A rhamnolipid gradient acidification precipitation separation device
By employing multi-stage gradient acid precipitation and ultrasonic-assisted centrifugation separation technology, the problems of low acid precipitation efficiency and difficulty in impurity removal in existing technologies have been solved, achieving an efficient and stable production process for rhamnolipin.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- IMINGTAI (SHANDONG) BIOTECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-17
AI Technical Summary
In the current production of rhamnolipids, the acid precipitation equipment has low efficiency in one-time acid precipitation operation, and the pH value is difficult to control, resulting in poor batch stability. In addition, traditional centrifugal separation equipment is difficult to remove large molecular impurities, which affects product quality.
A multi-stage gradient acidification precipitation separation device is adopted, which uses multiple acid precipitation tanks for multi-gradient acidification precipitation, combined with ultrasonic transducers to destroy the cell walls of bacteria, and centrifugal separation using hydrocyclones and microporous membrane filters to achieve efficient removal of impurities.
It improves acid precipitation separation efficiency, stabilizes pH value control, ensures product quality, simplifies operation process, reduces repetitive work, and improves the purity and yield of rhamnose lipids.
Smart Images
Figure CN224506501U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of biosurfactant separation technology, specifically to a rhamnose lipid gradient acidification precipitation separation device. Background Technology
[0002] Rhamnolipids are non-toxic, readily biodegradable anionic surfactants. They can reduce the surface tension of water at the oil-water interface, thereby increasing the wettability of solid surfaces.
[0003] Currently, the industrial production of rhamnolipin mainly relies on biological fermentation. The basic process involves inoculating the microbial strain into a fermenter, where the strain consumes raw materials such as vegetable oils through fermentation. The fermentation broth contains crude rhamnolipin. The fermentation broth is then subjected to cell removal. The resulting mother liquor undergoes an acidification and precipitation process to obtain a rhamnolipin suspension. Finally, the clear liquid in the suspension is separated by centrifugation to obtain the rhamnolipin precipitate.
[0004] In the current production of rhamnolipids, firstly, acid precipitation equipment can usually only perform acid precipitation once. When the mother liquor has high viscosity and the acid precipitation is incomplete, it is necessary to repeat the operation multiple times, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive and affects the acidification efficiency. Moreover, in a one-time acid precipitation operation, it is not easy for personnel to control the pH value of acidification, resulting in poor batch stability. Secondly, traditional centrifugal separation equipment is difficult to remove large molecular impurities, which affects product quality. Utility Model Content
[0005] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a rhamnolipid gradient acidification precipitation separation device. Through multi-gradient acidification, the acidification value is easily controlled by personnel, and no repetitive operation is required. After centrifugation, large molecular impurities are effectively removed, improving product quality.
[0006] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: a rhamnose lipid gradient acidification precipitation separation device, wherein the acid precipitation tower includes multiple acid precipitation tanks and a top cover. The top of each acid precipitation tank is open, and the bottom of the acid precipitation tank is closed and equipped with a liquid outlet pipe. An electrically controlled valve is installed on the liquid outlet pipe. An adjustment inlet pipe, an electric heater, and a pH meter are provided on the side wall of the acid precipitation tank. Multiple acid precipitation tanks are arranged and fixedly connected from top to bottom. The liquid outlet pipe of the upper acid precipitation tank is connected to the top opening of the lower acid precipitation tank. The top cover is fixed to the top opening of the uppermost acid precipitation tank and is equipped with a mother liquor inlet pipe. The liquid outlet pipe of the lowermost acid precipitation tank is connected to a delivery pump, and the output end of the delivery pump is connected to the feed pipe of a hydrocyclone separator.
