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WO2009051480A2 - Procédé permettant le transport de composants de réacteur d'un photobioréacteur, procédé permettant la production de tubes et de composants de réacteur, ainsi que l'application de ces procédés à la construction d'un photobioréacteur, et matériau de base et composants de réacteur destinés à un photobioréacteur, avec un photobioréacteur - Google Patents

Procédé permettant le transport de composants de réacteur d'un photobioréacteur, procédé permettant la production de tubes et de composants de réacteur, ainsi que l'application de ces procédés à la construction d'un photobioréacteur, et matériau de base et composants de réacteur destinés à un photobioréacteur, avec un photobioréacteur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009051480A2
WO2009051480A2 PCT/NL2008/050651 NL2008050651W WO2009051480A2 WO 2009051480 A2 WO2009051480 A2 WO 2009051480A2 NL 2008050651 W NL2008050651 W NL 2008050651W WO 2009051480 A2 WO2009051480 A2 WO 2009051480A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
base material
site
photobioreactor
reactor
eyes
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/NL2008/050651
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2009051480A3 (fr
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
Publication of WO2009051480A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009051480A2/fr
Publication of WO2009051480A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009051480A3/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
    • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/52—Mobile; Means for transporting the apparatus
    • 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
    • C12M23/06—Tubular
    • 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
    • C12M23/46—Means for fastening

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for the transportation of reactor components for a photobioreactor to a site. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the on-site construction of a photobioreactor for the production of phototropic organisms, especially (micro)algae. The invention also relates to a method for the construction of a system of tubes on site. The invention also relates to a base material for a reactor component and to a finished reactor component formed, as well as to a photobioreactor constructed from such reactor components. Photobioreactors are reactors in which phototropic microorganisms, such as
  • microalgae and bacteria can be cultured.
  • the microorganisms are mixed with a liquid, for example water, and introduced into the reactor.
  • the growth of the organisms in the reactor is stimulated by the addition of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), as a result of which photosynthesis takes place under the influence of the light entering the bioreactor.
  • CO 2 carbon dioxide
  • carbon dioxide is retrieved from the air and is produced in energy-rich compositions of various useful substances (biomass).
  • Photobioreactors of the closed type have, for example, the following advantages over the open type: better control of the microbial culture because of less external influence, a greater surface/feed ratio, better regulation of the gas transfer, better control of the light intensity, reduction of the evaporation of the medium, uniform temperature, and a better protection from external influences or contamination.
  • a particularly effective design of such bioreactors uses a number of elongated tubes in which the organisms (usually algal cells), nutrients, liquid (usually water) and carbon dioxide are circulated, these tubes being transparent in order to maximize the amount of light reaching the algae.
  • the transparent tubes there is also a non-transparent feed vessel to ensure that the algae also experience what is called a dark phase, in order to stimulate their more complex protein forming function.
  • a stream of nutrients and carbon dioxide is introduced during the dark phase of this process.
  • the biomass produced in the bioreactor is periodically removed from it and subjected to further processing.
  • the biomass can be processed in many different ways, depending on its end use. Conversion into biodiesel is an important application of biomass. For this purpose, the biomass is first dried, for example by first centrifuging and then drying it further. The dry biomass is then pressed, giving algal oil, amongst other things. This algal oil can be used to make biodiesel. It is best to make the tubular parts of a reactor component with the smallest diameter possible. It is well known that light entering a reactor element or a reactor component penetrates to a certain depth. The depth of penetration can be for example 40 cm. It is then possible to work with tubes having a diameter of 50 cm and more, preferably tubes with a diameter of 60 cm and more. The tubes have a maximum diameter of 1.40 meters and preferably 100 cm. By making the liquid present in the tubes and the algae flow together, they can be mixed and the algae present in the liquid repeatedly come into contact with light.
  • At least one of the aims of the invention is achieved by providing a method for the transportation of reactor components.
  • This relates especially to a method according to claim 1.
  • the method for the transportation of reactor components comprises the final provision of a reactor component on site, that is to say, in a geographic place or site where the photobioreactor is assembled and/or installed.
  • a reactor unit for example a set of meandering tubes, can be constructed on the site, using the reactor components.
  • the method preferably comprises the provision of a base material for the reactor components.
  • Such a base material is delivered by the manufacturer of such base materials.
  • Various kinds of base material are known for reactor components.
  • Polycarbonate is a known example.
  • suitable transparent HDPEs on the market.
  • the base material of the reactor component is transported to the site.
  • the tubular reactor component is first made and then transported to the site.
  • the construction or shaping of the reactor component preferably means the shaping of an essentially cylindrical tube from the base material.
  • the shaping is carried out on site, using the base material that has been taken there.
  • the shaping according to the invention can comprise any processing aimed at bringing the reactor component into its final form.
  • the base material can be transported to the site in its original form as a semifinished product, that is to say, not as a tube, cylinder or other form.
