JP2014023531A - Material production method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to mix a fluid such as wort into which yeast is mixed, for example, without damaging yeast, in order to allow an action such as fermentation to be performed successfully.SOLUTION: A first plate 43 and a second plate 44, which have a flat shape and respectively have opening portions 43b,44b at the central portion and an area without a hole on an outer peripheral side thereof, are provided. Three or more laminated elements 41 having a structure that each of the elements has a second through-hole 48 at the central portion and a large number of first through-holes 47 disposed in an area on an outer peripheral side thereof are stacked between the first and second plates, and the assembled plates and laminated elements are attached to a rotary shaft 13. The first through-holes 47 are constituted to be arranged at different positions between the stacked laminated elements 41 and the first through-holes 47 continuously exist in an extending direction of the laminated elements 41. By stirring in which a stirring blade 11 having the laminated elements 41 is rotated to allow fluid 21 to pass from the second through-hole 48 portion to the first through-holes 47, and the fluid is divided and joined sequentially and discharged from outer peripheral portions of the laminated elements 41, damage to yeast or the like is reduced.

Description

  The present invention relates to a substance production method for producing a substance such as a food or a cell by mixing fluids, and more particularly, a substance production method capable of good mixing that hardly damages substances contained in a fluid. About.

  For example, in the production of fermented foods such as beer and liquid high-density culture in which mycelia and cells are cultured, it is necessary to uniformly stir the fluid. For this purpose, a stirring blade is used which is configured by arranging a plurality of rectangular plate-like blades (fins) radially. That is, uniform stirring is performed by rotating the stirring blade in the fluid (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, substances such as yeast contained in the fluid, mycelium, cells, and carriers to which the cells are attached are damaged by the shearing force applied to the fluid by the blades of the rotating stirring blades. There is a risk that. In such a case, the ability to produce desired substances such as fermented foods, yeasts, mycelia and cells will be reduced.

  The present applicant has proposed a stirring blade having a configuration different from that of a stirring blade having blades as in Patent Document 2 below. The stirring blade includes a laminated body having a configuration in which a plurality of laminated elements having a plurality of first through holes are laminated, and a first portion that blocks portions corresponding to the first through holes on the upper and lower surfaces of the laminated body. It is the structure provided with 1 board and 2nd board. When the stirring blade is rotated in the fluid, the fluid flows from the inside of the laminate to the outer peripheral portion. In this flow, the fluid flows in the direction in which the laminated element extends and passes through the first through holes. In this process, the fluid is mixed.

JP-A-6-209761 JP 2011-121020 A

  In view of the above, the main object of the present invention is to contribute to the production of substances and the like by making it possible to satisfactorily mix the fluid by the stirring blades utilizing the flow of the fluid.

  The first means for this is a substance production method for producing a fermented food or proliferated / cultured cells by mixing a fluid containing bacterial cells or cells, from a mixing element supported on a rotating shaft that is driven to rotate. A stirring blade that is formed; a stirring tank that stores the fluid; and the mixing element includes a stacked body in which two or more stacked elements are stacked, and a first plate that is disposed to face the stacked body. A second plate, wherein the laminated element has a plurality of first through holes and a second through hole larger than the first through hole, and the second through hole communicates in the laminating direction. And the second plate has an opening communicating with at least one first through-hole of the laminated element, and the second plate The opening of the plate is less of the laminated element through the hollow part. Are connected to one first through-hole, and the laminated element is configured such that a part or the whole of the first through-hole is configured to pass a fluid between the first through-hole of the adjacent laminated element. An inflow step of allowing the fluid to flow into the mixing element from the second through hole of the laminated element by the rotating operation of the stirring blade by being rotated by itself. A flow step of flowing the fluid that has flowed into the mixing element through a first through hole that communicates in a direction in which the laminated element extends, and an outflow step of flowing the fluid out from the outer peripheral portion of the mixing element. It is a substance production method characterized by this.

  In the present invention, the “bacteria” is used as included in the concept of the “cell”.

  In this configuration, when the stirring blade is rotated in the stirring tank storing the fluid containing the cells or cells, the second through hole in the laminated element of the mixing element passes through the opening of the second plate of the mixing element. The fluid that has flowed into the hollow portion of the laminated body flows from the hollow portion through the first through hole in the direction in which the laminated element extends, and circulates while being divided and merged in the flow process, and the outer periphery of the mixing element Out of the club. The fluid is mixed by going through such an inflow process, a circulation process, and an outflow process associated with the rotation of the stirring blade, and as a result, the action of cells or cells in the fluid, the growth, and the culture are performed. For example, alcohol or yeast Desired substances such as mycelium and cells are produced.

  The substance production method using the agitating blade in which the vertical cross-sectional shape of the partition wall of the first through hole in the laminated element is substantially elliptical may be used.

  In this configuration, the partition wall softens the impact caused by the collision with the fluid in the inflow process and the distribution process. By tilting the partition wall, for example, a spiral or tornado-like flow can be applied to the fluid to change the mode of stirring.

  The substance production method using the said stirring blade whose vertical cross-sectional shape of the partition wall of the 1st through-hole in the said lamination | stacking element is a substantially polygon may be sufficient.

  Even in this configuration, the partition wall reduces the impact caused by the collision with the fluid in the inflow process and the distribution process. By tilting the partition wall, for example, a spiral or tornado-like flow can be applied to the fluid to change the mode of stirring. Further, by making the vertical cross-sectional shape of the partition wall, for example, a rhombus, it is possible to generate a flow that directs the fluid flow upward or downward.

