A fermentation reaction device with automatic defoaming

Abstract

This invention provides an automatic defoaming fermentation reactor, comprising a reactor, an ejector, and a circulating pump. The ejector includes a bottom ejector and an upper ejector, both of which include a throat and diffuser and converging tubes at both ends of the throat. The diffuser is inserted into the reactor. An air intake pipe connecting to the outside is provided on the throat, and a branch pipe connecting to the inside of the reactor is provided on the air intake pipe. An electric air ball valve is located at the top of the air intake pipe, and an electric foam ball valve is located on the branch pipe. The electric air ball valve and the electric foam ball valve are used to control the inflow and outflow of air and foam, respectively. This invention achieves automatic defoaming, precise control of dissolved oxygen, and efficient mixing through the synergistic action of a foam sensor, ejector, and circulating pump. It effectively solves the problems of foam overflow and dissolved oxygen control during fermentation, improves the production efficiency and product quality of organic acids, and has broad application prospects and significant economic benefits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of aerobic or anaerobic fermentation technology, and in particular to a fermentation reaction device with automatic defoaming. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of wastewater treatment, the treatment of municipal sewage, biogas slurry, and leachate faces numerous challenges, especially the low ratio of chemical oxygen demand (COD) to total nitrogen (TN). Traditional activated sludge processes require the addition of large amounts of carbon sources, resulting in high operating costs. Organic slurries from food waste or fruit and vegetable waste are characterized by high organic matter content. If these slurries can be converted into biochemical carbon sources through fermentation, not only can treatment costs be reduced, but the resource utilization of waste can also be achieved.

[0003] However, in the process of producing organic acids from organic slurries, the fermentation process is prone to foaming, leading to foam overflow, material loss, equipment damage, and environmental pollution. Furthermore, the control of dissolved oxygen during fermentation is crucial for acid production efficiency; traditional aeration equipment is energy-intensive and has high maintenance costs.

[0004] Therefore, how to effectively solve the foaming problem in the fermentation process of organic slurry has become a key technical challenge in the production of organic acids from organic slurry. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an automatic defoaming fermentation reaction device with the functions of automatic defoaming and regulating dissolved oxygen during aeration, which can solve the problem of easy foaming in the production of organic acids from organic slurry in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above and other related objectives, this utility model provides an automatic defoaming fermentation reaction device, comprising:

[0007] A reactor for containing organic slurry, the reactor having a feed port and a dosing port, and a foam sensor for detecting the foam level inserted inside the reactor;

[0008] The jet ejector includes a bottom jet ejector and an upper jet ejector. Both the bottom jet ejector and the upper jet ejector include a throat and a diffuser and a converging tube at both ends of the throat. The diffuser is inserted into the interior of the reactor. The throat is provided with an air intake pipe that connects to the outside. The air intake pipe is provided with a branch pipe that connects to the interior of the reactor. An air-powered ball valve is provided at the top of the air intake pipe. A foam-powered ball valve is provided on the branch pipe. The air-powered ball valve and the foam-powered ball valve are used to control the entry and exit of air and foam, respectively.

[0009] A circulating pump, one end of which is connected to the reactor through a circulating pump inlet, and the other end of which is connected to the bottom jet and the top jet respectively.

[0010] In one embodiment of this utility model, the reactor is further provided with a dissolved oxygen probe and a pH meter, which are used to monitor the dissolved oxygen and pH value in the reactor, respectively.

[0011] In one embodiment of this utility model, the dissolved oxygen probe and the pH meter are respectively connected to one side of the bottom jet injector.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the top of the reactor is provided with a plurality of defoaming nozzles for spraying defoamer into the reactor, and the defoaming nozzles are controlled by a defoamer dosing pump.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, a centrifugal impeller is mounted on the top of the reactor, and the defoaming nozzles are evenly distributed on the lower surface of the centrifugal impeller.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, a control system is also included, which is electrically connected to and interlocked with the foam sensor, the circulating pump, the air electric ball valve, the foam electric ball valve, the defoamer dosing pump, the dissolved oxygen probe, and the pH meter.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the reactor is provided with a plurality of hyperboloid baffles, which are evenly distributed on the inner sidewall of the reactor in the vertical direction.

