A fermentation liquid culture and refining integrated device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522618573.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-12-10
AI Technical Summary
同时,在生产前后还需要对发酵罐、缓冲罐及不锈钢管路分别进行灭菌处理,不仅浪费人力及时间,并且生产结束后不锈钢管路及缓冲罐的水泵中残留发酵液过多,造成浪费,不锈钢管路连接还会导致感染的风险
(1)本实用新型所述的发酵液培养精制一体化设备安装简单便捷,生产过程中无需进行管路的拆装,也无需额外添加硅藻土,通过发酵罐与过滤器循环过滤,即可将发酵液过滤至澄明,提高了生产效率,避免了发酵液与外界环境接触,降低了污染风险。
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Figure CN224917755U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of biological fermentation, and in particular relates to an integrated equipment for fermentation broth cultivation and purification. Background Technology
[0002] Current equipment for producing fermentation broth typically includes a fermenter, a buffer tank, and a filter press. After fermentation, the fermenter and buffer tank must be manually connected using stainless steel piping before the fermentation broth is poured into the buffer tank. Diatomaceous earth is then added to the buffer tank, and after thorough mixing, the broth is poured into the filter press for filtration until clear. Furthermore, the fermenter, buffer tank, and stainless steel piping must be sterilized before and after production, which is not only labor-intensive and time-consuming, but also results in excessive residual fermentation broth in the stainless steel piping and the pumps in the buffer tank after production, leading to waste. The stainless steel piping connection also poses a risk of infection. Utility Model Content
[0003] In view of this, the present invention aims to propose an integrated equipment for fermentation broth cultivation and purification, so as to simplify the fermentation broth preparation process, improve production efficiency, and reduce labor and time costs.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is implemented as follows: An integrated fermentation broth culture and purification device is disclosed. The integrated device includes a culture medium storage tank, a fermenter, a filter, and a sedimentation tank. The outlet of the culture medium storage tank is connected to the inlet of the fermenter. The top of the fermenter is connected to a first reagent tank. The outlet of the fermenter is connected to the inlet of the filter. The outlet of the filter is connected to the inlet of a three-way solenoid valve. The two outlets of the three-way solenoid valve are respectively connected to the return port of the fermenter and the inlet of the sedimentation tank. The top of the sedimentation tank is connected to a second reagent tank.
[0005] Preferably, the first medicine tank is used to contain a sodium hydroxide solution, and the second medicine tank is used to contain a mixed solution of sodium hydroxide and ammonium sulfate.
[0006] Preferably, a first solenoid valve is provided on the pipeline between the first medicine tank and the fermentation tank, and a second solenoid valve is provided on the pipeline between the second medicine tank and the sedimentation tank.
[0007] Furthermore, the culture medium storage box is provided with a culture medium inlet at the upper end, and a culture medium insulation jacket is provided on the side wall of the culture medium storage box. The upper end of the culture medium insulation jacket is connected to a culture medium insulation air inlet pipe, and the lower end is connected to a culture medium insulation water outlet pipe.
[0008] Furthermore, the culture medium storage tank is equipped with a culture medium stirrer, which includes a culture medium stirring shaft, culture medium stirring blades, and a culture medium stirring motor. The culture medium stirring shaft is rotatably connected to the culture medium storage tank, the culture medium stirring blades are fixedly connected to the culture medium stirring shaft, and the culture medium stirring motor is used to drive the culture medium stirring shaft to rotate.
[0009] Furthermore, a culture medium delivery pump is installed on the pipeline between the culture medium storage tank and the fermenter; preferably, the culture medium delivery pump is a peristaltic pump.
[0010] Furthermore, the fermentation tank is equipped with a fermentation stirrer, which includes a fermentation stirring shaft, fermentation stirring blades, and a fermentation stirring motor. The fermentation stirring shaft is rotatably connected to the fermentation tank, the fermentation stirring blades are fixedly connected to the fermentation stirring shaft, and the fermentation stirring motor is used to drive the fermentation stirring shaft to rotate.
