JPS61205478A - Apparatus for controlling fermentation in closed fermentation tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the sure cooling and agitation of fermentation mixture, using a compact system for the feeding of inert gas, by placing a small tank in the middle of the exterior circulation channel of a closed fermentation tank and supplying cooled inert gas into the small tank. CONSTITUTION:The pump P and the blower B are energized by the signals of the sensors S1 and S2 detecting the temperature and alcohol concentration of the fermentation mixture in the fermentation tank T, and the fermentation mixture in the tank 2. The inert gas is circulated via the blower B, the heat- exchanger 5a, the demister 6 for separating gas and liquid, the motor valve M2, the small tank 2, the cyclone 4 to recover entrained mixture, the motor valve M1, and the blower B and the fermentation mixture is cooled by the heat-exchange between the mixture in the small tank 2 and the inert gas until the temperature and the alcohol concentration of the fermentation mixture reach specific levels.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the fermentation of fermentation raw materials such as alcohol and soy sauce stored in a closed fermentation tank.

[Conventional technology]

As a fermentation control device for this type of closed fermentation tank, by supplying cooled inert gas from the bottom of the closed fermentation tank, the fermentation temperature of the strains is controlled by bringing the inert gas into contact with the strains. There are fermentation temperature control mechanisms that control the fermentation temperature to a predetermined temperature (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-5938
No. 8, Special Publication No. 5B-9665, etc.).

When using this conventional device, the tank structure can be simplified compared to, for example, a system in which the cooling fluid is forced to circulate and flow along the inside of a jacket formed within the wall thickness of a closed fermentation tank. Not only can this cooling inert gas be used to stir the various strains in the tank at the same time, which has the advantage of eliminating the need for a large stirrer such as a jacket type. There was a problem like this.

In other words, in order to simultaneously cool and stir the stocks by blowing inert gas into the bottom of a large-capacity tank, it is necessary to blow in a large amount of inert gas at high pressure, which results in a larger blower. Not only that, but the running cost is also high.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The first object of the present invention is to ensure that the cooling and stirring of various strains can be carried out reliably while reducing running costs. The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to economically and efficiently recover produced alcohol during continuous fermentation by using an inert gas supply system for stirring.

[Means for solving problems]

The characteristic configuration of the fermentation control device for a closed fermentation tank according to the present invention is that the various strains stored in the closed fermentation tank can be poured out from the bottom of the tank and circulated to the top of the tank. An external circulation channel is connected, and in the middle of this circulation channel, a pump device for forced circulation of the various strains and a tank section with a capacity smaller than the capacity of the fermentation tank are provided, and a cooling device is provided in the tank section. The present invention has a fermentation temperature control mechanism that controls the fermentation temperature of the strains to a predetermined temperature by bringing the inert gas into contact with the strains by supplying and flowing the inert gas. is as follows.

[For production]

In other words, the strains can be stirred by pouring out the strains located at the bottom of the closed fermentation tank and circulating and flowing them to the top of the tank along the external circulation channel. Moreover, the fermentation temperature of the strains is controlled to a predetermined temperature by bringing the strains into contact with an inert gas in a small-capacity tank formed in the middle of the external circulation flow path.
The amount and pressure of inert gas supplied can be reduced as much as possible compared to conventional methods, and the inert gas can also be used to stir various strains.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Therefore, although it is necessary to newly install an external circulation channel and a pump device for forced circulation of various plants compared to the conventional method, the inert gas supply system, which accounts for a large proportion of equipment, can be made as compact as possible. As a result, it has become possible to reliably cool and stir the stocks while reducing running costs.

[Means for solving problems]

The characteristic configuration of the fermentation control device for a closed fermentation tank according to the second invention is that the strains stored in the outer tank can be poured out from the bottom of the tank and circulated to the top of the tank. A pump device for forced circulation of the various strains and a tank portion having a capacity smaller than the capacity of the fermentation tank are interposed in the middle of the circulation flow path. means for controlling the fermentation temperature of the strains to a predetermined temperature by bringing the inert gas into contact with the strains by supplying and flowing cooled and dehumidified inert gas into the tank section; a means for separating and recovering the alcohol evaporated into the inert gas by pouring it out and cooling it, and a means for circulating and supplying the separated inert gas to the tank section. The point is that a control mechanism is provided, and its operation and
The effects are as follows.

[For production]

In other words, the cooling and dehumidifying process necessary to cool and dehumidify the inert gas whose temperature has risen due to heat exchange with various plants in the tank section of the external circulation flow path and to circulate and supply it to the tank section again. By utilizing this inert gas to lI the alcohol that has evaporated into the inert gas, it is possible to efficiently recover alcohol, which is a factor that hinders the fermentation of various strains.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Therefore, as with the first invention described above, not only can the running costs be reduced and the stocks can be reliably cooled and stirred, but also the cooling and stirring of the stocks can be carried out reliably. Using an active gas circulation supply system, we have been able to efficiently and continuously ferment various strains while economically and efficiently recovering the alcohol produced.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

(1) is an external circulation channel connected to the fermentation tank (↑) in order to pour out the various strains housed in the closed fermentation tank (T) from the bottom to the outside and circulate them to the top of the tank. In the middle of this external circulation channel (1), a pump device (P) for forced circulation of the various strains and a tank part (2) having a smaller capacity than the fermentation tank (T) are installed. I am intervening.

