Hydrophobins Enhance Gas Transfer in Fermentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerobic fermentation processes face inefficiencies in gas-liquid mass transfer, leading to high energy costs and equipment expenses due to the need for powerful motors and compressors to maintain oxygen transfer, particularly in high oxygen demand processes.

Innovation Solution

The addition of hydrophobins to the fermentation medium, which stabilize and increase the number of bubbles, reducing surface tension and enhancing gas transfer efficiency by forming multimers at air/water interfaces, thereby improving the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLA).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If powerful motors and compressors are used for mechanical agitation and air delivery, then oxygen transfer is maintained, but energy costs and equipment expenses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen transferVSAvoidenergy costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces hydrophobins as intermediary substances that adsorb at the gas-liquid interface to modify surface properties. These proteins act as mediators between the air bubbles and fermentation medium, reducing surface tension and enhancing mass transfer efficiency without requiring increased mechanical energy input for agitation or aeration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the gas-liquid interface by adding hydrophobins, which modify surface tension and interfacial properties. This parameter change enables more efficient oxygen transfer at lower agitation speeds and aeration pressures, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable oxygen supply

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If powerful motors and compressors are used for mechanical agitation and air delivery, then oxygen transfer is maintained, but equipment expenses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen transferVSAvoidequipment expenses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs hydrophobins, which are relatively inexpensive protein additives compared to the capital investment required for larger motors and compressors. By using these affordable biological agents to enhance mass transfer, the system avoids the need for expensive equipment upgrades while maintaining reliable oxygen transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If hydrophobins are added to increase bubble stability and number, then gas transfer efficiency improves, but surface tension decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas transfer efficiencyVSAvoidsurface tension

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deliberately changes the surface tension parameter of the fermentation medium by adding hydrophobins. This parameter change, while reducing surface tension, simultaneously improves gas transfer efficiency by facilitating bubble formation, stabilization, and mass transfer at the gas-liquid interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of hydrophobins results in a significant increase in bubble stability and number, reducing energy consumption and equipment costs by enhancing oxygen transfer rates without the need for increased mechanical agitation, thus improving overall fermentation productivity.

Implementation Method 1

reducing surface tension and enhancing gas transfer efficiency by forming multimers at air/water interfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

adding one or more hydrophobins to a fermentation medium... stabilize and increase the number of bubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

enhancing gas transfer efficiency by forming multimers at air/water interfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-assembly: Self-Assembly

Implementation Method 4

forming multimers at air/water interfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 5

gas-liquid mass transfer is a critical factor determining equipment and process performance... improving the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLA)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas-liquid mass transfer: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS9982229B2Use of hydrophobins to increase gas transfer in aerobic fermentation processes

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 DANISCO US INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides methods, compositions and apparatuses for increasing gas transfer in fermentation processes.