[0011] Furthermore, the fermenter has a fermentation insulation jacket on its side wall, with a fermentation insulation air inlet pipe connected to the upper end of the fermentation insulation jacket and a fermentation insulation water outlet pipe connected to the lower end. The fermenter is equipped with a fermentation pH sensor.
[0012] Furthermore, a fermentation broth delivery pump is provided on the pipeline between the fermenter and the filter; preferably, the fermentation broth delivery pump is a water ring pump.
[0013] Furthermore, the filter includes a frame and a plurality of filter inserts arranged along the frame. Adjacent filter inserts are connected by a pipe. Each filter insert includes two clamps and a filter cloth disposed between the two clamps. A rubber gasket is also provided between the filter cloth and each clamp. A through hole is provided in the middle of the clamp and the rubber gasket.
[0014] Preferably, the clamp is provided with a hook, and the frame is provided with a buckle corresponding to the hook. The buckle and the hook cooperate to complete the detachable connection of the filter plate, which is convenient and quick to disassemble and assemble. It can be replaced in time according to the filtration efficiency. Compared with the method of connecting or disassembling the whole equipment, it greatly improves the maintenance efficiency.
[0015] Preferably, the clamping plate is made of 316L stainless steel.
[0016] Preferably, the filter cloth has a mesh size of 40 to 80.
[0017] Preferably, the bottom of the frame is provided with a positioning protrusion, and the bottom of the clamping plate is provided with a positioning groove corresponding to the positioning protrusion.
[0018] Preferably, the number of filter inserts is ≥6.
[0019] Preferably, the filter cloth has a plain weave of 5 strands by 5 strands.
[0020] Furthermore, the upper section of the sedimentation tank is connected to a waste liquid pipe, and a waste liquid transfer pump is installed on the waste liquid pipe; the lower end of the sedimentation tank is connected to a discharge pipe; preferably, the waste liquid transfer pump is a peristaltic pump.
[0021] Furthermore, the sedimentation tank is equipped with a sedimentation agitator, which includes a sedimentation agitator shaft, sedimentation agitator blades, and sedimentation agitator motor. The sedimentation agitator shaft is rotatably connected to the sedimentation tank, the sedimentation agitator blades are fixedly connected to the sedimentation agitator shaft, and the sedimentation agitator motor is used to drive the sedimentation agitator shaft to rotate.
[0022] Furthermore, the sedimentation tank has a sedimentation insulation jacket on its side wall, the upper end of which is connected to a sedimentation insulation water inlet pipe and the lower end of which is connected to a sedimentation insulation water outlet pipe, and a sedimentation pH sensor is installed inside the sedimentation tank.
[0023] Furthermore, the culture medium storage tank is equipped with a culture medium temperature sensor, the fermentation tank is equipped with a fermentation temperature sensor, and the sedimentation tank is equipped with a sedimentation temperature sensor.
[0024] Furthermore, the integrated device also includes a controller, which is connected to the filter, three-way solenoid valve, first solenoid valve, culture medium stirring motor, culture medium delivery pump, fermentation stirring motor, fermentation pH sensor, fermentation broth delivery pump, waste liquid delivery pump, sedimentation stirring motor, sedimentation pH sensor, culture medium temperature sensor, fermentation temperature sensor, and sedimentation temperature sensor.
[0025] Furthermore, the integrated equipment also includes an operation box, in which the culture medium storage box, fermenter, filter and sedimentation tank are located, and the air inlet of the operation box is equipped with an air filter.
[0026] Furthermore, the integrated device is suitable for any fermentation broth; preferably, the integrated device is suitable for fermentation broths with biomacromolecules such as proteins, enzymes, and active peptides as target products.
[0027] Compared with existing technologies, the integrated fermentation broth culture and purification equipment of this utility model has the following advantages: (1) The integrated fermentation broth cultivation and refining equipment described in this utility model is simple and convenient to install. During the production process, there is no need to disassemble or install the pipeline, nor is there any need to add diatomaceous earth. The fermentation broth can be filtered to clarity through the circulation of the fermentation tank and the filter, which improves production efficiency, avoids contact between the fermentation broth and the external environment, and reduces the risk of pollution.
