A fermentation tank self-cleaning sterilization integrated device

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of fermentation equipment technology, and in particular to an integrated self-cleaning and sterilization device for fermentation tanks. It includes a base plate and a fermentation tank mounted on the base plate. The fermentation tank has a feed inlet at the top and a discharge outlet at the bottom. A rotating shaft connected to a power source is vertically mounted in the middle of the fermentation tank. Several rows of main blades are fixedly mounted along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. A drive wheel is coaxially mounted on the rotating shaft above the main blades. A driven ring is coaxially mounted on the outer periphery of the drive wheel. At least one scraper is fixedly mounted on the outer periphery of the driven ring via a connecting frame. Each scraper is in contact with the inner wall of the fermentation tank. This utility model uses a lifting frame to engage the driven ring with the drive wheel, causing the rotating shaft to rotate the scraper, scraping away residue from the inner wall of the fermentation tank. This effectively reduces labor intensity and increases cleaning speed. The scraper and the rotating shaft can be flexibly decoupled, ensuring no interference when stirring fermented materials and guaranteeing optimal stirring effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fermentation equipment technology, and in particular to an integrated self-cleaning and sterilization device for fermenters. Background Technology

[0002] Fermentation tanks, as key equipment for bioproduct production and microbial cultivation, are widely used in pharmaceuticals, food processing, and agriculture. To ensure fermentation quality between different strains or production batches and to avoid cross-contamination, fermentation tanks must be cleaned and sterilized. However, traditional fermentation tanks have significant drawbacks in both of these crucial aspects: during cleaning, operators need to open the manhole on the top of the tank and manually wash the inner wall of the tank with a handheld high-pressure water gun. This method is not only inefficient and labor-intensive, but also makes it difficult to completely remove residues from dead corners of the tank, thus affecting the stability of subsequent fermentation processes. In the sterilization stage, a steam generator needs to be connected to an external pipeline to introduce high-temperature steam into the tank. This sterilization method, which relies on external equipment, is not only slow to heat up and has high energy consumption, but also makes it difficult to improve overall production efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a self-cleaning and sterilization integrated device for fermenters that is compact in structure, easy to operate, and can efficiently complete cleaning and sterilization, in order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A self-cleaning and sterilization integrated fermentation tank device includes a base plate and a fermentation tank mounted on the base plate. The fermentation tank has a feed inlet at the top and a discharge outlet at the bottom. Its features are:

[0006] The fermenter is vertically connected to a power source in the middle. Several rows of main blades are fixed along the axis of the rotating shaft. A drive wheel is coaxially fixed on the rotating shaft above the main blades. A driven ring is coaxially arranged on the outer periphery of the drive wheel. At least one scraper is fixedly installed on the outer periphery of the driven ring through a connecting frame. Each scraper is in contact with the inner wall of the fermenter.

[0007] The outer circumferential surface of the drive wheel is fixedly provided with a first engaging component, and the inner circumferential surface of the driven ring is fixedly provided with a second engaging component. The top of the driven ring is rotatably connected to a lifting frame connected to the power source. The lifting frame is used to drive the driven ring to rise and fall vertically so that the second engaging component and the first engaging component can engage and lock together.

[0008] The fermenter is equipped with a steam inlet pipe with a shut-off valve on one side. A steam generator connected to the steam inlet pipe and supplying steam is installed on the bottom plate. A secondary heater for further heating the output steam is also provided on the path connecting the steam generator and the steam inlet pipe.

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can be further achieved through the following steps: a linear drive component is vertically arranged on the top of the fermentation tank, the power output end of the linear drive component extends downward into the fermentation tank and is fixedly connected to the lifting frame, and the lifting frame is rotatably connected to the driven ring through a thrust bearing; the linear drive component is a lifting cylinder, a lifting electric cylinder, or a lifting hydraulic cylinder; the first engaging member is a drive tooth, and the second engaging member is a driven tooth.

[0010] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can be further achieved through the following steps: the steam generator specifically includes a water tank, a water injection pipe disposed on one side of the water tank, a steam outlet pipe disposed on the top of the water tank, and a thin inner liner installed on the inner periphery of the water tank. The interior of the thin inner liner is provided with a heating chamber for the inlet of heat transfer oil. The side of the water tank is provided with a heat transfer oil inlet and a heat transfer oil outlet communicating with the heating chamber.

