycoprotein production. The mash concentration device comprises an evaporation tank and a heat exchange tube. The evaporation tank is provided with an evaporation cavity, and a water vapor outlet, a mash inlet and a mash outlet which are communicated with the evaporation cavity, and the mash inlet is used for being communicated with mash. The heat exchange pipe is provided with a heat exchange pipe inlet and a heat exchange pipe outlet which are communicated, the heat exchange pipe inlet and the heat exchange pipe outlet are both located outside the evaporation cavity, the heat exchange pipe inlet is used for being communicated with a steam exhaust port of the oxidation furnace, and at least part of the heat exchange pipe is located in the evaporation cavity. According to the mash concentration device, the steam generated by the oxidation furnace is used as a heat source to concentrate the mash, so that the steam generated by the oxidation furnace can also be used by the mash concentration device, and the utilization rate of the steam generated by the oxidation furnace is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of bacterial protein production, and particularly relates to a mash concentration device and a bacterial protein production line. Background Technology

[0002] Industrial waste gas fermentation for ethanol production is a new technology that uses carbon monoxide as a carbon source to produce ethanol through microbial fermentation. After distillation to extract ethanol, the fermentation wastewater contains a certain amount of microbial protein, significantly increasing the difficulty of wastewater treatment. Simultaneously, the microbial protein in the wastewater has a simple composition and high crude protein content, making it a high-value-added protein feed that can be widely used in aquaculture and livestock feeding. Microbial protein powder can replace a portion of fishmeal in the feed industry, reducing reliance on high-grade protein feeds for marine fish, which has significant environmental and economic implications. The protein powder can be obtained through processes such as centrifugal concentration and drying in a drying tower.

[0003] When the upstream fermentation section is running, a large amount of fermentation tail gas will be generated. The fermentation tail gas can be incorporated into the oxidizer for combustion to generate steam, which can be used by the upstream fermentation section and the protein section.

[0004] The upstream fermentation and protein processing sections have limited steam usage. In related technologies, when there is too much steam, the excess steam is usually released, resulting in low steam utilization. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application aims to at least partially solve the technical problem of low steam utilization rate in oxidation furnaces. To this end, this application provides a mash concentration device and a microbial protein production line.

[0006] In a first aspect, the mash concentration apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application includes:

[0007] An evaporator has an evaporation chamber and a water vapor outlet, a mash inlet, and a mash outlet communicating with the evaporation chamber, wherein the mash inlet is used to communicate with the mash.

[0008] A heat exchange tube has a communicating heat exchange tube inlet and a heat exchange tube outlet, both of which are located outside the evaporation chamber. The heat exchange tube inlet is used to communicate with the steam outlet of the oxidizing furnace, and at least a portion of the heat exchange tube is located inside the evaporation chamber.

[0009] In some embodiments, the mash concentration device further includes a vapor-liquid separator, the separator inlet of which is connected to the heat exchange tube outlet.

[0010] In some embodiments, the mash concentration device further includes a first heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger including a first mash inlet and a first mash outlet connected in communication, and a first condensate inlet and a first condensate outlet connected in communication;

[0011] The first mash outlet is connected to the mash inlet, and the first mash inlet is used to communicate with the mash.

[0012] The liquid phase outlet of the vapor-liquid separator is connected to the first condensate inlet.

[0013] In some embodiments, the mash concentration apparatus further includes:

[0014] The first connecting pipe is connected to the liquid phase outlet of the vapor-liquid separator and the first condensate inlet;

[0015] The first valve is installed on the first connecting pipe.

[0016] In some embodiments, the mash concentration apparatus further includes a second heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger including a first gas phase inlet and a first gas phase outlet connected in communication, and also including a first air inlet and a first air outlet connected in communication;

[0017] The first air inlet is used to communicate with air, and the first air outlet is used to communicate with a blower.

[0018] The gas phase outlet of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the first gas phase inlet.

[0019] In some embodiments, the mash concentration device further includes a third heat exchanger, which includes a first water vapor inlet and a first water vapor outlet connected in communication, and also includes a second air inlet and a second air outlet connected in communication.