  The stirring blade is configured by arranging two or more mixing elements with a gap therebetween, and the mixing elements are submerged in the fluid in the stirring tank so that the mixing elements are arranged in the depth direction of the stirring tank. It may be a substance production method that performs the inflow process, the distribution process, and the outflow process.

  In this configuration, each mixing element sucks fluid from the upper part and the lower part, generates a complicated flow in the stirring tank, and performs mixing. Even when the fluid storage depth is deep, the stirring blade mixes the entire fluid evenly without the vertical movement of the stirring blade.

  The substance production method may use the stirrer blade that can disassemble the laminated element, the first plate, and the second plate constituting the mixing element.

  In this configuration, it is easy to remove foreign matters when disassembling and cleaning the components after the stirring process, and a predetermined action can be secured. For this reason, a substance can be produced as desired.

  It may be a material production method using the stirring blade in which at least one of the laminated element, the first plate, and the second plate constituting the mixing element can be divided.

  With this configuration, even a laminated body having a complicated shape or large size can be easily obtained. Obtaining a mixing element that creates a better mixing state of the fluid can contribute to the production of the substance.

  The substance production method using the stirring blade in which at least the laminated element portion of the mixing element is formed of an integrally molded product may be used.

  In this configuration, the handling of the mixing element is easy, and the production work can be simplified.

  The material production method may use the stirring blade in which the first through hole of the laminated element is disposed in a substantially arc shape from the center side to the outer periphery of the laminated element. The “substantially arc shape” means that it includes an arc or an involute curve. The same applies hereinafter.

  In this configuration, the first through hole arranged in a substantially arc shape lengthens the path of the fluid and efficiently applies a rotational force to the circulating fluid. For this reason, it is possible to improve the efficiency of mixing the fluid, which contributes to the improvement of productivity.

  A second means for solving the problem is a substance production method for producing a fermented food or a proliferated / cultured cell by mixing a fluid containing bacterial cells or cells, and is supported by a rotationally driven rotating shaft. The mixing element is provided with a stirring blade formed of a mixing element and a stirring tank for storing the fluid, and the mixing element is disposed so as to face the laminated body in which two or more laminated elements are laminated, and sandwich the laminated body. 1 board and 2nd board, The said lamination element has a 2nd through-hole larger than a some 1st through-hole and a 1st through-hole, and the said 2nd through-hole is laminated | stacked Arranged so that a hollow portion is formed in the laminated body in communication with the direction, the second plate has an opening communicating with at least one first through hole of the laminated element; The opening of the second plate has the laminated element through the hollow portion. At least one first through-hole, and the laminated element is configured such that a part or all of the first through-hole laminates fluid between the first through-hole of the adjacent laminated element. An inflow step in which the fluid is caused to flow from the outer peripheral portion of the mixing element to the inside of the mixing element by the rotation operation of the stirring blade, and the mixing blade is arranged so as to be able to flow in the extending direction of the element; A flow step of flowing the fluid that has flowed into the element through a first through hole that communicates in a direction in which the laminated element extends, and the fluid from the inside of the mixing element to the second through hole of the laminated element A substance production method comprising an outflow process for outflow.

  In this configuration, when the agitating blade is rotated in the agitation tank in which the fluid containing bacterial cells or cells is stored, the fluid that has flowed into the mixing element from the outer periphery of the mixing element is from a position near the outer periphery. The first through hole flows in the direction in which the laminated element extends, flows while being divided and merged in the flow process, and flows out into the hollow portion of the laminated body including the second through hole in the laminated element of the mixing element To do. The fluid is mixed by going through such an inflow process, a circulation process, and an outflow process associated with the rotation of the stirring blade, and as a result, the action of cells or cells in the fluid, the growth, and the culture are performed. For example, alcohol or yeast Desired substances such as mycelium and cells are produced.

  The material production method may use the stirring blade in which the first through hole of the laminated element is disposed in a substantially arc shape from the center side to the outer periphery of the laminated element.

  In this configuration, the first through hole arranged in a substantially arc shape lengthens the path of the fluid and efficiently applies a rotational force to the circulating fluid. For this reason, it is possible to improve the efficiency of mixing the fluid, which contributes to the improvement of productivity.

  A third means for solving the problem is a substance production method for producing a substance by mixing fluids, the stirring blade formed from a mixing element supported by a rotary shaft that is rotationally driven, and the fluid The mixing element includes a laminated body in which two or more laminated elements are laminated, and a first plate and a second plate that are opposed to each other with the laminated body interposed therebetween, The laminated element has a plurality of first through holes and a second through hole larger than the first through hole, and the second through hole communicates in the laminating direction to form a hollow portion in the laminated body. The second plate has an opening communicating with at least one first through hole of the laminated element, and the opening of the second plate defines the hollow portion. Via at least one first through hole of the laminated element The laminated element is configured such that a part or all of the first through-hole communicates with the first through-hole of the adjacent laminated element so that fluid can flow in the extending direction of the laminated element. The agitating blades are arranged to flow into the mixing element from the second through-hole of the laminated element or into the mixing element from the outer peripheral portion of the mixing element by the self-rotating operation. A flow step of flowing the fluid that has flowed into the mixing element into a first through hole that communicates in a direction in which the laminated element extends, and from the outer periphery of the mixing element, or inside the mixing element To the second through-hole of the laminated element, the substance producing method is characterized by comprising an outflow step for allowing the fluid to flow out.

