Types of Fermentation Equipment
If you are interested in making your own wine, then fermentation equipment is one of the most important things to have. You will need a tank that is suitable for yeast, a fermenter that can be cooled, a stirrer, a baffle and a vacuum sealer. There are also several types of glass and stainless steel that you will need to consider. Using the wrong materials can ruin the taste and even the quality of your wine.
Glass
If you want to start fermenting your own beer, you can start by buying a glass fermentation equipment. Glass fermentors have many advantages over plastic. They are easy to clean and can be used for both primary and secondary fermentations. You will also have the ability to monitor your fermentation progress.
You may also want to consider purchasing a Big Mouth Bubbler. This is a new type of fermentor made from glass and plastic. It is more durable than other options.
One advantage of the Big Mouth Bubbler is that you can see the fermentation process in real time. The clear glass allows you to track sediment build-up and clarity. Using the same size vessel for your primary and secondary ferments will ensure the same amount of head space.
Another important feature of this product is the airlock. When you want to remove the weight from the jar, you simply unlatch the lid. An airlock is essential to preventing the built-up gasses from escaping.
Other features of the LBR-XGJG/XGJGG include a color touch screen and a water bath jacket. These features make this set of laboratory all-glass fermentation equipment a great choice for a variety of applications.
Unlike plastic fermentors, this model is heavier and more durable. However, it can be difficult to keep vegetables covered with brine.
To reduce the risk of breakage, you should place a mesh holder on the top of your vessel. Also, you can put a cabbage leaf on the top of your fermentation weight to prevent the vegetables from rising to the surface.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel fermentation equipment is used for fermentation purposes. It can be made of 304 or 316 stainless steel, which has good corrosion resistance. The material is easy to weld and maintain.
A stainless steel fermenter can be an ideal investment for the serious hobbyist. Unlike plastic and glass tanks, it is easy to clean. Besides, it’s a durable and hygienic option.
Stainless steel fermenters are characterized by their conical bottoms, which help in allowing the lees and precipitated yeast to be easily removed. They also facilitate secondary fermentation and packaging.
Another advantage of stainless steel fermentation equipment is its versatility. You can customize your vessel with various fermentation equipment options, such as lifting ears and manholes. Also, you can add accessories like butterfly valves.
Compared to plastic and glass tanks, it’s easier to maintain a stainless steel vessel. This is because it is easier to sanitize it. However, it is important to use the right method.
For instance, you shouldn’t clean your stainless steel vessel with bleach. Bleach will peel off the surface. Instead, a simple polishing may be all you need to remove rust.
In addition, stainless steel is a very durable material. Even if your fermenter has a couple of scratches, you can easily polish it to remove the marks.
Another advantage of a stainless steel fermentation tank is its ability to control the oxygen. You can even choose to have a sampling valve installed.
Bubble-column type
Bubble columns are multiphase reactors that can be used for chemical reactions. They offer high mass transfer rates, excellent mixing, and low operating costs. This type of equipment is widely used in biochemical and reaction engineering applications.
The limiting factor in a multiphase reactor design is usually gas to liquid phase transport. It is important to understand this mechanism to optimize the system. There are several methods to characterize gas to liquid phase transport.
Particle tracking velocimetry is a technique that allows characterization of the flow field inside a bubble column. The study identified the influence of vibration on the velocity profile of the gas. Several correlations were developed to predict the time averaged axial liquid recirculation velocity profiles.
A bubble column can be used for gas – liquid or liquid – gas reactions. Biological fermentations in bubble columns require careful scale up. In order to minimize performance losses, it is essential to understand the interaction between vibration and gas dynamics.
Bubble column design is based on mathematical models and computational fluid dynamics simulations. These studies have helped develop a better understanding of the underlying hydrodynamic properties of bubble column systems.
In the early 1960s, the effect of vibration on the mass transfer in bubble column was studied. These studies showed that increasing the amplitude and frequency of the vibration could increase the mass transfer between the phases.
Stirred tank
A stirred tank for fermentation equipment is a type of vessel. It can be rectangular, square or circular, depending on the desired configuration. There are many advantages of stirred tanks over batch-mode fermenters. For example, stirred tanks offer more control of pH and oxygen concentration. They are also easy to clean.
Stirred tanks are used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemical and food production. They increase the turnover of biological and chemical components. This results in a higher quality product.
Typical fermenters have an agitator and an impeller. These devices are typically coupled with modern automated computers to control process parameters. Some fermenters can operate in a continuous mode and have the ability to maintain temperature and aeration.
The next generation of stirred tank bioreactors does not require steam-in-place. This is due to the introduction of hygienic design principles. Another benefit is that stirred systems have a long tradition in the biotechnological industry.
Stirred tank for fermentation equipment is an ideal choice for a wide range of cell lines. However, this system is not as well suited for immobilized cells due to attrition problems.
Several manufacturers manufacture stirred tanks. Esco VacciXcell, for example, offers a wide variety of stirred tank bioreactors for research and industrial use.
Stirred tanks are most commonly used in batch processes. In this mode, reactants are added to the bottom of the vessel and a stirring element is added to fully disperse the reaction mixture.
Vacuum sealer
One of the most important pieces of equipment you’ll need for fermentation is a vacuum sealer. It will make your job so much easier, and it can help you keep your food fresh for a longer period of time.
There are two types of vacuum sealers: chamber machines and external units. Each is useful for different applications. The former is best suited for sealing large batches of liquids, while the latter is more suitable for light-duty packaging.
While a vacuum sealer can be a lifesaver in the kitchen, it can also be a bit of a pain to clean. Fortunately, a good vacuum sealer comes with a reusable bag to get you started.
A chamber machine will be able to seal multiple bags at once, which is ideal for preparing large batches. However, these machines are a bit expensive upfront. They’re also best for commercial use.
An external vacuum sealer is a bit cheaper, but it fermentation equipment doesn’t offer the same versatility as a chamber unit. External units don’t have a pulse function and they can’t handle as many bags at once.
If you’re not sure whether a chamber vacuum sealer is for you, an external machine will work for most applications. Some of the more advanced models will even feature a marinate button on the control panel.
Chamber machines are better at packing liquids and foods, but they’re also more expensive to buy. Buying a combination machine is a good way to save money.
Rotating stirrer and baffle
A stirrer and baffle for fermentation is a key component in a fermentation process. These two components help to facilitate the mixing, crystallization, dissolution, extraction, and heat transfer of the liquid media. However, they can also cause problems if they do not operate properly. For example, a baffle through the liquid surface can cause dead zones, allowing air to enter the vessel. This can increase the likelihood of contaminated microorganisms penetrating the tank.
When used in conjunction with a rotating stirrer, baffles are intended to facilitate the agitation of the vessel media. They are elongated vanes placed vertically inside the fermenter. Depending on the vessel size, the number of baffle sets may be adjusted.
The most common baffles are straight flat metal plates. They run along the side of a cylindrical vessel, but there are some variations that go into the bottom head, into the dish, or into the upstanding wall. Most of these have space between the baffle and the tank wall.
To improve the stirring effect, some researchers have been investigating the effects of a “sawtooth” baffle. In this type of structure, a curved abutment provides greater strength and crack resistance. Also, some scholars have been examining the influence of relative tooth width on the flow field.
Another method of increasing stirring efficiency is by adding solids below the liquid surface. By introducing solids beneath the liquid, a centrifugal force can be created that increases the circular motion of the medium.