TWI862341B - Solid-state fermentation system - Google Patents

Abstract

A solid-state fermentation system includes rotating a horizontal vessel and an agitating assembly. The horizontal vessel includes a vessel body and a bottom which define fermentation space. There are first baffles separately deposited on inner wall of the vessel body and protruding towards the fermentation space. The agitating assembly includes an axial column member, plural blades and plural second baffles. A first end of each blade connects the axial column member and a second end includes one of the second baffles. The second baffles protrude towards the inner wall of the vessel body. When in rotating, any one of the second baffles may stay or pass through between two neighboring first baffles.

Description

Solid state fermentation system

The present invention relates to the field of a solid-state fermentation system, and in particular to a solid-state fermentation system of a horizontal stirred fermentation tank.

Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) uses a medium that is basically a powder or block with a low water content, which can still be squeezed out with a few drops of water or liquid. Currently, its application is mainly in the powder product market such as the feed industry.

Humans cannot directly consume most natural substances with high fiber content, such as fruit peels and tree barks. If these substances are used as raw materials, they can be heated and stirred in a solid-state fermentation tank, and natural enzymes/microorganisms will metabolize/hydrolyze/convert them to form fungal proteins that are edible to humans.

Generally, the vessel for solid-state fermentation can be vertical or horizontal. During the heating and stirring process, there will be uneven stirring and adhesion to the vessel wall. In the process of cellulose hydrolysis, the culture medium and raw materials will gradually change from solid to paste-like and sticky, resulting in uneven fermentation. During the hydrolysis process, heat is generated and the cells suffocate.

To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a solid fermentation system, which is applicable to mixtures of different types. During the fermentation process, the stirring blades and the baffles fixed on the inner wall of the horizontal fermentation tank are used to match or bite each other to produce stirring, crushing, drying or pulverizing or a mixture of the above different effects.

To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a solid fermentation system suitable for mixtures of different types. During the fermentation process, the rotation speed and direction of the horizontal fermentation tank and the stirring component are adjusted to produce stirring, crushing, drying or pulverizing or a mixture of the above different effects.

According to the above, the present invention provides a solid fermentation system, including a horizontal fermentation tank, a stirring assembly, a first rotating assembly and a second rotating assembly. The horizontal fermentation tank includes a tank body and an end cover, and the tank body and the end cover together define a fermentation space in the horizontal fermentation tank, wherein a plurality of first baffles distributed at intervals are provided on an inner wall of the tank body, and the first baffles protrude into the fermentation space. The stirring assembly includes an axial tube, a plurality of stirring blades and a plurality of second baffles, and the axial tube, the plurality of stirring blades and the plurality of second baffles are accommodated in the fermentation space. A first end of each stirring blade is connected to the axial tube, and a second end of each stirring blade is provided with any second baffle and the second baffle protrudes toward the inner wall; and a first end of the axial tube is accommodated on the tank body, and a second end of the axial tube passes through the end cover to the outside of the horizontal fermentation tank. A first rotating assembly is connected to the tank body, and the first rotating assembly is used to rotate the tank body. A second rotating assembly is connected to the stirring assembly, and the second rotating assembly is used to rotate the axial tube, wherein when at least one of the tank body and the stirring assembly rotates, any second baffle stays or passes between any two adjacent first baffles.

In one embodiment, the first baffles are fixed on the inner wall at intervals in a manner parallel to or tilted from the axial tube.

In one embodiment, one or more first through holes are disposed on a tube wall of the axial tube.

In one embodiment, the axial tube is hollow and an additional component is housed in the axial tube.