  In this configuration, when the stirring blade is rotated in a stirring tank storing a fluid containing, for example, a cell mass, a pigment, a powder, a fluid, etc., in the laminated element of the mixing element through the opening of the second plate of the mixing element The fluid that has flowed into the hollow portion of the laminate composed of the second through holes flows from the hollow portion through the first through holes in the direction in which the laminated element extends, and circulates while being divided and joined in the flow process. Out of the outer periphery of the mixing element. Alternatively, the fluid that has flowed into the mixing element from the outer periphery of the mixing element flows from the position near the outer periphery to the first through hole in the direction in which the laminated element extends, and is divided and merged in the flow process. However, it flows out and flows out into the hollow part of the laminated body composed of the second through holes in the laminated element of the mixing element.

  Through such an inflow process, a distribution process, and an outflow process associated with the rotation of the stirring blade, substances such as cell clumps, pigments, and powders contained in the fluid are dispersed. As a result, for example, uniform suspension of single cells is performed. Suspensions and paints are prepared and produced.

  A fourth means for solving the problem is a fluid mixing method for mixing fluids, which includes a stirring blade formed from a mixing element supported by a rotary shaft that is driven to rotate, and a stirring tank that stores the fluid The mixing element includes a laminated body in which two or more laminated elements are laminated, and a first plate and a second plate arranged to face each other with the laminated body interposed therebetween, and the laminated elements include a plurality of laminated elements. The first through hole and the second through hole larger than the first through hole are disposed, and the second through hole communicates in the stacking direction so that a hollow portion is formed in the stacked body. The second plate has an opening communicating with at least one first through-hole of the laminated element, and the opening of the second plate is inserted into the laminated element via the hollow portion. The at least one first through-hole, and the laminated layer The ment is arranged such that a part or all of the first through-hole communicates with the first through-hole of the adjacent laminated element so that the fluid can flow in the extending direction of the laminated element, An inflow step of allowing the fluid to flow into the mixing element from the second through-hole of the laminated element or into the mixing element from the outer peripheral portion of the mixing element by the rotating operation of the stirring blades; A flow step of flowing the fluid that has flowed into the mixing element through a first through-hole communicating in the extending direction of the laminated element; and the laminated element from the outer periphery of the mixing element or from the inside of the mixed element The fluid mixing method is characterized by comprising an outflow step of allowing the fluid to flow out into the second through hole.

  In this configuration, when the stirring blade is rotated in a stirring tank storing a fluid containing, for example, a cell mass, a pigment, a powder, a fluid, etc., in the laminated element of the mixing element through the opening of the second plate of the mixing element The fluid that has flowed into the hollow portion of the laminate composed of the second through holes flows from the hollow portion through the first through holes in the direction in which the laminated element extends, and circulates while being divided and joined in the flow process. Out of the outer periphery of the mixing element. Alternatively, the fluid that has flowed into the mixing element from the outer periphery of the mixing element flows from the position near the outer periphery to the first through hole in the direction in which the laminated element extends, and is divided and merged in the flow process. However, it flows out and flows out into the hollow part of the laminated body composed of the second through holes in the laminated element of the mixing element.

  Through such an inflow process, a distribution process, and an outflow process associated with the rotation of the stirring blade, substances such as cell clumps, pigments, powders, and fluids contained in the fluid are dispersed and mixed.

  According to the present invention, a fluid containing a solid or liquid substance is mainly mixed by the flow, and the substances are mixed or the lump is dispersed. For this reason, mixing can be performed satisfactorily while suppressing damage to the substance, and can greatly contribute to production and preparation of the substance.

Sectional drawing which shows the stirring state of a fluid. The disassembled perspective view of a stirring blade. The top view of a lamination element. Sectional drawing which shows the flow of the fluid within a mixing element. The top view of the lamination | stacking element of this invention used for experiment. The perspective view of the stirring blade of the conventional structure used for experiment. Grab showing experimental results. The top view of the lamination element concerning other examples. The perspective view and sectional drawing of the lamination | stacking element which concern on another example. Explanatory drawing which shows the flow state of the fluid which concerns on another example. Sectional drawing of the lamination | stacking element which concerns on another example. Sectional drawing of the lamination | stacking element which concerns on another example. Sectional drawing of the lamination | stacking element which concerns on another example. Sectional drawing which shows the stirring state of the fluid which concerns on another example. The perspective view of the lamination element concerning other examples. The top view of the lamination element concerning other examples. The disassembled perspective view of the stirring blade which concerns on another example. Sectional drawing which shows the stirring state of the fluid which concerns on another example.

An embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The present invention is intended to produce a substance through mixing of fluids. As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention includes a stirring blade 11 and a stirring tank 22 for storing a fluid 21. The substance is produced by stirring and mixing with the stirring blade 11.

  The fluid 21 contains substances necessary for obtaining a target product to be produced. This substance may be solid or liquid, and various substances such as cells (yeast, mycelium, bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria, mold, etc.) and cells (animal cells, plant cells) can be used. .

  For example, in order to produce beer, yeast as a substance is mixed in a fluid 21 called wort. It is a substance that produces beer containing alcohol and grown yeast.

  In order to obtain mushroom mycelia by culturing mushroom mycelium, inoculum as a substance is mixed in a fluid 21 called a medium. It is the substance from which the grown mycelium is produced.

  In order to obtain animal and plant cells by performing high-density liquid culture, cells as substances and a carrier to which the cells are attached are mixed in a fluid 21 called a medium. A substance from which cultured cells are produced.

