Extensible modular photobioreactor

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular photobioreactor, in particular to an artificial illumination photobioreactor suitable for a highly automatic industrial production environment, and further relates to a photosynthetic microorganism culture method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular photobioreactor, in particular to an artificially illuminated scalable modular photobioreactor suitable for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms in a highly automated industrial production environment. The photobioreactor of the present invention can achieve the highest biomass and product productivity over a long period of time, while ensuring the best biomass quality and reducing investment, maintenance and operating costs. Background Art

[0002] The main drawback of industrial flat-plate systems remains that the reactor compartments of flat-plate reactors cannot be physically designed to the required width and height without the manufacturing costs rising dramatically. To scale up the reactor volume to industrial scale, it is economically necessary to arrange many individual plates in a system network. Several reactors can be connected in series to form a modular network, for example to scale up from pre-culture to the required yield as quickly as possible or to optimize the coordination of multi-stage processes. The individual chambers of such reactors are often connected in series to form a total volume via external pipes. However, due to their design, such chambers are usually not optimally mixed to balance the concentration gradients that form during the cultivation process. Therefore, it may be necessary to monitor all individual volumes independently in order to provide the organisms with optimal growth conditions. The formation of concentration gradients and uneven distribution of microorganisms cultured in reactors is not only due to insufficient mixing, but also due to the dynamics and natural variations of biological systems, where even very small fluctuations in light or nutrient supply can lead to differences in growth and / or product formation.

[0003] A particular risk in the expansion of a flat-panel system is that if too large a production volume is chosen, contamination may result in the loss of the entire batch. Precise monitoring requires considerable effort on the part of the system operator and requires high investments in online and offline measurement technology.

[0004] Another problem is that photobioreactors that use natural sunlight to cultivate photosynthetic microorganisms require a lot of space. In order to reduce the required floor space, the light energy of artificial light sources can be used. The short commissioning time during the maintenance cycle of such systems is also a decisive factor for the good expansion of large-scale plant systems. The design of the reactor system must comply with GMP regulations, such as avoiding dead corners, residual emptying and sterilization. These issues must be constructively solved to certify the system for the requirements of industrial production environments.

[0005] When cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms, providing the organisms with sufficient light of the right quality is particularly important for the performance of the photobioreactor system. Light enters the culture volume through the reactor surface. Depending on the biomass concentration at the surface and the light intensity, a characteristic absorption curve of the impinging photons is formed throughout the depth of the volume. At very high light intensities, the photon absorption curve is divided into three regions. In the surface region, cells are irradiated with a high photon flux density, which results in photoinhibition. In the intermediate region, where the light intensity corresponds to moderate conditions, the organisms show the highest photosynthesis rate, while light limitation occurs as the cells in the depth of the reactor shade each other more. These regions change if the light intensity, biomass concentration or the geometry of the reactor cavity changes. At very high cell concentrations, the light is completely absorbed within the first few millimeters; at low cell concentrations, the light also penetrates the culture. This relationship characterizes the achievable photosynthesis rate and thus determines the overall reactor performance. The reactor is not a static system, so the cells move between the above-mentioned regions. Depending on the mixing strategy used, the cells move along a certain trajectory in the reactor, receive light pulses of a certain frequency at the surface, and then return to the shadowed area of ​​the reactor. The faster this process occurs, the more light statistically the cells receive. The cells experience a light history with a frequency that is characteristic of the system, and photokinetic energy integration occurs in all cells. From a statistical point of view, the hydrodynamic changes lead to characteristic light / dark cycles in the volume, which represent a measure of the reactor performance. This leads to two extreme cases, and depending on the organisms used, one or the other configuration of the reactor system can achieve good growth. On the one hand, the reactor has a large layer thickness and a highly structured geometry, which allows mixing by pumping or aeration, guiding the cells through the reactor along a specific light / dark trajectory under turbulent flow. This allows high biomass concentrations to be achieved. On the other hand, the layer thickness of the reactor can be greatly reduced by extreme surface area to volume ratios (O / V). Such systems are designed to process under low light conditions, with minimal cell shading during the light supply period. In this case, the light energy must be diluted accordingly over the entire surface.

[0006] This puts higher demands on photobioreactors that can be used to efficiently cultivate photosynthetic microorganisms on an industrial scale. Summary of the invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the photobioreactor in the prior art and meet the high requirements of the photobioreactor for efficiently culturing photosynthetic microorganisms on an industrial scale. In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention proposes the subject matter of the independent claim.

[0008] The present invention particularly relates to a modular photobioreactor, comprising a first end piece, a second end piece and at least one reactor compartment arranged between the first end piece and the second end piece, characterized in that the photobioreactor comprises at least two culture chambers, which are formed by shape-locking and splicing two end pieces with at least one reactor compartment, wherein the culture chambers of the photobioreactor are fluidically connected to each other, and the two end pieces and at least one reactor compartment each comprise at least one light source.

[0009] The present invention particularly relates to a modular photobioreactor, comprising a first end piece, a second end piece and at least one reactor compartment arranged between the first end piece and the second end piece, wherein the photobioreactor comprises at least two culture chambers, which are formed by shape-locking and splicing two end pieces with at least one reactor compartment, wherein the culture chambers of the photobioreactor are fluidically connected to each other, and the two end pieces and at least one reactor compartment each comprise at least one light source, and is characterized in that at least one reactor compartment has two shell pieces, which are connected to each other back to back.

