EP2406366A2

EP2406366A2 - Device for a photochemical process

Info

Publication number: EP2406366A2
Application number: EP10714553A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Mohr; Franz Emminger
Original assignee: ECODUNA TECHNOLOGIE GmbH
Current assignee: ECODUNA AG; ECODUNA TECHNOLOGIE GmbH
Priority date: 2009-03-12
Filing date: 2010-03-08
Publication date: 2012-01-18
Also published as: CN102348792B; US20120003734A1; CA2753570A1; AT507989B1; AT507989A1; HK1163732A1; AU2010223830A1; EG26469A; KR20110137314A; EA023916B1; MX2011009076A; WO2010102316A3; WO2010102316A2; JP2012519495A; US9260689B2; IL214497A; IL214497D0; BRPI1008964A2; MY149734A; JP5761807B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for a photochemical process, such as a photocatalytic and/or a photosynthetic process, especially for the cultivation and production or hydrocultivation of preferably phototrophic micro-organisms. A reactor, especially a bioreactor, is provided, and a reaction medium, for example an aqueous solution or a suspension, is guided in the reactor in a meandering manner. The reactor through which the reaction medium (6) flows consists of at least one reactor element (2) comprising two interconnected pipes (3) or chambers (8) that are vertical or inclined at an angle. The reaction medium (6) is introduced into the reactor and released therefrom, over the upper reaction medium surface, preferably continuously, without pressure and freely to the atmosphere. As a result of the hydrostatic pressure and level compensation, the flow of the reaction medium (6) is stress-free for the micro-organisms. The reactor and its pipes (3) or chambers (8) preferably consisting of a transparent or translucent material are arranged in a light-conducting liquid (14).

Description

Device for a photochemical process

The invention relates to a device for a photochemical, such as photocatalytic and / or photosynthetic process, in particular for a breeding and production or hydroculturing of, preferably phototrophic, microorganisms, wherein a reactor, in particular a bioreactor, is provided and a reaction medium, for example an aqueous Solution or a suspension is meandered in the reactor.

From DE 41 34 813 A1 a bioreactor for phototrophic microorganisms, which consists of glass or plastic, known. The culture medium is either pumped through the bioreactor or meandered down through the horizontally arranged web plates down. Furthermore, turbulence generating means are mounted in the webs. According to this method, carbon dioxide is introduced at the top and natural or artificial light is used for the operation. The bioreactor is placed or tracked at right angles to the light source.

Furthermore, GB 2 235 210 A and DE 196 44 992 C1 also disclose bioreactors for phototrophic microorganisms or for photocatalytic processes.

From EP 738 686 A1, the photocatalytic wastewater treatment in a bioreactor, where the liquid to be purified is passed through multi-plate webs of transparent plastic known. Translucent commercial multi-wall sheets can be used to regulate the temperature.

Furthermore, WO 98/18903 describes an actively or passively heatable solar element made of multiple web plates with at least three straps. Layers within the reactor are used alternately for a photochemical or photosynthetic process. This is done in a closed reactor with sealed end face and horizontally arranged web plates, the culture medium is passed meandering downwards.

From WO 2008/079724 A2 a bioreactor is known, which is flowed through horizontally by the reaction medium, wherein the bioreactor is arranged in a water basin.

Also known of course are the Archimedean screw and the Da Vinci spiral, for example, from Florian Manfred Grätz "Semi-automatic generation of circuit diagrams and fluid plans for mechatronic systems (Diss. Munich Techn. Univ. 2006) ISBN 10 3-8316-0643-9 ,

In addition, from DE 195 07 149 C2 a hydrodynamic screw with a trough and a generator for power generation known. From DE 41 39 134 C2 a hydrodynamic screw for energy conversion is known.

Of course, the hydrostatic balance of forces is known as a hydrostatic paradox, also called Pascal's paradox. This is an apparent paradox, which describes the phenomenon that a liquid causes a gravitational pressure, depending on the filling level of the liquid on the bottom of a vessel, but the shape of the vessel exerts no influence.

