WO2009096773A1 - Procédé de fabrication d'un élément de réacteur d'un photo-bioréacteur, photo-bioréacteur et élément de réacteur destiné à celui-ci - Google Patents

Procédé de fabrication d'un élément de réacteur d'un photo-bioréacteur, photo-bioréacteur et élément de réacteur destiné à celui-ci Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009096773A1
WO2009096773A1 PCT/NL2008/050061 NL2008050061W WO2009096773A1 WO 2009096773 A1 WO2009096773 A1 WO 2009096773A1 NL 2008050061 W NL2008050061 W NL 2008050061W WO 2009096773 A1 WO2009096773 A1 WO 2009096773A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sheet
reactor
reactor element
base material
side walls
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/NL2008/050061
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English (en)
Inventor
Marco Van De Ven
Johannes Maria Franciscus Van De Ven
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ALGAELINK NV
Original Assignee
ALGAELINK NV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ALGAELINK NV filed Critical ALGAELINK NV
Priority to PCT/NL2008/050061 priority Critical patent/WO2009096773A1/fr
Publication of WO2009096773A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009096773A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • C12M27/00—Means for mixing, agitating or circulating fluids in the vessel
    • C12M27/02—Stirrer or mobile mixing elements
    • C12M27/04—Stirrer or mobile mixing elements with introduction of gas through the stirrer or mixing element
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • C12M23/18—Open ponds; Greenhouse type or underground installations
    • 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
    • C12M23/26—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges flexible

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a reactor element for receiving a mixture of liquid and phototropic organisms, including (but not limited to) (micro-) algae, the reactor element being part of a photo bioreactor.
  • the invention also relates to a reactor element for a photo bioreactor and to photo bioreactor comprising a plurality of reactor elements.
  • Photo bioreactors are reactors in which phototropic micro-organisms, such as
  • microalgae and bacteria can be cultivated.
  • the micro-organisms are mixed with a liquid, for example water, and introduced into the reactor.
  • CO 2 carbon dioxide
  • photosynthesis takes place on account of the light coming into the bioreactor.
  • various useful substances biomass are produced carbon dioxide in energy-rich compositions. It has been known for some years that it is potentially possible to produce biomass by means of photosynthesis techniques.
  • bioreactors of the open and of the closed type there are two known basic types of photobioreactors, i.e. bioreactors of the open and of the closed type. Closed photobioreactors are reactors which reduce the exchange of gases, water and contaminants between the culture and the environment, whereas in the case of open photobioreactors (also referred to as "open pond” systems) the culture is directly exposed to the outside air.
  • open photobioreactors also referred to as "open pond” systems
  • drawbacks associated with this type of bioreactor One of the most important drawbacks is the influence of the environment on the culture, such as the influence of temperature fluctuations, contamination of (and from) the air, etc.
  • a particularly effective design for such bioreactors uses a number of elongate tubes in which the organisms (usually algae cells), nutrients, liquid (usually water) and carbon dioxide are circulated, in which case the tubes are transparent in order to maximize the amount of light which reaches the algae.
  • a non-transparent feed tank is also provided which ensures that the algae are also subjected to a so-called dark phase in order to stimulate the more complex protein- forming function of the algae.
  • a stream of nutrients and carbon dioxide is supplied during the dark phase of this process.
  • the biomass produced by the bioreactor is removed and processed further.
  • the biomass can be processed in many different ways, depending on the final application. One important application is the conversion of the biomass into biodiesel.
  • biomass is first dried, for example by first centrifuging it and then allowing it to dry further.
  • the dried biomass is then pressed, which inter alia results in algae oil.
  • This algae oil can be used for producing biodiesel. It is desirable to design reactor elements with a minimal size. It is known that light which enters a reactor element has a specific depth of penetration. The depth of penetration may, for example, be 40 cm. It is then possible to reactor element that receive a mixture of liquid and phototrophic organisms that is 50 cm or 60 cm in depth. Causing the liquid with organisms in the reactor elements to flow allows them to mix and allows the algae present in the liquid to be exposed to light repeatedly. Closed tubular systems for photobioreactors are costly.