  In order to obtain a cell dispersion, an enzyme as a substance is mixed into a fluid containing a cell mass as a substance. In this case, it is a substance that produces a suspension in which the cells constituting the cell mass are separated.

  The agitation tank 22 includes a known agitation tank having a baffle plate on the inner peripheral surface, an appropriate container, a tank, and the like.

  The agitating blade 11 includes a rotating shaft 13 that is rotationally driven by a motor 12 and a mixing element 14 that is fixedly supported by the rotating shaft 13 so as not to rotate. The stirring blade 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes one mixing element 14 at the tip of the rotating shaft 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mixing element 14 includes a laminated body 42 in which three or more laminated elements 41 made of different members are laminated, and a first plate 43 that is opposed to the laminated body 42. And the second plate 44, and bolts 45 and nuts 46 for assembling them, and the laminated element 41, the first plate 43 and the second plate 44 can be disassembled respectively.

  In FIG. 2, the first plate 43 is located on the upper surface of the laminated body 42, and the second plate 44 is located on the lower surface of the laminated body 42. The rotating shaft 13 is integrally coupled to the center of the first plate 43.

  The laminated element 41 has a plurality of first through holes 47 penetrating in the thickness direction of the disk in the entire portion except for the center of the disk having an appropriate thickness. In this structure, the second through hole 48 is larger than the first through hole 47. As shown in FIG. 3, the first through hole 47 includes a plurality of circumferential partition walls 49 provided concentrically around the center of the disk, and a radial direction extending radially from the center of the disk. It is formed between the partition walls 50. Although the radial partition wall 50 connects between the circumferential partition walls 49, the radial partition walls 50 are disposed so as to be displaced from each other in the radial direction. Further, the size and pitch between the first through holes 47 are increased toward the outer side in the radial direction. For this reason, the plurality of first through holes 47 have a substantially rectangular shape that is curved in a large arc shape in plan view, and are arranged along the extending surface extending in the direction in which the laminated element 41 extends, in other words If it does so, it will arrange | position in zigzag form so that it may spread in the outer peripheral direction from the center of a disc.

  The circumferential partition wall 49 and the radial partition wall 50 are formed with a surface portion 51 having an appropriate extent, and a fixing through-hole 51a through which a bolt 45 for maintaining a laminated state is inserted in the center of the surface portion 51. Is formed.

  In the laminated element 41 having such a structure, a part or all of the first through-hole 47 extends the fluid 21 between the laminated element 41 and the first through-hole 47 of the adjacent laminated element 41. It arrange | positions so that it may distribute | circulate in the direction so that distribution | circulation is possible. In this example, two types of laminated elements 41a and 41b having different arrangement patterns of the first through-holes 47 are prepared, and these are overlapped to form “a part or all of the first through-holes 47” described above. However, the configuration in which the fluid 21 is arranged so as to be able to flow in the extending direction of the multilayer element 41 between the first through holes 47 of the adjacent multilayer elements 41 is realized.

  In other words, the first through holes 47 of each of the laminated elements 41 are partially overlapped with each other in the radial direction and the circumferential direction, and communicate with each other in the extending direction of the laminated element 41. In other words, the circumferential partition walls 49 between the first through holes 47 are arranged at different positions between the adjacent laminated elements 41, and the fluid 21 is directed toward the extending direction of the adjacent laminated elements 41. It is configured so that it can be passed through sequentially.

  In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the area of the portion where the first through holes 47 of the two types of laminated elements 41 a and 41 b overlap is equal in the circumferential direction.

  Since the second through-hole 48 is provided at the center of the two types of laminated elements 41a and 41b, the second through-hole 48 communicates in the laminating direction in the laminated state of the laminated element 41 and the inside of the laminated body 42 In addition, a hollow portion 52 extending in the stacking direction is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first plate 43 has a disk shape having the same outer diameter as that of the laminated element 41, and the portion corresponding to the fixing through hole 51 a of the laminated element 41 is A fixing through-hole 43a through which the bolt 45 is inserted is provided. In addition, an opening 43b penetrating in the thickness direction is provided around the center of the rotating shaft 13. The diameter of the opening 43 b is the same as that of the second through hole 48 of the laminated element 41. Since the rotating shaft 13 is provided, a connecting portion 43c that extends radially from the center and divides the opening 43b is formed in the opening 43b.

  The second plate 44 is also formed in a disk shape having the same outer diameter as the laminated element 41, and a fixing through hole 44a through which the bolt 45 is inserted into a portion corresponding to the fixing through hole 51a of the laminated element 41. have. A circular opening 44 b having the same diameter as the second through hole 48 of the laminated element 41 is formed at the center of the second plate 44.

  The opening 43b of the first plate 43 and the opening 44b of the second plate 44 are portions where the fluid 21 enters and exits. In other words, when the first plate 43 and the second plate 44 are disposed on the end surface in the stacking direction of the stacked body 42 in which the stacked elements 41 are stacked, the stacked elements 41 at both ends of the stacked body 42 in the stacking direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the first through hole 47 is closed in the stacking direction, that is, closed.

  In FIG. 4, for ease of understanding, the first plate 43 is closed without forming the opening 43 b for the sake of convenience.

  Since the first through holes 47 of the laminated elements 41 at both ends of the laminated body 42 are closed, the fluid 21 inside the laminated body 42 is laminated from the first through holes 47 of the laminated elements 41 at both ends of the laminated body 42. Outflow in the direction is prevented, and the inside of the stacked body 42 is reliably circulated in the extending direction of the stacked element 41 (the direction of arrow D in FIG. 4). Accordingly, the fluid 21 can flow through the mixing element 14 from the inner periphery to the outer periphery, or vice versa.