  • the inefficient method of transportation according to the prior art is avoided in this way.
  • the inventors have realized that the long-standing requirement of having lower transportation costs can be met if the final shaping of tubular reactor components is not carried out in the factory hall prior to transportation, but on the site, only after the transportation of the semifinished product there.
  • the transportation costs can be cut by a number of percent, in some cases by 50% or more.
  • the base material is preferably transported after stacking it, so the stacks are transported to the site and then shaped into the reactor component there.
  • the stacking of the base material considerably reduces both its volume and its transportation costs.
  • An essentially flat base material is made by preference. It is particularly advantageous to produce the base material in the form of plates. Such plates are stacked and transported to the site. The plates can lie on top of one another over a large surface area, which makes for a maximum saving of space.
  • the base material according to the invention is preferably essentially rectangular, with a longer side and a shorter side.
  • Such a form lends itself to conversion into a tube, in particular a reactor component, by bringing its longer sides together. This gives an elongated cylindrical body.
  • the shorter side will preferably form the circumference of the final tube.
  • the base material into a shape-releasable stack. Such stacks are efficient and can be easily unstacked on site.
  • partly bent plates of the base material are first stacked and then transported to the site.
  • the stacked and transported base material then has for example a V-shaped cross-section.
  • the cylindrical reactor components are made with a diameter of at least 40 cm, since this makes the invention particularly advantageous.
  • the base material preferably has a rectangular shape, with a shorter side of at least 120 cm. Li another embodiment, the shorter side is at least 130 cm and preferably at least 140 cm long.
  • the base material provided for the reactor components is at least partly transparent, in order to let daylight through.
  • a base material is suitable for forming the reactor components of a photobioreactor.
  • non-transparent and only slightly transparent base materials can be transported to the site for forming the connecting parts between the reactor components, such as connecting pieces and angle pieces. Ih one of the embodiments of the invention, these partly tubular parts are also transported to the site, not in the assembled state but as a base material, and these parts are also made on site from the base material taken to the site.
  • the invention also relates to a method for the on-site construction of a photobioreactor for the production of phototropic organisms, especially (micro)algae.
  • An embodiment of the method for the transportation of the base material for the reactor components as specified here can be employed in this method.
  • the shaped cylindrical parts of the base material are preferably treated to fix the cylindrical form permanently.
  • At least part of the photobioreactor is obtained here according to an embodiment by connecting the shaped cylindrical reactor components to form a system of tubes for the photobioreactor on site. Since the cost of transporting the tubes has been considerably reduced, the total cost of constructing such a system is also less.
  • the bioreactor is preferably further assembled on site by creating an inlet and an outlet for the liquid and/or the phototropic organisms, and by connecting this inlet and outlet to the shaped reactor components.
  • the well-known structure of the reactor can be obtained in this way while profiting from the advantages of the invention.
  • a mold is preferably made on site. This mold is used for shaping the cylindrical reactor components.
  • the base material is inserted into the mold.
  • the mold can be used for shaping the base material, especially for changing its shape, so that a cylindrical body is obtained.
  • the mold preferably has a tubular cross-section. It is possible to use a two-part mold, with the base material being placed between the two parts, and to shape the base material as these two parts are brought together. It is advantageous according to an embodiment of the invention if an essentially rectangular base material is provided, with a longer side and a shorter side. It is further advantageous here to make a tube from this base material by bringing its longer sides together. The longer sides are preferably brought together in such a way that a closed body is obtained.
  • Coupling aids can be attached to the base material in advance. These coupling aids can be attached before the base material is transported. Ia one of the embodiments, the coupling aids are attached to the base material after transportation, that is to say, on the site.
  • the longer sides are connected to each other by welding.
  • Various welding techniques can be used, depending on the nature of the base material. The expert will be familiar with the various techniques for combining materials along their longer sides and will use a suitable technique.
  • One application of the method of constructing and/or the method of transporting the tubes and reactor components comprises the attachment of some "eyes" close to at least one of the longer sides of the base material.
  • An eye in this case comprises a piece with an opening that can accommodate a rigid piece, for example a fastening piece, especially a rod.
  • the piece with the eye can be made of the same material as the base material, but in a different embodiment it can comprise another material.
  • the attachment according to the invention comprises a step for firmly combining the said piece with the material. The expert will be familiar with the various techniques.
  • the cylindrical form is fixed permanently by attaching a fastening piece, such as a rod.
  • a simple coupling aid such as a piece with an eye
  • the use of a simple coupling aid can permit a simple construction for making a cylinder from the base material and fixing its shape permanently, the cost being reduced by the production of such tubes, especially tubular reactor components.
  • the pieces with an eye can be prefabricated parts, which are combined with the base material during the process.
