Fermenter pH regulating dropping device

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of fermentation tank pH value regulating dropping device, it is related to the technical field of fermentation tank pH regulation.Its technical points are: including the stirring shaft installed in the upper cover of fermentation tank, acid pipe and alkali pipe;First homogenizing disc and second homogenizing disc are sequentially installed on the stirring shaft from top to bottom, and the lowest point height of second homogenizing disc located in the lower side is not lower than the height of the maximum capacity liquid level line in fermentation tank;The lower end of acid pipe and alkali pipe extends to the direction of stirring shaft after being inserted into the upper cover of fermentation tank, and the extension part of them respectively extends to the upper side of one side of first homogenizing disc and second homogenizing disc.This application can make the uniformity of acid solution or alkali solution better when adding into fermentation tank by the rotation of two homogenizing discs, can effectively improve the adjustment efficiency of pH, reduce the time of pH detection equipment to detect stable pH parameters.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of pH adjustment technology for fermenters, and more particularly to a pH adjustment dripping device for fermenters. Background Technology

[0002] In microbial fermentation, the pH value of the liquid culture medium is a core process parameter that directly affects cell growth, metabolic pathways, and product synthesis efficiency. The pH value is not constant throughout the entire fermentation process; for example, the pH required for microbial growth, reproduction, and product accumulation differs. Effectively controlling the pH value within the optimal range at each stage of microbial development is crucial for ensuring high yields of the target product.

[0003] Existing fermenters are equipped with dedicated pH monitoring devices to help technicians monitor pH changes in real time. When the pH drops, ammonia or urea is added to the fermenter through a dedicated alkali supply line (ammonia directly neutralizes excess hydrogen ions in the culture medium, thus raising the pH; urea increases ammonium ions by supplementing the nitrogen source, thus raising the pH). When the pH rises, organic acids or glucose are added to the fermenter through a dedicated acid supply line (organic acids directly neutralize excess hydroxide ions in the culture medium, thus lowering the pH; glucose, etc., increases acidity by supplementing the carbon source, causing lactic acid and other acidic substances to accumulate, thus lowering the pH). However, the positions of the acid and alkali supply lines within the fermenter are usually fixed. This means that the pH-adjusting solution is added to a fixed location within the fermenter, resulting in a longer time required for the solution to spread evenly and completely. Consequently, technicians also need to wait a considerable amount of time for the pH monitoring device to detect a stable pH parameter. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a pH adjustment dripping device for a fermenter, which can improve the uniformity of pH adjustment solution when added to the culture medium.

[0005] The above-mentioned objective of this application is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A pH adjustment dripping device for a fermenter includes a stirring shaft installed in the top cover of the fermenter. One end of the stirring shaft is inserted into the body of the fermenter, and the other end of the stirring shaft is located above the top cover of the fermenter and connected to a drive motor. An acid addition pipe and an alkali addition pipe are also installed on the top cover of the fermenter, and the acid addition pipe and the alkali addition pipe are respectively connected to an acid supply bottle and an alkali supply bottle.

[0007] The stirring shaft is equipped with a first homogenizing plate and a second homogenizing plate from top to bottom, and the lowest point of the second homogenizing plate located on the lower side is not lower than the height of the maximum capacity liquid level line in the fermenter.

[0008] The lower ends of the acid addition tube and the alkali addition tube extend into the top cover of the fermenter and then extend toward the stirring shaft, with their extended portions extending above one side of the first homogenizing plate and the second homogenizing plate, respectively.

[0009] Furthermore, both the first homogenizing disk and the second homogenizing disk are conical in design and have a conical structure.

[0010] Furthermore, the maximum diameter of the first homogenizing disk is smaller than the maximum diameter of the second homogenizing disk.

[0011] Furthermore, both the first homogenizing disk and the second homogenizing disk have a plurality of spiral ribs evenly distributed on their sidewalls.

[0012] Furthermore, the angle of the half-apex in the first homogenizing disk is smaller than the angle of the half-apex in the second homogenizing disk.

[0013] Furthermore, both the first homogenizing disk and the second homogenizing disk are provided with supporting ribs inside.

[0014] Furthermore, both the acid addition pipe and the alkali addition pipe are equipped with a hanger on the inclined pipe section of the fermenter, and the upper end of the hanger is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the fermenter cover.