[0011] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can be further achieved through the following steps: the secondary heater specifically includes a heating box fixedly installed on the top of the water tank, the bottom inlet of the heating box is connected to the steam outlet pipe, and the top outlet of the heating box is connected to the steam inlet pipe through an air pump; multiple guide plates are staggered between the bottom inlet and the top outlet of the heating box, and each guide plate is integrated with an electric heating rod.

[0012] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can be further achieved through the following steps: the side of the fermenter is provided with a water flushing pipe, and the side of the water tank is provided with a water outlet pipe. The water outlet pipe is connected to the water flushing pipe through a water pump to supply water; the steam outlet pipe, the water flushing pipe and the steam inlet pipe are all provided with shut-off valves.

[0013] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can be further achieved through the following steps: multiple support columns are fixedly provided on the base plate, and a suspension frame supporting the fermentation tank is provided on the top of the multiple support columns. Each support column is movably connected to the bottom of the suspension frame through a support spring, and at least one vibration generator is fixedly installed on the suspension frame.

[0014] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can be further achieved through the following steps: the top surface of the suspension frame is integrally formed with an annular limiting plate, and at least two clamping mechanisms are evenly distributed along the circumference on the limiting plate. The clamping mechanism includes a movable bolt installed radially on the limiting plate. One end of the movable bolt located on the inner circumference of the limiting plate is rotatably connected to a clamping pad that cooperates with the outer wall of the fermentation tank. The section of the movable bolt located on the outer circumference of the limiting plate is threadedly connected to a locking rotating block that is easy for a person to hold.

[0015] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can be further achieved through the following steps: a horizontal extension rod is fixedly installed on the rotating shaft below the main blade, and auxiliary rods parallel to the rotating shaft are symmetrically arranged at the left and right ends of the extension rod. Several rows of auxiliary blades are fixedly installed on each auxiliary rod along the axial direction, and the main blade and auxiliary blades are staggered.

[0016] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can be further achieved through the following steps: the power equipment is specifically a drive motor that is vertically installed on the top of the fermentation tank, the power output end of the drive motor extends into the inside of the fermentation tank, and is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft through a coupling.

[0017] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model can be further achieved through the following steps: the bottom of the base plate is equipped with a walking wheel with a locking mechanism, and one end of the base plate is hinged with a handle that facilitates manual pushing.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0019] 1) By setting up a lifting frame to engage the driven ring and the drive wheel, the rotating shaft drives the scraper to rotate, scraping away the residue on the inner wall of the fermentation tank. Compared with the traditional manual washing method, this effectively reduces labor intensity and increases cleaning speed. The scraper adheres to the tank wall and rotates circumferentially, significantly reducing cleaning dead corners and improving the stability of subsequent fermentation processes. The scraper and the rotating rod can be flexibly decoupled, so they do not interfere with each other when stirring fermentation materials. With the additional auxiliary blades, the stirring effect is fully guaranteed.

[0020] 2) By integrating a steam generator and a secondary heater, the thin inner tank is used to heat the water to quickly generate steam. The steam residence time is extended by the guide plates set at intervals in the secondary heater, so that the steam can be fully heated. This effectively improves the steam heating efficiency, reduces the overall energy consumption, and enhances the smoothness and efficiency of the overall production process. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a top view of the fermentation tank of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the lifting frame of this utility model;

[0025] In the diagram: 1-Bottom plate; 2-Fermentation tank; 3-Inlet; 4-Outlet; 5-Rotating shaft; 6-Main blade; 7-Drive wheel; 8-Driven coil; 9-Scraper; 10-Lifting frame; 11-Steam inlet pipe; 12-Steam generator; 13-Secondary heater; 14-Lifting cylinder; 15-Water tank; 16-Water injection pipe; 17-Steam outlet pipe; 18-Thin inner liner; 19-Heating chamber; 20-Heat transfer oil inlet; 21-Heat transfer oil outlet; 22-Heating box; 23-Air pump; 24-Baffle plate; 25-Water flushing pipe; 26-Water outlet pipe; 27-Water pump; 28-Stop valve; 29-Support column; 30-Suspension frame; 31-Support spring; 32-Vibration generator; 33- Limiting plate; 34-Modible bolt; 35-Clamping pad; 36-Locking rotating block; 37-Extension rod; 38-Sub-rod; 39-Sub-blade; 40-Drive motor; 41-Walking wheel; 42-Handle; 43-Connecting frame; 44-Thrust bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The specific technical solutions of this utility model are further described below to enable those skilled in the art to further understand this utility model, without constituting a limitation on its rights.