[0020] The second air inlet is used to communicate with air, and the second air outlet is used to communicate with a blower;

[0021] The water vapor outlet is connected to the first water vapor inlet.

[0022] In some embodiments, the mash concentration device further includes a spray element disposed in the evaporation chamber, the inlet of the spray element being connected to the mash inlet, and the outlet of the spray element being directed toward the heat exchange tube.

[0023] In some embodiments, the mash concentration device further includes an air inlet valve assembly and a second valve, wherein the air inlet valve assembly and the second valve are arranged in parallel on the heat exchange tube inlet side of the heat exchange tube;

[0024] The intake valve assembly includes a third valve, a fourth valve, and a fifth valve arranged in sequence; the second valve, the third valve, and the fifth valve are all manual valves, and the fourth valve is an automatic valve.

[0025] In some embodiments, the mash concentration apparatus further includes:

[0026] A mash discharge pipe, one end of which is connected to the mash outlet;

[0027] Two control valve groups are connected in parallel on the mash discharge pipe. The control valve groups include a sixth valve, a pump, and a seventh valve arranged in sequence.

[0028] Secondly, the present application provides a bacterial protein production line, which includes the mash concentration device described in the first aspect above.

[0029] This utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0030] Low-concentration mash enters the evaporation chamber of the evaporator through the mash inlet. Steam in the heat exchange tubes exchanges heat with the low-concentration mash, raising its temperature and causing the water in the mash to evaporate. The resulting water vapor is discharged through the water vapor outlet, thus increasing the mash concentration to obtain concentrated mash. The mash concentration device utilizes steam generated by the oxidizer as a heat source to concentrate the mash, allowing the steam from the oxidizer to be used by the concentration device, thereby improving the utilization rate of the steam generated by the oxidizer. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the mash concentration apparatus in one or more embodiments of this application is shown.

[0033] Figure 2 A flowchart of the protein drying process is shown.

[0034] Figure reference numerals: 300-Malt liquor concentration device, 110-Evaporator, 110a-Evaporation chamber, 110b-Water vapor outlet, 110c-Malt liquor inlet, 110d-Malt liquor outlet, 120-Heat exchange tube, 120a-Heat exchange tube inlet, 120b-Heat exchange tube outlet, 130-Vapor-liquid separator, 130a-Separator inlet, 130b-Liquid phase outlet, 130c-Vapor phase outlet, 140-First heat exchanger, 140a-First mash liquor inlet, 140b-First mash liquor outlet, 140c-First condensate inlet, 140d-First condensate outlet, 150-First connecting pipe, 170-First valve, 180-Second heat exchanger, 180a - First gas phase inlet, 180b - First gas phase outlet, 180c - First air inlet, 180d - First air outlet, 190 - Third heat exchanger, 190a - First water vapor inlet, 190b - First water vapor outlet, 190c - Second air inlet, 190d - Second air outlet, 210 - Inlet valve assembly, 211 - Third valve, 212 - Fourth valve, 213 - Fifth valve, 220 - Second valve, 230 - Mash discharge pipe, 240 - Control valve assembly, 241 - Sixth valve, 242 - Pump, 243 - Seventh valve, 250 - First pipe, 260 - First fan, 270 - Second pipe, 280 - Second fan, 290 - Spray unit. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0036] It should be noted that all directional indications in this utility model embodiment are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0037] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixing" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] Furthermore, in this utility model, descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0039] In related technologies, the steam generated by oxidation furnaces suffers from low utilization rates. This application provides a mash concentration device and a microbial protein production line, which can at least partially solve the problem of low steam utilization rates generated by oxidation furnaces.

