JP2019022470A - Solid culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for increasing the size of a culture apparatus or an enzyme reaction apparatus in any case where a jacket for sterilization or temperature adjustment cannot be attached, or piping, an electrode or the like cannot be attached, or handling of a long and thick stirring shaft supporting stirring blade is difficult in a method in which a stirring shaft is allowed to penetrate a laterally placed tank and a substrate is vertically moved by the stirring blade.SOLUTION: A culture apparatus or an enzyme reaction apparatus in which a central stirring shaft 21 is formed on a stirring mechanism, a first rotary arm A22 and a second rotary arm B23 are attached to the central stirring shaft, one or more rotary gears A35 are arranged for the first rotary arm A in an engaged manner, one or more rotary gears B36 are arranged for the second rotary arm B in an engaged manner, a stirring blade shaft is severally attached to the rotary gear A and the rotary gear B, stirring blades 33, 34 are attached to the stirring blade shaft, and the rotary gear A near the central stirring shaft and the rotary gear B near the central stirring shaft have the stirring mechanism which is arranged in an engaged manner for a fixed gear fixed to the central stirring shaft.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a culture apparatus used for production of foods using microorganisms, enzymes, citric acid, or the like, or an enzyme reaction apparatus used for the treatment of food residues / livestock waste and the production of useful gas accompanying the treatment.

In particular, the present invention relates to a culture apparatus or an enzyme reaction apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a culture apparatus or simply an enzyme reaction apparatus) having a stirring mechanism using a gear.

Unlike cultures and enzyme reactions that use liquid substrates (medium), solid substrate (medium) cultures and enzyme reactions are difficult to stir, disperse, mix, and homogenize the solid substrate (medium). In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to keep culture conditions or reaction conditions such as moisture and pH constant.

In order to solve these problems, conventionally, the cylindrical tank is laid down horizontally, the culture tank itself is rotated, the substrate is moved up and down, the horizontal stirring tank is penetrated through the central stirring shaft, and the stirring blade is used. A culture vessel has been devised that moves the substrate up and down and is equipped with other mechanical agitation devices.

Also, a method of stirring by the convection of the medium by centrifugal force generated by tilting the container and making a planetary motion (movement like a planet spinning around the sun, but reverse rotation for rotation) like a rotating and rotating stirrer Was taken.

In this rotation / revolution stirrer system, since no stirring blade is used, stress concentration is unlikely to occur and uniform stirring can be performed without altering the material. It is excellent in stirring different materials such as liquids and powders having different viscosities and specific gravities, and is characterized in that it can be processed in a short time.

JP2004-082001

Kazuo Sato Fermentative production by solid culture method (1) Characteristics and application of solid culture method p558 Vol.87 No.8 Brewery 1992

In the method described in the background art described above, the conventional cylindrical tank is laid sideways, the tank itself is rotated, the substrate is moved up and down, and the container is tilted in a planetary motion, such as a rotating and rotating stirrer. However, there is a problem that a jacket for sterilization or temperature control to which piping is connected cannot be attached or electrodes cannot be attached.

Further, in a method in which the horizontal axis is passed through the stirring shaft and the substrate is moved up and down by the stirring blade, it is difficult to handle the long and thick stirring shaft that supports the stirring blade.

In either case, it was difficult to scale up the culture apparatus or the enzyme reaction apparatus.

In addition to the above, it is necessary to develop a culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus having a stirring mechanism that takes into account the change from solid to viscous liquid as the culture and reaction proceed, as the shape and properties of the substrate vary. Has been.

In order to solve the conventional problems, the present invention provides the following culture apparatuses or enzyme reaction apparatuses (1) to (4).

(1) A central stirring shaft is formed in the stirring mechanism, and a first rotating arm A and a second rotating arm B are attached to the central stirring shaft, and one or more rotating gears A are attached to the first rotating arm A. Are arranged in mesh with each other, one or more rotary gears B are arranged in mesh with the second rotary arm B, and a stirring blade shaft is attached to each of the rotary gear A and the rotary gear B. A stirring blade is attached to the shaft, and a rotating gear A closest to the central stirring shaft and a rotating gear B closest to the central stirring shaft are arranged to mesh with a fixed gear fixed to the central stirring shaft. A culture apparatus or an enzyme reaction apparatus is provided.

