GB2034750A - Improvements in Fermentation Processes - Google Patents

Improvements in Fermentation Processes Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2034750A
GB2034750A GB7845188A GB7845188A GB2034750A GB 2034750 A GB2034750 A GB 2034750A GB 7845188 A GB7845188 A GB 7845188A GB 7845188 A GB7845188 A GB 7845188A GB 2034750 A GB2034750 A GB 2034750A
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substrate
vessel
drawn
line
fermenting
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GB7845188A
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GB2034750B (en
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SPX Flow Technology Crawley Ltd
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APV Corp Ltd
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Priority to GB7845188A priority Critical patent/GB2034750B/en
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M29/00—Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps
    • C12M29/02—Percolation
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M29/00—Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps
    • C12M29/18—External loop; Means for reintroduction of fermented biomass or liquid percolate

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  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)

Abstract

In order to provide an adequate supply of gas to a fermentation process, particularly air or oxygen to aerobic fermentation, there is provided a fermentation process carried out in a fermenting vessel (10). The fermenting broth of micro- organisms in a substrate nutrient liquid is drawn off via a line (1) to a separator (2) from whence the substrate liquid is pressurised by a pump (7) and fed with air or oxygen via a line (8). The gasified substrate is returned to the vessel (10) via a device (9) which controls the pressure reduction at the same time as mixing the substrate with the broth in the vessel (10) to minimise or obviate the release of gas bubbles. Micro- organisms are returned via lines (4) and (5) and drawn off via line (6). Substrate liquid is drawn off via line (11) and replenished via line (12). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in Fermentation Processes This invention relates to fermentation in which there is a high and continuous demand for gas, particularly aerobic fermentation.
A principal problem of aerobic fermentation on a substantial scale is that of ensuring an adequate supply of oxygen to the material in the fermentation vessel. A principal difficulty is that oxygen is only slightly soluble in water. It is therefore difficult to feed in dissolved oxygen in sufficient quantity to maintain the required fermentation rate.
According to the present invention, there is provided a fermentation process in a fermenting vessel in which fermenting broth of microorganism in a substrate liquid is drawn off from the fermenting vessel, pressurised, saturated with a nutrient gas, such as air or oxygen, and then returned to the fermenting vessel in such a manner as to minimise or avoid release of gas bubbles.
Under a pressure of 10 bar it is feasible to dissoive 250 parts per million of oxygen and if a substantial flow of broth is maintained, this is sufficient to maintain aerobic fermentation.
In order to prevent damage to the fermenting micro-organisms, these may be separated from the substrate liquid and separately recycled while the substrate itself is pressurised and gasified.
A proportion of the substrate may be withdrawn and replaced by fresh substrate. Also a proportion of the separated micro-organism may be taken off.
The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying single figure of drawing, which is a flow diagram of a presently preferred mode of operation in accordance with the invention.
Referring now to the drawing, a fermenting vessel is shown at 10 and is particularly for the aerobic fermentation of micro-organisms. A proportion of the fermenting broth is drawn off via a line 1 to a separator 2, from which the microorganisms themselves are drawn by a pump 3 along a line 4 and partially recycled to the vessel 10 via a line 5 and partially drawn-off as product via a line 6. The substrate is drawn-off by a pressurising pump 7 which raises the pressure in the substrate so as to enhance the solubility of oxygen in the substrate. Air or oxygen is introduced via a line 8 so as to saturate the pressurised substrate with oxygen and the substrate is returned to the vessel 10 by a device 9 which is adapted to control the pressure reduction to the pressure prevailing in the vessel 10 while minimising or completely obviating the release of gas bubbles.This is achieved by ensuring that the pressure reduction takes places at the same time as mixing with the broth in the vessel 10. For example, the substrate could be returned via an injector to induce mixing of the broth with the returned substrate.
In order to maintain the nutrient level in the substrate, a proportion of the substrate may be drawn-off via a line 11 and replaced by fresh substrate feed in via a line 12.
As a particular example, if there is a volume V of broth in the vessel 10, the rate of flow along the line 1 would be at a rate of 20V/hour, and the pump 7 could raise the pressure to 10 bar. The oxygen content of the returned substrate could then be approximately 250 parts per million. A proportion of the substrate in the line 1, e.g. 1/3V per hour, could be drawn-off via the line 11 and replaced by a corresponding volume of fresh substrate via the line 12.
The micro-organism is separated in the separator 2 partially to avoid its being damaged by pressurisation by the pump 7, and partially also to provide a convenient source for drawing-off the micro-organism as it is grown.
Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A fermentation process in a fermenting vessel in which a fermenting broth of microorganisms in a substrate liquid is drawn off from the fermenting vessel pressurised, saturated with a nutrient gas, and then returned to the fermenting vessel in such a manner as to minimise or avoid release of gas bubbles.
2. A fermentation process as claimed in claim 1, in which the nutrient gas is air or oxygen.
3. A fermentation process as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising the step of separating fermenting micro-organisms in the broth drawn off from the substrate liquid and recycling them separately, while the substrate liquid is pressurised and gasified.
4. A process as claimed in claim 3, in which the proportion of the substrate liquid is drawn off and replaced by fresh substrate liquid.
5. A fermentation process as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which a proportion of the separated micro-organisms is drawn off.
6. A fermentation process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the broth or substrate liquid is returned to the vessel via an injector.
7. A fermentation process substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
8. Micro-organisms when produced by a process as claimed in any of the preceding claims.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in Fermentation Processes This invention relates to fermentation in which there is a high and continuous demand for gas, particularly aerobic fermentation. A principal problem of aerobic fermentation on a substantial scale is that of ensuring an adequate supply of oxygen to the material in the fermentation vessel. A principal difficulty is that oxygen is only slightly soluble in water. It is therefore difficult to feed in dissolved oxygen in sufficient quantity to maintain the required fermentation rate. According to the present invention, there is provided a fermentation process in a fermenting vessel in which fermenting broth of microorganism in a substrate liquid is drawn off from the fermenting vessel, pressurised, saturated with a nutrient gas, such as air or oxygen, and then returned to the fermenting vessel in such a manner as to minimise or avoid release of gas bubbles. Under a pressure of 10 bar it is feasible to dissoive 250 parts per million of oxygen and if a substantial flow of broth is maintained, this is sufficient to maintain aerobic fermentation. In order to prevent damage to the fermenting micro-organisms, these may be separated from the substrate liquid and separately recycled while the substrate itself is pressurised and gasified. A proportion of the substrate may be withdrawn and replaced by fresh substrate. Also a proportion of the separated micro-organism may be taken off. The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying single figure of drawing, which is a flow diagram of a presently preferred mode of operation in accordance with the invention. Referring now to the drawing, a fermenting vessel is shown at 10 and is particularly for the aerobic fermentation of micro-organisms. A proportion of the fermenting broth is drawn off via a line 1 to a separator 2, from which the microorganisms themselves are drawn by a pump 3 along a line 4 and partially recycled to the vessel 10 via a line 5 and partially drawn-off as product via a line 6. The substrate is drawn-off by a pressurising pump 7 which raises the pressure in the substrate so as to enhance the solubility of oxygen in the substrate. Air or oxygen is introduced via a line 8 so as to saturate the pressurised substrate with oxygen and the substrate is returned to the vessel 10 by a device 9 which is adapted to control the pressure reduction to the pressure prevailing in the vessel 10 while minimising or completely obviating the release of gas bubbles.This is achieved by ensuring that the pressure reduction takes places at the same time as mixing with the broth in the vessel 10. For example, the substrate could be returned via an injector to induce mixing of the broth with the returned substrate. In order to maintain the nutrient level in the substrate, a proportion of the substrate may be drawn-off via a line 11 and replaced by fresh substrate feed in via a line 12. As a particular example, if there is a volume V of broth in the vessel 10, the rate of flow along the line 1 would be at a rate of 20V/hour, and the pump 7 could raise the pressure to 10 bar. The oxygen content of the returned substrate could then be approximately 250 parts per million. A proportion of the substrate in the line 1, e.g. 1/3V per hour, could be drawn-off via the line 11 and replaced by a corresponding volume of fresh substrate via the line 12. The micro-organism is separated in the separator 2 partially to avoid its being damaged by pressurisation by the pump 7, and partially also to provide a convenient source for drawing-off the micro-organism as it is grown. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. Claims
1. A fermentation process in a fermenting vessel in which a fermenting broth of microorganisms in a substrate liquid is drawn off from the fermenting vessel pressurised, saturated with a nutrient gas, and then returned to the fermenting vessel in such a manner as to minimise or avoid release of gas bubbles.
2. A fermentation process as claimed in claim 1, in which the nutrient gas is air or oxygen.
3. A fermentation process as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising the step of separating fermenting micro-organisms in the broth drawn off from the substrate liquid and recycling them separately, while the substrate liquid is pressurised and gasified.
4. A process as claimed in claim 3, in which the proportion of the substrate liquid is drawn off and replaced by fresh substrate liquid.
5. A fermentation process as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which a proportion of the separated micro-organisms is drawn off.
6. A fermentation process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the broth or substrate liquid is returned to the vessel via an injector.
7. A fermentation process substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
8. Micro-organisms when produced by a process as claimed in any of the preceding claims.
GB7845188A 1978-11-20 1978-11-20 Fermentation processes Expired GB2034750B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7845188A GB2034750B (en) 1978-11-20 1978-11-20 Fermentation processes