As communicating vessels or communicating tubes one names open-topped, below connected vessels. A homogeneous fluid is in the same height in them, because the air pressure and gravity act equally on the vessels. For inhomogeneous liquids, the liquid columns behave in height inversely to their specific gravity.

Usually - as in some of the above methods - the transport in solar reactors carried out by commercial pumping. This procedure causes stress in the reaction medium, be it by high pressure, negative pressure, high acceleration or crushing. this When exposed to stress, most phototrophic microorganisms lose their potential for photosynthetic ability. Cells are destroyed, damaged and or the microorganisms need time and / or metabolic products for regeneration before they can fully absorb their assigned processes. Likewise, when exposed to this stress, most photochemical processes fail in their potential photocatalytic abilities as molecules are destroyed or damaged and / or require time and / or additional oxidants before they can fully resume the processes assigned to them.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the initially cited type, on the one hand avoids the above disadvantages and on the other hand allows for a simple and economical production due to their construction, a qualitative and, above all, quantitative increase in yield or harvest.

The object is achieved by the invention.

The invention is characterized in that the reactor through which the reaction medium consists consists of at least one reactor element formed from two vertically or at an angle inclined, connected below, tubes or chambers, wherein both a contribution and an application of the reaction medium in or from the reactor, preferably continuously, without pressure and free to the atmosphere via the upper surface of the reaction medium takes place and due to the hydrostatic pressure and level compensation for the microorganisms stress-free flow of the reaction medium is given and that the reactor with his, preferably from transparent or translucent Material existing, tubes or chambers is arranged in a light-conducting liquid. The invention makes it possible for the first time to produce a plant for a photochemical, such as photocatalytic and / or photosynthetic process, in particular for cultivation and production or hydroculturing of, preferably phototrophic, microorganisms, both in the construction costs and in operation meets today's economic requirements, especially with regard to quality and operational safety.

With the device according to the invention and the method on which this device is based, a transport that is gentle on the microorganisms is achieved so that damage in the course of its production process is avoided. By controlled introduction of the reaction medium in the region of the upper liquid level, the flow rate of the reaction medium through the reactor element, provided of course it is filled, can be defined. The reaction medium flows meandering through the upright interconnected reactor elements. The reactor elements are interconnected so that the inlet and the outlet are located at the top. The reactor elements are open completely or partially upwards. The flow is achieved by utilizing hydrostatic pressure compensation with minimal loss of height throughout the reactor. Due to the largely pressure-free and appression-free transport of the reaction medium in a biosolar reactor, the reaction process is impaired as little as possible.

In addition, for the construction of such a bioreactor a minimum cost of materials is necessary, which increases the efficiency.

The method and the corresponding device or system according to the invention can be used, for example, for the following fields of application: The photocatalytic purification of wastewater

• The photosynthetic metabolism of CO2 to oxygen by phototrophic microorganisms

• Breeding and production of phototrophic microorganisms for research purposes • Research on photochemical and / or photosynthetic processes

• Breeding and production of phototrophic microorganisms for food products and food ingredients • Breeding and production of phototrophic microorganisms for basic pharmaceuticals

• Breeding and production of phototrophic microorganisms for fuels and raw materials for fuel production and energy production • Breeding and production of phototrophic microorganisms for basic chemicals of the chemical industry

• Breeding and production of phototrophic microorganisms the usable gases e.g. Hydrogen) in the photosynthetic process

By using the hydrostatic balance of forces when flowing through the reaction medium of the reactor elements is virtually a stress-free transport of any entrained microorganisms. Furthermore, an energy optimization, a defined light guide, a space optimization, a supply of additives, a defined temperature, a targeted control and improved gas output can be achieved.

