Fluidized bed reactor and method for processing plants or animals

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for processing plants or animals, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a first bulk mass of plants or animals in at least a first or early development stage to a sorting chamber; and (ii) sorting the first bulk mass of plants or animals by development stage; wherein the step of sorting comprises the steps of: (a) supplying a fluid medium to a fluidization zone of the sorting chamber to create a fluidized bed from at least a portion of the first bulk mass of plants or animals; and (b) removing a fraction of the fluidized bed of plants or animals present in a removal zone of the sorting chamber; wherein the fraction of the fluidized bed of plants or animals removed from the removal zone comprises a sorting ratio of plants or animals in the first or early development stage and in a second or advanced development stage, wherein the sorting ratio is in a predetermined range. Also disclosed is a system for performing such a method.

Description

Fluidized bed reactor and method for processing plants or animalsFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for processing plants or animals as defined in independent claim 1 . The present invention also relates to a computer program product comprising instructions to cause a system to execute the steps of the method for processing plants or animals. The present invention also relates to a computer readable medium having stored thereon the aforementioned computer program product. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a system for processing plants or animals as defined in independent claim 15.BACKGROUND

[0002] For example in vertically integrated farming (VIF) and / or controlled environment agriculture (CEA), batch formation of plants or animals presents a major difficulty, in particular due to large, unpredictable variations in the rate at which different individuals of the same type of plant or animal develop, even when kept under the same environmental conditions. As a result, it is a common occurrence that plants or animals of various different developmental stages are present in the same batch, even when the batch and thus each individual has been kept under the same environmental conditions for the same amount of time. This leads to both planning difficulties (e.g. when determining if the organisms are ready to be sold) and capacity problems (e.g. plants or animals occupying growth slots in the CEA / VIF).

[0003] The above discussed challenges are particularly pronounced when producing worms, such as worms for animal feed compositions as described for example in pending European patent application EP22216276.0 (not yet published at the time of filing the present application). Similar challenges adversely affect the production of plant seedlings.

[0004] It is thus an object of the present application to address the above described challenges in the production of plants (e.g. plant seedlings) and / or or animals (e.g. worms).SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Underlying a particular aspect of the present teaching is the realization that organisms, such as plants or animals, at some point in their development undergo a significant change in their geometry without changing their mass, which results in a change in aerodynamic properties that can be exploited, in particular for sorting the organisms by development stage.

[0006] For example, when a plant seed germinates, i.e. sprouts into a seedling, the original, roughly oval seed geometry (or other applicable shape depending on the type of plant) changes into a seedling geometry that is typically characterized by three main parts: the radicle (embryonic root), the hypocotyl (embryonic shoot), and the cotyledons (seed leaves). At least in a time span surrounding germination, the mass of the plant remains substantially constant, i.e. the seed immediately prior to germination has the substantially the same mass as the seedling immediately after germination.

[0007] Likewise, as experiments by the inventors have shown, the density of a worm cocoon decreases during its development. Since the development of the worm cocoons is visibly accompanied by a change in color from green / yellow to red, this change in density is easily verifiable using techniques for density measurement commonly known in the art. As determined by the inventors, red cocoons, i.e. cocoons in a later development stage, have a reduced density compared to green / yellow cocoons, i.e. cocoons in an earlier development stage. At least during the time span in which the worm is in the cocoon stage, its mass is substantially constant.

[0008] As already mentioned, different geometries have different aerodynamic properties, in particular resulting in different aerodynamic drag (i.e. the force acting opposite to the relative motion of the organism moving with respect to a surrounding fluid). Since, at least in the afore described time frames of development of different organisms, the mass and thus weight (i.e. the force acting on the organism due to gravity) of the individual organism remains constant. With the present teaching, this interaction between aerodynamic drag and weight is exploited, in particular to sort organisms according to their development stage. In particular, the present teaching makes use of a fluidized bed to sort organisms according to their development stage.

[0009] In an implementation of the afore described teaching, a method for processing plants or animals is provided. A preferred embodiment is defined in appended independent claim 1. In the context of the present application, a method for processing plants or animals is a method that is carried out on plants or animals, wherein the plants or animals need not necessarily be changed during the process. In some embodiments, the method for processing is a method for sorting and / or for developing (or incubating) and / or for producing plants or animals.

