NL2014074B1

NL2014074B1 - Reactor for aquatic worm production, system provided therewith, and method there for.

Info

Publication number: NL2014074B1
Application number: NL2014074A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Laarhoven Bob; Johannes Hubertina Elissen Hellen; Jan Nico Buisman Cees
Original assignee: Stichting Wetsus Centre Of Excellence For Sustainable Water Tech
Priority date: 2014-12-30
Filing date: 2014-12-30
Publication date: 2016-10-12
Also published as: EP3240760A1; WO2016108684A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reactor for aquatic worm and/or worm biomass production, a system provided therewith and method there for. The reactor according to the invention comprises: - a vessel provided with an inner compartment; - an outer compartment provided substantially around and/or parallel to the inner compartment, and defining a chamber; - filling material arranged in the chamber to receive and support the worms; and - a feed input for providing a feed flow to the worms, a waste output, and a worm output.

Description

Reactor for aquatic worm production, system provided therewith, and method there for

The present invention relates to a reactor for the production of aquatic worms, specifically aquatic worm biomass. A reactor for treating an aqueous waste stream or other suspension stream is known from WO 2010/137971. This reactor comprises a support for supporting aquatic worms and supply means for providing sludge from the waste stream to the predation reactor.

For an effective production of aquatic worms and/or aquatic worm biomass, for example to provide a sustainable alternative for production of fish meal or other protein products, an effective and efficient reactor for the production of such aquatic worms is needed.

The object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of conventional reactors.

This object is achieved with the reactor according to the invention, the reactor comprising: - a vessel provided with an inner compartment; an outer compartment provided substantially around and/or parallel to the inner compartment, and defining a chamber; filling material arranged in the chamber to receive and support the worms; and a feed input for providing a feed flow to the worms, a waste output, and a worm output.

The reactor according to the invention provides a production device for the production of aquatic worms and/or aquatic worm biomass. By providing the reactor with an inner compartment and an outer compartment, worms may extend between the inner compartment wall and the outer compartment wall and beyond, when they are in a stable growing position. A stable growing position preferably involves the worms tails extend beyond the outer compartment wall and the worm heads being close to the feed flow.

In a presently preferred embodiment the inner compartment is configured as a feed channel connected to a feed input providing a continuous or discontinuous/periodic feed flow. Worm heads are positioned in or close to the inner compartment and therefore close to the feed flow with their heads being directly in contact with the feed in the feed flow and/or indirectly with the feed by feed material penetrating the filling material. The chamber is defined between the inner compartment and the outer boundary of the outer compartment. In this presently preferred embodiment this chamber is filled with filling material penetrable for the worms. The worms extend through the filling material such that preferably the tails or ends of the worms extend to outside the outer compartment in the reactor for 02 intake.

The inner and outer compartments are preferably arranged parallel as plates, or alternatively according to a presently preferred embodiment as an inner and outer cylinder, or at least substantially parallel to define the chamber. It will be understood that a small angle between the inner and outer compartment boundaries or walls can also be envisaged in accordance with the invention. Such small angle may involve an angle between the two walls in a range of 0-30°. Especially a hopper or funnel shape could be provided to enhance worm differentiation in the production reactor.

The use of an inner and outer compartment with an inner and outer compartment boundary or wall with filling material being provided in the chamber provides a significant increase in aquatic worm production and/or aquatic worm biomass production as compared to conventional worm reactors in relation to food to carrier ratio and/or food to worm biomass ratio, for example.

As a further effect, the reactor according to the present invention enables an improvement in the overall efficiency of the reduction of an aqueous waste stream such as a sludge from an industrial or domestic waste stream and/or food suspensions. Optionally, and as a further effect, the reactor according to the present invention efficiently produces worms that are fed on such a waste stream or sludge to be used as fish feed, thereby enabling the production of more sustainable production of fish feed.

Preferably, the inner compartment comprises an inner compartment wall from a mesh material with openings configured such that worms penetrate the filling material and, when in use, enabling worm heads to reach the feed flow and/or enabling feed from the feed flow to penetrate the filling material. The worms are positioned with the heads in the mesh material, more specifically in the openings thereof, and/or with their heads close to the wall. With the sludge being preferably provided in the inner compartment, the worms may grow and replicate. In the reactor according to the present invention the worms nest in the filling material feeding on the sludge that flows along and/or through the openings in the mesh material such that the worms grow and worm biomass is produced in the reactor.