FIG1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the solid fermentation system of the present invention, and FIG2 and FIG3 are perspective views of the side and cross-section of some components of the first embodiment of the solid fermentation system of the present invention in a first situation, respectively. Referring to FIG1 to FIG3, the main components of the solid fermentation system 1 include a horizontal fermentation tank 2 and a stirring component 3. A tank body 20 and an end cover 11 are tightly combined to form the appearance of the horizontal fermentation tank 2. The tank body 20 may be composed of one or more layers of materials, for example, including a heat preservation layer 13 (heat preservation layer) and a jacket 15 (jacket), and the jacket 15 and the end cover 11 together define a fermentation space 14 in the horizontal fermentation tank 2, and a sensor (not shown) may be installed on the end cover 11 to detect the environment, reactants or products in the fermentation space 14. In the first embodiment, the tank body 20 is bell-shaped, and has a convex first connecting portion 17 on the top to connect to other components or structures such as a first rotating assembly outside the horizontal fermentation tank 2. For example, a first rotating shaft 18 (rotary shaft) passes through a fixing member 4 and is connected to a first rotary joint 19 (rotary joint), wherein the first rotating shaft 18, the fixing member 4, and the first rotary joint 19 can constitute the first rotating assembly here. Secondly, the end cover 11 is in the shape of a flat plate and fits tightly with the thermal insulation layer 13 and the jacket 15, and it can have an opening for the stirring assembly 3 to pass through. Furthermore, the jacket 15 is attached to the thermal insulation layer 13 and serves as the inner wall of the tank body 20. A plurality of first baffles 12 are arranged on the inner wall at intervals. The jacket 15 also includes a receiving portion corresponding to the first connecting portion 17 to connect one end (first end) of the axial pipe 33. The stirring assembly 3 includes an axial tube 33, a plurality of stirring blades 34 disposed in the fermentation space 14, and a plurality of second baffles 32. Next, a second end of the axial tube 33 passes through the end cover 11, is externally connected to a second rotating shaft 38, passes through another fixing member 4, and is connected to a second rotary joint 39, wherein the second rotating shaft 38, another fixing member 4, and the second rotary joint 39 can constitute the second rotating assembly here, and the two fixing members 4 are used to suspend the horizontal fermentation tank 2. In the first embodiment, the axial tube 33 may be a long tube and a hollow structure, one end of which is accommodated in the accommodation portion of the jacket 15, and the other end extends from the opening of the end cover 11 to the outside of the horizontal fermentation tank 2, and one or more first through holes 35 may be provided on the tube wall. Next, the additional component 31 is accommodated in the tubular space of the axial tube 33, for example but not limited to, it includes an air supply pipeline, a water supply pipeline, etc., wherein the gas or liquid supplied by the additional component 31 can enter the fermentation space 14 through the first through hole 35. The first end of the stirring blade 34 is connected to the axial tube 33 and extends from the axial tube 33 to the fermentation space 14 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial tube 33, and reaches a position close to the jacket 15. The second end of the stirring blade 34 is provided with a second baffle 32 and protrudes toward the jacket 15 (inner wall), and the position and size of the second baffle 32 can match the first baffle 12 of the jacket 15. Furthermore, the additional component 31 can further include wires, circuit boards, and power supply components connected to the second rotary joint 39. It can be understood that in order to clearly illustrate the features of the present invention, the horizontal fermentation tank 2 and a stirring component 3 in FIG. 2 are simplified or not drawn, and are not intended to limit the solid fermentation system 1 of the present invention.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the horizontal fermentation tank 2 and the stirring assembly 3 can be driven by different driving mechanisms/assemblies. In the first embodiment, the first motor 22 is connected to the first rotating shaft 18 through the first transmission assembly 25, and then connected to the horizontal fermentation tank 2, wherein the first transmission assembly 25 can include a belt and a pulley. When actuated, the first motor 22 drives the first transmission assembly 25 to rotate the first rotating shaft 18 and then drives the end cover 11, the tank body 20 and the first baffle 12 to rotate together (indicated by arrow A). Secondly, the second motor 24 is connected to the stirring assembly 3 through the second transmission assembly 23. When in operation, the second motor 24 drives the second transmission assembly 23 to rotate the second rotating shaft 38 and further drives the axial tube 33, the stirring blade 34 and the second baffle 32 to rotate together (indicated by arrow B). In the first case, the horizontal fermentation tank 2 and the stirring assembly 3 can be driven to rotate in the same direction, for example, A and B both rotate clockwise in the figure. When the horizontal fermentation tank 2 and the stirring assembly 3 rotate at the same speed, the first baffle 12 can be matched and engaged with the second baffle 32 to form a continuous structure on the fermentation space length "L" of the tank body 20 and continue during the entire period of rotating at the same speed and in the same direction. In this way, the reactants or products (not shown) or any materials in the fermentation space 14 will not easily stagnate on the surface of the jacket 15 of the tank body 20. It can be understood that when the horizontal fermentation tank 2 and the stirring assembly 3 rotate at different speeds, the first baffle 12 and the second baffle 32 are matched and embedded at a specific time point to form a continuous structure on the length "L" of the fermentation space of the tank body 20. In this way, when the horizontal fermentation tank 2 and the stirring assembly 3 rotate at different speeds, as the first baffle 12 and the second baffle 32 approach each other, match and fit, and then move away from each other, the situation of having a continuous structure and not having a continuous structure will alternately appear in the horizontal fermentation tank 2. Secondly, as the first baffle plate 12 and the second baffle plate 32 approach each other, match and fit together, and then move away from each other, different forces are applied to the materials in the fermentation space 14, thereby generating stirring, crushing, drying or pulverizing or a mixed effect of the above different effects.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are schematic side and cross-sectional perspective views of some components of the second embodiment of the solid fermentation system of the present invention in the second situation, respectively. Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 at the same time. Compared with FIG. 2 showing the first baffle 12 and the second baffle 32 matching and fitting, FIG. 4 shows the first baffle 12 and the second baffle 32 not matching and fitting. As shown in FIG. 5, the second situation is that the horizontal fermentation tank 2 and the stirring assembly 3 can be driven to rotate in different directions, for example, A is clockwise rotation and B is counterclockwise rotation, at a specific time point. The first baffle 12 and the second baffle 32 are in a 90-degree positional relationship. It is understandable that during the second rotational motion, at a specific time point, the first baffle 12 and the second baffle 32 formed in the fermentation space 14 may approach each other, match and fit together, and then move away from each other. Therefore, there may also be a continuous structure and a non-continuous structure alternately appearing in the horizontal fermentation tank 2, thereby applying different forces to the material in the fermentation space 14, producing stirring, crushing, drying or pulverizing or a mixed effect of the above different effects. It is understandable that the horizontal fermentation tank 2 and the stirring assembly 3 of the present invention may also be set so that one is stationary and the other rotates. For example, the horizontal fermentation tank 2 is stationary, and the stirring assembly 3 rotates in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction. Under such a setting, the above-mentioned changes still occur at a specific time point. According to the above, when the stirring assembly 3 rotates alone or rotates in the same direction but at different speeds as the horizontal fermentation tank 2, the stirring blades 34 and the first baffle 12 of the jacket 15 can fit or bite each other at a specific time point. When the stirring assembly 3 and the horizontal fermentation tank 2 rotate in the same direction and at the same speed, the stirring blades 34 and the first baffle 12 of the jacket 15 can also fit or bite each other. The above operation mode can flip the mixture (raw materials, culture medium) to fully and evenly mix. When the stirring assembly 3 and the horizontal fermentation tank 2 rotate in different directions, it can play a crushing role. Therefore, the solid fermentation system 1 of the present invention can evenly mix the raw materials, fermentation intermediate products and final products put into the horizontal fermentation tank 2, and can be applied to different types of mixtures, such as powder solid, slurry, dough, etc. Therefore, even if the type of the mixture may be different at any time during the fermentation process, the present invention can also produce stirring, crushing, drying or pulverizing or a mixture of the above different effects by adjusting the rotation speed and the rotation direction.

FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the unfolding of some components in the first embodiment of the solid fermentation system. Please refer to FIG1 to FIG6. If the tank body 20 is unfolded into a plane, "R" represents the rotation axis of the tank body and the stirring assembly. In the first embodiment, a plurality of first baffles 12 are arranged at intervals to form a single straight virtual line parallel to the rotation axis R, that is, they are fixed at intervals in a manner parallel to the axial tube. When one of the tank body 20 and the stirring assembly 3 rotates, the second baffles 32 stay between the first baffles 12 for at least a specific time or a continuous time, and the second baffles 32 and the first baffles 12 form a single straight line, that is, the second baffles 32 and the first baffles 12 form a continuous structure. It should be noted that, in terms of structure, the second baffles 32 and the first baffles 12 are matched with each other. For example, as shown in FIG6 , the first baffles 12 are rectangular in shape, and the second baffles 32 can also be rectangular or a three-dimensional structure with a rectangular bottom surface, and any second baffle 32 is closely adjacent to each other without a gap or with a very small gap when it stays between two adjacent first baffles 12. FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the unfolding of some components in the first embodiment of the solid fermentation system. Compared with FIG6 , the first baffle 12 in FIG7 is a trapezoid, with a larger bottom surface fixed to the inner wall of the tank body, and a smaller bottom surface protruding into the fermentation space. Therefore, the second baffle 32 that matches the shape of the first baffle 12 is also trapezoidal, with the larger bottom portion (large bottom) closer to the inner wall of the tank body, and the smaller bottom portion connected to the stirring blade (not shown), wherein the large bottom projection area of the second baffle 32 is equal to or equivalent to the gap between the two adjacent first baffles 12.

FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the unfolded components of another embodiment of the solid-state fermentation system. Compared with FIG6 , a plurality of first baffles 12 are fixed to the inner wall at intervals, and the single virtual line connecting the first baffles 12 is not parallel to the rotation axis "R", but is in a skewed relationship. In the example of FIG8 , a plurality of stirring blades can be arranged in a spiral shape relative to the axial tube, so that during the rotation process, at a certain time or duration, the situation shown in FIG8 occurs, that is, the second baffles 32 and the first baffles 12 form a single straight line in projection (wherein this straight line is in a skewed relationship with the rotation axis, and the straight line here is an arc when the tank body is a bell-shaped cylinder). Therefore, the first baffle 12 of the present invention is fixed to the inner wall in a parallel or skewed manner. The first baffle 12 of the present invention can be fixed to the inner wall of the tank 20 in an appropriate manner, such as by welding. The distribution of the first baffle 12 on the inner wall is not limited to that shown in the figure. The arrangement, quantity and shape of the first baffle 12 can be adjusted according to the needs. The position, shape and quantity of the second baffle 32 can match the first baffle 12.

The solid state fermentation (SSF) system of the present invention is applicable to a mixture comprising a starchy substrate, a protein-containing substrate, a cellulose or lignocellulose substrate, a substrate containing a soluble sugar, or a culture medium with a defined composition and an inert carrier, or a mixture of at least two of the above. The starchy substrate used for solid state fermentation includes, for example but not limited to, rice, barley, oats, cassava, wheat bran, tapioca flour, corn flour, bean dregs, sweet potato dregs or banana peels, or a mixture of at least two of the above, which is generally rich in carbohydrates and can be hydrolyzed to produce monosaccharides that are easily consumed by microorganisms. Secondly, in general, by-products of the food and agricultural product industries, such as oil cakes, are ideal sources of protein nutrients, and their use as solid matrices is highly favored in solid state fermentation. The protein rich in oil cake is an important nitrogen source in many microbial fermentations, and is supported by other nutrients such as carbohydrates and minerals, providing a variety of alternative substrates for the production of various enzymes (such as proteases, lipases, etc.) in solid-state fermentation, a wide range of secondary metabolites, biomass, organic acids and biomass. Oil cakes and other agricultural and sideline products include pumpkin oil cakes (63.52%), soybean oil cakes (51.8%), sesame oil cakes (48.2%), peanut oil cakes (45.6%), safflower oil cakes (44.0%), rapeseed oil cakes (42.8%), cottonseed oil cakes (41.0%), mustard oil cakes (38.5%), sunflower seed oil cakes (34.1%) and rapeseed oil cakes (33.9%), linseed oil cakes (32-36%), coconut oil cakes (25.2%), copra oil cakes (23.11%), palm kernel oil cakes (20.4%) and olive oil cakes (4.77%), etc.

Furthermore, the cellulose or lignocellulosic substrate contained in agricultural residues can also be mixed with the present invention, and cellulose-degrading fungi such as Trichoderma, Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus niger, Clostridium cellulolyticum, Rhizoctonia spp., Streptomyces spp. and lignin-degrading fungi such as white rot fungi can degrade complex cellulose and lignocellulosic to produce monosaccharides. The cellulose or lignocellulosic substrates are, for example, bagasse, soybean hulls, wheat bran, rice husks, straw, corn cobs, barley husks, beet pulp, wheat, barley and wood.

Again, solid substrates containing a large amount of soluble sugars can be obtained from fruit processing as a feed for the system of the present invention, such as molasses, grape pomace, apple pomace, kiwi pomace, lemon peel, lemon pulp, peach pomace, pineapple waste, sweet sorghum, feed and beets, beet pulp, carob pods and coffee pulp. Again, there are a variety of inert carriers that can be used to simulate the conditions of typical solid fermentation. These include vermiculite, perlite, clay particles, volcanic ash particles (volcanic material), hemp, amber rock, polyurethane foam (PUF) and polystyrene. The inert carrier is filled with a liquid medium with a defined chemical composition.