[0028] (2) The integrated fermentation broth culture and purification equipment described in this utility model can monitor the pH and temperature changes of the fermentation broth in real time, which can provide a suitable environment for fermentation and improve the yield of the product.
[0029] (3) The integrated fermentation broth culture and purification equipment described in this utility model adopts a plate filter, which is easy and quick to install, has a good filtration effect, and is easy to clean, reducing maintenance difficulty.
[0030] (4) The integrated fermentation broth culture and refining equipment of this utility model realizes the automated control of feeding, fermentation, conveying and discharging through the controller, which greatly improves production efficiency, reduces the error caused by manual operation, and stabilizes product quality. Attached Figure Description
[0031] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this utility model, are used to provide a further understanding of the utility model. The illustrative embodiments of the utility model and their descriptions are used to explain the utility model and do not constitute an undue limitation of the utility model. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated fermentation broth culture and purification equipment described in an embodiment of this utility model.
[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Culture medium storage tank; 2. Fermentation tank; 3. Filter; 4. Sedimentation tank; 5. First reagent tank; 6. First solenoid valve; 7. Three-way solenoid valve; 8. Second reagent tank; 9. Culture medium inlet; 10. Culture medium insulated air inlet pipe; 11. Culture medium insulated water outlet pipe; 12. Culture medium stirring shaft; 13. Culture medium stirring blades; 14. Culture medium stirring motor; 15. Culture medium delivery pump; 16. Fermentation stirring shaft; 17. Fermentation stirring blades; 18. Fermentation 19. Stirring motor; 20. Fermentation heat preservation air inlet pipe; 21. Fermentation heat preservation water outlet pipe; 22. Fermentation pH sensor; 23. Fermentation broth transfer pump; 24. Waste liquid pipe; 25. Waste liquid transfer pump; 26. Discharge pipe; 27. Sedimentation stirring shaft; 28. Sedimentation stirring blade; 29. Sedimentation stirring motor; 30. Sedimentation heat preservation water inlet pipe; 31. Sedimentation heat preservation water outlet pipe; 32. Sedimentation pH sensor; 33. Second solenoid valve; 34. Control box; 35. Air inlet. Detailed Implementation
[0033] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in these embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.
[0034] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0035] like Figure 1As shown, the integrated fermentation broth culture and purification equipment of this utility model includes a culture medium storage tank 1, a fermentation tank 2, a filter 3, and a sedimentation tank 4 located in the operation box 33. The outlet of the culture medium storage tank 1 is connected to the inlet of the fermentation tank 2 through a pipe. The top of the fermentation tank 2 is connected to the first medicine tank 5 through a pipe. The outlet of the fermentation tank 2 is connected to the inlet of the filter 3 through a pipe. The outlet of the filter 3 is connected to the inlet of the three-way solenoid valve 7 through a pipe. The two outlets of the three-way solenoid valve 7 are respectively connected to the return port of the fermentation tank 2 and the inlet of the sedimentation tank 4 through pipes. By switching the direction of the three-way solenoid valve 7, the filtered fermentation broth can flow back to the fermentation tank 2 or flow to the sedimentation tank 4. The top of the sedimentation tank 4 is connected to the second medicine tank 8 through a pipe. The first medicine tank 5 is used to contain sodium hydroxide solution, and the second medicine tank 8 is used to contain a mixed solution of sodium hydroxide and ammonium sulfate.
[0036] The culture medium storage tank 1 has a culture medium inlet 9 at the top and a culture medium insulation jacket on the side wall. A culture medium temperature sensor is installed inside the culture medium storage tank 1. The upper end of the culture medium insulation jacket is connected to a culture medium insulation air inlet pipe 10, and the lower end is connected to a culture medium insulation water outlet pipe 11. Steam is injected into the culture medium insulation jacket to keep the culture medium storage tank 1 at a suitable temperature for sterilization or insulation. The culture medium storage tank 1 is also equipped with a culture medium agitator, which includes a culture medium stirring shaft 12, a culture medium stirring blade 13, and a culture medium stirring motor 14. The culture medium stirring shaft 12 is rotatably connected to the culture medium storage tank 1 via a bearing. One end of the shaft is located above the culture medium storage tank 1, and the other end is inserted into the culture medium storage tank 1. The culture medium stirring blade 13 is fixedly connected to the culture medium stirring shaft 12 located inside the culture medium storage tank 1. A drive wheel is mounted on the output shaft of the culture medium stirring motor 14, and a driven wheel is mounted on the culture medium stirring shaft 12 located above the culture medium storage tank 1. A belt is provided between the drive wheel and the driven wheel, and the culture medium stirring shaft 12 is driven to rotate through the belt drive.