  • the fixing of the tubular form especially the permanent fixing of the form to obtain cylindrical reactor components from the base material, especially a base material in plate form
  • the eyes on the longer sides are placed close to one another and alternate between the two sides. These eyes are used to attach the fastening pieces, each of which combines with an eye on one of the longer sides and then with an eye on the other longer side.
  • the fastening piece is in fact threaded through the eyes. This gives a fastening that is comparable to a zipper and which can be made quickly and cheaply.
  • the eyes can be attached to or on the final outside surface of the tube or the reactor component. The eyes can protrude from this outside surface.
  • the eyes can also extend beyond a lateral edge of the longer side.
  • the eyes of the two longer sides can be pierced in such a way that each forms a through-hole, into which a straight rod can be inserted.
  • the rod can be inserted and especially pressed into the eyes. This prevents the longer sides from moving away from each other.
  • Tests have shown that this arrangement gives a tight closure and especially one that is impermeable to liquids, and is particularly resistant to the forces and pressure acting on the tube, especially the pressure of a liquid filling containing the algal mixture, which mixture is at or near normal atmospheric pressure. A pressure of two atmospheres is also possible.
  • Such a zipper-type fastening can also withstand the effects exerted by the system.
  • Such a fastening can withstand both an exposure to and a shrinking by temperature differences, without losing its watertight nature.
  • a system can thus be obtained that can be used as a photobioreactor and which can be made and/or transported at a considerably lower cost.
  • a non-rigid fastening piece such as a steel cable.
  • This cable can be threaded through the eyes and then pulled tight.
  • a zigzag pattern is used here, that is to say, the cable is alternately pushed through the eyes on the two opposite longer sides.
  • the eyes can be reinforced, for example with a bushing for guiding the cable. The cable can pull the longer sides together, thus forming a closure.
  • the coupling aids are attached to the base material by combining the eyes with the base material, which is done by the vibration of the eye or a number of eyes, preferably while placing the eyes on the plate material.
  • the base material and/or the eye itself is locally melted, and a melt bond is formed between the eye and the base material as a result of the factional contact and the heat produced here.
  • Such a bond can better withstand the effects arising during the use of the bioreactor. Furthermore, such a bond resists the forces acting on the system.
  • Such a melt bond can be brought about either during prefabrication or in a stage of activities performed on the site.
  • a collar can be prefabricated.
  • the material of the collar can be the same as that of the tube or reactor component. In one of the embodiments a different material can be used.
  • the size of the collar can be chosen according to the tube to be made, especially according to the outside diameter of the tube to be formed.
  • the collar has an inside surface that lies on the tube.
  • the inside surface can be other than round. Since the collar lies on the outside circumference of the tube, the tube cannot expand beyond the imposed outside diameter, and a closed body is obtained and retained. It is particularly advantageous to apply a collar at or near the end of the tube formed. When the collar is applied near the end, it can be used for the coupling aids. Ih particular, the collar can be fitted with openings, in which bolt-and-nut combinations can be inserted. The bolt-and-nut fittings can grip another tube's collar with openings, whereby the tubes can be combined with one another.
  • the collar can also be used to establish a connection with other tubular coupling elements, such as angle pieces, or with the inlet and outlet part of the photobioreactor.
  • welding can be used for combining the two longer sides of the base material.
  • the seam between the longer sides is filled up and used to form a weld. It is especially preferable here if the seam is welded from the inside of the cylinder formed. Welding can further strengthen the connection and give a further watertight bond.
  • the invention relates to a method for the construction of a system of tubes on site.
  • the method comprises the provision of plates of the base material for the tubes, and the transportation of the plates to the site.
  • the tubes are formed on site by shaping the plates present on the site to form a cylindrical body and by permanently fixing its cylindrical shape.
  • the resulting tubes are combined with one another, so a system of tubes is obtained on site.
  • the shaping of the tube is done on site where the system of tubes is finally installed.
  • Yet another aspect of the invention concerns the use of a method for forming a large tube, especially one with a diameter of more than 40 cm, for the construction of a photobioreactor.
  • the large tube is obtained by transporting the base material in the non-assembled form to a site, and shaping the tube for the bioreactor on site.
  • a mold is produced and used for creating the melt bond between the coupling aids and the base material for the tube, especially the base material for a bioreactor.
  • the mold according to the invention is suitable for the attachment of the coupling aids to the base material, especially because the mold can be subjected to high-frequency vibration, whereby the coupling aid and/or the base material are locally melted and a melt bond is obtained during the attachment.
  • the invention relates especially, but not exclusively, to the use of this mold on a site for a photobioreactor.
  • a base material that comprises an essentially rectangular plate and is at least partly transparent to allow daylight to enter the reactor component in order to enable the organisms in it to perform their photosynthesis
  • the plate has at least two longer sides that can be brought together to form a tube and especially an essentially cylindrical tube, and it comprises coupling aids that are mounted close to at least one of the longer sides to grip the other longer side in order to stabilize the cylindrical form.