[0007] This method introduces the mother liquor to be acid-precipitated through a mother liquor inlet pipe on the top cover. The mother liquor passes through multiple acid precipitation tanks sequentially from top to bottom for acid precipitation. Multiple acid precipitation tanks allow for multi-stage, multi-gradient acidification and precipitation, refining the acidification range within each tank. This makes it easier for personnel to control the pH value of the acidification, enabling the rhamnolipids to precipitate in stages and improving the stability of the acid precipitation process. A pH adjuster is added to the acid precipitation tanks through an inlet pipe to adjust the pH value. An electric heater heats the reaction, and a pH meter monitors the pH value of the acidification reaction in real time, allowing for manual control of the acid precipitation process. After acid precipitation, the resulting suspension is pumped to a hydrocyclone separator, where centrifugation separates the rhamnolipids to obtain the precipitate. The entire process achieves multi-gradient acid precipitation separation in a single operation, ensuring the effectiveness of acid precipitation and significantly improving the efficiency of the separation.
[0008] As an optimization, adjacent acidification tanks are bolted together, and the top cover is bolted to the acid settling tank. This optimized solution allows multiple acid settling tanks to be detachably bolted together to form an acid settling tower, facilitating disassembly, assembly, and maintenance.
[0009] As an optimization, the acid precipitation tank is also equipped with a vent pipe, on which a pressure relief valve is installed. This optimized solution releases internal pressure through the vent pipe, ensuring stable internal pressure and improving safety.
[0010] As an optimization, an ultrasonic transducer is also included. This transducer is equipped with multiple probes, each corresponding to and fixed within an acid precipitation tank. This optimized solution utilizes the probes of the ultrasonic transducer to emit ultrasonic waves. These waves propagate in the liquid, creating a cavitation effect that disrupts the bacterial cell walls, effectively shortening the reaction time and accelerating acid precipitation efficiency.
[0011] As an optimization, a protective cover is fixed to the inner wall of the acid precipitation tank, and the probe is located inside the protective cover. A propagation hole is opened on the outer wall of the protective cover, opposite to the probe. This optimized solution protects the probe by covering it with a protective cover, preventing acidic liquid from splashing onto the probe and causing damage, while the propagation hole facilitates energy propagation.
[0012] As an optimization, the overflow pipe of the hydrocyclone is connected to a microporous membrane filter. In this optimized scheme, the overflow pipe of the hydrocyclone discharges the separated supernatant, which is then filtered by the microporous membrane filter to intercept and filter residual bacteria and large molecular impurities in the supernatant, obtaining a high-purity supernatant for convenient subsequent use.
[0013] As an optimization, a support base is also included, on which the acid precipitation tower, transfer pump, hydrocyclone separator, and microporous membrane filter are all fixedly mounted. This optimized design allows all equipment to be installed as a single unit, facilitating overall relocation.
[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Multiple acid precipitation tanks allow for multi-stage, multi-gradient acidification and precipitation from top to bottom, refining the acidification range within each tank. This makes it easier for personnel to control the pH value of the acidification, enabling the rhamnolipids to precipitate in stages and improving the stability of the acid precipitation operation. The pH value is adjusted by adding a regulator through the inlet to the acid precipitation tank, the reaction is heated by an electric heater, and the pH value of the acidification reaction is monitored in real time by a pH meter, allowing for personnel control of the acid precipitation process. After acid precipitation, the resulting suspension is pumped to a hydrocyclone separator, where centrifugation separates the rhamnolipids to obtain the precipitate. The entire process achieves multi-gradient acid precipitation separation in a single operation, ensuring the acid precipitation effect and significantly improving the efficiency of acid precipitation separation. The ultrasonic transducer probe emits ultrasonic waves, which propagate in the liquid and create a cavitation effect, thereby destroying the bacterial cell wall, effectively shortening the reaction time and accelerating the acid precipitation efficiency. By using a microporous membrane filter to intercept residual bacteria and large molecular impurities in the supernatant, a high-purity supernatant is obtained for convenient subsequent use. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the acid precipitation tower; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the acid settling tank; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Sectional view of part A; As shown in the figure: 1. Support base; 2. Transfer pump; 3. Acid precipitation tower; 31. Acid precipitation tank; 311. Flange ring; 312. Adjustment inlet pipe; 313. Electric heater; 314. pH meter; 315. Feed outlet pipe; 316. Electrically controlled valve; 317. Vent pipe; 32. Top cover; 321. Mother liquor inlet pipe; 4. First pipeline; 5. Second pipeline; 6. Cyclone separator; 61. Overflow pipe; 62. Discharge pipe; 7. Microporous membrane filter; 8. Ultrasonic transducer; 9. Probe; 10. Protective cover; 101. Propagation hole. Detailed Implementation
[0016] To clearly illustrate the technical features of this solution, the following detailed implementation method will be used to explain the solution.