(2) The culture apparatus or the enzyme reaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of rotation gears A and the number of rotation gears B are different.

(3) The width of a stirring blade attached to the rotating gear A or the rotating gear B is larger than the diameter of the rotating gear A or the rotating gear B, respectively. A culture apparatus or an enzyme reaction apparatus is provided.

(4) Further, the culture apparatus or the enzyme reaction apparatus is provided with a jacket, a pipe is connected to the culture tank, or electrodes are attached to the culture tank. The culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus described in the item is provided.

According to the present invention, not only in a culture or enzyme reaction using a liquid substrate (medium) but also in a culture or enzyme reaction using a solid substrate (medium), the solid substrate (medium) can be stirred by stirring with a stirring blade. Dispersion can be easily and sufficiently performed.

Further, since stirring is performed with the stirring blade, the temperature, moisture, pH, etc. of the solid substrate can be made uniform, and the culture conditions or reaction conditions can be made constant in a short time.

Further, according to the present invention, since the stirring blades rotate and revolve (planetary motion) without exchanging the stirring blades, it is possible to effectively stir and disperse substrates having various properties.

According to the present invention, since the tank main body does not rotate, it can be applied to a culture apparatus or an enzyme reaction apparatus connected to a pipe, and a jacket for sterilization and temperature control can be attached to the tank main body, and electrodes are also provided. It can be attached to the tank body.

Further, according to the present invention, unlike the method of passing the stirring shaft through the horizontal tank and moving the substrate up and down with the stirring blade, there is an advantage that a long and thick stirring shaft that supports the stirring blade is not necessary. is there.

As a result, in any case, the tank body can be easily scaled up, and a large-capacity culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus can be manufactured.

In addition to the above, it is possible to provide a culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus having a stirring mechanism that takes into account the change from solid to viscous liquid as the culture and reaction proceed, with various shapes and properties of the substrate. became.

The front view which shows the whole structure of one Example of this invention apparatus. The perspective view of one Example of the state which removed the lid | cover of this invention apparatus The perspective view of one Example of the state which removed the lid | cover of this invention apparatus The figure explaining the positional relationship and attachment structure of each part of the culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus which are one Example of this invention apparatus. The figure explaining the range of stirring of the stirring blade in the culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus which is one Example of this invention apparatus The perspective view which shows the whole structure of the state which covered the lid of another one Example of this invention apparatus. The perspective view which shows the whole structure of the state which removed the cover of another one Example of this invention apparatus. The figure explaining the positional relationship and attachment structure of each component of another Example of this invention apparatus. The figure explaining the positional relationship and attachment structure of each component of another Example of this invention apparatus.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
In the culture apparatus or the enzyme reaction apparatus of the present invention, the first rotating arm A and the second rotating arm B are attached to the central stirring shaft as a stirring mechanism, and the rotating gear A and the rotating gear B mesh with the fixed gear on the one hand. On the other hand, it is arranged to mesh with the rotating gear A or the rotating gear B, and the rotating force of the central stirring shaft rotates the stirring blade by the transmission of the fixed gear and the rotating gear and the gear transmission of the rotating gear and the rotating gear. It is characterized by that.

[Solid substrate]
As a substrate used in the present invention, not only a liquid substrate but also a solid substrate or a mixed substrate of a solid substrate and a liquid substrate can be used. A solid substrate such as biomass can also be suitably used.

Biomass includes, for example, rice straw, straw, sugar cane leaves, rice husk, bagasse, hardwood, bamboo, conifer, kenaf, furniture waste wood, building waste wood, waste paper, food residue, livestock waste, etc. It can be used as a solid substrate.

