EP3980519A1 - Photobioreaktor, insbesondere zur produktion von mikroorganismen wie beispielsweise mikroalgen - Google Patents
Photobioreaktor, insbesondere zur produktion von mikroorganismen wie beispielsweise mikroalgenInfo
- Publication number
- EP3980519A1 EP3980519A1 EP20732509.3A EP20732509A EP3980519A1 EP 3980519 A1 EP3980519 A1 EP 3980519A1 EP 20732509 A EP20732509 A EP 20732509A EP 3980519 A1 EP3980519 A1 EP 3980519A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- wall
- reactor
- area
- photobioreactor
- overflow
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Classifications
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M21/00—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses
- C12M21/02—Photobioreactors
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/02—Form or structure of the vessel
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/02—Form or structure of the vessel
- C12M23/06—Tubular
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/22—Transparent or translucent parts
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/34—Internal compartments or partitions
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/44—Multiple separable units; Modules
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/58—Reaction vessels connected in series or in parallel
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M31/00—Means for providing, directing, scattering or concentrating light
- C12M31/08—Means for providing, directing, scattering or concentrating light by conducting or reflecting elements located inside the reactor or in its structure
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M31/00—Means for providing, directing, scattering or concentrating light
- C12M31/10—Means for providing, directing, scattering or concentrating light by light emitting elements located inside the reactor, e.g. LED or OLED
Definitions
- Photobioreactor especially for the production of microorganisms such as
- the invention relates to a photobioreactor, in particular for the production of microorganisms, according to the preamble of claim 1, a reactor container for a photobioreactor according to the preamble of claim 32 and a method for the production of microorganisms, in particular microalgae, according to the preamble of claim 33.
- Microalgae are prokaryotic and eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms that are characterized by simple cell material. Depending on the species, the size of the microalgae can vary from a few micrometers to a few hundred micrometers (pm). Microalgae can either live as single cells or form colonies. Depending on their size, microalgae can be divided into four main categories: microplankton (20 - 1000 pm), nanoplankton (2 - 100 pm), ultraplankton (0.5 - 15 pm) and picoplankton (0.2 - 2 pm). Important microalgae types for industrial production are, for example, Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina (Arthrospira) and Nannochloropsis, to name just a few examples.
- microalgae Due to their morphological and physiological properties, microalgae are used in various biotechnological processes, for example in the production of antioxidants, pharmaceuticals, immunostimulants, biofuels, peptides, polymers, toxins, sterols and food supplements, to name but a few.
- valuable molecules and compounds such as fat, oil, polyunsaturated fatty acids, natural dyes, various polysaccharides, pigments, bioactive molecules, etc. can also be obtained from microalgae.
- carbohydrates are also valuable raw materials for microalgae.
- microalgae proteins are of great value and are comparable to conventional vegetable proteins. The simple cellular structure of microalgae also enables easier genetic manipulation compared to, for example, plants.
- the most important criteria that influence the quality of the microalgae biomass produced are the selection of the microalgae, the selection of the suitable bioreactor system, the selection of the optimal conditions for microalgae cultivation, and the selection of the method for separating the desired microbial product.
- the conditions of microalgae cultivation in a bioreactor and the selected bioreactor system thus have a great influence on the production of the microalgae.
- bioreactors with the help of which microorganisms such as microalgae can be produced, i.e. cultivated and multiplied, are often also referred to as photobioreactors, as they use carbon dioxide (C02) and light in a known manner for the growth and multiplication of the microorganisms to photosynthesize.
- C02 carbon dioxide
- a closed photobioreactor for the rearing and reproduction of microorganisms which has a pool system with a nutrient suspension, the pool system having a vertical meander system formed by at least partially translucent partition walls in order to ensure a substantially vertical flow of the nutrient suspension in to reach the pool system.
- the partition walls are hollow here and filled with a dispersive liquid to divert light into the nutrient suspension.
- the object of the present invention is to create a photobioreactor, in particular for the production of microorganisms, most preferably microalgae, which is structurally simple, which is also easy to maintain and with which a high yield combined with a high quality Product is achievable.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a suitable reactor container for such a photobioreactor.
- a photobioreactor in particular for the production of microorganisms, most preferably microalgae, is provided, the photobioreactor being designed as a closed reactor which has a plurality of has upwardly open reactor vessels which are closed with at least one or a one-part or multi-part, preferably removable, ceiling wall of the photobioreactor (preferably gas- and / or liquid-tight) and in which a nutrient medium can be accommodated.
- the basic function of the ceiling wall is that of a lid in order to reduce contamination of the nutrient medium or the microorganisms produced with impurities (e.g. solid particles from air, bacteria, spores, etc.), which leads to a high quality of the microorganisms produced.
- the top wall can preferably be opened at any time in order to facilitate access to the nutrient or growth medium as well as for cleaning the reactor container.
- a nutrient medium is understood here to be any suitable liquid growth medium that is inoculated with nutrients in order to initiate the production of the microorganisms desired in each case. In the case of microalgae, for example, this can be osmosis water that has been inoculated with nutrients.
- At least some of the reactor containers, preferably all reactor containers, of the photobioreactor are designed as individual containers which, viewed in cross section, each have a U-shape with a front wall extending in the direction of the vertical axis and a front wall spaced apart therefrom in the longitudinal direction and also extending in the vertical axis direction Has rear wall which are connected to one another on the bottom side by a bottom wall.
- the reactor containers of the photobioreactor which are designed as individual containers as described above, are arranged one behind the other as seen in the longitudinal direction of the photobioreactor (or through the direction of flow of the nutrient medium), namely in such a way that a front reactor container, seen in the longitudinal direction, has a rear wall that is at least partially transparent to form a gap or Gap spacing adjoins an at least partially translucent front wall of a rear reactor vessel seen in the longitudinal direction, the free end areas of the front and rear walls adjoining each other forming the gap have a common overflow wall area that closes the gap from above in relation to the vertical axis direction, which has at least one vessel overflow opening between the adjacent reactor vessels.
- the nutrient medium can then flow over from a reactor container at the front, as seen in the flow direction, into a reactor container at the rear.
- the front wall and the rear wall of the reactor vessel or the reactor vessel are preferably rectangular and / or plate-shaped.
- the overflow wall area which can also be referred to as an overflow wall area element, extends up to the top wall and is adjacent to it. This adjoining is preferably carried out in such a way that the overflow wall area adjoins the top wall in a gas- and / or liquid-tight manner and / or is possibly even connected to it (preferably detachably connected).
- At least one lighting element is accommodated, by means of which light passes through the respectively assigned at least partially translucent front and / or rear wall into one of the two adjoining reactor vessels or in both adjacent reactor vessels can be emitted.
