US668080A - Apparatus for manufacturing yeast. - Google Patents

Apparatus for manufacturing yeast. Download PDF

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US668080A
US668080A US73777699A US1899737776A US668080A US 668080 A US668080 A US 668080A US 73777699 A US73777699 A US 73777699A US 1899737776 A US1899737776 A US 1899737776A US 668080 A US668080 A US 668080A
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vessel
pipe
air
liquid
shaft
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Emile Barbet
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    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12MAPPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M23/00Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/34Internal compartments or partitions
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12MAPPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M23/00Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/02Form or structure of the vessel
    • C12M23/04Flat or tray type, drawers
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12MAPPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M29/00Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps
    • C12M29/12Pulsatile flow

Definitions

  • n4 mams PETERS co.. vnnvcummwmuwm n. c
  • My invention has relation to the manufacture of pure ferments, such as distillers and brewers yeast.
  • the air which acts upon the ferment-cell is especially the dissolved air and ⁇ when brought into contact 1with a thin stratum or film of liquid under cultivation its action is not the same as When the air is forced into a body of such liquid.
  • a striking proof of this is found in the cultivatiou of the amylomices Rouxii, the mucedineze showing different aspects according as they are cultivated in a film by superficial aeration or by immersion, in which latter process great volumes of air must be injected into the body of the wort, as is the case in some of the later processes of fermentation, because the action of the air on the fungi or germs is far less effective than in film culture.
  • FIG. l is a vertical sectional elevation of an apparatusembodyingmy invention.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 are similar views, the sections being taken in planes at right angles to each other, illustrating a modified construction of propagating vessel.
  • Fig. 4 is a sectional detail View, drawn to an enlarged scale, showing the upper section and one ofthe intermediate sections of the shaft G, Figs. 2 and 3; and
  • Fig. 5 is an elevation illustrating a plant suitable to the continuous manufacture of yeast.
  • the apparatuses used should be of such a construction as to be readily sterilized and that the cultivation and propagation may be carried out aseptically-that is to say, under exclusion of all microbes or germs other than the ferment germ to be cultivated and propagated.
  • A indicates the propagating vessel, adapted to be hermetically closed and provided in its upper portion with a series of shelves a, preferably of copper, extending alternately from one side of the vessel nearly to the opposite side to form a zigzag passage, so that the liquid fed to the upper shelf will iow from the same onto the shelf next below, and so on over all the shelves successively.
  • the shelves have upturned free edges, a portion of which opposite to the inow of liquid and air being l serrated or dentilated, as shownat CtX,to form overflow-channels of such depth as to maintain upon said shelves a comparatively thin layer or film of liquid and to maintain the latter asloug as possible in contact with the air sweeping over the shelves before such liquid flows from one shelf to another.
  • the shelves a are provided with a discharge-opening normally closed by a stopper a2, the vessel A being provided with hand-holes through which access may be had to said stoppers and through which a hose may be introduced for the purposeof cleansing the shelves, said hand holes beingv normally closed by a cover a3.
  • a coil of pipe C In the lower part of the vessel A is arranged a coil of pipe C, and above the conveX bottom of said vessel are two glazed openings A' for observing the progress of the propagation, and said vessel is also provided with a manhole A2 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. I) for obvious purposes.
  • the vessel A is further provided with temperature and pressure indicators, as usual, with a seeding-tube t', a feed-pipe p4 in the upper head provided with a stop-cock for charging the vessel with a suitable propagating liquid, and with a branched pipe P and a pipe P' in its lower head, said pipe P and its branch p, as well as the pipe P', each being provided with a stop-cock.
  • the pipe P is connected with the receiving-chamber of a pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus B for raising the liquid under cultivation from the lower part of vessel A to the upper one of the series of shelves ct therein.
  • the apparatus Bis of well-known construction, and consists, essentially, of a casing b,
  • tube-sheets in to a lower receivingchamber b and an upper delivery-chamber b2, provided with a tem perature-indicator b4.
  • the open-ended raising-tubes b3 the number of which depends upon the capacity of the vessel
  • the air-injector I having a nozzle in line with and for each of said tubes, said injector being connected by a pipe P2, provided with a stopcock, with an air-filter, presently to be de-
  • the pipe P2 of the air-injector is connected with an air-filter F, contained in a casing ⁇ D of the required strength to sustain the necessary pressure to which it is subjected for sterilizing purposes.
  • the casing D has in its lower head a pipe d', provided with a stop-cock d2, and near its upper end a pipe d3, provided with a stop-cock d4.
  • To the upper head D' is secured the filter F, and in said head D/ is formed an air-passage cl, to the inlet vend of which the airsupply or feed pipe P3, provided with a stop-cock p3, is secured.
  • passage d5 To the inner or outlet end of passage d5 is connected one end of a coil of pipe d, whose opposite end is connected with the filter F near its lower end.
  • the head D of casing D is closed by a cover D3, having an outlet pipe di, in which is arranged a thermometer d8, and having a branch connected with the pipe P2 of the air-injector I of the pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus B.
  • the air-filter F contains a number of perforated partitionsf, the lower one of which rests loosely upon a seat-ringf or other suitable support, the remaining partitions fitting loosely in the filter-chamber and having layers of cottonwadding interposed between them.
