A primary enzymatic reactor for lignocellulosic straw
By employing a horizontal structure and a steam heating device in the primary enzyme catalytic reactor made possible by the use of a stirring system and an inaccurate temperature control, the problems of unsuitability of the stirring system and inaccurate temperature control were solved, thus achieving a highly efficient enzyme catalytic reaction, improving product purity, and reducing production costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 深圳中农秸美科技股份有限公司
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing lignocellulosic straw primary enzyme catalytic reaction devices suffer from problems such as unsuitable stirring systems and inaccurate temperature control, resulting in low enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency, high product purity, and high production costs.
The reactor tank with a horizontal structure and a horizontal stirring structure, combined with a steam heating device and a porous silencer, achieves uniform mixing and rapid heating of materials, ensuring that the enzyme catalytic reaction takes place at the optimal temperature.
This method achieves highly efficient enzymatic catalytic reactions of lignocellulose straw, reducing energy consumption, improving product purity and production efficiency, and reducing environmental pollution.
Smart Images
Figure CN224411778U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of lignocellulosic enzyme catalysis technology, specifically a primary enzyme catalytic reactor for lignocellulosic straw. Background Technology
[0002] In traditional industrial production processes that separate lignocellulosic straw components, strong alkali (such as in papermaking) and strong acid (such as xylose or furfural) processes are mainly used. A problem with existing processes is the generation of black liquor or wastewater containing lignin components that is difficult to treat, making them restricted or prohibited industrial projects.
[0003] Bioenzymatic separation of lignocellulose components has become a highly beneficial technological approach. Enzymatic catalysis offers advantages such as being green, sustainable, and controllable. This process not only avoids environmental pollution but also produces bio-based fibers, including cellulose and hemicellulose, separated by targeted enzymatic hydrolysis. These fibers possess excellent and unique fiber properties, significantly outperforming traditional chemical pulping methods in terms of hydrophobicity, folding endurance, and strength. The remaining hydrolysate can be developed into fulvic acid, a high-value-added product, and is considered a potentially perfect solution to the environmental, efficiency, and product structure challenges faced by traditional processes.
[0004] Traditional chemical pulping uses continuous steamers or digesters for chemical reactions, requiring multi-stage dehydration of straw before it enters the equipment. Enzyme-catalyzed reactions, on the other hand, require a liquid-phase catalytic reaction system with a specific solid-liquid ratio and temperature conditions, which differs significantly from traditional chemical pulping methods. Specifically, existing equipment suffers from the following technical problems:
[0005] 1. The stirring system is not suitable for enzymatic reactions:
[0006] Straw flakes, after being cut into sections, possess unique properties such as easy floating and high resistance to mixing. However, existing mixing systems cannot uniformly mix the materials and consume a lot of energy. This affects the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency, product purity, and production costs.
[0007] 2. Temperature control is not precise enough:
[0008] Temperature is a crucial factor affecting enzyme-catalyzed reactions, with different enzymes exhibiting optimal catalytic activity at different temperatures. However, in the primary enzymatic catalytic reaction for separating lignocellulose components, existing enzymatic hydrolysis apparatuses often fall short in temperature control, making precise control and rapid adjustment difficult. This results in the enzyme potentially operating at suboptimal temperatures during the reaction, thereby reducing catalytic efficiency and product quality. This inadequacy in temperature control is particularly problematic in reactions requiring rapid heating, severely impacting reaction outcomes.
[0009] In summary, due to the properties of lignocellulose as a raw material and the temperature requirements of enzyme catalysis, existing equipment cannot achieve high-efficiency enzyme catalysis in the primary enzyme catalysis of lignocellulose components. Utility Model Content
[0010] The purpose of this invention is to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art and to provide a primary enzyme catalytic reactor for lignocellulose straw. Based on the characteristics of enzyme catalytic reaction and the state changes of materials in the reaction system, a high-efficiency enzyme catalytic reaction is achieved.
