DE2345374A1 - Foam breaker external to a reactor - using centrifuge discs in a small vessel, esp. for fermentation vats - Google Patents

Abstract

Foam formed in a reaction vat is broken by a centrifugal foam breaker mounted in a smaller vessel above the vat. The foam is transferred by a pipe with side entry to the small vessel and the gas leaves via the hollow shaft of the centrifuge. Esp. for use in fermentation vats. The main vat can be filled to greater capacity than if the separator was mounted in it. There is less chance of contamination and the equipment is easier to maintain.

Description

SCHERINGAG

Patent department

Berlin, September 5, 1973

Device for foam destruction

The invention relates to a device for destroying foam in reaction vessels to be gassed, such as in Fermenters.

In the chemical industry, especially in the fermentation industry, Reaction media often have to be agitated during the reaction in order to achieve thorough mixing. Next to The liquid reaction medium is gassed with stirring, i.e. air is blown through it. This creates foams, which by the Departure of the air to more or less severe fluid losses to lead.

Although it is possible to reduce foam formation by surface-active substances, such substances are not always usable in any quantity, as they lead to contamination of the reaction products and the chemical Inhibit reaction, especially in the fermentation industry

- 2 509812/0547

Board of Directors: Hans-Jürgen Hamann ■ Karl Otto Mittelstenscheid Telex: 1 01 777a schb d · Telegrams: Scheringchemie Berlin Dr. Gerhard Raspe ■ Dr. Hear Witzel _. . "" .- .., Deputy: Dr. Christian Bruhn Dr. Heinz Har.nse postal check account: Borlin-West 11 75 Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Dr. Eduard v. Schwartzkoppen Company headquarters: Berlin and Bergkamen Commercial register: AG Charlottenburg 93 HRB 283 and AG Kamen 5 HRB 71

SCHERINGAG

- 2 - Patent Department

plays a big role.

For this reason, foam destroyers have been used in recent years which work according to the method of separation by centrifugal forces. These centrifugal foam destroyers are attached below the lid of the reaction vessels and create a low-foam zone in their surroundings. However, this arrangement suffers from a number of disadvantages.

The centrifugal foam breaker requires a not inconsiderable one Space between the underside of the lid and the surface of the liquid in order to be able to work effectively. aside from that must also increase with the size of the fermenter Safety distance should be provided, since in the more or less strongly stirred and aerated liquids there are surges - or - splash phenomena occur. This space in the reaction vessel cannot therefore be used as a reaction space.

The centrifugal foam destroyer is driven by an axle with a seal. Seals, such as stuffing boxes or Mechanical seals, however, are susceptible to wear, which can easily result in the risk of external contamination of the reaction medium.

- 3 - 509812/0547

SCHERINGAG

- 3 - Patent Department

The Plussigkeitsverkontakt the plate causes them so be slowed down strongly that an overload of the electrical and mechanical drive system occurs, which leads to the automatic Shutdown and corresponding foam or liquid losses.

The invention is based on these disadvantages to overcome.

The object according to the invention is achieved in that a vessel which is smaller in relation to the reaction vessel is attached above the reaction vessel and which is supplied via a lateral feed line and a drain at the bottom of the vessel is connected to the reaction vessel through its removable lid the hollow axis of a centrifugal foam separator leads from which an exhaust air duct goes into the open air.

A special embodiment of the device according to the invention is that the supply line in the immediate Near the implementation through the lid of the reaction vessel begins and has more than one inlet opening.

_ 4 _ 509812/0547

Patent department

To control the operation of the device according to the invention it is advisable that the smaller vessel is provided with lateral inspection holes and a sensor in the exhaust air line is introduced.

The device according to the invention has the advantage that, in addition to effective foam destruction, an increased throughput per batch due to a higher filling level in the reaction vessel and a reduced risk of contamination by preventing the Foam from the fermenter stirrer duct, the device is easily accessible in the event of malfunctions and repairs, because only an ancillary unit and not the actual one Reaction vessel must be opened.

The device according to the invention is explained in FIG. 1 below.

The air outlet pipe feed line (1) leads from the stirred reaction vessel (11) to be gassed to the auxiliary container (2), wherein the feed line (l) is advantageously divided and tightly connected to the gland (10) of the stirrer shaft (9)

- 5 509812 / 05A7

SCHERINGAG

- 5 - Patent Department

is introduced. The auxiliary container (2) has at its bottom the return pipe discharge line (3) through which the liquid reaction medium "or the concentrated heavy foam to the Reaction vessel (11) flows back. The foam destroyer (5) is attached to the removable cover (6) of the auxiliary container (2), which prevents the foam from entering the exhaust air line (7), which leads to the outside. In the exhaust line (7) is an electrode (8) is introduced, which causes the foam destroyer (5) to switch on as soon as foam enters the exhaust air line (7) got. The transfer of the foam into the auxiliary container (2) can be observed through the sight glasses (4).

- 6 50981.2 / 0547

Claims (3)

SCHERINGAG - 6 - Patent Department Patent Claims 1. Device for destroying foam in to be fumigated Reaction vessels, preferably fermenters, characterized in that that above the reaction vessel (11) there is a smaller vessel (2) in relation to the reaction vessel is located, which is via a lateral supply line (1) and a discharge line ($) at the bottom of the vessel (2) with the reaction vessel (11) is connected, through whose removable cover (6) the hollow axis of a centrifugal foam separator (5) leads, • from which an exhaust air line (7) goes outside. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed line (1) in the immediate vicinity of the passage (10) ■ the Eührer axis (9) through the lid of the reaction vessel (11) begins and has more than one inlet port. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the The smaller vessel (2) has peepholes (4-) on the side. 4-. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the Exhaust air line (7) a sensor (8) is introduced. 50981 2/0547