[0010] In another implementation of the afore described teaching, a system for processing plants or animals is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system is a system as defined in appended independent claim 15. Preferably, the system is structurally and / or functionally adapted to any of the methods described herein. Thus, the description in conjunction with the methods according to the present teaching is fully referenced for the purposes of the description of the systems of the present teaching. Moreover, it is immediately apparent that the description of the systems disclosed herein equally applies to any of the methods disclosed herein.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the method comprises the step of providing a first bulk mass of plants or animals in at least a first or early development stage. In some embodiments, the first bulk mass is provided to a sorting chamber. As is known in the art, a bulk mass is a powdery, granular and / or lumpy mixture of one or more particulate materials that is present in pourable form.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the method additionally or alternatively comprises the step of sorting the first bulk mass of plants or animals by development stage.Alternatively or additionally, the method comprises the step of incubating (or developing) first bulk mass of plants or animals.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the step of sorting the first bulk mass of plants or animals by development stage comprises the step of supplying a fluid medium to a fluidization zone. In some embodiments, the fluid medium is a liquid or a gas. Preferably, the fluid medium is a gas. More preferably, the fluid medium is air. In some embodiments, the air contains a predetermined amount of water vapor. In some embodiments, the gas comprises a predetermined mixture of gases.

[0014] Preferably, the fluidization zone is provided by the sorting chamber. More preferably, the fluidization zone is a sub-section of the sorting chamber. In some embodiments, further detailed below, the fluidization zone is a portion, preferably a subsection, of the sorting chamber with constant cross-section. Preferably, the constant cross-section is a cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of the fluid medium. For example, the fluidization zone can be substantially cylindrical.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the step of supplying the fluid medium to the fluidization zone creates a fluidized bed from at least a portion of the first bulk mass of plants or animals. As is known in the art, a fluidized bed consists of fluid-solid mixture that exhibits fluid-like properties. In the context of the present teaching, the fluidized bed consists of material from the bulk mass of plants or animals and the fluid medium.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the step of sorting the first bulk mass of plants or animals by development stage additionally or alternatively comprises the step of removing a fraction of the fluidized bed of plants or animals. Preferably, the step of sorting the first bulk mass of plants or animals by development stage additionally or alternatively comprises the step of removing a fraction of the fluidized bed of plants or animals present in a removal zone. In some embodiments, the fraction present in the removal zone is defined by the aerodynamic properties of its constituent particles, i.e. individual plants or animals. In some embodiments, the fraction comprises of a portion of the first bulk mass of plants or animals which experience an aerodynamic drag above a certain threshold. In some embodiments, the threshold is the weight of an individual plant or animal. As described elsewhere herein, the aerodynamic drag of an individual plant or animal can be proportional to itsdevelopment stage. In some embodiments, the first (or earlier) development stage corresponds to a lower aerodynamic drag compared to an aerodynamic drag in a second (or later) development stage.

[0017] In some embodiments, the removal zone is a portion, preferably a sub-section, of the sorting chamber. In preferred embodiments, the removal zone is a portion of the sorting chamber with a tapering cross-section. In some embodiments, the tapering cross-section is a cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of the fluid medium. For example, the removal zone can be substantially conical.

[0018] In some embodiments, the removal zone is immediately adjacent to the fluidization zone. In some embodiments, the removal zone tapers in a direction away from the fluidization zone. Preferably, the removal zone is defined by a portion of the sorting chamber which is immediately adjacent to the fluidization zone and in which the cross-section of the sorting chamber is decreasing in a direction away from the fluidization zone.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the fraction of the fluidized bed of plants or animals removed from the removal zone comprises a sorting ratio of plants or animals. In some embodiments, the sorting ratio is a ratio of plants or animals in the development stage and in the first or early second or advanced development stage. Preferably, the sorting ratio is defined as the number or mass of plants or animals removed from the fluidization bed which are in the second or advanced development stage divided by the number or mass of plants or animals removed from the fluidization bed which are in the first or early development stage. In some embodiments, the sorting ratio is defined relative to the total number or mass of plants or animals removed from the fluidized bed. Preferably, the sorting ratio is expressed in terms of a percentage of plants or animals removed from the fluidized bed in the second development stage compared to the total number or mass of plants or animals removed from the fluidized bed. In some embodiments, the first bulk mass of plants or animals also comprises components other than plants or animals. In such embodiments, it may be beneficial to define the sorting ratio as a percentage of plants or animals removed from the fluidized bed in the second development stage compared to the total mass of material removed from the fluidized bed. In some embodiments, the sorting ratio is 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%,65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10% or 5%, wherein the sorting ratio can be defined using any of the metrics disclosed herein.