In a presently preferred embodiment according to the present invention the inner and outer compartments have a cylindrical shape.

By providing a cylindrical shape for the compartments an optimal food to filling material ratio and/or food to surface ratio can be achieved. This increases the output of the worm production reactor according to the invention.

In a presently preferred embodiment the filling material defines the chamber and boundaries of the inner and outer compartments. Optionally, additional elements such as the aforementioned mesh material are applied to define an inner and/or outer compartment wall. Alternatively, the boundaries are defined by the filling material itself. For example, the filling material may comprise sintered material, such as gravel and/or sand particles, preferably shaped as a cylinder. Also, the filling material may comprise a sponge material defining the boundaries of the inner and outer compartments.

In a presently preferred embodiment according to the present invention the filling material comprises packed gravel.

It was shown in experiments that the use of packed gravel as filling material provides an effective means for filling the chamber defined between the inner and outer walls enabling the worms to extend themselves between the two walls. Preferably, worm tails extend through openings in the outer wall and worm heads are supported in openings in the inner wall.

In a presently preferred embodiment according to the present invention the worm output is connected to a worm collector.

When the worms are grown the maximum standing biomass is exceeded and worms will fall out of the filling material such that the worms can be harvested and will be removed from the chamber and move towards worm collector, preferably due to the force of gravity. The worm collector can be provided as a plate or bowl at or close to the bottom of the reactor. This enables harvesting and collecting the worms and providing a worm production flow at the outlet of the reactor. Alternatively or in addition thereto, a stimulus can be used when harvesting the worms, including one or more of: touching, toxins, 02 stress, electric (field) pulses, vibrations.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention the worms are positioned in a substantially horizontal position.

Providing the inner and outer walls in a substantial vertical direction such that the worms extend in a substantially horizontal direction, the collection of worm faeces is made more efficient as the faeces may be transferred to the bottom of the reactor, or vessel provided therewith, due to the force of gravity. This enables an efficient collection of the worm faeces. In case worms and worm faeces are collected together separation is possible with the use of different flow speeds, for example.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention the aquatic worms are of the class of Oligochaeta or Polychaeta.

Worms of the class of Oligochaeta have proven to be extremely efficient for application and reducing or compacting an aqueous waste stream or sludge or other solid suspension flows. Furthermore, this class of worms provides effective and efficient fish feed, for example.

This class of worms is capable of motion by swimming that makes the separation of worms from the carrier material or support easier by using a so-called escape reflex. This presents a relevant possibility in the aforementioned harvesting of the worms. Such an escape reflex is a neurophysiologic reaction which occurs in certain worms in response to (sudden) exposure to sub lethal concentrations of toxins or touching or vibrations or electric pulses. This reflex enables a swimming motion and enables removal of the worms from the carrier material.

Preferably, the worms are selected from the family of Lumbriculidae (fresh water worms) of Naididae (fresh and marine water), such as Nais variabilis or Nais simplex or Tubifex tubifex or Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri or Limnodrilus udekemianus or Limnodrilus claparedianus

More preferably, the worms are selected form the genus Lumbriculus, such as the species Lumbriculus variegatus (blackworm) or from the genus Dero, such as the species Dero digitata. Experiments have shown that especially the Lumbriculus variegatus effectively reduces waste sludge. Furthermore, they have proven to exhibit a relatively stable growth on sludge as compared to other worms, and replicate asexually, making the process of a predation reaction easier.

The present invention also relates to a system for aquatic worm and/or worm biomass production and/or aqueous waste stream treatment, comprising a vessel provided with at least one reactor as mentioned above.

Such system provides the same effects and advantages as those stated with reference to the reactor.

Preferably, the system according to the invention comprises a vessel that is provided with at least one reactor as described above. The system may also comprise a higher number of reactors in one vessel to increase the worm and/or worm biomass production and/or reactor(s) with an extended length.

In a presently preferred embodiment according to the invention the system further comprises a feed flow recirculation system for recirculation of at least a part of the feed flow.

By providing a feed flow recirculation system all constituents of the feed flow can be used efficiently thereby improving the overall efficiency of the system according to the present invention. The feed flow recirculation system preferably comprises a feed flow recirculation treatment device. Such treatment device may comprise a filter, cooler, heater, adding of additives, measurement, aeration and the like, thereby further improving the efficiency of the feed flow to the worms.

In a further preferred embodiment to the present invention, the vessel of the system further comprises a fluid inlet for providing a fluid to the vessel for removal of worm faeces from the vessel. This provides optimal operating conditions in the system reactor, possibly lowering system loading and minimizing system requirements. Also, this may improve the water quality control and food and water separation in the system.