  • a perforated pipe P4 Upon the upper partition f and having bearing against the cover D3 and surrou nding the inlet to the discharge-pipe Z7 is arranged a perforated pipe P4, so that when the cover is applied the layers of loose cottonwadding can be more or less compressed to prevent the air entering the filter from flowing in a more or less directcourse through the layers of cotton, which may be the case if in too loose a condition.
  • air passes through the several partitions it is divided into more or less fine streams, so that it can be more effectually and completely freed from all noxious germs.
  • a second filter E wherein the air is preliminarily purified by causing it to pass through several layers of cotton-wadding separated by perforated partitions e, loosely placed on the wadding, the air being forced into this filter below the lower one of the series of partitions e at e and fiowingfrom the upper part thereof through pipe P3 and coil 67,6 into the lower part of filter F.
  • an air-filter I constructed as described, it is not only possible to thoroughly filter or sterilize the air passing therethrough, but also to sterilize the filtering material by means of steam under such pressure as to heat the cotton to a sterilizingtemperaturesay 1500 centigrade-the steam being admitted into casing D through pipe (Z3, while the water of condensation is drawn off from time to time through pipe tZ, by which operation the air-supply coil is also sterilized. It furthermore possible to raise the normal temperature of the air to that degree most suitable to the culture and propagation of the ferment-cells by means of steam admitted into casing Dand maintain the tem perature of the air substantially uniform during the process of propagation-i. e., during the process of producing the ferment.
  • Any liquid suitable to the propagation of ferment-cells can of course be used--as, for instance, a brewer-s or distillers Wort--which may be sterilized in the propagating vessel itself by heat from coil C.
  • the wort may, however, be-sterilized in a separate vessel and fed to vessel A and cooled to the proper temperature by sion-:tying a cooling agent, as cold water, upon said vessel, the wort being fed thereto through pipe p1 by any wellknown means, with the usual lgnecautious against contamination with noxious germs, a sufficient quantity of the wort being introduced into said vessel to fill the same nearly to the lower one of the series of shelves a.
  • the Vessel A is supplied with wort it is sterilized by means of steamfor instance, by connecting the branch p of pipe P with a source of steam-supply under such pressure as to raise the temperature within the vessel to about 1500 centigrade.
  • the small amount ot' steam escaping from pipe t which is of comparatively small crosssectional areainternally, may be disregarded, especially if superheated steam is used, the water of condensation beingafterward drawn off through pipe I).
  • the air-escape pipe t or a portion thereof is preferably ⁇ flexible, so that duringl the charging and sterilizing of the vessel A it may be closed-as, for instance, by means of the well-known Mohr clamp.
  • Thepucumaticliquid-raisingapparatus is also sterilized bei-'ore the vessel A is charged, to which end hot water can be admitted through pipe P5 and allowed to flow off through pipe lj, and the stop-cock p' in pipe P may also be opened during the sterilization of the vessel A, so that the steam will tlow through the tubes b of said appal'atus.
  • the entire charge can be transferred through pipe P to the brewers or distillers vat or vats and used for fermenting batches of wort or mash, or the fermented liquid may be separated from the ferment by well-known means and distilled, while the yeast can be used as such or stored-in previously-sterilized receptacles, as will be nereinafter referred to, the wort and yeast being drawn off through lpipe l", after which the vessel A is again supplied with wort.
  • the deoxygenated air or partly-deoxygenated air is allowed to escape through the seeding-pipe t', together with the carbonio-acid gas evolved, hereinbefore stated,
  • the propagating vessel A which is provided with a heater-coil C, temperature and 'pressure indicators, an air and carbonic-acidgas escape-pipe, (not shown,) a seeding-tube t, and a wort-feed pipe p41, has a lower contracted extension A3, provided with a glazed aperture A', for purposes hereinbefore stated, and is connectibleat its upper end with the delivery-chamber of a pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus, such as described, through a pipe P7, which is or may be provided with a stop-cock. At a point near the upper end of the contracted extension A3 the vessel A is connectible with the receiving-chamber of the aforesaid yliquid raising apparatus through the pipe P.
  • the lower end of the extension A3 of vessel A, with its pipe P8, is immersed in a sterilized liquid contained in a vessel V', for purposes heretofore explained, this being likewise the case with the feed-pipe 1041 and the seeding-tube t", which latter is arranged in this case in the upper head of vessel A and immersed in an aseptic liquid contained in vessel V2 on said head, which latter is removably secured to the vessel A, so that a manhole is dispensed with.
  • the seeding-tube t has a valve-casing screwed thereto, the valve in which is held to its seat in the end of said tube by a spring coiled about the valve-stem-an arrangement commonly used in apparatus of the kind for the purpose of preventing access thereto of ad- Ventitious micro-organisms during propagation-and as a further safeguard the said tube and valve-case at the point of connection are immersed in an asepticized liquid.
  • a suitable bearing a3 in ⁇ vessel A is journaled one end of a cross-shaft S, that extends through a suitable stuffing-box bearing a4 and through a stuffing-box on a vessel V3, containing an asepticized liquid, said shaft carrying at its outer end a handle s and in the axial plane of the vessel A an eccentric E, on which is seated the lower bifurcated end g of a vertical shaft G, which bifurcated end also straddles the shaft S.