[0020] Preferably the sorting ratio is in a predetermined range. In some embodiments, the predetermined range is defined by a target ratio and an acceptable deviation from the target ratio. For example, using any of the sorting ratios disclosed elsewhere herein as target value, the predetermined range can be within an acceptable deviation of + / -1 %, +1-2%, + / -3%, + / -4% or + / -5%. The acceptable deviation can be defined in terms of an absolute percentage value, or be defined relative to the target value. For example, the predetermined range can be within by an acceptable deviation of + / -5% around the target value 85%. If the deviation is defined as an absolute percentage value, a ratio of 90% provides the upper bound for the predetermined range, and a ratio of 80% the lower bound for this example. If the deviation is defined as relative to the target value, a ratio of 89.25% provides the upper bound for the predetermined range, and a ratio of 80.75% the lower bound for this example. As will be further detailed below, the sorting ratio can be controlled through process parameters of the method.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first bulk mass is a composition which can additionally comprise other components than plants or animals. In other embodiments, the first bulk mass essentially consists of plants or animals. Preferably, the term “essentially consisting of”, as used herein, refers to a partially closed enumeration and designates a composition which apart from the named components only has such further components, which do not materially alter the character of the composition according to the present teaching.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first bulk mass is a composition comprising animal cocoons or eggs, preferably a bulk mass of worm cocoons. Preferably, the term “cocoon”, as used herein, refers to a fertilized ovum. Preferably, the term “worm cocoon”, as used herein, refers to a fertilized ovum of a worm. Preferably, the term „egg“ as used herein refers to an organic vessel comprising a zygote or an embryo of an animal. In some embodiments, the first bulk mass is a composition comprising plant seeds.

[0023] In some embodiments, the composition providing the first bulk mass of plants or animals comprises secondary components, i.e. other components than plants oranimals, for example a substrate such as vermicompost and / or a transport substrate. Preferably, the transport substrate is a substrate selected from the group consisting of soil, peat, cellulose and mixtures thereof.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first development stage consist of cocoons or eggs prior to hatching of the animals. In some embodiments, the second development stage consists of animals after hatching from their respective cocoons or eggs.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first development stage consist of seeds prior to sprouting or germinating. In some embodiments, the second development stage consists of sprouted seeds or seedlings. In some embodiments, the second development stage consists of a seedlings comprising any one or more of a radicle (embryonic root), a hypocotyl (embryonic shoot), and one or more cotyledons (seed leaves).

[0026] In some embodiments, the second bulk mass essentially consists of plants or animals. In other words, the second bulk mass is essentially free of secondary components described elsewhere herein. In other embodiments, the second bulk mass comprises secondary components, preferably at a reduced fraction compared to the first bulk mass.

[0027] It has to be understood that the fluid mechanical nature of the method allow it to be described in two ways, using the Lagrangian frame of reference or the Eulerian frame of reference. In the Lagrangian frame of reference, an individual fluid parcel is followed overtime as it travels through space. In the Eulerian frame of reference, a specific volume of space is observed through which fluid flows as time passes.

[0028] In the Lagrangian frame of reference, i.e. when following an individual plant or animal over time, the method steps are sequential. For example, in a first step, an individual plant or animal is provided to the sorting chamber as part of the first bulk mass. Then, in a subsequent second step, the individual plant or animal is fluidized in the fluidization zone to form part of the fluidized bed. Then, in a subsequent third step, the individual plant or animal is moved to the removal zone and thus removed from the fluidized bed.

[0029] In the Eulerian frame of reference, i.e. when observing different volumes of space, the method steps are concurrently performed in different locations, preferably in different portions of the systems described herein. For example, in the fluidizationzone, the fluid medium is supplied and a fluidized bed created from the first bulk mass, while concurrently, in the removal zone, a fraction of the fluidized bed is removed.

[0030] It is preferable to describe method steps and / or different portions relative to the direction of travel of an individual plant or animal. Thereby, the Langrangian and Eulerian frame of reference can be combined using the relative descriptors “upstream” and “downstream”. For example, if a second method step is downstream of first method step, the second method step is sequential to the first method step in the Lagrangian frame of reference. Since upstream is the opposite direction of downstream, the first method step is upstream of the second method step in the Lagrangian frame of reference. In the Eulerian frame of reference, a second volume or portion of the system is downstream of a first volume or portion of the system, if individual plants or animals travel from the first volume or portion to the second volume or portion. Since upstream is the opposite direction of downstream, the first volume or portion is upstream of the second volume or portion in the Eulerian frame of reference.

[0031] In some embodiments, the method is a computer implemented method. In some embodiments, a computer program product is provided comprising instructions to cause the system to execute the steps of the method. In some embodiments, a computer-readable medium is provided having stored thereon the computer program product.

[0032] In preferred embodiments, the system comprises a sorting chamber, preferably a sorting chamber as described in conjunction with any of the methods disclosed herein. Preferably, the sorting chamber comprising a fluidization zone and / or a removal zone, such as the fluidization zone and / or the removal zone as described in conjunction with any of the methods disclosed herein.

[0033] In some embodiments, the system comprises a supply of fluid medium. Preferably, the fluid medium supply is configured to supply fluid medium to the sorting chamber.

[0034] In some embodiments, the sorting chamber is configured such that, when fluid medium is supplied to the sorting chamber, any one or more of the method steps described herein are performed. Preferably, the sorting chamber is configured suchthat, when fluid medium is supplied to the sorting chamber, a fluidized bed from at least a portion of the first bulk mass of plants or animals is formed in the fluidization zone.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, the sorting chamber is configured such that, when fluid medium is supplied to the sorting chamber, a fraction of the fluidized bed of plants or animals is located in the removal zone. Preferably, the sorting chamber is configured such that, when fluid medium is supplied to the sorting chamber, the fraction of the fluidized bed of plants or animals that is located in the removal zone is removed from the sorting chamber.

