Apparatus for aerobic fermentation

Claim 1

Apparatus for continuous aerobic fermentation processes for growth of single-cell microorganisms including a vertical cylindrical fermentor vessel shell component (1) having an upper and lower section, which has attached thereto: a. a coolant inlet means (16) extending inside through the wall of said vessel shell component and attached to the inlet coolant header (22) located within said shell component, and a coolant outlet means (15) extending inside through the wall of said vessel shell component and attached to the outlet coolant header (23) located within said shell component, both said coolant means (15, 16) being situated near the upper end of the fermentor shell section to describe a continuous flow therethrough; b. the said inlet coolant header (22) and said outlet coolant header (23) are positioned horizontally in the upper section of the fermentor, each said headers having a separate sealable attachment to a single chamber section (25) within the vertically aligned hollow baffles (14) located within said vessel shell component; c. the plurality of said hollow baffles (14) have a partially partitioned interior section created by the vertical shield (28) extending from an upper position inside the baffle to a position near the bottom therein to create chamber sections (25) which permit the downward flow of coolant in one chamber section of the baffle and the upward flow of coolant in the remaining chamber section of the baffle, said baffles being fitted with support mounts (26) to the inner-perimeter of the shell section in a vertical alignment and equipped with a drain plug (5) near the bottom section of the baffles; d. the entry means for substrate (21), and macro-nutrient (20), being attached to the upper head section extending inside said vessel shell component; e. the entry means for micro-nutrient (19) being attached to the lower shell section, extends inside said vessel shell component; f. the head jacket (29) being located along the inner perimeter of the upper head section said head jacket consisting of cooling jackets and coils; g. the spent air outlet means (18) attached to the upper head section, extends inside said vessel shell component; h. the foam knocker (17) positioned within the upper head section adjacent to said inlet and outlet coolant headers (22, 23), said knocker having a shaft (24) extending vertically through the top shell section; i. the flat blade turbine agitators (2) and (27) having an agitator shaft (30) extending vertically into the fermentor vessel through the lower shell section; j. the air sparger (3) located inside the lower shell section beneath the lowest most flat blade unit (27) which is attached to an air inlet (4) entering from the lower shell section of the fermentor vessel; k. the double mechanical seals (6) and (6a) are located on the said agitator and foam knocker shafts (24) and (30) outside the fermentor vessel, said seals (6) and (6a ) having entry means (7) and (7a) and exit means (8) and (8a) for bactericidal liquid; and l. the non-vaporlocking circulating pump (10) is attached to the lower exterior section of the fermentor vessel through the broth line (9) extending from within the fermentor vessel and connected to hydroclone unit(s) (11) which has a froth line (13) attached to the exterior section of the fermentor vessel and a de-aerated broth line (12) affording a discharge means for the liquid broth from said pump.