TW202335740A - Photoreactor device and method of operating a photoreactor device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention proceeds from a photoreactor device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e) having at least one reactor space (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d; 12e), in particular a reactor vessel (14a; 14b) and/or a tubular reactor (16b; 16c; 16d; 16e), for accommodating at least one medium, and having at least one irradiation unit (18a; 18b; 18c; 18d) for irradiating the medium in the reactor space (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d; 12e) . It is proposed that the photoreactor device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e) has a transfer unit (20a; 20b; 20c; 20d; 20e) which, in continuous operation, continuously feeds the medium into the reactor space (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d, 12e) from the outside and continuously removes the medium from the reactor space (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d, 12e) to the outside.

Description

Photoreactor device and methods for operating photoreactor device

The invention relates to a photoreactor device as claimed in claim 1 and to a method for operating a photoreactor device as claimed in claim 14 and above.

The prior art has disclosed photoreactors having at least one reactor space for receiving a medium and for performing a photochemical reaction in the reactor space. Photoreactors to date have been specifically designed for batch operation, which adversely reduces the efficiency for performing photochemical reactions, especially on an industrial scale.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device of a general type with increased efficiency. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 14, and advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention can be inferred from the dependent claims.

The invention proceeds from a photoreactor device having at least one reactor space, in particular a reactor vessel and/or a tubular reactor, for accommodating at least one medium and having a reactor for irradiation At least one irradiation unit of the medium in space.

It is proposed that the photoreactor device has a transfer unit which in continuous operation continuously delivers the medium from the outside into the reactor space and continuously removes the medium from the reactor space to the outside.

By means of such an embodiment it is advantageously possible to provide a photoreactor device with improved properties regarding efficiency. In particular, the reactor apparatus enables continuous operation and therefore a particularly efficient performance of the photochemical reactor.

"Photoreactor device" is to be understood as meaning a composition, in particular a functional composition, in particular structural components and/or functional components of a photoreactor. The photoreactor device may also include the entire photoreactor. Photoreactor devices and/or photoreactors including, without limitation, photoreactor devices may be configured to perform photochemical reactions, such as for depolymerization of plastics or for chlorination of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Obtain PVC-C or use it for photoinitiated polymerization of monomers to obtain synthetic resins and/or adhesives.

"Reactor space" is to be understood as meaning a space for containing at least one medium and for carrying out photochemical reactions, which space is closed in at least two spatial directions. The reactor space has at least one inlet for feeding the medium and at least one outlet for removing the medium. The walls of the reactor space are preferably formed at least partially or completely from metal and/or metal alloy, for example from titanium or stainless steel. Another conceivable alternative would be for the reactor space to be formed at least partially or completely from glass, for example from borosilicate glass or quartz glass, or from plastic, for example from polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The reactor space may be designed as a reactor vessel and has a vessel bottom and at least one side wall connected to the vessel bottom. The reactor vessel may be open on the side opposite the vessel bottom or have a permanently mounted or removable lid for closing the side opposite the vessel bottom. Alternatively, the reactor space can be designed as a tubular reactor with a tubular outer wall delimiting the interior in at least two spatial directions. Tubular reactors may have a straight or at least partially curved, in particular zigzag, shape. The outer wall may define the interior of the tubular reactor. Another conceivable alternative would be for a tubular reactor to have an inner tube radially spaced from the outer wall and dividing the interior into two sub-spaces. The inlet may be arranged at a first end of the tubular reactor and the outlet at a second end of the tubular reactor. However, the inlet and outlet can also be arranged at the same end of the tubular reactor, in which case the inlet can be connected to the first subspace, in particular the inner tube space within the inner tube, and the inlet to the second subspace of the inner space. The subspace is specifically connected to the annular space between the inner tube and the outer wall. The photoreactor apparatus may have a large number of reactor spaces, all of the reactor spaces may take the form of reactor spaces, or all of the reactor spaces may take the form of tubular reactors, or some of the reactor spaces may take the form of reactor spaces and some The reactor spaces may take the form of tubular reactors and are interconnected in continuous operation. For a photoreactor device having a large number of reactor spaces, the transfer unit can continuously feed the medium from the outside to at least one first reactor space in continuous operation, and continuously transfer the medium from the first reactor space to at least one first reactor space. a second reactor space from which the medium is continuously conveyed to the outside and/or to at least one additional reactor space in a plurality of reactor spaces, wherein the additional reactor space is the first reactor space or at least one third reactor space, and the medium is removed from at least one of the reactor spaces to the outside. In the case of photoreactor installations with a large number of reactor spaces, it is also alternatively or additionally conceivable to operate some or all of the reactor spaces in parallel, in which case the transfer unit can in each case partially A volume of medium is fed into each of the reactor spaces and in each case a partial volume of medium is continuously removed to the outside from each of the parallel-operated reactor spaces. For example, a photoreactor apparatus may have a number of reactor spaces, each in the form of a tubular reactor, configured for operation in parallel in a manner comparable to a shell and tube heat exchanger.

"Medium" is to be understood as meaning a substance and/or a mixture of two or more substances used and/or formed when performing a photochemical reaction. The composition of the medium may in particular change continuously while passing through the reaction space. For example, it is conceivable that the medium, when fed into the reactor space, is a substance or a mixture of substances consisting of one or more reactants and in particular one or more catalysts, and that the medium, when removed from the reactor space, consists of One or more products, in particular main products and/or by-products, have been formed from one or more reactants while passing through the reactor space and may consist of unreacted reactants and/or catalyst to be regenerated. The medium may be single phase and may take the form of a solution, for example. It is also conceivable that the medium is a heterogeneous mixture, such as suspensions and emulsions, foams or the like. Additionally, it is conceivable that the state of the substance of the medium changes completely or partially as it passes through the reaction space. For example, the medium may be in liquid form when fed to the reaction space and completely or partially in gaseous form when removed from the reaction space.

