JPH0539299U - Reactor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] A reactor that enables highly efficient reaction between a substrate and an immobilized carrier without causing channeling and compaction, which are the drawbacks of conventional reactors, and can be manufactured at low cost. provide. [Structure] A large number of spherical bodies 6 are filled in the bottom of the reaction tank 1, and a tip of a liquid supply pipe 21 for supplying a reaction solution to the reaction tank 1 is opened in a packed layer of the spherical bodies 6.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a reactor, and more particularly, to a reactor for efficiently carrying out a reaction using an immobilized carrier, for example, a bioreactor.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Particularly in the bio-related field which has become popular in recent years, an immobilized carrier is put in a reaction tank, microorganisms and enzymes are immobilized in this, and a substrate solution (reaction solution) is sent by a pump etc. Alternatively, a useful substance is obtained by reacting with an enzyme.

A reactor for performing such a reaction generally uses a tube made of glass or the like, a so-called column tube, as a reaction tank, and the column tube is filled with the microorganism, enzyme, or the like. With a structure in which the immobilized carrier is put in and the column tube is kept at the optimum temperature with a hot water jacket etc., the substrate solution is pumped from above or below to cause the reaction, and the product is taken out from above or below Is often used.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, in a reactor having such a structure, the immobilization carrier is often clogged in the reaction tank. A phenomenon called so-called channeling may occur in which a liquid passage is formed.

When channeling occurs in this way, the substrate liquid reacts only with the microorganisms and enzymes in the vicinity of this passage, and passes without reacting with the majority of other immobilized microorganisms. The reaction efficiency is significantly reduced.

In addition, a part of the immobilizing carrier layer is solidified so that the substrate liquid cannot pass through, which is a phenomenon called so-called consolidation. In this case as well, the reaction efficiency is significantly reduced.

Due to the phenomenon of channeling and compaction, the reaction efficiency has not been improved in the conventional column type reactor, and in order to overcome this, various methods have been devised so far in this field. ..

[0008] That is, a column-like shelf for arranging an immobilization product in a column is installed in multiple stages, and a system in which a substrate solution is allowed to flow during this, or a column is laid sideways and rotated to fix the immobilization carrier to the column. A method has been taken to prevent channeling and compaction by rotating along with rotation.

However, these methods are complicated in structure because of adopting this method, and are inevitably expensive due to considerations such as slidability of rotating parts and liquid leakage prevention. In addition, the current situation is that there is considerable difficulty in downsizing.

Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to make the reaction between the substrate and the immobilized carrier highly efficient without producing channeling and compaction, which are the drawbacks of conventional reactors, and can be manufactured at low cost. The purpose is to provide a reactor.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The reactor of the present invention has been made in view of the above points. The bottom of the reaction tank is filled with a large number of spherical bodies, and the tip of the liquid feed pipe for supplying the reaction liquid to the reaction tank is provided with the above-mentioned bulb. It is characterized in that it is opened in the filling layer of the sheet.

[0012]

[Work]

 According to the above configuration, the substrate liquid supplied by the liquid feed pipe flows out from the tip of the liquid feed pipe into the packed bed of spherical bodies at the bottom of the reaction tank, and when passing between the spherical bodies, the energy of the flow is generated. Rises from the spherical layer while being dispersed and converted into a flow with fullness. At this time, by appropriately setting the flow rate of the substrate solution according to the specific gravity of the substrate solution and the specific gravity of the immobilization carrier, the immobilization carrier can be brought into a uniform flow state, and the carrier and the substrate solution can be separated from each other. The contact can be made efficiently.

[0013]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the reactor of the present invention. This reactor comprises a reactor body (reaction tank) 1, a flow pump 2 for giving a flow to the substrate solution in the reaction tank 1, and a fresh substrate solution in the reaction tank 1. The substrate tank 3 and the substrate pump 4 are constituted by a product tank 5 for receiving the product generated in the reaction tank 1, and a pipe line connecting them.

