Single cell proteins by aerobic fermentation - in serpentine horizontal tubes with integral cooling heat exchanger

摘要

A fluid is pumped through a serpentine system of generally horizontal tubes provided with an integral heat exchanger. Oxygen is injected at the upstream end of the tube system and fermentation takes place while the resultant heat is removed by the heat exchanger. A vertical tank contg. horizontal trays receives the output from the tubes and allows gas to escape escape from the liq. which is recycled to the tube system. Pref. a foam separating vessel is used to recover liq. prod. from the tank. The appts. is used in the prodn. of single cell protein by the aerobic fermentation of microorganisms using methanol as the feedstock. The use of an integral heat exchanger presents a large surface area to the fermenting liq. for heat removal.