  • a base material can be prefabricated. After fabrication but before the formation of the cylindrical form, the base material according to the invention can be transported to a site and converted there into a cylindrical body. The transportation costs are reduced. The base material according to the invention can be transported efficiently.
  • coupling aids it is preferable to attach some coupling aids to both of the longer sides. Furthermore, a number of coupling aids, alternating between the two longer sides, lie next to one another in the cylindrical form. This leads to a structure that can be likened to a zipper-type fastening. When viewed in the longitudinal direction along the seam formed between the two longer sides, the coupling aids are alternately connected now to one longer side, now to the other longer side. Such a construction is particularly suitable for the advantageous formation of a connection between these coupling aids and therefore between the longer sides of the base material lying next to each other. Owing to the zipper-type fastening, a closure is obtained at a low cost between the two sides that is in particular watertight.
  • the base material according to the invention is preferably made in the form of a releasably shaped plate.
  • the base material and the plates made of it can be effectively stacked and transported.
  • the coupling aids in the form of coupling pieces with an eye.
  • the pieces with an eye form at least one row of eyes, all lying in the same line.
  • a fastening piece can be inserted into the eyes.
  • an advantageous closure and sealing of the resulting tube are then obtained in combination with the zipper-type fastening of the coupling aids.
  • the coupling aids, especially their eyes can be fitted with a guide for the fastening pieces.
  • a reactor component for the photobioreactor according to the invention comprises a tube that is formed from a plate and is made of an at least partly transparent material to allow daylight to enter the reactor component in order to enable the organisms there to perform their photosynthesis. It is further preferable to provide the tube with a seam between the two opposite longer sides of the plate, where the coupling aids are attached close to the longer sides of the plate, and where the coupling aids can be brought into a locked state for stabilizing the cylindrical form and keeping the longer sides together.
  • the reactor component has a seam, which detracts from the ability of the reactor component to transmit sunlight, a ⁇ eactor component is obtained according to the invention that can be constructed on the site of the photobioreactor and can be efficiently transported to that site.
  • the coupling aids of the two longer sides are placed next to one another alternately on the two opposite sides, which confers a zipper-like state on the coupling aids near the seam. As a result, a cheap watertight closure is obtained.
  • the coupling aids with an eye, where the eyes of the coupling aids in the locked state lie in the same line, and a fastening piece can be inserted in these eyes.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view that shows an embodiment of a bioreactor according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of an embodiment of the base material according to the invention
  • Figure 3 shows a shaped tube that can be used as a reactor component of a bioreactor
  • Figure 4 is a diagrammatic drawing of a preferred embodiment of the method for the transportation of tubes according to the invention.
  • Figure 5 shows a detail of an eye according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 shows the welding of the seam between the longer sides
  • Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the base material according to the invention
  • Figure 8 shows the attachment of a collar around a tube
  • Figure 9 shows the shaping of a tube in a mold
  • Figure 10 shows the attachment of coupling aids to the base material
  • Figure 11 shows a double- walled version of a reactor component according to a third embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 12 shows another embodiment of a shaped tube according to the invention.
  • FIG 1 shows a photobioreactor I for the production of microalgae, such as blue-green algae or green algae.
  • Microalgae are microscopic single-cell plants that grow in a liquid medium. Growing algae make use of light and specific nutrients, mainly carbon dioxide, soluble nitrogen compounds and phosphate. Daylight is generally used in practice as the necessary light, but artificial light can be used as an alternative to daylight or in addition to it.
  • a small amount of the microorganisms is admixed to the liquid, such as for example water, especially fresh water or sea water. The organisms do well in this aqueous medium. If microalgae are used, which can utilize the available light and nutrients extremely efficiently, the growth of these algae can be at least twice as fast and even more than 5 times as fast as the growth of conventional agricultural plants.
  • the liquid in which the microorganisms are cultured can be fresh water or even saltwater.
  • water of a lower quality such as for example the effluent (waste water) from a waste water treatment plant
  • the microalgae can remove certain nitrogen compounds and phosphate from this effluent, so they need not be eliminated in the waste water treatment plant itself. This represents a saving on the cost of waste water treatment.
  • microalgae can remove certain gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NO x ), from flue gases. Flue gases can be for example a by-product of certain industrial processes in plants such as power stations. This by-product, which is in itself undesirable and unavoidable, can then be advantageously utilized for promoting the growth of microalgae.
  • the product resulting from the rapid growth of the microorganisms can be used for various purposes.
  • Certain algal varieties are suitable for example for making valuable useful products, including natural colorants, unsaturated fatty acids and other bioactive substances.
  • the biomass can be converted into biofuel, such as for example biodiesel, either directly or after the extraction of these valuable products.
  • the bioreactor 1 according to the invention shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, comprises a number or elongated tubes 4, which are essentially transparent in order to allow daylight to pass through to the reactor component 2. In order to minimize the base area needed for the tubes, they are arranged in a meandering pattern. For this purpose, they are fitted with bent coupling pieces 5 at their end.