  • the costs for manufacturing the tubes and transporting the tubes to the site where the bioreactor is to be positioned are high. Furthermore, the tubular system needs a specially designed support order to obtain a stable position on the surface of the site.. Further still the time needed for deploying a closed tubular system for for example a one hundred ton production facility is considerable, for instance six months or more.
  • the sheet of base material is provided as a roll, preferably having the sheets of base material wound around a reel. Placing the base material then comprises at least partly unrolling the roll of base material on the surface of the site.
  • the walls After unrolling the sheet, the walls are arranged in upright position to form a receptacle for the mixture.
  • the reactor element may be manufactured in a time and costs efficient manner.
  • the transport costs for transporting the base material to the site may be reduced as well. Transport of large rolls of material, comprising for example five hundred meters of sheet of material, are relatively low. Further a roll of material is easily to handle.
  • the reactor elements may be formed by positioning the roll at a desired location on the site for forming the reactor element and unwinding the sheet from the roll by rolling the roll with material from a starting point to an end point wherein the reactor element is to be formed in between these two points. Unwinding the material from the roll is combined with placing the reactor element to be formed at a desired surface or location at the site.
  • a suitable length of sheet of material can be taken, for example by cutting, from the roll of material allowing to obtain a reactor element of suitable length at the site.
  • Use of a roll of material has the further advantage of providing a continuous sheet of material that can be cut to a suitable length.
  • the sheet may be an integral piece of material. Costs for e.g. welding different parts together for forming the elongate reactor element are dispensed with or at least may be kept low.
  • the site may be of a type that has been prepared for positioning a photobioreactor, for example by levelling the surface thereof.
  • the roll On top of the levelled surface the roll may be positioned, and a sheet of material may be unwound from the roll in order to obtain a desired length for the reactor element to be formed.
  • the method according the invention allows the positioning of a large piece of material suitable for forming a reactor element at a site, and in particular forming the reactor element at the desired position at the site.
  • a suitable base material for the reactor element may be a plastic, such as polypropylene, preferable high density polypropylene.
  • the polypropylene may have a thickness of 1 mm up to 5 mm, preferably 1.2 mm to 2.5 mm.
  • Other suitable materials for instance metals, such as aluminium, and other suitable thicknesses are also conceivable.
  • the length of the reactor element formed using a length of sheets unwound from the roll are generally the same. This allows obtaining reactor elements of considerable length, for example 20 meters, preferably 50 meters of a 100 meters or more from a single sheet of material.
  • the sheet of base material is formed by extruding the base material. Extrusion of the sheet allows the formation of the sheet at a suitable thickness for each site and preferably allows the extrusion of functional details.
  • the sheet of material is at least 50 cm wide and preferably at least 50 m long.
  • the surface of the base material have any suitable colour, but preferably is white or black.
  • the reactor element by at least forming a bottom part and an upwardly extending part of the reactor element from the sheet.
  • the bottom part and side wall are formed from an integral piece of sheet.
  • the sheet of material for the reactor element can be positioned directly on surface, preferably the levelled surface of the site and at least apart of the sheet forms the upwardly extending part of the reactor. This can be a side wall of the reactor element.
  • the different parts of the reactor element are formed from an integral piece of material transported to the site in one piece on the roll. It is preferred to form the reactor element by at least bending, for instance by folding, the sheet.
  • the method according to further embodiments comprises bending (folding) the sheet after it has been positioned at the site from the roll. Bending at the site according to the invention allows the use of an integral piece of material, the sheet of base material, for forming at least two parts, preferably three parts of the reactor element having different functions, such as the bottom part for supporting the mixture of liquid and phototrophic organisms, and side walls for forming a receptacle for holding the mixture.
  • At least one of the edge portions is formed by a strip extending longitudinally along the central portion of the sheet of base material, so that the strip when arranged in an upright position, forms a longitudinal side wall of the reactor element.
  • two longitudinal side walls are formed by strips extending longitudinally along the central portion, the longitudinal walls being connected by at least one, but in many cases two opposite end walls formed by strips extending transversely along the central portion of the sheet of base material and being arranged in the upright position. In this way an inner space may be defined in which the mixture may be caused to flow.