The irradiation unit has at least one radiating element for irradiating the medium. The irradiation unit preferably has a large number of radiating elements. The radiating element is configured to provide electromagnetic radiation for irradiating the medium within the reaction space. The electromagnetic radiation provided by the radiating element may be, for example, infrared radiation and/or visible light and/or ultraviolet radiation. The electromagnetic radiation provided by the radiating element is preferably ultraviolet radiation. The electromagnetic radiation provided by the radiating element may be polychromatic. The electromagnetic radiation provided by the radiating element is preferably monochromatic. The wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation provided by the radiating element is tunable and/or capable of being adapted to the type of one or more photochemical reactions to be performed in the reaction space, and may, without limitation, be, for example, 365 nm or 385 nm or 395 nm or 405 nm or 420 nm or 460 nm or 525 nm or 592 nm or 625 nm. The radiation source that can be provided by the radiating element is preferably infinitely adjustable. The radiating elements are preferably interchangeable, preferably without tools. The radiation element has at least one radiation source, which may, without limitation, take the form of, for example, an LED and/or a mercury lamp and/or an excimer lamp and/or the like. The radiation source of the radiating element preferably takes the form of an LED. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one radiating element takes the form of an explosion-proof radiating element and in particular contains at least one explosion-proof LED as radiation source. Explosion-proof radiating components are preferably certified under ATEX and/or IECEx. Such an embodiment advantageously allows the photoreactor device to be provided for safe use in areas with explosion risks. The at least one radiating element and the additional radiating element of the irradiation unit may be substantially at least partially identical to each other. It will also be conceivable that the at least one radiating element and the at least one additional radiating element are configured with respect to at least one parameter, for example with respect to the type and/or size of the radiation source used to provide the electromagnetic radiation and/or with respect to the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation provided and/or or radiation intensity. The radiating element and/or at least one additional radiating element of the irradiation unit can take the form of an external radiating element and be arranged outside the reactor space. Alternatively or additionally, the radiating elements and/or additional radiating elements of the irradiation unit can take the form of internal radiating elements and be arranged within the reactor space.

The transport unit is configured to continuously feed media from the outside to the reaction space and to continuously remove media from the reaction space to the outside, and has for this purpose at least one transport element. The transport element is configured to control the feeding of media from and/or to the outside. The transport element may take the form of an active transport element configured to place media in motion for feeding from the outside and/or for removal to the outside. For example, the delivery element may be a pump. Alternatively it is conceivable that the transport element is a passive transport element configured to be based on the inherent energy of the medium, such as the kinetic energy of the medium and/or the pressure and/or temperature difference between the reaction space and the outside and/or The potential energy of the medium and/or the energy obtained by the capillary effect or the like controls the movement of the medium. For example, the transfer element may take the form of a control valve connected to an inlet in the upper region of the reaction vessel and to a medium-filled reservoir arranged outside the reaction space and which controls the flow of the medium into the reaction space based on the potential energy of the medium. Continuous feed. The transport unit may comprise a plurality of transport elements, which may in particular be of the same type or may be different with respect to each other.

"Continuous operation" shall be understood to mean an operating state in which the transfer unit continuously feeds a first part of the medium from the outside to the reaction space and continuously removes a second part from the reactor space to the outside, wherein the first part and The second portions may have equal or different volume flow rates, and the volume flow rate of the first portion and/or the volume flow rate of the second portion may be constant or subject to variance over time.

In this document, words such as "first" and "second" preceding a particular term are used only to distinguish objects with respect to each other and/or the allocation between objects, and do not imply any existing totality of the objects. and/or sequence. In particular, "second object" does not necessarily imply the existence of "first object".

"At least substantially" should be understood in this document to mean that the variance from the defined value is in particular less than 25%, preferably less than 10%, and better still less than 5% of the variance of the defined value.

"Provide" shall be understood to mean specially designed and/or equipped. The fact that an object is provided for a specific function shall be understood to mean that the object satisfies and/or performs that specific function in at least one state of application and/or operation.

It is also proposed that the photoreactor device has a separation unit arranged within the reactor space for dividing the reactor space into a first zone and a second zone. In this way, it is advantageously possible to further increase efficiency. Particularly for photochemical reactions with low quantum yields, it is particularly possible to increase the residence time of the medium in the reaction vessel even in continuous operation of the transport unit. In order to divide the reactor space into at least two sub-regions, the separation unit has at least one separation element, such as an inner tube and/or a guide tube and/or a guide plate or the like. The separation unit can have multiple, in particular different or identical, separation elements. The separation unit may divide the reactor space into a first sub-region, a second sub-region and at least one additional sub-region. The first sub-region may be configured to perform a first reaction step of the photochemical reaction and the second sub-region is configured to perform a second reaction step of the photochemical reaction. For example, it is conceivable that a first sub-region will take the form of a region irradiated by an irradiation unit, and a second sub-region that will not be irradiated by an irradiation unit. Preferably, the first region and the second region are continuously fluidly connected to each other during continuous operation. However, it is also conceivable that the separation unit has a separation element, such as a valve, which valve is configured to temporarily disconnect the fluid connection between the first zone and the second zone.

