Air distributor and bioreactor

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of biotechnology especially, more particularly to an air distributor, including distributor main part, first air inlet pipe (201) and second air inlet pipe (202), the distributor main part is from below to above and is formed with a plurality of gas outlet holes (4), first air inlet pipe (201) with second air inlet pipe (202) all with the inside communication of distributor main part, just first air inlet pipe (201) with second air inlet pipe (202) the gas outlet direction is opposite to set, gas from first air inlet pipe (201) and second air inlet pipe (202) into the distributor main part, and from gas outlet hole (4) place escape. In addition, the application further provides a kind of bioreactor. The air distributor of the application can improve bubble uniformity, improve production efficiency and product quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of bioreactors, specifically to an air distributor. Furthermore, this utility model also relates to a bioreactor. Background Technology

[0002] Microbial polysaccharides, as an important class of biopolymer materials, are widely used in food industry, pharmaceutical carriers, cosmetics and environmental remediation due to their unique physicochemical properties.

[0003] Currently, industrial production is mainly carried out through microbial fermentation, with bioreactors serving as the core equipment in the fermentation process. When using bioreactors for microbial fermentation, an air distributor is typically installed inside to introduce the necessary air into the fermentation broth.

[0004] In existing stirred bioreactors, the air distributor typically distributes air on a horizontal plane, and then mixes and transfers the air through mechanical stirring. This results in uneven dispersion of the extracted gas, which can easily lead to localized excessively high or low gas concentrations, affecting production efficiency and product quality.

[0005] Therefore, developing new air distributors has significant practical implications for the fermentation of microbial polysaccharides. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the problem that existing air distributors cause excessively high or low gas concentrations when used for the fermentation of microbial polysaccharides, affecting production efficiency and product quality. This invention provides an air distributor and a bioreactor that can improve bubble uniformity, thereby enhancing production efficiency and product quality.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a bioreactor, including a distributor body, a first air inlet pipe, and a second air inlet pipe. The distributor body has multiple gas outlet holes formed from bottom to top. The first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe are both connected to the interior of the distributor body, and the gas outlet directions of the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe are arranged opposite to each other. Gas enters the distributor body from the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe and escapes from the gas outlet holes.

[0008] Specifically, the first air inlet pipe and the second air inlet pipe are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the distributor body, and the gas outlet hole is disposed on the side of the distributor body.

[0009] Preferably, the gas transition chamber inside the main body of the distributor has a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases from top to bottom.

[0010] Preferably, the distributor body includes a frustum with a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases from top to bottom, and the gas transition chamber is formed inside the frustum.

[0011] Specifically, the gas outlet hole is formed on the side of the frustum, the gas outlet hole is spirally distributed, and the opening of the gas outlet hole faces obliquely downward.

[0012] Preferably, the distributor body further includes a spiral pipe spirally wound around the truncated cone, the spiral pipe (3) being in communication with the interior of the air distributor body, the gas outlet hole being disposed on the spiral pipe, and the gas outlet hole opening facing downward.

[0013] Preferably, the gas outlet holes are spaced 250 mm to 350 mm apart.

[0014] Preferably, the diameter of the gas outlet hole is set between 2 mm and 6 mm.

[0015] Based on the above-mentioned air distributor technical solution, this utility model also provides a bioreactor, which includes a tank, a stirring system partially disposed in the tank, and an air distributor of any of the above-mentioned technical solutions disposed in the tank.

[0016] Preferably, the stirring system is configured to form a downward-sloping flow field, the air distributor is located at the bottom of the tank, and the gas outlet orifice faces the bottom of the tank.