[0040] This application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0041] This application provides a mash concentration device 300, which uses steam generated by an oxidizer as a heat source to concentrate the mash, so that the steam generated by the oxidizer can also be used by the mash concentration device 300, thereby improving the utilization rate of the steam generated by the oxidizer.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the mash concentration device 300 includes an evaporator 110 and a heat exchange tube 120. The evaporator 110 has an evaporation chamber 110a and a steam outlet 110b, a mash inlet 110c, and a mash outlet 110d communicating with the evaporation chamber 110a. The mash inlet 110c is used to communicate with the mash. The heat exchange tube 120 has a communicating heat exchange tube inlet 120a and a heat exchange tube outlet 120b, both of which are located outside the evaporation chamber 110a. The heat exchange tube inlet 120a is used to communicate with the steam outlet of the oxidizer, and at least a portion of the heat exchange tube 120 is located inside the evaporation chamber 110a.

[0043] Low-concentration mash (hereinafter referred to as low-concentration mash) enters the evaporation chamber 110a of the evaporator 110 through the mash inlet 110c. Steam in the heat exchange tube 120 exchanges heat with the low-concentration mash, raising its temperature and causing the water in the mash to evaporate. The resulting water vapor is discharged through the water vapor outlet 110b, thereby increasing the mash concentration and obtaining a higher-concentration mash (hereinafter referred to as concentrated mash). The mash concentration device 300 utilizes steam generated by the oxidizer as a heat source to concentrate the mash, allowing the steam generated by the oxidizer to be used by the mash concentration device 300, thus improving the utilization rate of the steam generated by the oxidizer.

[0044] It should be noted that the mash concentration device 300 includes two operating modes:

[0045] Mode 1: Close the mash outlet 110d, spray a certain amount of low-concentration mash into the mash inlet 110c, immerse the heat exchange tube 120 in the low-concentration mash, and heat the low-concentration mash in the evaporation chamber 110a with the steam in the heat exchange tube 120 for a period of time, so that the water in the low-concentration mash evaporates, thereby increasing the mash concentration. Finally, open the mash outlet 110d to discharge the concentrated mash.

[0046] Mode 2: The mash outlet 110d remains open, while the mash inlet 110c continuously sprays low-concentration mash into the evaporation chamber 110a, continuously producing concentrated mash. The concentrated mash is then continuously discharged through the mash outlet 110d. In this mode, the low-concentration mash can be sprayed in a mist form into the evaporation chamber 110a, allowing it to fully absorb the heat from the chamber, which helps improve concentration efficiency.

[0047] In some embodiments, the heat exchange tube 120 is coiled within the evaporation chamber 110a to increase the length of a section of the heat exchange tube 120 within the evaporation chamber 110a, thereby improving the efficiency of heat exchange between the steam and the low-concentration mash within the heat exchange tube 120. In some embodiments, the mash concentration device 300 further includes a spray element 290 disposed within the evaporation chamber 110a, with the inlet of the spray element 290 connected to the mash inlet 110c and the outlet of the spray element 290 facing the heat exchange tube 120.

[0048] The function of the spray element 290 is to uniformly spray the low-concentration mash into the evaporation chamber 110a. The spray element 290 may include a spray head (nozzle) and a spray pipe. One end of the spray pipe is connected to the inlet of the spray head, and the other end is connected to the mash inlet 110c. The spray head has multiple spray holes to ensure that the low-concentration mash is uniformly sprayed into the evaporation chamber 110a. Of course, the spray element 290 may also consist only of a spray head, with the inlet of the spray head connected to the mash inlet 110c. The structure of the spray element 290 is diverse and is not limited in this application. Under the action of the spray element 290, the low-concentration mash is uniformly sprayed into the evaporation chamber 110a. When the mash concentration device 300 operates in mode two, the low-concentration mash sprayed by the spray element 290 can fully exchange heat with the heat in the evaporation chamber 110a, thereby improving the mash concentration efficiency.

[0049] In some embodiments, the spray element 290 is disposed above the heat exchange tube 120.

[0050] In some embodiments, the mash concentration apparatus 300 further includes a vapor-liquid separator 130, wherein the separator inlet 130a of the vapor-liquid separator 130 is connected to the heat exchange tube outlet 120b.

[0051] After the steam in the heat exchange tube 120 absorbs heat from the low-concentration mash in the evaporation chamber 110a, its temperature drops, and some of the steam condenses to form condensate. Therefore, the mixture of steam and condensate is discharged from the heat exchange tube outlet 120b.

