In the fields of biological fermentation, winemaking, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, temperature control is an important factor to ensure the smooth progress of the fermentation process and product quality. In order to ensure the precise control of the temperature in the fermentation tank, the selection of temperature control equipment is crucial. As an efficient heat exchange system, the dimple jacket has been widely used in various types of fermentation tanks and reactors and has become one of the key components for optimizing the fermentation process.
The dimple jacket significantly improves the heat exchange efficiency through its unique dimple design and ensures uniform temperature distribution in the fermentation tank by reducing temperature differences and thermal gradients. This article will discuss in detail the structure, working principle, application advantages, applicable scenarios, and considerations of the dimple jacket when selecting a fermentation tank temperature control system.
Table of Contents
What is a dimple jacket?
The dimple jacket is usually composed of two layers of metal plates (usually stainless steel), with multiple dimples on the inner layer. The shape of these dimples can be circular, elliptical, or other geometric shapes, similar to the shape of dimples. The metal plate layer serves as a support and is enclosed in the jacket structure. Fluid (such as steam, hot water, or coolant) flows in the concave area of
Structure of the dimple jacket
The dimple jacket consists of two layers of metal plates (usually stainless steel or carbon steel), with the inner plate surface having multiple pits or concave-convex structures, which are designed to resemble dimples, usually circular, oval, or other geometric depressions. The outer metal plate plays a supporting role and forms a closed space to accommodate the hot fluid.
The design of the dimple jacket can be customized as needed to adapt to fermenters or reactors of different sizes. The size, shape, and arrangement of its pits will directly affect the heat exchange efficiency, so it needs to be optimized according to the process requirements during design.
Dimple jackets usually have the following design forms:
- Single-layer dimple jacket: suitable for smaller fermenters or reactors, with low cost and simpler installation.
- Double-layer dimple jacket: suitable for large-scale industrial fermenters, can withstand higher heat loads, and provide more stable temperature control performance.
Working principle of dimple jacket
The working principle of the dimple jacket is based on the basic principle of heat exchange, that is, the hot fluid flows through the jacket, and the heat is conducted through the metal plate and enters the material or liquid in the fermentation tank, thereby achieving temperature regulation. The core advantage of the dimple jacket is that the design of its dimple surface can enhance the turbulence of the fluid, increase the heat exchange area, and improve the heat transfer efficiency.
Specifically, the working principle of the dimple jacket can be divided into the following steps:
- The hot fluid (such as steam or hot water) is introduced into the interior of the dimple jacket.
- The hot fluid flows through the dimple area in the jacket, generating turbulence and increasing the contact area between the fluid and the inner wall of the jacket.
- The heat is transferred from the hot fluid through the metal plate to the outer wall of the fermentation tank and then conducted to the material or liquid in the tank through the outer wall.
- The liquid or material in the fermentation tank transfers heat through convection to keep the temperature stable.
The dimple jacket can provide uniform heat transfer, making the temperature distribution in the fermentation tank more uniform, avoiding excessive local temperature differences, and thus ensuring the smooth progress of the fermentation process.
Advantages of dimple jackets
Improve heat exchange efficiency
The most notable feature of the dimple jacket is its efficient heat exchange performance. Through the dimple design, the fluid will generate turbulence when flowing in the jacket. This turbulent effect significantly increases the contact area between the fluid and the inner wall of the fermentation tank, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency. Compared with traditional flat jackets, dimple jackets can provide higher heat exchange effects at the same flow rate and temperature difference.
In addition, the dimple design can reduce the dead corners of fluid flow and avoid local heat accumulation, thereby ensuring the uniformity of heat exchange. This makes the dimple jacket particularly suitable for processes with more precise temperature requirements.
Reducing thermal gradients
During the fermentation process, temperature uniformity is crucial to the smooth progress of the fermentation reaction. The dimple jacket can effectively reduce the temperature difference and thermal gradient through its dimple structure to ensure uniform temperature distribution in the fermentation tank. Compared with other heat exchange methods, the dimple jacket can achieve efficient heat exchange at a lower temperature difference and flow rate, avoiding excessive temperature differences in the fermentation tank, which is crucial for the growth and metabolism of microorganisms during the fermentation process.