[0017] Through the above technical solution, the distributor body of this application forms multiple gas outlet holes in the vertical direction, covering multiple spatial layers. The bubbles diffuse more evenly into the tank in the vertical direction. In addition, the air inlet pipe of this application includes a first air inlet pipe and a second air inlet pipe arranged opposite to each other. Gas can enter the distributor body from multiple directions and mix in the distributor body, making the gas distribution in the distributor body more uniform. This makes the exhaust speed of the multiple gas outlet holes in the vertical direction more similar, improving the exhaust uniformity of the air distributor, avoiding the situation of excessively high or low local concentration of fermentation liquid, and improving production efficiency and product quality. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a front view of the air distributor according to a specific embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a bottom view of the air distributor according to a specific embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the stirring system according to a specific embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 4This is a front view of the bioreactor according to a specific embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a wireframe diagram of the bioreactor according to a specific embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a data graph of the gas content of the fermentation broth of the bioreactor of this application using spiral pipes with different opening schemes at different stirring speeds. The horizontal axis is the stirring speed, the vertical axis is the gas content, D represents the diameter of the gas outlet hole, and L represents the spacing of the gas outlet holes.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a graph showing the dissolved oxygen mass transfer coefficient of the bioreactor of this application with different opening schemes for spiral pipes at different stirrer speeds. The horizontal axis represents the stirring speed, the vertical axis represents the dissolved oxygen mass transfer coefficient, D represents the diameter of the gas outlet hole, and L represents the spacing of the gas outlet holes.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0026] 1-Frustum; 201-First air inlet pipe; 202-Second air inlet pipe; 3-Spiral pipe; 4-Gas outlet hole; 5-Tank body; 6-Agitator shaft; 7-Agitator; 8-Drive motor; 9-Reducer; 10-Mounting bracket; 11-CIP (Clean In Place) channel; 12-Acid inlet; 13-Alkali inlet; 14-Connecting plate; 15-Tube bolt; 16-Pressure gauge socket; 17-Feeding port; 18-Manhole; 19-High liquid level electrode; 20-Heat exchanger tube outlet; 21-pH meter socket; 22-DO (dissolved oxygen) electrode socket; 23-Sampling port; 24-Heat exchanger tube inlet; 25-Sampling port; 26-Heat exchanger tube. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The detailed description of the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings are used to illustrate the principles of this utility model by way of example, but should not be used to limit the scope of this utility model. This utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

[0028] These embodiments are provided to make the present invention thorough and complete, and to fully express the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement and numerical values ​​of the components and steps described in these embodiments should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limiting.

[0029] It should be noted that, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more; in the description of this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationship are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and similar words used in this invention do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different parts. Words such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element preceding the word encompasses the element listed after the word, and do not exclude the possibility of encompassing other elements as well.

[0031] It should also be noted that, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model depending on the specific circumstances. When a specific device is described as being located between a first device and a second device, an intermediary device may or may not be present between the specific device and the first or second device.

[0032] All terms used in this invention have the same meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art, and not as idealized or highly formalized, unless expressly defined herein.

[0033] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, they should be considered part of the specification.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the air distributor of this utility model includes a distributor body, a first air inlet pipe 201, and a second air inlet pipe 202. Both the first air inlet pipe 201 and the second air inlet pipe 202 are connected to the distributor body, and their air outlet directions are opposite to each other. In the specific use of the air distributor of this application, the first air inlet pipe 201 and the second air inlet pipe 202 generally carry the same gas. The opposite arrangement of the first air inlet pipe 201 and the second air inlet pipe 202 allows gas to enter the interior of the distributor body from multiple directions, and the gases from different directions are fully mixed in the distributor body, resulting in a more uniform gas distribution within the distributor body. In actual use, the first air inlet pipe 201 and the second air inlet pipe 202 of this application can also carry gases of different compositions. Compared with the existing air distributors that open multiple exhaust holes in a single plane, the air distributor of this application forms multiple gas outlet holes 4 from top to bottom, covering multiple spatial layers, which is beneficial for the dispersion of bubbles in the fermentation liquid. Furthermore, this application provides a first air inlet pipe 201 and a second air inlet pipe 202. After the gas enters the main body of the distributor through the first air inlet pipe 201 and the second air inlet pipe 202, it will collide with each other, so that the gas can be evenly mixed inside the main body of the distributor and the flow rate is reduced, so that the pressure value of the gas when it flows to each gas outlet hole 4 tends to be consistent. The mixed gas will escape from the gas outlet hole 4. Since this application provides multiple gas outlet holes 4 in the vertical direction, the gas escaping from the gas distributor is more evenly distributed. And since the pressure value of the gas when it flows to each gas outlet hole 4 tends to be consistent, the gas escaping rate of the multiple gas outlet holes 4 in the vertical direction is similar. Thus, the gas distributor of this application avoids the situation of excessively high or low local concentration, creating a more stable environment for the fermentation process and improving production efficiency and product quality.

