Energy-saving multi-stage countercurrent extraction equipment for citric acid
By using a clarification tank with an inclined plate and a frustum-shaped through-hole structure in a multi-stage countercurrent extraction device for citric acid, combined with a stirring mechanism, the problem of short separation paths was solved, resulting in a faster stratification process and higher production efficiency, thus achieving energy-saving effects.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522675390.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-12-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing energy-saving multi-stage countercurrent extraction equipment for citric acid has a short separation path in the clarification chamber. Turbulence and backmixing affect interface stability, resulting in long stratification time and reduced production efficiency.
The clarification tank, which adopts an inclined plate design and a frustum-shaped through-hole structure, extends the settling path and promotes the merging of heavy phase droplets. Combined with the stirring mechanism, it achieves pure gravity countercurrent transport, saving pumping energy consumption.
It significantly accelerates the stratification process, improves production efficiency, has a compact structure, stable operation, and significant energy-saving effect.
Smart Images
Figure CN224937696U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of citric acid multi-stage countercurrent extraction equipment, specifically an energy-saving citric acid multi-stage countercurrent extraction equipment. Background Technology
[0002] In citric acid production, extraction is commonly used to separate and purify citric acid from fermentation broth. Multistage countercurrent extraction is widely used due to its high extraction efficiency, low solvent consumption, and low energy consumption. A typical setup consists of multiple extraction stages connected in series, each stage including a mixing chamber and a clarification chamber. The mixing chamber ensures thorough contact and mixing of the fermentation broth and extractant. The resulting mixture then enters an adjacent clarification chamber for settling and stratification. The separated heavy phase flows to the next stage, while the light phase flows to the next stage, thus achieving countercurrent contact.
[0003] In existing energy-saving multi-stage countercurrent extraction equipment for citric acid, the clarification chamber is usually a simple cavity. After the mixed turbid liquid enters, it relies solely on the density difference between the two phases to settle and separate naturally under gravity. This method results in a short separation path, and turbulence and backmixing can affect interface stability, leading to a longer stratification time and reduced production efficiency. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an energy-saving multi-stage countercurrent extraction device for citric acid to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an energy-saving multi-stage countercurrent extraction device for citric acid, comprising a support frame, an extraction mechanism fixedly connected to the top of the support frame, the extraction mechanism comprising a mixing tank and a clarification tank, a stirring mechanism fixedly connected to the top of the mixing tank, an inclined plate fixedly connected inside the clarification tank, the inclined plate comprising a plate body fixedly connected inside the clarification tank, and the plate body having through holes inside.
[0006] As a further description of the above technical solution: the bracket includes a base plate, the base plate has a fixing hole inside, a support column is fixedly connected to the top of the base plate, and a top frame is fixedly connected to the top of the support column.
[0007] As a further description of the above technical solution: a light phase pipe is fixedly connected to the top of the clarification tank on the left, a heavy phase pipe is fixedly connected to the bottom of the clarification tank on the right, a first through pipe is fixedly connected to the outside of the mixing tank on the left, a second through pipe is fixedly connected to the outside of the mixing tank on the right, a heavy phase through pipe is fixedly connected below between the clarification tank and the mixing tank of the adjacent extraction mechanism, a light phase through pipe is fixedly connected above between the clarification tanks of the adjacent extraction mechanism, and an overflow pipe is fixedly connected between the clarification tank and the mixing tank of the extraction mechanism.
[0008] As a further description of the above technical solution: the light phase pipe is set at an angle, and the inlet end of the light phase pipe is higher than the outlet end.
[0009] As a further description of the above technical solution: the plates are inclined inside the clarification tank, and the inclination directions of adjacent plates are opposite.
[0010] As a further description of the above technical solution: the through hole has a frustum-shaped structure.