- an intermediate wall preferably connected to the bottom wall and / or rectangular and / or plate-shaped, is provided, which extends from the bottom wall in the vertical axis direction upwards to the top wall and adjoins it, preferably gas and / or adjoins this in a liquid-tight manner and / or is possibly even connected to it (preferably detachably connected), so that the partition divides the reactor vessel into a front reactor chamber and a rear reactor chamber in relation to the longitudinal direction or flow direction.
- At least one partition through-flow opening is provided between the front and the rear reactor chamber in the partition, in the area of the partition to the base wall near the base wall and / or connection area.
- a nutrient medium accommodated in the front reactor chamber of a front reactor vessel can flow through the at least one intermediate wall through-flow opening into the rear reactor chamber of the front reactor vessel and then further from the rear one
- the reactor chamber of the front reactor container flows upwards or through the at least one container overflow opening into a front reactor chamber of a rear reactor container (vertical meander-shaped flow).
- the particular advantage of the solution according to the invention is that a plurality of essentially individual reactor vessels, preferably designed as identical parts, can be provided here, which can be easily produced, for example, could also be produced by 3D printing.
- the individual reactor vessels can basically be joined together in any number and sequence in order to form a desired photobioreactor, the joining then being carried out in such a way that in a gap or space between the respective rear wall and front wall of adjacent reactor vessels, in an advantageous double function, at the same time the for light-emitting luminous elements required for photosynthesis can be arranged easily and functionally reliable.
- the gap or intermediate space between the adjoining reactor vessels is quickly accessible in a simple manner, especially in connection with maintenance and assembly work, so that lighting elements with their lighting bodies can be exchanged and replaced in a simple manner.
- a technically complex solution according to the prior art in which light elements are to be arranged on the end face of plates, in which light-scattering particles in a certain particle density are also to be embedded in a particularly complex manner, can thus be completely dispensed with with the solution according to the invention the provision of dispersive liquids in hollow partition walls, also previously known from the prior art.
- the illuminants only have to be arranged at the desired height in the gap between the front and rear walls of adjoining reactor containers that is accessible from the outside.
- This solution also has the advantage over the solutions of the prior art that the illumination or lighting of the reactor containers or the reactor chambers can be individually adapted and changed in a simple manner. For this purpose, it is sufficient, for example, to change the arrangement and alignment of the light elements, which can easily be done from outside the Reactor vessel can only be done by engaging in the gap between the adjacent reactor vessels.
- the respective lighting conditions in the interior of the reactor vessel can be simply specified, for example to the effect that areas of different lightness are formed when viewed in the direction of flow, which is advantageous for the growth of microorganisms, in particular microalgae, and is explained in more detail below.
- the solution according to the invention with the individual reactor vessels also has the advantage that, in the event of any damage to an individual reactor vessel or individual parts of a reactor vessel, only this individual reactor vessel has to be replaced.
- a particularly advantageous connection between the adjacent reactor vessels is the common overflow wall area which closes the gap from above and which, as will be explained in more detail below, is, for example, integrally formed with one or possibly even both of the adjacent reactor vessels can be or, alternatively, can also be formed by a separate component.
- the, preferably curved, bottom wall, the intermediate wall, the front wall, the rear wall and the overflow wall area of at least one or at least a part of the reactor vessels, preferably of all reactor vessels, between two in Transversely opposite, preferably rectangular and / or plate-shaped, side walls extend and adjoin them, in particular adjoin them in a gas- and / or liquid-tight manner and / or are possibly even connected to them (preferably detachably connected).
- the side walls each extend up to and adjoin the top wall in order to provide the overall closed structure of the reactor vessel.
- the adjoining of the side walls to the top wall is in particular gas-tight and / or liquid-tight. Alternatively or additionally, the side walls can even be connected to the top wall, if necessary.
- An embodiment is particularly preferred in which the bottom wall of the reactor vessel is curved in an arc shape, the apex of the curvature being located at the lowest point of the reactor vessel as seen in the vertical axis direction.
- a particularly advantageous geometry follows the flow path and has no dead zones in which material, for example algae material, can accumulate in an undesirable manner.
- the opposite, preferably rectangular and / or plate-shaped, side walls extend downward in the vertical axis direction at least to the apex of the base wall and form a floor contact area. In this way, in spite of the curved bottom wall area, reactor vessels that are overall stable are made available.
- each individual reactor vessel designed as an individual vessel has two separate opposing side walls. Because, as already described above, a separate component that is particularly easy to handle is thereby formed. In principle or as an alternative to this, however, there is of course also the possibility that two opposite, large-area side walls form the side walls for several or all of the reactor vessels. This does not conflict with the individual container concept, which in this embodiment is then formed by the front wall, the partition wall and the rear wall.
- the front wall or the rear wall of the reactor container which is or are assigned to the light elements, is or are translucent at least in this assignment area.
- a structure in which at least one or at least some of the reactor vessels and / or the top wall is / are overall translucent, preferably made of a translucent glass or plastic material, is particularly advantageous and simple to manufacture.
- the front wall and / or the rear wall and / or the intermediate wall and / or the overflow wall area and / or the side walls are rectangular and / or plate-shaped.
- Such rectangular and / or plate-shaped wall elements can be easily manufactured and allow an overall simple construction of the reactor vessel, in particular with regard to the formation of identical parts.
- the one-part or multi-part overflow wall area can, for example, be formed integrally with the front wall and / or the rear wall of a reactor vessel, in particular with their free end areas.
- the overflow wall area can, for example, be formed integrally with either the front wall or the rear wall of a reactor vessel be, especially with their free end regions.
- a free end area of a rear wall or front wall of an immediately adjacent reactor vessel is then also connected to the overflow wall area.
- the overflow wall area then forms an integral part of a single reactor container and the associated wall area of the adjacent reactor container can then be connected to the overflow wall area in the simplest possible manner. This reduces the number of components.
- integral composite solutions can be produced simply and inexpensively.
- the overflow wall area is designed in two parts and has both a front wall and a rear wall overflow wall area element that can be connected to one another.
- the overflow wall area could also be designed in one piece with both the front wall and the rear wall in the case of an integral design and the interface in the event that individual reactor areas should be isolated at all could be provided elsewhere, i.e. not in the area of the Overcurrent wall area will be provided.
- An integral design within the meaning of the two preceding paragraphs preferably means a material-uniform and / or one-piece connection between the overflow wall area (or its individual elements) with the front and / or rear wall of adjacent reactor vessels, so that these reactor vessels then form modules, which can be easily installed as part of final assembly.
- the photobioreactor according to the invention with its several reactor vessels can of course also be designed as a whole in one piece, for example in one piece and made of the same material using the 3D printing process.