Preferably, the system further comprises a fluid recirculation system that more preferably comprises a trickling filter. This enables recirculation of at least a part of the fluid, such as water, over the system to minimize the usage of such fluid. This further contributes to the efficiency of the overall system, for example by COD removal, removal of toxic ammonia and/or oxygen supply.

The present invention further also relates to a method for the production of aquatic worms and/or worm biomass, the method comprising: providing a reactor and system as mentioned above; arranging worms in the support; and providing a feed flow to the worms.

Such method provides the same effects and advantages as those stated with reference to the reactor of the system.

Production of aquatic worms and aquatic worm biomass further preferably comprises the step of harvesting the worms at a worm collector. Harvesting comprises removal and/or fall out of the worms from the support and transferring the worms to such collector. This harvesting may occur due to the worms growing and becoming too heavy/exceeding the maximum biomass to be supported in the reactor. In a presently preferred embodiment due to the force of gravity the worms are transferred from the support and out of the reactor to a worm collector and provided at the worm output of the reactor as a worm production flow. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, an escape reflex is provided as a neurophysiologic reaction to enable or improve removal of the worms from the carrying material. This was shown to be particularly useful for worms of the class of Oligochaeta, and more specifically of the species of Lumbriculus variegatus.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the method further comprises the step of treating an aqueous waste stream, such as a municipal sludge or industrial sludge, for example potato sludge or a secondary sludge from potato starch industry. This treatment step provides an additional effect to the production of worm and worm biomass as the aqueous waste stream is treated and can be significant reduced in volume and mass thereby providing a sludge reducing effect. This renders the method according to the invention very effective as compared to conventional methods for sludge reduction.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a system and reactor according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a top view of the reactor;

Figure 3 shows the inner core of the reactor shown in figures 1 and 2; and Figures 4A-E show the results from an experiment with the system and reactor of figure 1.

Worm production reactor 2 (figure 1) is provided in worm production system 4. Reactor 2 comprises an inner core 6 defining food supply chamber 8 as inner compartment. Reactor 2 further comprises outer core 10. In the illustrated embodiment inner core 6 and outer core 10 have a cylindrical shape with inner core 6 being provided inside outer core 10. Chamber 12 as outer compartment is the space between inner core 6 and outer core 10. Chamber 12 is filled with filling material 14. In the illustrated embodiment filling material 14 is gravel of so-called VDL substrate with fraction 2.9-7.4, for example 4.8-5.6 mm. In the illustrated embodiment inner core 6 is formed by an industrial netting (RN 3690) and outer core 10 is from a Sefar Nitex 06-1140/66 material. Inner core 6 is provided with a mesh type surface having openings 16. Worms 18 are substantially horizontally positioned in illustrated reactor 2 with the head 20 being supported in openings 16 enabling worms 18 to access the feed in chamber 8. Preferably, worm tails 22 extend through outer core 10. In use, vessel 24 is filled with a fluid, such as water, wherein faeces 25 is collected. Chamber 8 has feed inlet 26 and feed outlet 28.

In the illustrated embodiment, feed flow is recycled in feed recycling system 30 comprising pump 32 and filter or buffer 34. The feed flow can (partly) be removed from system 4 through outlet 36, outlet 28 or from filter 34. The feed inflow 38 comprises fresh feed flow 40 and recycled feed flow 42.

Worms 18 that have grown and loose contact with their support in material 12 are collected in worm collector 44. Worm collector 44 provides the harvested worms to worm outlet 46 as a production flow 48 from reactor 2.

The fluid in vessel 24 is provided continuously or periodically to outlet 50 and filtered in filter 52. In the illustrated embodiment filter 52 comprises a trickling filter. Liquid recycling system 53 further comprises pump 54 and cooler 56 providing filtered and cooled fluid, such as water, via inlet 58 to vessel 24. With fresh fluid inlet 60 fresh fluid can be supplied to filter 52, cooler 56 or directly to inlet 58. Waste fluid can be (partly) removed from outlet 50 and/or filter 52, and provided to outlet 62.