[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention, by incorporating inclined plates, facilitates a faster stratification process. When the mixed turbid liquid enters the clarification tank for stratification, it flows along the inclined plates under the influence of gravity. The opposite inclination directions of adjacent inclined plates allow the mixed turbid liquid to repeatedly flow downwards, significantly extending the settling path and providing more sufficient stratification time, thus significantly accelerating the stratification process. Furthermore, the frustum-shaped through-hole, with its smaller bottom and larger top structure, guides and converges the incoming heavy phase droplets, causing the dispersed small heavy phase droplets to merge into larger droplets, thereby further accelerating the stratification speed and improving production efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the stirring mechanism of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the inclined plate of this utility model.
[0013] In the diagram: 1. Support; 101. Base plate; 102. Fixing hole; 103. Top frame; 104. Support column; 2. Extraction mechanism; 201. Mixing tank; 202. Clarification tank; 3. Stirring mechanism; 301. Motor; 302. Rotating shaft; 303. Stirring rod; 4. Inclined plate; 401. Plate body; 402. Through hole; 5. First through pipe; 6. Second through pipe; 7. Heavy phase through pipe; 8. Light phase through pipe; 9. Overflow pipe; 10. Light phase pipe; 11. Heavy phase pipe. Detailed Implementation
[0014] Reference Figures 1-4This utility model provides an energy-saving multi-stage countercurrent extraction device for citric acid, including a support 1. An extraction mechanism 2 is fixedly connected to the top of the support 1. The extraction mechanism 2 includes a mixing tank 201 and a clarification tank 202. A stirring mechanism 3 is fixedly connected to the top of the mixing tank 201. An inclined plate 4 is fixedly connected inside the clarification tank 202. The inclined plate 4 includes a plate body 401 fixedly connected inside the clarification tank 202. The plate body 401 has a through hole 402 inside. During use, as the extractant and fermentation broth are continuously injected, the liquid level in the mixing tank 201 will continuously rise. The height allows the mixed turbid liquid to enter the adjacent clarification tank 202 through the overflow pipe 9. After entering, the mixed turbid liquid flows along the inclined plate 4 under the action of gravity, and the adjacent inclined plates 4 are inclined in opposite directions, which allows the mixed turbid liquid to repeatedly flow downwards, greatly extending the sedimentation path, providing more sufficient stratification time, and significantly accelerating the stratification process. The frustum-shaped through hole 402, with its structure of being smaller at the bottom and larger at the top, guides and converges the entering heavy phase droplets, causing the dispersed heavy phase droplets to merge into larger droplets, thereby further accelerating the stratification speed and improving production efficiency.
[0015] Furthermore, the support 1 includes a base plate 101, the base plate 101 has a fixing hole 102 inside, the base plate 101 can be fixed on the plane through the fixing hole 102, the top of the base plate 101 is fixedly connected to a support column 104, the top of the support column 104 is fixedly connected to a top frame 103, and the top frame 103 is fixedly connected to the mixing tank 201 and the clarification tank 202.
[0016] Furthermore, a light phase pipe 10 is fixedly connected to the top of the left clarification tank 202, communicating with the left clarification tank 202, for discharging the light phase extractant after dissolving citric acid. A heavy phase pipe 11 is fixedly connected to the lower part of the right clarification tank 202, communicating with the right clarification tank 202, for discharging the heavy phase fermentation broth after separating citric acid. A first connecting pipe 5 is fixedly connected to the outside of the left mixing tank 201, communicating with the left mixing tank 201, for introducing the fermentation broth into the left mixing tank 201. A second connecting pipe 6 is fixedly connected to the outside of the right mixing tank 201, communicating with the right mixing tank 201, for introducing the extractant