  • Arranging the edge elements in an upright position may be performed by properly bending the sheet of base material.
  • bending of the sheet involves folding the sheet along at least one folding line provided in the sheet.
  • the sheet of material is formed having a fold in the sheet in the direction of extrusion (i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the sheet, or in the winding direction of the sheet when it is provided on a roll). The fold will allow the folding of at least a longitudinal part of the sheet.
  • a bottom part may be formed of the reactor element, and on the other side of the fold a side wall may be formed that can extend upwardly from the bottom part for forming the receptacle for holding a mixture of liquid and phototrophic organisms. This allows the use of relatively stiff materials for the sheet, for example the plastic material mentioned earlier.
  • the steps of forming the sheet and providing the fold(s) therein may be performed at the manufacturing plant for production of the sheets and these steps may be carried out before winding the sheet onto the reel and or transporting the sheet to the site. These steps are a part of the prefabrication phase of the sheet. By adjusting steps in the pre fabrication of the sheets, considerable costs can be saved when manufacturing the reactor element at the site.
  • a part of the sheet can be folded along the length of the sheet, and the sheet can be wound, in the folded condition, upon the reel to form the roll that is transported to the site for forming the reactor element.
  • the folded part is folded over 180 degrees on top of the part of the sheet that is not folded. This allows the transport of a folded sheet to the site.
  • a double folded winding the sheet onto the reel. The roll with preformed folded parts can be transported to the site and can be unwound for forming the reactor element. Especially the upwardly extending portion of the reactor element may be pre- folded.
  • the folded portion(s) of the sheet are folded back partly, preferably to an upwardly extending position from the bottom part, to form the side (end) walls of the reactor element.
  • the sheet is kept in a substantially flat condition and in this condition is wound upon the reel.
  • Connecting the walls may be performed by folding the corner part of the edge portion and end portion of the sheet of base material and by attaching the corner part to either of the portions, for instance by riveting, gluing, clamping, etc. Connecting the walls in this way is fast and efficient and moreover provides for a watertight (mixture tight) coupling between the walls.
  • a further benefit is that by connecting one or more side walls to an end wall, the walls may be maintained in a generally upright position, in some embodiments even without any additional stabilizing support elements. In other embodiments one or more support elements are provided to keep the walls of the reactor element in the generally upright position, not only when the bioreactor is empty, but also when it is filled with the mixture of liquid and phototropic organisms.
  • an elongated support element connecting two opposing side walls of the reactor element In situations wherein providing a further support element is contemplated, use may be made of an elongated support element connecting two opposing side walls of the reactor element.
  • the support element has a length generally corresponding to the width of the bottom part and is attached to the upper edges of both side walls.
  • the strengthening or connecting element can also be a functional element such as a roof construction.
  • the roof may be attached to the side walls (possibly also to the end wall(s)) and as such provides for a support and stabilization of the walls.
  • Another benefit is that the roof construction enables the bioreactor to be a closed system allowing an improved control of bioreactor parameters such as temperature, inflow of CO 2 or nitrogen, light, pH, etc.
  • At least two reactor elements are formed from the sheets, and these reactor elements are positioned abreast.
  • the material can be unwound directly abreast an already reactor element, and this will allow obtaining a closely pact system of reactor elements.
  • the side walls are positioned in abutment with each other. There is no or little space in between the abutting reactor elements. The site is now used to maximum extent.
  • the method according to another embodiment comprises connecting the two abreast reactor elements by removing (including bending or folding down) part of the abutting side walls. This will create an opening between the two reactor elements allowing a flow of the mixture containing the phototrophic organisms between the at least two reactor elements.
  • a flow guiding element for instance a flow guiding wall is provided for guiding the circulation of the fluid.
  • the flowing guide elements preferably positioned close to the end part.
  • Such a flow guiding element may reduce friction caused by the change of direction of the flow at the connecting end.
  • a guide element may take a curved shape to provide for a smooth flow of the mixture.