Reactor 2 (figure 2) is in the illustrated embodiment provided with cylindrical inner core 6 and cylindrical outer support 10, with filling material 14 in chamber 12 between inner core 6 and outer core 10. Feed flow chamber 8 is defined by the inner chamber of inner core 6. Worms 18 extend from inner core 6 to outer support 10, with their heads 20 being provided in or close to openings 16 in inner core 6 and their tails 22 preferably extending through outer support 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, inner core 6 has an inner diameter of about 16 mm and an outer diameter of about 21 mm. Outer core 10 has an inner diameter of about 70 mm and an outer diameter of about 72 mm. Inner core 6 (figure 3) is provided with openings 16. In the illustrated embodiment inner core 6 is from a polypropylene material with an open area of about 43%. Openings 16 have a diameter in the range of 0.1-1.5 mm with core 6 having a wall thickness in the range of 0.1-1.0 mm.

For worm and/or worm biomass production worms are provided in reactor 2. In the illustrated embodiments worms 18 are provided via chamber 8 and are allowed to settle themselves in gravel 14. Food is supplied and worms 18 grow. As worms 18 are (too) heavy/exceed the maximum biomass worms 18 are harvested by collecting them in worm collector 44. Harvested worms are provided via outlet 46 as produced worm flow 48.

In an experiment, reactor 2 was compared with a conventional reactor. The performance in the packed gravel column reactor was calculated after two weeks of production. The reactor was supplied with 40 ml of starch sludge (10 gr COD/1) every two hours (80 ml/min flow). Sludge was recirculated every 30 minutes for 2 minutes with a flow speed of 80 ml/min. Table 1A shows some results of the experiment.

Table 1A: Experimental comparison of single mesh reactor with packed gravel column reactor

The results in Table 1A show the significant improvement in growth rate of the worms in reactor 2 with the different reactors and different feed flows..

Further experiments were performed with reactor 2 to determine the carrying capacity of worms 18 in reactor 2 with variable gravel fraction. Independent of the gravel fraction the reactor 2 according to the invention performs better as compared to the conventional reactor.

Also, experiments with reactor 2 were performed with other filling material, an inner and outer filling fraction and different mesh pore sizes for openings 16 to further optimize the performance of reactor 2.

In these experiments a cylindrical design was used for reactor 2 comprising of a rigid polypropylene mesh tube (industrial netting RN 3690, ID 16.3 mm, 2900 pm Mesh, 37% open surface) surrounded by a gravel layer (YDL substraatbodem, 53% open surface) which was hold into place by an tubular mesh sleeve (Sefar Nitex, OD 7.5 cm, 1140 pm mesh, 66% open surface). The net length of the gravel column was 29 cm (excluding top and bottom fittings). The core tube was initially used for applying the worm biomass and further used for dosing and recirculating food suspension reactor 2. The gravel, which was in particular selected for its high porosity, was used as a worm carrier, supporting worms 18 on the interface between resource or feed in chamber 8 and the water phase outside outer core 10 in vessel 24. Large food particles were directly trapped by the gravel layer, and further entrapment of smaller particles took place by worms 18 occupying the interstitial space preventing transfer of small particles from the core tube to the water phase. Worms are orientated with their tails outside reactor 2 caused by the lower oxygen levels in the food compartment 8 and carrier and high affinity with the gravel layer due to thigmotaxic behavior.

Reactor 2 was installed in a glass cylinder (effective volume 11.26 ±0.1 L) with funnel shaped bottom and tap in order to collect fecal pellets and worms 18 lost from reactor 2. Water was recirculated over the glass cylinder at an up flow speed of 50 1/h, overflow was positioned 1 cm above reactor 2. Water was passed by natural gravity over trickling filter 52 with vertical flow media (Bionet®, 150 cm2 and 60 cm height, specific surface area 200 m2/m3, void fraction 0.95) in order to convert ammonia into nitrate, degas and aerate the water simultaneously. Water was collected in a sump unit (28.35 ± 0.15 1) positioned directly under trickling filter 52 containing a submerged recirculation pump (EHEIM® 2000, Compactplus, 35 w) a level controlled water fill valve and pH electrode were inserted in the sump unit. pH was controlled between 7.1-7.2 by pH controlled dispense of 9 % hydrochloric acid either sodium bicarbonate at 25 g/l. Water temperature (19-23 °C) was controlled by an inline cooling unit 56 installed at the inflow of the glass cylinder. Growth rates of the worms in reactor 2 were measured with different gravel size (figure 4A, with gravel sizes 2.9, 4.0, 5.2 and 7.4). Total cumulative losses are for gravel size 7.4 153.8 g, for size 2.9 117.9 g, for size 5.2 88.5 g, and for size 4.0 81.0 g. The linear regression is also plotted in figure 4A. Stable phases for the growth rate were reached after one day for sizes 4.0 and 5.2, after about three days for size 2.9, and after about five days for size 7.4. Figure 4B, with gravel sizes 2.9, 4.0, 5.2 and 7.4, shows average individual weight (AIW) estimates for worms lost from the WPU over time, per gravel size, session and AIW for start and left biomass. Below in Table IB calculated growth rates are presented from the start of the stable growth period.