  • the shaft S On one side of the bifurcated lower end of the shaft G the shaft S carries a radial pin s', which when the eccentric is 'in the position shown in the drawings, with its greater diameter above'the shaft S, has bearing against a pin g8, secured to said bifurcated portion.
  • the shaft G extends At its lower end the extension t A3 has a T-pipe P8, the branches of which are through the upper head or cover of the vessel A and through a suitable stuffing-box immersed in the asepticized liquid in vessel V2, said shaft G being a sectional one.
  • the outer faces of the cones g3 and gG of the shaft-sections are turned true and serve as bearings for dished circular trays T, provided near and at alternate opposite edges with an overow-opening t, so that the wort will here also flow to and from one side of one tray to the opposite side of the tray next below, and so on throughout the series, the trays being all of the same diameter.
  • each of said rods having secured thereto a number of lugs r equal to the number of trays, said lugs having inclined faces corresponding with the inclined bottoms of the trays.
  • the operation of propagating the fermentcells is substantially the same as described in reference to the apparatus, Fig. ⁇ l, except that the ferment will not only settle in the extension A3 of vessel A, but also in the trays T, and after fermentation is completed the trays are emptied, as setferth.
  • Theferment-oryeast is allowed to settle in said extension and is then drawn off into sterilized vessels through branch ps of pipe P8.
  • the cultivation of ferment can, by'means of the construction of the propagating vessel, be made continuous, which is of great importance in the product-ion of ferment for the market or for the brewer and distiller.
  • a battery of propagating Vessels A connected in series by pneumatic lifting' apparatuses B, the lastI of the series of vessels A being connected by pipe M and branch pipes m with two or more fermenting-vats V V', the number of such dependiug upon the output of the distiller orbrewer, or said vats V V, dsc., may serve as stock-rats for the ferment, which may be taken thence to the propagating Vessel or vessels A A.
  • the process of cultiva tion is carried on gradually in the battery ol' vessels A, so that the fermentation of the Wort-i. e., the process of propagationwwill be completed in the last of the series of vessels A, the wort being continuously fed to the first of said vessels A and transferred, as described, in succession from the lower part of one vessel to the upper part of the next.
  • the manufacture of yeast for the market in a concentrated form the last vessel A of the series is preferably of the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3 for obvious reasons, each of the pneumatic liquid-raising apparatuses B being of course connected with a source of supply of sterilized or filtered air.
  • Apparatus such as described comprising a propagating vessel, shelves therein constructed and arranged to cause the propagating liquid to How thereover alternately in opposite directions and to constantly maintain thereon a thin stratum of such liquid, and means for transferring said liquid ⁇ in successive small quantities from the lower part of the vessel to the upper shelf therein, and for simultaneously conveying sterilized air in successive small quantities with said small quantities of liquid,for the purposes set forth.
  • Apparatus such as described,comprising a propagating vessel, shelves therein constructed and arranged to cause the propagating liquid to flow thereover alternately in 0ppositc directions aud to constantly maintain thereon a com parativel;1 thin stratum of liquid, a pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus B such as described, having its receiving-chatnber connected with the lower part of the vessel and its delivery-chamber with the upper part thereof, to discharge liquid and air onto the upper shelf, and an air-sterilizer connected with theinjector of said raising apparatus, for the purpose set forth.
  • Apparatus such as described,comprising a propagating vessel, shelves therein constructed and arranged to cause the propagating liquid to flow thereover alternately in opposite direct-ions and to constantly maintain thereon a thin stratum of liquid, means in the lower part of the vessel for heating the liquid, a pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus B, such as described, having its receivingchamber connected with said lower part of the ves'sel, and its delivery-chamber with the upper part thereof to discharge liquid and air onto the upper shelf; iu combination with an air-sterilizer connected with the injector of said apparatus B, and means for preheating the sterilized air, for the purpose set forth.
  • a propagating vessehsuperposed shelves therein each provided with a discharge-opening in line With one another,plugs closing said openings, and means adapted to be operated from Without for shifting said plugs simultaneously to open and close their respective discharge-openings, for the purpose set forth.
  • a ferment-propagating vessel a vertical shaft therein com posed of sections detachably connected together, each section provided With a cone-journal, dished shelves provided with an axial bearing fitting said cone-journals, means for raising and lowering the IOO IIO
  • a ferment-propagating vessel having a settling-chamber atits lower end and a T' pipe connected with the loWer'end of said chamber, the branches of said pipe provided each with stop-cock, superposed dished shelves in the upper part of the vessel having overflow ports at alternately opposite edges, means operated from Without'the vessel for emptying said shelves and a shi ftable vessel V cont-aining an asepticized liquid in which the stopcocks of the aforesaid T-pipe are immersed, for the purpose set forth.
  • a ferment-propagating vessel having a settling-chamber at its lower end, and a T- pipe connected 'with the lower end of said chamber, the branches of said pipe provided each with stop cock, superposed dished shelves in the upper part of the vessel having overfioW-ports at alternately opposite edges, and means operated from Without the vessel for emptying said shelves; in combination with a pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus B .such as described, having its receiving-chamber. connected with the upper part of the aforementioned settling-chamber and its de.