  • the tubes 4 and the coupling pieces 5 jointly constitute a reactor component 2 of the bioreactor 1.
  • Tube 4 forms a tubular or cylindrical reactor component 4.
  • the assembled reactor component is preferably largely transparent.
  • the connecting parts are less transparent or not transparent at all.
  • the tubes 4 are arranged horizontally in this example, but different orientations, such as vertical or oblique arrangements, are equally possible for them.
  • the cross-section of the tubes can in principle have any shape, but an essentially circular or oval cross-section is preferred for them in order to be able to clean the tubes easily from the inside. This is because such tubes do not have any longitudinal edges where dirt could accumulate.
  • the tubes can have a varying diameter, but in certain specific embodiments of the invention they have a diameter of at least 30 cm or about 60 cm, but possibly even 120 cm or more.
  • the end of the reactor component 2 is fitted with connecting elements 6, 7.
  • One of the functions of these connecting elements 6,7 is to connect the reactor component 2 to the rest of the reactor.
  • the connecting elements 6,7 form part of the cleaning system according to the invention.
  • 6,7 (the connecting elements) will also denote the cleaning stations 6,7, respectively.
  • Both cleaning stations 6,7 are fitted with pipes 10.
  • These pipes 10 are also connected to a feed vessel (feed barrel) 8, in other words, there is a pipe 10 running from the cleaning station 6 to the barrel 8, and there is also a pipe 10 running from the cleaning station 7 to the same barrel 8.
  • the feed barrel 8 is not transparent, so that the algae in it are not exposed to daylight. The mixture of algae and liquid is subjected to the previously mentioned "dark phase" in the feed barrel 8.
  • the feed barrel 8 comprises a number of sensors (not shown), used for measuring the temperature, the electrical conductivity, the pH and the height of the mixture in the barrel. These sensors are connected to an electronic control unit 12, which uses the resulting sensor values to determine whether the algae in the feed barrel 8 need any extra nutrients and/or carbon dioxide in order to achieve a better algal growth. If extra nutrients and/or carbon dioxide are needed, the control unit 12 actuates one or more of the pumps 15-17. In the embodiment illustrated, there are three pumps, namely a pump 15 for regulating the acidity in the barrel 8, a pump 16 for regulating the amount of nutrients in the mixture, and a harvest pump 17 with which the algae are harvested. However, the number of pumps can vary in practice in order to be able to introduce either more or fewer different nutrients and/or gases and so promote the growth of the algae.
  • the harvest pump regulates the flow to a filter system 19, which is connected to the feed barrel 8 by a pipe.
  • the filter system 19 is intended for harvesting the algae and comprises for example a bag filter (not shown), in which the algae are collected.
  • the flow of the liquid/algal mixture is regulated with the aid of the liquid pump 9, which is connected to one of the pipes 10.
  • the liquid pump 9 can also be actuated by the control unit 12. Ih normal operation, the mixture is in most cases pumped in just one direction. This direction is indicated by the arrow (Pi) in the example illustrated in the drawings. The direction can of course be opposite to this in another example.
  • the bioreactor 1 is fitted with a cleaning system 6, 7 to be able to clean the inside of the transparent tubes 4 at certain intervals. This is an important process, because the growth of the algae depends to a large extent on the amount of light entering the reactor component 2. It may be necessary to clean the bioreactor about once every 1-2 weeks, depending on the conditions and the materials used in the bioreactor.
  • FIG. 2 shows a top view of a plate 201 for a reactor component 4, especially for a cylindrical tube 4 of a photobioreactor.
  • the plate 201 is elongated and has a rectangular form. It has two longer sides 202,203, which are to be joined together, and a circumferential side 204. The drawing shows that the sides to be joined together are shorter than the circumferential side. It will be obvious to the expert that in most cases a plate is used in the case of which the sides to be combined are longer than the circumferential side. This is indicated by a dot-dash line.
  • the plate 201 forms a base material for a reactor component of a bioreactor that is especially suitable for culturing algae.
  • the material used for this purpose is at least partly transparent, so it allows daylight to enter the reactor component in order to enable the organisms there to perform their photosynthesis.
  • An example of the material in question is transparent polycarbonate. This material has a thickness of 0.5-8 mm especially 1-6 mm and preferably 3-5 mm.
  • the circumferential side 204 of the plate determines the size, in particular the circumference, of the finished tube to be produced.
  • This shorter side 204 is preferably at least 120 cm long. This gives a tube with a final diameter of at least 40 cm.
  • Such tubes are particularly suitable for making an efficient photobioreactor, especially for making a system of tubes for such a reactor.
  • the plate is fitted with a number of coupling aids 205, a detail of which is shown in Figure 5.
  • the coupling aids are made of the same material as the plate 201 and can be permanently attached to the material with the aid of a melt bond.