A serious advantage of this device according to the invention is also to be seen in the fact that the temperature of the reaction medium can be controlled via the light-conducting liquid and also via the substances to be introduced into the reaction medium. Furthermore, when used in warm regions, this device according to the invention has the advantage that the light-conducting liquid acts as a buffer for the day-night temperature fluctuations. The overall efficiency is thereby increased.

The light-conducting liquid should preferably be weitebenst inanimate to sterile and optionally have the density of seawater. It is quite conceivable that silicone oil can also be used.

According to a particular feature of the invention, when connected to a reactor panel of two or more reactor elements, its partition wall is lower than the partition between the tubes or chambers of the reactor element, thereby creating an overflow or communicating opening when the liquid level in the reactor elements higher than the partition between the reactor elements and the reactor panel can be flowed meandering. A reactor element is designed like a communicating vessel. This type of series connection of reactor elements gives the possibility of forming a defined flow path.

The residence time within the reactor, which is adapted to the particular phototrophic microorganisms or photochemical requirements and which corresponds to the process result, can be influenced by the following parameters:

• Flow rate

• Cross section of the reactor elements

• height of the reactor elements

• Number and nature of the non-gaseous substances introduced. Nature, number, density and pressure of the injected gases

• The number of reactor elements connected in a meandering guide

• The possibility to dispense process exhaust gases. process temperatures

• Dwell time and position to light • Dwell time in ripening tanks and / or dark tanks

Ideally, and given the appropriate structural conditions, a single continuous transport of the medium from the inlet to the outlet may possibly be possible for the entire process.

According to a further feature of the invention, the light-conducting liquid surrounding the reactor is provided in an open-topped container or basin, the inner surfaces of which are preferably designed to be light-reflecting. As is known, light is a prerequisite for a photochemical, such as photocatalytic and / or photosynthetic process. In order to make the light optimally available to the biosolar reactor, the inner surfaces are formed as reflectors. According to a development of the invention, reflectors are provided above the light-conducting liquid or above the container or basin, which introduce light, preferably sunlight, into the light-conducting liquid, preferably at a right angle to the liquid surface. Such additional reflectors increase the light optimization for the process. Due to the optionally vertical introduction of light to the liquid surface and the mirroring of the container inner walls takes place virtually a multiplication of the light irradiation, whereby the process can be optimized.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, light collectors are provided for collecting the light which can be introduced into the light-conducting liquid and are arranged in particular in front of the reflectors. This also allows a correspondingly increased supply of light for the process can be achieved.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention are prior to the introduction of the light in the light-conducting liquid filter, in particular for filtering the harmful for the microorganisms wavelengths provided. With such appropriate filters, the process can be optimized.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the

Initiation of the light pulsed into the light-conducting liquid. Depending on the requirements of the process, a pulsed light supply can bring even better results.

According to a particular feature of the invention, the tubes are made of, in particular made of plastic, film tubes whose ends are tightly connected with deflection devices. These film tubes have a thin wall thickness and are inexpensive to procure on the market. Due to the pressureless fluid in fluid situation, the foil hoses are not exposed to forces that could cause any damage. Since there is virtually no load on the film hoses, a long service life is to be expected. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the meandering interconnected chambers of two films having parallel Längsverschweißungen formed, wherein the deflection takes place via deflection. The production of such a welded film is easy and inexpensive. Such a longitudinally welded film allows an upright and low-resistance flow possible through a, enriched with microorganisms and nutrients, suspension for the cultivation of phototrophic microorganisms.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the deflection device is a U-shaped, preferably elliptical cross-section exhibiting, tube part which is connected to the chambers formed by the longitudinal welds. These deflectors cause an upper or a lower deflection of the suspension without allowing contamination of the microorganisms in the environment. In the case of film tube reactors, single tubes of plastic film are pulled and fastened over the ends of the tubes. In the longitudinally welded reactors, the two sides are clamped to elliptical receiving tubes.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the, preferably prefabricated, deflection device is a U-shaped tube part, which for introduction at the bottom of the reactor in the reaction medium of liquid and / or gaseous additives, or for the application of gaseous process products at least one bore for having a, micro-holes, insertion tube or an integrated insertion tube. These lower deflections create the possibility of supplying the microorganisms with at least one liquid and / or gaseous nutrient. According to the process running, the introduction can take place in each diversion or at intervals.

