Method and apparatus for injecting oxygen into fermentation processes

• US 20030080446A1
• Filed: 11/01/2001
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Praxair Technology Incorporated (Linde Plc)
• Original Assignee: Praxair Technology Incorporated (Linde Plc)
• Inventors: Cheng, Alan Tat-Yan
• Granted Patent: US 7,048,262 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 261/77
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/23121 having injection means, e.g. nozzles with circumferential outlet
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/237612 Oxygen

Abstract

A sparger for delivering fluid comprising a sparger pipe for carrying the fluid from a fluid source and downwardly directed nozzles to direct the delivery of fluid is disclosed. A substantially vertical connection pipe connects the sparger to the nozzles. Also, a method of delivering oxygen to an oxygen-depleted zone in the bottom of the fermenter using the sparger is disclosed.

Claims

1. A sparger for delivering fluid comprising

a) a sparger pipe for carrying the fluid from a fluid source;

and

b) downwardly directed nozzles to direct the delivery of fluid.

2. The sparger of claim 1 further comprising a substantially vertical connection pipe linking the sparger to the injector nozzles.

3. The sparger of claim 1 further comprising a flow restrictor on the connection pipe to regulate the flow of fluid delivery in each of the nozzles.

4. The sparger of claim 3 wherein the flow restrictors comprises sintered metal plates or calibrated orifices.

5. The sparger of claim 1 wherein the fluid is a gas.

6. The sparger of claim 1 wherein the sparger pipe is a ring with circular cross-section.

7. The sparger of claim 1 wherein the sparger pipe is a straight horizontal pipe.

8. The sparger of claim 1 wherein the plurality of nozzles are directed away from one another.

9. The sparger of claim 1 comprising two downwardly directed nozzles positioned at about 45 degrees to vertical.

10. The sparger of claim 1 wherein the nozzle comprises a compression cone shape to accelerate the flow of delivery fluid towards the end of the nozzle.

11. The sparger of claim 1 wherein the sparger is a drainage hole for passing fluids.

12. A method for delivering oxygen-containing fluids to a fermentation vessel having an oxygen-depleted zone and comprising both air spargers and oxygen spargers therein, the method comprises injecting air bubbles through the air spargers at the outer end of the vessel, and injecting oxygen bubbles downwardly through the oxygen spargers at the center of the vessel.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprises agitating the oxygen-depleted zone by injecting oxygen bubbles at a downward direction through the oxygen sparger.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprises injecting the oxygen bubbles at a downward direction through the oxygen sparger at an area between the air sparger.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the oxygen bubbles from the oxygen sparger are smaller than the air bubbles from the air sparger.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the oxygen from the oxygen sparger is directed downwardly towards the bottom before rising.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprises agitating the oxygen-depleted zone by injecting oxygen bubbles at a downward direction through the oxygen sparger.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprises injecting the oxygen bubbles at a downward direction through the oxygen sparger at an area between two air spargers.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the oxygen bubbles from the oxygen sparger are smaller than the air bubbles from the air sparger.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the oxygen from the oxygen sparger is directed downwardly towards the bottom before rising.

16-1. A method for delivery fluid to a fermentation vessel having an oxygen-depleted zone at the bottom of the vessel and comprising a plurality of air spargers and oxygen spargers therein, with at least one air sparger located next to at least one oxygen sparger, the method comprises injecting air bubbles through the air spargers at one position at the bottom of the vessel, and injecting oxygen bubbles downwardly through the oxygen spargers adjacent to air sparger.