[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a primary enzyme catalytic reactor for lignocellulose straw, comprising a horizontal reactor tank and a horizontal stirring structure disposed inside the reactor tank. The reactor tank is connected to a steam heating device. The reactor tank is provided with an inlet and an outlet for material entry and exit, an enzyme preparation inlet and an enzyme auxiliary inlet for adding enzymes and auxiliaries, a pH adjuster inlet for adding pH adjusters, a breather valve interface and a pressure safety valve interface for adjusting the internal pressure of the reactor tank, and a breather regulating valve and a pressure safety valve respectively installed on the breather valve interface and the pressure safety valve interface. The reactor tank is also provided with inlets for installing temperature sensors, pressure sensors and pH sensors.
[0012] Through the above technical solutions, the use of a horizontal reactor tank with a horizontal stirring structure can overcome the problem of floating of lignocellulose straw flakes, allowing the straw flake raw material to enter the catalytic reaction system evenly. Furthermore, the horizontal reactor can significantly overcome the problem of high stirring power consumption in the initial stage of the reaction when the material is in the form of straw flakes in the vertical reactor. A steam heating device is used to rapidly heat the material inside the reactor tank, maintaining the optimal enzyme activity temperature for the enzyme catalytic reaction.
[0013] Furthermore, the horizontal stirring structure includes a stirring shaft and a stirring paddle mounted on the stirring shaft. The axis of the stirring shaft is parallel to the axis of the reactor tank. One end of the stirring shaft is connected to a stirring motor mounted outside the reactor tank. Specifically, the reactor tank is cylindrical. Both ends of the stirring shaft pass through both ends of the reactor tank and are sealed to both ends of the reactor tank. Both ends of the stirring shaft are connected to bearing seats equipped with bearings. One end of the stirring shaft is connected to the shaft of the stirring motor via a coupling.
[0014] Preferably, the agitator is a ribbon agitator. Specifically, two evenly distributed stainless steel ribbons are arranged around the agitator shaft, and the agitator shaft and the ribbons are connected by evenly distributed crossbars made of stainless steel round bars. During agitation, the ribbons drive the material to move in the spiral direction of rotation. When the feed inlet is located at one end of the reactor tank, the agitator drives the material from the feed inlet to the far end, avoiding material accumulation at the feed inlet.
[0015] Furthermore, the feed inlet is located at the top of the reactor tank, and the discharge outlet is located at the bottom of the reactor tank.
[0016] Furthermore, the reactor tank is also provided with a manhole for equipment maintenance, and a first reserved port and a second reserved port for installing other sensor components.
[0017] Furthermore, the temperature sensor is installed on the temperature sensor interface, the pressure sensor is installed on the pressure sensor interface, and the pH sensor is installed on the pH sensor interface. The response data is acquired through each sensor and feedback is used to adjust and maintain the optimal conditions for enzyme activity until the enzyme catalytic reaction is completed.
[0018] Furthermore, an insulation layer is provided on the outer wall of the reactor tank.
[0019] Furthermore, heating coils are also installed on the outer wall of the reactor tank, and the installation of the heating coils should avoid all openings on each reactor tank. The heating coils provide auxiliary heating and insulation to the reactor tank by introducing an external heat source.
[0020] Furthermore, the feed inlet is located in the middle of the top of the reactor tank. To prevent material from accumulating in the middle of the reactor tank, the horizontal stirring structure is symmetrically arranged along the center line of the reactor tank axis, and the stirring blades of the horizontal stirring structure are in opposite directions. The stirring blades push the raw material from the center of the reactor tank to both ends. Specifically, the two stirring blades are symmetrically arranged along the center line of the stirring shaft, and a support is provided in the middle of the reactor tank to support the middle of the stirring shaft.
[0021] Furthermore, the reactor tank is equipped with anchor-type stirring paddles at both ends of the stirring shaft to stir the material at both ends of the reactor tank and prevent the material from accumulating at both ends.
