The fermentation tank is the core equipment for microbial cultivation and biological fermentation, which needs to be designed around four core elements: structural configuration, temperature control system, pH regulation, and process adaptation, to ensure that microorganisms can metabolize and grow in a suitable environment, while connecting downstream separation and purification processes.
The fermentation tank components cover the entire cultivation process requirements, and the key components and functions are as follows:
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functional componentIncluding temperature electrode (real-time monitoring of temperature inside the tank), inoculation port (sterile access to bacterial strains), air filter (filtering impurities in the intake to ensure a sterile environment), feeding port (supplementing nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen sources), window (observing the fermentation status inside the tank), stirring motor (mixing culture medium to enhance oxygen contact), and discharge port (discharging materials after fermentation is completed);
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Temperature control componentsEquipped with steam jacket (regulating temperature with water or steam), the transparent fermentation tank in the laboratory needs to be insulated with insulation blanket, and the on-site equipment maintains temperature stability through insulation design.
Microbial cultivation requires a constant temperature (usually controlled at around 30 ℃), and the fermentation tank achieves temperature control through "steam jacket+insulation measures":
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Steam jacket: water or steam is introduced through pipelines to accurately regulate the temperature inside the tank;
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Insulation design: Transparent laboratory tanks are insulated with insulation blankets, and industrial grade equipment is insulated to reduce temperature loss and avoid temperature fluctuations affecting microbial activity.
The pH regulation of fermentation tanks needs to distinguish between the "fermentation stage" and the "downstream stage", with the following core differences:
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Fermentation stageMicroorganisms (such as bacteria and cells) require a neutral environment for growth (pH values that are acidic can inhibit activity, while alkaline values may lead to bacterial death). Some acid producing strains may become slightly acidic in the later stages and need to be fine tuned as needed; Both the culture medium and water areInorganic substances in aqueous phase， PH regulation needs to be adapted to the characteristics of inorganic phases;
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Downstream stageSeparation, purification, concentration and other processes involveOrganic phase (such as chemical extractants)， The pH control temperature is mostly between 70-80 ℃ (some higher/lower), and it is necessary to use pH equipment that is suitable for the organic phase and distinguish it from the pH equipment used in the fermentation stage.
The fermentation broth is an inorganic substance in the aqueous phase, and the downstream refined synthesis and extraction processes are converted to the organic phase. Two points should be noted:
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Equipment selection: Downstream organic phase processes need to select components that are suitable for the organic environment to avoid mixing with inorganic phase equipment during the fermentation stage;
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Parameter connection: After fermentation is completed, pH and temperature need to be adjusted according to downstream process requirements to ensure separation and purification efficiency and product quality.