DE202013011727U1 - Bioreactor element - Google Patents

Abstract

Bioreactor element with considerable longitudinal expansion and an at least partially transparent wall (2) made of plastic for the passage of a nutrient solution (1) inoculated with microorganisms for the production of biomass by photosynthesis, characterized in that the bioreactor element is designed in one piece and several parallel channels ( 3, 4, 5), of which at least one nutrient channel (3) is flowed through by the nutrient solution (1) and at least one influencing channel (4, 5) is flowed through by a fluid which influences the production of the biomass.

Description

The invention relates to a bioreactor element with considerable longitudinal extent and an at least partially transparent wall made of plastic for the passage of a microorganism inoculated nutrient solution for the production of biomass by means of photosynthesis.

The production of biomass by means of photosynthesis has long been known and is used inter alia in the DE 198 14 253 described. Increasingly closed systems in the form of plate or tube reactors are used, which are irradiated directly or indirectly via light-guiding systems with sunlight or artificial light. In closed systems, the process conditions such as nutrient content, temperature, light intensity and CO ₂ supply can be controlled much more accurately than in open arrangements. However, it has been shown that the efficiency of the biomass production is often not high enough or the production cost of the bioreactor is too large.

The object of the invention is therefore to increase the efficiency of biomass production with the least possible effort.

According to the invention the object has been achieved in that the element is designed in one piece and has a plurality of parallel channels, of which at least one nutrient channel is traversed by the nutrient solution and at least one influencing channel of a, the production of the biomass influencing fluid.

While the fluid of the influencing channel can be used to increase the efficiency of photosynthesis, the one-piece design of the manufacturing effort is significantly minimized and provided for as large a contact surface between nutrient channel and influencing channel. In addition, the one-piece design also eliminates sealing problems which otherwise have to be reckoned with in the case of a long reactor composed of a plurality of successively arranged segments.

Depending on the conditions of use and the microorganisms, it can be advantageous if the fluid is formed by a cooling or heating fluid, preferably by a cooling or heating fluid, and thus the temperature in the nutrient channel is influenced.

Furthermore, the activity of the microorganisms can be further promoted by the fact that the fluid carries light-reflecting and / or light-refracting and / or obstructing the passage of at least a certain wavelength of light obstructing light elements and the influencing channel with respect to the light is arranged in front of the nutrient channel. By way of example, the effect of light on the microorganisms can be constantly changed by way of small particles which are co-floating with the fluid, light-reflecting, fluorescent or changing the wavelength of the light.

In order to be able to control the process of photosynthesis even with changing environmental influences, such as light irradiation and temperature but also with changing nature of the nutrient solution including its microorganisms, should the composition of the fluid and / or its flow rate and / or the scope of the entrained light elements and / or the nature of the entrained light elements and / or the composition of different types of light elements be changeable.

The light effect on the nutrient channel can be alternatively or additionally easily influenced by an at least partial coating or gluing of the wall of the bioreactor element, preferably from the outside. The same applies if the wall of the bioreactor element or an influencing channel arranged with respect to the light incidence in front of a nutrient channel forms an optical prism.

In addition, it may be advantageous if at least one, preferably all nutrient channels each have multiple influencing channels assigned. On the one hand, this allows several influencing channels to be used for temperature control and, on the other hand, also offers the possibility of using at least one influencing channel for adding CO ₂ into the nutrient solution, which is why this CO ₂ -effecting influencing channel with the corresponding nutrient channel in Connection stands.

Since the activity of the microorganisms is substantially increased by the addition of CO ₂ , at least one dosing device should generally be assigned to at least one nutrient channel for the addition of CO ₂ into the nutrient solution.

In order to enable the production of very long bioreactor elements with the least possible effort, they should be made by extrusion in the immediate vicinity of their place of use. Advantageously, the extrusion composition used for the production of the elements is formed by thermoplastic material, in particular PMMA, PC, PE, PET or PVC. In this case, the used elements after comminution and possibly also a cleaning for Reuse of the material fed to the extruder or otherwise reused.

In this case, during the production of the bioreactor element outside of the extruder on the extruder, in particular its exhaust device leaving end of the element act a tensile force, which pulls the beginning of the bioreactor element from the extruder.