- the individual reactor vessels then form an overall cohesive structure.
- the overflow wall area can also be formed by a one-part or multi-part separate component that can be or is firmly connected to the front wall and / or to the rear wall of the two adjacent reactor vessels, in particular with their free end areas becomes.
- overflow wall area is formed by a separate component or by several separate components that are connected to the front wall and / or the rear wall of the respective reactor vessel or the respective reactor vessel as part of a pre-assembly are connected so that these preassembled reactor vessels then form preassembly modules that are only installed in the context of a subsequent final assembly.
- the overflow wall area is formed by a frame running around the edge with a container overflow opening surrounded by the frame.
- a peripheral frame at the edge ensures that the overflow wall area is particularly stable.
- a frame part area which is lower in the vertical axis direction forms a connection area for the free end area of the front wall and / or the rear wall of the respectively assigned reactor vessel and / or that a frame part area which is upper in the vertical axis direction adjoins the ceiling wall, in particular gas and / or is liquid-tight and / or possibly even connected to it (preferably detachably connected).
- the overflow wall area can also have at least one flow guide element protruding into the container overflow opening and / or several container overflow openings, preferably adjacent to one another in the transverse direction.
- the multiple container overflow openings can have the same or different shapes. According to a particularly preferred embodiment it is provided that for the formation of several container overflow openings at least one connecting web running between frame parts, preferably at least one running in the vertical axis direction and between opposite frame parts in the vertical axis direction, in particular in a double function as a flow guide element, is provided.
- Such an arrangement with at least one flow guide element and / or with several overflow openings and / or with at least one connecting web leads to advantageous smaller turbulences and eddies in the area of the overflow wall area, which has a particularly advantageous effect on the flow guidance and distribution of the microorganisms produced in the nutrient medium , since this counteracts any tendency towards sedimentation or accumulation that might otherwise exist.
- the at least one light-emitting element can be designed in different ways and, for example, have one or more light-emitting bodies whose beam angle and thus light cone are either fixed or are adjustable when the at least light-emitting element is installed.
- the illumination or lighting of the respective reactor chambers of the reactor containers can be adapted and / or changed in an advantageous manner.
- the term “luminous element” in the context of the invention is to be expressly interpreted in general terms and can be understood to include all suitable lighting means, such as LEDs and / or OLEDs, for example.
- Incandescent lamps, halogen spotlights or fluorescent tubes can also be understood just as well.
- the lighting elements used according to the invention for example LED lights, emit light with an optimal wavelength and intensity that is matched to the growth of the respective microorganisms, and are preferably also characterized by high energy efficiency.
- the at least one luminous element is arranged in the gap between the mutually adjacent reactor vessels that in the at least one of the at least one luminous element illuminated reactor chamber of the adjoining reactor vessel with differently brightly illuminated areas, in particular as defined light-dark areas, can be or will be formed. It is particularly preferred if areas that are illuminated with different brightness and are one behind the other in the direction of flow, in particular as defined light-dark areas, are formed. This is based on the inventors' knowledge that it is of particular advantage when cultivating and multiplying microorganisms, in particular microalgae, not to illuminate continuously and uniformly in the direction of flow.
- a permanent, uniform illumination can namely lead to a light intensity that is too high and thus to photoinhibition, which results in a reduction in the growth rate of microalgae.
- Photoinhibition occurs when the intensity of the light exceeds an intensity that ensures a maximum growth rate.
- lighter areas alternate with darker (less brightly illuminated) areas.
- the microorganisms or microalgae find a kind of quiet zone in the less brightly lit areas, which has an overall positive effect on the growth and multiplication of the microorganisms or microalgae.
- an arrangement is advantageous in which a plurality of luminous elements are accommodated in the gap between the adjoining reactor containers in the vertical axis direction and / or in the transverse direction.
- a plurality of rows of luminous elements extending in the transverse direction are formed which are spaced apart from one another in the vertical axis direction, and are preferably evenly spaced from one another.
- the rows of lighting elements extending in the transverse direction are formed by a plurality of lighting elements spaced apart from one another and / or by light strips.
- the distance between the luminous elements, in particular the rows of luminous elements is between 10 and 40 cm, preferably between 15 and 30 cm, in the vertical axis direction.
- the most varied of lighting conditions can be set and achieved in the individual reactor vessels or in their reactor chambers.
- lighting elements or rows of lighting elements spaced apart and following one another in the vertical axis direction can be arranged in such a way that a lighting element / row of lighting elements or a first part of the lighting elements / rows of lighting elements emits light through the rear wall (alternatively front wall) of the front (alternatively rear) reactor vessel, while the in Vertical axis direction of the next following luminous element / luminous element row or the part of the luminous elements / luminous element rows following in the vertical axis direction emits light through the front wall (alternatively rear wall) of a rear (alternatively front) reactor vessel.
- Such an arrangement would of course alternatively or additionally also be possible in relation to the transverse direction.
- the luminous elements or rows of luminous elements can emit light both through the rear wall of a front reactor vessel and through the front wall of a rear reactor vessel.
- Other arrangements in groups are also possible in principle.
- light elements can also be arranged on the ceiling wall, for example on the underside of the ceiling wall.
- lighting elements can also be arranged on the outer and upper side of the ceiling wall, specifically in connection with the translucent ceiling walls that are preferably used.
- a stiffening element preferably a stiffening element closing the gap downwards, can be provided in the gap between the adjacent reactor vessels in the transition area from the front and / or rear wall to the bottom wall, which extends over a predetermined length in the transverse direction, in particular in Transverse direction extends completely between opposite side walls and is adjacent there.
- Such an additional stiffening element which is spaced below the overflow wall area, serves to stabilize the structure as a whole.
- the intermediate wall can have a frame area running around the edge with an intermediate wall through-flow opening surrounded by the frame area. It is preferably provided that a lower frame part area in the vertical axis direction adjoins the bottom wall, in particular adjoins it in a gas- and / or liquid-tight manner and / or is connected to it (preferably detachably connected).
- the intermediate wall furthermore preferably has at least one flow guide element protruding into the intermediate wall through-flow opening and / or several intermediate wall through-flow openings, preferably lying next to one another in the transverse direction.
- the plurality of intermediate wall through-flow openings have the same or different shape.
- at least one connecting web running between frame parts preferably at least one running in the vertical axis direction and between opposite frame parts in the vertical axis direction, is provided in order to form several intermediate wall through-flow openings, in particular in a dual function as a flow guide element.
- At least one or at least some of the reactor containers preferably all of the reactor containers, have at least one feed nozzle, preferably a plurality of feed nozzles spaced apart in the transverse direction, by means of which a medium, in particular CO 2 or CO 2 -containing medium, can be introduced into the reactor vessel from outside the reactor vessel.