  • an air-sterilizer connected with the injector of said apparatus B, and a connection between said sterlizer and one of the branches of the aforesaid T-pipe, for the pur-A pose set forth.
  • a ferment-propagating apparatus a plurality of propagating vessels, shelves therein constructed and arranged to cause the propagating liquid to ow from shelf to shelf alternately in opposite directions, means for feeding said liquid to the first vessel of the series, a pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus B such as described, interposed between each two of said vessels and having its receivingchamber connected With the lower part of one vessel and its delivery-chamber with the upper part of the next succeeding vessel to disl charge liquid and air onto the upper shelf therein, a similar apparatus B for the first vessel of the series havingits receiving-chamber connected with the lower part and its delivery-chamber with the upper part thereof to discharge the liquid and air onto the upper shelf therein, and one or more storage vessels connected with the lower part of the last fermenting vessel of the battery of such; in combination with means for supplying sterilized air to the injectors of ihe apparatuses B, for the purpose set forth.

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Description

INU. @68,080. Patented Feb. l2, |90I. E. BARBET.
APPARATUS FDR MANUFACTURING YEAST.
(Application led Nov. 21, 1899.)
n4: mams PETERS co.. vnnvcummwmuwm n. c
m. www. Y rammed Feb. l2, Ism'. IE. BARBET.
APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING YEAST.
(Application mad Nov. 21, 1999.) (1Mo Modaal.) 2 Sheeta-Sheei 2.
@trarne Fanfani @mirent EMILE BARBE'I, OF PARIS, FRANCE.
llltlllmrlHATUS FOR MANUFACTURIING YEAST.
SITECIFIGATIN forming part of Letters Patent No. 668,080, dated February 12, 1901*.
Application filed November 2l, 1899` Serial No. 737,776. (No model.)
Il) all whom t may concern:
13e itknovrn that I, EMILE BARBET, a citizen of France, residing at Paris, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Manufacture of Pure Ferments, such as Distillers and Brewers Yeast; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to malte and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.
My invention has relation to the manufacture of pure ferments, such as distillers and brewers yeast.
In the manufacture of fermeuts the aeration of the cultures is, as practice has demonstrated, one of the most important factors, it being of course assumed that the propagation is effected under absolutely aseptic conditions in so far as contamination of the culture by foreign microbes is concerned. It is not an easy matter, l'or instance, to aerate the culture in an industrial vat of considerable capacity Where the air must be distributed throughout the body of the liquid in which the ferment is to be propagated. This has hitherto been effected by means of pipes arranged in the bottom of the vat and having numerous fine perforations, the sterilized air being supplied to said pipes under pressure. I have found that in practice all of these fine perforations are not available, because the air, unless under a pressure which is not conducive to the uniform and rapid propagation of the ferment, Will issue from the perforations of the pipe or pipes at certain points rather than at others, and however small these perforations may be it is impossible to avoid the union of the small bubbles of air into large spherical bubbles, whose action upon the spores is very limited, While if the perforations in 'the pipes are very small there always danger of their becoming choked u p, so that in practice it has become necessary to inject from fifty to one hundred times the quantity of air theoretically necessary to the propagation of the ferment. The air which acts upon the ferment-cell is especially the dissolved air and `when brought into contact 1with a thin stratum or film of liquid under cultivation its action is not the same as When the air is forced into a body of such liquid. A striking proof of this is found in the cultivatiou of the amylomices Rouxii, the mucedineze showing different aspects according as they are cultivated in a film by superficial aeration or by immersion, in which latter process great volumes of air must be injected into the body of the wort, as is the case in some of the later processes of fermentation, because the action of the air on the fungi or germs is far less effective than in film culture. Furthermore, in the propagation of yeastcells the surface aeration tends to greatly increase the activity of the cells, even more so than in the similar cultivation of mucedineae, as has been proven by Pasteur, so that the large quantities of yeast usually required can be materially reduced.
rThe object of this invention is to apply this kind of aerobiosis to the manufacture of pure yeast.; and it consists, essentially, in the apparatuses employed and in the combination of apparatuses whereby the manufacture may be carried out continuously; but that my invention may be fully understood I Will describe the same in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,in which- Figure l is a vertical sectional elevation of an apparatusembodyingmy invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are similar views, the sections being taken in planes at right angles to each other, illustrating a modified construction of propagating vessel. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail View, drawn to an enlarged scale, showing the upper section and one ofthe intermediate sections of the shaft G, Figs. 2 and 3; and Fig. 5 is an elevation illustrating a plant suitable to the continuous manufacture of yeast.
In the manufacture of pure ferments it is essential that the apparatuses used should be of such a construction as to be readily sterilized and that the cultivation and propagation may be carried out aseptically-that is to say, under exclusion of all microbes or germs other than the ferment germ to be cultivated and propagated.
In Fig. 1, A indicates the propagating vessel, adapted to be hermetically closed and provided in its upper portion with a series of shelves a, preferably of copper, extending alternately from one side of the vessel nearly to the opposite side to form a zigzag passage, so that the liquid fed to the upper shelf will iow from the same onto the shelf next below, and so on over all the shelves successively. The shelves have upturned free edges, a portion of which opposite to the inow of liquid and air being l serrated or dentilated, as shownat CtX,to form overflow-channels of such depth as to maintain upon said shelves a comparatively thin layer or film of liquid and to maintain the latter asloug as possible in contact with the air sweeping over the shelves before such liquid flows from one shelf to another.