It is additionally proposed that the separation unit has a guide tube which separates a first area in the form of an inner area from a second area in the form of an outer area. This can advantageously further increase efficiency. In particular, it is possible to achieve efficient flow regimes of the medium in the reactor space. Furthermore, it is advantageously possible to achieve a division of the reaction space into at least two subregions by particularly simple technical means. The medium in the outer zone preferably has an opposite flow direction compared to the inner zone. The guide tube preferably has at least one area transmitting electromagnetic radiation from the irradiation unit. The guide tube is preferably formed from a material that transmits electromagnetic radiation from the irradiation unit, for example from glass or plastic such as polycarbonate or the like. It is additionally proposed that the transfer unit continuously feeds the medium from the outside into the area. It is further proposed that the transfer unit continuously removes media from the outside area to the outside. This advantageously enables efficient reaction states. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the transport unit to continuously feed the medium from the outside to the outside area and to continuously remove the medium from the inside area to the outside. It is also conceivable that the transfer units are configured to change the feed and removal directions during successive operations. For example, the feeding unit may continuously feed the medium from the outside to the inside area and continuously remove the medium from the outside area to the outside in the first stage of the continuous operation, and in the second stage of the continuous operation, the medium may be continuously fed from the outside to the inside area. The medium is continuously fed from the outside to the outside area and the medium is continuously removed from the inside area to the outside.

It is further proposed that the separation unit has at least one guide plate dividing the second area into at least two sub-areas. Such an embodiment may advantageously further increase efficiency. In particular, it is possible to improve the flow regime of the medium in the second zone and to optimize the residence time distribution of the medium in the second zone. It is conceivable that for example a first sub-region of the second region is configured for carrying out at least one component step of the photochemical reaction, and a second sub-region of the second region is used for collecting the medium, which is then removed by the transfer unit to external.

It is additionally proposed that the photoreactor device has a circulation unit with at least one circulation element for circulating the medium in the reactor space. This can advantageously further increase efficiency. In particular, it is possible to achieve uniform irradiation of the medium and prevent the formation of dead spaces. At least one circulation element of the circulation unit may take the form of an active circulation element such as a stirrer element or a pump. It is also conceivable that the circulation element takes the form of a passive circulation element such as a flow guide plate or the like. The circulation unit may be at least partially in the form of a single piece with a transfer unit. The circulation unit and the transfer unit are "at least partly in one-piece form" means that the circulation unit and the transfer unit have at least one common element, in particular two or more common elements, as parts, in particular functional parts, of both units. It is conceivable that the transfer elements of the transfer unit, such as the transfer pump, simultaneously serve as circulation elements of the circulation unit and perform the circulation function of the medium in the reactor space in continuous operation.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the reactor space has at least one wall area that transmits electromagnetic radiation from the irradiation unit. Such an embodiment may advantageously increase efficiency, in particular irradiation efficiency. It is particularly possible to perform electrochemical reactions, advantageously with low quantum yields, in a continuous and efficient manner. Wall regions transmitting electromagnetic radiation may take the form, for example, of irradiation windows in the wall outside the reaction space. It is conceivable that the reaction space has a wall that has a transmission area or completely transmits electromagnetic radiation.

In an advantageous embodiment it is proposed that the reactor space takes the form of a tubular reactor transmitting electromagnetic radiation from the irradiation unit. By virtue of this embodiment, it is advantageously possible to provide a photoreactor apparatus for continuous operation with a particularly simple and flexible device design. It is further proposed that the irradiation unit is configured to irradiate the medium from the outside via the transfer tubular reactor. This advantageously enables a particularly simple and efficient execution of photochemical reactions in tubular reactors.

It is also proposed that the irradiation unit has at least one internal radiating element arranged within the reactor space. With such an embodiment, it is advantageously possible to further increase the efficiency, in particular the irradiation efficiency. In particular it is possible to achieve efficient execution of photochemical reactions with low quantum yields in continuous operation. The internal radiating element can be arranged in a reaction space in the form of a reaction vessel, for example in a guide tube of a separation unit. The internal radiating element can also be arranged in the reactor space in the form of a tubular reactor, for example in the annular space between the inner tube and the outer wall of the tubular reactor.

Additionally it is proposed that the transfer unit has at least one transfer pump. This advantageously enables a particularly simple and efficient transfer of the medium into the reactor space from the outside and from the reactor space to the outside. The transfer unit may have multiple transfer pumps. For example, a first transfer pump may be fluidly connected to the inlet of the reaction space and configured to feed medium from the outside, and a second transfer pump may be fluidly connected to the outlet from the reactor space and configured to remove the medium to external. It is also conceivable that the transfer unit has only one transfer pump connected to the inlet and/or the outlet and configured to feed medium from the outside and remove this medium to the outside.

The invention further relates to a photoreactor device, in particular according to one of the above-described embodiments, having at least one reactor vessel for accommodating at least one medium, having at least one tube for accommodating the medium A reactor having at least one irradiation unit for irradiating the medium in the reactor vessel and the tubular reactor, and having a transfer unit for continuously exchanging the medium between the reactor vessel and the tubular reactor in continuous operation. In this way, it is advantageously possible to provide a particularly efficient photoreactor device. It is advantageously possible to provide a photoreactor device having a combination of a reactor vessel and a tubular reactor, which photoreactor device achieves medium by virtue of the continuous exchange of the medium between the reactor vessel and the tubular reactor. longer residence times and thus improved performance of photochemical reactions with low quantum yields. The irradiation unit has at least one radiating element assigned to the reactor space and configured for irradiating the medium in the reactor. Furthermore, the irradiation unit has at least one radiating element assigned to the tubular reactor and configured for irradiating the medium in the tubular reactor.

The invention further proceeds from a method for operating a photoreactor device, in particular according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments, having at least one reaction space for receiving at least one medium and having for irradiation At least one irradiation unit of the medium.

