Do fermenters need to use compressed air?

The fermentation tank does need to use compressed air. Its function is reflected in many aspects. The following is a detailed explanation:

1. provides oxygen

the fermentation process, especially the fermentation of aerobic microorganisms, requires a large amount of oxygen as an energy source. Compressed air can meet the needs of microbial growth and metabolism by injecting appropriate amount of oxygen into the fermentation tank, thereby accelerating the fermentation speed and improving the fermentation efficiency. At different stages of fermentation, microorganisms have different requirements for gas components. Compressed air can adjust the gas composition in the fermenter, for example, by reducing the oxygen concentration to stimulate the growth and metabolic pathways of certain microorganisms, or by introducing a certain amount of gas such as carbon dioxide to further optimize the fermentation environment.

2. mixing

in large fermentation systems, compressed air is often used instead of mechanical agitation. By injecting compressed air from the bottom of the tank, the fermentation liquid is in a boiling state, and the uniform mixing of materials is realized. This mixing method not only improves the mixing effect, but also eliminates the noise and pollution caused by mechanical mixing, and improves the working environment. At the same time, compressed air stirring can also reduce the mixing and saccharification time, improve production efficiency.

3. temperature control

temperature control during fermentation is essential. Compressed air can regulate the temperature in the fermentation tank by means of cooling or heating, ensuring that the microorganisms grow and metabolize under suitable environmental conditions. This temperature adjustment method not only ensures the stability of product quality, but also improves the controllability of the fermentation process.

4. aseptic processing

the fermentation process requires a very high aseptic environment. Before entering the fermentation tank, the compressed air needs to undergo strict purification treatment, including water removal, oil removal, dust removal and sterilization, to prevent the microorganisms and impurities in the air from polluting the fermentation process. These treatments ensure the hygienic conditions of the fermentation process and the quality and safety of the final product.

5. other applications

in addition to the above main effects, compressed air has other applications in fermenters. For example, in the fermentation process, compressed air can be used to blow the fermentation material to prevent the formation of retentate from mash deposits caused by the fermentation tank being too large, and these retentate can easily accumulate and stain bacteria. In addition, in the fermentation tank with the immobilized material, the compressed air can blow the fermentation liquid, so that the carrier yeast at the bottom of the fermentation tank is quickly free and evenly distributed in the fermentation liquid, thereby improving and enhancing the living environment of the immobilized yeast cells.

6. Example Description

taking alcohol fermentation as an example, in large-scale alcohol fermentation system, compressed air is mainly used in slurry mixing tank, liquefaction tank, saccharification tank, wine mother tank and fermentation tank. The introduction of compressed air (sterilized air) in the middle and late stages of saccharification in the saccharification tank can increase the dissolved oxygen in the saccharification mash, which is conducive to the demand for oxygen in the yeast proliferation stage. At the same time, when the compressed gas escapes from the fermentation liquid surface, it can take away part of the heat, reduce the pressure of cooling and cooling, and facilitate the escape of alcohol in the yeast cell, which is conducive to the increase of the alcohol concentration of the fermentation mash.

Generally speaking, compressed air plays an irreplaceable role in the fermentation tank. It promotes the improvement of fermentation efficiency and the optimization of product quality by providing oxygen, stirring and mixing, temperature control, aseptic treatment and so on.