The production of the bioreactor elements in the vicinity of their location eliminates the transport problems, since so only the extrusion device and the raw materials must be transported. About the tensile force, the bioreactor element can be pulled into a position that facilitates further assembly. In addition, this also materials for the bioreactor elements can be used, which are only slightly elastic and / or less resilient. This easily enables the production of Biorekator elements with a length of more than 25, preferably more than 50 and in particular more than 100 m.

In order to use the extruder as fully as possible, it is advantageous if this carried out mobile, d. H. in particular mounted on a vehicle. In this way, the extruder can be easily transported as needed to the appropriate locations of the bioreactor elements. It is also advantageous if the extruder is associated with a cutting or shredding device for comminution and preferably also a cleaning device for cleaning used bioreactor elements. If existing bioreactor elements are to be replaced, they can be shredded accordingly and, if necessary, also be cleaned. This alone can greatly facilitate the removal of the used bioreactor elements. In addition, the particles of the shredded elements could be reused in the production of new pipe or profile elements.

The transport of the bioreactor element from the extruder takes over a known take-off device thereof, which usually has two or more caterpillar tracks. For this purpose, the bioreactor element lies between the mutually pressed running surfaces of the chains.

The pulling force exerted outside the extruder on the end leaving the extruder and pulling away from the extruder the beginning of the bioreactor element should be applied by a pulling device whose traction and / or position can be varied. This can be particularly advantageous for very long bioreactor elements. Alternatively, it is also possible that the beginning of the bioreactor element fixed and the tensile force is generated by moving away the extruder, which should be easily possible with a mobile mounting of the extruder.

Regardless of the type of generating the tensile force, it is also advantageous if the tensile force is set or controlled in dependence on the running speed of the bioreactor element at the outlet of the extruder, in particular the speed of the take-off device and / or the currently produced length of the bioreactor element ,

Furthermore, the stress of the bioreactor elements can be reduced by the tensile force, in particular in the production of very long bioreactor elements in that the bioreactor element is supported during manufacture between the extruder and the beginning of the bioreactor element on at least one guide device which in the pulling direction of the pulling device is movable or has moving in the pulling direction, in particular rotating guide elements.

Bioreactor elements having multiple interference channels or particular cross-sectional shapes can also be made in one piece in very long lengths by manufacturing near the site of use. As a result, the sealing problems in the channels reduce considerably, since the bioreactor elements no longer have to be assembled from a plurality of sub-elements.

If the bioreactor elements lack sufficient stability, essentially their walls, it is possible to support the retention of shape via compressed air. For this purpose, the channels are hermetically sealed at the end leaving the extruder and filled with compressed air during the production of the bioreactor element from the extrusion tool of the extruder.

The production of biomass by means of photosynthesis is well known, with increasingly closed systems in the form of tubular reactors are used, which are irradiated directly or indirectly via light control systems with sunlight or artificial light.

In the interest of cost-effective construction, the transparent tubes or flexible hoses are usually laid horizontally. In the transition to large-scale systems, the production and transport of long elements or the sealing of segments to be joined proved hitherto as an obstacle, especially in the case of multi-channel training.

In order to facilitate the assembly and / or later fixation of the bioreactor elements in a supporting device of the plant, the bioreactor element between its ends should have at least one, preferably arranged in the upper region holding device for connection to a bioreactor element bearing support device.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to several exemplary embodiments. In the attached drawing shows:

1 a cross-section through a simply constructed bioreactor element;

2 a cross-section through a bioreactor element with prismatic outer wall;

3 FIG. 2: a cross-section through a bioreactor element with several different influencing channels. FIG 4 . 5 ;

4 : a plant scheme for the production of the bioreactor element;

5 : a cross section through the guide device 10 the manufacturing plant;

6 : a bioreactor element with two influencing channels ( 4 . 5 ) and

7 : a coupling element 12 for fixing several bioreactor elements.

The bioreactor elements are used to produce photochromic organisms and cell cultures under the action of light, which is why these elements are made of a completely or partially transparent plastic.

For the production of very long, one-piece bioreactor elements, in particular the extrusion process is suitable in which a solid to viscous and hardenable mass under pressure continuously from a shaping nozzle of the extruder 8th is pressed. Complex structures can be formed and soft as well as brittle materials can be processed. Because of the wide range of possible uses, the extrusion composition used for producing the bioreactor elements is formed here by thermoplastic material, in particular PMMA, PC, PE, PET or PVC.