In the upper deflection, gases or other substances accumulating in the process can be applied simultaneously to redirect the suspension without contaminating the suspension with foreign organisms from the environment the gas pipes are used for the extraction of gases generated in the process or excess gases.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the insertion tube in the region of the flowing from bottom to top reaction medium on a larger number and / or larger diameter having microbores as in the region of the flowing from top to bottom or in the direction of gravity reaction medium. In this way, according to the mode of operation of a mammoth pump, the liquid level in the tube or chamber which flows through from below is raised in a kind of "gas lift effect" with respect to the tube or chamber through which the liquid flows from top to bottom such units and increased gas introduction into each ascending tube will result in an increase in the liquid level at the end of the last tube or chamber relative to the first tube or chamber, if the design of the reactor accounts for the increase in the liquid level. Additives is a stress-free transport of microorganisms.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the insertion tube has an outer and / or an internal thread at both ends. The gas pipes are, for example, designed in such a way that they can end in a gastight manner with the assembly by means of a union nut. At least one of these union nuts is provided with a connection for a gas line.

Furthermore, the gas pipe can be provided via its internal thread with a connecting piece which can be screwed to another gas pipe.

To change the union nut is unscrewed on one side, attached the connector and the new gas pipe attached to the other end of the connector. With the new gas pipe, the gas pipe to be replaced is pushed through the assembly while at the same time taking its place. This ensures that with minimal gas loss or Loss of fluid to be changed gas pipe with the new gas pipe is pushed through the assembly. This embodiment allows a waiting or changing the Eingasvorrichtung without interruption or a minimal impairment of the process.

The replacement of the gas pipes can fulfill the following functions within parts of the photo-bio-reactors or the whole plant:

• for maintenance

• to change the flow rate • to change the nutrient solution

• to adapt the nutrient solution to the life phase of the phototrophic microorganisms

• to fight diseases

• to harvest the microorganisms • to kill parts or all of the microorganisms

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, an Archimedean screw or a Da Vinci spiral or a mammoth pump is provided for transporting the reaction medium both within the reactor and between reactors. In such a device, one or more hoses or webs are spirally wound on an axle once or multiple times and stably fixed in any technique, for example screwed, glued, etc. The one or more hoses or webs are open at both ends. The transport element is aligned and mounted so that the lower end of the tubes or webs draws reaction medium from a container.

However, hoses or webs are only so far submerged in the reaction medium, which passes with each revolution, the end of the hose or the web outside the reaction medium over the surface.

By slow rotation in a spiral direction, which does not generate any significant centrifugal forces, the reactor medium is made use of hydrostatic pressure equalization in the respective lower halves of the hoses or webs transported to the upper end of the screw. With each rotation, the liquid located in the uppermost half-turn is released and falls into a receptacle located higher up from the starting receptacle. By either full or partial closing the

Transport device spray loss and or gas leakage can be avoided.

According to a particular feature of the invention, a cover, for example a dome, made of transparent or translucent material, for example a glass dome, is provided above the container or basin in which the device is provided, for a closed construction of the system. As a result, in the case of use in so-called warm regions, there is the advantage that the closed construction makes it possible to recover the evaporated liquid.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the drawing.

1 shows a bioreactor consisting of tubes,

2 is a plan view of FIG. 1,

3 is a side elevation of FIG. 1,

4 a bioreactor consisting of web plates,

5 is a plan view according to FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a side elevation according to FIG. 4,

7 is a schematic representation of a tube,

8 is a schematic diagram of the "Gasliff effect,

9 shows a device for a photochemical process in a basin,

10 is a schematic representation of the light guide, Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 a deflection device for film tubes,

13 and FIG. 14 a deflection device for longitudinally welded foils, FIG.