[0052] The separator inlet 130a of the vapor-liquid separator 130 is connected to the heat exchange tube outlet 120b to separate the steam and condensate discharged from the heat exchange tube outlet 120b. After separation into steam and condensate, the steam and condensate are discharged through the gas phase outlet 130c and the liquid phase outlet 130b, respectively, and go to different systems to play different roles, facilitating the reuse of steam and condensate.

[0053] The structure of the vapor-liquid separator 130 is known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0054] The structure of the heat exchanger is known to those skilled in the art, and it can be a tubular heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger, etc., and is not limited in this application.

[0055] It is understood that the condensate separated by the vapor-liquid separator 130 still has a certain amount of heat. In order to utilize the heat of the condensate, in some embodiments, the mash concentration device 300 further includes a first heat exchanger 140. The first heat exchanger 140 includes a first mash inlet 140a and a first mash outlet 140b connected together, and also includes a first condensate inlet 140c and a first condensate outlet 140d connected together. The first mash outlet 140b is connected to the mash inlet 110c, and the first mash inlet 140a is used to communicate with the mash. The liquid phase outlet 130b of the vapor-liquid separator 130 is connected to the first condensate inlet 140c.

[0056] The liquid outlet 130b of the vapor-liquid separator 130 discharges condensate. Low-concentration mash enters the first heat exchanger 140 from the first mash inlet 140a, and the condensate discharged from the vapor-liquid separator 130 enters the first heat exchanger 140 from the first condensate inlet 140c. The low-concentration mash and condensate exchange heat in the first heat exchanger 140, with the low-concentration mash absorbing heat from the condensate, thus preheating the mash. The preheated low-concentration mash is then discharged from the first mash outlet 140b and enters the evaporation chamber 110a through the mash inlet 110c. This design utilizes the heat in the condensate, thereby fully utilizing the heat in the steam generated by the oxidizer (the condensate is formed by the condensation of the steam generated by the oxidizer), resulting in high heat utilization. Furthermore, the preheating of the low-concentration mash helps improve the concentration efficiency of the mash. The condensate after heat exchange is discharged through the first condensate outlet 140d. It can be stored in a storage tank for later use, or it can be discharged directly. This application does not limit the scope of the discharge.

[0057] In some embodiments, the mash concentration apparatus 300 further includes a first connecting pipe 150 and a first valve 170. The first connecting pipe 150 is connected to the liquid phase outlet 130b of the vapor-liquid separator 130 and the first condensate inlet 140c. The first valve 170 is installed on the first connecting pipe 150.

[0058] One end of the first connecting pipe 150 is connected to the liquid phase outlet 130b of the vapor-liquid separator 130, and the other end is connected to the first condensate inlet 140c. The first valve 170 is installed on the first connecting pipe 150 and is used to regulate the flow rate of the condensate, so that the flow rate of the condensate can be adaptively adjusted according to parameters such as the flow rate of low-concentration mash, which facilitates the use of the mash concentration device 300.

[0059] In some embodiments, the mash concentration apparatus 300 further includes a pump installed on the first connecting pipe 150, which sends the condensate discharged from the liquid phase outlet 130b to the first heat exchanger 140.

[0060] The steam separated by the vapor-liquid separator 130 has a certain amount of heat. In order to utilize the heat of this part of the steam, in some embodiments, the mash concentration device 300 further includes a second heat exchanger 180. The second heat exchanger 180 includes a first gas phase inlet 180a and a first gas phase outlet 180b connected together, and also includes a first air inlet 180c and a first air outlet 180d connected together. The first air inlet 180c is used to communicate with air, and the first air outlet 180d is used to communicate with a blower. The gas phase outlet 130c of the vapor-liquid separator 130 is connected to the first gas phase inlet 180a.