[0015] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0016] In this application, the acid addition tube and alkali addition tube are located inside the fermenter and are positioned opposite the first homogenizing plate and the second homogenizing plate, respectively. The first and second homogenizing plates are mounted on the stirring shaft. This allows the pH adjustment solution to be evenly distributed into the culture medium via the first or second homogenizing plate, whether the pH in the fermenter is being increased or decreased. Compared to the traditional method of adding pH adjustment solution at fixed points, this application can effectively improve the pH adjustment efficiency and reduce the time required for pH detection equipment to detect stable pH parameters. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the fermenter used in the dripping device of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the fermentation tank;

[0020] Figure 3 Is Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure after half of the fermentation tank lid has been removed;

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The bottom view of the structure shown.

[0022] Attached reference numerals: 1. Fermentation tank cover; 2. Stirring shaft; 3. Drive motor; 4. Acid addition pipe; 5. Alkali addition pipe; 6. First homogenizing plate; 7. Second homogenizing plate; 8. Rib; 9. Supporting rib; 10. Hanger. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application are described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are also within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] like Figures 1-3 As shown, this application discloses a pH adjustment dripping device for a fermenter, which includes a stirring shaft 2 installed in the fermenter cover 1. One end of the stirring shaft 2 is inserted into the fermenter body, and the other end of the stirring shaft 2 is located above the fermenter cover 1 and connected to a drive motor 3. An acid addition pipe 4 and an alkali addition pipe 5 are also installed on the fermenter cover 1, and the acid addition pipe 4 and the alkali addition pipe 5 are respectively connected to an acid supply bottle and an alkali supply bottle.

[0025] The stirring shaft 2 is equipped with a first homogenizing plate 6 and a second homogenizing plate 7 from top to bottom, and the lowest point of the second homogenizing plate 7 located on the lower side is not lower than the height of the maximum capacity liquid level line in the fermenter.

[0026] The lower ends of the acid addition tube 4 and the alkali addition tube 5 extend into the fermentation tank cover 1 and then extend towards the stirring shaft 2, and their extended portions extend above one side of the first homogenizing plate 6 and the second homogenizing plate 7, respectively.

[0027] In the above embodiments, the fermenter itself requires the drive motor 3 to continuously rotate the stirring shaft 2 within the tank during operation. Therefore, continuous stirring not only helps accelerate oxygen dissolution, allowing microorganisms throughout the culture medium to grow stably, but also enables the heat inside the liquid culture medium to be evenly distributed through forced convection, maintaining the optimal growth temperature for microorganisms. To prevent the stirring paddles on the stirring shaft 2 from damaging the microbial structure during high-speed rotation, the rotation speed of the stirring shaft 2 in industrial production is usually not too high, generally maintained at 100-200 rpm. This application adds a first homogenizing disk 6 and a second homogenizing disk 7 to the stirring shaft 2, both coaxially arranged with the stirring shaft 2. During the continuous rotation of the stirring shaft 2, the first homogenizing disk 6 and the second homogenizing disk 7 are also in a continuous rotating state, which is equivalent to further utilizing the power of the drive motor 3. The acid supply bottle and the alkali supply bottle are respectively filled with acid solution and alkali solution for adjusting acid-base balance (the acid supply bottle can also contain glucose solution, and the alkali supply bottle can also contain ammonia solution; for ease of description, the solution in the acid supply bottle will be referred to as acid solution and the solution in the alkali supply bottle as alkali solution in the following application). These liquids are prepared in advance and are transported into the fermenter through the acid supply pipe 4 and the alkali supply pipe 5. The process is basically isolated from the external environment, which can reduce the risk of introducing contaminants into the fermenter. These contents belong to the prior art, and the specific working process and other details are not described here.

[0028] In this application, the portions of the acid-adding tube 4 and the alkali-adding tube 5 extending into the fermenter are respectively aligned with the first homogenizing plate 6 and the second homogenizing plate 7. When pH adjustment is required in the fermenter, acid or alkali solutions can be added to the fermenter through the acid-adding tube 4 or the alkali-adding tube 5, depending on the actual situation. If an acid solution is added, it will fall onto the first homogenizing plate 6 through the acid-adding tube 4; if an alkali solution is added, it will fall onto the second homogenizing plate 7 through the alkali-adding tube 5. Regardless of which homogenizing plate is used, the added solution will be evenly distributed around the perimeter by rotation, thus allowing the pH-adjusting solution to diffuse evenly from the perimeter of the culture medium solution. Compared with the traditional method of fixed-point compression for pH adjustment, this application can achieve multi-point dispensing, allowing the acid or alkali solution added to the fermenter to diffuse more evenly. This not only reduces the negative impact of excessively high local acidity or alkalinity on microbial activity in the initial stage of addition, but also reduces the time it takes for the acid or alkali solution to diffuse to a stable state in the fermenter, thereby improving the efficiency of the pH detection equipment in obtaining stable parameters.