[0017] like Figures 1-4 As shown, a rhamnolipid gradient acidification precipitation separation device includes an acid precipitation tower 3 and a hydrocyclone separator 6.
[0018] The acid precipitation tower 3 includes multiple acid precipitation tanks 31 and a top cover 32. The top of the acid precipitation tank 31 is open, the bottom of the acid precipitation tank 31 is closed and is provided with a liquid outlet pipe 315, an electric control valve 316 is installed on the liquid outlet pipe 315, and an adjustment inlet pipe 312, an electric heater 313 and a pH meter 314 are provided on the side wall of the acid precipitation tank 31.
[0019] The acid precipitation tank 31 described in this embodiment is a hollow cylinder with an opening at the top and a conical sealing plate fixed to the bottom. A liquid outlet pipe is fixed to the center of the conical sealing plate to facilitate the discharge of the suspension.
[0020] The pH adjustment inlet pipe 312 is fixed to the upper part of the side wall of the acid precipitation tank 31. The pH adjustment reagent is added to the acid precipitation tank through the pH adjustment inlet pipe to adjust the pH value.
[0021] The electric heater 313 is fixed to the lower part of the side wall of the acid settling tank 31, and heats the mother liquor in the acid settling tank for acidification reaction.
[0022] The pH meter 314 is fixed to the middle of the side wall of the acid precipitation tank 31. The pH meter monitors the pH value of the mother liquor in real time, which facilitates personnel to control and adjust the pH value.
[0023] The acid settling tank 31 is also fixedly connected to a vent pipe 317, and a pressure relief valve is installed on the vent pipe 317. The internal pressure is released through the vent pipe to ensure internal pressure stability and improve safety.
[0024] Multiple acid precipitation tanks 31 are arranged and fixedly connected from top to bottom. The liquid outlet pipe 315 of the upper acid precipitation tank 31 is connected to the top opening of the lower acid precipitation tank 31. The top cover 32 is fixedly connected to the top opening of the uppermost acid precipitation tank 31. The top cover 32 is provided with a mother liquor inlet pipe 321. The liquid outlet pipe 315 of the lowermost acid precipitation tank 31 is connected to a conveying pump 2. The output end of the conveying pump 2 is connected to the feed pipe of the hydrocyclone separator 6.
[0025] In this embodiment, there are three acid precipitation tanks 31. Adjacent acid precipitation tanks 31 are fixed together by bolts, and the top cover 32 is also fixed to the uppermost acid precipitation tank 31 by bolts. The three acid precipitation tanks 31 are detachably fixed together from top to bottom by bolts to form a cylindrical acid precipitation tower 3, which is convenient for disassembly, assembly and maintenance.
[0026] Specifically, flange rings 311 are fixed to the upper and lower ends of the acid settling tank 31, as well as the outer wall of the top cover 32. When two adjacent acid settling tanks 31 are connected, the upper acid settling tank 31 is placed on the lower acid settling tank 31, and the conical sealing plate of the upper acid settling tank 31 is inserted into the top opening of the lower acid settling tank 31, so that the feed outlet pipe 315 of the upper acid settling tank 31 is connected to the inner cavity of the lower acid settling tank 31, and the suspension discharged from the upper acid settling tank can directly enter the lower acid settling tank.
[0027] Furthermore, the flange ring 311 at the lower end of the upper acid settling tank 31 is bolted to the flange ring 311 at the upper end of the lower acid settling tank 31, thereby achieving a detachable and fixed connection between adjacent acid settling tanks 31. The flange ring 311 of the top cover 32 is bolted to the flange ring 311 at the upper end of the uppermost acid settling tank 31, thereby achieving a detachable and fixed connection between the top cover and the uppermost acid settling tank.
