In modern biotechnology and food industry, fermentation process is an important step in the production of various products such as antibiotics, enzyme preparations, alcoholic beverages, etc. In order to ensure the optimal growth environment for microorganisms during the fermentation process and avoid external pollution, fully automatic stainless steel fermentation tanks have become one of the important equipment. This device combines advanced automation control systems and high-quality material design, which not only provides ideal cultivation conditions but also effectively prevents the invasion of external microorganisms, ensuring the purity and quality of the product.

1、 Overview of Fully Automatic Stainless Steel Fermentation Tank

　　Fully automatic stainless steel fermentation tankIt mainly consists of the following parts:

Stainless steel tank: Made of high-quality 304 or 316L stainless steel material, it has good corrosion resistance and strength, suitable for operation under high pressure and high temperature.

Mixing system: used to maintain uniform mixing of materials in the tank, promote oxygen transfer to cells, and is particularly important for aerobic fermentation.

Ventilation system: including air filters and distributors to ensure that the gas entering the tank is sterile and evenly distributed.

Heating/cooling device: maintains the required temperature range during the fermentation process, supporting the optimal growth rate of microorganisms.

PH and dissolved oxygen (DO) control system: Real time monitoring and adjustment of the pH and dissolved oxygen levels of the fermentation broth to meet the needs of different bacterial strains.

CIP/SIP system: namely, on-site cleaning/on-site sterilization system, which can clean and sterilize the interior of the tank with high-temperature steam without dismantling, reducing manual intervention while improving hygiene standards.

Control system: Based on PLC or DCS intelligent control system, it can achieve full process automation control, from parameter setting to data recording, and then to fault alarm and other functions.

2、 Operation steps for use

preparation

Check all connections for tightness, especially the inlet and outlet ports, gas interfaces, and sensor connectors.

Clean the inside and outside of the tank to ensure that there are no residues that may affect the subsequent experimental results.

Prepare the culture medium according to the experimental requirements and add an appropriate amount of inoculum.

Installation and Debugging

Install the mixing blade correctly in the center of the tank bottom, being careful not to let it touch the tank wall or bottom.

Connect the power cord, gas pipeline, and other peripheral devices, turn on the control system for preheating testing, and check whether the working status of each component is normal.

For newly installed or long unused equipment, it is recommended to first perform a complete CIP/SIP procedure to ensure that the tank is in a sterile state.

Start fermenting

Set the required operating parameters (such as temperature, stirring speed, ventilation rate, etc.), start the magnetic stirrer and temperature control system.

After reaching the set conditions, slowly add the pre prepared culture medium, then close the lid and seal it.

Real time monitoring of key indicators during the fermentation process, adjusting operating parameters according to actual conditions. For example, optimizing dissolved oxygen concentration by adjusting ventilation and stirring speed, or adding buffering agents to stabilize pH value.

End fermentation

When the fermentation cycle is over, stop the gas supply first, then turn off the stirring motor, and finally cut off the heating source.

Open the exhaust valve to release the pressure inside the tank. After the temperature drops to room temperature, open the tank cover to collect the product.

After collection, immediately execute the CIP procedure, clean the inside of the tank, and prepare for the next round of fermentation.

3、 Key points of maintenance and upkeep

Daily cleaning

Immediately clean the inside of the tank after use to prevent residual substances from drying up and becoming difficult to remove.

Regularly clean the mixing blades, ventilation ducts, and air filters to ensure no blockages.

For stainless steel surfaces, a soft cloth dipped in mild detergent can be gently wiped to avoid scratches.

periodic calibration

Regularly calibrate the pH electrode and dissolved oxygen probe to ensure measurement accuracy.

Calibration should follow the standard solution and operating instructions provided by the manufacturer to maintain stable instrument performance.

Electrical maintenance

Regularly check whether the wire plugs are damaged or aging, and replace damaged parts in a timely manner.

When not in use for a long time, it is recommended to unplug the power plug and store it in a dry and ventilated place to prevent moisture from causing short circuit faults.

Long term storage precautions

If it is expected that the equipment will not be used for a long time, anti rust oil should be applied to protect the metal components after cleaning and drying.

Properly store various accessories and vulnerable parts for future maintenance and replacement.