Rotating Drum Mixer With Segmented Screw For Enzymatic Hydrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mixing and processing technologies for enzymatic and microbial processing, such as hydrolysis of proteins, face inefficiencies and inconsistencies, particularly in maintaining controlled mixing and avoiding emulsion formation, which limits their operational advantages and consistency compared to existing apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A rotating drum apparatus with a helical screw blade and multiple mixing devices spaced along the screw blade for effective mixing and processing of materials, allowing for continuous operation and adjustable fluid addition to optimize reaction conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotating auger is used to convey and mix the reaction mixture, then the raw materials can be processed continuously, but the mixing may not be sufficiently controlled and emulsion formation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber is divided into multiple sections with different mixing intensities. The first section provides gentle mixing to avoid emulsion formation, while the second section provides more intensive mixing to ensure thorough contact between enzymes and raw materials. This segmentation allows continuous processing while maintaining reliable mixing control throughout the process.
2Productivity
If strong mixing is applied to ensure thorough contact between enzymes and raw materials, then reaction efficiency improves, but emulsion formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing process is divided into two stages: gentle mixing in the first section to prevent emulsion formation, and intensive mixing in the second section to maximize reaction efficiency. This staged approach allows the system to achieve thorough enzyme-substrate contact without generating harmful emulsions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing intensity is dynamically adjusted along the length of the mixing chamber, transitioning from gentle to intensive mixing. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize mixing effectiveness while controlling emulsion formation at different stages of the processing.
3Reliability
If batch processing is used to maintain controlled mixing conditions, then emulsion formation is minimized, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus enables continuous processing by maintaining controlled mixing conditions throughout the entire length of the mixing chamber. The segmented design with progressive mixing intensification allows the system to operate continuously while preserving the mixing control necessary to prevent emulsion formation, thereby achieving both high productivity and reliable mixing control.
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 provides more effective mixing and processing by ensuring consistent contact between enzymes and raw materials, reducing emulsion formation, and enabling continuous operation with improved efficiency and consistency in enzymatic reactions.
Implementation Method 1
a screw within the drum for mixing the materials whilst conveying them lengthwise along the drum, wherein the screw includes a helical blade extending along the length of the drum with the outer edge of the helical blade being fixed to the inner surface of the drum such that material can be conveyed and mixed in separated volumes between each turn of the screw blade
Implementation Method 2
A rotating drum apparatus with a helical screw blade and multiple mixing devices spaced along the screw blade for effective mixing and processing of materials
Implementation Method 3
In enzymatic hydrolysis, chemical bonds in a molecule are broken by the addition of water, with an enzyme acting as a catalyst for the reaction
Implementation Method 4
an enzyme acting as a catalyst for the reaction
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A rotating drum apparatus for the mixing and processing of materials, the rotating drum apparatus comprising: a rotating drum (12) arranged with the length of the drum and the axis of rotation of the drum extending along the horizontal; an inlet at a first point on the drum (12) for receiving materials prior to mixing and/or processing; a screw (14) within the drum (12) for mixing the materials whilst conveying them lengthwise along the drum (12), wherein the screw (14) includes a helical blade extending along the length of the drum (12) with the outer edge of the helical blade being fixed to the inner surface of the drum (12) such that material can be conveyed and mixed in separated volumes (16) between each turn of the screw blade (14); an outlet at a second point along the drum for discharge of materials after mixing and/or processing; and a plurality mixing devices (18) for promoting mixing of the material in each of the separated volumes (16) of material as the material is conveyed along the screw (14), wherein the plurality of mixing devices (18) are spaced apart along the blade of the screw (14), and wherein there is at least one mixing device (18) for each turn of the screw blade (14).