Fermentation Device Using Silica Sand Shear for Microbial Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fermentation methods, such as solid-state and liquid-state fermentation, face limitations in production capacity and efficiency, with solid-state requiring long incubation times and liquid-state still having prolonged fermentation times due to multiple life cycles of microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing microbial asexual reproduction with a mixing solution containing silica sands, a medium, and a carbohydrate, where silica sands generate shear forces to separate microorganisms into a logarithmic growth phase, and high-pressure air is used to increase oxygen content, facilitating rapid fermentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If solid-state fermentation is used, then product quality is maintained, but incubation time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the fermentation medium from solid to liquid, enabling microorganisms to remain in logarithmic growth phase and complete fermentation in 3-5 days rather than requiring weeks of solid-state incubation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses silica sand to preliminarily separate microorganism clusters and return them to logarithmic growth phase before fermentation begins, preventing sporulation and enabling continuous rapid reproduction throughout the fermentation process
2Loss of time
If liquid-state fermentation is used, then incubation time is reduced, but microorganisms must undergo multiple life cycles including spore phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces silica sand as a physical parameter change that generates shear force to continuously separate microorganism clusters, preventing them from entering stationary and death phases, thereby maintaining continuous logarithmic growth without spore formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates continuous useful action by maintaining microorganisms in perpetual logarithmic growth phase through silica sand separation, eliminating the natural cycle of spore formation and germination that limits conventional liquid-state fermentation efficiency
3Reliability
If microorganisms complete full life cycles, then natural fermentation process is achieved, but fermentation time cannot be reduced efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spore phase and stationary phase from the natural microbial life cycle by using silica sand to continuously separate and disperse microorganism clusters, forcing them to remain in logarithmic growth phase where reproduction is most efficient
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces silica sand as an intermediary substance that mediates between microorganism clusters and the fermentation medium, providing continuous mechanical separation that prevents cluster formation and maintains optimal growth conditions throughout the fermentation process
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
This approach significantly reduces fermentation time and enhances the production rate of fermented foods by maintaining microorganisms in a logarithmic growth phase without sporulation, resulting in higher efficiency and better product quality.
Implementation Method 1
separating a cluster of the microorganism by a shear force generated from the plural silica sands
Implementation Method 2
refluxing the mixing solution into the tank together with a high pressure air for atomizing and blending oxygen into the mixing solution
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and a device for fermentation based on a microbial asexual reproduction. The method comprises the steps of adding plural silica sands, a medium and a microorganism into a tank; and stirring for separating a cluster of the microorganism by a shear force generated from the plural silica sands and returning the microorganism to a logarithmic growth phase without undergoing a spore phase to increase a fermentation rate of the microorganism. The device comprises a tank, a speed control motor disposed outside the tank, a stirring component connected to the speed control motor, a refluxing mechanism for high pressure air and water connected to the tank, a heating unit disposed in the tank and a pumping motor connected to the tank.