Fermentation catalyst chamber

Abstract

The present invention comprises a chamber unit that mixes catalyst raw materials in a predetermined ratio and quantitatively discharges the mixed catalyst raw materials, a catalyst supply unit that transports the catalyst raw materials discharged from the chamber unit and supplies them to a main process chamber, and a control unit that controls these components. As a result, catalyst raw materials necessary for microbial growth can be mixed in a predetermined ratio and automatically quantitatively supplied to a main process chamber where a fermentation process is performed, while being maintained in a state suitable for the catalyst. Therefore, equipped with an automated, uniform mixing and transport system, the quality of the catalyst can be stably maintained, and the efficiency of the production process can be maximized.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fermentation catalyst chamber. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, due to environmental changes, technologies and policies for methane reduction are being actively pursued across various fields. In particular, diverse attempts and policies are being developed to reduce methane emissions in the agricultural and livestock sectors.

[0003] In the livestock sector, it is known that a large amount of carbon is generated during the cattle rearing process, and as a result, various attempts to reduce methane are being made in this field as well.

[0004] In particular, since it is known that a large amount of carbon is generated from cattle feed depending on digestion and excretion conditions, there is an urgent need to develop and expand the distribution of so-called low-methane feed to reduce methane, and this trend is recognized as an urgent challenge not only domestically but also globally.

[0005] Considering these factors, there is an urgent need for low-methane feed utilizing domestic biomass. In light of this, the applicant has filed numerous patent applications through the development of a method for manufacturing low-methane feed utilizing domestic biomass.

[0006] To manufacture low-methane feed using domestic biomass, a process of mixing and bioconverting the biomass is required. Biomass bioconversion (fermentation) necessitates the activation of microorganisms, and for this, a catalyst is required to promote microbial growth.

[0007] To this end, a device is required that can automatically and quantitatively supply the catalyst raw materials necessary for microbial growth, mixed in a specific ratio and maintained in a state suitable for the catalyst, to the main process chamber where the fermentation process is performed. Prior art literature

[0008] Korean Registered Patent (10-0834707) The problem to be solved

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to provide a fermentation catalyst chamber capable of solving the aforementioned problems. means of solving the problem

[0010] A fermentation catalyst chamber for achieving the above purpose is,

[0011] A chamber unit that mixes catalyst raw materials in a certain ratio and discharges the mixed catalyst raw materials in a fixed quantity;

[0012] A catalyst supply unit that transports the catalyst raw material discharged from the above chamber unit and supplies it to the main process chamber; and

[0013] It is characterized by including a control unit that controls the chamber unit and the catalyst supply unit so that the catalyst raw material mixed in the chamber unit can be automatically discharged in a measured quantity while being maintained in a suitable state. Effects of the invention

[0014] The present invention comprises a chamber unit that mixes catalyst raw materials in a predetermined ratio and quantitatively discharges the mixed catalyst raw materials, a catalyst supply unit that transports the catalyst raw materials discharged from the chamber unit and supplies them to a main process chamber, and a control unit that controls these components. As a result, catalyst raw materials necessary for microbial growth can be mixed in a predetermined ratio and automatically quantitatively supplied to a main process chamber where a fermentation process is performed, while being maintained in a state suitable for the catalyst. Therefore, equipped with an automated, uniform mixing and transport system, the quality of the catalyst can be stably maintained, and the efficiency of the production process can be maximized.

[0015] The present invention stirs the catalyst raw material using a pair of mixing paddles installed to overlap with each other at a time difference, and transfers the catalyst raw material accumulated between the pair of mixing paddles using a lower screw installed in the lower region between the pair of mixing paddles. As a result, the catalyst raw material contained in the chamber body can be uniformly mixed at a certain ratio, and smooth transfer is possible without the catalyst raw material accumulating, thereby maximizing the performance of the catalyst raw material and maintaining a homogeneous state of the catalyst raw material.