Fig. 15 is a schematic representation of a device of multiple web plates

16 and FIG. 17 a deflection device for the device according to FIG. 15, FIG. Fig. 18 and Fig. 19, a contribution of the additives in the middle part of the film tubes.

According to FIGS. 1 to 3, a reactor, in particular a biosolar reactor 1, consists of at least one reactor element 2, which is formed from two upright tubes 3 connected at the bottom. An inlet 4 as well as an outlet 5 are provided at the upper edge of the reactor. For the construction of a biosolar reactor 1, a plurality of reactor elements 2 are connected in series, wherein always an outlet 5 is connected to an inlet 4.

Such a biosolar reactor 1 is used for a process for a photochemical, such as photocatalytic and / or photosynthetic process, in particular for the cultivation and production or hydroculturing of, preferably phototrophic, microorganisms. For its operation, the biosolar reactor 1 is filled with a reaction medium 6, for example an aqueous solution or a suspension. In operation, the biosolar reactor 1 is fed only via its first inlet 4. The guide or flow direction of the reaction medium 6 is upright, preferably vertically, once from top to bottom and from bottom to top in a reactor element 2. In a series connection of several reactor elements 2, which are interconnected, the reaction medium 6 flows meandering through the reactor , Both the introduction or feed and the application of the reaction medium 6 in or out of the biosolar reactor 1, preferably carried out continuously, depressurized and free to the atmosphere over the upper reaction medium surface or just above the upper liquid level or in the region of the upper liquid level of the Reaction medium 6.

The reactor elements 2 are thus connected in a meandering manner with each other as communicating tubes 3, the inlet 4 and the outlet 5 being at the top. The reactor elements 2 are wholly or partially, depending on requirements, open at the top. Due to the hydrostatic pressure and level compensation takes place via the feed of reaction medium 6 at the inlet 4, a flow of the reaction medium 6. For the process, this means that for the Microorganisms stress-free flow of the reaction medium 6 is generated. As a result, a free flow between the individual reactor elements 2 is made possible without the additional energy must be supplied. The reaction medium 6 moves in the effort of the liquid to compensate for the difference in height between inlet 4 and outlet 5, with a minimum loss of height meandering through the reactor.

According to FIGS. 4 to 6, an alternative type of biosolar reactor 1 is shown. In this design, a reactor element 2 consists of two, preferably rectangular, upright, formed from the web or web multiple plates 7 chambers 8, through a partition wall 9, which open at the bottom is, is formed. Both the inlet 4 for introduction and the inlet 5 and the outlet 5 is provided at the upper edge of the reactor. In the illustrated embodiment according to FIG. 4, two reactor elements 2 are already connected.

In a compound of two or more reactor elements 2 whose partition wall 10 is lower than the partition wall 9 between the tubes 3 and chambers 8 of a reactor element 2 is formed. This creates an overflow or a communicating opening when the liquid level in the

Reactor elements 2 is higher than the partition wall 10 between the reactor elements 2. As a result, the energy consumption is minimized by eliminating as far as possible pumps between the process steps and any number of equal or different process steps in the same flow height can be coupled to each other.

The individual reactor elements 2 can be made transparent or translucent or, if required, also light-tight. As materials, both glass or UV transparent plastic, e.g. Polymethylmethacrylate find use.

The filling and operation of the biosolar reactor 1 are analogous to

Versions of FIGS. 1 to 3. With regard to the light irradiation to the reactor elements 2 - which will be discussed in more detail later - is shown in FIG. 6, an inclined reactor. Despite the fact that the reactor is inclined at an angle, the reaction medium 6 flows once from top to bottom or in the direction of gravity and from bottom to top or against the direction of gravity.