It is proposed that the medium is continuously fed into the reaction vessel from the outside and that the medium is continuously removed from the reaction vessel to the outside. Such an embodiment may advantageously provide a particularly efficient method for operating a photoreactor apparatus.

In addition, it is proposed that the medium is guided continuously over at least one area irradiated by the irradiation unit. This can advantageously further increase efficiency.

The photoreactor device of the present invention and the method for operating the photoreactor device of the present invention should not be limited to the above-mentioned applications and examples. In particular, the photoreactor apparatus of the present invention may have a different number of individual elements, components and units than those set forth herein in order to perform the functions described herein.

Figure 1 shows a photoreactor device 10a in a schematic diagram. The photoreactor device 10a is configured to perform photochemical reactions, for example for depolymerization of plastics or for chlorination of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to obtain PVC-C.

The photoreactor device 10a has a reactor space 12a for accommodating at least one medium (not shown) with which the photochemical reaction is to be carried out. In the present working example, the reactor space 12a takes the form of a reactor vessel 14a.

The photoreactor device 10a has an irradiation unit 18a for irradiating the medium in the reactor space 12a. The irradiation unit 18a has at least one internal radiating element 46a arranged in the reactor space 12a. In this case, the irradiation unit 18a has three internal radiating elements 46a arranged in the reactor space 12a. In this case, the internal radiating element 46 takes the form of an LED and is configured to supply electromagnetic radiation, in particular UV radiation. In addition, the irradiation unit 18a has at least one external radiating element 56a arranged outside the reactor space 12a. In this case, the irradiation unit 18a has two external radiating elements 56a arranged on opposite sides of the reactor space 12a. The external radiating element 56a takes the form of an LED and is configured to supply electromagnetic radiation, in particular UV radiation.

The reactor space 12a has at least one wall region 44a that transmits electromagnetic radiation from the irradiation unit 18a. In the present case, the reactor space 12a has two wall regions 44a transmitting electromagnetic radiation from the irradiation unit 18a, which wall regions are arranged on opposite sides of the wall 60a of the reactor space 12a. In the present case, the wall regions 44a each take the form of a radiation window 58a and are integrated into the wall 60a. The external radiation elements 56a of the irradiation unit 18a are respectively arranged on the outer surface of the irradiation window 58a.

The photoreactor device 10a has a transfer unit 20a. The transfer unit 20a continuously feeds medium from the outside to the reactor space 12a and continuously removes medium from the reactor space 12a to the outside in the continuous operation of the reactor device 10a. The photoreactor device 10a has at least one inlet 62a by means of which, in the continuous operation of the photoreactor device 10a, the medium is continuously arranged from the outside into the reactor space 12a by means of the transfer unit 20a. The photoreactor device 10a has at least one outlet 64a by means of which, in the continuous operation of the reactor device 10a, the medium is continuously removed from the reactor space 12a to the outside by means of the transfer unit 20a. In continuous operation of the photoreactor device 10a, the medium is guided to at least one irradiation zone 50a by means of the transport unit 20a.

The transfer unit 20a has at least one transfer pump 48a. The transfer pump 48a is arranged outside the reactor space 12a and is fluidly connected to the outlet 64a via the suction side. In continuous operation of the photoreactor device 10a, the transfer pump 48a continuously draws the medium from the outside via the inlet 62a, guides the medium through the reactor space 12a and removes the medium to the outside via the outlet 64a. The transfer unit 20a additionally has a blocking valve 74a, by means of which the outlet 64a can be blocked after the continuous operation has ended.

The photoreactor device 10a has a separation unit 22a arranged in the reactor space 12a for dividing the reactor space 12a into a first zone 24a and a second zone 26a. The separation unit 22a has a guide tube 28a. The guide tube 28a separates a first area 24a in the form of an inner area 30a from a second area 26a in the form of an outer area 32a. The inner radiating element 56a of the irradiation unit 18a is arranged on the outside of the guide tube 28a. The guide tube 28a is formed from a material that transmits electromagnetic radiation, such as a self-transmitting plastic such as polycarbonate.

The separation unit 22a has at least one guide plate 34a. The guide plate 34a divides the second area 26a into at least two sub-areas 36a, 38a: a first sub-area 36a and a second sub-area 38a.

In the operating state of the photoreactor device 10a, the medium flows from the outside into the first region 24a in the guide tube 28a via the inlet 62a. Within the guide tube 28a, the medium flows upward and is irradiated as it flows upward by the internal radiating element 46a. At the upper end of the guide tube 28a, the medium is deflected and conveyed into the second zone 26a, where it flows downward between the guide plate 34 and the outer surface of the guide tube and is radiated again by the internal radiating element 46a. According to. In the lower region of the reactor space 14a the medium is deflected again and flows upwards between the guide plate 34a and the wall region 44a to the outlet 64a, in the process being irradiated via the wall region 44a by the external radiating element 56a . The flow progression of the medium through the reactor space 12a is illustrated in FIG. 1 by arrows 88a, exactly one of which is given a reference number for the sake of simplicity.

The photoreactor device 10a has a circulation unit 40a. The circulation unit 40a contains at least one circulation element 42a for circulating the medium in the reactor space 12a. Circulation element 42a in this context takes the form of a stirrer element 66a. The circulation unit 40a has a drive unit 68a for driving the circulation element 42a. In this context, a circulation element 42a in the form of a stirrer element 66a is arranged in the guide tube 28a.