[0010] According to the present invention, the scalable modular structure of the photobioreactor allows the number of reactor compartments arranged between the end pieces of the photobioreactor and the associated culture chamber to be increased or decreased as needed. The presence of at least one light source, in particular at least one artificial light source, in the two end pieces and at least one reactor compartment allows the uniform supply of light energy to the photosynthetic microorganisms in the culture chamber without being affected by sunlight. The reactor structure is compact and space-saving. The photobioreactor has an scalable modular structure, which will neither cause the reactor performance to decrease due to shading of the cultured cells, nor affect the photosynthesis performance as the number of adjacent reactor compartments increases.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first culture chamber is formed by shape-locking the first end piece with at least one reactor compartment, and the second culture chamber is formed by shape-locking the second end piece with at least one reactor compartment.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the modular photobioreactor comprises a first end piece, a second end piece and at least two reactor compartments arranged between the first end piece and the second end piece, the photobioreactor comprises at least three culture chambers, and the at least three culture chambers are formed by shape-locking and splicing two end pieces and at least two reactor compartments, wherein the culture chambers of the photobioreactor are fluidically connected to each other, and the two end pieces and the at least two reactor compartments each comprise at least one light source.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first culture chamber is formed by shape-locking the first end piece with the first reactor compartment, the second culture chamber is formed by shape-locking the first reactor compartment with the second reactor compartment, and the third culture chamber is formed by shape-locking the second reactor compartment with the second end piece.

[0014] According to the present invention, the photobioreactor is preferably arranged with at least 2, preferably at least 3, preferably at least 4, preferably at least 5, preferably at least 6, preferably at least 7, preferably at least 8, preferably at least 9, preferably at least 9, preferably at least 10, preferably at least 15, preferably at least 20, preferably at least 25 reactor compartments between the first end piece and the second end piece.

[0015] According to the present invention, the photobioreactor may also be arranged with up to 50, preferably up to 45, preferably up to 40, preferably up to 35, preferably up to 30, preferably up to 25, preferably up to 20, preferably up to 15, preferably up to 10, preferably up to 9, preferably up to 8, preferably up to 7, preferably up to 6, preferably up to 5, preferably up to 4, preferably up to 3, preferably up to 2 reactor compartments between the first end piece and the second end piece.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the photobioreactor has at least 3, preferably at least 4, preferably at least 5, preferably at least 6, preferably at least 7, preferably at least 8, preferably at least 9, preferably at least 10, preferably at least 15, preferably at least 20, preferably at least 25 culture chambers.

[0017] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the photobioreactor has at most 50, preferably at most 45, preferably at most 40, preferably at most 35, preferably at most 30, preferably at most 25, preferably at most 20, preferably at most 15, preferably at most 10, preferably at most 9, preferably at most 8, preferably at most 7, preferably at most 6, preferably at most 5, preferably at most 4, preferably at most 3 culture chambers.

[0018] According to the present invention, the photobioreactor preferably has a first end piece, a second end piece, n reactor compartments arranged between the first end piece and the second end piece, and n+1 culture chambers, wherein n≥1, preferably n≥2, preferably n≥3, preferably n≥4, preferably n≥5, preferably n≥6, preferably n≥7, preferably n≥8, preferably n≥9, preferably n≥10, preferably n≥15, preferably n≥20, preferably n≥25.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the photobioreactor of the present invention comprises a first end piece, a second end piece, n reactor compartments arranged between the first end piece and the second end piece, and n+1 culture chambers, wherein n≤50, preferably n≤45, preferably n≤40, preferably n≤35, preferably n≤30, preferably n≤25, preferably n≤20, preferably n≤15, preferably n≤14, preferably n≤13, preferably n≤12, preferably n≤11, preferably n≤10, preferably n≤9, preferably n≤8, preferably n≤7, preferably n≤6, preferably n≤5.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the modular photobioreactor comprises a first end piece, a second end piece and n reactor compartments arranged between the first end piece and the second end piece, wherein the photobioreactor comprises n+1 culture chambers, the n+1 culture chambers are formed by shape-locking and splicing two end pieces with n reactor compartments, the culture chambers of the photobioreactor are fluidically connected to each other, the two end pieces and the n reactor compartments each comprise at least one light source, wherein n≥1, preferably n≥2, preferably ≥3, preferably ≥4, preferably n≥5, preferably ≥6, preferably ≥7, preferably n≥8, preferably ≥9, preferably ≥10, preferably n≥15, preferably n≥20, preferably n≥25.

[0021] Accordingly, the present invention particularly relates to a modular photobioreactor, comprising a first end piece, a second end piece and at least n reactor compartments arranged between the first end piece and the second end piece, wherein the photobioreactor comprises at least n+1 culture chambers, and the at least n+1 culture chambers are formed by shape-locking and splicing two end pieces with n reactor compartments, the culture chambers of the photobioreactor are fluidically connected to each other, and the two end pieces and the n reactor compartments each contain at least one light source, wherein n≥1, preferably ≥2, preferably ≥3, preferably ≥4, preferably n≥5, preferably ≥6, preferably ≥7, preferably n≥8, preferably ≥9, preferably ≥10, preferably n≥15, preferably n≥20, and preferably n≥25.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, each cultivation chamber of the photobioreactor has at least one upflow zone, preferably at least two upflow zones, preferably at least three upflow zones, preferably at least four upflow zones.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, each cultivation chamber has at least one downflow zone, preferably at least two downflow zones, preferably at least three downflow zones, preferably at least four downflow zones.

[0024] Each cultivation chamber preferably has at least two upflow zones and at least two downflow zones.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, gas is introduced into at least one upflow zone of the cultivation chamber.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, at least one upstream region of the culture chamber is ventilated through a slit membrane or a perforated membrane, in particular a slit silicone membrane or a perforated silicone membrane. According to the present invention, at least one upstream region of the culture chamber can also be ventilated through a porous plastic or ceramic member. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upstream region of the culture chamber is ventilated through a common ventilation channel extending in the bottom space of each reactor compartment.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a gas mixture, in particular a CO2 / air mixture, is introduced into at least one upflow zone of the cultivation chamber.