Biomass can be used as it is as a solid substrate, but after pretreatment such as alkali cooking, sulfuric acid cooking, hydrothermal cooking, etc., treatment to reduce impurities, etc. by neutralization, water washing, dehydration, drying, etc. Or additives may be added.

[Culture equipment or enzyme reaction equipment]
The culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus of the present invention includes a culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus used for production or research of foods, pharmaceuticals, etc. using microorganisms.

The culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus includes a culture tank or enzyme reaction tank (hereinafter simply referred to as “culture tank”), a stirring mechanism attached to the culture tank, a pipe attached to the culture tank for supplying steam, It is composed of various sensors such as a jacket, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, and electrodes such as a pH electrode.

In the present invention, a steam sterilization type culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus, which is provided with a jacket for steam sterilization and temperature control from the trunk to the bottom of the culture tank, is preferred.

More preferably, it is a steam sterilization type culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus in which piping and electrodes are attached to the main body of the culture tank.

[Culture tank]
In the present invention, the culture tank and the enzyme reaction tank are collectively referred to as a culture tank.

[Agitating mechanism]
The stirring mechanism is an apparatus for mixing and homogenizing several different substances or simple substances such as solid and liquid, solid and solid, solid and gas. Also included are those that are mixed into a liquid form while being pulverized, such as a mixer. Attach a stirring shaft to the motor and rotate it by electricity. A stirring blade is attached to the stirring shaft, and the medium is stirred by the stirring blade.

The agitating blade can be appropriately attached to and detached from the optimum one according to the properties of the substance to be agitated.

If the stirring mechanism of this invention is used, solid can also be made into a liquid and solids can also be liquefied and mixed. Furthermore, if a blade is attached to the stirring blade, it is possible to mix the materials while chopping them.

In addition, the stirring blade of the present invention can effectively stir and disperse substrates having various properties because the stirring blade rotates and revolves (planetary motion) without replacing the stirring blade.

Therefore, the stirring blade and the stirring shaft to which it is attached can be exchanged.

In the present invention, the stirring mechanism includes a stirrer, a central stirring shaft, and a first rotating arm A, a second rotating arm B, a first rotating gear, a second rotating gear, and a stirring blade attached to the central stirring shaft. It is configured.

The stirrer may be installed either at the bottom of the culture tank or at the top of the culture tank.

When the stirrer is installed in the upper part of the culture tank, the jacket can be installed over the entire area of the bottom of the stirrer tank or in a wide range, which is preferable because the temperature of the medium can be quickly adjusted.

[Central stirring shaft]
The central stirring shaft is a shaft that transmits the output of the motor, and in the apparatus of the present invention, it is vertically installed at the center of the culture tank.
As the material of the central stirring shaft, an optimal stirring shaft can be used depending on the type and strength of the substance to be stirred. Preferably, stainless steel and ceramics having excellent rigidity, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance are used.

[First rotating arm A]
The arm is fixed to the central stirring shaft and rotates with the rotation of the central stirring shaft. The first rotating arm A is provided with at least one rotating gear A to which a stirring blade A and a stirring blade shaft are attached.

[Second rotation arm B]
It is an arm extending on the opposite side of the central stirring shaft of the first rotating arm A.
The arm is fixed to the central stirring shaft and rotates with the rotation of the central stirring shaft. The second rotary arm B is provided with at least one rotary gear B to which a stirring blade B and a stirring blade shaft are attached.

[Fixed gear]
In the present invention, the fixed gear refers to a gear fixed to the central stirring shaft. Spur gears, helical gears, helical gears and the like can be used. In the present invention, a spur gear is preferably used. The tooth type is not particularly limited, and a suitable one can be used as appropriate.

The fixed gear meshes with the rotating gear A and the rotating gear B, and transmits the rotating force to the rotating gear A and the rotating gear B.

[Stirring blade]
The stirring blade is attached to the tip of the stirring blade shaft attached to the rotation gear A or the rotation gear B. In this specification, the stirring blade attached to the rotating gear A is called the stirring blade A, and the stirring blade attached to the rotating gear B is called the stirring blade B.