- a medium in particular CO 2 or CO 2 -containing medium
- the at least one feed nozzle preferably a plurality of feed nozzles spaced apart in the transverse direction, is arranged in the region of the reactor vessel near the bottom wall, preferably in the region of the rear reactor chamber on the bottom wall and / or on the rear wall is.
- the at least one feed nozzle is particularly preferably aligned with its mouth opening in the direction of flow so that when the medium is injected, the flow of the nutrient medium is supported in the direction of flow.
- the photobioreactor is further preferably designed such that an inlet for the nutrient medium is provided on the reactor vessel that is foremost in the longitudinal direction or through the flow direction, preferably in the top wall and / or in the front wall and / or in the side wall of the reactor vessel that is foremost in the longitudinal direction or through the flow direction which is preferably an inlet by means of which the nutrient medium can be fed to the front reactor chamber of the foremost reactor vessel.
- This inlet is preferably coupled to a conveying device, by means of which part of the nutrient medium, preferably a part of the nutrient medium withdrawn from a rear area of the photobioreactor, most preferably a part of the nutrient medium withdrawn from the rearmost reactor container in the longitudinal direction or throughflow direction, can be fed to the front reactor container .
- the conveying device serves at the same time as a circulating device for the liquid nutrient medium.
- the general rule is that the liquid nutrient medium in the photobioreactor should be circulated in such a way that a vertically meandering flow is formed through the individual reactor vessels with whatever type of conveying device.
- the delivery device can in principle also be formed by a conventional pump, which however has the disadvantage that the cell walls of the cultured microorganisms may be damaged.
- the conveying device is formed by an air lifting arrangement in which a working medium, preferably air, most preferably air enriched with C02 and / or filtered air, is introduced into a nutrient medium line leading to the inlet, so that the working medium conveys the nutrient medium in the direction of the inlet, in particular takes it along in the manner of a carrier medium and conveys it in the direction of the inlet.
- the lifting arrangement is referred to here as an “air” lifting arrangement, although this does not mean any restriction to the, preferably gaseous, working medium used.
- air instead of air as the working medium, another carrier medium,
- an inert gas can be used, to name just one further example of a working medium.
- an outlet for the nutrient medium is provided on the rearmost reactor container in the longitudinal direction or through flow direction, preferably in the top wall and / or in the rear wall and / or in the side wall of the rearmost reactor container in the longitudinal direction or through flow direction.
- the outlet is preferably designed in such a way that the nutrient medium can be discharged from the rear reactor chamber of the rearmost reactor container with it.
- the outlet is designed here, for example, as an outlet, in particular as an overflow, and / or coupled to an extraction device, by means of which the nutrient medium can be drawn off from the rearmost reactor container in the longitudinal direction or throughflow direction, in particular depending on the density of the in the photobioreactor, for example in the rearmost Reactor container, generated microorganisms is removable.
- the outlet is further preferably followed by an endless belt filter, in particular a self-cleaning endless belt filter, in which an endless filter cloth is circulated between a filtering section and a section in which the filtered product is removed from the filter cloth.
- an endless belt filter in particular a self-cleaning endless belt filter, in which an endless filter cloth is circulated between a filtering section and a section in which the filtered product is removed from the filter cloth.
- the photobioreactor is operated in a closed circuit with regard to the liquid nutrient medium, i.e. the nutrient medium preferably present at the end of the photobioreactor and provided with microorganisms or microalgae is fed back to the inlet and this process is repeated until the desired density of the respective product is achieved and the renewed (partial) discharge can take place.
- the nutrient medium preferably present at the end of the photobioreactor and provided with microorganisms or microalgae is fed back to the inlet and this process is repeated until the desired density of the respective product is achieved and the renewed (partial) discharge can take place.
- due to the consumption of the nutrient medium of course, new nutrient medium must be added periodically.
- a heating and / or cooling element be arranged, by means of which the temperature of the nutrient medium received in the reactor container can be controlled.
- the one-part or multi-part ceiling wall is preferably plate-shaped, so that it can be easily handled, for example, in connection with lifting the same.
- a further embodiment is particularly preferred in which the top wall is provided with at least one ventilation device, preferably with at least one ventilation fan, by means of which a gas that collects between the top wall and the nutrient medium, in particular oxygen-containing gas, from the interior of the photobioreactor, in particular from the reactor vessels, is removable, it is preferably provided that each reactor vessel is assigned a ceiling-wall-side ventilation device. This makes it possible, in particular, to extract the oxygen that is generated between the ceiling wall and the nutrient medium. In this way, the partial pressure of oxygen above the nutrient medium is reduced, with the result that the proportion of oxygen in the nutrient medium decreases.
- a gas that collects between the top wall and the nutrient medium in particular oxygen-containing gas
- a ventilation device also has the advantage that condensation on the ceiling wall is minimized, which reduces cleaning and maintenance costs.
- a structure is also particularly preferred in which, in connection with a photobioreactor with several reaction vessels, all reactor vessels have the same U-shaped basic structure with a front wall and a rear wall of essentially the same height, both of which have a gap distance from the top wall and both of which extend from it extending to the ceiling wall and there adjacent partition wall.
- the gap distance to the top wall in the area adjacent to two reactor vessels is bridged by the overflow wall area, which extends up to and adjoins the top wall.
- the front wall of the foremost reactor vessel in the longitudinal direction or through flow direction has a first wall-like and / or plate-like bridging element which extends up to the top wall and is adjacent there.
- the rear wall of the rearmost reactor vessel in the longitudinal direction or through the flow direction has a second wall-like and / or plate-like bridging element which extends up to the top wall and is adjacent there. It is further provided that the first and second wall- and / or plate-like bridging element as well as all existing front walls, intermediate walls and rear walls as well as the at least one overflow wall area extend in the transverse direction between the side walls that also extend to the top wall and adjoin there and there is adjacent, so that a closed reactor is formed when the ceiling wall is installed. With such a structure, the reactor vessels are essentially designed as identical parts, so that production and manufacture are considerably simplified.
- each individual one of these contact connections can be designed to be gas-tight and / or liquid-tight.
- this connection can preferably be designed as a detachable connection, for example as a form-fit and / or latching connection, to give just one example call.
- a detachable connection for example as a form-fit and / or latching connection
- the reactor container according to the invention for a photobioreactor in particular for a photobioreactor as described above, is characterized in that the reactor container is designed as an upwardly open container which, viewed in cross section, has a U-shape with a vertical axis extending, preferably rectangular and / or plate-shaped front wall and a preferably rectangular and / or plate-shaped rear wall spaced apart therefrom in the longitudinal direction and also extending in the vertical axis direction, which are connected to one another at the bottom by a bottom wall.