[0028] Preferably, CO2 accounts for at least 0.5% in the gas mixture (especially in a CO2 / air mixture), preferably at least 1%, preferably at least 2%, preferably at least 3%, preferably at least 4%, preferably at least 5%, preferably at least 6%, preferably at least 7%, preferably at least 8%, preferably at least 9%.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the proportion of CO2 in the gas mixture (especially in the CO2 / air mixture) is at most 10%, preferably at most 9%, preferably at most 8%, preferably at most 7%, preferably at most 6%, preferably at most 5%, preferably at most 4%, preferably at most 3%, preferably at most 2%, preferably at most 1%.

[0030] Particularly preferably, CO2 accounts for 0.5% to 10% in the gas mixture (especially in a CO2 / air mixture), preferably 1% to 9%, preferably 2% to 8%, preferably 3% to 7%, preferably 4% to 6%.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the ventilation rate is at least 0.01 vvm (ventilation volume / medium volume / minute), preferably at least 0.025 vvm, preferably at least 0.05 vvm, preferably at least 0.1 vvm, preferably at least 0.2 vvm, preferably at least 0.3 vvm, preferably at least 0.4 vvm, preferably at least 0.5 vvm, preferably at least 0.6 vvm, preferably at least 0.7 vvm, preferably at least 0.8 vvm, preferably at least 0.9 vvm, preferably at least 1 vvm.

[0032] Preferably, the ventilation rate is at most 1 vvm (ventilation volume / medium volume / minute), preferably at most 0.9 vvm, preferably at most 0.8 vvm, preferably at most 0.7 vvm, preferably at most 0.6 vvm, preferably at most 0.5 vvm, preferably at most 0.4 vvm, preferably at most 0.3 vvm, preferably at most 0.2 vvm, preferably at most 0.1 vvm, preferably at most 0.05 vvm.

[0033] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ventilation rate is 0.01 vvm to 1 vvm (ventilation volume / medium volume / minute), preferably 0.025 vvm to 0.8 vvm, preferably 0.05 vvm to 0.6 vvm, preferably 0.1 vvm to 0.5 vvm, preferably 0.15 vvm to 0.3 vvm.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas mixture (especially CO2 / air mixture) is recirculated from the top area of ​​the photobioreactor and re-aerated to at least one upflow zone of the cultivation chamber. Particularly preferably, the recirculated gas mixture (especially CO2 / air mixture) is enriched with CO2 before re-aeration.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one downflow region of a culture chamber leads to at least one upflow region of at least one adjacent culture chamber. Particularly preferably, the downflow region of a culture chamber leads to at least one upflow region of at least one adjacent culture chamber via at least one channel.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one channel connecting at least one downflow zone of a cultivation chamber with at least one upflow zone of at least one adjacent cultivation chamber extends below at least one light source of the reactor compartment.

[0037] By connecting at least one downstream region of a cultivation chamber to at least one upstream region of at least one adjacent cultivation chamber, culture media can be exchanged between the individual cultivation chambers of the photobioreactor.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the modular photobioreactor is not provided with a pump, in particular, is not provided with a pump for mixing the culture medium. Preferably, the culture medium is mixed without active pumping.

[0039] Particularly preferably, the culture is mixed pneumatically, in particular according to the mammoth pumping principle (gas lift principle), in particular the culture is made to flow through the upstream and downstream areas of the photobioreactor. According to the present invention, the photobioreactor does not need to actively pump the culture, which is beneficial for the cultivation of shear-sensitive organisms, in particular shear-sensitive photosynthetic microorganisms. In addition, pneumatic mixing also reduces the operation, maintenance and installation costs of the photobioreactor, thereby improving the economic benefits of the photobioreactor.

[0040] The fluid connection between each culture chamber is conducive to mixing the culture in all the culture chambers of the photobioreactor. Particularly preferably, the mixing of the culture in the culture chambers that are fluidly connected to each other in the photobioreactor is pneumatically driven, especially according to the mammoth pump delivery principle (gas lift principle), that is, by introducing gas into the lower area of ​​at least one upflow zone of the culture chamber, and then the gas rises in the form of bubbles, resulting in a fluid static pressure difference, thereby causing the culture to flow upward. At this time, at least one downflow zone of the culture chamber is fluidly connected to at least one upflow zone of at least one adjacent culture chamber, so that the culture from at least one downflow zone of the culture chamber flows into the upflow zone of at least one adjacent culture chamber, so that the culture between the various culture chambers of the photobioreactor is fully mixed. This advantageously ensures uniform illumination and nutrient supply to the cultured photosynthetic microorganisms and prevents the formation of local concentration gradients in certain areas of the photobioreactor.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one light source is an LED lamp, preferably a high-power LED lamp.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one light source includes a warm white LED and / or a cold white LED, in particular, an equal proportion of warm white LEDs and cold white LEDs. Preferably, the color temperature of the warm white LED is 1500K to 4500K, preferably 1750K to 3500K, preferably 2000K to 3000K. Preferably, the color temperature of the cold white LED is 4750K to 8000K, preferably 5000K to 7000K, preferably 5250K to 6000K.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one light source comprises a warm white LED and / or a cold white LED and an additional blue LED and / or a red LED. According to the present invention, at least one light source may, for example, comprise a warm white LED, a cold white LED and a red LED. According to the present invention, at least one light source may also alternatively comprise a warm white LED, a cold white LED and a blue LED. Particularly preferably, at least one light source comprises a warm white LED, a cold white LED, a red LED and a blue LED.