[0022] The specific solution for achieving rapid heating of the reactor interior by the steam heating device in this utility model is that the steam heating device is connected to the inside of the reactor tank through multiple steam interfaces set on the reactor tank. Preferably, the multiple steam interfaces are evenly distributed on the reactor tank. High-temperature steam enters the reactor tank through the multiple steam interfaces and comes into contact with the material to directly heat the material to the optimal enzyme activity temperature for enzyme catalytic reaction.
[0023] Furthermore, the plurality of steam inlets are disposed at the bottom of the reactor tank, preferably disposed on both sides of the bottom of the reactor tank.
[0024] Furthermore, a silencer is embedded in the steam interface. The silencer has a porous structure to disperse the steam so that it can contact the material evenly for heating and prevent popping noises caused by phase change of the material.
[0025] Specifically, the silencer includes a front flange and a rear distributor, connected by a connecting neck. The flange has a circumferential array of screw holes. The flange has a steam inlet, and the distributor has side steam outlets and a bottom steam outlet. The side steam outlets are arranged in a circumferential array on the side of the distributor, and the bottom steam outlets are evenly distributed at the bottom of the distributor.
[0026] Through the above technical solution, this equipment adopts a porous silencer, which forms a uniform distribution after the gas phase steam enters the liquid phase enzyme catalytic reaction system, reducing the explosion sound caused by phase change.
[0027] The steam heating device is a steam generator placed outside the reactor tank. It is a mechanical device that uses the thermal energy of fuel or other energy sources to heat water into hot water or steam. The steam heating device is connected to the flange of the silencer through pipelines.
[0028] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0029] This invention provides a primary enzyme catalytic reactor for lignocellulose straw, which exhibits excellent structural performance based on the characteristics of enzyme catalytic reactions and the state changes of materials in the reaction system.
[0030] 1. A suitable stirring device
[0031] Since the raw material entering the primary enzyme catalytic reactor is in the form of straw flakes, using a horizontal reactor can overcome the problem of straw flakes floating in vertical reactors, ensuring uniform entry into the liquid-phase catalytic reaction system and achieving a highly efficient enzyme catalytic reaction. Furthermore, a horizontal reactor can significantly overcome the problem of high stirring power consumption in the initial stage of the reaction when the material is in the form of straw flakes, which is common in vertical reactors.
[0032] 2. Features rapid direct steam heating and noise reduction.
[0033] A steam heating device is used to rapidly heat the materials inside the reactor tank, maintaining the optimal enzyme activity temperature for the catalytic reaction. Normally, rapid direct heating with steam can produce popping noises due to phase transitions, affecting the production environment. This equipment employs a porous silencer, which, after the gaseous steam enters the liquid-phase enzyme catalytic reaction system, creates a uniform distribution, reducing the popping noises caused by phase transitions. Attached Figure Description
[0034] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0035] Figure 1 This is a front view of the primary enzyme catalytic reactor of this utility model;
[0036] Figure 2 Top view of the primary enzyme catalytic reactor of this utility model
[0037] Figure 3 This is a front view of the silencer structure of this utility model;
[0038] Figure 4 This is a rear view of the muffler structure of this utility model;
[0039] Figure 5 This is a side view of the silencer structure of this utility model.
[0040] In the diagram: 1. Stirring motor; 2. Breathing valve interface; 3. Enzyme preparation inlet; 4. pH adjuster inlet; 5. Manhole; 6. Feed inlet; 7. Enzyme auxiliary agent inlet; 8. First reserved port; 9. Second reserved port; 10. Pressure sensor interface; 11. Pressure safety valve interface; 12. Steam interface; 13. Stirring shaft; 14. Discharge port; 15. Stirring paddle; 16. pH sensor interface; 17. Temperature sensor interface; 18. Flange; 19. Screw hole; 20. Steam inlet; 21. Bottom steam outlet; 22. Connecting neck; 23. Side steam outlet; 24. Distributor. Detailed Implementation
[0041] 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.