1 and FIG. 4 is for the, continuous or batchwise, introduction of additives 12, such as nutrient solutions or - gases and / or oxidants and / or active substances and / or the process promoting solutes or gases, preferably during the process, at the reactor bottom, in the region of the deflection of the reaction medium 6, at least one introduction inlet 11, for example a controllable valve provided.

According to the method, the reaction medium 6 is optionally saturated before entering the reactor with CO2 or other gases, the degree of saturation is enriched according to the needs of the process and / or supplied while staying in the reactor with CO2 other gases. The decreasing CO2 content in the reaction medium 6 in the photosynthetic process, due to constant growth of the microorganisms, can be compensated for by the continuous or pulsed introduction of CO2.

In the photochemical process, by constantly reacting decreasing efficiency in the reaction medium can be compensated by the, continuous and / or batchwise, introducing additional active gases.

By introducing the additives at the lower end of the liquid column via the introduction inlets 11 as shown in FIG. 7, a thorough mixing and uniform distribution of the additives in the reaction medium 6 takes place.

The introduction of additives 12, such as fluids and gases further optimizes the supply of light, since by the resulting turbulence in the reaction medium 6, all molecules or phototrophic microorganisms sufficiently to the light-flooded, near the outside wall light zone - indicated by the arrows 13 - the reactor element 2 are performed.

The introduction of fluids and gases creates a turbulence in the reaction medium 6, whereby a further advantageous effect comes into play, namely that the rising of the gas bubbles, a continuous cleaning of the reactor inner surfaces is effected.

Furthermore, heating or cooling of the reaction medium 6 can also take place by means of defined introduced fluids and gases. The introduced additives 12 can thus be used for the controlled temperature control of the reaction medium 6.

According to FIG. 8, the introduction of liquid and / or gaseous substances or additives 12 on the underside in the region of the deflection of the reaction medium 6 is performed. In a particular embodiment of the reactor, a larger amount of liquid and / or gaseous substances or additives 12 is introduced in the area of the reaction medium 6 flowing from bottom to top or against the direction of gravity than in the area from top to bottom or in Direction of gravity flowing

As a result, as already mentioned, according to the mode of operation of a mammoth pump, the liquid level in the tube 3 or chamber, which flows from bottom to top, is raised in a kind of "gas lift effect" with respect to the tube 3 or chamber 8 which flows through from top to bottom. This difference in the liquid level a can lead to an increase of the liquid level at the end of the last tube 3 or chamber 8 with respect to the first tube 3 or chamber 8 in a series connection of multiple reactor elements 2 with increased gas introduction into each ascending tube 3, if the construction of the Despite this increased introduction of, preferably gaseous, additives 12 takes place a stress-free transport of the microorganisms. According to FIG. 9, the reactor through which the reaction medium 6 flows consists of at least one reactor element 2 formed from two tubes 3 or chambers 8 which are inclined at an angle or are inclined at an angle. A multiplicity of these reactor elements 2 are standard in the form of a reactor panel 13 connected. The, preferably series-connected,

Reactor panels 13 are frame-like almost parallel to each other, preferably fixedly mounted, to a reactor, in particular biosolar reactor 1, respectively. The biosolar reactor 1 is arranged with its reactor panels 13 in a light-conducting liquid 14. This light-conducting liquid 14 may be provided in a basin or a container 15.

Both an introduction and an application of the reaction medium 6 into or out of the reactor takes place, preferably continuously, without pressure and free to the atmosphere via the upper reaction medium surface. Due to the hydrostatic pressure and level compensation for the microorganisms stress-free flow of the reaction medium 6 is given.

Of course, in practice - contrary to the representation in the drawing - the reactor panels 13 are connected in series with each other to a biosolar reactor 1 and the introduction or the application takes place at one point.

The top of the respective Reaktorpaneies 13 is either provided with a floating body or attached hanging from above, so that the upper edge of the reactor can not submerge under the upper edge of the surrounding liquid and thus is given an open-top situation.