[0036] In some embodiments, the system comprises a control unit. Preferably, the control unit is configured such that the system performs any one or more of the method steps described herein.

[0037] In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to control the supply of fluid medium to the sorting chamber such that the fraction of the fluidized bed of plants or animals removed from the removal zone comprises a sorting ratio of plants or animals in the first or early development stage and in a second or advanced development stage, wherein the sorting ratio is in a predetermined range. In particular embodiments, the control unit is configured to control process parameters of the method.

[0038] Additionally and / or alternatively preferred embodiments of the present teaching will be described in the following together with the drawings listed below. Further advantages, implementations and embodiments of the present teaching will be detailed therein. The following description together with the drawings are therefore fully referenced for the purpose of detailing the above described methods and systems. It has to be understood that any of the individual features described in the following and / or shown in the drawings can be combined with, or replace corresponding features of any of the embodiments of the above described methods and systems. Moreover, it has to be understood that the fact that a certain feature is recited by an independent claim and / or the description of any of the above or below described methods and systems, is not sufficient to indicate whether or not the feature is an essential feature.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 provides a schematic view of an exemplary system of the present teaching.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the forces acting on an individual plant or animal when subject to fluid flow.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of the present teaching in a Lagrangian frame of reference.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] An exemplary system 10 of the present teaching is shown in Fig. 1 . In the depicted embodiment, system 10 comprises a fluid medium circuit 20 which functions as a supply of fluid medium to a sorting chamber 30 to create a fluidized bed 40 therein. Fluid medium circuit 20 comprises a supply duct 22 connected to a lower portion 32 of sorting chamber 30, a return duct 24 connected to an upper portion 34 of sorting chamber 30, and means for pressurization such as a compressor 26 interconnecting return duct 24 and supply duct 22. Hence, fluid medium circuit 20 is able to circulate fluid medium through sorting chamber 30. Fluid medium supplied to sorting chamber 30 via supply duct 22 is indicated by arrow 100 in Fig. 1 . Fluid medium exiting sorting chamber 30 via return duct 24 is indicated by arrow 110 in Fig. 1. Fluid medium exiting sorting chamber 30 is re-pressurized by compressor 26 and again supplied to sorting chamber 30, thereby creating a circulatory flow of fluid medium. In other embodiments however, the supply of fluid medium to sorting chamber 30 is not a circuit, i.e. fluid medium supplied to sorting chamber 30 is not recirculated once it has left sorting chamber 30, but is for example vented to the atmosphere.

[0043] Sorting chamber 30, in the depicted embodiment, is connected to a means for providing a first bulk mass of plants or animals to a central portion 38 of sorting chamber 30, such as a filling duct 36. In Fig. 1 , first bulk mass of plants or animals supplied to sorting chamber 30 via filling duct 36 is indicated by arrow 120. Central portion 38 is separated from lower portion 32 by grate 39, which is comprises openings large enough to allow fluid medium to flow from lower portion 32 to central portion 38, but small enough to prevent plants or animals from entering lower portion 32. Fluid medium flowing through grate 39 is indicated by arrows 130. Thus, when the first bulk mass of plants or animals is provided to sorting chamber 30,and fluid medium is supplied via supply duct, a fluidized bed 40 comprising of fluid medium and plants or animals can be created in central portion 38. Therefore, central portion 38 can also be referred to as fluidization zone 38.

[0044] In some embodiments, at the time of being supplied to the sorting chamber, the first bulk mass comprises plants or animals at least in a first, or early, development stage. In some embodiments, at the time of being supplied to the sorting chamber, the first bulk mass also comprises plants or animals in a second, or later, development stage. In such embodiments, the system and method of the present teaching can be applied to process the plants or animals by sorting out the plants or animals in the second, or later development stage from the first bulk mass. This sorting process is detailed elsewhere herein. In other embodiments, at the time of being supplied to the sorting chamber, the first bulk mass comprises plants or animals only in the first development stage. In such embodiments, the system and method of the present teaching can be applied to process the plants or animals by developing (or incubating) the plants or animals from the first development stage to the second development stage. Preferably, the method of developing plants or animals can be combined with the method of sorting plants or animals in various manners, some of which are detailed elsewhere herein.

[0045] To illustrate the principle underlying the present teaching, it is referred to Fig. 2 which provides a simplified representation of an individual plant or animal 500 and the forces acting thereon when subjected to fluid flow from below, specifically to flow 130 of fluid medium through grate 39. In a first approximation, i.e. when not accounting for forces between individual plants or animals and for lift, only the force of gravity or weight Fcdue to the particle’s mass m, and the drag Fwdue to flow 130 are acting on individual plant or animal 500. As is known in the art, a fluidized bed will develop when the drag Fwis equal to or larger than the weight Fc. If the two forces are in equilibrium, individual plant or animal 500 will remain substantially stationary within the fluidized bed. If the drag Fwis larger than the weight Fc, individual plant or animal 500 will be transported along with flow 130.