[0035] As a specific implementation method, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first air inlet pipe 201 and the second air inlet pipe 202 are respectively located on the upper and lower sides of the distributor body, and the gas outlet hole 4 is located on the side of the distributor body. The first air inlet pipe 201 and the second air inlet pipe 202 are concentrated on the upper and lower sides of the distributor body, which facilitates connection with external ventilation pipes and allows for a more even arrangement of the gas outlet holes 4 on the side of the distributor body.

[0036] The distributor body of this application has a hollow structure. In a preferred embodiment, a gas transition chamber with a gradually decreasing cross-sectional area from top to bottom is formed inside the distributor body. The first air inlet pipe 201 and the second air inlet pipe 202 are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the distributor body, and both the first air inlet pipe 201 and the second air inlet pipe 202 are connected to the gas transition chamber, whose cross-sectional area gradually decreases from top to bottom. The gas transition chamber acts as a buffer space, slowing down the airflow speed, prolonging the gas mixing time, and generating turbulence due to the change in cross-sectional area during the gas flow from top to bottom or from bottom to top, promoting thorough mixing of gases from different air inlets and improving the gas uniformity within the gas transition chamber. In some specific embodiments, the gas transition chamber can be formed into a frustum-shaped structure that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom.

[0037] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the main body of the distributor includes a shell structure, which is preferably a truncated cone 1 with a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases from top to bottom. Gas enters the truncated cone 1 through the first air inlet pipe 201 and the second air inlet pipe 202. The gas outlet hole 4 can be opened on the side of the truncated cone 1. When the air distributor is installed in a cylindrical tank 5, the contour of the truncated cone 1 matches the cylindrical structure of the tank 5 to a high degree, which reduces the edge effect during gas injection, that is, reduces the escape of gas along the inner wall of the tank 5 and reduces the formation of dead zones.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, gas outlet holes 4 are formed on the side of the frustum 1. The gas outlet holes 4 are spirally distributed and symmetrically distributed around the center of the upper bottom surface of the frustum 1. The openings of the gas outlet holes 4 face obliquely downward. When the air distributor of this embodiment is installed in the bioreactor, the gas is ejected obliquely downward from the symmetrically distributed circular gas outlet holes 4 around the upper bottom surface of the frustum 1, forming a symmetrical flow field centered on the center of the upper bottom surface of the frustum 1 in the fermentation broth. This improves the uniformity of bubble distribution and allows the bubbles to diffuse towards the bottom of the bioreactor, extending the residence time of the bubbles.