[0016] In this invention, the blade of a mixing paddle is formed with a double structure consisting of a blade body and a flexible end. As a result, the flexible end adheres closely to the inner wall of the chamber body, allowing for the effective sweeping and transport of catalyst raw materials, and enabling the replacement of only the flexible end, which is prone to damage. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the process of a low-methane feed manufacturing biotron system to which a fermentation catalyst chamber according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fermentation catalyst chamber according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram showing a catalyst supply unit and a chamber unit connected to a main process chamber. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a portion of the chamber unit illustrated in FIG. 3, along with a portion of the interior of the chamber body. Figure 5 is a plan view of the chamber unit illustrated in Figure 4. FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7 are the left and right side views of the chamber unit illustrated in FIGS. 4. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional plan showing the interior of the chamber body illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view showing the interior of the chamber body illustrated in FIG. 4. Figure 10 is a drawing showing a portion of the lower screw shown in Figure 8. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0018] Hereinafter, a fermentation catalyst chamber according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0019] A fermentation catalyst chamber according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied to a low-methane feed manufacturing biotron system for automating the production of low-methane feed. As shown in FIG. 1, the low-methane feed manufacturing biotron system can mass-produce low-methane feed products by automating a series of processes, including feeding, cutting, and sorting roll bales made by wrapping fibrous raw materials such as rice straw, ryegrass, barley stalks, sorghum, reeds, and wild grasses in vinyl, producing low-methane feed through the softening and bioconversion processes of the fibrous raw materials (biomass), weighing / compressing and packaging the feed, and then palletizing and stabilizing.

[0020] A fermentation catalyst chamber (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is intended to perform a process (S15) of supplying a catalyst necessary for microbial proliferation in a process (S14) of manufacturing low-methane feed through the softening and bioconversion of double fibrous raw materials.

[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a fermentation catalyst chamber (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is composed of a chamber unit (100), a catalyst supply unit (200), and a control unit (400).

[0022] [Chamber Unit (100)]

[0023] The chamber unit (100) mixes the catalyst raw material in a certain ratio and discharges the mixed catalyst raw material in a specific quantity. One or more chamber units (100) may be provided. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, two chamber units (100) are connected.

[0024] Catalyst raw materials can be selected from various types of agricultural and food by-products and grain by-products, such as rice bran, brewer's spent grain, distiller's spent grain, soybean meal, sesame meal, and confectionery spent grain.

[0025] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7, the chamber unit (100) is composed of a chamber body (110), a load cell (120), a mixing paddle (130), a driving unit for the paddle (140), a lower screw (150), and a driving unit for the screw (160).

[0026] <Chamber body (110)>

[0027] The chamber body (110) accommodates the catalyst material. The chamber body (110) has a rectangular box shape extending in the longitudinal direction, and the two corner regions of the bottom surface are formed as curved surfaces in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the width of the chamber body (110) is formed to correspond to the total rotation radius of a pair of mixing paddles (130), and it is preferable that the radius of curvature of the two corner regions of the bottom surface be formed to correspond to the rotation radius of the mixing paddles (130). This is so that the flexible end (132b), which will be described later, can be in close contact with the inner wall of the chamber body (110) to effectively sweep and move the catalyst material.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the chamber body (110) has an upper inlet (111) on which a catalyst raw material is introduced on the upper surface, a side inlet (112) on which a catalyst raw material is introduced on one side, and a lower outlet (113) on which a mixed catalyst raw material is discharged on the lower surface, each formed therein. An upper opening / closing unit (510) for opening and closing the upper inlet (111), a side opening / closing unit (520) for opening and closing the side inlet (112), and a lower opening / closing unit (530) for opening and closing the lower outlet (113) are combined.

[0029] Additionally, a viewing window (114) that allows checking the interior of the chamber body (110) may be formed in the chamber body (110).

[0030] Upper input port (111) and upper opening / closing unit (510)

[0031] The upper inlet (111) is formed by opening the entire upper surface of the chamber body (110), and the catalyst raw material is introduced.

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a step (560) for a worker is installed in the central area of ​​the upper input port (111), and one of the two areas of the central area is opened and closed by an upper opening / closing unit (510), while the other side is detachably equipped with a grid-shaped safety screen (570) to prevent the worker from falling. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a ladder (580) can be installed in the chamber body (110) to allow a worker to climb onto the step (560).

[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the upper opening / closing unit (510) opens and closes the upper inlet (111) in a hinged manner through a pair of doors (511), and each door (511) is driven by an air cylinder (512).

[0034] Side inlet (112) and side opening / closing unit (520)

[0035] The side inlet (112) is formed by opening the upper region of one side of the chamber body (110), and the catalyst material is introduced. Separate from the upper inlet (111), the catalyst material can also be introduced through the side inlet (112) for convenience.