  In order to produce a fermented food or proliferated / cultured cells by mixing the fluid 21 containing cells or cells, one or two or more fluids 21 to be mixed are put into the stirring tank 22 and the stirring blade 11 An inflow step of rotating the stirring blade 11 with the mixing element 14 submerged in the fluid 21 to cause the fluid 21 to flow into the mixing element 14 from the second through hole 48 of the laminated element 41 of the mixing element 14, and the mixing element 14 to flow through the first through hole 47 communicating with the fluid 21 that has flowed into the laminated element 41 in the extending direction of the laminated element 41 and the outflow process of flowing out the fluid 21 from the outer periphery of the mixing element 14. The fluid 21 is caused to flow.

  When beer is produced using, for example, yeast as the cells, yeast is added to wort as a fluid 21 for fermentation, and the yeast is grown and substances (various metabolites) such as alcohol and sugar are generated. In this case, it is a substance from which the grown yeast and produced alcohol and sugar are produced.

  A fluid 21 such as wort having yeast or the like flows by rotation of the stirring blade 11 in a brewing tank as the stirring tank 22.

  That is, it flows into the hollow portion 52 of the laminated body 42 including the second through holes 48 in the laminated element 41 of the mixing element 14 through the openings 43b and 44b of the first plate 43 and the second plate 44 of the mixing element 14. The fluid 21 flows from the hollow portion 52 in the direction in which the laminated element 41 extends through the first through hole 47 according to the rotation of the stirring blade 11, and the direction in which the fluid 21 is laminated with the direction in which the laminated element 41 extends in the flowing process. And flows out from the outer peripheral portion of the mixing element 14 while being divided and merged. The fluid 21 that has flowed out flows in the agitation tank 22 and repeats the flow through the mixing element 14 as described above.

  The fluid 21 is evenly mixed through the inflow process, the distribution process, and the outflow process as described above with the rotation of the stirring blade 11, and the cells and cells of yeast and the like act evenly. Then, desired substances such as alcohol, yeast, mycelium, and cells are produced by the growth and action of the cells and cells.

  In the inflow process, the distribution process, and the outflow process, the fluid 21 flows while repeating division and merging in the plurality of first through holes 47 of the laminated element 41 constituting the rotating mixing element 14. Since the surface area with respect to the fluid 21 can be made larger than that of a conventional stirring blade having blades, even if the fluid 21 rotates in the fluid 21, the fluid 21 flows as if flowing in a complicated water channel. The cells and cells do not receive the strong shearing force as in the case of a conventional stirring blade. For this reason, the yeast and cells are not torn off, and the yeast and cells can be prevented from being damaged. In other words, it can handle cells and cells gently.

  For this reason, the mixing can be performed well without damaging substances such as cells and cells contained in the fluid 21, and greatly contributes to production and preparation of substances.

  Experiments were conducted to verify these effects. In the experiment, yeast is used for alcohol fermentation, and the time course of the produced alcohol fraction is observed.

The experiment was performed by the following method.
After 200 mL of YM medium was sterilized (121 ° C., 20 minutes), the Issatchenkia orientailis kudryavtsev strain was inoculated and precultured at 30 ° C. overnight with shaking. This is called fluid A.

  Separately, 6 L of YM medium was sterilized (121 ° C., 30 minutes). This is called fluid B.

  Put fluid A and fluid B in a stirring tank (sterilized overnight with 70% ethanol), stir at 200 rpm, take a sample every 4 hours, analyze the alcohol content produced by fermentation by gas chromatography, change over time I saw.

  The stirring tank used was a stirring tank having a baffle plate on the inner peripheral surface. The material of the stirring tank was acrylic, the inner diameter of the stirring tank was 190 mm, the depth of the stirring tank was 250 mm, the bottom shape of the stirring tank was flat, and the size of the baffle plate was 9.5 mm and was four. The fluid was stored in such a stirring tank so that the depth was 200 mm.

  In addition, two types of stirring blades used for stirring were prepared: a stirring blade of the present invention (see FIG. 5) and a disc turbine blade (see FIG. 6) which is a conventional stirring blade. Contrasted.

  The size of the stirring blade of the present invention is as described in FIG. The unit is mm. Briefly, the outer diameter of the laminated element is 100 mm, and the inner diameter, that is, the size of the second through hole is 56 mm in diameter. The thickness of one laminated element was 2 mm, and 20 laminated elements were stacked to constitute a mixing element.

  The disk turbine blade has a structure in which six blades having a rectangular shape are arranged at equal intervals on the outer peripheral edge of a disk, and the outer diameter is 100 mm. The height of the blade is 20 mm and the length is 25 mm.

  When such an experiment was performed and a graph was created with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing the alcohol fraction (ratio of alcohol and water produced by fermentation), the results shown in FIG. 7 were obtained. The alcohol fraction is obtained from alcohol peak ÷ (alcohol + water peak).

  As a result, when stirring with a stirring blade having a conventional structure, the alcohol fraction was slightly higher than that of the stirring blade of the present invention during 0 to 12 hours. However, during the period of 12 hours to 28 hours, the alcohol fraction hardly changed and was almost constant when stirred with a stirring blade having a conventional structure. On the other hand, when it stirred with the stirring blade of this invention, the alcohol fraction increased over 12 hours-20 hours, and showed the value of 60% after 20 hours. This is a value more than double the alcohol fraction at the same time when stirring with a stirring blade having a conventional structure.