  • An example of an embodiment of this method is shown in Figure 10.
  • the coupling aid according to the embodiment shown in Figure 5 comprises a base 21, with small house-like structures 22 on it, which are fitted with openings 20.
  • the base 21 is connected to the plate 1 made of the base material.
  • the structure 22 forms a coupling piece with an eye.
  • the coupling aids 205 are attached near the longer side 202,203. These coupling aids protrude beyond the edge of the long side. When the base material is bent round and the longer sides are brought together so that a tubular shape is obtained, the coupling aids extend beyond the seam formed between the two longer sides brought together. This is shown in Figure 3.
  • Figure 3 shows a tube 210 made from a plate 201.
  • the tube 210 has a cylindrical shape.
  • the length 211 of the tube 210 is the same as the length of the longer side 202,203 of the plate 201.
  • the circumference 212 of the tube is essentially identical to the length of the shorter side 204 of the plate 1.
  • the longer sides 202,203 are brought together. A seam 214 is formed between them.
  • the coupling aids according to this embodiment protrude above the seam 214.
  • the coupling aids 205a of one of the longer sides extend over the other longer side. This gives a construction in which the coupling aids lie beyond the seam, next to one another and alternating between the two sides.
  • the drawing shows two coupling aids 205b for a first side of the plate. In between, there is a coupling aid 205a that is attached to the other side.
  • the coupling aids on the two longer sides are staggered with respect to one another.
  • Figure 2 shows this with a broken line 209. As a result, the coupling aids come together like a zipper, near the seam formed.
  • the coupling aids of the two longer sides alternate with each other.
  • a fastening piece such as a rod
  • the eyes of the coupling aids lie in a line, and the straight state can be inserted.
  • Figure 2 shows that the mid-line of the eyes 20 of the coupling aids 205 near the side 203.
  • the rod is exactly on and above the edge 207 of the sides 202,203. The mid-line of the eyes 20 therefore comes to lie directly above the seam 214.
  • Tubes 210 with such a zipper-type fastening are virtually watertight as they are.
  • a tubular form is obtained where the inside of the tube is round and where it is possible to use a cleaning system such as one comprising a sponge that is passed through the tube.
  • a weld can be formed at the seam 214.
  • only a weld is applied or the weld is additional to another bond but not to the zipper-type fastening according to the invention.
  • the weld can be made from the inside of the assembled reactor component 4.
  • a robot 30, shown schematically in Figure 6, is used for making the weld in such a case.
  • the robot has an arm 31, fitted with a sensor for detecting the seam 214.
  • the robot can have its own power supply, such as a battery 33.
  • the weld can also be formed in such a way that the cylindrical form of the inside is not affected much, if at all, and the use of the cleaning system with a sponge is still possible.
  • Figure 9 shows two mold halves 40,41 and a plate material 39 in cross-section. If the plate is inserted into the first half 40 of the mold, and then the second mold half 41 is moved forward as indicated by the arrow 42, then the plate 39 can be bent around to form a tube, which can be used in a photobioreactor. This method can be used on the site 49. According to the invention, other methods can also be used to convert the base material into a tube for the photobioreactor. According to one of the embodiments, the mold halves 40,41 need not be the fully enclosing type.
  • the mold half 41 is fitted with a receptacle 44 that can accommodate the coupling aids 38, which protrude from the outside of plate 39.
  • This receptacle extends in the longitudinal direction of the mold.
  • the coupling aids protrude into this receptacle 44.
  • the eyes 20 of the coupling aids 38 can be brought to the same line, and a fastening piece can be inserted into this through-hole, so that the cylindrical shape is locked.
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic flow diagram of the transportation and the production of the tubes, especially large tubes, intended mainly for photobioreactors according to the invention.
  • a plate 50 is formed from a base material, for example according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2.
  • the plate is fabricated by a supplier or in a factory.
  • the plates are fabricated with coupling aids S.
  • the plates 50 can be stacked in a second step (2).
  • the stacked plates 51 made from the base material can be loaded on a means of transportation 52 shown schematically in Figure 4, such as a truck or a boat, or they can be transferred from one means of transportation to another several times.
  • a means of transportation 52 shown schematically in Figure 4 such as a truck or a boat, or they can be transferred from one means of transportation to another several times. This is the third step in the flow diagram shown.
  • the stacks can be transported to a site 49.
  • the broken line 53 in the flow diagram indicates some places of activity other than the site 49, shown separately from the other places.
  • the first few steps, here steps 1-3, take place off the site.
  • Step 3 ends with the provision of the base material on the site.
  • Step 4 and subsequent steps according to Figure 4 are carried out on site 49. It is on the site 49 that the photobioreactor according to the invention is finally assembled and put into operation.
  • a schematic example of the site 49 is shown in Figure 4 as step 6.