[0029] Furthermore, such as Figures 2-4 As shown, both the first homogenizing disk 6 and the second homogenizing disk 7 are conical in design and have a conical structure.

[0030] In the above embodiments, both the first homogenizing disk 6 and the second homogenizing disk 7 are designed as conical. On the one hand, this can reduce the accumulation of acid and alkali solutions on their surfaces. On the other hand, when the first homogenizing disk 6 and the second homogenizing disk 7 rotate, it can avoid excessive spillage, which would cause the acid or alkali solution to spill onto the side wall of the fermenter. The process of the acid or alkali solution flowing from the side wall of the fermenter to the culture medium will be delayed due to the resistance of the side wall of the fermenter to the liquid, which will actually slow down the contact time between the acid or alkali solution and the culture medium solution.

[0031] Furthermore, such as Figures 2-4 As shown, the maximum diameter of the first homogenizing disk 6 is smaller than the maximum diameter of the second homogenizing disk 7.

[0032] In the above embodiments, due to the limited space above the maximum capacity mark of the fermenter, the gap between the first homogenizing plate 6 and the second homogenizing plate 7 is difficult to make large. The outlet of the alkali addition tube 5 corresponds to the second homogenizing plate 7 located below the first homogenizing plate 6. If the two homogenizing plates are set to the same specifications, the alkali addition tube 5 may be blocked by the first homogenizing plate 6 in order to smoothly deliver the alkali solution to the second homogenizing plate 7. If the length of the alkali addition tube 5 extending into the fermenter is changed to solve this problem, and the inclination of its extension towards the stirring shaft 2 is adjusted, the resistance of the alkali solution discharged from the extension tube of the alkali addition tube 5 may increase. Therefore, this application sets the maximum diameter of the upper first homogenizing plate 6 to be smaller than the maximum diameter of the second homogenizing plate 6. This can effectively prevent the alkali addition tube 5 from extending smoothly above the second homogenizing plate 7 while maintaining the inclination of its extension section, so as to complete the alkali solution dripping effect on the second homogenizing plate 7 as needed.

[0033] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, multiple spiral ribs 8 are evenly provided on the side walls of the first homogenizing disk 6 and the second homogenizing disk 7.

[0034] In the above embodiments, the spiral rib 8 is designed to guide the acid or alkali solution as it falls along the first homogenizing disk 6 or the second homogenizing disk 7, further reducing the spraying range of the acid or alkali solution from the first homogenizing disk 6 or the second homogenizing disk 7, and ensuring that the acid or alkali solution does not fall onto the inner wall of the fermenter.

[0035] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the angle of the half-apex in the first homogenizing disk 6 is smaller than the angle of the half-apex in the second homogenizing disk 7.

[0036] In the above embodiments, both the first homogenizing disk 6 and the second homogenizing disk 7 of this application are conical structures, and their tips are both located at the top. The angle between the generatrix and the normal in the cone is the semi-apex angle. Since the first homogenizing disk 6 is located above the second homogenizing disk 7, the position of its droplet spraying is higher than that of the droplet spraying position of the second homogenizing disk 7. If the semi-apex angles of the first homogenizing disk 6 and the second homogenizing disk 7 are set to the same, the droplets sprayed from the higher first homogenizing disk 6 will be thrown much farther than those from the second homogenizing disk 7. In order to ensure that the droplets sprayed from the first homogenizing disk 6 and the second homogenizing disk 7 are close in position on the culture medium, this application sets the semi-apex angle of the upper first homogenizing disk 6 to be smaller than that of the second homogenizing disk 7. This reduces the angle of the droplets sprayed from the first homogenizing disk 6, so that it is close to the position of the droplets sprayed from the lower second homogenizing disk 7 when they fall into the culture medium. Correspondingly, the diffusion effect of acid solution and alkali solution can be made similar.

[0037] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, both the first homogenizing disk 6 and the second homogenizing disk 7 are provided with supporting ribs 9 inside.

[0038] In the above embodiments, the first homogenizing disk 6 and the second homogenizing disk 7 of this application have similar structures, mainly differing in their specifications and the angle of their semi-apex angles. Therefore, only the structure of the first homogenizing disk 6 will be described in detail; the structure of the second homogenizing disk 7 can be referenced to the first homogenizing disk 6. The first homogenizing disk 6 of this application includes an outer conical shell, with a sleeve at the center of the conical shell. The inner diameter of this sleeve is equal to the outer diameter of the stirring shaft 2. In use, the first homogenizing disk 6 can be mounted on the stirring shaft 2 through its sleeve portion; this operation can occur during the assembly stage of the stirring shaft 2. The purpose of adding a support rib 9 between the first homogenizing disk 6 and the second homogenizing disk 7 in this application is to improve the mutual support effect between the sleeve and its conical shell, thereby improving the overall structural robustness.