[0037] One end of the pipe between the culture medium storage tank 1 and the fermentation tank 2 is inserted into the bottom of the culture medium storage tank 1, and the other end is inserted into the fermentation tank 2. The culture medium delivery pump 15 is installed on the pipe, and the culture medium delivery pump 15 is a peristaltic pump.
[0038] Fermentation tank 2 has a fermentation insulation jacket on its side wall. A fermentation temperature sensor is installed inside fermentation tank 2. The upper end of the fermentation insulation jacket is connected to a fermentation insulation air inlet pipe 19, and the lower end is connected to a fermentation insulation water outlet pipe 20. Steam is injected into the fermentation insulation jacket to maintain fermentation tank 2 at a suitable temperature for sterilization or insulation. Fermentation pH sensor 21 is also installed inside fermentation tank 2 to detect the pH of the fermentation liquid. Fermentation tank 2 is also equipped with a fermentation agitator, which includes a fermentation agitation shaft 16, fermentation agitation blades 17, and a fermentation agitation motor 18. The fermentation agitation shaft 16 is rotatably connected to fermentation tank 2 via bearings. One end of the fermentation agitation shaft 16 is located above fermentation tank 2, and the other end is inserted into fermentation tank 2. The fermentation agitation blades 17 are fixedly connected to the fermentation agitation shaft 16 located inside fermentation tank 2. A drive wheel is mounted on the output shaft of fermentation agitation motor 18, and a driven wheel is mounted on the fermentation agitation shaft 16 located inside fermentation tank 2. A belt connects the drive wheel and the driven wheel, driving the fermentation agitation shaft 16 to rotate via belt transmission.
[0039] A fermentation broth transfer pump 22 is installed on the pipeline between the fermentation tank 2 and the filter 3. The fermentation broth transfer pump 22 is a water ring pump, which can both extract the fermentation broth from the fermentation tank 2 and provide filtration power to the filter 3. The filter 3 includes a frame and 10 filter plates arranged along the frame. Adjacent filter plates are connected by pipes. Each filter plate includes two clamps and a filter cloth between the clamps. A rubber gasket is also provided between the filter cloth and each clamp. The clamps and rubber gaskets have through holes in the middle. The clamps are made of 316L stainless steel, and the filter cloth has a mesh count of 80. The bottom of the frame has a positioning protrusion, and the bottom of the clamps has a positioning groove corresponding to the positioning protrusion. The clamps have hooks, and the frame has buckles corresponding to the hooks. When the filter plate is inserted into the frame, the positioning protrusion and the positioning groove cooperate to achieve precise positioning. The buckles and hooks cooperate to fix the filter plate. The pipes and clamps are tightly connected to achieve a seal. When the filtration efficiency decreases or the filtration effect cannot meet the filtration requirements, the operator only needs to separate the buckles and hooks to remove the filter plate from the frame for replacement. The operation is simple and quick, reducing the difficulty of maintenance.
[0040] The upper section of the sedimentation tank 4 is connected to a waste liquid pipe 23, and a waste liquid transfer pump 24 is installed on the waste liquid pipe 23. The waste liquid transfer pump 24 is a peristaltic pump, and the lower end of the sedimentation tank 4 is connected to a discharge pipe 25.