The reaction tank 1 has a jacket 11 on the outer circumference and a main body portion 12 having an enlarged upper portion, a spherical bottom member 13 attached to a lower portion of the main body portion 12, and a main body portion 12. The upper side wall of the main body 12 is provided with an overflow port 51 communicating with the product tank 5, and the bottom member 13 has a large number of spherical bodies. 6 is filled. The bottom member 13 and the lid member 14 are attached to the main body 12 by clamps 15, respectively.

The reaction tank 1 can be formed of glass, stainless steel, plastics, or the like, but it may require sterilization operation, and since it is possible to check the internal flow state, it is made of glass. Is desirable.

The lid member 14 has a flow liquid supply pipe 21 and a withdrawal pipe 22 communicating with the flow pump 2, a substrate supply pipe 23 communicating with the substrate pump 4, a sensor 24, and a chemical liquid. An inlet 25 and a thermometer 26 are provided. As the sensor 24, for example, a pH sensor for measuring the pH of the substrate solution, a DO sensor for measuring the dissolved oxygen concentration, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature, or the like is used according to the purpose.

The spherical body 6 is made of a material having a large difference in specific gravity from the substrate liquid, and is chemically and physically stable, so that the flow of the substrate liquid flowing out from the tip of the flow liquid feeding pipe 21 can be prevented. It must be a substance that does not move, and must be able to withstand sterilization operations such as autoclaving when using microorganisms.

Therefore, the spherical body 6 may be a glass ball, a stainless ball, a Teflon-coated stainless steel ball, a gold ball, or the like, but a glass ball or a stainless ball is most suitable in consideration of the price and the like. .. Further, the spherical body 6 preferably has a spherical shape, but the spherical body 6 does not necessarily have to have a spherical shape, and does not have to have the same shape and size. The size of the spherical body 6 depends on the scale of the reactor and the flow rate of the reaction liquid (substrate liquid), but for a reactor of about 2 liters, a diameter of about 5 mm is suitable.

The flow liquid supply pipe 21 is provided so that its tip reaches through the central portion of the reaction tank 1 to near the bottom of the bottom member 13, and the substrate liquid is filled in the bottom member 13. It is set so as to flow out to the lower part of the layer of the spherical body 6 formed.

The withdrawal pipe 22 is provided so that its tip is located below the substrate level surface in the reaction tank 1, that is, located slightly below the overflow port 51. ..

Here, the carrier for immobilization used in the reactor having the above-described structure must not float in the substrate solution and must settle. This is premised on the fact that there is some difference in specific gravity between the substrate and the carrier, and it must also be able to withstand sterilization operations such as autoclaving. Therefore, as the carrier for immobilization, those such as porous glass beads having a diameter of 0.4 to 1 mm are optimal, but other materials can also be used if the above conditions are satisfied.

In using the reactor configured as described above, first, a carrier for immobilizing microorganisms, enzymes and the like is put on the spherical body 6 filled in the bottom of the reaction tank 1 and, if necessary, Install a sensor, etc., and when immobilizing microorganisms, sterilize with an autoclave or the like.

Next, microorganisms, enzymes and the like are immobilized on the immobilization carrier in the reaction vessel 1 by a well-known method that is individually determined for the object to be immobilized. A carrier on which microorganisms, enzymes, etc. have been immobilized in advance may be inserted later. Then, if necessary, fresh substrate liquid is fed from the substrate tank 3 by the substrate pump 4 through the substrate feed pipe 23 so that the substrate level surface comes to the lower end of the overflow port 51.

At the same time, the temperature of the constant temperature water adjusted to the optimum temperature is circulated in the jacket 11 using an appropriate constant temperature water circulating device to bring the inside of the reaction tank 1 to the optimum temperature.