into the right mixing tank 201. The adjacent extraction mechanism 2... A heavy phase pipe 7 is fixedly connected below the clarification tank 202 and the mixing tank 201. The heavy phase pipe 7 communicates with the clarification tank 202 and the mixing tank 201 of the adjacent extraction mechanism 2, and is used to pass the heavy phase liquid in the lower layer of the left clarification tank 202 into the adjacent right mixing tank 201 for further mixing. A light phase pipe 8 is fixedly connected above the clarification tank 202 of the adjacent extraction mechanism 2. The light phase pipe 8 communicates with the clarification tank 202 of the adjacent extraction mechanism 2, and is used to discharge the light phase liquid in the right clarification tank 202 into the adjacent left clarification tank 202. An overflow pipe 9 is fixedly connected between the clarification tank 202 and the mixing tank 201 of the extraction mechanism 2. The overflow pipe 9 is used to pass the mixed turbid liquid into the clarification tank 202. During use, the second pipe 6 is used to... The extractant gradually flows to the left, filling multiple mixing tanks 201 and clarification tanks 202. Then, fermentation broth containing citric acid is passed through the first pipe 5 into the left mixing tank 201, causing the fermentation broth to gradually flow to the right. Simultaneously, the motor 301 is activated, causing the rotating shaft 302 to drive the stirring rod 303 to agitate the solution, ensuring thorough mixing of the fermentation broth and extractant. As the fermentation broth continues to enter, the liquid level in the left mixing tank 201 becomes higher than that in the left clarification tank 202. This causes the mixed turbid liquid to flow through the left overflow pipe 9 into the left clarification tank 202, separating into a lower heavy phase and an upper light phase. This also results in the liquid level in the left clarification tank 202 being higher than that in the middle mixing tank 201, thus causing the left... After citric acid is separated in the lower part of the side clarifier 202, the heavy phase fermentation broth can enter the intermediate mixing tank 201 through the heavy phase pipe 7 and be mixed with the extractant again. It then gradually flows to the right and enters the right mixing tank 201 for final mixing, ensuring that the citric acid in the fermentation broth is fully dissolved in the extractant. Finally, the heavy phase liquid with a very low citric acid content is discharged through the heavy phase drain pipe 11. This process allows the citric acid in the fermentation broth to be dissolved by the extractant in stages. As the liquid level rises, the light phase liquid in the upper part of the clarifier 202 flows to the left through the light phase pipe 8 into the adjacent clarifier 202. Finally, the light phase liquid with a higher citric acid content is discharged through the light phase drain pipe 10. Through the carefully designed heavy phase pipe 7 and light phase pipe 8…This system achieves pure gravity countercurrent transport of two phases, eliminating the need for pumping energy between adjacent extraction units. It features a compact structure, stable operation, and significant energy savings.
[0017] Furthermore, the light phase pipe 8 is set at an angle, with the inlet end of the light phase pipe 8 being higher than the outlet end, the right end being higher, and the left end being lower, to ensure that the light phase liquid on the upper layer of the right clarification tank 202 can continuously flow to the left into the adjacent clarification tank 202.
[0018] Furthermore, the plates 401 are inclined inside the clarification tank 202, and the adjacent plates 401 are inclined in opposite directions, which makes the flow path of the mixed turbid liquid longer, provides more sufficient stratification time, and significantly accelerates the stratification process.
[0019] Furthermore, the through-hole 402 has a frustum-shaped structure, with the diameter of the frustum-shaped through-hole 402 decreasing from top to bottom. Utilizing its structure of being smaller at the bottom and larger at the top, it guides and converges the incoming heavy phase droplets, causing the dispersed heavy phase droplets to merge into larger droplets, thereby further accelerating the stratification speed and improving production efficiency.