[0044] Particularly preferably, the warm white LED, the cold white LED, the red LED and / or the blue LED are mounted on a common carrier, in particular a common circuit board.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one light source comprises a warm white LED, a cold white LED, a blue LED and a red LED arranged on a common carrier, in particular a common circuit board, which LEDs are preferably switchable individually or together.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one light source comprises at least 50%, preferably at least 55%, preferably at least 60%, preferably at least 65%, preferably at least 70%, preferably at least 75% of white light LEDs, in particular warm white light LEDs and cold white light LEDs. According to the invention, the ratio of warm white light LEDs to cold white light LEDs in at least one light source can be 50:50, preferably 55:45, preferably 60:40, preferably 65:35, preferably 70:30, preferably 75:25. Particularly preferably, at least one light source comprises white light LEDs, of which warm white light LEDs account for 50% to 80%, preferably 55% to 75%, preferably 60% to 70%, and cold white light LEDs account for 20% to 50%, preferably 25% to 45%, preferably 30% to 40%.

[0047] In another preferred embodiment, at least one light source comprises 0% to 25% blue LEDs and 75% to 100% red LEDs. In another embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of red LEDs to blue LEDs in at least one light source is at least 1:3, preferably at least 1:4, preferably at least 1:5, preferably at least 1:6.

[0048] Particularly preferably, the luminous efficacy of at least one light source is at least 150 lm / W (lumen / Watt), preferably at least 175 lm / W, preferably at least 200 lm / W, preferably at least 210 lm / W, preferably at least 220 lm / W, preferably at least 230 lm / W, preferably at least 240 lm / W, preferably at least 250 lm / W.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the irradiance of at least one light source is at least 50 W / m 2 (W / m2), preferably at least 75W / m 2 , preferably at least 100 W / m2, preferably at least 125 W / m 2 , preferably at least 150W / m 2 , preferably at least 175W / m 2 , preferably at least 200W / m 2 , preferably at least 225W / m 2 , preferably at least 250W / m 2 , preferably at least 275W / m 2 , preferably at least 300W / m 2 , preferably at least 325W / m 2 , preferably at least 350W / m 2 .

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the irradiance of at least one light source is at most 400 W / m 2 (W / m2), preferably up to 375W / m 2 , preferably up to 350W / m 2, preferably up to 325W / m 2 , preferably up to 300W / m 2 , preferably up to 275W / m 2 , preferably up to 250W / m 2 , preferably up to 225W / m 2 , preferably up to 200W / m 2 .

[0051] Particularly preferably, the irradiance of at least one light source is 50 W / m 2 Up to 400W / m 2 , preferably 100W / m 2 Up to 350W / m 2 , preferably 150W / m 2 Up to 300W / m 2 , preferably 175W / m 2 Up to 275W / m 2 , preferably 200W / m 2 Up to 250W / m / 2 .

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one light source is a component of an illumination surface arranged between two shell elements of the reactor compartment.

[0053] Preferably, the lighting surface between the two shells of the reactor compartment comprises at least one light source, irradiating in two opposite directions. Particularly preferably, the lighting surface between the two shells of the reactor compartment comprises at least two light sources, arranged back to back and irradiating in opposite directions. According to the invention, a cooling device can be arranged between the at least two light sources of the bright surface.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the area of ​​the illuminated surface is at least 0.5 m 2 , preferably at least 0.6m 2 , preferably at least 0.7m 2 , preferably at least 0.8m 2 , preferably at least 0.9m 2 , preferably at least 1m 2 .

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the distance between at least one light source (especially at least one light source of the lighting surface between two shell parts of the reactor compartment) and the culture chamber surface of the photobioreactor is at most 5 cm, preferably at most 4.5 cm, preferably at most 4 cm, preferably at most 3.5 cm, preferably at most 3 cm, preferably at most 2.5 cm, preferably at most 2 cm, preferably at most 1.5 cm, preferably at most 1 cm, preferably at most 0.5 cm.

[0056] Preferably, the distance between at least one light source (especially at least one light source of the illumination surface between two shell parts of the reactor compartment) and the cultivation chamber surface of the photobioreactor is at least 0.5 cm, preferably at least 0.75 cm, preferably at least 1 cm, preferably at least 1.25 cm, preferably at least 1.5 cm, preferably at least 1.75 cm, preferably at least 2 cm, preferably at least 2.25 cm, preferably at least 2.5 cm, preferably at least 2.75 cm, preferably at least 3 cm.

[0057] Particularly preferably, the distance between at least one light source (in particular at least one light source of the illumination surface between two shell parts of the reactor compartment) and the culture chamber surface of the photobioreactor is 0.5 cm to 5 cm, preferably 0.75 cm to 4 cm, preferably 1 cm to 3.5 cm, preferably 1.25 cm to 3 cm, preferably 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one reactor compartment has two shells. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one reactor compartment consists of two shells. Preferably, the two shells of at least one reactor compartment are connected to each other back to back. Particularly preferably, an illumination surface containing at least one light source in the reactor compartment is arranged between the two shells.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reactor compartment of the photobioreactor has two shells connected to each other back to back, and the illumination surface containing at least one light source in the reactor compartment is located between the two shells.

[0060] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the two shell elements of at least one reactor compartment are half shells.

[0061] Particularly preferably, the two shells (particularly the two half shells) of the reactor compartment are mirror-symmetrical to each other. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mirror surface of the reactor compartment can be located in the illumination plane between the two shells.

[0062] In another embodiment of the present invention, the two shells (in particular the two half shells) of the reactor compartment are not mirror-symmetrical.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first end piece comprises a shell, in particular a half shell. Particularly preferably, the first end piece comprises a shell (in particular a half shell) and at least one light source.

[0064] In another embodiment of the present invention, the second end piece comprises a shell, in particular a half shell. Particularly preferably, the second end piece comprises a shell (in particular a half shell) and at least one light source.