[0042] Example 1
[0043] like Figure 1-2 As shown, a lignocellulose straw primary enzyme catalytic reactor includes a horizontal reactor tank and a horizontal stirring structure disposed inside the reactor tank.
[0044] In this embodiment, one horizontal stirring structure is provided. The horizontal stirring structure includes a stirring shaft 13 and a stirring paddle 15 mounted on the stirring shaft 13. The axis of the stirring shaft 13 is parallel to the axis of the reactor tank. One end of the stirring shaft 13 is connected to a stirring motor 1 located outside the reactor tank. Specifically, the reactor tank is cylindrical. Both ends of the stirring shaft 13 penetrate both ends of the reactor tank and are sealed to both ends of the reactor tank. Both ends of the stirring shaft 13 are connected to bearing seats equipped with bearings. One end of the stirring shaft 13 is connected to the shaft of the stirring motor 1 via a coupling.
[0045] Preferably, the agitator 15 is a ribbon agitator. Specifically, two evenly distributed stainless steel ribbons are arranged around the periphery of the agitator shaft 13, and the agitator shaft 13 and the ribbons are connected by evenly distributed crossbars made of stainless steel round bars. During agitation, the ribbons drive the material to move along the spiral direction of rotation.
[0046] The use of a horizontal reactor tank with a horizontal stirring structure can overcome the problem of floating of lignocellulose straw flakes, allowing the straw flake raw material to enter the catalytic reaction system evenly. Furthermore, the horizontal reactor can significantly overcome the problem of high stirring power consumption in the initial stage of the reaction when the material is in the form of straw flakes, which is a problem of vertical reactor.
[0047] The reactor tank is provided with an inlet 6 and an outlet 14 for material entry and exit, an enzyme preparation inlet 3 and an enzyme auxiliary inlet 7 for adding enzymes and auxiliary agents, a pH adjuster inlet 4 for adding pH adjusters, a breather valve interface 2 and a pressure safety valve interface 11 for adjusting the internal pressure of the reactor tank, and a breather regulating valve and a pressure safety valve respectively installed on the breather valve interface 2 and the pressure safety valve interface 11. The reactor tank is also provided with inlets for installing temperature sensors, pressure sensors and pH sensors.
[0048] A breather valve is a valve that ensures the storage tank space is isolated from the atmosphere within a certain pressure range, while also allowing it to breathe when the pressure exceeds or falls below this range. A pressure relief valve, also known as a relief valve, plays a safety protection role in the reactor tank. When the system pressure exceeds a specified value, the safety valve opens, releasing a portion of the gas into the atmosphere, ensuring the system pressure does not exceed the allowable value, thus preventing accidents caused by excessive pressure.
[0049] The feed inlet 6 is located at the top of the reactor tank, and the discharge outlet 14 is located at the bottom of the reactor tank.
[0050] In this embodiment, the feed inlet 6 is located at one end of the top of the reactor tank, and the discharge outlet 14 is located at the other end of the bottom of the reactor tank. When the feed inlet 6 is located at one end of the reactor tank, the stirring paddle 15 drives the material from the feed inlet 6 to the far end, preventing material accumulation at the feed inlet 6. After the reaction is completed, the stirring paddle 15 drives the material, and under the impetus of the stirring force, the material is pushed from one end to the other and discharged from the discharge outlet 14.
[0051] The reactor tank is also provided with a manhole 5 for equipment maintenance, and a first reserved port 8 and a second reserved port 9 for installing other sensor elements.
[0052] The temperature sensor is installed on the temperature sensor interface 17, the pressure sensor is installed on the pressure sensor interface 10, and the pH sensor is installed on the pH sensor interface 16. The sensor acquires response data and provides feedback for adjustment to maintain optimal enzyme activity conditions until the enzyme catalytic reaction is completed.