[0041] The sedimentation tank 4 has a sedimentation insulation jacket on its side wall. A sedimentation temperature sensor is installed inside the sedimentation tank 4. A sedimentation insulation inlet pipe 29 is connected to the upper end of the sedimentation insulation jacket, and a sedimentation insulation outlet pipe 30 is connected to the lower end. Steam is injected into the sedimentation insulation jacket to maintain the sedimentation tank 4 at a suitable temperature for sterilization or insulation. A sedimentation pH sensor 31 is installed inside the sedimentation tank 4 to detect the pH of the fermentation broth. The sedimentation tank 4 is equipped with a sedimentation agitator, which includes a sedimentation agitation shaft 26, sedimentation agitation blades 27, and a sedimentation agitation motor 28. The sedimentation agitation shaft 26 is rotatably connected to the sedimentation tank 4 via bearings. One end of the sedimentation agitation shaft 26 is located above the sedimentation tank 4, and the other end is inserted into the sedimentation tank 4. The sedimentation agitation blades 27 are fixedly connected to the sedimentation agitation shaft 26 located inside the sedimentation tank 4. A drive wheel is mounted on the output shaft of the sedimentation agitation motor 28, and a driven wheel is mounted on the sedimentation agitation shaft 26 located inside the sedimentation tank 4. A belt connects the drive wheel and the driven wheel, driving the sedimentation agitation shaft 26 to rotate via belt transmission.
[0042] In a preferred embodiment, a first solenoid valve 6 is provided on the pipeline between the first medicine tank 5 and the fermentation tank 2, and a second solenoid valve 32 is provided on the pipeline between the second medicine tank 8 and the sedimentation tank 4, respectively, for controlling the addition of reagents from the first medicine tank 5 and the second medicine tank 8 into the fermentation tank 2 or the sedimentation tank 4.
[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the integrated device further includes a controller, which is connected to the filter 3, the three-way solenoid valve 7, the first solenoid valve 6, the culture medium stirring motor 14, the culture medium delivery pump 15, the fermentation stirring motor 18, the fermentation pH sensor 21, the fermentation broth delivery pump 22, the waste liquid delivery pump 24, the sedimentation stirring motor 28, the sedimentation pH sensor 31, the culture medium temperature sensor, the fermentation temperature sensor, and the sedimentation temperature sensor.
[0044] The workflow of the integrated fermentation broth culture and purification equipment of this invention is as follows: (1) A-level air supply is turned on into the control box 33 through the air inlet 34 on the control box 33, and the fermenter 2, culture medium storage box 1 and sedimentation tank 4 are cleaned and sterilized by purified water and pure steam. (2) Add 10 kg of gelatin, 2 kg of yeast extract, 2 kg of yeast powder and 30 kg of peptone to culture medium storage tank 1, add water and then add culture medium, turn on culture medium stirring motor 14 and heat (121℃) for 20 min to complete the preparation of culture medium. (3) The culture medium in the culture medium storage tank 1 is automatically fed into the fermenter 2 by the culture medium delivery pump 15, and the first solenoid valve 6 is opened simultaneously. The pH of the fermentation liquid after adding sodium hydroxide solution to the fermenter 2 is controlled at 7.8 by the fermentation pH sensor 21. (4) Turn on the fermentation stirring motor 18 and pass pure steam through the fermentation insulation jacket for sterilization. The culture time is 44-46 hours. The material will be automatically discharged after the culture time is reached. (5) Switch the three-way solenoid valve 7 to connect with the fermentation tank 2, and use the fermentation liquid transfer pump 22 to circulate the fermentation liquid in the fermentation tank 2 between the filter 3 and the fermentation tank 2 until the clarity is qualified. Then switch the three-way solenoid valve 7 to connect with the sedimentation tank 4. (6) Inject cold water into the sedimentation insulation water inlet pipe 29, turn on the freezing insulation in the sedimentation tank 4, inject the filtered fermentation liquid into the sedimentation tank 4, open the second solenoid valve 32, monitor the addition of a mixed solution of sodium hydroxide and ammonium sulfate into the sedimentation tank 4 through the sedimentation pH sensor 31, control the pH of the fermentation liquid to 7.2, start sedimentation for more than 14 hours, and automatically discharge after the set time is reached. (7) Before discharging, monitor the clarity of the fermentation liquid, start the waste liquid transfer pump 24 to extract the waste liquid from the sedimentation tank 4, and finally discharge and collect the remaining material through the discharge pipe 25.