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7845188A GB2034750B (en) 1978-11-20 1978-11-20 Fermentation processes

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GB2034750A true GB2034750A (en) 1980-06-11
GB2034750B GB2034750B (en) 1983-02-16

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0073675A1 (en) * 1981-08-31 1983-03-09 Corning Glass Works Continuous fermentation apparatus and process
EP0542089A1 (en) * 1991-11-14 1993-05-19 KLAUS ESAU ARMATUREN MASCHINEN ANLAGEN &amp; HANS HUEBER GmbH Method and apparatus for propagating brewer's yeast
DE102007029749A1 (en) * 2007-06-27 2009-01-02 Asw Anlagenbau, Schlamm- Und Wassertechnik Gmbh Plant for the production of biogas, comprises a fermenter into which a nutrient medium is introduced via an inlet opening and is fermented to produce biogas, a mixer mounted upstream of the fermenter, a heat exchanger and a cleaning unit

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0073675A1 (en) * 1981-08-31 1983-03-09 Corning Glass Works Continuous fermentation apparatus and process
EP0542089A1 (en) * 1991-11-14 1993-05-19 KLAUS ESAU ARMATUREN MASCHINEN ANLAGEN &amp; HANS HUEBER GmbH Method and apparatus for propagating brewer's yeast
DE102007029749A1 (en) * 2007-06-27 2009-01-02 Asw Anlagenbau, Schlamm- Und Wassertechnik Gmbh Plant for the production of biogas, comprises a fermenter into which a nutrient medium is introduced via an inlet opening and is fermented to produce biogas, a mixer mounted upstream of the fermenter, a heat exchanger and a cleaning unit

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