  • the base material is in plate form, as shown in Figure 4, the base material can be transported to the site without wasting much space. This is many times more efficient than the operation according to the prior art.
  • the stacks ⁇ f base material arrive on the site.
  • the material can be unstacked there. This is not shown as a separate step.
  • the prefabricated plate 50 is fitted with coupling aids 5 on the factory premises. This happens in step 1.
  • the coupling aids 5 are attached to the plates on the site after the delivery of the plates to that site. This takes place before or during step 4.
  • the releasably shaped plates made of the base material can be preferably pressed to form a tubular body in the next step 4, using a mold 54.
  • a number of mold parts 54 are used in the embodiment illustrated. A technique comparable to that shown in Figure 9 is employed by preference.
  • the tubular shape is stabilized by means of a locking action, where tube 55 is obtained as shown in step 5.
  • one or more fixing rods are introduced into the eyes of the coupling aids..
  • the final site 49 is formed by connecting the shaped tubes 55 with one another or with the aid of connecting elements 56 acting as coupling pieces.
  • a meandering structure is formed by preference.
  • the ends 58,59 of the system of tubes 57 can be connected to a control unit 60 that is shown schematically in Figure 4, and in which the inlet and outlet of algae can take place, together with measurements and the control of the algae.
  • Figure 10 shows schematically the attachment of a coupling aid 205 according toTthe embodiment illustrated in Figure 5.
  • Other coupling aids can also be placed on the base material by the technique shown in Figure 10.
  • the method illustrated in Figure 10 can be carried out on site.
  • Figure 10 shows an arm 80, which is connected in a hinged and mobile manner to a frame (not shown) via a bearing 81 as illustrated here schematically.
  • An elongated mold 82 is attached to the arm.
  • Fixing aids 5 are attached to the bottom of the mold shown in the figure.
  • the arm 80 can be moved toward the plate 1 as shown by the arrow 83.
  • the arm 80 and so the mold 82 can be vibrated, for example as shown by the arrows 84 and 85.
  • the tube 70 is kept firmly in the required form with the aid of the collar 76.
  • the tube keeps its inside diameter 74.
  • one, two or more collars are arranged around the tube 70, so that the cylindrical shape is permanently fixed.
  • no coupling aids 72 are used.
  • FIG 7 shows yet another embodiment of a plate 90.
  • the plate 90 is provided, at one of its sides, with the coupling aids 91, which are the same as the coupling aids 205 in Figure 5.
  • the coupling aids 91 are now placed near the edge 92 but at a certain distance from it
  • the edges can be brought together to form a tube similarly to the way shown in Figure 3.
  • the eyes 94 of the coupling aids 91 on the two sides do not lie in the same line here.
  • a cable can be threaded through the eyes 94, so the cable goes from the coupling aid 91a to 91b, to 91c, and so on. This gives a zigzag pattern.
  • the cable can be pulled tight. This produces a "shoelace" effect, in which the seam between the edges 92 is tightened.
  • the seam can be welded hi addition.
  • Figure 12 shows the cross-section of a base material 100 according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • the longer sides 101,102 of the base material are fitted here with hooked flanges 103,104.
  • the flange is formed on the material. This can be achieved by rolling.
  • the hooks of the long parts can grip one another. This can fix the cylindrical shape. When the tube is filled with a liquid, it will want to expand. This pressure is used for locking the hooks.
  • This embodiment is only an example of the ways of fixing the cylindrical shape.
  • FIG 11 shows an embodiment of a reactor component in a double-walled version.
  • a double-walled reactor component provides a certain insulation, especially as regards the temperature.
  • the tube 150 has a double-wall.
  • the tube 150 is made of polycarbonate or another suitable plastic and has an outer tube 151 and an inner tube 152.
  • the tubes can be assembled on site.
  • the tubes can be assembled from the same plate material.
  • two seams 153,154 can be seen.
  • the seam can be connected with each other by welding. Additional means of coupling can also be used.
  • the inner tube has a diameter that is a few centimeters, 0.5- 4 cm or more, smaller than the diameter of the outer tube 151.
  • the inner tube can therefore be accommodated in the outer tube. This can be effected during the formation of the outer tube.
  • the inner tube can be present inside the outer tube that is to be formed.
  • a spacer is inserted between the inner and outer tube in the embodiment shown.
  • the spacer is a cable or another wire 155.
  • the cable is preferably transpareEt so it can transmit visible light.
  • the cable is arranged between the outside circumference of the inner tube and the inside circumference of the outer tube. As a result, the inner tube is not in contact with the outer tube. There is a gas, especially air, between them. This provides an insulating effect.
  • the inner tube is insulated and is not in contact with the outer tube.
  • only the inner tube 152 is connected to a further coupling piece such as an angle piece at the end of the tube.