At or near the upturned outer edge the shelves a are provided with a discharge-opening normally closed by a stopper a2, the vessel A being provided with hand-holes through which access may be had to said stoppers and through which a hose may be introduced for the purposeof cleansing the shelves, said hand holes beingv normally closed by a cover a3.
In the lower part of the vessel A is arranged a coil of pipe C, and above the conveX bottom of said vessel are two glazed openings A' for observing the progress of the propagation, and said vessel is also provided with a manhole A2 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. I) for obvious purposes. The vessel A is further provided with temperature and pressure indicators, as usual, with a seeding-tube t', a feed-pipe p4 in the upper head provided with a stop-cock for charging the vessel with a suitable propagating liquid, and with a branched pipe P and a pipe P' in its lower head, said pipe P and its branch p, as well as the pipe P', each being provided with a stop-cock.
The pipe P is connected with the receiving-chamber of a pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus B for raising the liquid under cultivation from the lower part of vessel A to the upper one of the series of shelves ct therein.
The apparatus Bis of well-known construction, and consists, essentially, of a casing b,
divided by tube-sheets in to a lower receivingchamber b and an upper delivery-chamber b2, provided with a tem perature-indicator b4. In the tube-sheets are secured the open-ended raising-tubes b3, the number of which depends upon the capacity of the vessel, and in said receiving-chamber b' is arranged the air-injector I, having a nozzle in line with and for each of said tubes, said injector being connected by a pipe P2, provided with a stopcock, with an air-filter, presently to be de- By means of the pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus wherein the liquid is raised by the ascensional property of the air, small volumes of liquid alternating with air-bubbles,
I not only raise the liquid, as described, but
scanso the tube t and carrying with it the carbonicacid gas generated by fermentation, which 'acid may be collected and freed from airaud liquefied if desiredfor use.
It is obvious that with a pneumatic apparatus B constructed as described it is possible to either heat or cool the liquid raised to any desired temperature by admitting a heating or a cooling agent throught-he pipe P5 and exhausting it through pipe P6.
As hereiubefore stated, the pipe P2 of the air-injector is connected with an air-filter F, contained in a casing` D of the required strength to sustain the necessary pressure to which it is subjected for sterilizing purposes. The casing D has in its lower head a pipe d', provided with a stop-cock d2, and near its upper end a pipe d3, provided with a stop-cock d4. To the upper head D' is secured the filter F, and in said head D/ is formed an air-passage cl, to the inlet vend of which the airsupply or feed pipe P3, provided with a stop-cock p3, is secured. To the inner or outlet end of passage d5 is connected one end of a coil of pipe d, whose opposite end is connected with the filter F near its lower end. The head D of casing D is closed by a cover D3, having an outlet pipe di, in which is arranged a thermometer d8, and having a branch connected with the pipe P2 of the air-injector I of the pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus B.
The air-filter F contains a number of perforated partitionsf, the lower one of which rests loosely upon a seat-ringf or other suitable support, the remaining partitions fitting loosely in the filter-chamber and having layers of cottonwadding interposed between them. Upon the upper partition f and having bearing against the cover D3 and surrou nding the inlet to the discharge-pipe Z7 is arranged a perforated pipe P4, so that when the cover is applied the layers of loose cottonwadding can be more or less compressed to prevent the air entering the filter from flowing in a more or less directcourse through the layers of cotton, which may be the case if in too loose a condition. air passes through the several partitions it is divided into more or less fine streams, so that it can be more effectually and completely freed from all noxious germs. y
In practice I prefer to use in conjunction with the described filter F a second filter E, wherein the air is preliminarily purified by causing it to pass through several layers of cotton-wadding separated by perforated partitions e, loosely placed on the wadding, the air being forced into this filter below the lower one of the series of partitions e at e and fiowingfrom the upper part thereof through pipe P3 and coil 67,6 into the lower part of filter F. I am thus enabled to free the air from all solid impurities and also 'from a great portion of germs held in suspension therein, so that the cotton in the filter F need not be sterilized or removed by reason of an accumulation ofsolid substances as often as would otherwise be the ICO IIC
Furthermore, as the I case, while such removal can more readily be effected from the small air-filter as often as may be necessary. As shown, access may be had to the filter I? through the lower end thereof, which is closed by a screw-cap F".
With an air-filter I constructed as described, it is not only possible to thoroughly filter or sterilize the air passing therethrough, but also to sterilize the filtering material by means of steam under such pressure as to heat the cotton to a sterilizingtemperaturesay 1500 centigrade-the steam being admitted into casing D through pipe (Z3, while the water of condensation is drawn off from time to time through pipe tZ, by which operation the air-supply coil is also sterilized. It furthermore possible to raise the normal temperature of the air to that degree most suitable to the culture and propagation of the ferment-cells by means of steam admitted into casing Dand maintain the tem perature of the air substantially uniform during the process of propagation-i. e., during the process of producing the ferment.