  Visual observation of the stirring situation was as follows. In spite of both rotation speeds being 200 rpm, in the case of the stirring blade of the conventional structure, the liquid surface is considerably foamed, whereas in the case of the stirring blade of the present invention, the stirring is gently performed. It was a state.

  From the results of the alcohol fraction and the stirring situation, the conventional structure of the stirring blade damages, dies, or denatures the yeast due to high shearing force, but the stirring by the stirring blade of the present invention damages the yeast. It can be inferred that the good action by yeast was promoted.

  Hereinafter, another example of the stirring blade 11 for carrying out the above-described method for producing a substance will be described. In this description, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the previous configuration are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view of a state in which two types of laminated elements 41a and 41b according to another example are stacked. As shown in this figure, the circumferential partition wall 49 and the radial partition wall 50 of the laminated element 41 are shown in FIG. A corner radius portion 47 a is formed at the intersection portion, that is, the corner portion of the first through hole 47.

  In this way, when the corner round portion 47a is provided, when the stirring blade 11 is rotated and the fluid 21 is stirred, the fluid is less likely to stay in the corner portion, and the cells, cells, and the like contained in the fluid 21 For this material, the impact during flow in the distribution process is reduced. It can be cleaned after use. As a result, better mixing can be expected, and a fluid state that is gentle to bacteria and the like can be created, thereby enhancing the effect.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are a perspective view (FIG. 9A) and a cross-sectional view (FIG. 9B) in a state where two types of laminated elements 41 a and 41 b according to another example are stacked. As shown in this figure, the circumferential partition wall 49 and the radial partition wall 50 that form the first through-hole 47 in the laminated element 41 are formed in a substantially elliptical longitudinal section.

  When the agitating blade 11 having such a laminated element 41 is rotated to agitate the fluid, none of the partition walls 49 and 50 has a corner in the longitudinal cross-sectional shape, so that it is included in the fluid 21 in the inflow process and the distribution process. The impact caused by the collision of the bacteria and the like is reduced. That is, a substance such as yeast can be protected and a desired action can be reliably performed.

  Further, since the longitudinal sectional shapes of the circumferential partition wall 49 and the radial partition wall 50 are substantially elliptical, the flow of the fluid is made unique by changing the shape and the angle with respect to the extending direction of the laminated element 41. Can be. For example, by appropriately tilting the circumferential partition wall 49 and the radial partition wall 50, for example, a spiral shape as shown in FIG. 10A or a tornado-like flow as shown in FIG. It is also possible to apply to the fluid 21.

  By changing the flow direction and amount of the fluid 21 in this way, appropriate mixing according to the properties of the substance contained in the fluid 21 can be performed.

  The longitudinal sectional shapes of the circumferential partition wall 49 and the radial partition wall 50 may be substantially polygonal as shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 11, the longitudinal sectional shapes of the circumferential partition wall 49 and the radial partition wall 50 are substantially rhombuses. This substantially rhombus means that a rhombus is included.

  The longitudinal cross-sectional shapes of the circumferential partition wall 49 and the radial partition wall 50 have corners on the top, bottom, left, and right in a cross-sectional view, so that the surface facing the extending direction of the laminated element 41 is upward and downward. An inclined surface 55 is formed by inclining the partition walls 49 and 50 in the direction of thinning.

  The flow of the fluid 21 in the laminated element 41 having the inclined surface 55 has the inclined surface 55, and therefore the collision of the fluid 21 compared with the case where the end surfaces of the partition walls 49 and 50 are standing upright. The impact at the time becomes small, and the flow of the fluid 21 becomes smooth. The direction and resistance of the flow of the fluid 21 can be adjusted by setting the angle of the inclined surface 55.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, by making a difference in the angle of the upper and lower inclined surfaces 55, the flow in the vertical direction (stacking direction) of the fluid 21 can be increased and decreased, and a change in the overall flow is obtained. Therefore, appropriate mixing can be realized according to the difference in the properties of the substances contained in the fluid 21 (for example, whether it is a bottom fermentation yeast or a top fermentation yeast).

  Even when the partition walls 49 and 50 having such polygonal cross sections are provided, by inclining the partition walls 49 and 50, a spiral or tornado-like flow as shown in FIG. 10 can be produced.

  FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example in which the stirring blade 11 including two or more mixing elements 14 is used. That is, the stirring blade 11 is configured by arranging two or more mixing elements 14 with a gap therebetween, and the mixing elements 14 are arranged in the fluid tank 21 in the stirring tank 22 so that they are arranged in the depth direction of the stirring tank 22. Submerging and performing the inflow process, the distribution process, and the outflow process to produce substances.

  When stirring is performed using such a stirring blade 11, each mixing element 14 sucks fluid from the upper part and the lower part, performs the inflow process, the distribution process, and the outflow process, and the mixing element 14 has only one mixing element 14. Compared to the case, mixing is performed while producing a complicated flow in the stirring tank 22. For this reason, the whole fluid 21 can be mixed more uniformly. In addition, even when the storage depth of the fluid 21 is deep, the entire fluid 21 can be mixed evenly without the vertical movement of the stirring blade 11, so that stirring is easy.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view of two types of laminated elements 41a and 41b according to another example. That is, the laminated element 41 is configured to be divided into a plurality of members 41c. Specifically, the laminated element 41 is equally divided into six by virtual dividing lines extending radially from the center thereof.