  • a reactor element for receiving a mixture of liquid and phototropic organisms, especially (micro-) algae is provided, the reactor element being made of a sheet of base material, the sheet comprising edge portions and a central portion formed between the edge portions, wherein in use the central portion forms the bottom of the reactor element and the side portions extend in a substantially upright position so as to form the side walls of the reactor element.
  • the reactor element may use a single sheet of material for forming both the bottom part and one or more reactor element walls. At the construction site of the reactor elements, this construction will results in costs and time savings, since the two parts do not have to be connected, e.g. welded together, anymore.
  • the reactor element comprises two upwardly extending sidewalls each connected by a fold to the bottom part.
  • the fold allows on the one hand the forming of an integral sheet comprising both the bottom part and the sidewalls, and allows on the other hand forming the sidewalls obliquely or perpendicular with respect to the bottom part.
  • the fold may be prefabricated, reducing the amount of work at the site of manufacturing.
  • the reactor element comprises one reinforcing element for reinforcing the upwardly extending sidewalls in the upward position.
  • This can be an anchoring element or an L-shaped hook that can be positioned at intervals over the length of the reactor element on the external or internal sides of the upwardly extending sidewalls.
  • the upwardly extending sidewalls are connected with a device located at a distance from the bottom part. This allows the reactor element to locally attain a cross section with a substantially tubular shape, which improves the structural strengthening properties of the reactor element.
  • the reinforcing element is a part of a roof construction of the reactor element. This allows not only formation of a closed system for cultivation of photo trophic organisms, but the arrangement is also strengthening.
  • the support element is a flow device for generating a flow of liquid in the reactor element, wherein the flow device can be positioned over the upwardly extending sidewalls.
  • the flow device is modular flow device.
  • the flow device acts as a clamp surrounding the upwardly extending sidewalls, and can also provide circulation in the mixture of phototrophic organisms received in the reactor element. It is preferred to connect at least two reactor elements to each other and having the two reactor elements positioned in an arrangement of abutting sidewalls of the reactor elements. A mixture received in between the sidewalls in a reactor element will exert an outwardly directed force on the sidewall, but according to this embodiment, these outward forces are kept t a minimum because of counter force from the abutting other side wall.
  • the outward or external sidewalls of the arrangement of reactor elements can still be provided with a extra strengthening device.
  • At least two reactor elements are connected to each other by a passage formed by removing a part of the respective sidewalls.
  • the passage allows the flow or circulation of the mixture of phototrophic organisms from the one reactor element to the other reactor element.
  • a part of the sidewall can be removed for forming the passage by pending the sidewall 90 degrees towards the bottom part, locking the removed part of the sidewall to the bottom part and providing a watertight sealing between the connecting parts of the reactor elements.
  • the reactor element comprises a flow guiding element for guiding the mixture flow.
  • the flow guiding element is preferably arranged in a corner of the reactor element so as to provide for a smooth circulation of the mixture (and the phototropic organisms), for instance from one reactor element to another reactor element through the passage defined between the elements.
  • the reactor element comprises at least two flow devices for creating a flow of liquid in the photobioreactor comprising multiple reactor elements, wherein the flow devices are connected to each other by linked axle.
  • FIG. 3 A a schematic view in cross-section of a sheet of base material according to an embodiment of the invention
  • - Figure 3 A a schematic view in cross-section of a sheet of base material according to an embodiment of the invention, in initial condition
  • FIG. 3B a schematic view in cross-section of a sheet of base material according the embodiment of figure 3 A, in a condition with the longitudinal edges arranged in a first upright position
  • - Figure 3C a schematic view in cross-section of a sheet of base material according the embodiment of figure 3 A, in a condition with the longitudinal edges arranged in a second upright position;
  • FIG. 3D a schematic view in cross-section of a sheet of base material according to another embodiment of the invention, in initial condition
  • - Figure 3E a schematic view in cross-section of a sheet of base material according the embodiment of figure 3D, in a condition with the longitudinal edges arranged in a first upright position
  • Figure 3F a schematic view in cross-section of a sheet of base material according the embodiment of figure 3D, in a condition with the longitudinal edges arranged in a second upright position;
  • FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of a reactor element.
