Fermentation Apparatus with Integrated Water Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fermentation apparatuses operate discontinuously, leading to contamination issues and poor water quality, which affects fermentation efficiency and product quality, requiring additional filtering processes and high-pressure maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A fermentation apparatus comprising a tank, water filter, softener, reverse osmosis system, heater, and centrifugal pump, along with a control system for automatic operation, ensuring continuous and filtered water supply, and integrated air filtration to prevent contamination, allowing for direct production of liquid fermentation products without additional filtering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fermentation apparatus operates discontinuously, then it can be operated simply, but it causes contamination and poor water quality affecting fermentation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous fermentation operation where the fermentation tank continuously receives purified water from the water purification apparatus and processes fermentation materials without interruption. This continuous operation eliminates the contamination risks associated with discontinuous operations while maintaining operational simplicity through automatic control systems that manage the entire process flow.
2Device complexity
If traditional fermentation uses unpurified water containing metal ions, then it simplifies water supply, but it disturbs fermentation efficiency and causes ion chelation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a water purification apparatus that performs preliminary purification of water before it enters the fermentation tank. The apparatus removes metal ions and impurities through filtration and purification processes, ensuring that only high-quality water is supplied to the fermentation system. This preliminary action prevents ion chelation and maintains fermentation efficiency without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional fermentation requires additional filtering processes, then it ensures product quality, but it increases device complexity and processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the purification function into a dedicated water purification apparatus that is integrated with the fermentation system. By separating the purification function into a specialized subsystem, the main fermentation process doesn't require additional filtering apparatus, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring high product quality through controlled water purification.
4Productivity
If traditional fermentation is conducted at high pressure, then it maintains fermentation efficiency, but it increases energy consumption and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter from high pressure to standard atmospheric pressure by implementing an open-type fermentation tank design. This parameter change maintains fermentation efficiency through optimized aeration and mixing systems while significantly reducing energy consumption and operational complexity associated with high-pressure maintenance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus ensures continuous, high-quality fermentation products by maintaining water purity and automating the fermentation process, reducing contamination risks and increasing productivity while simplifying operation in standard pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse osmosis apparatus (24), wherein the water softener connects to the reverse osmosis apparatus, and the reverse osmosis apparatus is connected with the water storage barrel (21)
Implementation Method 2
a centrifugal pump (40), wherein the centrifugal pump connects to the water filter (20) and the fermentation tank (10) with the at least one pipe (70)
Implementation Method 3
The heater can be an electrothermal apparatus such as an electrothermal tube and it is able to heat the water storage barrel
Implementation Method 4
The air filter comprises a blower and an air filtering unit which is connected with the blower. The accuracy of the air filter for filtering out the bacteria which are larger than 1 μm
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a simple fermentation apparatus which is able to work in a standard pressure. Moreover, it can continuously produce liquid fermentation products automatically in a large amount without filtering. The fermentation apparatus is able to be configured in large farms. The use of it has become simple and convenient.