  When the above method is executed by the stirring blade 11 including the laminated element 41 having such a configuration, foreign matters can be easily removed when the mixing element 14 is disassembled and cleaned after the stirring process. For this reason, sufficient stirring action can be expected, and production of a desired substance can be performed. Moreover, even a large-sized object or a complicated shape can be manufactured, and various stirring flows can be generated.

  The splittable configuration may be adopted for the first plate 43 and the second plate 44 in addition to the laminated element 41.

  Moreover, you may comprise at least the lamination | stacking element 41 part by the integrally molded product among the parts which comprise the mixing element 14. FIG. That is, the whole or a part of the laminate 42 can be manufactured by, for example, additive manufacturing.

  The entire mixing element 14 including the first plate 43 and the second plate 44 can be integrally formed. If comprised in this way, the effort of an assembly can be saved.

  FIG. 16 is a plan view of two types of laminated elements 41a and 41b according to another example. That is, the first through-hole 47 of the multilayer element 41 is disposed so as to draw a substantially arc shape, specifically an involute curve, from the center side to the outer periphery of the multilayer element 41.

  When the above method is executed by using the stirring blade 11 having such a laminated element 41 and rotating in the direction opposite to the direction in which the involute curve extends, that is, in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. Rotational force can be applied efficiently and mixing can be performed well.

  When the method is carried out by rotating the stirring blade 11 in the opposite direction, that is, in the direction in which the involute curve extends (arrow Y direction in FIG. 16), the fluid that has flowed into the mixing element 14 from the outer periphery of the mixing element 14 21 flows from the position close to the outer peripheral portion through the first through-hole 47 in the direction in which the laminated element 41 extends, and circulates while being divided and merged in the flowing process, and in the laminated element 41 of the mixing element 14 It flows out into the hollow portion 52 of the laminate 42 composed of the second through holes 48. By passing through such an inflow process, a distribution process, and an outflow process accompanying the rotation of the stirring blade 11, the fluid 21 is mixed and, for example, alcohol, yeast, Desired substances such as mycelium and cells are produced.

  The state of the fluid in the inflow process, the distribution process, and the outflow process is the same as described above, and the bacteria, cells, and the like contained in the fluid are less susceptible to damage and the like, and thus the effects of production and the like are high.

  FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a stirring blade 11 according to another example. As shown in this figure, the opening 43b of the first plate 43 constituting the upper surface of the mixing element 14 is formed in a circular shape, and the tip of the rotary shaft 13 is formed on the second plate 44 constituting the lower surface of the mixing element 14. It is the structure provided in the opening part 44b. By configuring in this way, the opening area of the opening 43b of the first plate 43 is made larger than the opening area of the opening 44b of the second plate 44, and the fluid 21 in the upper part in the stirring tank 22 is placed. The amount of circulation can be increased.

  When the above-described method is performed using the stirring blade 11 having such a configuration, oxygen can be taken up in the upper portion of the fluid 21, and mixing by stirring and stirring appropriate for the substance contained in the fluid 21 can be performed. It can be done well, thereby increasing production efficiency.

  FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which stirring is performed using a stirring blade 11 according to another example. As shown in this figure, instead of providing an opening at a portion corresponding to the second through hole 48 of the laminated element 41 in the first plate 43 constituting the upper surface of the mixing element 14, the second through hole 48 is provided. 43d for preventing communication with the communication device. The tip of the rotating shaft 13 is coupled to the center of the closing portion 43d.

  When the above method is performed using the stirring blade 11 having such a configuration, the fluid 21 is sucked only from the lower side of the mixing element 14 and is not sucked from the upper side in the inflow process. Can be mixed. In addition, since the fluid does not flow out from the upper side of the mixing element 14 in the outflow process, the disturbance of the liquid level in the fluid 21 in the agitation tank 22 can be reduced. That is, since the undulation can be suppressed, it can be suitably used for stirring the fluid 21 for which the mixing of air is to be prevented or suppressed.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the one aspect,
The partition wall of the present invention corresponds to the circumferential partition wall 49 and the radial partition wall 50,
The present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and other configurations can be employed.

  For example, when it is necessary to send air, such as for mushroom mycelium culture, stirring may be performed while feeding air.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Stirring blade 13 ... Rotating shaft 14 ... Mixing element 21 ... Fluid 22 ... Stirring tank 41 ... Laminated element 42 ... Laminated body 43 ... 1st board 43b ... Opening part 44 ... 2nd board 44b ... Opening part 47 ... 1st 1 through hole 48 ... second through hole 49 ... circumferential partition wall 50 ... radial partition wall 52 ... hollow portion

Claims (12)