[0036] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, the side inlet (112) is opened and closed by a side opening / closing unit (520) coupled to the chamber body (110). The side opening / closing unit (520) opens and closes the side inlet (112) in a hinged manner through a bucket (521), and the bucket (521) is driven by an air cylinder (522).

[0037] Lower discharge port (113) and lower opening / closing unit (530)

[0038] The lower discharge port (113) is formed in a portion of the lower surface of the chamber body (110), and the mixed catalyst raw material is discharged.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower outlet (113) is located in a portion of the area below the lower screw (150). The lower outlet (113) is opened and closed by a lower opening / closing unit (530) coupled to the chamber body (110).

[0040] <Load cell (120)>

[0041] The load cell (120) measures the weight of the catalyst material contained in the chamber body (110).

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the chamber body (110) is supported on its lower surface by a lower structure (540). The chamber body (110) supported by the lower structure (540) is coupled to a frame (550) supported on the ground. A load cell (120) is positioned between the lower structure (540) and the frame (550) and is positioned in each of the four corner areas of the chamber body (110).

[0043] <Mixing paddle (130), driving unit for paddle (140)>

[0044] A pair of mixing paddles (130) are installed side by side in the longitudinal direction inside the chamber body (110) and are installed to overlap each other at different times to stir the catalyst raw material.

[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, each mixing paddle (130) is composed of a paddle rotation shaft (131) and a plurality of blades (132). The paddle rotation shaft (131) is installed longitudinally inside the chamber body (110). The plurality of blades (132) are positioned at regular intervals in a spiral shape on the outer surface of the paddle rotation shaft (131) and are formed in a curved plate shape. In this embodiment, three blades (132) are arranged in one pitch, and each blade (132) is arranged spirally at 120-degree intervals. When the paddle rotation shaft (131) rotates, the catalyst raw material is pushed by the blades (132), mixed in the up-and-down direction, and transported backward, thereby achieving stirring. At this time, the blades (132) of one mixing paddle (130) overlap with each other with a time difference in such a way that they pass between the two blades (132) of another mixing paddle (130).

[0046] Each wing (132) consists of a wing body (132a) and a flexible end (132b). The wing body (132a) is attached to the outer surface of the paddle rotation shaft (131). The flexible end (132b) is made of a flexible material and is attached to the radial end of the wing body (132a). For example, the wing body (132a) may be made of metal, and the flexible end (132b) may be made of rubber or plastic. The flexible end (132b) is bolted to the radial end of the wing body (132a) and can be replaced in case of damage. The flexible end (132b) is in close contact with the inner wall of the chamber body (110) to effectively sweep and transport the catalyst material.

[0047] The driving unit (140) for the paddles drives a pair of mixing paddles (130) simultaneously. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the driving unit (140) for the paddles is equipped with a pair of motors coupled to the outside of the chamber body (110), and the pair of motors are connected to the paddle rotation shafts (131) of the pair of mixing paddles (130) by a power transmission belt to simultaneously transmit the power of the pair of motors to the paddle rotation shafts (131).

[0048] <Lower screw (150), screw drive unit (160)>

[0049] The lower screw (150) is installed in the lower region between a pair of mixing paddles (130) inside the chamber body (110) and transports the catalyst material accumulated between the pair of mixing paddles (130).

[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower screw (150) is located below the intersection area where the rotational radii of a pair of mixing paddles (130) intersect, and is positioned on a screw case (170) fixed to the bottom surface of the chamber body (110). The screw case (170) extends longitudinally along the lower screw (150), except for the lower outlet (113) of the chamber body (110). The screw case (170) has a semicircular recessed area formed on its upper surface to allow the lower screw (150) to be inserted, and each outer wall extending on both sides of the recessed area is formed at an angle so that the catalyst material can flow down. As a result, the catalyst material falling between the pair of mixing paddles (130) can be conveyed by the lower screw (150) or stirred again by the mixing paddles (130).

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the lower screw (150) is in the form of an auger screw and consists of a screw rotation shaft (151), a first blade (152), and a second blade (153). The screw rotation shaft (151) is positioned longitudinally on the bottom surface of the chamber body (110). The first blade (152) extends spirally from one end of the screw rotation shaft (151) to the lower outlet (113) of the chamber body (110), so that when the screw rotation shaft (151) rotates, the catalyst material is transported from one end of the screw rotation shaft (151) to the lower outlet (113). The second wing (153) extends in a spiral opposite to the spiral of the first wing (152) from the other end of the screw rotation shaft (151) to the lower outlet (113) of the chamber body (110), so that when the screw rotation shaft (151) rotates, the catalyst material is transported from the other end of the screw rotation shaft (151) to the lower outlet (113) of the chamber body (110). Thus, when the screw rotation shaft (151) rotates, the catalyst material is collected at the lower outlet (113) of the chamber body (110).