[0045] Statistics show that the total working time for fermentation broth cultivation and purification using the integrated equipment of this invention is reduced from 18 hours and 22 minutes in the existing technology to 6 hours and 22 minutes, and the total number of users is reduced from 23 to 10, which greatly improves production efficiency and reduces production costs. The integrated equipment of this invention has broad prospects.
[0046] The embodiments described above are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are all within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. An integrated equipment for fermentation broth cultivation and purification, characterized in that: The integrated equipment includes a culture medium storage tank, a fermenter, a filter, and a sedimentation tank. The outlet of the culture medium storage tank is connected to the inlet of the fermenter. The top of the fermenter is connected to a first medicine tank. The outlet of the fermenter is connected to the inlet of the filter. The outlet of the filter is connected to the inlet of a three-way solenoid valve. The two outlets of the three-way solenoid valve are respectively connected to the return port of the fermenter and the inlet of the sedimentation tank. The top of the sedimentation tank is connected to a second medicine tank.
2. The integrated fermentation broth cultivation and purification equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The culture medium storage tank is provided with a culture medium inlet at the top and a culture medium insulation jacket on the side wall. The upper end of the culture medium insulation jacket is connected to a culture medium insulation air inlet pipe, and the lower end is connected to a culture medium insulation water outlet pipe.
3. The integrated fermentation broth cultivation and purification equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The culture medium storage tank is equipped with a culture medium stirrer, which includes a culture medium stirring shaft, culture medium stirring blades, and a culture medium stirring motor. The culture medium stirring shaft is rotatably connected to the culture medium storage tank, the culture medium stirring blades are fixedly connected to the culture medium stirring shaft, and the culture medium stirring motor is used to drive the culture medium stirring shaft to rotate.
4. The integrated fermentation broth cultivation and purification equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: A culture medium delivery pump is installed on the pipeline between the culture medium storage tank and the fermenter.
5. The integrated fermentation broth cultivation and purification equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fermentation tank is equipped with a fermentation stirrer, which includes a fermentation stirring shaft, fermentation stirring blades, and a fermentation stirring motor. The fermentation stirring shaft is rotatably connected to the fermentation tank, the fermentation stirring blades are fixedly connected to the fermentation stirring shaft, and the fermentation stirring motor is used to drive the fermentation stirring shaft to rotate.
6. The integrated fermentation broth cultivation and purification equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fermenter has a fermentation insulation jacket on its side wall. The upper end of the fermentation insulation jacket is connected to a fermentation insulation air inlet pipe, and the lower end is connected to a fermentation insulation water outlet pipe. A fermentation pH sensor is installed inside the fermenter.
7. The integrated fermentation broth cultivation and purification equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter includes a frame and multiple filter inserts arranged along the frame. Adjacent filter inserts are connected by pipes. Each filter insert includes two clamps and a filter cloth disposed between the two clamps. A rubber gasket is also provided between the filter cloth and each clamp. A through hole is provided in the middle of the clamp and the rubber gasket.
8. The integrated fermentation broth cultivation and purification equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper section of the sedimentation tank is connected to a waste liquid pipe, and a waste liquid transfer pump is installed on the waste liquid pipe. The lower end of the sedimentation tank is connected to a discharge pipe.
9. The integrated fermentation broth cultivation and purification equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sedimentation tank is equipped with a sedimentation agitator, which includes a sedimentation agitator shaft, sedimentation agitator blades, and sedimentation agitator motor. The sedimentation agitator shaft is rotatably connected to the sedimentation tank, the sedimentation agitator blades are fixedly connected to the sedimentation agitator shaft, and the sedimentation agitator motor is used to drive the sedimentation agitator shaft to rotate.
10. The integrated fermentation broth cultivation and purification equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sedimentation tank has a sedimentation insulation jacket on its side wall. The upper end of the sedimentation insulation jacket is connected to a sedimentation insulation water inlet pipe, and the lower end is connected to a sedimentation insulation water outlet pipe. A sedimentation pH sensor is installed inside the sedimentation tank.