The stirring blade A or the stirring blade B transmits the rotational force of the rotating gear A or the rotating gear B to the stirring blade through the stirring blade shaft, thereby generating the stirring force. As the shape, type, blade width, blade stage number, blade attachment position, and the like of the stirring blade A or the stirring blade B, suitable ones can be used as appropriate.

In the present invention, the blade width of the stirring blade can be appropriately determined according to the properties of the medium.

In the case of the present invention, the width of the stirring blade can be made smaller than the diameter of the rotating gear so that adjacent stirring blades do not interfere with each other. (Dead space) can be prevented.

The dimensions of the stirring blades can be appropriately set so that adjacent stirring blades do not interfere with each other.
In the case of the present invention, the horizontal length (blade width) of the stirring blade A or the stirring blade B attached to the rotating gear A or the rotating gear B is made larger than the diameter of the rotating gear A or the rotating gear B, respectively. be able to.

That is, by setting the mounting angle seen from the top of the adjacent stirring blades to different angles, preferably 90 ° to each other, interference between the adjacent stirring blades can be prevented. The width can be made larger than the diameter of the rotating gear.

That is, even if the blade diameter of the stirring blade is increased, the adjacent stirring blades are arranged at 90 degrees when viewed from above, and the rotation direction of the adjacent stirring blades is opposite and the rotation speed is the same. The blades do not interfere with each other, and the stirring range can be expanded.

[Agitator blade shaft]
The stirring blade shaft is attached to the rotating gear A or the rotating gear B, has a stirring blade attached to the tip, and has a rod shape that rotates the stirring blade.

[Rotating gear A]
In the present invention, the rotation gear A is a gear disposed on the first rotation arm A attached to the central stirring shaft. The rotation gear A is a gear that meshes with the fixed gear and transmits the rotational force to the stirring blade shaft. Spur gears, helical gears, helical gears and the like can be used. In the present invention, a spur gear is preferably used.

The rotating gear A is provided with a stirring blade shaft and a stirring blade, and transmits rotational force to the stirring blade.

When a plurality of the rotating gears A are arranged on the rotating arm A, the adjacent rotating gears A mesh with each other, and the rotational force from the fixed gear is sequentially transmitted to the adjacent rotating gears.

Although the number of the rotation gear A may be one, it is preferable to arrange a plurality of the rotation gears A. The number can be selected as appropriate.

The number of teeth of the rotating gear A can be selected as appropriate in order to achieve the target stirring force. When a plurality of the rotating gears A are arranged and the number of teeth of the adjacent rotating gears A is the same, the adjacent stirring blades A have the same rotational speed and the same rotation speed, so the width of the stirring blades A is large. Adjacent stirring blades A do not interfere with each other.

[Rotating gear B]
In the present invention, the rotation gear B is a gear disposed on the second rotation arm B attached to the central stirring shaft. The rotation gear B is a gear that meshes with the fixed gear and transmits the rotational force to the stirring blade shaft. Spur gears, helical gears, helical gears and the like can be used. In the present invention, a spur gear is preferably used.

A stirring blade shaft and a stirring blade B are attached to the rotating gear B, and transmit rotational force to the stirring blade B.

When a plurality of rotating gears B are arranged on the rotating arm B, the adjacent rotating gears B mesh with each other, and the rotational force from the fixed gear is sequentially transmitted to the adjacent rotating gears.

The number of rotating gears B may be one or more. The number can be selected as appropriate.

[Number of rotation gears A and number of rotation gears B]
The number of rotation gears A and the number of rotation gears B may be the same, but if they are different, the stirring ranges of the respective stirring blades are different. In order to improve the effect, it is preferable that the number of rotation gears A and the number of rotation gears B be different.

[Electrodes]

In the present invention, the electrodes include various sensors such as a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, and electrodes such as a pH electrode and a DO electrode.

In actual culture and enzyme reaction, it is necessary to install a temperature sensor, pH electrode, and humidity sensor in the culture tank or reaction tank for environmental control. In this case, it is important to prevent the stirring blade from interfering with the sensor or electrode protruding into the tank and to prevent the surrounding substrate from staying in the sensor or electrode. The present invention solves this trade-off problem with the following configuration.