Then, the flow pump 2 is operated to suck up the substrate from the drawing pipe 22, and at the same time, the substrate is caused to flow out into the spherical body 6 from the tip of the liquid feed pipe 21 for flow. The flow-out of the substrate liquid is distributed between the filled spherical bodies 6, and the flow is dispersed, and the flow is not a directional flow, but a flow having a complete surface, and is formed into a spherical surface having a substantially hemispherical bottom surface. The flow rises along the above and pushes the immobilization carrier upward.

Thereafter, the immobilization carrier is generally raised along the inner wall of the reaction tank 1, and the immobilization carrier is pushed upward to a certain limit H due to the relationship between the flow velocity and the specific gravity difference between the substrate liquid and the immobilization carrier. Go up. At this time, by setting the structure of the upper part of the reaction tank 1 to have a diameter-expanding structure that widens toward the top as described above, the flow rate of the substrate solution can be rapidly weakened at this part, and the rise of the immobilized carrier is effective. Can be suppressed. In this case, generally, it is optimal to have a divergent structure at an angle of 60 degrees with the horizontal plane.

A part of the substrate liquid that has risen to the upper part of the reaction tank 1 is sucked up from the drawing pipe 22, and the other part descends along the liquid sending pipe 21. Therefore, the immobilizing carrier is pushed up to a certain limit by the upward flow along the inner wall of the reaction tank 1 as shown by an arrow R in the figure, and then is lowered to the lower part of the tank by this downward flow, and again. As a result of the ascending current, it will be in a rising fluid state.

By this flow, the substrate and the immobilization carrier are integrated and flow as a solid-liquid fluid, so that the above-mentioned compaction and channeling do not occur at all, and the substrate and the immobilized microorganisms, enzymes and the like do not occur. The reaction during the process proceeds uniformly and efficiently, and high reaction efficiency is obtained. Further, since the solidified carrier maintains a constant rising limit as described above, it is never sucked from the drawing tube 22.

Further, when the reaction has proceeded, an appropriate amount of fresh substrate solution is fed from the substrate tank 3 to the reaction tank 1 by the substrate pump 4 via the substrate feed pipe 23 to continuously advance the reaction. You can At this time, if the positional relationship between the substrate inlet pipe 23 and the overflow port 51 is set appropriately, the fresh substrate is immediately mixed due to the flow of the substrate solution in the reaction tank 1, so that the fresh substrate is The product will almost never flow out of the overflow port 51 into the product tank 5 as it is.

Then, by introducing the above-mentioned fresh substrate, the reaction product is overflowed into the product tank 5 from the overflow port 51 through the connecting pipe.

During this period, the sensor 24 can monitor the state of the substrate liquid, and a chemical liquid for keeping the state constant or changing the state can be injected from the chemical liquid inlet 25. For example, the pH of the substrate solution can be measured using a pH sensor as the sensor 24, and the pH of the substrate solution can be maintained at a desired value by adding an acid or alkali solution based on the result. Further, it is possible to control the temperature of the substrate liquid by using a DO sensor instead of the pH sensor to measure the dissolved oxygen concentration of the substrate liquid, and by using a temperature sensor to control the thermostatic circulation device.

Here, the result of an experiment conducted to confirm the effect of the apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

200 ml of glass spheres having a diameter of approximately 5 mm were placed in the hemispherical bottom of the reaction vessel 1 having a total volume of 2 liters, and a porous glass-solidified carrier having a diameter of 0.4 to 1 mm was placed. 700 ml was put, and then GPY medium (specific gravity 1.02) was put as the substrate liquid to the lower end of the overflow port 51. Next, each pipe was connected, the flow pump 2 was operated to circulate the substrate solution, and the above carrier was made to flow.

After that, the flow velocity was adjusted, the flowing volume at that time was measured, and the state was observed. As a result, the volume flowing at a flow rate of 1.3 liters / minute was 780 ml. It was 870 ml at 5 liters / minute, 900 ml at 2.3 liters / minute, and 960 ml at 3.1 liters / minute. As a result of observing the flow state, the state when the flow rate was 2.3 liters / minute was the best.