Any liquid suitable to the propagation of ferment-cells can of course be used--as, for instance, a brewer-s or distillers Wort--which may be sterilized in the propagating vessel itself by heat from coil C. The wort may, however, be-sterilized in a separate vessel and fed to vessel A and cooled to the proper temperature by sion-:tying a cooling agent, as cold water, upon said vessel, the wort being fed thereto through pipe p1 by any wellknown means, with the usual lgnecautious against contamination with noxious germs, a sufficient quantity of the wort being introduced into said vessel to fill the same nearly to the lower one of the series of shelves a.
Of course before the Vessel A is supplied with wort it is sterilized by means of steamfor instance, by connecting the branch p of pipe P with a source of steam-supply under such pressure as to raise the temperature within the vessel to about 1500 centigrade. The small amount ot' steam escaping from pipe t, which is of comparatively small crosssectional areainternally, may be disregarded, especially if superheated steam is used, the water of condensation beingafterward drawn off through pipe I). In practice the air-escape pipe t or a portion thereof is preferably `flexible, so that duringl the charging and sterilizing of the vessel A it may be closed-as, for instance, by means of the well-known Mohr clamp. Thepucumaticliquid-raisingapparatus is also sterilized bei-'ore the vessel A is charged, to which end hot water can be admitted through pipe P5 and allowed to flow off through pipe lj, and the stop-cock p' in pipe P may also be opened during the sterilization of the vessel A, so that the steam will tlow through the tubes b of said appal'atus.
The usual precautions are taken to prevent access of atmospheric geruis through the various stop-cocks, these being immersed in a liquid asepticized by means of formel, as shown in Fig. l, where the lower part of the pneumatic raising apparatus B is contained in a vessel V containing such asepticised liquid, in which the stop-cocksof the pipes P and P2 are also immersed, similar arrangements beine` provided for the other pipes. In practice the pipe 't' may be partly metal and partly rubber and may then be closed during sterilization and the drawing off of the ferment and fermented liquor by means of a clamp, as hereinbefore referred to.
From what has been said the operation of the apparatus will need but a brief description.
In practice I first introduce into Vessel A through su pply-pipe p a part of the quantity of wort, and after closing the stop-cock in said pipe I sow the wort with mncedinefe introduced into vessel A through the seedingtube which is then closed by means of a Mohr clamp, for instance. The stop-cock p' in pipe P, which is closed during the described operations, as shown in Fig. l, is now opened and wort is allowed to tiow into I3 until the injectors I are completely immersed, when the stop-cock in pipe I2 is opened to admit sterilized air to said injectors, whereby the wort is raised iu the tubes oi' B in the manner hereinbefore described and iiows from the upper end of B onto the upperone of the shelves a and thence from shelf to shelf, the air supplied sweeping over the thin film of liquid always present on the shelves, the oxygen acting upon the same ina well-known manner. As soon as the pressure in vessel A has risen sufficiently the seeding-tube t is opened, allowing the air aud carbonio-acid gas generated by fermentation to escapo. As the fermentation or propagation of the mucedineze proceeds I introduce into vessel Aa further portion of the normal charge of wort, and so on until all the wort to be used has been supplied to said vessel A, as I have lfoundthat the propagation of the n1 ucedinem proceeds much more rapidly by the gradual addition of wort. The fermentation-ft'. e., the propagation of the ferment-proceeds rapidly, and its progress can be observed through the glazed apertures A. After 'fermentation ceases the entire charge can be transferred through pipe P to the brewers or distillers vat or vats and used for fermenting batches of wort or mash, or the fermented liquid may be separated from the ferment by well-known means and distilled, while the yeast can be used as such or stored-in previously-sterilized receptacles, as will be nereinafter referred to, the wort and yeast being drawn off through lpipe l", after which the vessel A is again supplied with wort. During the fermentation the deoxygenated air or partly-deoxygenated air is allowed to escape through the seeding-pipe t', together with the carbonio-acid gas evolved, hereinbefore stated,
In Figs. 2 and 3 I have shown a modified IOO IIO
form of propagating apparatus more especially designed for the production of concentrated ferments-that is to say, an apparatus of such a construction that the ferment may be readily separated from the lnother or fermented liquid and put up in suitable vessels, previously sterilized, for market.
The propagating vessel A, which is provided with a heater-coil C, temperature and 'pressure indicators, an air and carbonic-acidgas escape-pipe, (not shown,) a seeding-tube t, and a wort-feed pipe p41, has a lower contracted extension A3, provided with a glazed aperture A', for purposes hereinbefore stated, and is connectibleat its upper end with the delivery-chamber of a pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus, such as described, through a pipe P7, which is or may be provided with a stop-cock. At a point near the upper end of the contracted extension A3 the vessel A is connectible with the receiving-chamber of the aforesaid yliquid raising apparatus through the pipe P.
ing screw-threaded for the application thereto of a rubber discharge-tube, while the branch p9 of said pipe P8 is connectible or connected v with a branch of the air-feed pipe P5 by means of a flexible tube p10.
As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the lower end of the extension A3 of vessel A, with its pipe P8, is immersed in a sterilized liquid contained in a vessel V', for purposes heretofore explained, this being likewise the case with the feed-pipe 1041 and the seeding-tube t", which latter is arranged in this case in the upper head of vessel A and immersed in an aseptic liquid contained in vessel V2 on said head, which latter is removably secured to the vessel A, so that a manhole is dispensed with.