That is, the sensor and electrode are inserted and fixed concentrically from the bottom of the tank, and the sensor and electrode measuring parts are projected into the tank to the minimum necessary. The stirring blade positioned directly above the sensor or electrode has a length that can secure an appropriate gap (for example, about 5 mm) so as not to interfere with the sensor or electrode. On the other hand, the other stirring blades have a length and blade width that reach the bottom of the culture tank and the reaction tank, and can be uniformly stirred uniformly by the above-described configuration.

Further, the shape of the stirring blade is a comb shape in which the substrate is discharged from the gap with momentum by shearing force and centrifugal force. By doing so, the substrate continuously moves around the sensor and the electrode, and the substrate state can be measured without impairing the uniform dispersion ability by the planetary stirring motion of the present invention.

Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of the device of the present invention.

The culture tank 10 is provided with a lid 15 provided with a hatch 14 into which a solid substrate (medium) is charged. A pipe 16 for introducing steam or the like is attached to the body 12 and an electrode 17 is attached. A jacket 11 for sterilization and temperature control is attached to the outside of the tank body from the body 12 to the bottom 13. A stirrer 20 and an electrode 17 are attached to the bottom 13.

Crushed raw materials such as sugar cane and corn are put into the culture tank 10 from the hatch 14.

2 and 3 are perspective views of an embodiment of the device of the present invention with the lid removed.

In this embodiment, the stirrer 20 is attached to the bottom portion 13, and from here the central stirring shaft 21 penetrates the culture tank 10 vertically and is supported by the central bearing 18.

A fixed gear 25, a first rotary arm A22, and a second rotary arm B23 are fixedly attached to the central stirring shaft 21.

In FIG. 3, four sets of stirring blades A33 are attached to the rotary arm A22. The stirring blade A33 is formed to be fixed to the stirring blade shaft A31 and the rotation gear A35.

The other rotating arm B is provided with three sets of stirring blades B34. The stirring blade B34 is formed to be fixed to the stirring blade shaft B32 and the rotation gear B36.

FIG. 4 shows each part of the culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention (central stirring shaft, rotating arm A, rotating arm B, fixed gear, rotating gear A, rotating gear B, stirring blade shaft, stirring blade It is a figure explaining the positional relationship and attachment structure of a wing | blade).

A fixed gear 25, a first rotary arm A22, and a second rotary arm B23 are attached to the central stirring shaft 21 of the stirrer 20.

A set of four stirring blades A33, a rotating gear A, and a stirring blade shaft A31 are attached to the first rotating arm A. Adjacent stirring blades are attached at an angle of 90 degrees so as not to interfere with each other when they rotate.

On the other hand, a set of three stirring blades, a rotating gear A, and a stirring blade shaft are attached to the rotating arm B. Adjacent stirring blades are attached at an angle of 90 degrees so as not to interfere with each other when they rotate.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the range of stirring of the stirring blade in the culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The range of stirring of the three right stirring blades B is indicated by concentric circles. Each of the stirring blades B rotates in a staggered direction, and the entire range in the culture tank can be uniformly stirred without interference between the stirring blades B.

Similarly, with respect to the four stirring blades A on the left, each of the stirring blades A rotates in a staggered direction, and the entire stirring chamber A can be uniformly stirred without interfering with each other. it can.

In this embodiment, the stirring operation by the four stirring blades A and the stirring operation by the three stirring blades B are different, so the same number of stirring blades are attached to the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm. Rather than stirring, the entire range in the culture tank can be stirred evenly.

In the case of this embodiment, the adjacent stirring blades A33 of the stirring blades A33 are attached at an angle of 90 ° when viewed from above, and the blade width of the stirring blades attached to the rotating gear A or the rotating gear B is as follows. Are formed larger than the diameter of the rotating gear A or the rotating gear B, respectively. For this reason, the blades of adjacent stirring blades do not interfere with each other.
As a result, the agitation range is increased, and a larger range in the culture tank can be uniformly agitated.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the stirrer 20 in the culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is attached to the lid 15 of the culture tank 10.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the structure inside the culture tank with the lid 15 opened.