  • FIG 1 shows a photobioreactor 1 for the producing of microalgae such as blue- green algae and green algae.
  • Microalgae are microscopic, single-cell plants which grow in a liquid environment.
  • algae use light and specific nutritive substances, chiefly carbon dioxide, soluble nitrogen compounds and phosphate.
  • For the required light in practice daylight is generally used, although artificial light can replace or supplement daylight.
  • a small quantity of the microorganisms are mixed with the liquid, for example water, in particular fresh water or seawater. The organisms thrive in this aqueous environment. If use is made of microalgae which utilize the available light and the nutritive substances extremely efficiently, these algae can grow two to more than five times more rapidly than traditional agricultural crops.
  • FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a photobioreactor 1 in accordance with the invention.
  • the photobioreactor comprises a plurality of reactor elements 2-2 VI arranged next to each other and forming a receptacle for a mixture of liquid (for instance water) and phototropic organisms.
  • a mixture of liquid for instance water
  • phototropic organisms for instance water
  • the mixture has not been depicted in the figures. In use the mixture will be present (at a liquid level (height) of typically 20-30 cm above the bottom of the reactor element). Also for clarity reasons only a part of the bioreactor is shown.
  • the end portions of the reactor elements shown in figure 1 are in fact connected to further reactor elements (shown partly in dotted lines) so that a flow space for the mixture is present forming a closed loop. The mixture therefore is able to circulate along the reactor elements of the bioreactor.
  • Reactor element 2 IV is connected to a line 10 which in turn is connected to a feed barrel 11.
  • a feed barrel 11 In the embodiment shown use is made of one single line for output and input of mixture from and to the feed barrel 11. In other embodiments use is made of separate input and output lines.
  • the feed barrel 11 is non-transparent, so the algae located therein are not exposed to daylight. In the feed barrel 11 , the mixture of algae and liquid undergoes the aforementioned "dark phase".
  • the feed barrel 11 comprises a number of sensors (not shown) and sensors for measuring the temperature, the electrical conductivity, the pH and the level of the mixture in the barrel.
  • control unit determines, based on the specific sensor values, whether the algae in the feed barrel 11 require additional nutritive substances and/or carbon dioxide to improve the growth of the algae. If additional nutritive substances and/or carbon dioxide are necessary, the control unit operates one or more pumps provided in a housing 12. The pumps may regulate respectively the pH of the mixture in the feed barrel 11 and the level of the nutritive substances. The harvesting pump regulates the flow to a filter system (not shown).
  • a bioreactor element 2 may be manufactured in the following way. Using standard transport means, for instance a truck, one or more rolls 14 (cf. figure 2) of sheet base material is supplied and positioned on the surface (S) of the area or site where the bioreactor is to be provided. The sheet is positioned by unwinding the roll 14 until the desired length of the reactor element is reached. The unwound sheet is then cut from the roll and the roll is transported to another position to place a further piece of sheet material on the surface (S) to manufacture the next reactor element, for instance the element 2 1 parallel to the first reactor element 2.
  • standard transport means for instance a truck
  • one or more rolls 14 (cf. figure 2) of sheet base material is supplied and positioned on the surface (S) of the area or site where the bioreactor is to be provided.
  • the sheet is positioned by unwinding the roll 14 until the desired length of the reactor element is reached.
  • the unwound sheet is then cut from the roll and the roll is transported to another position to place a further piece of sheet material
  • the sheet of base material comprises a central portion 4 and two edge portions 5 and 6 along the longitudinal edges of the sheet.
  • the central portion 4 is integrally formed with edge portions 4,5.
  • a folding line 12,12 is present, as can be derived from figures 2 and 3 A.
  • the edge parts 5,6 are folded upwardly along the folding lines 12,13 to the position shown in figure 3B (angle ⁇ between 20 and 160 degrees, preferably between 70 and 110 degrees, most preferably about 90 degrees, as shown in figure 3C).
  • the folded edge parts 5,6 may form the side walls of the reactor element 2.
  • the sheet base material has been wound upon a reel in a folded situation, i.e.
