A multi-functional stirring device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of ventilated multifunctional stirring device, including kettle body, stirring device and ventilation structure;The kettle body inside is provided stirring device, top is provided for driving motor rotating stirring device and the exhaust port with valve;The stirring device includes hollow spindle and hollow paddle, hollow spindle is fixed with hollow paddle and is communicated with it;Several exhaust holes are equipped on the surface of hollow paddle, for oxygen supply to the fermented material in kettle body;The upper portion or bottom of hollow spindle is connected with ventilation structure;The ventilation structure includes ventilation chamber, ventilation hose and pressurized gas supply device;Hollow spindle is communicated with ventilation chamber.The utility model improves dissolved oxygen efficiency by improving ventilation structure to stirring device;Paddle surface exhaust hole directly releases bubble, increases gas-liquid contact area, significantly improves oxygen transfer rate;Comprehensive release bubble in kettle body during rotation, avoid local dissolved oxygen deficiency;It also has the function of feeding and cleaning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of bioreactor stirring devices, and specifically relates to a multifunctional stirring device that can be ventilated. Background Technology

[0002] Bioreactors are the core equipment in the bio-fermentation process, and their aeration and mixing systems have a decisive impact on oxygen transfer efficiency, mixing effect, and cell growth environment. Currently, bioreactors generally use a combination of loop aeration devices and mechanical stirring to achieve oxygen supply and mixing functions.

[0003] Existing aeration devices mostly employ a ring-shaped distribution pipe structure with a fixed number and diameter of aeration holes on the pipe wall, supplying oxygen to the reactor by simultaneously generating multiple bubbles. However, this method results in a fixed bubble formation pattern and lacks adaptability to changes in fluid state, especially when the physical properties of the fermentation broth change, thus affecting fermentation efficiency.

[0004] Stirring systems typically employ mechanical drives, using an electric motor to rotate impellers, promoting the mixing of the gas, liquid, and solid phases within the reactor and enhancing mass and heat transfer efficiency. Common impeller combinations include disc turbine stirrers and propeller stirrers. Disc turbine stirrers possess strong shearing action, which helps break up bubbles and improve oxygen mass transfer rates; however, they consume a lot of power, have a limited range of action, and the high shear force can easily damage some sensitive cells. Propeller stirrers, on the other hand, primarily utilize axial flow, offering high rotational speed, large circulation volume, and good mixing uniformity; however, their shear rate is lower, resulting in weaker bubble dispersion ability, making them more suitable for cell culture processes requiring gentle shear conditions.

[0005] In practical applications, especially when the fermentation broth has a high viscosity, the limitations of existing aeration and stirring systems become more pronounced. In high-viscosity environments, bubbles easily coalesce into large bubbles as they rise, ascending vertically along the stirring shaft and becoming difficult to break up and disperse effectively. This leads to a reduction in the gas-liquid contact area and a significant decrease in oxygen dissolution efficiency. This phenomenon directly restricts the respiration and metabolic activity of microorganisms, resulting in a decline in fermentation efficiency.

[0006] Therefore, a new integrated aeration and stirring device is needed to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, which can adapt to high viscosity environments and improve bubble dispersion and dissolved oxygen efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0007] This invention provides a ventilated, multifunctional stirring device to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art, which features good dissolved oxygen efficiency and high fermentation efficiency.

[0008] This utility model includes the following technical solution: a multi-functional aerated stirring device, comprising a vessel body, a stirring device, and a ventilation structure; the stirring device is installed inside the vessel body, and a motor for driving the stirring device to rotate and an exhaust port with a valve are installed on the top; the stirring device includes a hollow main shaft and hollow blades, with the hollow blades fixed on and connected to the hollow main shaft; the surface of the hollow blades is provided with several exhaust holes for supplying oxygen to the fermentation material inside the vessel body; the upper or lower part of the hollow main shaft is connected to the ventilation structure; the ventilation structure includes a ventilation chamber, a ventilation hose, and a pressurized air supply device; the hollow main shaft is connected to the ventilation chamber.