, The seeding-tube t has a valve-casing screwed thereto, the valve in which is held to its seat in the end of said tube by a spring coiled about the valve-stem-an arrangement commonly used in apparatus of the kind for the purpose of preventing access thereto of ad- Ventitious micro-organisms during propagation-and as a further safeguard the said tube and valve-case at the point of connection are immersed in an asepticized liquid.
In a suitable bearing a3 in `vessel A is journaled one end of a cross-shaft S, that extends through a suitable stuffing-box bearing a4 and through a stuffing-box on a vessel V3, containing an asepticized liquid, said shaft carrying at its outer end a handle s and in the axial plane of the vessel A an eccentric E, on which is seated the lower bifurcated end g of a vertical shaft G, which bifurcated end also straddles the shaft S. On one side of the bifurcated lower end of the shaft G the shaft S carries a radial pin s', which when the eccentric is 'in the position shown in the drawings, with its greater diameter above'the shaft S, has bearing against a pin g8, secured to said bifurcated portion. The shaft G extends At its lower end the extension t A3 has a T-pipe P8, the branches of which are through the upper head or cover of the vessel A and through a suitable stuffing-box immersed in the asepticized liquid in vessel V2, said shaft G being a sectional one. It is composed of the lower bifurcated portion g, having a conical externally-threaded head g', intermediate sections G2, corresponding in number to the number of trays, presently referred to, said intermediate sections consisting of a cylindrical portion g2, having an internallythreaded conical seat g3 and an externallythreaded conical head g4, and of an upper section G3, having a cylindrical portion g5, an internally-threaded conical seat g6,and an upper attenuated portion Q7, provided at its outer end and at the point of junction between the portions g5 g7 with cross-handles 7i and h, respectively. The outer faces of the cones g3 and gG of the shaft-sections are turned true and serve as bearings for dished circular trays T, provided near and at alternate opposite edges with an overow-opening t, so that the wort will here also flow to and from one side of one tray to the opposite side of the tray next below, and so on throughout the series, the trays being all of the same diameter.
In bearings on the inner face of the vessel A are revolubly mounted rods R, preferably three, at equal distances apart, each of said rods having secured thereto a number of lugs r equal to the number of trays, said lugs having inclined faces corresponding with the inclined bottoms of the trays. When the rods R are in their normal position, their lugs r lie slightly below their respective trays, so that when the shaft S and its eccentric E are revolved to bring the major diameter of said eccentric below said shaft the shaft G will drop. As said shaft G moves down the trays T move with it but a short distance, being held back by the lugs r on the rods R, from which lugs said trays will then be supported, while the shaft G moves sufficiently out of its bearings in the trays. Inasmuch as these bearings, as well as the shaft-journals fitting into the same, taper upwardly, annular openings around the journals of shaft G will be formed when said shaft drops, as will be readily understood, through which openings the material on the trays is discharged into vessel A.
By means of the arrangement of the trays T, their supporting-shaft G, and the revoluble rods R it will readily be seen that if the head of the vessel A is removed, the eccentric E on shaft S being in its normal position, Fig. 3, the shaft G supporting the trays, the rods R can readily be turned to move their lugs out of linewith their respective trays T, and as shaft G is removably seated on said eccentric E' said shaft G, together with its trays, can be bodily removed from vessel A.
Inasmuch as the conical seats form closeitting joints, it is possible that the shaft G may not descend when the eccentric E is turned from its position, Figs. 2 and 3, into a reverse position, and to compel said shaft IOO IIO
scacco to more down ll provide the pin g8 on its bifurcated portion and the pin s' ou sleeve on shaft S.
The operation of propagating the fermentcells is substantially the same as described in reference to the apparatus, Fig. `l, except that the ferment will not only settle in the extension A3 of vessel A, but also in the trays T, and after fermentation is completed the trays are emptied, as setferth. Theferment-oryeast is allowed to settle in said extension and is then drawn off into sterilized vessels through branch ps of pipe P8. Should this pipe become choked-that is, should the feraient not be forced out by the pressure of the supernatant liquid-the stop-cool; in branch pipe p9 of pipe PS is then quickly opened to admit air-pressure to facilitate the discharge of the ferment, the vessel V being of course first removed from its supports u, which may be drawn from under it, or said vessel may be hung from a weighted lever L and raised and lowered at will, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
The cultivation of ferment can, by'means of the construction of the propagating vessel, be made continuous, which is of great importance in the product-ion of ferment for the market or for the brewer and distiller. To this end l employ, as shown in Fig. 5, a battery of propagating Vessels A, connected in series by pneumatic lifting' apparatuses B, the lastI of the series of vessels A being connected by pipe M and branch pipes m with two or more fermenting-vats V V', the number of such dependiug upon the output of the distiller orbrewer, or said vats V V, dsc., may serve as stock-rats for the ferment, which may be taken thence to the propagating Vessel or vessels A A. The process of cultiva tion is carried on gradually in the battery ol' vessels A, so that the fermentation of the Wort-i. e., the process of propagationwwill be completed in the last of the series of vessels A, the wort being continuously fed to the first of said vessels A and transferred, as described, in succession from the lower part of one vessel to the upper part of the next.
ln the manufacture of yeast for the market in a concentrated form the last vessel A of the series is preferably of the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3 for obvious reasons, each of the pneumatic liquid-raising apparatuses B being of course connected with a source of supply of sterilized or filtered air.