[0016] In one embodiment of this utility model, the angle between the bottom jet nozzle and the upper jet nozzle and the tangent to the outer wall of the reactor is 30° to 60°.

[0017] In one embodiment of this utility model, the diffuser tube of the bottom jet is arranged downwards and forms an angle of 5°-10° with the horizontal plane.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the reactor is provided with a discharge pipe for discharging the processed organic acid product.

[0019] As described above, the automatic defoaming fermentation reaction device of this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] 1. This utility model achieves automatic defoaming, precise control of dissolved oxygen, and efficient mixing and stirring through the synergistic effect of a foam sensor, jet injector, and circulating pump. It can effectively solve the problems of foam overflow and dissolved oxygen control during fermentation, improve the production efficiency and product quality of organic acids, and has broad application prospects and significant economic benefits.

[0021] 2. This utility model replaces traditional aeration equipment with a jet aerator, which can significantly reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs, bringing significant economic benefits to enterprises.

[0022] 3. Through the synergistic effect of the bottom jet aerator, the top jet aerator, and the hyperboloid baffle, three-dimensional mixing of materials in the reactor can be achieved, ensuring uniform mixing of materials and improving the stability of the hydrolysis acidification reaction and product quality. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the automatic defoaming fermentation reaction device disclosed in this utility model.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a bottom view schematic diagram of the automatic defoaming fermentation reaction device disclosed in this utility model.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the jet ejector disclosed in this utility model.

[0026] Component designation explanation

[0027] 100. Reactor; 101. Feed port; 102. Dosing port; 103. Circulating pump inlet; 104. Foam sensor; 105. Discharge pipe; 106. Air-operated ball valve; 107. Foam-operated ball valve; 108. Dissolved oxygen probe; 109. pH meter; 110. Defoaming nozzle; 111. Defoamer dosing pump; 112. Hyperboloid baffle; 200. Ejector; 201. Bottom ejector; 202. Top ejector; 203. Diverging pipe; 204. Throat; 205. Converging pipe; 206. Suction pipe; 207. Branch pipe; 300. Circulating pump; 400. Centrifugal impeller. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] Please see Figures 1-2 This embodiment provides an automatic defoaming fermentation reaction device, including a reactor 100, an ejector 200 and a circulation pump 300. The reactor 100 is used to contain organic slurry and carry out aerobic or anaerobic fermentation. The ejector 200 is used to mix and defoam within the reactor 100. The circulation pump 300 is used to circulate the mixture within the reactor.

[0031] The reactor 100 is cylindrical. The top of the reactor 100 has a feed port 101 for feeding and a dosing port 102 for adding chemicals. A foam sensor 104 for detecting the foam level is inserted inside the reactor 100. The bottom of the reactor 100 has a discharge pipe 105 for discharging the treated organic acid product. The ejector 200 includes a bottom ejector 201 and an upper ejector 202. The bottom ejector 201 is located at the bottom of the reactor 100, and the upper ejector 202 is located above the bottom ejector 201.

[0032] refer to Figure 3 Both the bottom ejector 201 and the upper ejector 202 include a throat 204 and diffusers 203 and converging tubes 205 at both ends of the throat 204. The diffusers 203 are inserted into the interior of the reactor 100. The throat 204 is provided with an air intake pipe 206 that connects to the outside. The air intake pipe 206 is provided with a branch pipe 207 that connects to the interior of the reactor 100. An electric air ball valve 106 is provided at the top of the air intake pipe 206, and an electric foam ball valve 107 is provided on the branch pipe 207. A circulation pump inlet 103 is provided on the side wall of the reactor 100. One end of the circulation pump 300 is connected to the reactor 100 through the circulation pump inlet 103, and the other end of the circulation pump 300 is connected to the bottom ejector 201 and the upper ejector 202 respectively.

