Turbulence-Generating Pipe for Enzymatic Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing enzymatic processing systems face challenges with uneven mixing distribution, mechanical stress, and the formation of emulsions, leading to reduced efficiency and increased complexity, weight, and cost, particularly in continuous flow processes for hydrolysis of organic molecules.

Innovation Solution

A continuous flow-based enzymatic processing plant utilizing a turbulence-generating pipe with a repeatedly changing centre-line and/or cross-section to mix reaction mixtures, preventing sedimentation and emulsion formation, and allowing for extended reaction times without the need for moving parts or static mixing elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rotating auger is used to mix the reaction mixture, then mixing is achieved, but the complexity, weight and cost of the system are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the rotating auger (moving part) from the system and replaces it with a static mixing pipe that has internal geometric features. This extraction of the moving part simplifies the system while maintaining mixing capability through the pipe's internal structure that generates turbulence and mixing during material flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical rotating auger system with a passive static mixing pipe structure. The mixing function is achieved through the pipe's internal geometric features that create turbulence and mixing during material flow, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts while maintaining effective mixing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a rotating auger is used to mix the reaction mixture, then mixing is achieved, but the weight of the system is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing capabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a rotating auger is used to mix the reaction mixture, then mixing is achieved, but the cost of the system is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If static mixing elements are used in the hydrolysis apparatus, then mixing is achieved, but the mixing forces are not evenly distributed throughout the bulk of the flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing capabilityVSAvoidmixing uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs multiple mixing sections along the pipe length, each with specific geometric features tailored to create appropriate turbulence and mixing at different locations. This distributed approach ensures uniform mixing throughout the entire reaction mixture flow, addressing the non-uniform mixing problem of conventional static mixers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pipe incorporates periodically repeating geometric features along its length that generate continuous turbulence and mixing actions. This periodic structure ensures that mixing forces are applied uniformly throughout the flow, preventing poorly mixed zones while maintaining continuous mixing action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

5Ease of operation

If static mixing elements are used in the hydrolysis apparatus, then mixing is achieved, but the elements are difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing capabilityVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing pipe is designed as a modular component that can be easily removed and cleaned separately from the rest of the hydrolysis apparatus. The internal geometric features are integrated into the pipe structure in a way that allows for easy access and cleaning, eliminating the cleaning difficulties associated with complex static mixing elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

6Ease of operation

If static mixing elements are used in the hydrolysis apparatus, then mixing is achieved, but the complexity, weight and cost of the system are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 turbulence-generating pipe ensures homogeneous mixing and prevents sedimentation, reducing shear forces and emulsion formation, enabling efficient enzymatic processing with reduced energy consumption and easier maintenance, facilitating continuous flow processes that were previously not possible with prior art systems.

Implementation Method 1

a turbulence-generating pipe with a repeatedly changing centre-line and/or a repeatedly changing cross-section, for generating turbulence to mix a reaction mixture and prevent sedimentation of particles as the mixture is flowing through the turbulence-generating pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS11286448B2Enzymatic processing plant and method of enzymatic processing

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 ALKYMAR

AI summary

An enzymatic processing plant for continuous flow-based enzymatic processing of organic molecules. The enzymatic processing plant including an enzymatic processing area, wherein the enzymatic processing area includes a turbulence-generating pipe with a repeatedly changing centre-line and/or a repeatedly changing cross-section, for generating turbulence to mix a reaction mixture and prevent sedimentation of particles as the reaction mixture is flowing through the turbulence-generating pipe. The enzymatic processing plant and the enzymatic processing area are arranged such that the reaction mixture is subjected to turbulence within the enzymatic processing area for a reaction time of 15 minutes or more.