[0053] A steam heating device is used to rapidly heat the material inside the reactor tank to maintain the optimal enzyme activity temperature for the enzyme catalytic reaction. Heating coils provide auxiliary heating and insulation of the reactor tank via an external heat source.
[0054] The technical solution to achieve the above functions is as follows: the reactor tank is connected to a steam heating device, and an insulation layer is provided on the outer wall of the reactor tank. A heating coil is also provided on the outer wall of the reactor tank, and the heating coil should be installed away from all openings on each reactor tank.
[0055] The specific solution for achieving rapid heating of the reactor interior by the steam heating device in this invention is that the steam heating device communicates with the interior of the reactor tank through multiple steam ports 12 set on the reactor tank. Preferably, the multiple steam ports 12 are evenly distributed along the length of the reactor tank. In this embodiment, three steam ports 12 are provided. High-temperature steam enters the interior of the reactor tank through the multiple steam ports 12 and comes into contact with the material, directly heating the material to the optimal enzyme activity temperature for enzyme catalysis.
[0056] The plurality of steam inlets 12 are provided on one or both sides of the bottom of the reactor tank. Preferably, the plurality of steam inlets 12 are provided on both sides of the bottom of the reactor tank.
[0057] The steam inlet 12 is embedded with a silencer. The silencer has a porous structure to disperse the steam so that it can contact the material evenly for heating and prevent popping noise caused by phase change of the material.
[0058] like Figure 3-5 As shown, specifically, the silencer includes a front flange 18 and a rear distributor 24. The flange 18 and the distributor 24 are connected by a connecting neck 22. The flange 18 has a circumferential array of screw holes 19. The flange 18 has a steam inlet 20, and the distributor 24 has side steam outlets 23 and bottom steam outlets 21. The side steam outlets 23 are arranged in a circumferential array on the circumferential side of the distributor 24, and the bottom steam outlets 21 are evenly distributed at the bottom of the distributor 24.
[0059] Through the above technical solution, this equipment adopts a porous silencer, which forms a uniform step after the gas phase steam enters the liquid phase enzyme catalytic reaction system, reducing the explosion sound caused by phase change.
[0060] The steam heating device is a steam generator placed outside the reactor tank. It is a mechanical device that uses the thermal energy of fuel or other energy sources to heat water into hot water or steam. The steam heating device is connected to the flange 18 of the silencer through pipelines.
[0061] Example 2
[0062] This embodiment is based on Embodiment 1, with the following differences:
[0063] In this embodiment, when the volume of the reactor tank is large, in order to improve the efficiency of enzyme catalysis, the feed inlet 6 is located in the middle of the top of the reactor tank, and the discharge outlet 14 is located in the middle of the bottom of the reactor tank. In order to prevent the material from accumulating in the middle of the reactor tank, the horizontal stirring structure is symmetrically arranged along the center line of the reactor tank axis, and the stirring paddles 15 of the horizontal stirring structure are in opposite directions. The stirring paddles 15 push the raw material from the center of the reactor tank to both ends. Specifically, the two stirring paddles 15 are symmetrically arranged along the center line of a stirring shaft 13, and a support is provided in the middle of the reactor tank to support the middle of the stirring shaft 13.
[0064] The reactor tank is equipped with anchor-type stirring paddles at both ends of the stirring shaft 13 to stir the material at both ends of the reactor tank and prevent the material from accumulating at both ends.
[0065] After the reaction is complete, the rotation direction of the stirring paddle 15 is changed. The stirring paddle 15 drives the material, and under the impetus of the stirring force, the material is pushed from both ends to the middle and released from the discharge port 14 at an accelerated speed.