[0039] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, both the acid addition pipe 4 and the alkali addition pipe 5 are equipped with a hanger 10 on the inclined pipe section of the fermenter, and the upper end of the hanger 10 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the fermenter cover 1.

[0040] In the above embodiments, the extended sections of the acid addition pipe 4 and the alkali addition pipe 5 in the inclined state are suspended in the air for a long time during use. In order to ensure their stability during long-term use and reduce the risk of subsequent liquid outlet angle deviation, a hanger 10 is installed on the inclined sections of the acid addition pipe 4 and the alkali addition pipe 5 to improve their structural stability.

[0041] The implementation principle of this embodiment is as follows: The acid addition pipe 4 and the alkali addition pipe 5 of this application are respectively connected to the acid supply bottle and alkali supply bottle that are pre-installed in the production area. When the technician observes from the control panel that the pH parameter of the solution inside the fermenter does not meet the normal survival conditions of the microorganisms, the technician can add acid solution or alkali solution to the fermenter through the acid addition pipe 4 or the alkali addition pipe 5 to correct the pH in the fermenter. If an acid solution is added, it will fall onto the first homogenizing plate 6 through the acid addition pipe 4; if an alkali solution is added, it will fall onto the second homogenizing plate 7 through the alkali addition pipe 5. However, regardless of whether it is the first homogenizing plate... Both plate 6 and the second homogenizing plate 7 will rotate to evenly distribute the added solution to the surrounding area, thereby allowing the pH-adjusting solution to diffuse evenly from all sides of the culture medium solution. Compared with the traditional method of fixed-point compression for pH adjustment, this application can achieve multi-point addition, which allows the acid or alkali solution added to the fermenter to diffuse more evenly. This not only reduces the negative impact of excessively high local acidity or alkalinity on the activity of microorganisms in the initial stage of addition, but also reduces the time for the acid or alkali solution to diffuse to a stable state in the fermenter, thus improving the efficiency of pH detection equipment in obtaining stable parameters.

[0042] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A pH adjustment dripping device for a fermenter, comprising a stirring shaft (2) installed in the upper cover (1) of the fermenter, one end of the stirring shaft (2) being inserted into the body of the fermenter, and the other end of the stirring shaft (2) being located above the upper cover (1) of the fermenter and connected to a drive motor (3), and an acid adding pipe (4) and an alkali adding pipe (5) also being installed on the upper cover (1) of the fermenter, the acid adding pipe (4) and the alkali adding pipe (5) being connected to an acid supply bottle and an alkali supply bottle respectively; Its features are, The stirring shaft (2) is equipped with a first homogenizing plate (6) and a second homogenizing plate (7) from top to bottom, and the lowest point of the second homogenizing plate (7) located on the lower side is not lower than the height of the maximum capacity liquid level line in the fermenter. The lower ends of the acid addition tube (4) and the alkali addition tube (5) extend into the top cover (1) of the fermentation tank and then extend towards the stirring shaft (2), and their extended portions extend above one side of the first homogenizing plate (6) and the second homogenizing plate (7), respectively.

2. The pH adjustment and dripping device for fermenters according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the first homogenizing disk (6) and the second homogenizing disk (7) are conical in design and have a conical structure.

3. The pH adjustment and dripping device for fermenters according to claim 2, characterized in that: The maximum diameter of the first homogenizing disk (6) is smaller than the maximum diameter of the second homogenizing disk (7).

4. The pH adjustment and dripping device for a fermenter according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The first homogenizing disk (6) and the second homogenizing disk (7) are each provided with a plurality of spiral ribs (8) evenly distributed on their sidewalls.

5. The pH adjustment and dripping device for a fermenter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The angle of the half-apex in the first homogenizing disk (6) is smaller than the angle of the half-apex in the second homogenizing disk (7).

6. The pH adjustment and dripping device for a fermenter according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both the first homogenizing disk (6) and the second homogenizing disk (7) are provided with supporting ribs (9).

7. The pH adjustment and dripping device for a fermenter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Both the acid addition pipe (4) and the alkali addition pipe (5) are equipped with a hanger (10) on the inclined pipe section of the fermenter, and the upper end of the hanger (10) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the fermenter cover (1).

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