[0065] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first end piece and the second end piece each comprise a shell, in particular a half shell. Particularly preferably, the first end piece and the second end piece each comprise a shell (in particular a half shell) and at least one light source.

[0066] According to the present invention, in the assembled state of the modular photobioreactor, preferably each of the two shell elements of a reactor compartment (preferably each of the two half shells) and a shell element (preferably a half shell) of another reactor compartment or a shell element (preferably a half shell) of an end element can form a culture chamber.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cultivation chamber formed by the shell elements (preferably half shells) is sealed by a circumferential seal.

[0068] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, two end pieces and at least one reactor compartment between the two end pieces (preferably, two end pieces and n reactor compartments between the two end pieces) are horizontally juxtaposed. Particularly preferably, at least two culture chambers (especially n+1 culture chambers) are horizontally juxtaposed.

[0069] According to the present invention, in addition to the two end pieces and at least one reactor compartment, in particular in addition to the two end pieces and at least n reactor compartments, the photobioreactor preferably also comprises two end covers. Particularly preferably, the two end pieces and at least one reactor compartment (in particular the two end pieces and at least n reactor compartments) are horizontally juxtaposed and pressed together via the end covers.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the end pieces and the reactor compartments juxtaposed between the first and second end pieces are pressed together hydraulically or by screwing, preferably via cover plates at the ends.

[0071] By pressing the end pieces and at least one reactor compartment between the first end piece and the second end piece together, a closed reaction space is formed to isolate the environment. The force on the end pieces (preferably the force applied to the end pieces by the cover plate) is at least equivalent to the spring restoring force of all reactor compartments and the two end pieces.

[0072] Preferably, the height of at least one reactor compartment of the photobioreactor of the invention is at least 0.25 m, preferably at least 0.5 m, preferably at least 0.75 m, preferably at least 1 m, preferably at least 1.25 m, preferably at least 1.5 m, preferably at least 1.75 m, preferably at least 2 m.

[0073] According to a preferred embodiment, the height of at least one reactor compartment of the photobioreactor according to the invention is at most 5 m, preferably at most 4.5 m, preferably at most 4 m, preferably at most 3.5 m, preferably at most 3 m, preferably at most 2.5 m, preferably at most 2 m, preferably at most 1.5 m.

[0074] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height of at least one reactor compartment is 0.25m to 5m, preferably 0.5m to 4.5m, preferably 0.75m to 4m, preferably 1m to 3.5m, preferably 1.25m to 3m, preferably 1.5m to 2.5m.

[0075] Preferably, the height of the first and second end pieces of the photobioreactor of the present invention is at least 0.25 m, preferably at least 0.5 m, preferably at least 0.75 m, preferably at least 1 m, preferably at least 1.25 m, preferably at least 1.5 m, preferably at least 1.75 m, preferably at least 2 m.

[0076] According to a preferred embodiment, the height of the first end piece and the second end piece of the photobioreactor of the present invention is at most 5m, preferably at most 4.5m, preferably at most 4m, preferably at most 3.5m, preferably at most 3m, preferably at most 2.5m, preferably at most 2m, preferably at most 1.5m.

[0077] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height of the first end piece and the second end piece of the photobioreactor of the present invention is 0.25m to 5m, preferably 0.5m to 4.5m, preferably 0.75m to 4m, preferably 1m to 3.5m, preferably 1.25m to 3m, preferably 1.5m to 2.5m.

[0078] Preferably, at least one reactor compartment of the inventive photobioreactor has a width of at least 0.25 m, preferably at least 0.5 m, preferably at least 0.75 m, preferably at least 1 m, preferably at least 1.25 m, preferably at least 1.5 m, preferably at least 1.75 m, preferably at least 2 m.

[0079] According to a preferred embodiment, the width of at least one reactor compartment of the photobioreactor according to the invention is at most 5 m, preferably at most 4.5 m, preferably at most 4 m, preferably at most 3.5 m, preferably at most 3 m, preferably at most 2.5 m, preferably at most 2 m, preferably at most 1.5 m.

[0080] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the width of at least one reactor compartment is 0.25m to 5m, preferably 0.5m to 4.5m, preferably 0.75m to 4m, preferably 1m to 3.5m, preferably 1.25m to 3m, preferably 1.5m to 2.5m.

[0081] Preferably, the width of the first and second end pieces of the photobioreactor of the present invention is at least 0.25 m, preferably at least 0.5 m, preferably at least 0.75 m, preferably at least 1 m, preferably at least 1.25 m, preferably at least 1.5 m, preferably at least 1.75 m, preferably at least 2 m.

[0082] According to a preferred embodiment, the width of the first and second end pieces of the photobioreactor of the present invention is at most 5 m, preferably at most 4.5 m, preferably at most 4 m, preferably at most 3.5 m, preferably at most 3 m, preferably at most 2.5 m, preferably at most 2 m, preferably at most 1.5 m.

[0083] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the width of the first end piece and the second end piece of the photobioreactor of the present invention is 0.25m to 5m, preferably 0.5m to 4.5m, preferably 0.75m to 4m, preferably 1m to 3.5m, preferably 1.25m to 3m, preferably 1.5m to 2.5m.

[0084] Particularly preferably, the maximum chamber depth (especially the maximum layer thickness) of the culture chamber (especially the culture chamber formed by the two end pieces and the reactor compartment between the first end piece and the second end piece) is at least 0.5 cm, preferably at least 1 cm, preferably at least 1.5 cm, preferably at least 2 cm, preferably at least 2.5 cm, preferably at least 3 cm, preferably at least 3.5 cm, preferably at least 4 cm, preferably at least 4.5 cm, preferably at least 5 cm.