[0061] Steam is discharged from the gas phase outlet 130c of the vapor-liquid separator 130. The discharged steam enters the second heat exchanger 180 through the first gas phase inlet 180a, and air enters the second heat exchanger 180 through the first air inlet 180c. The air and steam exchange heat in the second heat exchanger 180, with the air absorbing heat from the steam, causing its temperature to rise. After absorbing heat, part of the steam condenses into condensate. The mixture of condensate and steam is discharged externally through the first gas phase outlet 180b or into a condensate tank, which is not limited in this application. A blower is the power element that drives air to enter through the first air inlet 180c and exit through the first air outlet 180d. The air, after absorbing heat, is discharged through the first air outlet 180d and, under the action of the blower and pipelines, is sent to subsequent processes for utilization, such as being sent to a drying tower to dry the mash. With this design, the heat in the steam is reused, resulting in a high heat utilization rate.

[0062] In some embodiments, the mixture of condensate and steam is discharged through a first gas phase outlet 180b into a condensate tank for storage, to be used by the upstream fermentation section to generate saturated steam.

[0063] In some embodiments, the blower sequentially sends the air discharged from the first air outlet 180d to a water-steam heat exchanger, an unsaturated steam heat exchanger, and the primary and secondary heating systems for heating, and finally sends it to the drying tower to dry the concentrated mash. (Refer to...) Figure 2 As shown.

[0064] In some embodiments, the mash concentration device 300 further includes a second pipe 270 and a second fan 280. One end of the second pipe 270 is connected to the first gas phase inlet 180a, and the other end is connected to the gas phase outlet 130c. The second fan 280 is installed on the second pipe 270. Under the action of the second fan 280, the steam discharged from the gas phase outlet 130c is quickly sent to the second heat exchanger 180 through the second pipe 270, ensuring the efficiency of steam and air heat exchange.

[0065] In some embodiments, the mash concentration device 300 further includes a first pipe 250 and a first fan 260. One end of the first pipe 250 is connected to the water vapor outlet 110b, and the first fan 260 is installed on the first pipe 250. Under the action of the first fan 260, the water vapor in the evaporation chamber 110a is quickly discharged through the first pipe 250. The first fan 260 accelerates the water vapor discharge efficiency, which helps to improve the concentration efficiency of the mash.

[0066] The water vapor discharged from the water vapor outlet 110b has a certain amount of heat. In order to utilize the heat of the water vapor, in some embodiments, the mash concentration device 300 further includes a third heat exchanger 190. The third heat exchanger 190 includes a first water vapor inlet 190a and a first water vapor outlet 190b connected together, and also includes a second air inlet 190c and a second air outlet 190d connected together. The second air inlet 190c is used to communicate with air, and the second air outlet 190d is used to communicate with a blower. The water vapor outlet 110b is connected to the first water vapor inlet 190a.

[0067] Water vapor discharged from water vapor outlet 110b enters the third heat exchanger 190 through the first water vapor inlet 190a, while air enters the third heat exchanger 190 through the second air inlet 190c. The air and water vapor exchange heat in the third heat exchanger 190, with the air absorbing heat from the water vapor, causing its temperature to rise. After absorbing heat, some of the water vapor condenses into condensate. The mixture of condensate and water vapor can be discharged externally through the first water vapor outlet 190b or discharged into the wastewater treatment system, which is not limited in this application. A blower is a power component that drives air to enter through the second air inlet 190c and exit through the second air outlet 190d. The air, after absorbing heat, is discharged through the second air outlet 190d and, under the action of the blower and pipelines, is sent to subsequent processes for utilization. This design reuses the heat in the water vapor, resulting in a high heat utilization rate.

[0068] In an embodiment where the mash concentration device 300 includes a first pipe 250 and a first blower 260, the other end of the first pipe 250 is connected to a first water vapor inlet 190a.

[0069] In some embodiments, the blower sequentially sends the air discharged from the second air outlet 190d to a water-steam heat exchanger, an unsaturated steam heat exchanger, and the primary and secondary heating systems for heating, and finally sends it to the drying tower to dry the concentrated mash. (Refer to...) Figure 2 As shown.