The lower side of Reaktorpaneies 13 is designed so that it allows either by its own weight or by additional weights a nearly vertical hanging in the light-conducting liquid 14.

As already mentioned, the light supply to the surface of the reactor panels 13 of the biosolar reactor 1 is of immense importance. To create this condition, the light-conducting liquid 14 surrounding the reactor is in one provided above open container 15 or basin whose inner surfaces 16 are designed to be light reflective.

Above the container 15 or basin in which the biosolar reactor 1 is provided, a cover, for example a dome, of transparent or translucent material, for example a glass dome, can be provided for a closed construction of the system.

In order to improve the lighting conditions for the biosolar reactor 1 even further, as shown in Fig. 10 on the light-conducting liquid 14 and on the

Container 15 or basin reflectors 17 are provided, the light, preferably the sunlight 18, in the light-conducting liquid 14, preferably at a right angle to the liquid surface, initiate. To collect the light which can be introduced into the light-conducting liquid 14, light collectors can be provided in front of the reflectors 17 -not shown. Likewise, before the

Introducing the light into the light-conducting liquid 14 filter, in particular for filtering the harmful for the microorganisms wavelengths, be provided. Also, a pulsed introduction of the light into the light-conducting liquid 14 is feasible.

According to FIGS. 11 and 12, the tubes 3 consist of foil tubes 19, which are produced in particular from plastic and thin-walled. The ends of these film tubes 19 are connected tightly with deflection devices 20. The, preferably prefabricated, deflection device 20 is a U-shaped tube part, which is for insertion at the bottom of the reactor in the reaction medium 6 of liquid and / or gaseous additives 12, or for the application of gaseous process products at least one bore 21 for a , Micro-bores 22 exhibiting, insertion tube 23 or an integrated insertion tube 24 has.

Referring to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, an alternative solution for forming a reactor panel 13 is shown. The meandering interconnected chambers 8 are made of two sheets 25, which are parallel Longitudinal welds 26 have formed. The deflection takes place again via deflection devices 27. The deflection device 27 is a U-shaped, preferably elliptical cross-section exhibiting, tube part which is connected to the chambers 8 formed by the longitudinal welds.

Referring to FIG. 15, a biosolar reactor 1 is shown from a multi-wall plate 7. In the case of this embodiment, the device is designed as a compact device, wherein the deflecting device 28 is sealed to the upper and lower end of the web plate 7. The reactor may have upstream of the inlet 4 or after the outlet 5 from the reactor Sifone 29. The

Reaction medium 6 can thus be fed through the siphon 29 to the first reactor element 2 without pressure or without pressure. At its lower side, the reactor has the insertion tubes 23 for the introduction of the additives 12. On its upper side, further insertion tubes 30 are provided for the application of gaseous process products, such as oxygen, preferably during the process. These insertion tubes 30 are provided above the reaction medium surface or above the top of the reactor elements 2. To dispense these gaseous process products, a collecting device provided above the liquid level of the reaction medium 6 or above the upper side of the reactor elements can be provided.

According to FIGS. 16 and 17, an individual-part deflection device 28 for a biosolar reactor 1 produced from web plates 7 is shown. The individual webs 31 of the respective inner shape of the web plate 7 are adapted. The insertion tubes 23 for the introduction of the additives 12 are integrated.

According to FIGS. 18 and 19, a film tube 19 is shown, wherein the introduction of the additives can also take place along the height, for example at half the height, of the film tubes 19. In this case, the film tube 19 may be severed in its half height and a plastic spacer 32 is provided for connecting the two parts. This plastic spacer 32 has the microbored lines 33 for introducing the additives 12.

To the insertion tubes 23 has yet to be mentioned that at both ends an outer and / or an internal thread is provided. To change the cap nut is unscrewed on one side, a connector attached and attached the new gas pipe to the other end of the connector. With the new gas pipe, the gas pipe to be replaced is pushed through the assembly while at the same time taking its place. This ensures that with minimal gas loss or loss of fluid to be changed insertion tube 23 is pushed with the new gas pipe 21 through the assembly. This embodiment allows a waiting or changing the Eingasvorrichtung without interruption or a minimal impairment of the process.