- an intermediate wall preferably connected to the bottom wall and / or rectangular and / or plate-shaped, is provided, which extends upwards from the bottom wall in the vertical axis direction, so that the intermediate wall, in relation to the longitudinal direction, in a front reactor chamber and divided into a rear reactor chamber.
- the partition wall in the area of the partition wall adjacent to and / or connecting the partition wall to the base wall, at least one partition wall through-flow opening is provided between the front and the rear reactor chamber.
- such a reactor vessel is characterized by a very compact and simple design, whereby this reactor vessel can be combined as a single vessel in a simple manner with other reactor vessels of the same type or a similar type to form a photobioreactor with a desired number of cascading reactor vessels arranged one behind the other.
- the reactor vessel in particular the free end region of the front wall and / or the rear wall of the reactor vessel, can be assigned a one-part or multi-part overflow wall region, for example integrally connected to it or as a separate component be connected to it, the overflow wall region extending in the transverse direction over the width of the reactor vessel and having at least one vessel overflow opening.
- An embodiment of the reactor vessel with opposite side walls in the transverse direction is also advantageous, so that the bottom wall, preferably curved in the shape of an arc, the intermediate wall, the front wall, the rear wall and the overflow wall area of the reactor vessel extend between the two opposite side walls in the transverse direction and on adjoin these, in particular adjoin them gas- and / or liquid-tight there and / or are connected to them.
- the side walls are again preferably rectangular and / or plate-shaped.
- the bottom wall of the reactor vessel is curved in an arc shape, the apex of the curvature being at the lowest point of the reactor vessel in the vertical axis direction.
- reactor vessel also applies to the further particularly preferred embodiment of the reactor vessel as being entirely transparent, preferably made of a transparent glass or plastic material.
- At least one feed nozzle preferably a plurality of spaced apart in the transverse direction, on the reactor vessel
- Feed nozzles is provided, by means of which a medium, in particular CO 2 or a medium containing CO 2, can be introduced into the reactor vessel from outside the reactor vessel. It is preferably provided here that the at least one feed nozzle, preferably a plurality of spaced apart in the transverse direction
- Feed nozzles is arranged in the region of the reactor vessel near the bottom wall, specifically preferably in the region of the rear reactor chamber on the bottom wall and / or on the rear wall.
- the reactor vessel which is open at the top, can be closed by at least one, preferably plate-shaped and / or removable, ceiling wall, preferably gas-tight and / or liquid-tight, in order to create a closed reactor vessel, in particular in connection with a photobioreactor from several reactor vessels to form.
- the reaction container also preferably has a U-shaped basic structure with a front wall and a rear wall of essentially the same height, both of which have a gap distance from the top wall and both of which are surmounted by the intermediate wall extending to the top wall and adjoining there.
- the gap distance can be bridged by an overflow wall area and / or by a wall-like and / or plate-like bridging element which, in the assembled state, extends up to and adjoins the ceiling wall.
- the wall-like and / or plate-like bridging element and / or the overflow wall area in the assembled state extends in the transverse direction between the side walls that also extend to the top wall and adjoin them, so that when the top wall is mounted, a closed reactor vessel is formed.
- a method according to the invention for the production of microorganisms, in particular microalgae, by means of a photobioreactor, in particular by means of a photobioreactor as described above is proposed, in which the photobioreactor is designed as a closed reactor which has a plurality of upwardly open reactor containers which are closed with a one-part or multi-part, preferably removable, ceiling wall of the photobioreactor, are preferably closed in a gas- and / or liquid-tight manner, and in which a nutrient medium is accommodated.
- At least a part of the reactor vessel is designed as a single vessel which, viewed in cross section, has a U-shape with a front wall extending in the vertical axis direction and a rear wall spaced apart therefrom in the longitudinal direction and also extending in the vertical axis direction, which at the bottom has a bottom wall are connected to each other.
- the reactor containers of the photobioreactor which are designed as individual containers, are arranged one behind the other as seen in the longitudinal direction of the photobioreactor (or through the direction of flow of the nutrient medium), namely in such a way that a front reactor container, seen in the longitudinal direction, with an at least partially translucent rear wall with the formation of a gap or gap distance to a at least partially transparent front wall of a rear reactor vessel seen in the longitudinal direction adjoins, the free end areas of the front and rear walls adjoining each other forming the gap have a common overflow wall area which closes the gap from above in relation to the vertical axis direction, the at least one Has container overflow opening between the adjacent reactor vessels.
- the nutrient medium can then flow over from a reactor container at the front, as seen in the flow direction, into a reactor container at the rear.
- the front wall and the rear wall of the reactor vessel or the reactor vessel are preferably rectangular and / or plate-shaped.
- the overflow wall area which can also be referred to as an overflow wall area element, extends to the ceiling wall and is adjacent to it. This adjoining is preferably carried out in such a way that the overflow wall area adjoins the ceiling wall in a gas- and / or liquid-tight manner and / or is possibly even connected to it, preferably is detachably connected.
- At least one lighting element is accommodated, by means of which light passes through the respectively assigned at least partially translucent front and / or rear wall into one of the two adjoining reactor vessels or in both adjacent reactor vessels can be emitted.
- an intermediate wall preferably connected to the bottom wall and / or rectangular and / or plate-shaped, is provided, which extends from the bottom wall in the vertical axis direction upwards to the top wall and adjoins it, preferably gas and / or adjoins this in a liquid-tight manner and / or is possibly even connected to it (preferably detachably connected), so that the partition divides the reactor vessel into a front reactor chamber and a rear reactor chamber in relation to the longitudinal direction or flow direction.
- At least one partition through-flow opening is provided between the front and the rear reactor chamber in the partition, in the area of the partition to the base wall near the base wall and / or connection area.
- a nutrient medium received in the front reactor chamber of a front reactor container can flow through the at least one partition through-flow opening into the rear reactor chamber of the front reactor container and then further upwards from the rear reactor chamber of the front reactor container or through the at least one container - Flow overflow opening through into a front reactor chamber of a rear reactor vessel (vertically meandering flow), so that a nutrient medium received in the front reactor chamber of a front reactor vessel flows through the at least one partition through-flow opening into the rear reactor chamber of the front reactor vessel and continues from the rear one Reactor chamber of the front reactor vessel flows through the at least one vessel overflow opening into a front reactor chamber of a rear reactor vessel (vertical meandering flow).