[0009] Furthermore, the motor is mounted on top of the hollow main shaft, and a bearing is provided between the hollow main shaft and the top cover of the vessel body.

[0010] Furthermore, when the upper part of the hollow main shaft is connected to the ventilation structure, the ventilation chamber is located above the vessel body, and the surface of the hollow main shaft passing through the ventilation chamber is provided with several air inlets; the upper surface of the ventilation chamber is provided with a first bearing, the lower surface is provided with a second bearing, and the ventilation chamber is connected to a ventilation hose and a pressurized air supply device on its side.

[0011] Furthermore, when the bottom of the hollow main shaft is connected to the ventilation structure, the ventilation chamber is located at the bottom of the vessel body, and the hollow main shaft passes through the first outlet at the bottom of the vessel body and connects to the ventilation chamber; the top of the ventilation chamber is threaded to the outer wall of the first outlet, and the bottom of the ventilation chamber is connected to the ventilation hose and the pressurized air supply device.

[0012] Furthermore, the ventilation hose is provided with a feed pipe with a valve and a cleaning water path from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0013] Furthermore, several hollow blades are fixed to the connecting ring, and the connecting ring with through holes on the side wall is fixed to the hollow main shaft to form a smooth air passage.

[0014] Furthermore, several of the hollow blades are integrally formed with the hollow main shaft.

[0015] Furthermore, when the diameter of the vessel body is greater than 2 meters and the height-to-diameter ratio of the vessel body is close to 1:1, gas supply pipes communicating with the interior are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the hollow main shaft.

[0016] Furthermore, the diameter of the portion of the gas supply pipe parallel to the side wall of the vessel is increased and several pressurized nozzles are provided to facilitate gas supply to the vessel edge where the hollow blades are not adequately supplied with gas.

[0017] Furthermore, a support frame is fixed to the outer wall of the vessel to elevate it for easy discharge after fermentation; a discharge port is provided at the bottom of the vessel. Temperature and pressure sensors can also be installed inside the vessel to monitor the internal state and ensure efficient fermentation.

[0018] The advantages and positive effects of this utility model are as follows: This invention significantly improves dissolved oxygen efficiency by modifying the aeration structure of the stirring device; the exhaust holes on the blade surface directly release bubbles, which can cut the gas into smaller bubbles (micrometer level), increase the gas-liquid contact area, and significantly improve the oxygen transfer rate (kLa value); traditional aeration devices are prone to bubble aggregation or channeling in viscous fermentation liquid, while this device can release bubbles throughout the vessel during rotation, thereby avoiding localized insufficient dissolved oxygen.

[0019] This invention optimizes mixing through continuous aeration during stirring. The fluid disturbance generated by the rising dense bubbles enhances the mixing of the fermentation broth, reduces the mechanical dependence of the hollow impeller on high-viscosity liquids, and lowers the risk of damage to the cells by shear force. The synergistic effect of bubbles and hollow impellers forms a three-phase mixing system of "gas, liquid, and solid," improving the uniformity of the fermentation broth, and is especially suitable for high-viscosity or non-Newtonian fluid systems. In addition, bubble-assisted mixing can reduce the stirring speed requirement, thereby reducing motor energy consumption. The release method of dense bubbles exerts significantly lower shear force on the cells than traditional mechanical stirring, making it particularly suitable for shear-sensitive biological processes such as filamentous bacteria and animal cells.

[0020] When the viscosity and concentration of the fermentation broth increase significantly, single-point feeding, multi-point distributed feeding, and ring spray feeding can easily lead to problems such as local nutrient excess / deficiency and shear damage, which in turn affect cell growth and product synthesis. The ventilation hose of this utility model is also connected to the feeding pipeline and the cleaning water pipeline, so that the supplemented substances (whether nutrients, inducers, or acid-base regulators) can be distributed into the fermenter as quickly and evenly as possible. Even if the fermentation broth is very viscous, the supplemented substances can be evenly diffused by the hollow blades. When cleaning the inside of the vessel, a 360° spray cleaning effect can be achieved, reducing the danger of manual cleaning, expanding the cleaning range of traditional spraying, and completing the cleaning work faster and better.