  • Figure 3D shows the sheet base material just after it has been unloaded from the means of transport and has been placed at the proper position on the surface (S) of the site.
  • S surface
  • One of the advantages of transporting the sheet on a roll in a folded position is that the width of the roll can be reduced.
  • the edge portions 5,6 may be folded back to an upright position, as for instance is shown in figures 3E and 3F.
  • a further edge portion 7, extending transversely to the longitudinal edge portions 5,6, may be formed at the begin portion and end portion of the sheet. Between the edge portion 7 and the central portion 4 a folding line 9 is formed. Edge portion 7 may be folded upwardly or downwardly (in the orientation shown in figures 4B-4E). In practical situations the edge portion will be folded upwardly since the central portion has been placed on the surface of the site. However, for easy of description the orientation is different in figures 4B-4E.
  • the corner portion 8 between the edge portion 7 and a edge portion 5 or 6 is provided with further folding lines 30, 31 and 32, so that at the corners the side portions may be connected easily and firmly to one another, as is shown in figures 4C-4E.
  • the described connection between the longitudinal edge portions 5,6 and the transversal portion 7 can be made watertight.
  • Figure 5 shows a cross section of a further reactor element 42.
  • the reactor element 42 according extends in a longitudinal direction and is formed from a elongated sheet.
  • the sheet is formed into a receptacle having a bottom part 43 positioned on a levelled surface 44 at a site for a bioreactor.
  • Upwardly extending walls 45,46 are formed from the sheet by bending the side panels of the sheet upright under an angle of approximately 90 degrees as shown in the cross section.
  • the plastic sheet can be any suitable plastic, such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or metal, for instance aluminium.
  • FIG. 5 shows the level 47 of the surface of the mixture contained in the reactor element 42.
  • the level 47 can be 15 cm - 60 cm, preferably approximately 25-40 cm, from the bottom part 42.
  • the side panels 45,46 can have a length of approximately 10 cm higher than the surface 47.
  • the cross section of the reactor element 42 is such that it allows for a proper circulation of the mixture.
  • FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the invention of the so called closed system type.
  • a roof construction 49 is arranged over the open side of the reactor element 42 formed from a sheet.
  • the roof construction 49 comprises according to this embodiment a polycarbonate sheet having at least three bending points 35-37.
  • a sheet of transparent material is transported to the site and is formed according to the cross section as shown in Figure 5. At least three longitudinal folds are formed in order to obtain the cross section according to figure 5. This allows the formation of a roof having a top ridge 36 and two lateral extending roof parts 50,51 towards side folds 35,37.
  • This closed system gives protection to the mixture contained in the reactor element 42 from precipitation and other external influences.
  • a side panel extends toward the surface 44 having two anchoring parts 53,54 formed at the ends.
  • a suitable anchor can be used to obtain a rigid ground connection to the surface 44. This secures the roof construction 49 to the ground.
  • a further connection 38 can be formed in order to connect the roof construction 49 to the sheet, in particular to the side panels 45,46.
  • a suitable connection such a penetrating connection including a bold or other suitable connector can be used to form a secure connection.
  • the weight of the reactor element 42 can be used to secure the roof construction against storms.
  • FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a further embodiment.
  • Reactor element 60 comprises a single sheet for integrally forming a closed system for a photo bioreactor.
  • Two side panels 62,63 of the sheet adjacent to the central bottom part 61 are bended towards each other over an angle of more than 90 degree and are connected to each other using a suitable connector 64 connecting the end part 65 of the sheet. If a more flexible material is used for the sheet the triangular form according to the cross section could be lost, without losing the benefits of the invention.
  • a sheet of transparent material is used for forming the reactor element.
  • FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a reactor element 67.
  • the side wall 70 of the receptacle 69for receiving the phototrophic mixture are formed from parts of a sheet more internal to the middle of the sheet forming the bottom part 68. Further side walls 70 can be secured to the ground using the outside flap 71.
  • the corners in the flow space of the reactor elements is provided with a plurality of curved guiding walls 15. The curvature of the guiding walls 15 is set so as to ensure a smooth flow of the mixture from one reactor element to the other.