[0052] The screw drive unit (160) drives the lower screw (150).

[0053] [Catalyst supply unit (200)]

[0054] The catalyst supply unit (200) transports the catalyst raw material discharged from the chamber unit (100) and supplies it to the main process chamber (20).

[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the catalyst supply unit (200) is composed of a horizontal conveying screw conveyor (210) and an inclined conveying screw conveyor (220). The horizontal conveying screw conveyor (210) is located below the chamber unit (100) and conveys the catalyst raw material discharged from the chamber unit (100) in a horizontal direction. The inclined conveying screw conveyor (220) is connected to the horizontal conveying screw conveyor (210) and supplies the catalyst raw material conveyed from the horizontal conveying screw conveyor (210) to the upper part of the main process chamber (20).

[0056] Each of the horizontal conveying screw conveyor (210) and the inclined conveying screw conveyor (220) is composed of an auger screw that conveys the catalyst raw material, a screw housing that surrounds the auger screw, and a driving unit that drives the auger screw.

[0057] [Control unit (400)]

[0058] The control unit (400) controls the chamber unit (100) and the catalyst supply unit (200) according to a set value or input value so that the catalyst raw material mixed in the chamber unit (100) can be automatically discharged in a measured amount while being maintained in a suitable state.

[0059] The control unit (400) operates the mixing paddle (130) and the lower screw (150) of the chamber unit (100) so that the catalyst raw material mixed in the chamber body (110) is maintained in a suitable state according to the set information. When the catalyst raw material is maintained in a suitable state, the control unit (400) opens the lower discharge port (113) to discharge the catalyst raw material to the catalyst supply unit (200). At this time, the control unit (400) discharges the catalyst raw material in a fixed quantity based on the weight of the catalyst raw material measured by the load cell (120). The control unit (400) operates the catalyst supply unit (200) to transport the catalyst raw material so that the catalyst raw material can be supplied to the main process chamber (20). Explanation of the symbols

[0060] 10: Fermentation catalyst chamber 20: Main process chamber 100: Chamber unit 110: Chamber body 111: Top inlet 112: Side inlet 113: Lower drain 114: Watchtower 120: Load cell 130: Mixing paddle 131: Rotating axis for paddle 132: Wing 132a: Wing body 132b: Flexible end 140: Drive unit for paddle 150: Lower screw 151: Rotating shaft for screw 152: First blade 153: Second wing 160: Drive unit for screw 170: Screw case 200: Catalyst supply unit 210: Horizontal conveying screw conveyor 220: Inclined conveying screw conveyor 400: Control unit 510: Upper opening / closing unit 511: Door 512: Air cylinder 520: Side opening / closing unit 521: Bucket 522: Air cylinder 530: Lower opening / closing unit 540: Substructure 550: Frame 560: Footrest 570: Safety screen 580: Ladder

Claims

Claim 1 A fermentation catalyst chamber comprising: a chamber body receiving a catalyst raw material; a load cell for measuring the weight of the catalyst raw material received in the chamber body; a pair of mixing paddles installed parallel in the longitudinal direction inside the chamber body and installed to overlap with each other with a time difference to agitate the catalyst raw material; a driving unit for paddles for simultaneously driving the pair of mixing paddles; a lower screw installed in a lower region below an intersection area where the rotational radii of the pair of mixing paddles intersect inside the chamber body, for transporting the catalyst raw material accumulated between the pair of mixing paddles and falling between the pair of mixing paddles; and a driving unit for screws for driving the lower screw, characterized by mixing the catalyst raw material at a certain ratio and quantitatively discharging the mixed catalyst raw material. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A fermentation catalyst chamber according to claim 1, wherein each mixing paddle comprises: a rotating shaft installed longitudinally inside the chamber body; and a plurality of wings formed in a curved plate shape, positioned at regular intervals in a spiral manner on the outer surface of the rotating shaft, and each wing comprises: a wing body made of metal and coupled to the outer surface of the rotating shaft; and a flexible end made of a flexible material and coupled to the radial end of the wing body. Claim 5 delete

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