DD291092A5 - DEVICE FOR CULTIVATING AUTOTROPHIC MICROORGANISMS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for cultivating autotrophic microorganisms, which can find application in the food and feed industry but also in pharmacy. According to the invention, the cultivator consists of an arrangement for cultivation by means of sunlight and an arrangement for culturing by means of artificial light, which are separably connected to one another. For this purpose, the arrangement for cultivating by means of sunlight is made thermally balanced, to enable operation in the cold season and is over a sensor and opto-electronic means the optimum of Einstrahlungsstaerke nachfuehrbar. The arrangements are each formed from glass tube coils, which are arranged parallel to each other for the cultivation by means of sunlight, but staggered stepped. Fig. 2 {cultivation; microorganisms; Sunlight; Tungsten; cold season; opto-electronic means; Einstrahlungsstaerke; be tracked; Glass tube coils; Sensor}

Description

Field of application of the invention

The invention relates to a device for cultivating autotrophic microorganisms that can find application in the food and feed industry or in pharmacy.

Characteristic of the known state of the art

Means have been known for cultivating microorganisms of varied design, which are designed both for the use of solar radiation and for artificial exposure.

According to the US-PS 4555864 a device for the cultivation of Chlorella algae has become known, which consists of a container in which the culture medium is located. In order to prevent a risk of contamination, the container is provided with a transparent cover, over which there is a system of mirrors, which is pivotally arranged in order to achieve as vertical as possible incidence of the sun's rays. For this purpose, there are optical fibers within the culture medium, which provide for sufficient exposure of the culture medium even at greater depths, which are aligned uniformly in north-south direction. Systems of this type can only be used where there is always sufficient outside temperature; It is therefore also intended to be used near the equator. In addition, facilities of this type appear relatively ineffective.

Since this device can only be used for cultivating by means of solar radiation, the same is used in climatically less favored areas only to a very limited extent due to low sunshine duration and existing risk of frost. Furthermore, according to the US-PS 4253271 a device for the cultivation of algae in a liquid medium is known, which is provided with a flat, meandering horizontal channel through which the culture medium flows, which is conveyed by a pump. For this purpose oblique, hollow, transparent plates are provided, which are arranged above the channel. These plates are traversed by a liquid or gaseous medium that absorbs rays of certain wavelengths that hinder the growth of algae. In order to counteract overheating of the medium flowing through the plates, a comprehensive cooling system is provided. The temperature is controlled by a thermostat. 99% of the interfering rays in the range from 350 to 700 μm are to be filtered out, which undoubtedly leads to a high heating of the medium. To this end, another system is provided for heating the culture medium flowing in the channel, which consists of tubes embedded in sand or a similar medium located immediately below the channel. These tubes are flowed through by a part of the heated cooling medium.

This device has the disadvantage that the flowed through by the culture medium channel is open and thus connection to Outside air exists. As a result, it is easily possible that it comes to contamination with unwanted microorganisms

can. A perfect cultivation of the algae is no longer possible. The relatively large distance above the

Channel arranged plates, which carry the absorption medium for the disturbing radiation, are not able, here one

to exercise protective function. For this purpose, a complex cooling system is provided, which makes the system itself and their operation much more expensive.

A further difficulty arises from the open channel system, which is that necessary for algae growth To supply CO ₂ in the required extent. As a result of this always occurring high loss of CO ₂ makes the feeder

a much larger amount is needed than the algae need for their development.

Furthermore, in GB-PA 2192195 a bioreactor is described which is suitable for use both for solar radiation and for use

of artificial light is suitable. For this purpose, a sun-ray collecting device is provided, in which a transparent cap in a

Fresnel lens and a sensor for detecting the direction of the sun's rays is arranged. The device is over

arranged this sensor trackable about a horizontal and a vertical axis of solar radiation.

This device is a device for the application of artificial light in parallel. From both bodies becomes the light

led via fiber optic cable in a reaction vessel, where individual light guides are arranged in silicone rubber tubes, which are located close to each other and flows around the culture medium. As is common in all such reactors are

Provided facilities for the supply of CO ₂ . A reactor of this type requires an extremely high technical effort, with its possible use larger Is subject to restrictions. All algae excreted exo-polysaccharides can not be cultivated with this reactor. The tubes located in the reaction vessel, in which the light guides are located, which are arranged close to each other,

are coated in a short time with a layer of polysaccharides, whereby the luminous efficacy is greatly minimized.

In the absence of light, however, the growth process of the microorganisms to be cultured disappears. It requires a cleaning of the reaction vessel, which also, due to its intricate internal structure, extremely

is complex and the operation must rest during this time.