[0085] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the maximum chamber depth (especially the maximum layer thickness) of the culture chamber (especially the culture chamber formed by two end pieces and the reactor compartment between the first end piece and the second end piece) is at most 10 cm, preferably at most 9 cm, preferably at most 8 cm, preferably at most 7 cm, preferably at most 6 cm, preferably at most 5 cm, preferably at most 4.5 cm, preferably at most 4 cm, preferably at most 3.5 cm, preferably at most 3 cm, preferably at most 2.5 cm, preferably at most 2 cm, preferably at most 1.5 cm.

[0086] Particularly preferably, the cultivation chamber, in particular the cultivation chamber formed by the two end pieces and the reactor compartment between the first and the second end piece, has a non-uniform chamber depth, in particular a non-uniform layer thickness. Particularly preferably, the cultivation chamber, in particular the cultivation chamber formed by the two end pieces and the reactor compartment between the first and the second end piece, has a non-uniform chamber depth, in particular a non-uniform layer thickness, in the range of 0.5 cm to 10 cm, preferably 0.5 cm to 7.5 cm, preferably 0.5 cm to 5 cm, preferably 1 cm to 4.5 cm, preferably 1 cm to 4 cm, preferably 1.5 cm to 3.5 cm, preferably 1.5 cm to 3 cm.

[0087] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the volume of the culture chamber (especially the culture chamber formed by the two end pieces and the reactor compartment between the first end piece and the second end piece) is at least 5 liters, preferably at least 10 liters, preferably at least 20 liters, preferably at least 30 liters, preferably at least 40 liters, preferably at least 50 liters, preferably at least 75 liters, preferably at least 100 liters, preferably at least 150 liters, preferably at least 200 liters, preferably at least 250 liters, preferably at least 500 liters, preferably at least 750 liters, preferably at least 1000 liters, preferably at least 1500 liters, preferably at least 2000 liters, preferably at least 2500 liters, preferably at least 3000 liters, preferably at least 3500 liters, preferably at least 4000 liters, preferably at least 5000 liters.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the culture chamber (especially the culture chamber formed by the two end pieces and the reactor compartment between the first end piece and the second end piece) is at most 20,000 liters, preferably at most 15,000 liters, preferably at most 10,000 liters, preferably at most 7,500 liters, preferably at most 5,000 liters, preferably at most 4,000 liters, preferably at most 3,000 liters, preferably at most 2,500 liters, preferably at most 2,000 liters, preferably at most 1,500 liters, preferably at most 1,000 liters, preferably at most 750 liters, preferably at most 500 liters, preferably at most 400 liters, preferably at most 300 liters, preferably at most 200 liters, preferably at most 150 liters, preferably at most 100 liters, preferably at most 75 liters, preferably at most 50 liters, preferably at most 400 liters, preferably at most 300 liters, preferably at most 200 liters, preferably at most 150 liters, preferably at most 100 liters, preferably at most 75 liters, preferably at most 50 liters.

[0089] Particularly preferably, the volume of the culture chamber (especially the culture chamber formed by the two end pieces and the reactor compartment between the first end piece and the second end piece) is 5 liters to 20,000 liters, preferably 5 liters to 10,000 liters, preferably 10 liters to 7,500 liters, preferably 10 liters to 5,000 liters, preferably 20 liters to 2,500 liters, preferably 20 liters to 1,000 liters, preferably 30 liters to 500 liters, preferably 30 liters to 250 liters.

[0090] In another preferred embodiment, the total volume of the photobioreactor of the present invention is at least 100 liters, preferably at least 150 liters, preferably at least 200 liters, preferably at least 250 liters, preferably at least 300 liters, preferably at least 350 liters, preferably at least 400 liters, preferably at least 450 liters, preferably at least 500 liters, preferably at least 750 liters, preferably at least 1000 liters, preferably at least 2500 liters, preferably at least 5000 liters, preferably at least 7500 liters, preferably at least 10000 liters.

[0091] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the culture chamber formed by the shell (particularly the half shell) of the reactor compartment is segmented. Particularly preferably, at least one upflow zone of the culture chamber formed by the shell (particularly the half shell) of the reactor compartment is segmented.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reactor compartment (particularly the shell of the reactor compartment, preferably its half shell) is horizontally segmented in at least one upflow region, particularly in the form of horizontally stacked reactor half shells.

[0093] Particularly preferably, by horizontal segmentation of the shell (preferably half shells) of the reactor compartment, in particular in the form of horizontally stacked reactor half shells, at least one upstream region of the cultivation chamber forms a static mixer in the assembled state of the photobioreactor.

[0094] Preferably, the cultivation chamber of the photobioreactor (especially at least one upflow zone of the cultivation chamber) has at least 2, preferably at least 3, preferably at least 4, preferably at least 5, preferably at least 6, preferably at least 7, preferably at least 8, preferably at least 9, preferably at least 10, preferably at least 15, preferably at least 20, preferably at least 25, preferably at least 30, preferably at least 35, preferably at least 40, preferably at least 45, preferably at least 50, preferably at least 55, preferably at least 60 static mixers (especially stacked static mixers).

[0095] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cultivation chamber of the photobioreactor (in particular, at least one upflow zone of the cultivation chamber) has at most 100, preferably at most 90, preferably at most 80, preferably at most 70, preferably at most 60, preferably at most 50, preferably at most 40, preferably at most 35, preferably at most 30, preferably at most 25, preferably at most 20, preferably at most 15, preferably at most 10, preferably at most 9, preferably at most 8, preferably at most 7, preferably at most 6, preferably at most 5 static mixers (in particular stacked static mixers).