A substance production method for producing a fermented food or a proliferated / cultured cell by mixing a fluid containing bacterial cells or cells,
A stirring blade formed of a mixing element supported by a rotary shaft that is driven to rotate, and a stirring tank for storing the fluid;
The mixing element is
A laminated body in which two or more laminated elements are laminated, and a first plate and a second plate that are opposed to each other with the laminated body interposed therebetween,
The laminated element has a plurality of first through holes and a second through hole larger than the first through hole, and the second through hole communicates in a laminating direction so that a hollow portion is formed in the laminated body. Arranged to form,
The second plate has an opening communicating with at least one first through hole of the laminated element,
An opening of the second plate communicates with at least one first through hole of the laminated element through the hollow portion;
The laminated element is arranged such that a part or all of the first through-hole communicates with a first through-hole of an adjacent laminated element so that fluid can flow in the direction in which the laminated element extends. And
An inflow step of allowing the fluid to flow into the mixing element from the second through hole of the laminated element by the rotating operation of the stirring blade;
A flow step of flowing the fluid that has flowed into the mixing element through a first through hole that communicates in a direction in which the laminated element extends;
A substance production method comprising: an outflow step of causing the fluid to flow out from an outer peripheral portion of the mixing element. The substance production method according to claim 1, wherein the stirring blade is used in which the vertical cross-sectional shape of the partition wall of the first through hole in the laminated element is substantially elliptical. The substance production method according to claim 1, wherein the stirring blade is used in which the vertical cross-sectional shape of the partition wall of the first through-hole in the laminated element is substantially polygonal. The stirring blade is composed of two or more mixing elements arranged with a gap between them,
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mixing element is submerged in the fluid in the stirring tank so that the mixing elements are arranged in a depth direction of the stirring tank, and the inflow process, the circulation process, and the outflow process are performed. The substance production method according to one item. The said mixing element which comprises the said mixing element, the said 1st board, and the said 2nd board are using the said stirring blade which can each be decomposed | disassembled, It is any one of Claims 1-4. Material production method. 6. The stirring blade according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the laminated element, the first plate, and the second plate constituting the mixing element is separable. Material production methods. The method for producing a substance according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the stirring blade is used in which at least a laminated element portion of the mixing element is an integrally molded product. The material production method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the stirring blade is used in which the first through hole of the multilayer element is disposed in a substantially arc shape from the center side to the outer periphery of the multilayer element. A substance production method for producing a fermented food or a proliferated / cultured cell by mixing a fluid containing bacterial cells or cells,
A stirring blade formed of a mixing element supported by a rotary shaft that is driven to rotate, and a stirring tank for storing the fluid;
The mixing element is
A laminated body in which two or more laminated elements are laminated, and a first plate and a second plate that are opposed to each other with the laminated body interposed therebetween,
The laminated element has a plurality of first through holes and a second through hole larger than the first through hole, and the second through hole communicates in a laminating direction so that a hollow portion is formed in the laminated body. Arranged to form,
The second plate has an opening communicating with at least one first through hole of the laminated element,
An opening of the second plate communicates with at least one first through hole of the laminated element through the hollow portion;
The laminated element is arranged such that a part or all of the first through-hole communicates with a first through-hole of an adjacent laminated element so that fluid can flow in the direction in which the laminated element extends. And
An inflow step for allowing the fluid to flow into the mixing element from the outer periphery of the mixing element by the rotating operation of the stirring blades;
A flow step of flowing the fluid that has flowed into the mixing element through a first through hole that communicates in a direction in which the laminated element extends;
A substance production method comprising: an outflow step of causing the fluid to flow out from the inside of the mixing element to the second through hole of the laminated element. The material production method according to claim 9, wherein the stirring blade in which the first through hole of the multilayer element is disposed in a substantially arc shape from the center side to the outer periphery of the multilayer element is used. A substance production method for producing a substance by mixing fluids,
A stirring blade formed of a mixing element supported by a rotary shaft that is driven to rotate, and a stirring tank for storing the fluid;
The mixing element is
A laminated body in which two or more laminated elements are laminated, and a first plate and a second plate that are opposed to each other with the laminated body interposed therebetween,
The laminated element has a plurality of first through holes and a second through hole larger than the first through hole, and the second through hole communicates in a laminating direction so that a hollow portion is formed in the laminated body. Arranged to form,
The second plate has an opening communicating with at least one first through hole of the laminated element,
An opening of the second plate communicates with at least one first through hole of the laminated element through the hollow portion;
The laminated element is arranged such that a part or all of the first through-hole communicates with a first through-hole of an adjacent laminated element so that fluid can flow in the direction in which the laminated element extends. And
An inflow step of allowing the fluid to flow into the mixing element from the second through-hole of the laminated element or into the mixing element from the outer peripheral portion of the mixing element by the rotating operation of the stirring blades;
A flow step of flowing the fluid that has flowed into the mixing element through a first through hole that communicates in a direction in which the laminated element extends;
A substance production method comprising: an outflow step of causing the fluid to flow out from an outer peripheral portion of the mixing element or from the inside of the mixing element to a second through hole of the laminated element. A fluid mixing method for mixing fluids, comprising:
A stirring blade formed of a mixing element supported by a rotary shaft that is driven to rotate, and a stirring tank for storing the fluid;
The mixing element is
A laminated body in which two or more laminated elements are laminated, and a first plate and a second plate that are opposed to each other with the laminated body interposed therebetween,
The laminated element has a plurality of first through holes and a second through hole larger than the first through hole, and the second through hole communicates in a laminating direction so that a hollow portion is formed in the laminated body. Arranged to form,
The second plate has an opening communicating with at least one first through hole of the laminated element,
An opening of the second plate communicates with at least one first through hole of the laminated element through the hollow portion;
The laminated element is arranged such that a part or all of the first through-hole communicates with a first through-hole of an adjacent laminated element so that fluid can flow in the direction in which the laminated element extends. And
An inflow step of allowing the fluid to flow into the mixing element from the second through-hole of the laminated element or into the mixing element from the outer peripheral portion of the mixing element by the rotating operation of the stirring blades;
A flow step of flowing the fluid that has flowed into the mixing element through a first through hole that communicates in a direction in which the laminated element extends;
A fluid mixing method comprising: an outflow step of allowing the fluid to flow out from an outer peripheral portion of the mixing element or from the inside of the mixing element to a second through hole of the laminated element.

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