The embodiments described above are only for illustrating the technical ideas and features of the present invention, and their purpose is to enable people familiar with this technology to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. They cannot be used to limit the patent scope of the present invention. In other words, all equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit disclosed by the present invention should still be included in the patent scope of the present invention.

1: solid-state fermentation system 2: horizontal fermentation vessel 3: mixing assembly 4: mounting member 11: bottom cover 12: first baffle 13: insulation wall 14: fermentation space 15: sleeve 17: first coupling part 18: first longitudinal rotating shaft 19: first rotary joint 20: vessel body 22: first motor 23: second transmission assembly 24: second motor 25: first transmission assembly transmission assembly 31: supporting assembly 32: second baffle 33: longitudinal tubular member 34: mixing blade 35: first perforation 38: second longitudinal rotating shaft 39: second rotary joint A, B: rotation direction L: fermentation space length R: rotating axis

FIG1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a solid fermentation system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective schematic diagram of some components of the first embodiment of the solid-state fermentation system of the present invention in a first situation.

FIG3 is a cross-sectional perspective schematic diagram of some components of the first embodiment of the solid-state fermentation system of the present invention in a first situation.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective schematic diagram of some components of the first embodiment of the solid-state fermentation system of the present invention in a second situation.

FIG5 is a cross-sectional perspective schematic diagram of some components of the first embodiment of the solid-state fermentation system of the present invention in a second situation.

FIG6 is an expanded schematic diagram of some components in the first embodiment of the solid-state fermentation system.

FIG. 7 is an expanded schematic diagram of some components in the first embodiment of the solid-state fermentation system.

FIG8 is an expanded schematic diagram of some components in another embodiment of a solid-state fermentation system.

11: End cover

12: First gear plate

13: Insulation layer

14: Fermentation space

15: Clamp

17: First connection part

18: First rotation axis

19: First rotary joint

20: Tank

22: First Motor

23: Second transmission component

24: Second Motor

25: First transmission component

31: Additional components

32: Second gear plate

33: Axial pipe fittings

34: Stirring blades

35: First piercing

38: Second rotation axis

39: Second rotary joint

L: length of fermentation space

Claims (9)

A solid fermentation system, comprising: A horizontal fermentation tank comprising a tank body and an end cover, the tank body and the end cover together defining a fermentation space in the horizontal fermentation tank, wherein a plurality of first baffles are arranged on an inner wall of the tank body and are spaced apart, and the first baffles protrude into the fermentation space; A stirring assembly comprising an axial tube, a plurality of stirring blades and a plurality of second baffles, the axial tube, the plurality of stirring blades and the plurality of second baffles are accommodated in the fermentation space, wherein A first end of each stirring blade is connected to the axial tube, and a second end of each stirring blade is provided with any of the second baffles and the second baffles protrude toward the inner wall; and A first end of the axial tube is accommodated on the tank body, and a second end of the axial tube passes through the end cover to the outside of the horizontal fermentation tank; A first rotating assembly is connected to the tank body, and the first rotating assembly is used to rotate the tank body; and A second rotating assembly is connected to the stirring assembly, and the second rotating assembly is used to rotate the axial tube, wherein when at least one of the tank body and the stirring assembly rotates, any second baffle stays or passes between any two adjacent first baffles. A solid fermentation system as described in claim 1, wherein the first baffles are fixed on the inner wall at intervals in a manner parallel to or tilted from the axial tube. A solid fermentation system as described in claim 1, wherein one or more first perforations are provided on a tube wall of the axial tube. A solid fermentation system as described in claim 1, wherein the axial tube is hollow and an additional component is housed in the axial tube. A solid-state fermentation system as described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the first rotating component includes a first rotating shaft connected to the tank body, and a first rotating joint connected to the first rotating shaft. The solid-state fermentation system as described in claim 5 further includes a first transmission assembly connected to the first rotating shaft, and a first motor rotates the tank body through the first transmission assembly. A solid-state fermentation system as described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the second rotating component includes a second rotating shaft connected to the axial tube, and a second rotary joint connected to the second rotating shaft. The solid-state fermentation system as described in claim 7 further includes a second transmission assembly connected to the second rotating shaft, and a second motor rotates the axial tube through the second transmission assembly. The solid fermentation system as described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 further includes two fixing members respectively connected to the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly, and the two fixing members are used to suspend the horizontal fermentation tank.

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