[0028] The mother liquor to be acid-precipitated is added through the mother liquor inlet pipe 321 of the top cover 32. The mother liquor passes through three acid precipitation tanks 31 from top to bottom for acid precipitation. The three acid precipitation tanks 31 allow for primary acidification, secondary acidification, and tertiary acidification from top to bottom. By refining the acidification range in each acid precipitation tank, multi-gradient acidification and precipitation of the mother liquor can be achieved, making it easier for personnel to control the pH value of acidification, allowing rhamnolipids to precipitate in stages, and improving the stability of the acid precipitation operation.
[0029] Preferably, the device also includes an ultrasonic transducer 8, which is equipped with multiple probes 9, and the multiple probes 9 correspond one-to-one with multiple acid precipitation tanks 31 and are fixed inside the acid precipitation tanks 31.
[0030] Specifically, the ultrasonic transducer 8 has three probes 9, which are respectively fixed to the upper part of the side wall of the three acid precipitation tanks 31. The ultrasonic transducer 8 emits ultrasonic waves, which propagate in the liquid and create a cavitation effect, thereby destroying the cell wall of the bacteria, effectively shortening the reaction time and accelerating the acid precipitation efficiency.
[0031] The ultrasonic transducer 8 described in this embodiment is a Siansonic model, specifically the UT series.
[0032] A protective cover 10 is fixed to the inner wall of the acid precipitation tank 31, and the probe 9 is located inside the protective cover 10. A propagation hole 101 opposite to the probe is opened on the outer wall of the protective cover 10. The protective cover 10 protects the probe 9 and prevents acidic liquid from splashing onto the probe and causing damage. The propagation hole facilitates energy propagation.
[0033] Specifically, the feed outlet pipe 315 of the lowest acid precipitation tank 31 is connected to the input end of the transfer pump 2 via the first pipe 4, and the output end of the transfer pump 2 is connected to the feed pipe of the hydrocyclone 6 via the second pipe 5. The hydrocyclone 6 in this embodiment is prior art, and a hydrocyclone separator such as the one disclosed in patent CN219424638U can be used, which has a better separation effect.
[0034] After the mother liquor undergoes acid precipitation in acid precipitation tower 3, the resulting suspension is pumped by transfer pump 2 to hydrocyclone 6. Centrifugal separation in hydrocyclone 6 yields rhamnolipin precipitate. This entire process achieves multi-gradient acid precipitation separation in a single operation, ensuring effective precipitation and significantly improving efficiency.
[0035] The overflow pipe 61 of the hydrocyclone 6 is connected to a microporous membrane filter 7. The supernatant separated from the hydrocyclone 6 is discharged through the overflow pipe 61, and the microporous membrane filter 7 filters out residual bacteria and large molecular impurities in the supernatant, obtaining a high-purity supernatant for convenient subsequent use. In this embodiment, the microporous membrane filter 7 is from Shanghai Limin, model LMX1.
[0036] This equipment also includes a support base 1, on which the acid precipitation tower 3, transfer pump 2, hydrocyclone separator 6, and microporous membrane filter 7 are all fixedly installed. In this embodiment, the support base 1 is a cuboid frame structure, and the components are installed on the support base to form an integrated device, which facilitates overall movement.