The pump device (P) is a first pump interposed in the stock pouring channel portion (1a) of the external circulation channel (1) that extends from the fermentation tank (T) to the upper part of the tank section (2). (P,)
and a second pump (Pt) interposed in the return passage section (lb) from the bottom of the tank section (2) to the fermentation tank (T).

The tank part (2) includes a tank main body (2a) and a tank main body (2a) for guiding various plants horizontally in multiple stages.
) and a plurality of wave path forming members (2c) that form the internal space (2b) of the channel into a zigzag-shaped flow path.

In (A), an inert gas using cooled and dehumidified carbon dioxide (Cot) is supplied and flowed into the tank part (2) to bring the inert gas into contact with the various strains. A means for controlling the fermentation temperature to a predetermined temperature, and a means for controlling the fermentation temperature to a predetermined temperature, and this tank section (
2) A means for separating and recovering the alcohol and low boiling point components evaporated into the inert gas in a liquid state by pouring out the inert gas and cooling it, and a means for separating and recovering the alcohol and low boiling point components that have evaporated into this inert gas, and the inert gas after this separation. This fermentation temperature control mechanism is equipped with a means for circulating and supplying the fermentation temperature to the lower part of the tank section (2).

This fermentation temperature control mechanism (A) consists of a tank section (
2) into the circulation channel (3) extending from the upper part to the lower part, the droplets discharged from the tank part (2) together with the inert gas are separated and transferred to the upper part of the tank part (2). Cyclone (4) for collecting sprayed stocks to be returned, motor valve (Ml
), a blower (B), and a cooler (5) equipped with a heat exchanger (5a) for cooling the inert gas by heat exchange with a refrigerant.
), a gas-liquid separation demister (6) that condenses the alcohol and low-boiling components that have evaporated into the inert gas and separates them by the cooling action of the cooler (5), and a motor valve (M At the same time, the circulation flow path (3
), gas-liquid separation demister (6) and motor valve (M
A flow path (7) with a motor valve (l) capable of releasing inert gas into the atmosphere is connected to the flow path portion located between the circulation flow path (3) and the Valve (M
, ) and the blower (B),
A flow path (8) with a motor valve (M4) communicating with the upper part of the fermentation tank (T) is connected.

Further, a sensor (Sl) for detecting the temperature of the strains in the fermentation tank (T), a sensor (S2) for detecting the alcohol concentration of the strains in the fermentation tank (T), and a sensor (S1) for detecting the temperature of the strains in the fermentation tank (T), and a sensor (S2) for detecting the alcohol concentration of the strains in the fermentation tank (T), ) A sensor (S,
), a sensor (S#) for detecting the pressure in the fermentation tank (T), and a sensor (SS) for detecting the liquid level of the strains stored in the tank section (2). At the same time, a flow path (9) equipped with a pump (P,) is connected to the bottom of the demister (6) to take out the alcohol and low boiling point component liquid stored inside the demister to a predetermined location. ing.

When the temperature detected by the various stock temperature detection sensor (Sl) rises above the set temperature, the first pump (Pl) and the blower (B) are automatically driven based on the detection signal of this sensor (Sl). At the same time, even when the concentration detected by the alcohol concentration detection sensor (S2) rises above the set concentration, the first pump (P1) and the blower (B) are automatically activated based on the detection signal of this sensor (Sz). It is configured to be driven in a precise manner.

Further, when the liquid level detected by the moromi liquid level detection sensor (Ss) rises above the set liquid level level, the second pump (P
2) is configured to be automatically driven, and when the detected liquid level of the liquid level detection sensor (S3) rises above the set liquid level level, based on the detection signal of this sensor (S,) The pump (P,) is configured to be automatically driven.

Furthermore, when the detected pressure of the tank pressure detection sensor (S#) rises above the set pressure, this sensor (S4)
Based on the detection signal of the motor valve (L), (Ml
) is set to "open" and the motor valve (MI) and (M) are automatically switched to "closed", respectively, and the blower (B) is automatically driven.

Then, when the first pump (p1) and the blower (B) are driven based on the detection signals of the sensors (S1) and (St), the strains in the fermentation tank (T) flow from the bottom to the flow path section. (la) and is supplied to the upper part of the tank part (2). On the other hand, the inert gas is blower (B) =0
Heat exchanger (5a) = 6 gas-liquid separation demister (6) =
6 Motor valve (1 => Tank part (2) = 0 Splash Moromi collection cyclone (4) → Motor valve (Ml) The flow is circulated through the blower (B), and the tank part (
2) By heat exchange between the stocks and the inert gas, the stocks are cooled to a predetermined fermentation temperature and alcohol concentration.