Since the stirrer 20 is not provided at the bottom of the culture tank 10, the jacket 11 can be installed over a wide range not only on the trunk of the culture tank 10 but also on the entire bottom. As a result, temperature control and sterilization of the medium can be achieved quickly.

In addition, since the stirrer 20 is not provided at the bottom of the culture tank 10, the medium can be quickly discharged by providing a discharge port at the bottom of the culture tank.

FIG. 8 shows components of another embodiment of the present invention (central stirring shaft, rotating arm A, rotating arm B, fixed gear, and the like when the stirrer 20 and the electrode 17 are attached to the bottom 13 of the culture tank 10. It is a figure explaining the positional relationship and attachment structure of the rotation gear A, the rotation gear B, the stirring blade axis | shaft, the stirring blade, an electrode, and a stirrer. In particular, it is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the electrode 17 and the stirring blade and the mounting structure.

The stirring blade A33 on the electrode 17 and the electrode 17 are provided with a gap so as not to interfere with each other.

Further, the shapes of the stirring blade A33 and the stirring blade B34 are comb-shaped, and the substrate is discharged from the gap between the combs with momentum.

FIG. 9 shows parts of another embodiment of the present invention (central stirring) when the stirrer 20 is attached to the lid portion 15 of the culture vessel 10 and the electrode 17 is attached to the lid 15 and the bottom portion 13 of the culture vessel 10. It is a figure explaining the positional relationship and attachment structure of a shaft, a rotation arm A, a rotation arm B, a fixed gear, a rotation gear A, a rotation gear B, a stirring blade shaft, a stirring blade, an electrode, and a stirrer. In particular, it is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the electrode 17 and the stirring blade and the mounting structure.

Even in this embodiment, the stirring blade A33 on the electrode 17 and the electrode 17 are provided with a gap so as not to interfere with each other.

Further, the shapes of the stirring blade A33 and the stirring blade B34 are comb-shaped, and the substrate is discharged from the gap between the combs with momentum.

Further, a scraper 26 is provided at the tip of the first rotary arm A22 to scrape off the substrate that stays on and adheres to the wall surface in the tank.

10 Incubator
11 jacket
12 Torso
13 Bottom
14 Hatch
15 lid
16 Piping
17 electrodes
18 Center bearing

20 Stirrer
21 Central stirring shaft
22 First rotary arm A
23 Second rotating arm B
25 Fixed gear
26 Scraper

31, 32 Stirring blade shaft
33 Stirring blade A
34 Stirring blade B
35 Rotating gear A
36 Rotating gear B

Claims (4)

A culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus having the following stirring mechanism,
A central stirring shaft is formed in the stirring mechanism,
A first rotating arm A and a second rotating arm B are attached to the central stirring shaft,
One or more rotating gears A are arranged in mesh with the first rotating arm A,
One or more rotating gears B are arranged in mesh with the second rotating arm B,
Each of the rotating gear A and the rotating gear B has a stirring blade shaft attached thereto, and the stirring blade shaft has a stirring blade attached thereto.
The rotating gear A closest to the central stirring shaft and the rotating gear B closest to the central stirring shaft are arranged to mesh with a fixed gear fixed to the central stirring shaft.
A culture apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus having a stirring mechanism. 2. The culture apparatus or the enzyme reaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of rotation gears A and the number of rotation gears B are different. The culture apparatus or enzyme reaction according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a blade width of a stirring blade attached to the rotating gear A or the rotating gear B is larger than a diameter of the rotating gear A or the rotating gear B, respectively. apparatus. The culture according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the culture apparatus or the enzyme reaction apparatus is provided with a jacket, a pipe is connected to the culture tank, or electrodes are attached to the culture tank. Apparatus or enzyme reaction apparatus.