  • the reactor elements 2 and 2 ⁇ have been provided with a number of rotating blades 22 of pumps 20 arranged in a housing 21 and driven by an electric motor.
  • the rotating blades cause the mixture to flow in a desired direction.
  • the housing 21 is arranged between the side walls of the abutting reactor elements and function as support elements for keeping the side walls in the upright position.
  • the pump provided in the first reactor element 2 is driven directly by an electric motor (not shown) in the housing, while the pump in the further reactor element 2 ⁇ is driven by a common axle 23 connected between both pumps 20. Also the axle 23 will maintain a fixed distance between the housings and as a consequence will support the support function of the housing.
  • the passages between neighbouring reactor elements may formed by folding down parts of the side walls (cf. the side walls between reactor elements 2 and 2 1 ) or by completely removing parts of the side walls (cf. the side walls between reactor element 2 1 and 2 ⁇ ).

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  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
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  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé de fabrication d'un élément de réacteur pour recevoir un mélange de liquide et d'organismes phototropes, comprenant les étapes consistant à : fournir un feuillet d'un matériau de base pour l'élément de réacteur, le feuillet ayant des parties latérales (5, 6) et une partie centrale (4) formée entre les parties latérales ; placer le feuillet du matériau de base sur la surface du site où le bioréacteur doit être placé de sorte que la partie centrale forme le fond de l'élément de réacteur ; disposer les parties latérales du feuillet du matériau de base dans une position essentiellement verticale, de sorte que les parties latérales forment les parois latérales de l'élément de réacteur. L'invention concerne également un élément de réacteur fabriqué à partir d'un feuillet de matériau de base, le feuillet comprenant des parties latérales et une partie centrale formée entre les parties latérales, la partie centrale pendant l'utilisation formant le fond de l'élément de réacteur et les parties latérales s'étendant en une position essentiellement verticale de sorte à former les parois latérales de l'élément de réacteur.
PCT/NL2008/050061 2008-02-01 2008-02-01 Procédé de fabrication d'un élément de réacteur d'un photo-bioréacteur, photo-bioréacteur et élément de réacteur destiné à celui-ci Ceased WO2009096773A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/NL2008/050061 WO2009096773A1 (fr) 2008-02-01 2008-02-01 Procédé de fabrication d'un élément de réacteur d'un photo-bioréacteur, photo-bioréacteur et élément de réacteur destiné à celui-ci

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/NL2008/050061 WO2009096773A1 (fr) 2008-02-01 2008-02-01 Procédé de fabrication d'un élément de réacteur d'un photo-bioréacteur, photo-bioréacteur et élément de réacteur destiné à celui-ci

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WO2009096773A1 true WO2009096773A1 (fr) 2009-08-06

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013022670A1 (fr) * 2011-08-05 2013-02-14 Joule Unlimited Technologies, Inc. Photobioréacteurs flexibles, systèmes et procédés
US8809037B2 (en) 2008-10-24 2014-08-19 Bioprocessh20 Llc Systems, apparatuses and methods for treating wastewater

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2732663A (en) * 1956-01-31 System for photosynthesis
US5988422A (en) * 1998-07-16 1999-11-23 Stedim, Z.I. Des Paluds Sachets for bio-pharmaceutical fluid products
WO2001026452A1 (fr) * 1999-10-11 2001-04-19 Michael Connolly Aquaculture

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2732663A (en) * 1956-01-31 System for photosynthesis
US5988422A (en) * 1998-07-16 1999-11-23 Stedim, Z.I. Des Paluds Sachets for bio-pharmaceutical fluid products
WO2001026452A1 (fr) * 1999-10-11 2001-04-19 Michael Connolly Aquaculture

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8809037B2 (en) 2008-10-24 2014-08-19 Bioprocessh20 Llc Systems, apparatuses and methods for treating wastewater
WO2013022670A1 (fr) * 2011-08-05 2013-02-14 Joule Unlimited Technologies, Inc. Photobioréacteurs flexibles, systèmes et procédés

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