[0021] This invention employs a dispersed bubble release method, which can reduce the risk of foaming and avoid foam accumulation caused by concentrated bubble release in traditional ventilation methods, thus reducing the amount of defoamer used. The uniform release of dense bubbles can reduce the intensity of liquid surface turbulence and reduce foam generation.

[0022] This invention achieves dynamic control of dissolved oxygen levels by adjusting the aeration rate of the paddle to regulate the bubble release rate, thus adapting to the metabolic needs of different microorganisms. The synergistic effect of bubbles and stirring can reduce the concentration gradient inside the fermentation broth and improve process stability.

[0023] After this invention is used, the bubbles released by the hollow blades can promptly remove the carbon dioxide produced by the metabolism of the bacteria, reduce the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the liquid phase, avoid the phenomenon of "carbon dioxide feedback inhibition", and the discharged carbon dioxide can be discharged from the exhaust port at the top of the vessel. In addition, the release of bubbles can enhance the disturbance of the liquid surface, promote gas exchange, and improve the dissolved oxygen environment in the top area of ​​the fermenter and fermentation vessel. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the internal structure of Example 1; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the stirring blade in Example 1; Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the internal structure of Example 2; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the stirring blade in Example 2; In the diagram, 1-vessel body; 101-top cover; 102-first outlet; 103-discharge port; 2-motor; 3-exhaust port; 4-hollow main shaft; 5-hollow blade; 6-ventilation chamber; 7-ventilation hose; 8-first bearing; 9-second bearing; 10-air supply pipe; 11-support; 14-connecting ring; 15-cleaning water circuit; 16-feeding pipeline. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To further disclose the invention content, features, and effects of this utility model, the following examples are provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings for detailed description. In the following description of the embodiments, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this patent and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this patent.

[0026] In the following description of the embodiments, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "setting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection or setting, a detachable connection or setting, or an integral connection or setting. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this patent according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] Example 1: See Appendix Figure 1-2A ventilated multifunctional stirring device includes a vessel body 1, a stirring device, and a venting structure. The vessel body 1 houses the stirring device, and at its top is a motor 2 for driving the stirring device's rotation and an exhaust port 3 with a valve. The stirring device includes a hollow main shaft 4 and hollow blades 5, with the hollow blades 5 fixed to and connected to the hollow main shaft 4. The motor 2 is mounted on top of the hollow main shaft 4, and a bearing is provided between the hollow main shaft 4 and the top cover 101 of the vessel body 1. A support bracket 11 is fixed to the outer wall of the vessel body 1 to elevate it for easy discharge after fermentation. A discharge port 103 is located at the bottom of the vessel body 1. Temperature and pressure sensors can be installed inside the vessel body 1 to monitor the internal state and ensure efficient fermentation.

[0028] The hollow blade 5 has several vent holes on its surface for supplying oxygen to the fermentation material in the reactor body 1; the ventilation structure includes a ventilation chamber 6, a ventilation hose 7, and a pressurized air supply device (the location of the air source can be set according to the length of the ventilation hose 7, which is not shown in the figure); the ventilation hose 7 is provided with a feed pipe 16 with a valve and a cleaning water path 15 from the near end to the far end.

[0029] The hollow main shaft 4 is connected to the ventilation chamber 6. When the upper part of the hollow main shaft 4 is connected to the ventilation structure, the ventilation chamber 6 is located above the vessel body 1. The part of the hollow main shaft 4 that passes through the ventilation chamber 6 has several air inlets. The upper surface of the ventilation chamber 6 is provided with a first bearing 8, and the lower surface is provided with a second bearing 9. The ventilation chamber 6 is connected to a ventilation hose 7 and a pressurized air supply device on its side. Every six hollow blades 5 are fixed to the connecting ring 14, and are fixed to the hollow main shaft 4 through the connecting ring 14 with through holes in the side wall, forming a smooth air passage.