In this case, the transfer unit 20a continuously feeds the medium from the outside to the internal area 30a in the continuous operation of the photoreactor device 10a. In addition, the transfer unit 20a continuously removes the medium from the outer region 32a to the outside in the continuous operation of the photoreactor apparatus 10a. The inlet 62a takes the form of a connecting tube that is connected to the guide tube 28a and fluidly connects the inner region 30a to the outside. During continuous operation of the photoreactor device 10a, the medium flows from the inner region 30a into the first subregion 36a of the outer region 32a and is thus guided by the guide plate 28a into the second subregion 38a and then via the outlet 64a is removed to the outside. In this case, inner zone 30a and outer zone 32a take the form of irradiation zone 50a. As the medium flows through the inner region 30a and the first sub-region 36a of the outer region 32a, the medium is irradiated by electromagnetic radiation provided by the inner radiating element 46a. As the medium flows through the second sub-region 38a of the outer region 32a, it is irradiated by the outer radiating element 56a via the wall region 44a. The medium fed externally to zone 30a via inlet 62a in continuous operation includes at least one reactant for performing the photochemical reaction, and may include a plurality of different reactants and/or at least one catalyst for catalyzing the photochemical reaction. As the medium passes through the reaction space 12a, the composition is at least partially or completely modified due to photochemical reactions initiated by electromagnetic radiation. The medium removed to the outside via outlet 64a in continuous operation includes at least one product of the photochemical reaction and may in particular include multiple products of the photochemical reaction, ie the fully reacted reactants and/or the catalyst to be produced. For example, the photoreactor apparatus 10a may be configured to perform the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), wherein in continuous operation, by means of the transfer unit 20a, a solvent such as water and/or ethanol is included. Media and catalysts such as titanium dioxide are continuously fed from the outside to the interior area 30a via inlet 62a, and media including terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol as products and possibly additional components are removed to the outside via outlet 64a.

The photoreactor device 10a has an additional inlet 70a in the form of an additional connecting pipe and fluidly connects the inner region 30a to the outside. Additional media or additional constituents of media, such as additional reactants or catalysts, can be fed into the reaction space 12a via additional inlets 70a. The photoreactor device 10a has an additional outlet 72a. An additional outlet 72a is arranged on the outer face of the reactor space 12a and can be used, for example, to discharge the medium remaining in the reactor space 12a after continuous operation.

Figure 2 shows a schematic process flow diagram illustrating a method for operating photoreactor apparatus 10a. The method contains two method steps 52a, 54a. In a first method step 52a of the method, the medium is fed from the outside into the reaction vessel 12a by means of the transfer unit 20a. In a first method step 52a, the medium is guided continuously through at least one region 50a irradiated by the irradiation unit 18a. In a subsequent second method step 54a of the method, the medium is removed from the reaction vessel 12a to the outside.

Figures 3 to 5 show three additional working examples of the present invention. The following description and illustrations are essentially limited to differences between working examples with respect to components described as identical, in particular with respect to components having the same reference numerals, and in principle reference may also be made to other working examples, in particular Figure 1 and The drawing and/or all descriptions of Figure 2. To differentiate between working examples, the letter a is added as a suffix to the reference numbers of the working examples in Figures 1 and 2. In the working examples in Figures 3 to 5, the letter a is replaced by the letters b to d.

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an additional working example of the photoreactor device 10b. The photoreactor device 10b has a reactor space 12b for accommodating at least one medium (not shown). In contrast to the previous working example of the photoreactor device 10a, the reactor space 12b of the photoreactor 10b takes the form of a tubular reactor 16b.

The photoreactor device 10b has an irradiation unit 18b for irradiating the medium in the reactor space 12b. The irradiation unit 18b is configured to irradiate the medium externally via the transfer tubular reactor 16b. The irradiation unit 18b has at least one radiating element 56b arranged outside the reactor space 12b. In this case, the irradiation unit 18b has four external radiating elements 56b for external irradiation of the medium.

The reactor space 12b has at least one wall area 44b that transmits electromagnetic radiation. In this case, the reactor space 12b takes the form of a tubular reactor transmitting electromagnetic radiation 16b. The wall 60b of the reactor space 12b is formed from a material that transmits electromagnetic radiation, for example glass or a transmission plastic such as polycarbonate.

The photoreactor device 10b has a transfer unit 20b with at least one transfer pump 48b. The transfer unit 20b continuously feeds medium from the outside into the reactor space 12b via the inlet 62b and continuously removes medium from the reactor space 12b to the outside via the outlet 64b in the continuous operation of the reactor device 10b.

The photoreactor device 10b has a circulation unit 40b. The circulation unit 40b contains at least one circulation element 42b for circulating the medium in the reactor space 12b. In the present case, the circulation unit 40b is part of the transport unit 20b, wherein the transport unit 48b simultaneously serves as the circulation element 42b. The circulation unit 40b has at least one additional circulation element 90b. In this case, the additional circulation element 90b takes the form of at least one convolution 92b in the reactor space 12b. A convolution 92b in the form of a further circulating element 90b may advantageously achieve improved mixing and reduce the risk of dead space formation. In this case, the reactor space 12b has a meandering form due to at least one convolution 92b. Alternatively, however, a reactor space in the form of a spiral with at least one convolution would also be conceivable (not shown).

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of an additional working example of the photoreactor device 10c. The photoreactor device 10c has a reactor space 12c for housing at least one medium (not shown) and for carrying out photochemical reactions. Reactor space 12c takes the form of a tubular reactor 16c. The tubular reactor 16c has a convolution 60c in the form of an outer wall 74c. The photoreactor device 10c has an inner cylinder 78c arranged in the tubular reactor 16c at a radial distance from the outer wall 74c.