Next, a similar experiment was conducted without inserting glass spheres. As a result, when the flow rate was 1.5 liters / minute or less, the bottom part hardly flowed and the flow rate was slightly increased at 1.8 liters / minute. The flow volume was 790 ml, and at 2.4 liters / min, the flow volume was 900 ml, but the flow condition near the bottom was too violent, and it is thought that the carrier could maintain a normal shape. There wasn't.

As described above, the glass spheres were put in, the flow rate was set to 2.3 liters / minute, the flow was continued for 7 days, and the carrier was observed with a microscope. As a result, almost no fracture wear of the carrier was observed. .. On the other hand, after carrying out the same experiment without inserting glass spheres and observing with a microscope, it was found that many carriers were broken and worn.

Further, in the case where the glass bulb is not put in, if the tip opening of the liquid-feeding pipe for flow 21 is slightly deviated from the center of the reaction tank 1, a nonuniform flow is generated and a non-uniform flow is generated in the whole tank. When glass spheres were put in, a uniform flow state was obtained even if the axis line was slightly shifted.

2 to 4 show another embodiment of the present invention. The same elements as those shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 2, the reaction tank 1 has an integrated structure including the bottom portion, and the lid member also has a structure in which the silicon stopper 16 and the like are fitted to the upper portion of the reaction tank 1. As a result, the reactor 1 part can be simplified and downsized, and it can be provided at a lower cost than that shown in FIG. It is desirable that the reaction tank 1 is made of glass so that the contents can be observed as in the above.

In addition, the reactor shown in the present example is for moving the immobilized carrier to improve the reaction efficiency with the substrate in the same manner as described above, but the substrate liquid is supplied from the substrate tank 3 to the substrate pump 4 by the substrate pump 3. It is supplied into the reaction tank 1 through the substrate inlet pipe 23, forms a flow for raising the immobilized carrier, and then circulates through the path returning from the overflow port 51 to the substrate tank 3.

Therefore, although it has a batch type structure, this reactor functions as a continuous reactor, and in addition to the substrate in the reaction tank 1, the substrate in the substrate tank 3 also contributes to the reaction. Therefore, a large amount of reaction product can be obtained.

Further, in FIG. 3, two reaction tanks are used, the reaction tank 1 and the reaction tank 1 ′ are connected in series, and an overflow port 51 of the reaction tank 1 and a substrate feed pipe 23 ′ of the reaction tank 1 ′ are provided. Are connected by a pipe line 52. The components of the reaction tank 1'side are indicated by adding a dash to the reference numerals of the components corresponding to the reaction tank 1.

That is, in the apparatus of this embodiment, different microorganisms or enzymes are immobilized in the reactor 1 and the reactor 1 ′, respectively, and the constant temperature water circulating devices 61, 61 ′ are used to control the jackets 11, By circulating constant temperature water at a predetermined temperature in 11 ', different reactions can be continuously carried out, and a completely new product can be rapidly and efficiently produced in a short time. ..

In this case, it is possible not to install two units in series, but to install a plurality of units in series and to make them react continuously as long as the conditions are met.

FIG. 4 is a view in which the jacket is removed from the reaction tank 1 for further simplification, and is used by immersing it in the constant temperature water tank 62 as shown in the figure. Therefore, the reaction tank 1 can be further downsized and the price can be reduced, and it is most suitable as a teaching material for school such as middle school and high school.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, as described above, all of the materials shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 are introduced into the spherical body 6 filled in the bottom portion of the reaction tank 1 from the flow liquid feed pipe 21 or the substrate feed pipe 23. The above-mentioned flow can be generated in the immobilization carrier by allowing the substrate to flow out and the compaction and channeling are prevented so that the substrate solution and the immobilization carrier are sufficiently contacted with each other to enhance the reaction efficiency. be able to.