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of an exemplary photobioreactor according to the invention with a view of the foremost reactor vessel in the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. 2a,
- FIG. 2a shows a schematic longitudinal cross section along the line A-A of FIG. 1,
- Figure 2b is a schematic perspective sectional view of the
- FIG. 3a shows a schematic exemplary embodiment of an overflow wall area formed by a separate component
- Figure 3b is a schematic sectional view along the line C-C of Figure 3a
- Figure 3c is a schematic representation of a further alternative
- FIG. 4a shows a schematic detailed illustration of an outlet forming an outlet
- FIG. 4b shows a section along the line D-D of FIG. 4a
- FIG. 5 schematically shows a front view of an individual reactor vessel
- Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line B-B of Figure 5
- FIG. 7 shows a perspective illustration of the individual reactor vessel of
- FIG. 8a shows an enlarged detailed illustration of a partition in a top view
- Figure 8b shows an alternative embodiment of the intermediate wall frame area of
- Figure 9a shows a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of a
- Overflow wall area which is formed integrally with the free end area of the rear wall of a reactor vessel
- Figure 9b shows a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of a
- Overflow wall portion formed integrally with the free end portion of a front wall of a reactor vessel
- FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of a further alternative embodiment of a two-part overflow wall area, the overflow wall area elements of which are formed integrally with the free end area of the rear wall and with the free end area of the front wall of a reactor vessel.
- FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b show an exemplary embodiment of a photobioreactor 1 according to the invention for the production of microorganisms, in particular the production of microalgae.
- this photobioreactor 1 has a plurality of reactor containers 2 designed as individual containers, in which a nutrient medium is received.
- the individual reactor vessels 2 have, as can be seen in particular from the synopsis of FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8. all of them preferably have an essentially identical U-shaped basic structure, in which the reactor vessels 2 are each designed as an upwardly open vessel and a front wall 3 extending in the direction of the axis z and a rear wall 4 spaced apart therefrom in the longitudinal direction x and also extending in the vertical axis direction z exhibit.
- the front wall 3 and the rear wall 3 are each connected to one another on the bottom side by a bottom wall 5.
- Both the front wall 3 and the rear wall 4 are here, for example, of plate-shaped and rectangular design, while the bottom wall 5 is here, for example, of curved design.
- the front wall 3 and the rear wall 4 have, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 6, essentially the same height and are overlooked in the vertical axis direction z by an intermediate wall 6 arranged here for example in the center of the reactor vessel 2.
- This intermediate wall 6 is also embodied here, for example, in the shape of a plate and rectangular, which can also be seen in particular from FIG.
- the intermediate wall 6 extends in the assembled state (see, for example, Figure 2a) from the bottom wall 5 starting in the vertical axis direction z upwards to a top wall 7, which is only shown in dashed lines here for reasons of clarity and, for example, is also plate-shaped and rectangular.
- the intermediate wall 6 adjoins the top wall 7 with its upper free end region in the direction of the vertical axis, specifically preferably in a gas-tight and / or liquid-tight manner.
- the intermediate wall 6 can also be connected to the top wall 7, in particular in a detachable manner.
- the top wall 7 is shown here in one piece, but can also be constructed in several parts if necessary.
- the partition 6 divides the reactor vessel into a front reactor chamber 8 and a rear reactor chamber 9 in relation to the longitudinal direction x.
- intermediate wall 6 which can be seen in particular from FIG. 8a, in the adjacent and / or connection area of the intermediate wall to the bottom wall 5 near the bottom wall, several intermediate wall throughflow openings 10 are formed, which allow the nutrient medium to flow over from the front reactor chamber 8 into the rear Allow reactor chamber 9.
- the latter naturally also applies to the adjoining of the front wall 3, the intermediate wall 6 and the rear wall 4 on the side walls 11.
- top wall 7 is preferably designed as a removable top wall, so that either no connection may be provided or a detachable connection must be provided between the top wall 7 and the walls or wall areas adjoining it.
- the apex of the curvature of the bottom wall 5 of the reactor vessel is at the lowest point of the reactor vessel 2, viewed in the vertical axis direction z, so that the opposite side walls 11, viewed in the vertical axis direction z, are at least up to the apex this bottom wall 5 extend downwards and thus form a floor contact area.
- each individual reactor vessel 2 has two separate, opposite side walls 11.
- FIG. 2b an alternative variant is shown, in which two opposite large-area side walls 11 each form the side walls for several or, in the case of FIG. 2b, for all reactor vessels 2.
- Both the individual reactor containers 2 and the top wall 7 are preferably designed to be transparent overall, for example made of a transparent glass or plastic material.
- all reactor vessels 2 have the same U-shaped basic structure with an equally high front wall 3 and rear wall 4, both of which have a gap between them and the top wall 7 both are surmounted by the intermediate wall 6 extending up to the top wall 7.
- the photobioreactor 1 has an overflow wall area 12, described below, in the adjoining area of two reactor vessels 2, which, viewed in the vertical axis direction z, extends up to the top wall 7 and in the transverse direction y between the opposite side walls 11 these are respectively adjacent, in particular gas-tight and / or liquid-tight, and / or possibly even connected to them.
- this overflow wall area 12 is formed by a separate component (see FIG. 3a), which is firmly connected to the front wall 3 and the rear wall 4 of two adjacent reactor vessels 2 (see FIGS. 2a and 2b).
- the individual reactor vessels 2 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction x in such a way that a front reactor vessel 2 with a translucent rear wall, seen in the longitudinal direction x, with the formation of a gap 13 as assembly space on a translucent front wall 3 of a Adjoining the rear reactor vessel 2 as seen in the longitudinal direction x.
- the free end areas of the front and rear walls 3, 4 assigned to the overflow wall area 12 are each connected to a lower frame section 14 of a peripheral frame 15 of the overflow wall area 12, in particular connected in a gas- and / or liquid-tight manner.
- the mutually associated front and rear walls 3, 4 of the adjoining reactor vessels 2 each have a common overflow wall area 12, which closes the gap 13 from above in relation to the vertical axis direction z, and here several container overflow openings 16 merely by way of example having.
- the multiple juxtaposed container overflow openings 16 in the transverse direction are formed here by multiple connecting webs 18 running in the vertical axis direction z between the upper frame section 17 and the lower frame section 14, which preferably simultaneously form flow guide elements.
- this arrangement of the overflow wall area 12 between the associated front and rear walls 3, 4 of adjacent reactor vessels 2 results in an upper overflow area in relation to the vertical axis direction z , through which a nutrient medium can flow in or overflow from a rear reactor chamber 9 of a front reactor container 2 into a front reactor chamber 8 of a rear reactor container 2.
- the overflow wall area 12 can, however, also be formed integrally with the free end area of the rear wall 4 of the reactor container 2. This is shown schematically in FIG. 9a.