[0037] Working Principle: During operation, yeast broth is introduced into the uppermost acid precipitation tank 31 through the mother liquor inlet pipe 321 for primary acidification. A pH adjusting reagent is introduced through the adjusting pipe 312. The electric heater 313 heats the solution to 100℃, and the pH is adjusted to 1.5 by monitoring with a pH meter 314. After 1 hour of precipitation, the electric control valve 316 of this acid precipitation tank 31 is opened, allowing the primary acid precipitation mother liquor to enter the lower acid precipitation tank 31 for secondary acidification. Similarly, during secondary acidification, the temperature is heated to 80℃, and the pH is adjusted to 2.5 by monitoring with a pH meter. After 1 hour of precipitation, the secondary acid precipitation mother liquor enters the lowermost acid precipitation tank 31 for tertiary acidification. During tertiary acidification, the temperature is heated to 60℃, and the pH is adjusted to 3.5 by monitoring with a pH meter. After 2 hours of precipitation, a rhamnolipin suspension is obtained. During the primary, secondary, and tertiary acidification processes, ultrasonic waves are emitted by the ultrasonic transducer 8 to assist the acidification reaction for 10 minutes.
[0038] The rhamnolipin suspension precipitated by three-stage acidification is pumped to a hydrocyclone 6 by a transfer pump 2 for centrifugal separation. The rhamnolipin precipitate is discharged and collected from the discharge pipe 62 at the bottom of the hydrocyclone 6, and the supernatant is discharged from the overflow pipe 61 at the top of the hydrocyclone 6 and filtered into a microporous membrane filter 7 for collection. The microporous membrane filter 7 intercepts residual bacteria and large molecular impurities in the supernatant to obtain a high-purity supernatant for subsequent use.
[0039] Of course, the above description is not limited to the examples above. Technical features of this utility model not described can be implemented by or using existing technology, and will not be repeated here. The above embodiments and drawings are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model. This utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that any changes, modifications, additions or substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of this utility model do not depart from the spirit of this utility model and should also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. A rhamnolipid gradient acidification precipitation separation apparatus comprising an acid precipitation column (3) and a cyclonic separator (6), characterized in that: The acid precipitation tower (3) includes multiple acid precipitation tanks (31) and a top cover (32). The top of the acid precipitation tank (31) is open, the bottom of the acid precipitation tank (31) is closed and has a liquid outlet pipe (315). An electric control valve (316) is installed on the liquid outlet pipe (315). An adjustment inlet pipe (312), an electric heater (313) and a pH meter (314) are provided on the side wall of the acid precipitation tank (31). Multiple acid precipitation tanks (31) are arranged and fixed from top to bottom. The liquid outlet pipe (315) of the upper acid precipitation tank (31) is connected to the top opening of the lower acid precipitation tank (31). The top cover (32) is fixed to the top opening of the uppermost acid precipitation tank (31). A mother liquor inlet pipe (321) is provided on the top cover (32). The liquid outlet pipe (315) of the lowermost acid precipitation tank (31) is connected to a delivery pump (2). The output end of the delivery pump is connected to the feed pipe of the hydrocyclone separator (6).
2. The rhamnolipid gradient acidification precipitation separation apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The adjacent acid settling tanks (31) are fixed together by bolts, and the top cover (32) is fixed together with the uppermost acid settling tank (31) by bolts.
3. The rhamnolipid gradient acidification precipitation separation apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The acid settling tank (31) is also equipped with a vent pipe (317), and a pressure relief valve is installed on the vent pipe.
4. The rhamnolipid gradient acidification precipitation separation apparatus of claim 1, wherein: It also includes an ultrasonic transducer (8), which is equipped with multiple probes (9), and the multiple probes and multiple acid precipitation tanks (31) correspond one-to-one and are fixed inside the acid precipitation tanks (31).
5. The rhamnolipid gradient acidification precipitation separation apparatus of claim 4, wherein: A protective cover (10) is fixed to the inner wall of the acid precipitation tank (31), and the probe (9) is located inside the protective cover (10). A propagation hole (101) opposite to the probe (9) is opened on the outer wall of the protective cover (10).
6. The rhamnolipid gradient acidification precipitation separation apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The overflow pipe (61) of the cyclone separator (6) is connected to a microporous membrane filter (7).
7. The rhamnolipid gradient acidification precipitation separation apparatus of claim 6, wherein: It also includes a support base (1), and the acid precipitation tower (3), the transfer pump (2), the hydrocyclone separator (6) and the microporous membrane filter (7) are all fixedly installed on the support base (1).