The photoreactor device 10c has an irradiation unit 18c for irradiating the medium in the reactor space 12c. The irradiation unit 18c has at least one internal radiating element 46c arranged in the reactor space 12c. In this case, the irradiation unit 18c has two internal radiating elements 46c arranged in the reactor space 12c. In this case, the inner radiating elements 46c are arranged on mutually opposite faces in the annular space 80c, between the outer wall 74c and the inner cylinder 78c. The inner cylinder 78c contains the deflector function. In the operating state of photoreactor apparatus 10c, photons emitted by internal radiating element 46c are focused as they pass through internal cylinder 78c.

The photoreactor device 10c has a transfer unit 20c with at least one transfer pump 48c. The transfer unit 20c continuously feeds the medium from the outside into the reactor space 12c via the inlet 62c and continuously removes the medium from the reactor space 12c to the outside via the outlet 64c in the continuous operation of the reactor device 10c. Inlet 62c and outlet 64c are each disposed on opposite sides of tubular reactor 16c and are each connected to inner cylinder 78c. In the continuous operation of the reactor device 10c, the transfer unit 20c continuously feeds the medium from the outside into the inner cylinder 78c arranged in the reactor space 12c via the inlet 62c, and transfers this medium from the inner cylinder 78c via the outlet 64c. Continuous removal without media entering annular space 80c.

The photoreactor device 10c has a circulation unit 40c. The circulation unit 40c contains at least one circulation element 42c for circulating the medium in the reactor space 12c. In the present case, the circulation unit 40c is part of the transport unit 20c, wherein the transport unit 48c simultaneously serves as the circulation element 42c. The circulation unit 40c may be similar to the circulation unit 40b of the photoreactor device 10b of the previous working example with at least one circulation element (not shown) in the form of at least one convolution (not shown) in the reactor space 12c.

The reactor space 12c has at least one wall area 44c that transmits electromagnetic radiation. In this context, the outer surface of the inner cylinder 78c takes the form of a wall region 44c that transmits electromagnetic radiation, so that the medium is radiated by the electromagnetic radiation provided by the radiating element 46c of the irradiation unit 18c while flowing through the inner cylinder 78c. According to.

Figure 5 shows an additional working example of the photoreactor device 10d. The photoreactor device 10d includes at least one reactor vessel 14d for containing a medium (not shown) and at least one tubular reactor 16d for containing the medium. The photoreactor apparatus 10d further includes an irradiation unit 18d for irradiating the medium in the reactor vessel 14d and the tubular reactor 16d. The photoreactor device 10d also has a transfer unit 20d which continuously exchanges the medium between the reactor vessel 14d and the tubular reactor 16d in continuous operation. The photoreactor device 10d can be considered as a combination of the photoreactor device 10a from the working example shown in FIG. 1 and the photoreactor device 10b from the working example shown in FIG. 2 .

The irradiation unit 18d has at least one radiating element 46d, in this case a total of three internal radiating elements 46d, arranged in the reactor vessel 14d. In addition, the irradiation unit 18d has at least one external radiating element 56d arranged outside the reactor vessel 14d and outside the tubular reactor 16d. In this case, the irradiation unit 18d has a total of four external radiating elements 56d, two of which are arranged outside the reactor vessel 14d, and two of which are located in the tubular reactor 16d. external.

The photoreactor device 10d has at least one inlet 62d via which during continuous operation of the photoreactor device 10d the medium is continuously fed from the outside into the reactor vessel 14d by means of the transfer pump 48d of the transfer unit 20a. The photoreactor device 10d has at least one outlet 64d via which the medium is continuously removed from the tubular reactor 12d to the outside during the continuous operation of the reactor device 10d by means of the transfer pump 48d of the transfer unit 20a.

The photoreactor device 10d has a separation unit 22d arranged in the reaction vessel 14d for dividing the reaction vessel 14d into a first region 24d and a second region 26d. The separation unit 22d has a guide tube 28d which separates a first area 24d in the form of an inner area 30d from a second area 26d in the form of an outer area 32d. The inner radiation element 56a of the irradiation unit 18a is arranged above the guide tube 28d. The inlet 62d takes the form of a connecting tube that is attached to the guide tube 28d and fluidly connects the inner region 30d to the outside. The outlet 64d is arranged in the lower area below the reactor space 14d and fluidly connects the outer area 32d to the outside.

The photoreactor device 10d has an additional inlet 70d via which the reactor space 14d is fluidly connected to the tubular reactor 16d. An additional inlet 70d is arranged in the upper region of the reactor space 14d. The photoreactor device 10d has an additional outlet 72d via which the reactor space 14d is fluidly connected to the tubular reactor 16d. An additional outlet 72d fluidly connects the outer region 32d of the reactor vessel 14d to the tubular reactor 16d. The transfer unit 20d has a transfer pump 82d. An additional transfer pump 82d is arranged between the additional outlet 72d and the tubular reactor 16d. In continuous operation of the photoreactor device 10d, the transfer unit 20d continuously exchanges the medium between the reactor vessel 14d and the tubular reactor 16d, in that the additional transfer pump 82d continuously pumps water from the inner region 30d of the reactor vessel 14d via the additional outlet 72d. The medium is drawn through the tubular reactor 16d and pumped through the additional inlet 70d to the outer region 32d of the reactor vessel 14d. The flow profile of the medium through the reactor space 12d is illustrated in FIG. 5 by arrows 88d, exactly one of which has a reference number for the sake of simplicity.

The photoreactor device 10d has at least one additional outlet 94d, which is arranged in a lower region below the reactor space 14d and which can fluidically connect the outer region 32d to the outside, for example for discharge after operation of the photoreactor device 10d The medium remaining in the guide tube 28d. As an alternative to additional outlet 72d, additional outlet 94 may also be fluidly connected to tubular reactor 16d.