[0046] The force of gravity or weight FGof course calculates as followsFc= g m where g is the local gravitational acceleration and m is the mass of individual plant or animal 500.

[0047] The drag Fwcalculates as followswhere p is the density of the fluid medium, v is the speed of the fluid medium relative to individual plant or animal 500, A is the cross sectional area of individual plant or animal 500 and cwis the drag coefficient of individual plant or animal 500. The drag coefficient cwdepends on the shape of individual plant or animal 500 and on the Reynolds number Re which calculates as follows vdp Re = - —V where v is again the speed of the fluid medium relative to individual plant or animal 500 and p is again the density of the fluid medium, while d is the characteristic length of individual plant or animal 500 and g is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid medium. In the case of a sphere, the characteristic length d is the diameter of the sphere. For example a worm cocoon or a plant seed can reasonably be approximated as a sphere.For Reynolds numbers Re below 2 ■ 10s, the drag coefficient cwof a sphere can be determined as follows:

[0048] The above considerations show that while the weight FGis only dependent on the particle’s mass m, but not its geometry, the drag Fwincreases with the particle diameter d, but is independent of the particle’s mass m. Thus, under a given stateof fluid flow, i.e. a given density p, dynamic viscosity p and speed v of the fluid medium (also collectively referred to as flow parameters), different particles with the same mass m but different diameter d will experience different values of drag Fwand thus behave differently. For example, the flow parameters can be adjusted to a given mass m such that particles of a certain diameter d will float in the fluidized bed, i.e. drag Fwand weight Fcare in equilibrium, while any particle exceeding that diameter d will experience a drag Fwgreater than its weight Fcand will thus be transported along with the flow. As discussed elsewhere herein, since plants and animals can undergo a change in geometry under constant mass during development, it is possible to sort plants and animals according to their development stage using a fluidized bed.

[0049] Below, a table is provided for calculating the drag Fwfor a given speed v of air at atmospheric conditions as fluid medium in the case of a spherical worm cocoon having a diameter d of 2 mm and a mass of 5.45 ■ 10-6kg , resulting in a weight FGof 5.34 ■ 10“5N:As can be inferred from the above table, for the aforementioned approximated spherical worm cocoon, a flow velocity v of air at atmospheric conditions of roughly 8 ™ is necessary to float in flow 130.

[0050] Turning back to Fig. 1 , under the above detailed considerations, system 10 is able to sort out individual plants or animals 500 from the first bulk mass of plants or animals which exceed a certain diameter, i.e. which are in a second or later development stage. System 10 is configured to control the flow parameters of the fluid medium supplied to sorting chamber 30 such that plants or animals in the first or earlier development stage are in a floating state in fluidized bed 40. Since individualplants or animals 500 in the second or later development stage which are present in fluidized bed 40 will experience a higher drag than those in the first or earlier development stage, these individual plants or animals 500 will be transported along with flow 130. An upper portion 34 of sorting chamber 30 above fluidization zone 38 can therefore also be referred to as removal zone 34, because a fraction of the first bulk mass of plants or animals that is present in upper portion 34 is being removed from fluidized bed 40 in a flow of fluid medium leaving sorting chamber 20, this flow being indicated in Fig. 1 with arrow 140.

[0051] In some embodiments, the fraction of the first bulk mass of plants or animals that is present in upper portion 34 is being removed from fluidized bed 40 through flow 130 comprises a sorting ratio of plants or animals, such as a sorting ratio described elsewhere herein. As will be further detailed below, the sorting ratio can be controlled through controlling process parameters of the method and / or system, the process parameters for example including the flow parameters of the fluid flow and / or environmental parameters, such as environmental parameters in chamber 30.

[0052] In some preferred embodiments, such as depicted in Fig. 1 , removal zone 34 can optionally be adapted to facilitate the removal of a fraction of the first bulk mass of plants or animals from fluidized bed 40. In some preferred embodiments, such as depicted in Fig. 1 , removal zone 34 has a shape which tapers (i.e. its diameter decreases) in a direction away from central portion 38, for example a conical shape. In other words, a cross-sectional area of removal zone 34 gradually decreases in a direction away from central portion 38. This constriction of the cross- sectional area leads to an acceleration of fluid flow, thereby facilitating removal of a fraction of the first bulk mass of plants or animals from fluidized bed 40.