[0070] In some embodiments, the mash concentration device 300 further includes an air inlet valve assembly 210 and a second valve 220, wherein the air inlet valve assembly 210 and the second valve 220 are arranged in parallel on one side of the heat exchange tube inlet 120a of the heat exchange tube 120; the air inlet valve assembly 210 includes a third valve 211, a fourth valve 212 and a fifth valve 213 arranged in sequence; the second valve 220, the third valve 211 and the fifth valve 213 are all manual valves, and the fourth valve 212 is an automatic valve.

[0071] When the mash concentration device 300 is operating normally, the third valve 211, the fourth valve 212, and the fifth valve 213 are open, and the second valve 220 is closed. The steam flow rate is automatically regulated by the fourth valve 212. When the fourth valve 212 is damaged, the third valve 211 and the fifth valve 213 close, and the second valve 220 opens. The steam flow rate is regulated by manually adjusting the opening of the second valve 220, ensuring a continuous steam supply while facilitating the maintenance and replacement of the fourth valve 212. The automatic valve can be a solenoid valve, a pneumatic valve, a hydraulic valve, etc., and is not limited in this application.

[0072] In some embodiments, the mash concentration device 300 further includes a mash discharge pipe 230 and two control valve assemblies 240. One end of the mash discharge pipe 230 is connected to the mash outlet 110d. The two control valve assemblies 240 are arranged in parallel on the mash discharge pipe 230, and each control valve assembly 240 includes a sixth valve 241, a pump 242, and a seventh valve 243 arranged sequentially.

[0073] During normal operation of the mash concentration unit 300, the sixth valve 241, pump 242, and seventh valve 243 of one control valve group 240 are all closed, while the sixth valve 241, pump 242, and seventh valve 243 of the other control valve group 240 are all open. The two control valve groups 240 operate in a standby configuration, ensuring the continuous and stable operation of the mash concentration unit 300. Pump 242 is used to pump the concentrated mash discharged from the mash outlet 110d into subsequent processes.

[0074] In some embodiments, the other end of the mash discharge pipe 230 is connected to the inlet of a centrifuge system, and the pump 242 is used to pump the concentrated mash discharged from the mash outlet 110d into the centrifuge system for further concentration. (See reference...) Figure 2 As shown.

[0075] The working principle of the mash concentration device 300 is described below:

[0076] Low-concentration mash enters through the first condensate inlet 140a. The mash is preheated in the first heat exchanger 140, and then sequentially passes through the mash inlet 110c and the spray nozzle 290 before finally being sprayed out. Steam discharged from the oxidizer enters the heat exchange tube 120 through the heat exchange tube inlet 120a. The steam in the heat exchange tube 120 exchanges heat with the low-concentration mash, raising its temperature and causing the water in the mash to evaporate. The resulting water vapor is discharged through the water vapor outlet 110b, thus increasing the mash concentration. The mixture of steam and condensate discharged from the heat exchange tube outlet 120b enters the vapor-liquid separator 130 through the separator inlet 130a. The condensate discharged from the liquid phase outlet 130b of the vapor-liquid separator 130 is sent to the first heat exchanger 140 to preheat the low-concentration mash. The steam discharged from the vapor phase outlet 130c of the vapor-liquid separator 130 enters the second heat exchanger 180 to preheat the air. The water vapor discharged from the water vapor outlet 110b enters the third heat exchanger 190 through the first water vapor inlet 190a, which also preheats the air.

[0077] like Figure 2 As shown, based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides a bacterial protein production line, including the above-mentioned mash concentration device 300.

[0078] The microbial protein production line is used to produce microbial protein. Since the microbial protein production line includes the mash concentration device 300 mentioned above, it naturally has all the beneficial effects of the mash concentration device 300, which will not be elaborated here.

[0079] In some embodiments, the microbial protein production line further includes a centrifuge system and a drying tower. The mash concentrated by the mash concentration device 300 is sent to the centrifuge system for further concentration treatment, and then sent to the drying tower for drying treatment.