Suitable for high-viscosity fluids
The turbulent effect of the dimple jacket is particularly suitable for handling high-viscosity fluids. High-viscosity fluids often have problems with poor flow, which can easily cause uneven heat exchange, thus affecting the reaction efficiency. The dimple jacket increases the contact area between the fluid and the inner wall of the jacket, promotes the turbulent movement of the fluid, effectively avoids the flow resistance caused by high viscosity, and ensures the uniformity and efficiency of heat transfer.
For example, in the process of brewing or pharmaceutical production, some raw materials or fermentation liquids may have high viscosity, and the dimple jacket can effectively solve this problem, thereby ensuring the smooth progress of the process.
Energy-saving effect
The dimple jacket can significantly improve the heat exchange efficiency and reduce energy waste. By optimizing the heat exchange process between the hot fluid and the fermentation tank wall, the dimple jacket can provide a stable temperature control effect at lower energy consumption, thereby reducing energy consumption. This is of great significance for energy saving and consumption reduction and reducing operating costs.
In addition, the dimple jacket has a simple design, which reduces the complex heat exchanger structure and high-power heating equipment, thereby further improving the energy efficiency of the system.
Simple structure, easy to clean and maintain
The structure of the dimple jacket is relatively simple, mainly composed of metal plates and pipes. Although its dimple design is unique, it is not complicated, so it is relatively easy to install, clean, and maintain. Especially in industries that require high-frequency cleaning and high hygiene requirements (such as food, pharmaceuticals, etc.), the dimple jacket has become an ideal choice due to its simple design and easy cleaning characteristics.
Since the internal fluid channel of the jacket is relatively simple and not prone to deposition or blockage, the dimple jacket has a low maintenance cost during long-term use, which can effectively reduce the downtime and maintenance costs of the equipment.
Application scenarios of dimple jackets
Winemaking industry
Fermentation during the winemaking process requires precise temperature control to ensure the normal growth of yeast and the smooth progress of the fermentation reaction. The dimple jacket can ensure the uniformity of temperature in the fermentation tank by improving heat exchange efficiency and reducing temperature gradients, thereby avoiding excessive local temperature differences that affect the quality of winemaking. Dimple jackets have been widely used in the winemaking industry, especially in small-scale production and laboratory research.
Pharmaceutical industry
Temperature control is crucial in processes such as biopharmaceuticals, cell culture, and fermentation pharmaceuticals. Slight fluctuations in temperature may affect the quality and yield of drugs. The dimple jacket helps maintain the temperature stability of the fermentation tank through its efficient heat exchange performance, ensures precise control of the biological reaction process, and meets the high requirements of the pharmaceutical industry for temperature control accuracy.
Food processing
Fermentation reactions during food processing, such as yogurt fermentation and soy sauce fermentation, require precise temperature control to ensure product quality. The dimple jacket can provide efficient heat exchange, ensure stable temperature in the fermentation tank, and avoid unstable product quality caused by temperature fluctuations.
Chemical Industry
In the process of chemical reaction, temperature control is usually an important factor in determining the reaction rate and product quality. The dimple jacket can provide precise temperature regulation for chemical reactions, especially in some chemical reactions that require temperature sensitivity, such as catalytic reactions, polymerization reactions, etc., the efficient temperature control of the dimple jacket is particularly important.
How to choose a dimple jacket?
When choosing a dimple jacket, the following key factors need to be considered:
- Size and volume of the fermentation tank: The design of the dimple jacket needs to be customized according to the size and volume of the fermentation tank to ensure that the jacket can provide sufficient heat exchange area.
- Characteristics of the fluid: Select the appropriate dimple jacket design according to the viscosity, flow rate, temperature difference, and other characteristics of the fluid. For example, a dimple jacket with a deeper dimple design should be selected for a fluid with higher viscosity.
- Temperature control accuracy requirements: For processes with strict temperature control requirements, the design of the dimple jacket should be more refined to ensure the efficiency and uniformity of heat exchange.
- Cleaning and maintenance requirements: In the food and pharmaceutical industries, the cleaning and maintenance requirements of the dimple jacket are high, and a jacket design that is easy to disassemble and clean needs to be selected.
Conclusion
As an efficient heat exchange device, the dimple jacket has significant advantages, which can significantly improve the heat exchange efficiency, reduce the temperature difference, and ensure the accuracy of temperature control. It is particularly suitable for fermentation processes with high-temperature control requirements, especially in brewing, pharmaceutical, food processing, and other industries, the application of the dimple jacket has achieved good results. With the continuous development of technology, the dimple jacket will show its unique advantages in more fields and become an important part of the temperature control system.