[0039] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the distributor body also includes a spiral pipe 3 spirally wound around the frustum 1. The spiral pipe 3 is connected to the interior of the air distributor body. Gas outlet holes 4 are opened on the spiral pipe 3, and the gas outlet holes 4 open downwards. Specifically, the spiral pipe 3 can be connected to the gas transition chamber of the air distributor body. A plurality of gas outlet holes are uniformly opened on the spiral pipe 3 so that the plurality of gas outlet holes 4 are symmetrically distributed in a circle around the upper bottom surface of the frustum 1. When the air distributor of this preferred embodiment is installed in a bioreactor, the gas is sprayed downwards from the gas outlet holes 4 symmetrically distributed in a circle around the upper bottom surface of the frustum 1, forming a symmetrical flow field centered on the center of the upper bottom surface of the frustum 1 in the fermentation broth, avoiding uneven local gas concentration. Compared with the gas being sprayed obliquely downwards, the gas in this embodiment is sprayed downwards, which can form a more uniform bubble distribution in the horizontal direction, avoiding the problem of local bubble density or sparseness. In addition, the air distributor is usually set at the middle height of the tank 5, and the gas outlet hole 4 is opened at an angle downward on the side wall of the frustum 1. The movement path of the bubbles at an angle downward is relatively short, and they may not be able to reach the bottom of the tank, resulting in insufficient dissolved oxygen at the bottom. However, in this embodiment, the bubbles are ejected downward. The bubbles ejected downward need to travel a longer vertical path to float to the liquid surface, so that the bubbles have more time to fully contact the fermentation liquid, which improves the gas content of the fermentation liquid. This is especially suitable for the deep dissolved oxygen demand in high viscosity systems, such as when the cell density is high in the later stage of microbial polysaccharide fermentation and the demand for dissolved oxygen at the bottom is high.

[0040] In some preferred embodiments, the spiral pipe 3 has a circular cross-section. The hydraulic radius of the circular cross-section is large, and the frictional resistance when the gas flows in the spiral pipe 3 is small, which reduces the intake pressure loss. The fluid resistance in the spiral pipe 3 is small, the gas flow is smooth, and the spiral pipe 3 with a circular cross-section is subjected to uniform stress in all directions, avoiding stress concentration. It has high structural strength and can withstand pressure changes in the fermenter, such as gas pressure fluctuations during aeration, reducing gas leakage or uneven distribution problems caused by structural deformation.

[0041] In one specific implementation, a connecting part is formed between the spiral pipe 3 and the gas transition chamber. The connecting part is spiral-shaped and adapted to the spiral pipe 3 to ensure that the gas that is uniformly distributed in the gas transition chamber remains uniformly distributed after entering the spiral pipe 3, thereby ensuring that the gas discharge speed of each gas outlet hole 4 is relatively consistent.

[0042] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 2 As shown, the pitch of the spiral pipe 3 is adjusted according to the diameter of the upper bottom surface, the diameter of the lower ground surface, and the height of the truncated cone 1, so that the projections of adjacent coils of the spiral pipe 3 on the horizontal plane do not overlap. Thus, when the gas outlet hole 4 is opened at the bottom of the spiral pipe 3, the discharged bubbles will not be disturbed by the outer wall surface of the adjacent spiral pipe 3.

[0043] As a preferred embodiment, the spacing of the gas outlet holes 4 is set between 250mm and 350mm. By reasonably controlling the spacing of the gas outlet holes 4, the aggregation of bubbles is effectively prevented, the dispersed state of the bubbles is maintained, the dissolved oxygen level in the fermentation environment is stabilized, and a more stable growth environment is provided for microorganisms, which is conducive to improving the production efficiency and product quality of microbial polysaccharide fermentation.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the gas outlet hole 4 is set between 2 mm and 6 mm. The gas outlet hole 4 in this embodiment has a large specific surface area of ​​bubbles, which improves the dissolved oxygen mass transfer efficiency and enables oxygen to be transferred from the bubbles to the fermentation broth more efficiently, thus meeting the oxygen requirements for microbial growth and metabolism.