[0080] In some embodiments, the microbial protein production line further includes a blower, a water-steam heat exchanger, an unsaturated steam heat exchanger, and a primary and secondary heating system. The blower sends air to the water-steam heat exchanger, the unsaturated steam heat exchanger, and the primary and secondary heating system. The water-steam heat exchanger, the unsaturated steam heat exchanger, and the primary and secondary heating system heat the air. The heated air is then sent to a drying tower to dry the concentrated mash and obtain protein powder.

[0081] The bacterial protein production line may also include cyclone separators, bag filters, air conveying pipes, packaging systems, deodorization systems, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0082] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0083] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only if they are based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0084] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A mash concentration device, characterized in that, include: An evaporator (110) has an evaporation chamber (110a) and a water vapor outlet (110b), a mash inlet (110c), and a mash outlet (110d) communicating with the evaporation chamber (110a), wherein the mash inlet (110c) is used to communicate with the mash. A heat exchange tube (120) has a communicating heat exchange tube inlet (120a) and heat exchange tube outlet (120b), both of which are located outside the evaporation chamber (110a). The heat exchange tube inlet (120a) is used to communicate with the steam outlet of the oxidizing furnace, and at least a portion of the heat exchange tube (120) is located inside the evaporation chamber (110a).

2. The mash concentration apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mash concentration device (300) further includes a vapor-liquid separator (130), the separator inlet (130a) of which is connected to the heat exchange tube outlet (120b).

3. The mash concentration apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mash concentration device (300) further includes a first heat exchanger (140), which includes a first mash inlet (140a) and a first mash outlet (140b) connected in series, and also includes a first condensate inlet (140c) and a first condensate outlet (140d) connected in series. The first mash outlet (140b) is connected to the mash inlet (110c), and the first mash inlet (140a) is used to communicate with the mash. The liquid phase outlet (130b) of the vapor-liquid separator (130) is connected to the first condensate inlet (140c).

4. The mash concentration apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The mash concentration device (300) also includes: The first connecting pipe (150) is connected to the liquid phase outlet (130b) and the first condensate inlet (140c) of the vapor-liquid separator (130); The first valve (170) is installed on the first connecting pipe (150).

5. The mash concentration apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mash concentration device (300) further includes a second heat exchanger (180), which includes a first gas phase inlet (180a) and a first gas phase outlet (180b) connected in series, and also includes a first air inlet (180c) and a first air outlet (180d) connected in series. The first air inlet (180c) is used to communicate with air, and the first air outlet (180d) is used to communicate with a blower. The gas phase outlet (130c) of the gas-liquid separator (130) is connected to the first gas phase inlet (180a).

6. The mash concentration apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The mash concentration device (300) further includes a third heat exchanger (190), which includes a first water vapor inlet (190a) and a first water vapor outlet (190b) connected together, and also includes a second air inlet (190c) and a second air outlet (190d) connected together. The second air inlet (190c) is used to communicate with air, and the second air outlet (190d) is used to communicate with a blower; The water vapor outlet (110b) is connected to the first water vapor inlet (190a).

7. The mash concentration apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The mash concentration device (300) further includes a spray element (290) disposed in the evaporation chamber (110a), the inlet of the spray element (290) being connected to the mash inlet (110c), and the outlet of the spray element (290) facing the heat exchange tube (120).

8. The mash concentration apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The mash concentration device (300) further includes an air inlet valve assembly (210) and a second valve (220), wherein the air inlet valve assembly (210) and the second valve (220) are arranged in parallel on one side of the heat exchange tube inlet (120a) of the heat exchange tube (120); The intake valve assembly (210) includes a third valve (211), a fourth valve (212), and a fifth valve (213) arranged in sequence; the second valve (220), the third valve (211), and the fifth valve (213) are all manual valves, and the fourth valve (212) is an automatic valve.

9. The mash concentration apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The mash concentration device (300) also includes: A mash discharge pipe (230) is connected at one end to the mash outlet (110d); Two control valve groups (240) are connected in parallel on the mash discharge pipe (230). The control valve group (240) includes a sixth valve (241), a pump (242) and a seventh valve (243) arranged in sequence.

10. A bacterial protein production line, characterized in that, The mash concentration apparatus (300) includes any one of claims 1-9.

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