[0033] Air-operated ball valve 106 and foam-operated ball valve 107 are used to control the entry and exit of air and foam, respectively, allowing air or foam to be introduced into the throat 204 of the ejector 200 through the suction pipe 206. Inside the throat 204, the high-velocity fluid exerts a strong shearing and breaking effect on the foam and air. This shearing force can destroy the structure of the foam, causing it to burst, and simultaneously break the air into tiny bubbles, increasing the contact area between air and liquid and promoting the dissolution of air in the mixture. In the diffuser 203, the pressure of the mixture containing a large amount of dissolved air gradually decreases, and the air is released from its saturated state, forming tiny bubbles dispersed in the liquid, achieving a high dissolution rate of dissolved oxygen. This process not only effectively eliminates foam but also provides sufficient oxygen for microorganisms, which is beneficial to the growth and metabolism of aerobic microorganisms and improves reaction efficiency.

[0034] To improve the mixing effect of the ejector 200, the bottom ejector 201 and the upper ejector 202 form a tangent angle of 30° to 60° with the outer wall of the reactor 100. This angle range allows the fluid ejected by the ejector 200 to form a strong swirling flow within the reactor 100, promoting rapid mixing of materials in the horizontal direction. Simultaneously, the diffuser 203 of the bottom ejector 201 is positioned downwards at an angle of 5° to 10° with the horizontal plane, effectively agitating the materials at the bottom of the reactor 100 and preventing material sedimentation.

[0035] Furthermore, three hyperboloidal baffles 112 are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the reactor 100, and the hyperboloidal baffles 112 are arranged vertically. The jet mixture moves in a parabolic motion within the reactor 100, combining with the three hyperboloidal baffles 112 to produce a unique vortex effect. This vortex further enhances the water flow stirring effect, allowing the materials to be more thoroughly mixed within the reactor 100, ensuring a completely mixed state. Under this ideal mixing state, microorganisms and substrates can fully contact each other, resulting in a more uniform and efficient reaction. In addition, dissolved gases are released from the high pressure, and the foam, influenced by buoyancy, carries particles to the surface, achieving mixing from top to bottom and further improving the uniformity of the materials within the reactor 100. The foam on the liquid surface is adsorbed into the jet injector 200, where the organic matter undergoes a further deep hydrolysis and acidification reaction. This not only reduces the volume of the foam but also improves the quality of the aerobic fermentation product, achieving full utilization of the materials.

[0036] Furthermore, the reactor 100 is also equipped with a dissolved oxygen probe 108 and a pH meter 109, which are used to monitor the dissolved oxygen and pH value in the reactor 100, respectively. The dissolved oxygen probe 108 and the pH meter 109 are respectively connected to one side of the bottom jet 201.

[0037] Furthermore, the top wall of the reactor 100 is provided with a number of defoaming nozzles 110 for spraying defoamer into the reactor 100, and the defoaming nozzles 110 are controlled by a defoamer dosing pump 111.

[0038] To more effectively control foam, this invention employs advanced interlocking control technology. The automatic defoaming fermentation reaction device also includes a control system, which is electrically connected and interlocked with the foam sensor 104, circulating pump 300, air electric ball valve 106, foam electric ball valve 107, dissolved oxygen probe 108, and pH meter 109. Specifically,

[0039] When the foam liquid level reaches the high liquid level start value, the air electric ball valve 106 is automatically closed and the foam electric ball valve 107 is interlocked open. This automatic control mechanism can respond to changes in the foam liquid level in a timely manner, prevent foam from overflowing the reactor 100, and avoid secondary pollution and material loss. When the foam liquid level drops to the low liquid level start value, the foam electric ball valve 107 is automatically closed and the air electric ball valve 106 is opened to restore normal air supply and ensure that the microbial reaction in the reactor 100 can continue to proceed stably.

[0040] When the foam level reaches the high-high level start value, the defoamer dosing pump 111 is automatically activated. The defoamer is sprayed from the defoaming nozzle 110 into the reactor 100, rapidly reducing the surface tension of the foam and causing it to break. The defoamer is a polyether-based defoamer, which can be used directly without dilution. The flow rate of the defoamer spray is controlled at 0.1%-1% of the feed flow rate. When the foam level drops to the high alarm value, the defoamer pump automatically stops working to avoid excessive use of the defoamer and ensure the stable operation and economy of the system.