[0053] In some preferred embodiments, such as depicted in Fig. 1 , fluid medium circuit 20 comprises an optional means 60 for separating the plants or animals from flow 140, connected to sorting chamber 30 via an intermediary duct 28. In the depicted embodiment, means 60 comprise a cyclone separator 62 configured to remove the plants or animals from flow 140. In some embodiments, such as depicted in Fig. 1 , means 60 also comprises means 64 for removing the separated plans or animals from fluid medium circuit 20 altogether. In the depicted embodiment, means 64 are provided in the form of a gear lock. Such an optional configuration has the benefit of allowing separation of plants or animals from fluid medium circuit 20 withoutventing pressure and / or fluid flow from the circuit, thus contributing to an energy efficient operation. As indicated by arrow 110 in Fig. 1 , downstream of means 62, the flow in fluid medium circuit 20 is comprised only of fluid medium, with plants or animals substantially removed therefrom. Moreover, and as indicated by arrow 150 in Fig. 1 , the plants or animals removed from fluid medium circuit 20 can subsequently be collected in a second bulk mass 70 of plants or animals. Due to the aforementioned sorting of the plants or animals in sorting chamber 30, second bulk mass 70 comprises the predetermined sorting ratio of plants or animals. Second bulk mass 70 can be transported further downstream via transportation means 66, as indicated by arrow 160 in Fig. 1 , for further batch processing.

[0054] The systems and methods described herein can have various combinations of continuous steps or modes of operation and intermittent steps or modes of operation, which are now illustrated using exemplary system 10 of Fig. 1. For example, the step of supplying the first bulk mass of plants or animals to sorting chamber 30 can be a continuous process, or alternatively be performed intermittently. In some embodiments with a continuous supply of plants or animals to sorting chamber 30, a rate of bulk mass of plants or animals supplied to the sorting chamber can be substantially constant. In other embodiments, the rate of bulk mass of plants or animals supplied to the sorting chamber can be variable, and preferably controllable, particularly depending on the amount of plants or animals present in sorting chamber 30. In some embodiments, such as depicted in Fig. 1 , system 10 comprises control means 80 for controlling the supply of plants or animals to sorting chamber 30, and / or for controlling other process parameters discussed elsewhere herein. As indicated by control line 82 in Fig. 1 , control means 80 can be connected to various sensor and / or actuators throughout system 10. For example, a sensor 84 for detecting the amount and / or condition of plants or animals in sorting chamber 30 can be provided. In the depicted embodiment, sensor 84 is a camera. Through measurements obtained from sensor 84, control means 80 can determine whether it is necessary to supply plants or animals to sorting chamber 30 (in intermittent operation), or whether to decrease or increase the rate of supply of plants or animals to sorting chamber 30 (in continuous operation).

[0055] It has to be understood however, that line 82 is only a representative example for establishing a connection between control means 80 and various sensors and / or actuators and does not necessarily imply a physical connection. Other means of connection, including wireless connections, are also represented by connectionlines 82, which are to be understood as abstractly representing a data connection between control means 80 and various sensors and / or actuators throughout system 10.

[0056] Using sensor 84, control means 80 may also be able to determine whether the flow parameters (i.e. density p, dynamic viscosity p and speed v of the fluid medium supplied to sorting chamber 30) are correctly set for the desired predetermined sorting ratio, or whether adjustment is necessary. Adjusting the flow parameters may for example be achieved by changing the pressure differential provided by compressor 26.

[0057] Even though system 10 has so far been described in the context of sorting plants or animals by development stage in sorting chamber 30, other modes of operation are likewise possible. In particular, a method and / or mode of operation of system 10 for incubating plants or animals in sorting chamber 30 (which can therefore also be referred to as incubating chamber 30 or simply chamber 30) is within the scope of the present teaching. Thus, system 10 can also be referred as an incubation system or reactor, specifically a fluidized bed reactor.

[0058] In some embodiments of a method and / or mode of operation of system 10 for incubating plants or animals in sorting chamber 30, the flow parameters in chamber 30 can be controlled such that no plants or animals are removed from chamber 30. Preferably, the method comprises controlling the process parameters, in particular environmental parameters, in chamber 20 such that development of plants or animals in chamber 30 is facilitated. The environmental parameters include for example one or more of a temperature and / or humidity and / or a pressure in chamber 30. To control the temperature in chamber 30, system 10 may optionally comprise heating means 86, such as heating lamps provided in chamber 30. Additionally and / or alternatively, the temperature in chamber 30 may be controllable using a heat exchanger, such as heat exchanger 87 depicted in Fig. 1. Use of a heat exchanger may be beneficial, because it also allows to decrease the temperature in chamber 30 and / or to recuperate heat from fluid medium 110 returning from chamber 30.

[0059] Alternatively and / or additionally, lamps 86 may beneficially be configured to provide light in a range of wavelengths adapted to the specific type of plant or animalto be incubated in system 10. For example, some plants benefit from light in different ranges of wavelengths depending on their developmental stage. For example, some plants when in a first development stage benefit from light in a first range of wavelengths, and when in a second development stage benefit from light in a second range of wavelengths.

