Super Nozzle Injection Fermentor Gas-Liquid Mass Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fermentor systems are inefficient in transferring gases between the gas and liquid phases, leading to poor productivity and high energy consumption, particularly when cultivating microorganisms that depend on gas supply for growth, such as methylotrophic or methanotrophic bacteria.
Innovation Solution
A fermentor system with an inlet pipe for feeding growth medium and gas, a cylindrical tank with upper feeding nozzles for distributing the medium and gas, and an inner cylindrical outlet pipe with a higher velocity for improved gas-to-liquid transition, combined with a transport pipe for concentrating microorganisms, optimizing the flow and retention time to enhance substrate utilization and productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If conventional stirring blades are used to mix gases with fermentation liquid, then gas-liquid mixing is achieved, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical stirring blades with a nozzle-based injection system that uses fluid dynamics (high-velocity liquid flow) to generate gas dispersion and mixing, eliminating the need for mechanical agitators and significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective gas-liquid mass transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by injecting liquid medium through nozzles at high velocity to create gas dispersion and mixing in the fermentor, replacing mechanical stirring with a fluid-based mixing mechanism that is more energy-efficient
2Duration of action of moving object
If U-shape fermentors are used to provide long contact time between gas and liquid phases, then residence time is improved, but gas-to-liquid transition effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compressing and pressurizing the gas phase before it enters the liquid medium through the nozzle system, enhancing the driving force for mass transfer and improving gas-to-liquid transition effectiveness while maintaining adequate residence time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical parameters by increasing gas pressure and utilizing high-velocity liquid flow dynamics to enhance mass transfer coefficients, thereby improving gas-to-liquid transition efficiency without sacrificing contact time in the fermentor system
3Quantity of substance
If high pressure is applied in the fermentor to reduce gas release, then gas concentration in liquid is increased, but productivity of microorganisms is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating zones of different pressure and gas concentration within the fermentor - high gas concentration is localized in the liquid phase near the nozzle injection points where mass transfer occurs, while the bulk liquid and gas phases maintain pressures optimal for microorganism productivity, thus resolving the contradiction between gas dissolution and cell performance
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 system improves gas-to-liquid transition and overall productivity, allowing for higher concentrations of microorganisms and reduced waste product interference, resulting in more efficient and cost-effective fermentation processes.
Implementation Method 1
allowing a given velocity (V1) of growth medium and gas through the inlet pipe
Implementation Method 2
distribute growth medium and gas from the inlet pipe into the fermentor tank as a function of V1 and thereby allowing a given velocity (V2) of liquid media from top to bottom
Implementation Method 3
allowing a given velocity (V3) of liquid media from bottom to top through the inner cylindrical outlet pipe that is higher than V2 driven by the flow of liquid media through the fermentor system
Implementation Method 4
a transport pipe having a diameter (D4) less than D3 and a velocity (V4) higher than V3 for transporting liquid media from the outlet pipe to a dewatering separator
Data Source
AI summary
A fermentor system for cultivation of microorganisms dependent on gas supply for growth includes an inlet pipe feeding growth medium and gas connected with one or more adjustable inlet pump members allowing a given velocity of growth medium and gas through the inlet pipe; a fermentor tank having a cylindrical volume, the fermentor tank including liquid media with a microorganism to be cultivated and a plurality of upper feeding nozzles that receive and distribute growth medium and gas from the inlet pipe into the fermentor tank; an inner cylindrical outlet pipe, extending from the bottom to the top of the fermentor tank, and being encircled by the plurality of upper feeding nozzles at the top of the fermentor tank; and a transport pipe transporting liquid media from the outlet pipe to a dewatering separator, thereby obtaining concentrated living microorganism material for further processing and liquid separated from concentrated living microorganism material.