For stress-free transport of the reaction medium 6, an Archimedean screw or a Da Vinci spiral or a mammoth pump can be provided both within the reactor and between reactors.

Claims

claims:

1. A device for a photochemical, such as photocatalytic and / or photosynthetic process, in particular for a breeding and production or hydroculturing of, preferably phototrophic, microorganisms, wherein a reactor, in particular a bioreactor, is provided and a reaction medium, for example an aqueous solution or a suspension meandering in the reactor is performed, characterized in that the reaction medium from the (6) flowed through reactor from at least one, from two perpendicular or inclined at an angle, downwardly connected tubes (3) and

Chambers (8) formed, reactor element (2), wherein both a contribution and an application of the reaction medium (6) in or out of the reactor, preferably continuously, depressurized and free to the atmosphere via the upper reaction medium surface and on ground the hydrostatic pressure and level compensation is given a stress-free flow of the reaction medium (6) for the microorganisms and that the reactor is provided with its, preferably transparent or translucent

Material existing, tubes (3) or chambers (8) in a light-conducting liquid (14) is arranged.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that when connected to a reactor panel (13) of two or more

Reactor elements (2) whose partition (10) is lower than the partition wall (9) between the tubes (3) and chambers (8) of the reactor element (2) is formed, whereby an overflow or a communicating opening is formed when the liquid level in the reactor elements (2) is higher than the dividing wall (10) between the reactor elements (2) and that

Reactor panel (13) can flow through meandering.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reactor surrounding the light-conducting liquid (14) in an open-topped container (15) or basin whose inner surfaces (16) are preferably designed to be reflective light is provided.

4. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that above the light-conducting liquid (14) or above the container (15) or basin reflectors (17) are provided, the light, preferably the sunlight (18 ) into the light-conducting liquid (14), preferably at a right angle to the liquid surface.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that light collectors are provided for collecting the light which can be conducted into the light-conducting liquid (14), light collectors being arranged in particular in front of the reflectors (17).

6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that prior to the introduction of the light in the light-conducting liquid (14) filters, in particular for filtering the harmful for the microorganisms wavelengths are provided.

7. Device according to one or more of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the introduction of the light into the light-conducting liquid (14) is pulsed.

8. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tubes (3) made of, in particular made of plastic, film tubes (19), consist, the ends of which are connected tightly with deflecting means (20).

9. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the meandering interconnected chambers (8) of two films (25) having parallel Längsverschweissungen (26) are formed, wherein the deflection via deflecting means (27 ) he follows.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the deflection device (27) has a U-shaped, preferably an elliptical

Having a cross-section, the tube part is connected to the chambers (8) formed by the longitudinal welds (26).

11. Device according to one or more of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the, preferably prefabricated, deflection device

(20, 27, 28) is a U-shaped tube part, which is for introduction at the bottom of the reactor in the reaction medium (6) of liquid and / or gaseous additives (12), or for the application of gaseous process products at least one Bore (21) for a, microbores (22) exhibiting, insertion tube (23, 30) or an integrated insertion tube (24).

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the insertion tube (23, 30) in the region of the flowing from bottom to top reaction medium (6) a larger number and / or a larger

Having micro-bores diameter (22) than in the region of the flowing from top to bottom or in the direction of gravity reaction medium (6).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the

Insertion tube (23, 30) has an outer and / or an internal thread at both ends.

14. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that for transporting the reaction medium (6) both within the reactor and between reactors an Archimedean screw or a Da Vinci spiral or a mammoth pump is provided.

5. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that above the container (15) or basin in which the device is provided, a cover, such as a dome, made of transparent or translucent material, such as a glass dome, is intended for a closed design of the system.