Figure 6 shows an additional working example of the photoreactor device 10e. The photoreactor device 10e has at least one reactor space 12e for housing at least one medium (not shown) and for carrying out photochemical reactions. The photoreactor device 10e has a transfer unit 20e which in continuous operation continuously delivers the medium from the outside into the reactor space 12e and continuously removes the medium from the reactor space 12e to the outside. Reactor space 12e takes the form of a tubular reactor 16e. The transfer unit 20e has at least one, preferably exactly one transfer pump 48e.

In the present case, the photoreactor device 10e has a plurality of substantially mutually identical reactor spaces 12e, each in the form of a tubular reactor 16e. In this case, the transfer unit 20e continuously feeds medium into at least one of the reactor spaces 12e in continuous operation, preferably a partial volume of the medium is continuously fed from the outside to each of the reactor spaces 12e. one, and the medium is continuously removed from at least one of the reactor spaces 12e, preferably a partial volume of the medium from each of the reactor spaces 12e, to the outside.

In Figure 6, only one of the plurality of objects present is assigned a reference number in each case. Figure 6 shows by way of example a total of 10 substantially identical reactor spaces 12e. Alternatively, however, the photoreactor apparatus 10e may have a larger or smaller number of substantially identical reactor spaces 12e.

Photoreactor device 10e has an entry flange 84e. The photoreactor device 10e has at least one, preferably precisely one inlet 62e arranged in the access flange 84e. Reactor spaces 12e in the form of tubular reactors 16e are each connected on a first side to an inlet flange 84e.

The photoreactor device has an exit flange 86e. The photoreactor device 10e has at least one, preferably precisely one outlet 64e arranged in the exit flange 86e. The reactor spaces 12e in the form of tubular reactors 16e are each connected on the second side to an exit flange 84e.

The photoreactor device 10e has an irradiation unit 18e for irradiating the medium. The irradiation unit 18e has a plurality of internal radiating elements 46e, each of which is arranged in one of the tubular reactors 16e. The inner radiating elements 46e are each fixed on an exit flange and project into the corresponding tubular reactor 16e.

In continuous operation of the photoreactor device 10e, the transfer unit 20e continuously feeds the medium via the inlet 62e into the inlet flange 84e and thus into the reactor space 12e by continuously guiding the medium through At least one area 50e within the reactor space 12e is irradiated by means of an internal radiating element 46e of the irradiation unit 18e. In continuous operation of the photoreactor device 10e, the transfer unit 20e continuously removes the medium from the reactor space 12e via the exit flange 86e and thus to the outside via the outlet 64e.

Photoreactor device 10e is independently operable. Also conceivable would be a combination of the photoreactor device 10e and the photoreactor device 10d from the previous working example, where an individual tubular reactor 16d could be replaced by a photoreactor device 10e having a large number of tubular reactors 16e.

Reference numbers 10 Photoreactor equipment 12 reactor space 14 reactor vessel 16 tubular reactor 18 Irradiation unit 20 transfer unit twenty two separation unit twenty four first area 26 Second area 28 guide tube 30 internal area 32 outside area 34 guide plate 36 First sub-region 38 Second sub-area 40 cycle unit 42 loop element 44 wall area 46 internal radiating element 48 transfer pump 50 irradiated area 52 First method step 54 Second method step 56 external radiating element 58 irradiation window 60 wall 62 Entrance 64 exit 66 stirrer element 68 drive unit 70 additional entrance 72 additional exit 74 barrier valve 76 outer wall 78 inner cylinder 80 annular space 82 Additional transfer pump 84 entry flange 86 Exit flange 88 arrow 90 additional loop element 92 convolution 94 additional exit

10a~e: Photoreactor equipment 12a~c: Reactor space 12e:Reactor space 14a:Reactor vessel 14d:Reactor vessel 16b~e: Tubular reactor 18a~e: Irradiation unit 20a~e: Transmission unit 22a:Separation unit 22d:Separation unit 24a:First area 24d:First area 26a:Second area 26d:Second area 28a:Guide tube 28d:Guide tube 30a: Internal area 30d:Inner area 32a:External area 32d: external area 34a: Guide plate 34d: Guide plate 36a: Sub-area 36d: Sub-area 38a: Sub-area 38d: Sub-area 40a~d: Cycle unit 42a~c: cyclic components 44a~d: Wall area 46a: Internal radiating element 46c~e: Internal radiating element 48a~e: Transfer pump 50a~e: Irradiation area 52a: Method steps 54a: Method steps 56a~b: External radiating element 56d: External radiating element 58a: Radiation window 60a~d: wall 62a~e: Entrance 64a~e: Exit 66a: Stirrer element 68a: Drive unit 70a: Additional entrance 70d: Additional entrance 72a: Additional exit 72d: Additional exit 74a:Block valve 74b: Entrance 74c:Outer wall 78c:Inner cylinder 80c: Annular space 82d:Transfer pump 84e:Enter flange 86e:Exit flange 88a:arrow 88d:arrow 94d: additional exit

Additional advantages will be apparent from the description of the following figures. The drawing shows a working example of the invention. Schemas, descriptions, and requests contain numerous combined features. One skilled in the art will also consider the features individually and combine them to form feasible additional combinations, as appropriate.