Object of the invention

It is the object of the invention to provide a device for cultivating autotrophic microorganisms, which is simple in construction and thus inexpensive to produce and their operation is also inexpensive to carry out.

Explanation of the essence of the invention The invention has for its object to make the device so that alternate or simultaneous operation both

in sunlight as well as artificial light is possible; the device is independent of the season, so it can be operated in frost, a cheap way to adjust the operating temperature is given and a lossless charge of CO _{2 is} possible, and the risk of contamination is largely excluded and a good

Cleaning possibility exists. According to the invention the object is achieved in that an arrangement for sunlight cultivation with an arrangement for Kunstlichtkultivierung is interconnected, wherein that for sunlight cultivation as heat-balanced System is formed and the sun-facing side with a transparent plate made of a material with less Heat transfer coefficient is coverable, and an optoelectronic system is provided, which with a spectrum and

light sensing sensor is equipped, and the arrangement of this system to the optimum of

Irradiance is traceable in a conventional manner. Each assembly is made of glass tube coils and the glass tubes of the assembly are for sun light cultivation

parallel to each other, but arranged staggered, with additional reflective means are provided and in each arrangement a plurality of spirals may be provided in each other.

The arrangement for sunlight cultivation is surrounded on all sides with heat-insulating means for heat balance,

wherein means for temperature control are provided within the space thus formed.

The arrangement for sunlight cultivation is via mechanical means, such as bevel gears, chain drives, worm gears, Tooth segments or racks and small stepper motors, rotatable about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis

pivotally formed.

The nominal volumes of the sunlight culturing assembly and the artificial light culturing assembly are one another

equal. The device according to the invention has the advantage that the cultivation of autotrophic microorganisms can take place permanently, regardless of the time of day or the seasons.

The cultivation of sunlight can also be done in winter, since once this arrangement as a heat balanced system

is executed, on the other hand can be worked even in overcast skies, since the sensor is always in 1er position, the

Optimum irradiation strength find and the arrangement is brought about this sensor in the corresponding position Ie. Due to the all-around arrangement of heat-insulating agents on the arrangement for cultivating the sunlight and the Covering the sun-facing side by a transparent plate, the culture medium remains on the required Temperature. When the sunlight is removed, it is then possible to switch over to the cultivation with artificial light, which results from the Volume equality of the two arrangements is possible. This ensures an uninterrupted day-night operation. The leadership of KuUurmediums takes place in a closed system of glass tube coils, wouurch the risk of Contamination by other microorganisms is excluded. For this it is possible, in each case one arrangement during the Operation of the others undergo a cleaning. Due to the constant easy way of keeping the glass tubes clean

is the highest effectiveness of the light used possible, since no concern with the glass affect the incidence of light rays. This can also be avoided in Relnlgungs- and maintenance work generally occurring downtime.

The closed system of glass tubes also prevents the escape of the necessary for growth of CO ₂ and allows the exact setting and compliance with the required operating temperature of the culture medium.

embodiment

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment

 In the accompanying drawing show

1 is a schematic representation of the interconnected arrangements, Fig. 2: an arrangement for sunlight cultivation; Fig. 3: a side view of the arrangement for sunlight cultivation Fig. 4: a schematic representation of the stepped arrangement of the glass tubes 5 shows a further illustration of the arrangement of the glass tubes. In Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the entire device is shown, which consists of a device for cultivation

with sunlight 1 and an arrangement for culturing with artificial light 2, both of which are of identical volume.

Both arrangements are separably interconnected. With the help of the valves 3,4,5 and 6, both arrangements are interrelated

connected or separable. For both arrangements, the guest exchanger 7 for the supply of CO ₂ and the

Depositing the oxygen provided. Here also the tempering of the culture medium takes place. The pump 8 is used for Generation of the flow movement in the culture medium by the same either by the arrangement for cultivation with Artificial light 2 or by the arrangement for cultivating with sunlight 1 is promoted. By opening the valves 3,4,5 and 6

Both arrangements 1 and 2 can be connected to each other.

The arrangement 1 for cultivating with sunlight is shown in FIG. An angle steel frame 9 is also provided,

in which the glass tube coils are stored so stress-free. In a journal bearing 11 of the angle steel frame 9 is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis 12, for rotation about the vertical axis 13, an angle gear 14 is provided.