[0045] This application provides a preferred air distributor, which includes a frustum 1, a first inlet pipe 201, a second inlet pipe 202, and a spiral pipe 3. The frustum 1 is vertically arranged, and its cross-sectional area gradually decreases from top to bottom. A frustum-shaped gas transition chamber matching the shape of the frustum 1 is formed inside the frustum 1. The first inlet pipe 201 and the second inlet pipe 202 are respectively installed at the top and bottom of the frustum 1, and the first inlet pipe 201 and the second inlet pipe 202 are respectively connected to the top and bottom of the gas transition chamber. The spiral pipe 3 is spirally coiled around the side wall of the frustum 1. A connecting part matching the shape of the spiral pipe 3 is formed between the spiral pipe 3 and the frustum 1 to connect the spiral pipe 3 and the gas transition chamber. A plurality of spirally distributed gas outlet holes 4 are formed on the spiral pipe 3, and the opening direction of the plurality of gas outlet holes 4 is downward. In this preferred embodiment, the air distributor has downward opening direction, and the initial velocity of the bubbles discharged by the air distributor is perpendicular to the viscosity gradient direction downward, which is conducive to the movement of bubbles towards the high viscosity area at the bottom of the tank 5, maintaining the dissolved oxygen level at the bottom. The gas outlet holes 4 of the air distributor are symmetrically distributed around the center of the bottom surface of the frustum 1, which can form a symmetrical flow field centered on the center in the fermentation broth, avoiding uneven local gas concentration. Furthermore, the air distributor of this application is equipped with a gas transition chamber. The first inlet pipe 201 and the second inlet pipe 202 can be supplied with the same gas. Gas enters the gas transition chamber from the first inlet pipe 201 and the second inlet pipe 202. On the one hand, the gas transition chamber acts as a buffer space to slow down the airflow speed and prolong the gas mixing time. On the other hand, because the cross-sectional area of ​​the gas transition chamber changes in the vertical direction, turbulence is generated when the gas flows from top to bottom and from bottom to top, promoting thorough mixing of the gas in the first inlet pipe 201 and the second inlet pipe 202. This results in a more uniform gas distribution within the gas transition chamber, making the speed at which bubbles exit from each gas outlet hole 4 more similar, and thus making the distribution of bubbles in the fermentation broth more uniform.

[0046] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, in this preferred embodiment, when the air distributor is installed in the bioreactor, and the air flow rate of the first air inlet pipe 201 and the second air inlet pipe 202 is set to 2.0 vvm (cubic meters / (cubic meters*min)), the diameter of the bubbles is controlled by setting the opening diameter of the gas outlet hole 4 to 2 mm to 6 mm, thereby increasing the specific surface area of ​​the bubbles. Furthermore, by setting the interval of the gas outlet holes 4 to 250 mm to 350 mm, bubble aggregation is avoided. As a result, the gas content and dissolved oxygen mass transfer coefficient of the fermentation broth are relatively high when the stirring speed of the bioreactor is set to 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500 r / min. Among these, the gas content and dissolved oxygen mass transfer coefficient of the fermentation broth are highest when the opening diameter of the gas outlet hole 4 is set to 6 mm and the interval of the gas outlet holes 4 is set to 350 mm.

[0047] Based on the air distributor mentioned in the above technical solution of this utility model, this utility model also provides a bioreactor, which includes a tank 5, a stirring system partially disposed in the tank 5, and the air distributor mentioned above in this application disposed in the tank 5. Thus, the gas distributor of this bioreactor can improve the uniformity of bubbles in the fermentation liquid, thereby improving production efficiency and product quality.

[0048] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the stirring system is configured to form a downward flow field. The air distributor is located in the middle or bottom of the tank 5, and the gas outlet hole faces the bottom of the tank 5. The downward flow field generated by the stirring system can drive the bubbles to diffuse towards the bottom of the tank. In some specific embodiments, the bioreactor further includes a connecting plate 14, turnbuckles 15, and a mounting bracket 10. The stirring system is a side-entry stirring system. The connecting plate 14 is installed on the outer wall of the tank 5, and the connecting plate 14 forms a reinforcing part to strengthen the connection between the connecting plate 14 and the tank 5. The connecting plate 14 is connected to the mounting bracket 10 by turnbuckles 15. The side-entry stirring system is mounted on the mounting bracket 10 and includes a stirring shaft 6, a stirrer 7, and a drive motor 8. The drive motor 8 is mounted on the mounting bracket 10. The tank 5 has an opening to accommodate the stirring shaft 6. The stirring shaft 6 is driven between the stirrer 7 and the drive motor 8, so that the stirrer 7 is inclined and positioned above the air distributor inside the tank 5. This allows the drive motor 8 to drive the stirring shaft 6 to rotate, which in turn drives the stirrer 7 to stir the fermentation broth, generating a downward flow field. The stirring system may also include a reducer 9 disposed between the stirring shaft 6 and the drive motor 8 to increase torque and reduce the wear of the drive motor 8.

