Apparatus and method for the production of xanthan gum
AssigneesShin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., Shin-Etsu Bio, Inc.
InventorsKanji Murofushi, Shigehiro Nagura, Taira Homma
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fermenter for the production of xanthan gum is provided with an upper helical impeller and a lower turbine impeller which are positioned therewithin, and an agitator shaft for driving these helical impeller and turbine impeller. The helical impeller consists of a pair of vertically spaced arms extending from the agitator shaft in opposite directions and arranged in twisted relationship, and at least one shearing paddle bridging these arms, and the turbine impeller consists of a rotating disc having at least one turbine blade attached thereto.
Claims12
An agitator for the production of polysaccharides by aerobic fermentation of a polysaccharide producing microorganism which comprises:
- A. a shaft adapted for rotatable mounting in a fermentation chamber having disposed along is length,
- B. a helical impeller securable to the shaft comprising:
- (1) a first pair of arms, opposite one another and extending radially from the shaft in the same plane and in opposing directions,
- (2) a second pair of arms, opposite one another and extending radially from the shaft in the same plane and in opposing directions,
- the first and second pair of arms being spaced apart from each other along the length of the shaft and each extending from the shaft in a different radial direction from the other to define a radial angle therebetween;
- and
- (3) at least four shearing paddles connecting one arm of the first pair of arms to a corresponding arm of the second pair of arms and positioned in uniform spaced-apart relationship from one another along the lengths of the arm and corresponding arm, respectively;
- and
- C. a turbine impeller securable to the shaft at a distal position along the shaft length from the helical impeller, the turbine impeller comprising a rotatable disc having at least one turbine blade extending in a radial direction attached thereto.
An apparatus for the production of polysaccharides by aerobic fermentation of a polysaccharide producing microorganism which comprises:
- (A) a fermenter chamber for aerobic fermentation of a culture medium of the polysaccharide producing microorganism,
- (B) an agitator in the chamber, said agitator comprising:
- (1) a vertical shaft rotatably and axially mounted within the chamber,
- (2) drive means for rotating the shaft,
- (3) a helical impeller secured to the shaft within the fermenter, the helical impeller comprising:
- 1. a first pair of arms, opposite one another and secured to and extending radially from the shaft in the same plane and in opposing directions,
- 2. a second pair of arms, opposite one another and secured to and extending radially from the shaft in the same plane and in opposing directions,
- the first and second pair of arms being spaced apart from each other along the length of the shaft and each extending from the shaft in a different radial direction from the other to define a radial angle therebetween;
- and
- 3. at least four shearing paddles connecting one arm of the first pair of arms to a corresponding arm of the second pair of arms and positioned in uniform spaced-apart relationship from one another along the lengths of the arm and corresponding arm, respectively;
- and
- (4) a turbine impeller secured to the shaft and positioned vertically below the helical impeller, the turbine impeller comprising a rotatable disc having at least one turbine blade extending in a radial direction attached thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.