[0030] Example 2: See Appendix Figure 3-4 A multi-functional, ventilated stirring device is described. When the bottom of the hollow main shaft 4 is connected to a ventilated structure, a ventilated chamber 6 is located at the bottom of the vessel body 1. The hollow main shaft 4 passes through a first outlet 102 at the bottom of the vessel body 1 and connects to the ventilated chamber 6. The outer diameter of the positioning platform at the end of the hollow main shaft 4 is larger than the inner diameter of the first outlet 102. When the motor 2 drives the hollow main shaft 4 to rotate, the hollow main shaft 4 rotates relative to the first outlet 102. The top of the ventilated chamber 6 is threadedly connected to the outer wall of the first outlet 102, and the bottom of the ventilated chamber 6 is connected to a ventilated hose 7 and a pressurized air supply device. Six hollow blades 5 are arranged in pairs, symmetrically arranged, and integrally formed with the hollow main shaft 4.

[0031] When the diameter of the vessel body 1 is greater than 2 meters and the height-to-diameter ratio of the vessel body 1 is close to 1:1, air supply pipes 10 communicating with the interior are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the hollow main shaft 4. This arrangement is mainly because if the length of the hollow blade 5 is too large, the air supply at both ends of the hollow blade 5 will have a large difference due to the reduction of internal air pressure, which may easily lead to insufficient fermentation of the material near the vessel body 1. The diameter of the middle part of the air supply pipe 10 parallel to the side wall of the vessel body 1 is increased and several pressurized nozzles are provided to facilitate air supply to the edge of the vessel body 1 where the hollow blade 5 cannot supply air. Other structures are basically the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0032] Working principle: By improving the aeration structure of the stirring device (specifically, by using a hollow main shaft 4 and hollow blades 5 with vent holes, and supplying air through the aeration structure), the dissolved oxygen efficiency is significantly improved; the vent holes on the surface of the hollow blades 5 directly release bubbles, which can cut the gas into smaller bubbles (micrometer level), increase the gas-liquid contact area, and significantly improve the oxygen transfer rate (kLa value); traditional aeration devices are prone to bubble aggregation or channeling in viscous fermentation liquid, while this device can release bubbles throughout the vessel 1 during rotation, thereby avoiding localized insufficient dissolved oxygen.

[0033] Continuous aeration during stirring optimizes the mixing effect. The fluid disturbance generated during the rise of dense bubbles enhances the mixing of the fermentation broth, reduces the mechanical dependence of the hollow impeller 5 on high-viscosity liquids, and lowers the risk of damage to the cells by shear force. The synergistic effect of bubbles and hollow impeller 5 forms a three-phase mixing system of "gas-liquid-solid", improving the uniformity of the fermentation broth, which is especially suitable for high-viscosity or non-Newtonian fluid systems. In addition, bubble-assisted mixing can reduce the stirring speed requirement, thereby reducing the energy consumption of motor 2. The release method of dense bubbles exerts significantly lower shear force on the cells than traditional mechanical stirring, which is especially suitable for shear-sensitive biological processes such as filamentous bacteria and animal cells.

[0034] Dispersed bubble release reduces foam risk and avoids foam accumulation caused by concentrated bubble release in traditional aeration methods, thus reducing the amount of defoamer used. The uniform release of dense bubbles reduces surface turbulence and foam formation. By adjusting the aeration rate and paddle bubble release rate through a pressurized aeration device, dissolved oxygen levels can be dynamically controlled to meet the metabolic needs of different microorganisms. The synergistic effect of bubbles and stirring reduces the concentration gradient within the fermentation broth, improving process stability.

[0035] After the device is used, the bubbles released by the hollow blades 5 can promptly remove the carbon dioxide produced by the metabolism of the bacteria, reduce the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the liquid phase, and avoid the phenomenon of "carbon dioxide feedback inhibition". The discharged carbon dioxide can be discharged from the exhaust port 3 at the top of the vessel. In addition, the release of bubbles can enhance the disturbance of the liquid surface, promote gas exchange, and improve the dissolved oxygen environment in the top area of ​​the fermenter and fermentation vessel.

