Diseño y construcción de un fermentador rotatorio de fase sólida para la multiplicación del hongo Trichoderma sp.

Abstract

A solid-phase rotary fermenter for the multiplication of the fungus Trichoderma sp. was designed and constructed in the Phytopathology Laboratory of the Faculty of Natural Resources of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo. The methods used in this research were inductive and deductive. In the inductive method, laboratory tests were carried out, where parameters were established: temperature, humidity, pH, density, efficiency and fermentation time. Calculations were made to determine the volumes of the boiling chamber, heating, power and agitation-aeration system. According to this, the fermenter is cylindrical in shape made of AISI 304 stainless steel, with an external jacket, heated with nickel plating, temperature controller, humidity and pH readers, a hinged system, capacity of 8.60 kg of solid substrate, nominal height 35 cm, diameter 35 cm, agitation motor power of 1/2 Hp and an aeration flow rate of 62.4 L/min. Within the deductive, the production of biofungicides at national and local level was investigated, where it was necessary to implement more sophisticated equipment to obtain a product in the shortest time. The efficiency of the fermenter is 97.6% with a pH of 6.8, time 192 hours, density 0.34 g/mL, temperature 27 ±°C, characteristic odor, bottle green color. It is concluded with these characteristics that the product obtained in the fermenter is in suitable and adequate conditions to be used in agriculture. It is recommended to take into account the cleaning, handling and operation, electrical load, since this is the main thing for the useful life of the fermenter.