[0041] When the control system increases the flow rate of the circulating pump 300, the suction force of the suction pipe 206 will increase accordingly. This allows the foam on the liquid surface to be drawn into the system more quickly, accelerating the foam elimination process. At the same time, this operation can also promote the faster degradation of proteins in the foam, fundamentally further reducing the possibility of foam generation and maintaining the stability of the fermentation environment within the reactor 100.

[0042] Based on the real-time detection value of dissolved oxygen probe 108, the system performs precise automatic control of dissolved oxygen, stabilizing it within the range of 0.3–0.7 mg / L. When dissolved oxygen exceeds the upper limit, the control system automatically reduces the frequency of circulation pump 300 at 5-minute intervals, decreasing or increasing the frequency by two increments each time. This dynamic automatic control mechanism can respond promptly to changes in dissolved oxygen within reactor 100, ensuring that microorganisms are always in a suitable dissolved oxygen environment.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] This embodiment provides the operating steps of the fermentation reaction device with automatic defoaming in Embodiment 1:

[0045] S1, Reactor 100 Start-up Stage:

[0046] Organic slurry is added into reactor 100 through feed port 101, with the initial feed amount being 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the total volume of reactor 100; 1% to 5% municipal sludge is added as an inoculum source to start the microbial community; alkaline solution is added through dosing port 102 to adjust the pH value in reactor 100 to 5.5 to 7.0; then the air-powered ball valve 106 is opened to start the circulation pump 300, and the stirring and aeration process of the circulation pump 300 is started, which continues for 2 to 4 days.

[0047] S2, Hydrolysis Acidifying Bacteria Enhancement Treatment Stage:

[0048] A compound hydrolytic acidifying bacteria, including Alcaligenes, Acinetobacter, Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas, is added into reactor 100 to enhance the hydrolysis and acidification process. After hydrolysis and acidification are completed, aeration is carried out for one day to further promote the metabolic activities of microorganisms.

[0049] S3, Organic Slurry Feed Increment and Residence Time Control Stage:

[0050] Starting from the third day, the daily feed rate is 5% to 10% of the total slurry volume of reactor 100, gradually increasing to full load operation. The total residence time of reactor 100 is 5 to 10 days to ensure that the organic slurry undergoes sufficient biochemical reaction.

[0051] S4. Mixing and defoaming mechanism operation phase:

[0052] When the foam level reaches the high-level start-up value, the system interlocks automatically to close the air-operated ball valve 106 and open the foam-operated ball valve 107 to prevent foam overflow. When the foam level drops to the low-level start-up value, the system interlocks again to close the foam-operated ball valve 107 and open the air-operated ball valve 106, restoring normal air supply and ensuring the continuous and stable microbial reaction within the reactor 100. At this time, the ejector 200 shears the foam with high-speed fluid and increases dissolved oxygen, ensuring that the microorganisms receive sufficient oxygen.

[0053] S5, Defoamer-assisted defoaming stage:

[0054] When the foam level reaches the high alarm value, the system automatically starts the defoamer dosing pump 111 and sprays defoamer to quickly reduce the surface tension of the foam and cause it to burst.

[0055] S6, Automatic Dissolved Oxygen Control Stage:

[0056] Based on the real-time detection value of dissolved oxygen probe 108, the system automatically adjusts the frequency of circulation pump 300 to stabilize dissolved oxygen within the range of 0.3–0.7 mg / L. When dissolved oxygen exceeds the upper limit, the system automatically reduces the frequency of circulation pump 300 at 5-minute intervals, decreasing or increasing the frequency by two increments each time.

[0057] Example 3

[0058] This embodiment provides an automatic defoaming fermentation reaction device, including a reactor 100, an ejector 200 and a circulation pump 300. Compared with Embodiment 1, the only difference is that the top of the reactor 100 is equipped with a centrifugal impeller 400, and the defoaming nozzles 110 are evenly distributed on the lower surface of the centrifugal impeller 400.