The alcohol and low boiling point components that evaporated into the inert gas as a result of heat exchange with various stocks in the tank section (2) are condensed and separated in the gas-liquid separation demister (6), and then transferred to the inner bottom of the tank section (2). stored. When this stored liquid reaches a set level, the pump (P3) is automatically driven based on the detection signal from the sensor (S3), and the stored liquid containing alcohol and low boiling point components is taken out to a predetermined location.

Further, when the stored stocks in the tank section (2) reach a set level, the second pump (P) is automatically driven based on the detection signal of the sensor (S), and the stored stocks are removed. is returned to the upper part of the fermentation tank (T) through the return channel section (lb) of the external circulation channel (1). Due to the circulating flow of the stocks and the heat exchange effect between the stocks and the inert gas in the tank section (2), the stocks are naturally stirred.

When the pressure of the fermentation tank (T) reaches the set pressure due to carbon dioxide (Co□) generated during the fermentation of the various strains in the fermentation tank (T), based on the detection signal of the sensor (S4) Motor valve (M4), (Mg) is “
Motor valve (Ml) to "Open".

(M is switched to "closed", the blower (B) is driven, and carbon dioxide (Cot) is transferred to the flow path (8).
)=>Blower (B)=0 Heat exchanger (5a) 4 Gas-liquid separation demi-meter (6)=Discharged into the atmosphere through the O flow path (7). At this time, the alcohol and low boiling point components evaporated into carbon dioxide (COz) are also transferred to the gas-liquid separation demister.
It is condensed and separated in (6).

In addition, (S6) in the figure is a sensor that detects the amount of dissolved oxygen in the various strains in the fermentation tank (T), and (10) is a motor valve connected to the bottom of the fermentation tank (T). (M,), when the amount of dissolved oxygen detected by the sensor (S6) decreases below the set amount of dissolved oxygen, the motor valve group , ) are automatically opened and operated, and the compressor (CP) is also automatically driven. Then, by supplying oxygen into the fermentation tank (T) with a compressor (CP), carbon dioxide (Co
□) suppresses the negative effects on fermentation.

In addition, the fermentation control device of the closed fermentation tank mentioned above monitors various temperatures, alcohol concentration, and carbon dioxide (Cot) 4 degrees, and circulates the various strains under the set conditions to prevent factors that hinder the promotion of fermentation. The system is designed to remove alcohol and heat while simultaneously monitoring the amount of dissolved oxygen in the plants.

In addition, in the above embodiment, carbon dioxide (Co□) was used as the inert gas, but carbon dioxide gas,
It may be carried out using other inert gases that do not act on various strains, such as helium, argon, neon, or Kryton.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Is the drawing showing the fermentation system of the closed fermentation tank according to the present invention? It is a piping system diagram showing an example of an IO device. (T)......Closed fermentation tank, (P)...
... Pump device, (A) ... Fermentation temperature control mechanism, (1) ... External circulation channel, (2) ...
...Tank part, (S,)...Sensor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] [1] An external circulating flow system in which the moromi stored in the closed fermentation tank (T) can be poured out from the bottom of the tank and circulated to the top of the tank. The channel (1) is connected to the circulation channel (1), and in the middle of the circulation channel (1), there is a pump device (P) for forced circulation and flow of the moromi, and a tank section (2) having a smaller capacity than the fermentation tank (T). Fermentation temperature control that controls the fermentation temperature of the moromi to a predetermined temperature by bringing the inert gas into contact with the moromi by supplying and flowing a cooled inert gas into the tank section (2). A fermentation control device for a closed fermentation tank equipped with mechanism (A). [2] The pump device (P) automatically operates when the detected temperature rises above the set temperature based on the detection signal of the sensor (S_1) that detects the temperature of the moromi in the fermentation tank (T). A fermentation control device for a closed fermentation tank according to claim 1, which is configured as follows. [3] The tank portion (2) is configured to allow the moromi supplied from the upper part to come into contact with an inert gas while guiding it down to a plurality of stages from side to side. Fermentation control device for closed fermentation tanks. [4] Connect an external circulation channel (1) to the closed fermentation tank (T) that allows the moromi stored in the tank (T) to be poured out from the bottom of the tank and circulated to the top of the tank. However, in the middle of this circulation flow path (1), a pump device (P) for forcedly circulating moromi and a tank part (2) having a smaller capacity than the fermentation tank (T) are installed. , means for controlling the fermentation temperature of the moromi to a predetermined temperature by bringing the inert gas into contact with the moromi by supplying and flowing a cooled and dehumidified inert gas into the tank part (2); A means for separating and recovering the alcohol evaporated into the inert gas by pouring out the inert gas in the section (2) and cooling it, and a means for separating and recovering the alcohol vaporized in the inert gas, and a means for discharging the separated inert gas into the tank section (2). A fermentation control device for a closed fermentation tank, which is equipped with a fermentation temperature control mechanism (A) having means for circulating and supplying fermentation to the fermentation tank.