[0020] Working principle: During use, the extractant gradually flows to the left through the second pipe 6, filling multiple mixing tanks 201 and the clarification tank 202. Then, the fermentation broth containing citric acid is passed through the first pipe 5 into the left mixing tank 201, causing the fermentation broth to gradually flow to the right. Simultaneously, the motor 301 is activated, causing the rotating shaft 302 to drive the stirring rod 303 to stir the solution, ensuring thorough mixing of the fermentation broth and the extractant. As the fermentation broth continues to enter, the liquid level in the left mixing tank 201 becomes higher than the liquid level in the left clarification tank 202, resulting in a more complete mixture. The mixed turbid liquid flows through the overflow pipe 9 on the left into the clarification tank 202 on the left, separating into a lower heavy phase and an upper light phase. This also causes the liquid level in the left clarification tank 202 to be higher than the liquid level in the middle mixing tank 201. Consequently, the heavy phase fermentation broth, after citric acid separation in the lower part of the left clarification tank 202, can flow through the heavy phase conduit 7 into the middle mixing tank 201 to mix again with the extractant. This process continues gradually to the right, entering the right mixing tank 201 for final mixing, ensuring that the citric acid in the fermentation broth is fully dissolved in the extractant. The heavy phase liquid with extremely low citric acid content is discharged through the heavy phase manifold 11, thus allowing the citric acid in the fermentation broth to be fractionally dissolved by the extractant. As the liquid level rises, the light phase liquid in the upper layer of the clarification tank 202 flows continuously to the left through the light phase pipe 8 into the adjacent clarification tank 202. Finally, the light phase liquid with a higher citric acid content is discharged through the light phase manifold 10. Through the carefully designed heavy phase pipe 7 and light phase pipe 8, pure gravity countercurrent transport of the two phases is achieved, eliminating the pumping energy consumption between adjacent extraction mechanisms 2. The structure is compact and the operation is stable. The energy-saving effect is significant. When the mixed turbid liquid enters the clarification tank 202 for stratification, the mixed turbid liquid will flow along the inclined plate 4 under the action of gravity. The inclination direction of the adjacent inclined plates 4 is opposite, which allows the mixed turbid liquid to repeatedly flow downward, greatly extending the sedimentation path and providing more sufficient stratification time, which significantly accelerates the stratification process. The frustum-shaped through hole 402, with its structure of being smaller at the bottom and larger at the top, guides and converges the entering heavy phase droplets, causing the dispersed heavy phase droplets to merge into larger droplets, thereby further accelerating the stratification speed and improving production efficiency.
[0021] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. An energy-saving multi-stage countercurrent extraction device for citric acid, comprising a support frame (1), characterized in that, An extraction mechanism (2) is fixedly connected to the top of the support (1). The extraction mechanism (2) includes a mixing tank (201) and a clarification tank (202). A stirring mechanism (3) is fixedly connected to the top of the mixing tank (201). An inclined plate (4) is fixedly connected inside the clarification tank (202). The inclined plate (4) includes a plate (401) fixedly connected inside the clarification tank (202). A through hole (402) is provided inside the plate (401).
2. The energy-saving multi-stage countercurrent extraction equipment for citric acid according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket (1) includes a base plate (101), the base plate (101) has a fixing hole (102) inside, a support column (104) is fixedly connected to the top of the base plate (101), and a top frame (103) is fixedly connected to the top of the support column (104).
3. The energy-saving multi-stage countercurrent extraction equipment for citric acid according to claim 1, characterized in that, A light phase pipe (10) is fixedly connected to the top of the clarification tank (202) on the left side, and a heavy phase pipe (11) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the clarification tank (202) on the right side. A first through pipe (5) is fixedly connected to the outside of the mixing tank (201) on the left side, and a second through pipe (6) is fixedly connected to the outside of the mixing tank (201) on the right side. A heavy phase through pipe (7) is fixedly connected below between the clarification tank (202) and the mixing tank (201) of the adjacent extraction mechanism (2). A light phase through pipe (8) is fixedly connected above between the clarification tank (202) and the mixing tank (201) of the extraction mechanism (2). An overflow pipe (9) is fixedly connected between the clarification tank (202) and the mixing tank (201) of the extraction mechanism (2).
4. The energy-saving multi-stage countercurrent extraction equipment for citric acid according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light phase pipe (8) is set at an angle, and the inlet end of the light phase pipe (8) is higher than the outlet end.
5. The energy-saving multi-stage countercurrent extraction equipment for citric acid according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plate (401) is inclined inside the clarification tank (202), and the inclination directions of adjacent plates (401) are opposite.
6. The energy-saving multi-stage countercurrent extraction equipment for citric acid according to claim 1, characterized in that, The through hole (402) has a frustum-shaped structure.