[0059] When the foam level in reactor 100 reaches the high-alarm point of foam sensor 104, the defoaming nozzle 110 on centrifugal impeller 400 begins to spray defoaming agent. Simultaneously, the motor of centrifugal impeller 400 starts to run at high speed. The high-speed rotation of centrifugal impeller 400 creates a strong suction force in the center, efficiently drawing foam into the centrifugal chamber. Furthermore, the sharp design of the impeller edges ensures that the foam is rapidly cut and broken upon contact. The resulting mixed bubbles, imbued with centrifugal force, are violently thrown against the chamber wall under the powerful centrifugal action. The bubbles collide with the wall and bounce back to the impeller, where they are continuously cut and broken until the ideal defoaming effect is achieved.

[0060] Furthermore, the centrifugal impeller 400 rotates at a speed of 2500-3500 r / min, which can efficiently absorb and break up foam.

[0061] In summary, this invention, through the synergistic action of a foam sensor, jet injector, and circulating pump, achieves automatic defoaming, precise dissolved oxygen control, and efficient mixing. It effectively solves the problems of foam overflow and dissolved oxygen control during fermentation, improving the production efficiency and product quality of organic acids, and has broad application prospects and significant economic benefits. Therefore, this invention effectively overcomes the various shortcomings of existing technologies and possesses high industrial application value.

[0062] The terms used in this specification, such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", "middle" and "one", are merely for clarity of description and are not intended to limit the scope of implementation of this utility model. Any changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, shall also be considered within the scope of implementation of this utility model.

[0063] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model. All equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in this utility model should still be covered by the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. An automatically defoaming fermentation reaction device, characterized in that, include: A reactor for containing organic slurry, the reactor having a feed port and a dosing port, and a foam sensor for detecting the foam level inserted inside the reactor; The jet ejector includes a bottom jet ejector and an upper jet ejector. Both the bottom jet ejector and the upper jet ejector include a throat and a diffuser and a converging tube at both ends of the throat. The diffuser is inserted into the interior of the reactor. The throat is provided with an air intake pipe that connects to the outside. The air intake pipe is provided with a branch pipe that connects to the interior of the reactor. An air-powered ball valve is provided at the top of the air intake pipe. A foam-powered ball valve is provided on the branch pipe. The air-powered ball valve and the foam-powered ball valve are used to control the entry and exit of air and foam, respectively. A circulating pump, one end of which is connected to the reactor through a circulating pump inlet, and the other end of which is connected to the bottom jet and the top jet respectively.

2. The self-defoaming fermentation reaction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reactor is also equipped with a dissolved oxygen probe and a pH meter, which are used to monitor the dissolved oxygen and pH value in the reactor, respectively.

3. A self-defoaming fermentation reactor according to claim 2, wherein, The dissolved oxygen probe and pH meter are respectively connected to one side of the bottom jet.

4. The self-defoaming fermentation reaction device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The top of the reactor is equipped with several defoaming nozzles for spraying defoamer into the reactor. The defoaming nozzles are controlled by a defoamer dosing pump.

5. A self-defoaming fermentation reactor according to claim 4, wherein, The reactor is equipped with a centrifugal impeller at the top, and the defoaming nozzles are evenly distributed on the lower surface of the centrifugal impeller.

6. The self-defoaming fermentation reaction device according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a control system, which is electrically connected to and interlocked with the foam sensor, circulation pump, air electric ball valve, foam electric ball valve, defoamer dosing pump, dissolved oxygen probe and pH meter respectively.

7. The self-defoaming fermentation reaction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reactor is equipped with several hyperboloid baffles, which are evenly distributed vertically on the inner wall of the reactor.

8. The self-defoaming fermentation reaction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle between the bottom jet and the upper jet and the tangent to the outer wall of the reactor is 30° to 60°.

9. The self-defoaming fermentation reaction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diffuser tube of the bottom jet is positioned downwards and forms an angle of 5°-10° with the horizontal plane.

10. The self-defoaming fermentation reaction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reactor is equipped with a discharge pipe at the bottom for discharging the processed organic acid product.

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