After leaving the nozzle, the plastic solidifies in a subsequent and usually water-cooled calibration of the extruder 8th , For the formation of pipe or profile elements, the calibration often has a calibration sleeve, which serves to retain the shape of the bioreactor element. The bioreactor element is sucked by vacuum onto the inner wall of the calibration sleeve. Even if the bioreactor element like here several channels 3 . 4 . 5 owns, so these can also on, the extruder 8th leaving end to be hermetically sealed. So it is possible inside the channels 3 . 4 . 5 during the manufacture of the bioreactor element from the extrusion die of the extruder 8th To create an air pressure and thus support the bioreactor element from the inside. This may be necessary in particular in the production of bioreactor elements with low intrinsic stability.

After calibration, usually still another extraction device of the extruder closes 8th on, the bioreactor element, for example, over in the transport direction moving and pressed against the bioreactor element treads from the extruder 8th promoted.

To avoid the transport problems with very long bioreactor elements and the production of very long bioreactor elements especially with multiple channels 3 . 4 . 5 To facilitate, their production takes place in the immediate vicinity of their place of use. This works outside of the extruder 8th on that, the extruder 8th , in particular its exhaust device leaving end of the element, a tensile force, which is the beginning of the bioreactor element from the extruder 8th pulls away. In this way, bioreactor elements with a length of more than 25 m or even more than 50 m can be produced easily and inexpensively. The one-piece production of large lengths eliminates the sealing problems that would otherwise result in the assembly of individual segments. In this case, the route to the extruder 8th , ie be used after the trigger device for cooling the bioreactor element.

So that the extruder can be used extensively in spite of the production on site, it should be designed to be mobile. For this purpose, the assembly of the extruder offers 8th on a truck, from the loading area then the beginning of the bioreactor element is pulled away. As a result, pulling the bioreactor element should bring it as close as possible to the installation site.

To the pulling force on that, the extruder 8th To be able to transfer leaving end, a coupling piece is attached to this, which according to 4 via a rope with a winch acting as a pulling device 9 connected is. To avoid overstretching or even damage to the bioreactor element due to excessive forces, the tensile force is applied by a pulling device whose traction and / or position is variable.

In the interest of the least possible stress on the bioreactor element due to friction, this is between the extruder during production 8th and the beginning of the bioreactor element on a guide device 10 supported, the extends over the entire length of the finished bioreactor element.

For this purpose, the guide device has 10 , as in 5 represented, over the entire length distributed a plurality of rotating guide elements in the form of guide rollers 11 , These leadership roles 11 support the bioreactor element from below and also guide this on both sides with respect to the pulling direction 13 ,

Thus, that, the extruder 8th leaving end of the bioreactor element of the cable of the pulling device in the guide device 10 be pulled to the final position.

To be able to produce as much biomass as possible, the plant comprises a plurality of parallel and horizontally extending, very elongated bioreactor elements with an at least partially transparent wall 2 plastic, through which a microorganism inoculated nutrient solution 1 for the production of biomass is guided by photosynthesis. So that the effort for the storage of bioreactor elements remains limited, the corresponding support device for these bioreactor elements is formed by a plurality of along the bioreactor elements arranged and spaced from each other horizontally, fixed support masts. Between the support masts extending over the respective bioreactor elements to be supported elements that are supported on the corresponding support poles and with the bioreactor elements to be supported via at least one holding element 14 are connected to at least one, lying between two adjacent support poles support point. In this way, the distance between the support poles can be very large, without the support of the bioreactor elements is impaired.

Even with bioreactor elements with a length of 50 m or more, it is sufficient if the distance between two adjacent support poles is at least 6 m and the distance between two adjacent support points is at least 1 m.

The support elements extend approximately over the entire length of the bioreactor elements and are exemplified by a flexible steel cable. The holding elements 14 can, as in 7 indicated, variable in length or simply be shaped as a hook.

Such a support structure is not only associated with low costs, but also with a low installation cost.

In addition to the indirect support on the support and holding elements 14 The bioreactor elements are also supported directly on the support masts, in particular on support arms attached to the support masts.

For a compact arrangement, the bioreactor elements are arranged in a plurality of superimposed, horizontally extending rows. In this case, each row of bioreactor elements extending on one side of the support masts is supported on a respective support arm of the respective support masts.

To connect the holding elements 14 to facilitate with the bioreactor elements, the bioreactor elements according to 1 arranged in the upper region holding devices 7 exhibit.