Table IB: Growth rates for different gravel sizes

In addition, it is noted that gravel size is limited by the capability to retain the worms in case of large gravel sizes and penetration of worms in case of smaller gravel sizes.

Further experiments in beaker units have been performed to determine the effect of the feed and feed conditions. Below a list of possible feed streams are listed in Table 2, composition information in Table 3 and growth rate in Table 4.

Table 2: Feed composition in percentages of organic matter and COD related fractions, with coefficients of variation (CV%) for each fraction are given in the last row, with standard deviation shown if available

Feed compositions expressed in percentages of organic matter and COD related factions. Coefficients of variation (CV %) for each fraction are given in the last row. Standard deviation is shown if available.

Table 3: Diet elemental composition and elemental rations in a molar basis, with coefficients of variation (CV%) for each fraction are given in the last row

Diet elemental composition and elemental ratios in a molar basis. Coefficients of variation (CV'%) for each fraction are given in the last: row.

Table 4: Values of specific growth rate (SGR) for each feed/diet after 7, 30 and 42 days Values of the SGR for each diet after 7,30 and 42 days. Group tests are sorted by greater value at t=30 days.

Soedfic growth rate (% Biomass variation *d'll

Worm biomass is shown in figure 4C for different feed/diets (A: Chlorella, B: Tetramin, C: Tetramin+soluble starch COD/N=56, D: Tetramin+soluble starch COD/N=37, E: soy meal, F: Okara, G: dry carrot peels, H: soy beans, I: soy milk, J: semolina, K: T gc (Sastapro), L: shrimp peels). Further experiments with different feed/diet included the use of commercial fish feed flakes (Tetramin), chicken processing industry (feathers and blood), fish by-product (Nile tilapia faeces), pig processing industry (hair, gut slime), dairy industry (feed cheese), waste water treatment plant (Vion sludge), potato starch industry (starch sludge (FAWE)), vegetable processing industry (veggie sludge), membrane bioreactor (MBR 28d sludge, MBR 12h sludge), wetland/fresh water (duckweeds), beer fermentation (beer residue), potato processing industry (potato peel sludge), sugar beet processing industry (sugar beet tips), gray starch, chemical industry (cellulose, glucose). Some results are shown in figure 4D (A: Tetramin (COD/N:18.3), B: Nile tilapia faeces (COD/N: 17.7), C: pig hair (COD/N: 9.4), D: chicken blood (COD/N:10.1), E: pig gut slime (COD/N:11.9) and 4E (with biomass in mg and A: vegetable sludge (COD/N:16.5), B: MBR 12h sludge (COD/N:25), C: MBR 28d sludge (COD/N: 18.1), D Tetramin (COD/N: 18.3), E: duckweeds (COD/N:26.6), F: beer residue (COD/N:39.2), G: Vion sludge (COD/N: 12.9), H: feed cheese (COD/N:12.4), I: gray starch (COD/N: 106.2), J: potato sludge (LAWE) (COD/N:15.1), K: potato sludge (COD/N:62.6), L: sugar beet tips (COD/N:94.6)).

Further experiments have shown that the ammonia level in the outflow may act as an indicator to the health of the worms in the reactor. Higher ammonia level could indicate death of, part of, the worm population. Measuring the ammonia level in the output may, therefore, be used to control parameters of the reactor, for example flow speed, oxygen concentration etc. Other experiments indicated that a substantial vertical configuration of the compartments of the reactor is preferred by the worms.

Experiments showed the practical applicability of the reactor.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above described embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged. For example, it is possible to provide filling material 14 in the inner chamber 8 and the feed flow in chamber 12. Other configurations can also be envisaged. For example, multiple reactors 2 and/or elongated reactors can be provided in a single vessel 24. Also, food specific designs for the configuration are envisaged.