[0049] In some specific embodiments, the air distributor sprays bubbles obliquely downwards. When this air distributor is used in conjunction with a stirring system capable of generating an obliquely downward flow field, the initial velocity direction of the downwardly sprayed bubbles makes a large angle with the stirring flow field, causing some bubbles to quickly rise to the liquid surface and burst, especially at high airflow rates (greater than or equal to 2.0 vvm). As a preferred embodiment, the air distributor is configured to spray bubbles downwards. The downwardly sprayed bubbles, encapsulated by the agitator 7, gradually diffuse throughout the tank at a lower speed, reducing bubble coalescence caused by high-speed impact and minimizing flooding.

[0050] In some preferred embodiments, a spiral pipe 3 is spirally coiled around the main body of the air distributor, and several gas outlet holes 4 are opened on the spiral pipe 3. The gas outlet holes 4 are spirally distributed in the vertical direction and symmetrically distributed around the center of the upper bottom surface of the frustum 1. The gas can form a symmetrical flow field centered on the center in the fermentation liquid when it is drawn out from the air distributor chamber. With the help of the stirring system that can form a downward flow field, a ring circulation flow is formed, which promotes the more uniform diffusion of bubbles in the horizontal direction. Under the interaction of the bubbles' own buoyancy and the flow field generated by the stirrer 7, the bubbles form a spiral motion trajectory, which further prolongs the residence time of the bubbles in the tank 5.

[0051] In microbial polysaccharide fermentation, the viscosity of the fermentation broth gradually increases with polysaccharide synthesis. Traditional structures are prone to bubbles adhering to the walls due to the resistance of high-viscosity fluids, preventing them from penetrating the middle and bottom of the tank. In some preferred embodiments, after the air distributor is installed inside the tank 5, the gas outlet hole 4 faces the bottom of the tank 5. The initial velocity of the bubbles discharged downward from the gas outlet hole 4 is perpendicular to the viscosity gradient direction, which means that the bubbles need to travel a longer vertical path to float to the liquid surface, thus prolonging the contact time between the bubbles and the fermentation broth. In addition, with the stirring system that can form a downward flow field, the downward flow field generated by the stirring system pushes the bubbles to diffuse towards the bottom of the tank, further prolonging the residence time. The contact stirring flow field pushes the bubbles to the high-viscosity area, maintaining the dissolved oxygen level at the bottom and preventing the gas concentration at the bottom of the fermentation broth from being too low.

[0052] In some specific embodiments, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the bioreactor of this application may include a CIP channel 11, an acid inlet 12, an alkali inlet 13, a pressure gauge port 16, a feed inlet 17, a manhole 18, and a high-level electrode 19 located at the top of the tank 5 to facilitate maintenance and cleaning of the tank 5, addition of acid and alkali solutions, measurement of internal pressure, feeding, and high-level detection. The bioreactor may also include a pH meter port 21, a DO electrode port 22, a sampling port 23, and a discharge port 25 located at the bottom of the tank 5 to facilitate the measurement of pH and dissolved oxygen levels in the fermentation broth, as well as the discharge and sampling of the product. A heat exchange tube 26 may also be installed inside the tank 5, with a heat exchange tube inlet 24 connected to the heat exchange tube 26 at the bottom of the tank 5 and a heat exchange tube outlet 20 connected to the heat exchange tube 26 at the top of the tank 5 to maintain the internal temperature of the bioreactor.