[0096] The present invention also relates to a photosynthetic microorganism cultivation method, comprising the following steps:

[0097] (a) providing a culture medium comprising at least one photosynthetic microorganism;

[0098] (b) providing a modular photobioreactor of the present invention;

[0099] (c) cultivating at least one photosynthetic microorganism in the modular photobioreactor of the present invention.

[0100] Another aspect of the present invention relates to use of the modular photobioreactor of the present invention for culturing photosynthetic microorganisms.

[0101] The embodiments described in conjunction with the modular photobioreactor of the present invention are also applicable, with necessary modifications, to the method for culturing photosynthetic microorganisms of the present invention and the use of the modular photobioreactor of the present invention for culturing photosynthetic microorganisms.

[0102] According to the present invention, the term "modular photobioreactor" refers to a bioreactor suitable for culturing photosynthetic microorganisms, characterized in that the bioreactor is composed of multiple components, especially two end pieces and at least one reactor compartment arranged between the two end pieces, and each component, especially each reactor compartment, can be added or reduced as needed to adjust the scale. According to the present invention, in addition to the expandable reactor volume, the "modular structure" of the photobioreactor also allows the photobioreactor to be easily assembled and disassembled during installation and maintenance. According to the present invention, the "modular photobioreactor" is specifically characterized in that it includes a first end piece and a second end piece, and each reactor compartment can be arranged between the first end piece and the second end piece. The two end pieces and the reactor compartments arranged between the end pieces are shape-locked and spliced ​​to form a culture chamber, and these culture chambers are fluidically connected to each other, so that the total volume of the photobioreactor can be adjusted and scaled by the number of reactor compartments arranged between the two end pieces.

[0103] According to the present invention, the term "Cultivation Chamber" refers to a space defined by walls in the modular photobioreactor of the present invention, the volume of which is suitable for accommodating culture medium and cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms present in the culture chamber. Preferably, each "Cultivation Chamber" of the photobioreactor of the present invention is characterized in that these culture chambers are formed by two end pieces connected to at least one reactor compartment in a form-locked manner. Particularly preferably, the "Cultivation Chamber" has at least one upflow zone and at least one downflow zone.

[0104] According to the invention, a "reactor compartment" is a component of the modular photobioreactor according to the invention, which is assembled in a form-fitting manner with another "reactor compartment" and / or an end piece of the photobioreactor to form at least one cultivation chamber. Particularly preferably, the reactor compartment has two shell parts, in particular two half shells, which are connected to each other back to back.

[0105] According to the present invention, the term "upflow region (ie, riser)" refers to a demarcable area in a culture chamber where gas is introduced to transport the culture medium contained in the culture chamber vertically upward.

[0106] According to the present invention, the term "downflow region" (ie, downcomer / downer) refers to a delimitable area in a culture chamber where the culture medium contained in the culture chamber is transported vertically downward.

[0107] According to the present invention, the term "warm white LED" refers to a light-emitting diode (LED) that emits visible light with a color temperature ranging from 1500K to 4500K, preferably 1750K to 3500K, preferably 2000K to 3000K when current flows in the forward direction.

[0108] According to the present invention, the term "Cool White LED" refers to a light emitting diode that emits visible light with a color temperature ranging from 4750K to 8000K, preferably from 5000K to 7000K, preferably from 5250K to 6000K when current flows in the forward direction.

[0109] According to the present invention, the term "blue LED" refers to a light emitting diode that emits visible light in the wavelength range of 400nm to 500nm, preferably 410nm to 490nm, preferably 420nm to 480nm, preferably 430nm to 470nm when current flows in the forward direction.

[0110] According to the present invention, "red LED" refers to a light emitting diode that emits visible light in the wavelength range of 600nm to 700nm, preferably 610nm to 690nm, preferably 620nm to 680nm, preferably 630nm to 670nm when current flows in the forward direction.

[0111] Within the scope of the present invention, the terms "comprising / including", "containing", and "having" shall mean that in addition to the elements explicitly included in this term, other elements not explicitly included may be present. Within the scope of the present invention, these terms may also mean that only the explicit elements are included without the presence of other elements. In this particular embodiment, the terms "comprising" and "having" are synonymous with the term "consisting of..."

[0112] In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having" include, in addition to the explicit elements, a combination of other elements that are not mentioned but are functionally and qualitatively subordinate. In the embodiments of the present invention, the terms "comprising" and "having" are synonymous with the term "consisting essentially of...".

[0113] In the present invention, the term "and / or" shall mean that all members of a group connected by the word "and / or" can replace each other and can be arbitrarily combined with each other. The expression "A, B and / or C" shall be understood as: (a) A or B or C; or (b) A and B; or (c) A and C; or (d) B and C; or (e) A, B and C.

[0114] Within the scope of the present invention, if the first and second decimal places are not specified, or if the second decimal place is not specified, it should be set to zero.

[0115] Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0116] The present invention is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the overall concept of the present invention is not limited thereto. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0117] Figure 1A The figure shows a top view of a modular photobioreactor 1 of the present invention in an unassembled state, which comprises two end pieces 2, 5 and two reactor compartments 3, 4. Each reactor compartment 3, 4 has two shells 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, which are connected to each other back to back and are spliced ​​with the shells 2a, 5a of the end pieces 2, 5 in a form-locking manner.