CLAUSES 1. Reactor for aquatic worm and/or worm biomass production, comprising: a vessel provided with an inner compartment; an outer compartment provided substantially around and/or parallel to the inner compartment, and defining a chamber; filling material arranged in the chamber to receive and support the worms; and a feed input for providing a feed flow to the worms, a waste output, and a worm output. 2. Reactor according to clause 1, wherein the inner compartment comprises an inner compartment wall from a mesh material with openings configured such that worms penetrate the filling material and when in use enabling worm heads to reach the feed flow and/or enabling feed from the feed flow to penetrate the filling material. 3. Reactor according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the inner compartment is configured as a feed channel and is connected to the feed input. 4. Reactor according to clause 1, 2 or 3, wherein the inner and outer compartments have a cylindrical shape 5. Reactor according one or more of the foregoing clauses, wherein the filling material defines the chamber and provides an inner compartment wall and an outer compartment wall. 6. Reactor according to one or more of the foregoing clauses, wherein the filling material comprises packed gravel. 7. Reactor according to one or more of the foregoing clauses, wherein the worm output is connected to a worm collector. 8. Reactor according to one or more of the foregoing clauses, wherein the worms are positioned in a substantially horizontal position. 9. Reactor according to one or more of the foregoing clauses, wherein the aquatic worms are of the class of Oligochaeta or Polychaeta. 10. Reactor according to clause 8, wherein the worms are of the species Lumbriculus variegatus. 11. System for aquatic worm and/or worm biomass production and/or aqueous waste stream treatment, comprising a vessel provided with at least one reactor according to one or more of the foregoing clauses. 12. System according to clause 11, further comprising a feed flow recirculation system for recirculation of at least a part of the feed flow. 13. System according to clause 12, wherein the feed flow recirculation system comprises a feed flow recirculation treatment device. 14. System according to clause 11, 12 or 13, wherein the vessel comprises a fluid inlet for providing a fluid for removal of worm faeces from the vessel. 15. System according to clause 14, further comprising a fluid recirculation system. 16. System according to clause 15, wherein the fluid recirculation system comprises a trickling filter. 17. Method for production of aquatic worms and/or worm biomass, comprising: providing a reactor and a system according to one or more of the foregoing clauses; arranging worms in the support; and provide a feed flow to the worms. 18. Method according to clause 17, further comprising the step of harvesting the worms in a worm collector. 19. Method according to clause 18, wherein the harvesting comprises removing the worms from the support and transferring the worms to the collector. 20. Method according to clause 17, 18 or 19, further comprising the step of treating an aqueous waste stream.

Claims

A reactor for aquatic worm and / or worm biomass production, comprising: a vessel or tank provided with an inner compartment; an outer compartment substantially provided around and / or parallel to the inner compartment and defining a chamber; filling material disposed in a chamber for receiving and supporting the worms; and a feed input for providing a feed stream to the worms, a waste output, and a worm output.

A reactor according to claim 1, wherein the inner compartment comprises an inner compartment wall of a mesh material with openings configured so that worms can penetrate the filling material and, in use, enable the worm heads to reach the feed stream and / or feed from the feed stream into to penetrate the filling material.

The reactor of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner compartment is configured as a feed channel and is connected to the feed input.

The reactor according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the inner and outer compartments have a cylindrical shape.

The reactor according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the filler material defines the chamber and provides an inner compartment wall and an outer compartment wall.

The reactor according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the filling material comprises packed gravel.

The reactor according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the worm output is connected to a worm collector.

Reactor according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the worms are positioned in a substantially horizontal position.

The reactor according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the aquatic worms are of the Oligochaeta or Polychaeta class.

The reactor according to claim 9, wherein the worms are of the species Lumbriculus variegatus.

A system for aquatic worm and / or worm biomass production and / or waste stream treatment, comprising a vessel provided with at least one reactor according to one or more of the preceding claims.

The system of claim 11, further comprising a feed stream recirculation system for recycling at least a portion of the feed stream.

The system of claim 12, wherein the feed stream recirculation system comprises a feed stream recirculation treatment device.

A system according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the vessel comprises a fluid inlet for providing a fluid for removing worm faeces from the vessel.

The system of claim 14, further comprising a fluid recirculation system.

The system of claim 15, wherein the fluid recirculation system comprises a trickling filter.

A method for producing aquatic worms and / or worm biomass, comprising: providing a reactor to a system according to one or more of the preceding claims; applying worms to the support; and providing a feed stream to the worms.

The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of harvesting the worms in a worm collector.

The method of claim 18, wherein harvesting comprises removing the worms from the support and transferring the worms to the collector.

The method of claim 17, 18 or 19, further comprising the step of treating a waste stream.