[0036] When the viscosity and concentration of the fermentation broth increase significantly, single-point feeding, multi-point distributed feeding, and ring spray feeding can easily lead to problems such as local nutrient excess / deficiency and shear damage, which in turn affect cell growth and product synthesis. The ventilation hose 7 is also connected to the feeding pipeline 16 and the cleaning water pipeline 15, so that the supplemented substances (whether nutrients, inducers, or acid-base regulators) can be distributed into the fermenter as quickly and evenly as possible. Even if the fermentation broth is very viscous, the supplemented substances can be evenly diffused by the hollow blades 5. When cleaning the inside of the vessel body 1, a 360° spray cleaning effect can be achieved, reducing the danger of manual cleaning, expanding the cleaning range of traditional spraying, and completing the cleaning work faster and better.

[0037] Fermentation equipment has many internal components, creating a complex internal structure that makes cleaning difficult. Material tends to accumulate on the backs, bottoms, and connections to the tank walls of these components, forming areas that are difficult for cleaning water to reach. For example, the backs and bottoms of the agitator blades are hard for the cleaning solution to directly impact, resulting in material residue. Traditional manual cleaning methods have significant limitations. Typically, workers hold a nozzle and spray directly onto the fermentation unit. This method requires prolonged physical labor, necessitates changing the rinsing position multiple times to clean different areas, and is often incomplete, requiring repeated rinsing, making it quite cumbersome.

[0038] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other modifications under the guidance of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. These modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ventilated, multifunctional stirring device, characterized in that: The apparatus includes a vessel body, a stirring device, and a ventilation structure. The stirring device is located inside the vessel body, and a motor for driving the stirring device's rotation and an exhaust port with a valve are located at the top. The stirring device includes a hollow main shaft and hollow blades, with the hollow blades fixed to and connected to the hollow main shaft. Several exhaust holes are provided on the surface of the hollow blades. The upper or lower part of the hollow main shaft is connected to the ventilation structure. The ventilation structure includes a ventilation chamber, a ventilation hose, and a pressurized air supply device. The hollow main shaft is connected to the ventilation chamber.

2. The ventilated multifunctional stirring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The motor is mounted on top of the hollow main shaft, and a bearing is provided between the hollow main shaft and the top cover of the vessel.

3. The ventilated multifunctional stirring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the upper part of the hollow main shaft is connected to the ventilation structure, the ventilation chamber is located above the vessel body. The part of the hollow main shaft that passes through the ventilation chamber has several air inlets. The upper surface of the ventilation chamber is provided with a first bearing, the lower surface is provided with a second bearing, and the ventilation chamber is connected to a ventilation hose and a pressurized air supply device on its side.

4. The ventilated multifunctional stirring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the bottom of the hollow main shaft is connected to the ventilation structure, the ventilation chamber is located at the bottom of the vessel body. The hollow main shaft passes through the first outlet at the bottom of the vessel body and connects to the ventilation chamber. The top of the ventilation chamber is threaded to the outer wall of the first outlet, and the bottom of the ventilation chamber is connected to the ventilation hose and the pressurized air supply device.

5. The ventilated multifunctional stirring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ventilation hose is equipped with a feed pipe with a valve and a cleaning water path, arranged sequentially from the near end to the far end.

6. The ventilated multifunctional stirring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several hollow blades are fixed to the connecting ring, and are fixed to the hollow main shaft through the connecting ring with through holes in the side wall, forming a smooth air passage.

7. The ventilated multifunctional stirring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several hollow blades are integrally formed with the hollow main shaft.

8. The ventilated multifunctional stirring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the diameter of the vessel body is greater than 2 meters, air supply pipes communicating with the interior are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the hollow main shaft; the diameter of the middle part of the air supply pipe parallel to the side wall of the vessel body is increased and several pressurized nozzles are provided.

9. A ventilated multifunctional stirring device according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: The outer wall of the vessel is fixed with a support; the bottom of the vessel is provided with a discharge port.

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