[0118] Figure 1B The top view of the modular photobioreactor of the present invention in the assembled state is shown. Each reactor compartment 3, 4 has two back-to-back shells 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b. The shell 2a of the first end piece 2 is spliced ​​with the shell 3a of the reactor compartment 3 in a shape-locked manner to form a culture chamber 10, which has two upstream areas 7a, 7b and three downstream areas 6a, 6b, 6c. In the assembled state of the photobioreactor 1, a culture chamber 20 is formed between the second shell 3b of the reactor compartment 3 and the shell 4a of the reactor compartment 4, and the culture chamber 20 has three upstream areas 7c, 7d, 7e and two downstream areas 6d, 6e. The second shell 4b of the reactor compartment 4 is spliced ​​with the shell 5a of the second end piece 5 in a shape-locked manner to form another culture chamber 30, which has two upstream areas 7f, 7g and three downstream areas 6f, 6g, 6h. Arrows indicate the flow direction of the culture from the downstream areas 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h of the culture chambers 10, 20, 30 of the photobioreactor 1 to the upstream areas 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g of the respective adjacent culture chambers. The reactor compartments 3, 4 each have an illumination surface 8, which includes at least one light source arranged between the shell members 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b.

[0119] Figure 2 A front view of a modular photobioreactor 1 according to the invention is shown. The foreground shows a first culture chamber with three downflow zones 6a, 6b, 6c and two upflow zones 7a, 7b. The background shows two downflow zones 6d, 6e of the next culture chamber with dotted lines. Arrows indicate the flow direction of the culture. The culture flows from the downflow zones 6d, 6e to the upflow zones 7a, 7b of the culture chamber shown in the foreground.

[0120] Figure 3 The reactor compartment is shown along Figure 2 Sectional view along section AA and BB. Referring to the sectional view along section AA (left), the upstream region 7 of the reactor compartment shown comprises a static mixer 12 superposed in the form of horizontally extending reactor half shells. An illumination surface 8 comprising at least one light source is arranged between the two shell elements of the reactor compartment. In order to seal the cultivation chamber of the photobioreactor, each shell element of the reactor compartment may comprise a circumferential seal 11.

[0121] The sectional view along section BB (right) shows the reactor compartment downstream region 6. The culture flow is transported vertically downward through the downstream region 6 of the culture chamber, passes under the illuminated surface 8 between the two shells of the reactor compartment shown, and finally flows into the upstream region of the adjacent culture chamber.

[0122] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the upstream region 7 of three juxtaposed culture chambers 10, 20, 30 is shown, which are formed by a first end piece 2, two reactor compartments 3, 4 and a second end piece 5, which are joined together in a form-locked manner. The two end pieces 2, 5 and the two reactor compartments 3, 4 each have an illumination surface 8 comprising at least one light source, which is arranged between the shells 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b of the reactor compartments 3, 4 or on the shells 2a, 5a of the two end pieces 2, 5. The two end pieces 2, 5 of the photobioreactor 1 shown and the two reactor compartments 3, 4 arranged therebetween are pressed together by a force F acting on the two end pieces 2, 5. By releasing the force F acting on the two end pieces 2, 5, the modular photobioreactor can be easily disassembled or individual reactor compartments can be installed or removed.

[0123] Reference numerals

[0124] 1 Photobioreactor

[0125] 2 First end piece

[0126] 2a Half shell of first end piece

[0127] 3. First reactor compartment

[0128] 3a First half shell of the first reactor compartment

[0129] 3b Second half shell of the first reactor compartment

[0130] 4 Second reactor compartment

[0131] 4a First half shell of the second reactor compartment

[0132] 4b Second half shell of the second reactor compartment

[0133] 5 Second end piece

[0134] 5a Half shell of second end piece

[0135] 6 Downstream area

[0136] 6a-6h Downstream Zone

[0137] 7 Upper Stream

[0138] 7a-7g Upstream area

[0139] 8 lighting surface

[0140] 10. First Culture Room

[0141] 11 Seals

[0142] 12. Static mixer

[0143] 20 Second Culture Room

[0144] 30 The third culture room

[0145] AA reactor compartment upstream section

[0146] Cross section of the downstream area of ​​the BB reactor compartment

Claims

1. A modular photobioreactor (1) comprising a first end piece (2), a second end piece (5) and at least one reactor compartment, the at least one reactor compartment being arranged between the first end piece (2) and the second end piece (5), wherein: The photobioreactor comprises at least two culture chambers, wherein the at least two culture chambers are formed by shape-locking and splicing with the at least one reactor compartment through two end pieces (2, 5), wherein the culture chambers of the photobioreactor (1) are fluidically connected to each other, wherein the two end pieces (2, 5) and the at least one reactor compartment each comprise at least one light source, and wherein the at least one reactor compartment has two shell parts, which are connected to each other in a back-to-back manner.

2. The modular photobioreactor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first end piece (2) is spliced ​​with the at least one reactor compartment in a shape-locked manner to form a first culture chamber, and the second end piece (5) is spliced ​​with the at least one reactor compartment in a shape-locked manner to form a second culture chamber.

3. The modular photobioreactor (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that Each of the culture chambers has at least one downflow zone (6) and at least one upflow zone (7).

4. The modular photobioreactor (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that At least one downflow zone (6) of the cultivation chamber leads to at least one upflow zone (7) of at least one adjacent cultivation chamber.

5. A modular photobioreactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one light source is an LED lamp.

6. A modular photobioreactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Between the two shells there is an illumination surface (8) containing at least one light source for the reactor compartment.

7. A modular photobioreactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The two end pieces (2, 5) and the at least one reactor compartment are horizontally juxtaposed and pressed together by means of cover plates at the ends.

8. A modular photobioreactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one reactor compartment has a height of 0.5 m to 4 m, preferably 1 m to 3 m.

9. A modular photobioreactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one reactor compartment has a width of 0.5 to 4 m, preferably 1 to 3 m.

10. A method for culturing photosynthetic microorganisms, comprising the following steps: (a) providing a culture medium comprising at least one photosynthetic microorganism; (b) providing a modular photobioreactor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; (c) Cultivating the at least one photosynthetic microorganism in a modular photobioreactor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Use of the modular photobioreactor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms.

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