[0053] As can be seen from the above description, the advantages of this application are as follows: First, by setting a gas transition chamber as a buffer space and setting opposing first and second air inlets, the gases introduced from different air inlets are fully mixed in the gas transition chamber, thereby making the gas distribution in the gas transition chamber more uniform and improving the uniformity of the bubbles discharged from each gas outlet hole of the air distributor; Second, the cross-sectional area of ​​the air transition chamber changes from the first air inlet to the second air inlet, and turbulence is formed as the gas flows from one air inlet into the gas transition chamber to the other air inlet, which promotes the full mixing of gases from different air inlets; Third, the circular outline of the frustum matches the cylindrical structure of the tank. The gas outlet holes are symmetrically distributed around the center of the upper base of the frustum, forming a symmetrical flow field in the center and avoiding uneven local gas concentration. The gas outlet holes are spirally distributed, and together with the stirring system that can form an inclined flow field, the bubbles form a spiral trajectory, prolonging the contact time between the bubbles and the fermentation liquid, which is beneficial to increasing the oxygen content of the fermentation liquid. The gas outlet holes of the air distributor of the bioreactor face the bottom of the tank, and the initial velocity direction of the bubbles discharged from the gas outlet holes is towards the bottom of the tank. The stirring system can push the bubbles to flow towards the bottom of the tank, which is beneficial to meeting the higher dissolved oxygen demand at the bottom when the cell density is high in the later stage of fermentation in a high-viscosity system.

[0054] The preferred embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of this application, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of this application, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0055] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. To avoid unnecessary repetition, this application will not describe the various possible combinations separately.

[0056] Furthermore, various different implementations of this application can be combined in any way, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this application, they should also be regarded as the content disclosed in this application.

Claims

1. An air distributor, characterized in that, The device includes a distributor body, a first air inlet pipe (201) and a second air inlet pipe (202). The distributor body has multiple gas outlet holes (4) formed from bottom to top. The first air inlet pipe (201) and the second air inlet pipe (202) are both connected to the inside of the distributor body. The gas outlet directions of the first air inlet pipe (201) and the second air inlet pipe (202) are arranged opposite to each other. Gas enters the distributor body from the first air inlet pipe (201) and the second air inlet pipe (202) and escapes from the gas outlet holes (4).

2. The air distributor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first air inlet pipe (201) and the second air inlet pipe (202) are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the distributor body, and the gas outlet hole (4) is disposed on the side of the distributor body.

3. The air distributor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The distributor body contains a gas transition chamber with a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases from top to bottom.

4. The air distributor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The main body of the distributor includes a frustum (1) whose cross-sectional area gradually decreases from top to bottom, and the gas transition chamber is formed inside the frustum (1).

5. The air distributor according to claim 4, characterized in that, The gas outlet hole (4) is formed on the side of the frustum (1), the gas outlet hole (4) is spirally distributed, and the opening of the gas outlet hole (4) faces obliquely downward.

6. The air distributor according to claim 4, characterized in that, The main body of the distributor also includes a spiral pipe (3) spirally wound on the frustum (1), the spiral pipe (3) is connected to the interior of the main body of the air distributor, and the gas outlet hole (4) is provided on the spiral pipe (3), with the gas outlet hole (4) opening downward.

7. The air distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The gas outlet holes (4) are spaced between 250 mm and 350 mm apart.

8. The air distributor according to claim 7, characterized in that, The diameter of the gas outlet hole (4) is set between 2 mm and 6 mm.

9. A bioreactor, characterized in that, It includes a tank (5), a stirring system partially disposed in the tank (5), and an air distributor disposed in the tank (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The bioreactor according to claim 9, characterized in that, The stirring system is configured to form a downward flow field, the air distributor is located in the middle or bottom of the tank (5), and the gas outlet (4) faces the bottom of the tank (5).

Images