In the execution according to 7 are several adjacent bioreactor elements in the region of the support points via a respective coupling element 12 connected with each other. The coupling elements 12 in turn are each about two holding elements 14 attached to two support elements.

In their simplest form, the bioreactor elements have only one channel, the nutrient channel 3 for the nutrient solution 1 , To create optimal process conditions, it may be necessary that the bioreactor elements next to it as in the 1 to 3 such as 5 to 7 one or more influencing channels 4 . 5 exhibit.

The extrusion process also allows for these multi-channel bioreactor elements 3 . 4 . 5 the one-piece production.

Since the microorganisms can usually only work optimally in a narrow temperature range and the bioreactor elements or the nutrient solution contained therein 1 If you heat up quickly in intense sunlight or cool off too much in winter, at least one influencing channel will be created 4 from a cooling or heating fluid 6 flows through. To cool or heat up the nutrient solution 1 from the influencing channel 4 Hereto, the thermal resistance between nutrient channel should support 3 and bias channel 4 be as low as possible. Helpful here is a large partition between the two channels 3 . 4 , It also allows the nutrient channel 3 as in 3 . 6 and 7 also several influencing channels 4 for a heating or cooling fluid 6 be assigned. In the execution according to 3 is the nutrient channel 3 even entirely with such influencing channels 4 enclosed.

To the light incidence with respect to the nutrient solution 1 can affect the wall 2 of the bioreactor element or as in 2 with respect to the light incidence in front of the nutrient channel 3 arranged influencing channel 4 an optical prism 15 form. This can also be several prisms 15 be realized, which can be oriented differently.

For the production of the biomass, the microorganisms need the nutrient solution 1 usually also additional CO ₂ to be supplied. Therefore, at least one nutrient channel 3 at least one metering device for the addition of CO ₂ in the nutrient solution 1 assigned. This metering device is at 3 from a CO ₂ leading influence channel 5 is formed, which has several breakthroughs with the nutrient channel 3 communicates. Alternatively, the CO ₂ -effecting influencing channel 5 also be formed by a porous tube in the nutrient channel 3 lies.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE19814253 [0002]

Claims (12)

Bioreactor element with considerable longitudinal extent and an at least partially transparent wall ( 2 ) made of plastic for the passage of a microorganism inoculated nutrient solution ( 1 ) for the production of biomass by means of photosynthesis, characterized in that the bioreactor element is made in one piece and a plurality of parallel channels ( 3 . 4 . 5 ), of which at least one nutrient channel ( 3 ) of the nutrient solution ( 1 ) and at least one influencing channel ( 4 . 5 ) is flowed through by a, the production of the biomass influencing fluid. Bioreactor element according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid from a cooling or heating fluid ( 6 ), preferably formed by a cooling or heating fluid. Bioreactor element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fluid carries light-reflecting and / or light-refracting and / or the passage of at least a certain wavelength of the light obstructing light elements with it and the influencing channel ( 4 . 5 ) with respect to the light incidence in front of the nutrient channel ( 3 ) is arranged. Bioreactor element according to claim 3, characterized in that the composition of the fluid and / or its flow rate and / or the circumference of the entrained light elements and / or the type of entrained light elements and / or the composition of different types of light Elements are changeable. Bioreactor element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one, preferably all nutrient channels ( 3 ) each have several influencing channels ( 4 . 5 ) assigned. Bioreactor element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one nutrient channel ( 3 ) at least one metering device for the addition of CO ₂ in the nutrient solution ( 1 ) assigned. Bioreactor element according to claim 6, characterized in that the metering device from a CO ₂ -deriving influencing channel ( 5 ) formed with at least one nutrient channel ( 3 ). Bioreactor element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bioreactor element between its ends at least one, preferably arranged in the upper region holding device ( 7 ) for connection to a support device carrying the bioreactor element. Bioreactor element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bioreactor element has a length of more than 25, preferably more than 50 and in particular more than 100 m. Bioreactor element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists of a thermoplastic material, in particular PMMA, PC, PE, PET or PVC. Bioreactor element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall ( 2 ) is preferably at least partially coated or glued on the outside. Bioreactor element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall ( 2 ) or a light incident in front of a nutrient channel ( 3 ) arranged influencing channel ( 4 . 5 ) an optical prism ( 15 ).

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