  • the angle pieces can be insulated by fitting them with an insulating layer, such as mineral wool.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé destiné au transport (DI) de pièces pour un photobioréacteur (1). L'invention concerne tout particulièrement le transport de pièces qui peuvent être transformées en des composants tubulaires du photobioréacteur. Conformément à l'invention, il est possible d'obtenir une certaine économie dans le volume des pièces transportées parce que ces pièces acquièrent leur forme cylindrique définitive sur le site. Pendant le transport, les éléments se trouvent sous une forme peu encombrante. L'invention concerne également un procédé permettant la construction de pièces particulièrement tubulaires (55) d'un photobioréacteur (1). Les étapes principales de la production, en particulier le façonnage du matériau de base (50) afin de le rendre cylindrique, ont lieu sur le site. L'invention concerne également en particulier un tube (55) pour un tel composant de réacteur (4). L'invention concerne également en particulier des aides de raccord (205,91) permettant de maintenir la forme cylindrique du composant de réacteur (4).
PCT/NL2008/050651 2007-10-15 2008-10-15 Procédé permettant le transport de composants de réacteur d'un photobioréacteur, procédé permettant la production de tubes et de composants de réacteur, ainsi que l'application de ces procédés à la construction d'un photobioréacteur, et matériau de base et composants de réacteur destinés à un photobioréacteur, avec un photobioréacteur Ceased WO2009051480A2 (fr)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2000936 2007-10-15
NL2000936 2007-10-15

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WO2009051480A3 WO2009051480A3 (fr) 2009-10-29

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012063192A3 (fr) * 2010-11-08 2012-07-19 Christoph Peppmeier Dispositif de culture pour cultures phototrophes, et son procédé de commande
EP2486790A1 (fr) * 2011-02-11 2012-08-15 LGem B.V. Procédé et bioréacteur pour la culture des micro-organismes
US8809037B2 (en) 2008-10-24 2014-08-19 Bioprocessh20 Llc Systems, apparatuses and methods for treating wastewater
WO2014133793A1 (fr) 2013-02-26 2014-09-04 Heliae Development, Llc Bioréacteur tubulaire modulaire
ES2632402A1 (es) * 2017-03-31 2017-09-12 Universidad De Jaén Fotobiorreactor autónomo

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2732663A (en) * 1956-01-31 System for photosynthesis
FR2547823B1 (fr) * 1983-06-24 1986-10-31 Commissariat Energie Atomique Paroi transparente en mousse de polyurethane contenant eventuellement des microorganismes, procede pour sa preparation et utilisation de cette paroi dans un biophotoreacteur
FR2564854B1 (fr) * 1984-05-28 1986-11-14 Commissariat Energie Atomique Photobioreacteur.
AU7681500A (en) * 1999-10-11 2001-04-23 Michael Connolly Aquaculture
DE102004030378A1 (de) * 2004-06-23 2006-02-02 Kroon, Saide Z+L Folienreaktor
US20070155006A1 (en) * 2005-12-30 2007-07-05 Alexander Levin Photobioreactor
US9637714B2 (en) * 2006-12-28 2017-05-02 Colorado State University Research Foundation Diffuse light extended surface area water-supported photobioreactor
US20080286851A1 (en) * 2007-05-14 2008-11-20 Sunrise Ridge Holdings Inc. Large-scale photo-bioreactor using flexible materials, large bubble generator, and unfurling site set up method

Cited By (12)

* 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
WO2012063192A3 (fr) * 2010-11-08 2012-07-19 Christoph Peppmeier Dispositif de culture pour cultures phototrophes, et son procédé de commande
EP2486790A1 (fr) * 2011-02-11 2012-08-15 LGem B.V. Procédé et bioréacteur pour la culture des micro-organismes
WO2012107544A1 (fr) * 2011-02-11 2012-08-16 Lgem B.V. Procédé et bioréacteur pour la culture de micro-organismes
CN103476245A (zh) * 2011-02-11 2013-12-25 L格姆有限公司 用于培养微生物的方法和生物反应器
JP2014504884A (ja) * 2011-02-11 2014-02-27 エルゲム ベスローテン フェノーツハップ 微生物を培養するための方法及びバイオリアクター
AU2012215362B2 (en) * 2011-02-11 2015-11-26 Georg Fischer Piping Systems Ltd. Method and bioreactor for the cultivation of microorganisms
US9382508B2 (en) 2011-02-11 2016-07-05 Lgem B.V. Method and bioreactor for the cultivation of microorganisms
WO2014133793A1 (fr) 2013-02-26 2014-09-04 Heliae Development, Llc Bioréacteur tubulaire modulaire
US10053659B2 (en) 2013-02-26 2018-08-21 Heliae Development Llc Modular tubular bioreactor
US10876087B2 (en) 2013-02-26 2020-12-29 Heliae Development Llc Modular tubular bioreactor
ES2632402A1 (es) * 2017-03-31 2017-09-12 Universidad De Jaén Fotobiorreactor autónomo

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