[0060] Additionally and / or alternatively, system 10 is provided with means 88 for controlling humidity in chamber 30. In some embodiments, such as depicted in Fig. 1 , means 88 comprises a pressurized steam supply 90 (or another source of humidity) separated from fluid circuit 20 by valve 92 which controls the supply of steam to chamber 30, indicated in Fig. 1 by arrow 170. To determine the humidity in chamber 30, a humidity sensor (not depicted in Fig. 1) can be provided in fluid circuit 20, for example in chamber 30.

[0061] In some embodiments, system 10 is provided with means (not depicted in Fig. 1) for controlling and / or determining a mixture, preferably a molecular composition, of a gas circulating in circuit 20. For example, a setup similar to pressurized steam supply 90 and valve 92 can be provided to supply predetermined amounts of one or more different gases or gas mixtures to circuit 20. It may for example be desirable to control the amount of carbon dioxide and / or nitrogen in chamber 30 to increase the conversion rate of plants or animals. To determine the mixture of gas circulating circuit 20, system 10 can be provided with a sensor for measuring the gas composition (not depicted in Fig. 1).

[0062] In some embodiments, system 10 is provided with means for controlling and / or determining a pressure in chamber 30. In some embodiments, the means for determining a pressure in chamber 30 comprise a pressure sensor (not depicted in Fig. 1) provided in circuit 20, preferably in chamber 30. In some embodiments, the means for controlling pressure in chamber 30 can be provided by compressor 26. Alternatively or / additionally, the pressure can be controlled by other means, including means to reduce the pressure in chamber 30, such as a pump (e.g. a vacuum pump) and / or a relief valve (not depicted in Fig. 1).

[0063] By controlling the temperature and / or humidity and / or pressure, a predetermined conversion rate of plants or animals can be established, wherein the conversion rate is defined as the fraction or percentage of plants or animals in the fluidizedbed which develop from the first development stage to the second development stage in a given amount of time.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment of the methods described herein and / or a preferred mode of operation of system 10, it may be intermittently switched between the step of incubating plants or animals and the step of sorting plants or animals by selectively removing them in the afore described way. For example, the method and / or system 10 may be in the step of incubation for a first period of time, the first period of time being representative of the development of a fraction of plants or animals from the first development stage to the second development stage at the given environmental parameters in chamber 30 or predetermined conversion rate. After this first period of time, the method and / or system 10 may switch to the step of sorting plants or animals for a second amount of time by adjusting the flow parameters accordingly. As a result, the fraction of plants or animals which were developed to the second development stage is removed from chamber 30. Preferably, this mode of intermittent incubation and sorting can be combined with an intermittent supply of plants or animals to chamber 30.

[0065] It is therefore clear that the first bulk mass of plants or animals supplied to the sorting chamber need not necessarily comprise plants or animals in the second development stage for the methods and / or modes of operation of system 10 to yield a second bulk mass comprising plants or animals in the second development stage. For example, in some embodiments, the first bulk mass of plants or animals comprises plants or animals only in a first or early development stage. In preferred embodiments, at least a fraction of the first bulk mass of plants or animals are then developed to the second development stage and subsequently separated from the first bulk mass to be collected in the second bulk mass.

[0066] In other embodiments however, the steps of incubating and sorting may take place simultaneously, where plants or animals which develop to the second development stage are continuously removed. Preferably, this mode of simultaneous incubation and sorting can be combined with a continuous supply of plants or animals to chamber 30.

[0067] Moreover, controlling the flow parameters (i.e. density p, dynamic viscosity p and speed v of the fluid medium supplied to sorting chamber 30) also controls the sorting ratio. For example, a predetermined sorting ratio can be supplied as an inputparameter to control means 80, which then controls the flow parameters accordingly to ensure that the fraction of plants or animals removed from the fluidized bed exhibit the predetermined sorting ratio. In some embodiments, this control comprises the step of measuring the size of plants or animals in removal zone 34 to determine the development stage these plants or animals are in, for example using camera 84. In some embodiments, this control additionally and / or alternatively comprises the step of counting the number of plants or animals in the removal zone and determining what percentage thereof is in the first or second development stage.

[0068] It hast to be understood that various continuous and intermittent steps and / or modes of operation can be combined at the same time. In some embodiments, the step of sorting is continuous, while the step of supplying plants or animals to the chamber is intermittent. For example, control means 80 may enact an intermittent supply of a certain amount of plants or animals whenever a rate (i.e. a number or mass per unit time) of plants or animals being removed from chamber 20 falls below a predermined threshold value. Any other technically sensible combination is also within the scope of the present teaching. Moreover, continuously performed steps need not necessarily be performed at a constant rate. For example, the step of removing plants or animals may be continuous, but the rate of removal (e.g. a number or mass per unit time) can be variable. In some embodiments the rate of removal during continuous sorting can be controlled depending on a demand for sorted plants or animals. Such demand can for example be represented by the number of batches of second bulk mass 70 being transported further downstream along transportation means 66. In some embodiments, one or more steps of the process and / or one or more parts of system 10 are in a steady state, i.e. performed at a constant rate. For example, system 10 can be in a steady state in which a rate of plants or animals supplied to chamber 30 equals a rate of plants or animals removed from chamber 30.