[0066] Work style:
[0067] Cleaned 2-3cm straw flakes are fed into the primary enzymatic hydrolysis reactor through the feed inlet 6 at the top of the reactor. Water is used as the medium, and an enzyme-catalyzed liquid-phase reaction system is formed at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:5.5-6. The reactor is a horizontal tank structure with a stirring shaft 13 parallel to the tank body at a stirring speed of 10 rpm. Corresponding compound enzyme preparations, enzyme auxiliaries, and pH adjusters are added through different inlets on the reactor. Simultaneously, rapid direct heating is achieved through the steam interface 12 with a silencer and heating coils on the reactor tank. The heating process is regulated by a breather valve to achieve the optimal application scenario for the enzyme catalysis reaction (temperature 90℃, pH 9.5). A pressure safety valve is installed on the reactor to ensure overpressure safety. The enzyme catalysis reaction process is monitored in real time by temperature, pressure, and pH sensors on the reactor and adjusted until completion. An insulation layer is added to the outside of the reactor tank. The bio-based fiber obtained after the enzyme catalysis reaction has excellent folding endurance and tensile strength, making it an ideal green and environmentally friendly industrial raw material for bio-based fibers.
[0068] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A primary enzymatic reactor for lignocellulosic straw, characterized in that: The reactor includes a horizontal reactor tank and a horizontal stirring structure inside the reactor tank. The reactor tank is connected to a steam heating device. The reactor tank is provided with an inlet (6), an outlet (14), an enzyme preparation inlet (3), an enzyme auxiliary agent inlet (7), a pH adjuster inlet (4), a breather valve interface (2), and a pressure safety valve interface (11). The reactor tank is also provided with inlets for installing temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and pH sensors.
2. The lignocellulosic straw primary enzyme catalytic reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The horizontal stirring structure includes a stirring shaft (13) and a stirring paddle (15) mounted on the stirring shaft (13). The axis of the stirring shaft (13) is parallel to the axis of the reactor tank. The stirring shaft (13) is connected to the stirring motor (1).
3. The lignocellulosic straw primary enzyme catalytic reactor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The stirring paddle (15) is a ribbon stirring paddle.
4. The lignocellulosic straw primary enzyme catalytic reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feed inlet (6) is located at the top of the reactor tank, and the discharge outlet (14) is located at the bottom of the reactor tank. The reactor tank is also provided with a manhole (5), a first reserved port (8), and a second reserved port (9). The temperature sensor is installed on the temperature sensor interface (17), the pressure sensor is installed on the pressure sensor interface (10), and the pH sensor is installed on the pH sensor interface (16).
5. The lignocellulosic straw primary enzyme catalytic reactor according to claim 4, characterized in that: The reactor tank is provided with an insulation layer on its outer wall, and a heating coil is also provided on the outer wall of the reactor tank.
6. The lignocellulose straw primary enzyme catalytic reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feed inlet (6) is located in the middle of the top of the reactor tank, and the discharge outlet (14) is located in the middle of the bottom of the reactor tank. The two horizontal stirring structures are symmetrically arranged along the center line of the reactor tank axis, and the stirring paddles (15) of the two horizontal stirring structures are in opposite directions.
7. The lignocellulose straw primary enzyme catalytic reactor according to claim 6, characterized in that: The reactor tank is equipped with anchor-type stirring paddles at both ends of the stirring shaft (13).
8. A primary enzyme catalytic reactor for lignocellulosic straw according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: The steam heating device is connected to the inside of the reactor tank through multiple steam ports (12), and the multiple steam ports (12) are evenly distributed at the bottom of the reactor tank.
9. The lignocellulose straw primary enzyme catalytic reactor according to claim 8, characterized in that: A silencer is embedded in the steam inlet (12), and the silencer has a porous structure.
10. The lignocellulose straw primary enzyme catalytic reactor according to claim 9, characterized in that: The silencer includes a front flange (18) and a rear distributor (24). The flange (18) and the distributor (24) are connected by a connecting neck (22). The flange (18) is provided with screw holes (19) arranged in a circumferential array. The flange (18) is provided with a steam inlet (20), and the distributor (24) is provided with a side steam outlet (23) and a bottom steam outlet (21).