Further, since a uniform flow state can be obtained even if the flow-feeding liquid pipe 21 or the substrate feed-in pipe 23 for letting out the reaction liquid into the spherical body 6 does not coincide with the central axis, the apparatus can be set up. Since it becomes easier and the mistakes caused by setting mistakes can be greatly reduced, it is possible to greatly improve the overall efficiency as well as the reaction efficiency.

In FIG. 5, the bottom member 13 at the bottom of the reaction tank 1 shown in FIG. 1 is replaced with a bottom member 16 for a packed bed, and a perforated plate 17 is provided between the bottom member 16 and the reaction tank 1 main body 12. It is sandwiched and filled with the immobilized carrier 18 for filling in the reaction tank 1. In this case, the liquid sending pipe 21 is pulled up to just above the plate.

The immobilization carrier 18 to be filled is preferably selected to have a pressure loss as low as possible, and for example, a cylindrical porous glass carrier shown in the figure having an extremely low pressure loss is preferably used. However, the pressure loss is not limited to this, and may be any pressure loss.

In this embodiment, the fresh substrate is sent from the substrate tank 3 by the substrate pump 4 to the bottom of the reaction tank 1 from the liquid feed pipe 21, and reacts with the immobilized microorganisms or enzymes upward from the bottom. While proceeding, the product is taken out to the product tank 5 through the overflow port 51. During this time, a gas such as air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc. can be fed in as needed through the gas inlet 19 attached below the bottom member 16 for packed bed.

As described above, the reaction tank 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be used as the above-mentioned fluidized bed type or packed bed type by simply replacing the bottom member. By making the reactor removable and replaceable, the reaction type can be selected according to the purpose, and the reactor can be used efficiently.

[0053]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, a carrier on which microorganisms, enzymes, etc. are immobilized can be evenly flowed, and the reaction can be performed uniformly without causing the conventionally problematic phenomena such as channeling and compaction. Can proceed efficiently.

Further, by making the bottom member removable and replaceable, it can be used as a packed bed type reactor which has been conventionally used by simply converting the bottom part of the reaction tank. Since it can be used for both layers, it is very economical and convenient to use.

Since the structure is relatively simple, the manufacture can be simplified, and a large number of simplified products can be purchased. Therefore, many kinds of experiments can be conducted in parallel, and the experiment period can be greatly extended. It can be shortened. In other words, by miniaturizing the reaction tank in this way, it is possible to perform multiple experiments in parallel using different microorganisms or enzymes under different conditions, shortening the experiment period and providing valuable data. It has the excellent effect of preventing large consumption.

Since the simplified one is easy to handle, it can be widely used for school education.

Although the present invention mainly targets microorganisms and enzymes, it can also be used as an affinity chromatograph by selecting the properties of the substrate solution and the immobilized carrier.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of the reactor of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing an example of a simplified reactor.

FIG. 3 is a system diagram showing an example in which two reactors are connected in series.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of a reactor in which the reactor of FIG. 2 is further simplified.

FIG. 5 is a system diagram showing an example in which the reactor shown in FIG. 1 is of a packed bed type.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Reactor 2 ... Flow pump 3 ... Substrate tank
4 ... Substrate pump 5 ... Product tank 6 ... Spherical body 11 ... Jacket 12 ... Main body 13 ... Bottom member 14 ... Lid member 15 ... Clamp
21 ... Liquid-feeding pipe 22 ... Drawing pipe 23 ... Substrate inlet pipe 51 ... Overflow port

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. The bottom of the reaction tank is filled with a large number of spherical bodies, and the tip of a liquid feed pipe for supplying the reaction solution to the reaction tank is opened in a packed layer of the spherical bodies. Reactor to do. 2. The reactor according to claim 1, wherein the reaction tank has a bottom portion that is filled with the spherical body and is detachable from the reaction tank main body portion. 3. The reaction according to claim 1, wherein the reaction tank has an extraction pipe or an overflow port through which a reaction solution is led out, and the vicinity of the extraction pipe or the overflow port is expanded. vessel.