Although l have described my invention as more particularly designed for the production of brewers" and distillers7 yeast, yet itis obvious that other ferment germs can be cultirated and propagated.
Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-
l. Apparatus such as described,comprising a propagating vessel, shelves therein constructed and arranged to cause the propagating liquid to How thereover alternately in opposite directions and to constantly maintain thereon a thin stratum of such liquid, and means for transferring said liquid `in successive small quantities from the lower part of the vessel to the upper shelf therein, and for simultaneously conveying sterilized air in successive small quantities with said small quantities of liquid,for the purposes set forth.
2. Apparatus such as described,comprising a propagating vessel, shelves therein constructed and arranged to cause the propagating liquid to flow thereover alternately in 0ppositc directions aud to constantly maintain thereon a com parativel;1 thin stratum of liquid, a pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus B such as described, having its receiving-chatnber connected with the lower part of the vessel and its delivery-chamber with the upper part thereof, to discharge liquid and air onto the upper shelf, and an air-sterilizer connected with theinjector of said raising apparatus, for the purpose set forth.
3. Apparatus such as described,comprising a propagating vessel, shelves therein constructed and arranged to cause the propagating liquid to flow thereover alternately in opposite direct-ions and to constantly maintain thereon a thin stratum of liquid, means in the lower part of the vessel for heating the liquid, a pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus B, such as described, having its receivingchamber connected with said lower part of the ves'sel, and its delivery-chamber with the upper part thereof to discharge liquid and air onto the upper shelf; iu combination with an air-sterilizer connected with the injector of said apparatus B, and means for preheating the sterilized air, for the purpose set forth.
4. A propagating vessel, su pel-posed shelves therein, each provided with a discharge-opening, plugs foi-closing said openings and means adapted to be operated from Without for shifting the plugs to open and close said dischargeopenings, for the purpose set forth.
5. A propagating vessehsuperposed shelves therein, each provided with a discharge-opening in line With one another,plugs closing said openings, and means adapted to be operated from Without for shifting said plugs simultaneously to open and close their respective discharge-openings, for the purpose set forth.
6. A propagating vessel, supe rposed shelves therein each provided with a tapering axial discharge-opening, a support common to all the shelves and provided with conical plugs for closing said openings, means for displacing the support vertically to shift the plugs out of or into their respective discharge-openings, and means for preventing the shelves from following the movements of the support in a downward direction, for the purpose set forth.
7. A ferment-propagating vessel, a vertical shaft therein com posed of sections detachably connected together, each section provided With a cone-journal, dished shelves provided with an axial bearing fitting said cone-journals, means for raising and lowering the IOO IIO
shaft and means for preventing the shelves from following the downward movements of said shaft, for the purpose set forth.
8. A ferment-propagating vessel having a settling-chamber atits lower end and a T' pipe connected with the loWer'end of said chamber, the branches of said pipe provided each with stop-cock, superposed dished shelves in the upper part of the vessel having overflow ports at alternately opposite edges, means operated from Without'the vessel for emptying said shelves and a shi ftable vessel V cont-aining an asepticized liquid in which the stopcocks of the aforesaid T-pipe are immersed, for the purpose set forth.
9. A ferment-propagating vessel having a settling-chamber at its lower end, and a T- pipe connected 'with the lower end of said chamber, the branches of said pipe provided each with stop cock, superposed dished shelves in the upper part of the vessel having overfioW-ports at alternately opposite edges, and means operated from Without the vessel for emptying said shelves; in combination with a pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus B .such as described, having its receiving-chamber. connected with the upper part of the aforementioned settling-chamber and its de. livery-chamber with the upper part of the vesselto discharge liquid and air upon the upper shelf, an air-sterilizer connected with the injector of said apparatus B, and a connection between said sterlizer and one of the branches of the aforesaid T-pipe, for the pur-A pose set forth.
10. In a ferment-propagating apparatus, a plurality of propagating vessels, shelves therein constructed and arranged to cause the propagating liquid to ow from shelf to shelf alternately in opposite directions, means for feeding said liquid to the first vessel of the series, a pneumatic liquid-raising apparatus B such as described, interposed between each two of said vessels and having its receivingchamber connected With the lower part of one vessel and its delivery-chamber with the upper part of the next succeeding vessel to disl charge liquid and air onto the upper shelf therein, a similar apparatus B for the first vessel of the series havingits receiving-chamber connected with the lower part and its delivery-chamber with the upper part thereof to discharge the liquid and air onto the upper shelf therein, and one or more storage vessels connected with the lower part of the last fermenting vessel of the battery of such; in combination with means for supplying sterilized air to the injectors of ihe apparatuses B, for the purpose set forth.
In testimony that I claim the foregoing as -my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.
EMILE BARBET. Witnesses:
EDWARD P. MAOLEAN, GEORGE E. LIGHT.
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Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2657174A (en) * 1949-06-17 1953-10-27 Stich Eugen Georg Continuous manufacture of yeast

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2657174A (en) * 1949-06-17 1953-10-27 Stich Eugen Georg Continuous manufacture of yeast

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