- a free end area of a front wall 3 of a directly adjoining reactor vessel 2 is also connected to the overflow wall area 12 to form the common overflow wall area 12 (see arrow 42).
- the overflow wall area 12 can, however, also be formed integrally with the free end area of the front wall 3 of the reactor vessel 2. This is shown schematically in FIG. 9b.
- a free end area of a rear wall 3 of a directly adjoining reactor vessel 2 is also connected to the overflow wall area 12 to form the common overflow wall area 12 (see arrow 42).
- identical parts also result in an embodiment according to FIGS. 9a and 9b, since the reactor vessels 2 only have to be rotated through 180 ° in order to each form an overflow wall area 12 arranged on a front wall 3 or on a rear wall 4.
- overflow wall area 12 is constructed in several parts and a first overflow wall area element 12a on the front wall is integral with the free end area of the front wall 3 and a second overflow wall area element 12b on the rear wall with the free end region of the rear wall 4 of the reactor vessel 2 is formed.
- the front wall-side overflow wall area element 12a and the rear wall-side overflow wall area element 12b of two adjacent reactor vessels 2 are then connected to one another to form the common overflow wall area 12, which is indicated in the illustration in FIG.
- overflow wall area elements 12a, 12b which are designed as separate components and only have to be connected to the free end areas of the associated walls in the course of pre-assembly.
- the intermediate wall 6 has in the wall area close to the bottom wall a peripheral frame area 19, whose lower frame part area 20 in the vertical axis direction 7 adjoins the bottom wall 6, in particular adjoins and / or with this gas- and / or liquid-tight possibly even connected, preferably releasably connected.
- the intermediate wall 6 has, for example, several intermediate wall through-flow openings 10 lying next to one another in the transverse direction y, which pass through several between opposite frame parts Connecting webs 21 are formed, which preferably simultaneously form flow guide elements.
- the nutrient medium can thus also flow from the front reactor chamber 8 into the rear reactor chamber 9, so that an overall vertically meandering flow course of the nutrient medium in the photobioreactor 1 results.
- the front wall 3 of the foremost reactor vessel 2 in the longitudinal direction x or through the flow direction has a first wall-like and / or plate-like bridging element 22, which extends from the free end region of the front wall 3 to the top wall extends and adjoins this, in particular adjoins gas- and / or liquid-tight and / or is possibly even connected to it.
- bridging elements 22, 23 are used, it is ensured that each reactor container with the same basic structure can be used, and regardless of the respective position of the reactor vessel in the photobioreactor.
- the first and second bridging elements 22 and 23 are preferably separate components that have to be connected to the respective wall area of the reactor vessel 2. However, this is not a mandatory measure.
- front wall of the foremost reactor vessel 2 as well as the rear wall of the rearmost reactor vessel 2 from the outset with a height such that the front wall 3 of the foremost reactor vessel 2 as well as the rear wall 4 of the rearmost reactor vessel 2 in the vertical axis direction z extends up to the top wall 7 and is adjacent there.
- the second bridging element 23 can be designed essentially analogously to the overflow wall area 12 of Figures 3a and 3b, for example to have an outlet 24 with at least one outlet opening 25, preferably several To form outlet openings 25.
- the plurality of outlet openings 25 are again formed by providing connecting webs 26 between opposing frame subregions.
- a nozzle-like overflow connection 27 extends outward from the mouth area of the outlet 24, so that a defined overflow is created, for example to an adjoining further photobioreactor of essentially identical or identical design or also as an outlet to one shown here as an example Endless belt filter 28.
- This endless belt filter 28 is described in more detail below.
- the intermediate wall 6 and the overflow wall area 12 and possibly also the bridging elements 22, 23 each extend up to the top wall 7 and adjoin it, preferably adjoining in a contact and contact connection without a gap, preferably gas and / or adjoin liquid-tight, the overall structure is stable, since the individual walls or wall areas then extend up to the top wall 7 and can be supported there, for example can also be accommodated in a groove-shaped recess, for example can also be releasably latched .
- the latter also allows a functionally reliable arrangement of the top wall 7 or the individual walls and Wall areas in the desired position. For the partition 6, this also applies in an analogous manner to its connection to the bottom wall 5.
- a plurality of lighting elements 29 are arranged in the gap 13 between the adjacent reactor vessels 2, specifically here as an example that several rows of lighting elements 29a, 29b extending in the transverse direction y , 29c and 29d are provided, which are spaced apart from one another in the vertical axis direction z, namely, as shown here by way of example, are preferably evenly spaced apart from one another.
- the individual rows of lighting elements 29a, 29b, 29c and 29d can be, for example, lighting elements 29 in the form of LED light strips, to name just one example, the LEDs of which light through the front wall 3 as well as through the rear wall 4 of two adjacent ones Can radiate reactor vessels into the respective reactor chambers of the reactor vessel 2. This is shown merely by way of example in connection with the two reactor vessels 2 on the left in the image plane of FIG. 2a.
- the lighting elements 29, for example as LED light strips can be arranged or designed in the gap 13 so that light, as shown in connection with the two reactor containers 2 on the right in the image plane of FIG. 2a, alternately only enters one of the two associated reactor vessel 2 is emitted.
- the light elements 29 arranged one above the other in the vertical axis direction z also shine alternately (viewed from top to bottom) through the rear wall 4 of the front reactor vessel 2, then through the front wall 3 of the rearmost reactor vessel 2, then again through the rear wall 4 of the front reactor vessel 2 and finally again through the front wall 3 of the rearmost reactor vessel 2. It goes without saying that other arrangements and fluoroscopy are also possible at any time.
- the overflow takes place through the partition 6 between the individual reactor chambers 8, 9 or the overflow through the overflow wall area 12 between the individual reactor vessels 2 then advantageously through overflow openings 10, 16 which are matched to the respective application and which geometrically can be designed in such a way that the flow conditions of the vertically meandering flow can be specifically influenced in the respective overflow area, for example in such a way that targeted slight turbulence or eddies are caused there, which counteracts a settling movement of microorganisms generated, for example, without the flow course as such.
- a stiffening element 32 for example a stiffening element, can be provided in the gap 13 between the respective adjacent reactor vessels, preferably in the area above the transition area from the front and / or rear wall 3, 4 to the bottom wall 5 Stiffening element 32 closing the gap 13 downwards.
- This stiffening element 32 can extend over a predetermined length in the transverse direction y, for example it can also extend completely between the opposite side walls 11.
- a plurality of feed nozzles 33 spaced in the transverse direction are provided in the area of the reactor container 2 near the bottom wall, here in the area of the rear reactor chamber 9 on the bottom wall 5 which a medium, in particular CO 2 or a CO 2 -containing medium, can be introduced from outside the reactor container 2 into the reactor container.
