Patent EA-001277-B1 (EA)
Title: Fermenter
Inventor: MARIN FRANCESCO
IPC: C12G1/02
Filed: 1997-11-17
Abstract: 1. Fermenter comprising:  - a vat (2) suitable for containing a solution to be fermented (3);  - at least one opening (4,33) for introduction of the solution to be fermented (3);  - an opening (5,25) for removal of the fermented solution (6), characterized in that it also comprises means for accumulating the fermentation gas (7), which are arranged between a bottom (8) of the vat (2) and a free surface (9) of the fermenting liquid (3) and are designed to intercept temporarily the small bubbles of gas (11) generated by fermentation, so as to form and subsequently release large-sized bubbles (12). 2. Fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for accumulating the fermentation gas (7) are arranged inside the vat (2). 3. Fermenter according to claim 2, characterized in that said means for accumulating the fermentation gas (7) comprise at least one concave surface (13), the concavity of which is directed downwards so as to form at the bottom a chamber (27) which is able to intercept and accumulate small bubbles of gas (11) underneath them and release, as a result of overflowing, said larger-sized bubbles (12) as soon as the chamber (27) is full of gas. 4. Fermenter according to claim 3, characterized in that said concave surface (13) comprises an inclined surface (14) firmly fixed to the internal wall (15) of the vat (2). 5. Fermenter according to claim 3, characterized in that said concave surface (13) comprises a frustoconical surface (14) firmly fixed to the internal wall (35) of the vat (2). 6. Fermenter according to claim 5, characterized in that said concave surface (13) converges centrally into a tube (40) which extends downwards. 7. Fermenter according to claim 3, characterized in that said concave surface (13) comprises movable closing means designed to vary the size of an opening (20) of the vat (2) not occupied by the concave surface (13). 8. Fermenter accoding to claim 3, characterized in that said concave surface (13) comprises a frustoconical peripheral element (21) with the vertex directed upwards, delimited centrally by a cylindrical element (22), a controllable annular through-aperture (23) being provided between the two surfaces. 9. Fermenter according to claim 8, characterized in that said controllable annular aperture (23) comprises an inflatable toroid (24) for modifying the size of the aperture (23). 10. Fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that said chamber (27) is connected to the outside of the vat (2) by means of first controllable communication means (16), so as to be able to act from outside the vat (2) on the trapped gas, as required, causing the gas to flow in or flow out from outside the vat (2). 11. Fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that comprises at least one second means (27') arranged higher than the first means (27) so that the larger-sized bubbles (12) produced by the first means (27) rising up are at least partly intercepted by the said means (27'). 12. Fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that comprises second controllable connection means (19) suitable for connecting the chamber (27) to the part of the vat (2) located above this surface (13). 13. Fermenter according to claim 1, characterized in that the vat (2) comprises, in the region of said gas accumulating means (7), a discharge means (37) for allowing part of the fermented solution (6) to flow out together with the marc of the cap (10). 14. Fermenter according to claim 13, characterized in that the marc of the cap (10) flows out by means of gravity. 15. Fermenter according to claim 13, characterized in that the inlet of said discharge means (37) is arranged in the region of an aperture (20) of the gas accumulating means (27). 16. Fermenter according to claim 15, characterized in that said discharge means comprises a pipe (37). 17. Fermenter according to claim 13, characterized in that said discharge means (37) comprises an opening located on the side walls of the vat at the height of the gas accumulating means (27).