[0027] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the utility model.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 1-4 A self-cleaning and sterilization integrated fermentation tank device includes a base plate 1 and a fermentation tank 2 disposed on the base plate 1. The top of the fermentation tank 2 is provided with a feed inlet 3, and a sealing cover is hinged to the feed inlet 3. The bottom of the fermentation tank 2 is provided with a discharge outlet 4, and an electric discharge valve is installed at the discharge outlet 4. In this embodiment, there are two feed inlets 3, which facilitates the addition of fermentation raw materials and auxiliary agents into the fermentation tank 2 respectively.

[0029] The fermenter 2 is vertically provided with a rotating shaft 5 connected to the power source in the middle. Several rows of main blades 6 are fixedly arranged on the rotating shaft 5 along its axial direction. A drive wheel 7 is coaxially fixedly sleeved on the rotating shaft 5 above the main blades 6. A driven ring 8 is coaxially arranged on the outer periphery of the drive wheel 7. At least one scraper 9 (two in this embodiment) is fixedly installed on the outer periphery of the driven ring 8 through a connecting frame 43. Each scraper 9 is in contact with the inner wall of the fermenter 2.

[0030] The outer circumferential surface of the drive wheel 7 is fixedly provided with a first engaging member, and the inner circumferential surface of the driven ring 8 is fixedly provided with a second engaging member. The top of the driven ring 8 is rotatably connected to a lifting frame 10 connected to the power source. The lifting frame 10 is used to drive the driven ring 8 to rise and fall vertically so that the second engaging member engages with the first engaging member.

[0031] The fermenter 2 is provided with a steam inlet pipe 11 with a shut-off valve 28 on one side. A steam generator 12 connected to the steam inlet pipe 11 and supplying steam is installed on the bottom plate 1. A secondary heater 13 for further heating the output steam is also provided on the path connecting the steam generator 12 and the steam inlet pipe 11.

[0032] In the above structure, a linear drive component is vertically arranged on the top of the fermentation tank 2. The power output end of the linear drive component extends downward into the fermentation tank 2 and is fixedly connected to the lifting frame 10. The lifting frame 10 is rotatably connected to the driven ring 8 through the thrust bearing 44. The linear drive component is a lifting cylinder 14, a lifting electric cylinder, or a lifting hydraulic cylinder. The drive wheel 7 is a gear structure, the first engaging member is a drive tooth, the driven ring 8 is a gear ring structure, and the second engaging member is a driven tooth. The drive tooth and the driven tooth are arranged correspondingly. In this embodiment, there are two linear drive components, both of which are lifting cylinders 14.

[0033] Specifically, the steam generator 12 includes a water tank 15, a water injection pipe 16 located on one side of the water tank 15, a steam outlet pipe 17 located on the top of the water tank 15, and a thin inner liner 18 installed on the inner periphery of the water tank 15. The interior of the thin inner liner 18 is provided with a heating chamber 19 for heat transfer oil to enter. The side of the water tank 15 is provided with a heat transfer oil inlet 20 and a heat transfer oil outlet 21 communicating with the heating chamber 19. The thin inner liner 18 is made of 304 stainless steel with a wall thickness of about 2-4 mm, and its inner surface is provided with an anti-corrosion coating to improve durability.

[0034] Specifically, the secondary heater 13 includes a heating box 22 fixedly installed on the top of the water tank 15. The bottom inlet of the heating box 22 is connected to the steam outlet pipe 17, and the top outlet of the heating box 22 is connected to the steam inlet pipe 11 through the air pump 23. Multiple guide plates 24 are staggered between the bottom inlet and the top outlet of the heating box 22. Each guide plate 24 integrates an electric heating rod. The guide plates 24 extend the steam residence time, and the electric heating rods further heat the steam, effectively improving the steam heating efficiency and reducing the overall energy consumption.