- the feed nozzles are preferably aligned with their mouth openings in the direction of flow (compare in particular FIG. 2a) so that when the medium is injected, the flow of the nutrient medium is supported in the direction of flow.
- deposits in the rear reactor chamber, in particular in the bottom wall area can also be reliably avoided.
- the first bridging element 22 can be designed differently, for example as a closed wall element 22a (to the left of the dividing line T) or similar to the overflow wall area 12 with overflow openings 22b (right from the dividing line T). This depends, for example, on how the photobioreactor 1 is actually used or used. If the photobioreactor 1 is used as a single reactor or as the first reactor of a reactor cascade, then the first bridging element 22 can be designed as a closed wall element 22a and the nutrient medium is then fed in via the inlet 34, which is only shown schematically in FIG. 2a .
- the first bridging element 22 is provided with the overflow openings 22b, which are then fluidically coupled to the outlet 24 of a preceding photobioreactor 1 , preferably via the overflow connection 27 to which the first bridging element 22 is coupled (not shown in detail here).
- the first bridging element 22 is designed here as a closed wall element 22a, for example.
- the inlet 34 can also be coupled to a feed line 34a, by means of which fresh nutrient medium 34a can be fed to the photobioreactor 1 at given times.
- the inlet 34 is furthermore connected to a nutrient medium line which is embodied here as a return line 34b and which here for example exits from the last reactor container 2 and by means of which the nutrient medium is circulated via the inlet 34.
- a pump can in principle be switched as a delivery device in the return line 34b.
- the conveying device is particularly preferably formed by an air lifting arrangement 35, in which a certain working medium, preferably air, most preferably air enriched with CO 2 and / or filtered, which is the nutrient medium, is introduced into the return line 34 b leading to the inlet 34 in the direction of inlet 34 promotes.
- a certain working medium preferably air, most preferably air enriched with CO 2 and / or filtered, which is the nutrient medium
- part of the nutrient medium is preferably withdrawn from the rearmost reactor vessel 2 in the longitudinal direction x or throughflow direction and then fed back to the foremost reactor vessel 2 in the longitudinal direction x b and the throughflow direction.
- this can also be deviated from if necessary, for example in such a way that several return lines are provided which branch off from several reactor vessels and are led to the inlet.
- an inlet in connection with other or further reactor vessels can also be provided.
- the air lifting arrangement 35 thus simultaneously serves as a circulating device for the liquid nutrient medium in the photobioreactor 1, that is to say as a circulating device in order to guide the nutrient medium through the photobioreactor 1 in a vertically meandering manner.
- a circulating device for the liquid nutrient medium in the photobioreactor 1, that is to say as a circulating device in order to guide the nutrient medium through the photobioreactor 1 in a vertically meandering manner.
- such an air lifting arrangement 35 is particularly gentle on the product.
- the invention can in principle be implemented with any type of circulating device.
- the photobioreactor 1 is followed by the endless belt filter 28, in which an endless filter cloth 36 is guided in the circuit between a filtering section 37 and a section 38 in which the filtered product 39 is removed from the filter cloth 36 is.
- the filtered nutrient medium 40 can optionally be returned to the nutrient medium circuit via a further return line 34c.
- the feed nozzles 33 can also be coupled to a feed line 33a via which, for example, medium enriched with CO 2, for example air enriched with CO 2, can be fed.
- valves, backflow preventer and other blocking elements or control elements with which the media flow is controlled or regulated can of course be arranged in the respective media-carrying lines.
- a heating and / or cooling element 41 can be arranged on the bottom wall 5 of each of the reactor containers, by means of which the nutrient medium accommodated in the respective reactor container 2 can be appropriately tempered. This is shown schematically and by way of example in FIG.
- top wall 7 with one or more
- Ventilation devices 45 be provided, for example by
- Ventilation fans are formed. This is only shown extremely schematically and by way of example in FIG. 2a.
- a gas that collects between the top wall 7 and the nutrient medium in particular an oxygen-containing gas, can be drawn off from the interior of the photobioreactor 1, in particular from the reactor containers 2.
- each reactor vessel 2 can be assigned a ventilation device 45 on the ceiling wall.
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Abstract
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DE102019114979.7A DE102019114979B4 (de) | 2019-06-04 | 2019-06-04 | Photobioreaktor, insbesondere zur Produktion von Mikroorganismen wie beispielsweise Mikroalgen |
PCT/EP2020/065280 WO2020245149A1 (de) | 2019-06-04 | 2020-06-03 | Photobioreaktor, insbesondere zur produktion von mikroorganismen wie beispielsweise mikroalgen |
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EP0442157B1 (de) | 1990-02-14 | 1994-12-28 | Tauw Milieu B.V. | Verfahren zur Reinigung von verunreinigtem Wasser und Vorrichtung zu dessen Durchführung. |
FR2698350B1 (fr) * | 1992-11-23 | 1994-12-23 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | Dispositif d'épuration d'un effluent liquide chargé en polluants et procédé d'épuration de cet effluent. |
WO2005068605A1 (en) | 2004-01-16 | 2005-07-28 | Wageningen University | Reactor and process for the cultivation of phototrophic micro organisms |
US20100323436A1 (en) | 2007-11-28 | 2010-12-23 | Choul-Gyun Lee | Photobioreactor for large-scale culture of microalgal |
US8895289B2 (en) | 2008-01-31 | 2014-11-25 | Ecoduna Ag | Method and device for photochemical process |
DE102008026829B4 (de) | 2008-06-05 | 2011-07-21 | Alge Oil GmbH & Co. KG, 10787 | Aufzucht- und Reproduktionsanlage für lichtintensive Mikroorganismen (z.B. Algen) |
DE102013109747A1 (de) | 2013-09-06 | 2015-03-12 | Weber Gmbh | Vorrichtung sowie Verfahren zur Gewinnung von Phytoplankton (Mikroalgen) |
DE102016215119B4 (de) * | 2016-08-12 | 2020-12-17 | Alga Pangea GmbH | Becken und Anlage zur Aufzucht und Reproduktion von Mikroorganismen |
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2019
- 2019-06-04 DE DE102019114979.7A patent/DE102019114979B4/de active Active
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2020
- 2020-06-03 EP EP20732509.3A patent/EP3980519A1/de active Pending
- 2020-06-03 US US17/616,796 patent/US20220315874A1/en active Pending
- 2020-06-03 WO PCT/EP2020/065280 patent/WO2020245149A1/de unknown
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WO2020245149A1 (de) | 2020-12-10 |
DE102019114979A1 (de) | 2020-12-10 |
DE102019114979B4 (de) | 2023-11-23 |
US20220315874A1 (en) | 2022-10-06 |
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