For this purpose, the corresponding drive means 15 and 16 are arranged, which are driven by small stepping motors 17 and 18. At the Angle steel frame 9, the sensor 19 is attached, which is sensitized to certain wavelengths of light and the light output

can capture. The signals of the sensor 19 are fed to an optoelectronic system, not shown, from which emanate control pulses, which drive the small stepping motors 17 and 18, whereby the arrangement 1 on the

Optimum the irradiance of the sun's rays is adjusted. The arrangement 1 represents a heat balanced system by replacing the entire system with heat insulating material 21

Surrounded on all sides, which in the present case may be white foam glass, which acts in addition to the heat-insulating effect simultaneously reflective.

On page 20, the foam glass is not shown to the course of the glass tube coils 10 at the end of To show angle steel frame 9. As can be seen from Figure 3, the arrangement 1 with a transparent plate 22 of a Low heat transfer material, such as a plastic-based synthetic glass, covered so

to form a closed, heat-balanced room. This is intended for use in the cold season, in order to maintain the operation of the device at this time. It is possible, the temperature within the

Arrangement 1, for example via a thermostat and a corresponding cooling air supply at the same level

hold.

For the sake of clarity, these devices, with which the arrangement 1 can be equipped, not graphically

shown.

Figures 4 and 5 show an enlarged section through the glass coils 10, parallel in their longitudinal extent

are arranged to each other, but staggered in order to ensure a possible shadowless exposure.

In this way, several glass coils 10 can lead into each other, whereby the maximum utilization of within

of the angle steel frame 9 existing space is possible. As a result, the arrangement 1 can be made relatively small, which has a favorable effect on the adjustment. It must be avoided in the angle steel frame 9 all bending and torsional stresses, otherwise this would cause glass breakage. The come short building plots of

Side edges of the angle steel frame 9 very contrary. The operation of the device according to the invention takes place as described below: About pump 23, the device is supplied with culture medium. It should first be charged to the arrangement 1, thereby

the valves 3 and 6 remain closed, while the valves 4 and 8 are opened. If the required filling quantity is reached, the valves 4 and 5, which are multi-way valves, close the arrangement 1 against the lines 24 and 25. Now comes the

Pump 8 in action, which promotes the culture medium through the glass walls 10 and leads in circulation via the gas exchanger 7, where the Temperature is kept constant. The sensor 19 directs the arrangement 1 via the optoelectronic, not shown System in the optimum of the irradiance, wherein the movement of the assembly 1 on the o.g. mechanical means

takes place, and both a rotary and pivoting movement is made. If the operation in the cold season, the assembly 1 is closed by means of plate 22, wherein the control of the air temperature within the assembly 1 via

Thermostat and cooling air flow takes place in a conventional manner. In the warm season, the plate 22 is removed and

the heat-insulating material 21 merely serves as a reflector. When the sunlight is removed, the valves 3 and 6 are opened, which are also multi-way valves, so the pump 8 promotes the culture medium after arrangement 2. After closing the

Valves 4 and 5 may take place the circulation of the culture medium within the assembly 2, and after the illumination 26

is switched on, the growth process of the microorganisms can continue.

After stopping the arrangement 1, the same can be cleaned and is thus ready for daytime operation.

Claims (5)

-1- 29Ϊ092 Claims: 1. A device for cultivating autotrophic microorganisms in a nutrient solution with the addition of CO ₂ , characterized in that an arrangement (1) for sunlight cultivation with a device (2) for Kunstlichtkultivierung separable züsammenschaltet, wherein that for sunlight cultivation is formed as a heat-balanced sytem, and the sun-facing side is coverable with a transparent plate (22) made of a low heat transfer material, and an opto-electronic system equipped with a spectrum and light power detecting sensor (19) is provided, and the assembly (1) further System is the optimum of the irradiation intensity in a conventional manner traceable. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that both the arrangement (1) for sunlight cultivation and the arrangement (2) for Kunstlichtkultivierung glass tubing (10) is formed and the glass tubes of the arrangement (1) for cultivating sunlight parallel to each other, but stepped are arranged offset and reflective means are provided, wherein in each arrangement a plurality of coils may be provided in each other. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the arrangement (1) for sunlight cultivation for heat balance on all sides with heat-insulating means (21) is enclosed, wherein means are provided for temperature control within the space thus formed. 4. Device according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the arrangement (1) for sunlight cultivation by mechanical means, such as angular gear (14), chain drives (16), worm gears (16), toothed segments or racks and small stepping motors (17,18) is rotatable about a vertical axis (13) and pivotable about a horizontal axis (12). 5. Device according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that the nominal volumes of the arrangement (1) for sunlight cultivator.g and the arrangement (2) are formed the same for Kunstlichikultivierung. For this 3 pages drawings