[0035] Specifically, the fermenter 2 is provided with a water flushing pipe 25 on its side, and the water tank 15 is provided with a water outlet pipe 26 on its side. The water outlet pipe 26 is connected to the water flushing pipe 25 via a water pump 27 to supply water. The steam outlet pipe 17, the water flushing pipe 25 and the steam inlet pipe 11 are all provided with shut-off valves 28 to facilitate the control of the pipeline opening and closing.

[0036] Specifically, multiple support columns 29 are fixedly provided on the base plate 1, and a suspension frame 30 supporting the fermentation tank 2 is provided on the top of the multiple support columns 29. Each support column 29 is movably connected to the bottom of the suspension frame 30 through a support spring 31. At least one vibration generator 32 is fixedly installed on the suspension frame 30. The inner bottom wall of the fermentation tank 2 is a conical structure inclined towards the discharge port 4. The vibration generator 32 equipped on the suspension frame 30 can generate high-frequency micro-amplitude vibration, which can both promote the concentrated discharge of materials to the discharge port 4 and assist in scraping the plate 9 to loosen stubborn residues on the tank wall.

[0037] Specifically, the top surface of the suspension frame 30 is integrally formed with an annular limiting plate 33. At least two clamping mechanisms are evenly distributed circumferentially on the limiting plate 33. Each clamping mechanism includes a movable bolt 34 installed radially on the limiting plate 33. One end of the movable bolt 34 located on the inner circumference of the limiting plate 33 is rotatably connected to a clamping pad 35 that cooperates with the outer wall of the fermentation tank 2. The section of the movable bolt 34 located on the outer circumference of the limiting plate 33 is threadedly connected to a locking rotating block 36 that is easy for a person to hold. By rotating the locking rotating block 36, the clamping pad 35 can be moved radially, thereby realizing the rapid positioning and stable clamping of the fermentation tank 2.

[0038] Specifically, a horizontal extension rod 37 is fixedly installed on the rotating shaft 5 below the main blade 6. A secondary rod 38 parallel to the rotating shaft 5 is symmetrically arranged at the left and right ends of the extension rod 37. Several rows of secondary blades 39 are fixedly installed on each secondary rod 38 along the axial direction. The main blade 6 and the secondary blades 39 are staggered to form a three-dimensional stirring flow field, making the material mixing more uniform.

[0039] Specifically, the power equipment is a drive motor 40 that is vertically installed on the top of the fermentation tank 2. The power output end of the drive motor 40 extends into the interior of the fermentation tank 2 and is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 5 through a coupling.

[0040] As an optional structure, a walking wheel 41 with a locking mechanism is installed at the bottom of the base plate 1, and a handle 42 for easy manual pushing is hinged to one end of the base plate 1; the walking wheel 41 is specifically a fuma wheel.

[0041] Working Principle: In use, fermentation raw materials and auxiliary agents are first added through the feed inlet 3. The drive motor 40 is started, driving the rotating shaft 5 to rotate, creating a three-dimensional mixing flow field between the main blade 6 and the auxiliary blade 39, ensuring uniform material mixing. Simultaneously, the vibration generator 32 on the suspension frame 30 is intermittently activated, generating high-frequency micro-amplitude vibrations to promote material flow. After fermentation, the electric discharge valve is opened to discharge most of the material. Then, the lifting cylinder 14 is activated to push the lifting frame 10 downwards, causing the driven teeth of the driven coil 8 to mesh with the driving teeth of the drive wheel 7. The drive motor 40 drives the scraper 9 to rotate close to the tank wall, thoroughly scraping away residual material. The vibration generator 32 operates synchronously. To loosen stubborn residues, the residual material is collected along the conical inner bottom and discharged through the outlet 4. Then, the outlet valve is closed, and the water pump 27 is turned on to spray water from the water tank 15 into the tank through the water flushing pipe 25 for rinsing. The wastewater is discharged through the outlet 4. During the sterilization stage, the heat transfer oil heats the thin inner liner 18 to rapidly vaporize the water. The steam is guided by the guide plate 24 of the secondary heater 13 and further heated to 121°C by the electric heating rod before being introduced into the fermenter 2. It is maintained for 20-30 minutes to complete the efficient sterilization. Finally, the lifting frame 10 is reset to disengage the scraper 9 from the drive wheel 7. The entire process realizes the automated cleaning and sterilization of the fermenter 2, which has the advantages of high efficiency, energy saving and low labor intensity.