Picture display: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a photoreactor having a photoreactor device having a reactor space in the form of a reaction vessel for containing a medium, an irradiation unit for irradiating the medium, and an irradiation unit for irradiating the medium. Transmission unit for continuous transmission media, Figure 2 is a schematic process flow diagram illustrating a method for operating a reactor apparatus, Figure 3 shows an additional working example of a schematic diagram of a photoreactor device having a reactor space in the form of a tubular reactor for accommodating a medium, an irradiation unit for external irradiation of the medium, and having Transmission unit used to transmit media, Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an additional working example of a photoreactor device having a reactor space in the form of a tubular reactor for accommodating a medium, an irradiation unit for internal irradiation of the medium, and having Transmission unit used to transmit media, Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of an additional working example of a photoreactor device having a reactor vessel for accommodating a medium, a tubular reactor for accommodating the medium, and an irradiation unit for irradiating the medium. , and having a transfer unit for transferring media between the reactor vessel and the tubular reactor, and Figure 6 shows an additional working example of a schematic photoreactor device having a large number of reactor vessels, each reactor vessel being in the form of a tubular reactor and configured for containing a medium, with means for internal radiation. An irradiation unit for irradiating the medium in the tubular reactor and a conveying unit for conveying the medium.

Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date and number) without Overseas storage information (please note in order of storage country, institution, date, and number) without

10a: Photoreactor equipment

12a:Reactor space

14a:Reactor vessel

18a:Irradiation unit

20a:Transmission unit

22a:Separation unit

24a:First area

26a:Second area

28a:Guide tube

30a: Internal area

32a:External area

34a: Guide plate

36a: Sub-area

38a: Sub-area

40a:Cycle unit

42a: Cyclic element

44a: Wall area

46a: Internal radiating element

48a:Transfer pump

50a: Irradiation area

56a: External radiating element

58a: Radiation window

60a: wall

62a: Entrance

64a:Export

66a: Stirrer element

68a: Drive unit

70a: Additional entrance

72a: Additional exit

74a:Block valve

88a:arrow

Claims (15)

A photoreactor device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e) having at least one reactor space (12a; 12b) for accommodating at least one medium ; 12c; 12d, 12e), in particular a reactor vessel (14a; 14b) and/or a tubular reactor (16b; 16c; 16d, 16e) with a space for irradiating the reactor (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d, 12e) at least one irradiation unit (18a; 18b; 18c; 18d; 18e) of the medium, characterized by a transmission unit (20a; 20b; 20c; 20d, 20e), the transmission unit is in In continuous operation, the medium is continuously fed from the outside into the reactor space (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d, 12e) and the medium is continuously moved from the reactor space (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d, 12e) Except to the outside. The photoreactor device (10a, 10d) according to claim 1, characterized by a separation unit (22a, 22d), which is arranged in the reactor space (12a; 12d) for converting the reaction The container space (12a; 12d) is divided into a first area (24a; 24d) and a second area (26a; 26d). The photoreactor device (10a; 10d) according to claim 2, characterized in that the separation unit (22a; 22d) has a guide tube (28a; 28d), and the guide tube forms an internal area (30a; The first area (24a; 24d) in the form of an outer area (30d) is separated from the second area (26a; 26d) in the form of an outer area (32a; 32d). The photoreactor device (10a; 10d) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the transfer unit (20a; 20d) continuously feeds the medium from the outside into the internal area (30a; 30d). The photoreactor device (10a; 10d) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the transfer unit (20a; 20d) continuously removes the medium from the external area (32a; 32d) to the outside. The photoreactor device (10a; 10d) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the separation unit (20a; 20d) has at least one guide plate (34a; 34d), and the at least one guide plate (34a; 34d) The lead plate divides the second area (26a, 26d) into at least two sub-areas (36a, 38a; 36d, 38d). The photoreactor device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e) according to any one of the preceding claims is characterized by a circulation unit (40a; 40b; 40c; 40d; 40e), which has the function At least one circulation element (42a; 42b; 42c; 42d, 42e) for circulating the medium in the reactor space (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d, 12e). The photoreactor device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reactor space (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d) has a structure transmitted from the irradiation unit (18a ; 18b; 18c; 18d) of at least one wall region (44a; 44b; 44c; 44d) of electromagnetic radiation. Photoreactor device (10b) according to claim 8, characterized in that the reactor space (12b) takes the form of a tubular reactor (16b) transmitting electromagnetic radiation from the irradiation unit (18b). Photoreactor device (10b) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the irradiation unit (18b) is configured to irradiate the medium from the outside via the transport tubular reactor (16b). The photoreactor device (10a; 10c; 10d; 10e) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the irradiation unit (18a; 18c; 18d, 18e) has a structure arranged in the reactor space (12a ; 12c; 12d, 12e) at least one internal radiating element (46a; 46c; 46d, 46e). The photoreactor device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer unit (20a; 20b; 20c; 20d; 20e) has at least one transfer pump ( 48a; 48b; 48c; 48d; 48e). In particular, a photoreactor device (10d) according to any one of the preceding claims, said photoreactor device (10d) having at least one reactor vessel (14d) for containing at least one medium, having At least one tubular reactor (16d) of the medium, having at least one irradiation unit (18d) for irradiating the reactor vessel (14d) and the medium in the tubular reactor (16d), and having a continuous The transfer unit (20d) continuously exchanges the medium between the reactor vessel (14d) and the tubular reactor (16d) during operation. A method for operating a photoreactor device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e) in particular according to any one of claims 1 to 13, said photoreactor device having a means for receiving at least one medium At least one reaction space (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d; 12e) and at least one irradiation unit (18a; 18b; 18c; 18d; 18e) for irradiating the medium, characterized in that the medium is irradiated from the outside There is continuous feeding into the reaction vessel (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d; 12e) and medium is continuously removed from the reaction vessel (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d; 12e) to the outside. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the medium is continuously guided through at least one area (50a; 50b; 50c; 50d) irradiated by means of the irradiation unit (18a; 18b; 18c; 18d; 18e); 50e).