[0042] Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A self-cleaning and sterilization integrated fermentation tank device, comprising a base plate and a fermentation tank mounted on the base plate, wherein the top of the fermentation tank is provided with a feed inlet and the bottom of the fermentation tank is provided with a discharge outlet, characterized in that: The fermenter is vertically connected to a power source in the middle. Several rows of main blades are fixed along the axis of the rotating shaft. A drive wheel is coaxially fixed on the rotating shaft above the main blades. A driven ring is coaxially arranged on the outer periphery of the drive wheel. At least one scraper is fixedly installed on the outer periphery of the driven ring through a connecting frame. Each scraper is in contact with the inner wall of the fermenter. The outer circumferential surface of the drive wheel is fixedly provided with a first engaging component, and the inner circumferential surface of the driven ring is fixedly provided with a second engaging component. The top of the driven ring is rotatably connected to a lifting frame connected to the power source. The lifting frame is used to drive the driven ring to rise and fall vertically so that the second engaging component and the first engaging component can engage and lock together. The fermenter is equipped with a steam inlet pipe with a shut-off valve on one side. A steam generator connected to the steam inlet pipe and supplying steam is installed on the bottom plate. A secondary heater for further heating the output steam is also provided on the path connecting the steam generator and the steam inlet pipe.

2. The integrated self-cleaning and sterilization apparatus for a fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that: A linear drive component is vertically installed on the top of the fermentation tank. The power output end of the linear drive component extends downward into the fermentation tank and is fixedly connected to the lifting frame. The lifting frame is rotatably connected to the driven ring through a thrust bearing. The linear drive component is a lifting cylinder, a lifting electric cylinder, or a lifting hydraulic cylinder. The first engaging member is a drive tooth, and the second engaging member is a driven tooth.

3. The integrated self-cleaning and sterilization apparatus for a fermenter according to claim 1, wherein: The steam generator specifically includes a water tank, a water injection pipe located on one side of the water tank, a steam outlet pipe located on the top of the water tank, and a thin inner liner installed on the inner periphery of the water tank. The interior of the thin inner liner is provided with a heating chamber for the inlet of heat transfer oil. A heat transfer oil inlet and a heat transfer oil outlet communicating with the heating chamber are respectively provided on one side of the water tank.

4. The integrated self-cleaning and sterilization apparatus for a fermenter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The secondary heater specifically includes a heating box fixedly installed on the top of the water tank. The bottom inlet of the heating box is connected to the steam outlet pipe, and the top outlet of the heating box is connected to the steam inlet pipe through an air pump. Multiple guide plates are staggered between the bottom inlet and the top outlet of the heating box, and each guide plate integrates an electric heating rod.

5. The integrated self-cleaning and sterilization apparatus for a fermenter according to claim 3, wherein: The fermenter is equipped with a water flushing pipe on its side, and the water tank is equipped with a water outlet pipe on its side. The water outlet pipe is connected to the water flushing pipe via a water pump to supply water. The steam outlet pipe, the water flushing pipe, and the steam inlet pipe are all equipped with shut-off valves.

6. The fermenter self-cleaning sterilization integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple support columns are fixedly installed on the base plate. The top of the multiple support columns is provided with a suspension frame that supports the fermentation tank. Each support column is movably connected to the bottom of the suspension frame through a support spring. At least one vibration generator is fixedly installed on the suspension frame.

7. The fermenter self-cleaning sterilization integrated device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The top surface of the suspension frame is integrally formed with an annular limiting plate. At least two clamping mechanisms are evenly distributed circumferentially on the limiting plate. Each clamping mechanism includes a movable bolt installed radially on the limiting plate. One end of the movable bolt located on the inner circumference of the limiting plate is rotatably connected to a clamping pad that mates with the outer wall of the fermentation tank. The other end of the movable bolt located on the outer circumference of the limiting plate is threadedly connected to a locking rotating block that is easy for a person to hold.

8. The fermenter self-cleaning sterilization integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The horizontal extension rod is fixedly installed on the rotating shaft below the main paddle, and the vice rod parallel to the rotating shaft is symmetrically arranged at the left and right ends of the extension rod.

9. The fermenter self-cleaning sterilization integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the bottom plate is provided with a traveling wheel with a locking mechanism, and one end of the bottom plate is hingedly provided with a handle convenient for manual pushing.

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