[0069] Moreover, it has to be understood that in the context of the present teaching, a rate can be defined as an instantaneous value, or alternatively as an average value over a certain amount of time and / or measurements, preferably a moving average. Working with averages can be necessitated through technical limitations imposed by certain types of sensors and / or by the speed of control means 80 and / or the employed control algorithms. Additionally and / or alternatively, working with averages can be beneficial to improve the stability of the control.

[0070] Fig. 3 provides a flow diagram for a particularly preferred embodiment of a method 1000 of the present teaching in a Lagrangian frame of reference, i.e. from a perspective of an individual plant or animal as it travels through a system of the present teaching, such as system 10 of Fig. 1. Thus, the sequence of methods steps 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 and 1600 shown in Fig. 3 illustrates the sequence of steps as experienced by an individual plant or animal. As described elsewhere herein, any one or more of steps 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 and 1600 can be optional. Moreover, due to the Lagrangian frame of reference, method 1000 depicted in Fig. 3 can represent any possible combination of continuous and / or intermittent steps described elsewhere herein. For example, the individual plant or animal can be supplied at step 1100 as part of a continuous step of supplying, or as part of an intermittent step of supplying. Likewise, any one or more of steps 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 and 1600 can either be continuous or intermittent method steps as described elsewhere herein.

[0071] As can be inferred from the foregoing description, the systems and methods provided by the present teachings can, in some embodiments, provide one or more advantages. In some embodiments of the disclosed method and / or system or fluidized bed reactor, an initial ripening of the objects (i.e. plants or animals) can take place in a very small space, which can increase a capacity of a farm utilizing the system. In some embodiments of the disclosed method and / or system or fluidized bed reactor, the objects in a downstream batch process (e.g. plants or animals in the second bulk mass of plants or animals) are all or substantially all in the same stage of development, and thus the downstream batch process can be optimized for this particular development stage (e.g. plants in different stages of growth need light with different wavelengths, if it is ensured that the plants are in the same stage they benefit even more from lighting adapted to the stage). In some embodiments of the disclosed method and / or system or fluidized bed reactor, due to the better batch formation, all or substantially all objects (i.e. plants or animals) are in an object-specific optimal sales stage at the end of the downstream batch process (i..e. when in a further processing downstream of collecting the second bulk mass of plants or animals). In some embodiments of the disclosed method and / or system or fluidized bed reactor, output quantities of the downstream batch process can be estimated much more accurately, since the variance in development stages is reduced. In some embodiments of the disclosed method and / or system or fluidizedbed reactor, since the process of ripening (or developing or incubating) of the objects can be performed in a continuous process, a load of a facility for processing plants or animals is easier to control.LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS10 system20 fluid medium circuit22 supply duct24 return duct26 compressor28 intermediary duct30 sorting chamber32 lower portion34 upper portion I removal zone36 filling duct38 central portion I fluidization zone39 grate40 fluidized bed60 means for separating the plants or animals from flow 14062 cyclone separator64 means for removing the separated plans or animals from fluid medium circuit 2066 transportation means70 second bulk mass80 control means82 control line84 sensor / camera86 heating means87 heat exchanger88 means for controlling humidity in chamber 3090 pressurized steam supply92 valve100 flow of fluid medium supplied to sorting chamber 30110 flow of fluid medium exiting sorting chamber 30120 flow of first bulk mass of plants or animals supplied to sorting chamber 30130 flow of fluid medium flowing through grate 39140 flow of fluid medium leaving sorting chamber 20150 flow of plants or animals removed from fluid medium circuit 20160 downstream transportation of second bulk mass 70170 flow of steam supplied to circuit 20 and / or chamber 30500 individual plant or animal1000 method1100 step of providing first bulk mass of plants or animals1200 step of creating fluidized bed from at least a portion of the first bulk mass1300 step of developing (incubating) plants or animals1400 step of removing a fraction of the fluidized bed of plants or animals1500 step of separating plants or animals from the removed fraction of fluidized bed1600 step of collecting separated plants or animals in second bulk mass

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Method for processing plants or animals, the method comprising the steps of:(I) providing a first bulk mass of plants or animals in at least a first or early development stage to a sorting chamber (30); and(II) sorting the first bulk mass of plants or animals by development stage; wherein the step of sorting comprises the steps of:(a) supplying a fluid medium to a fluidization zone (38) of the sorting chamber (30) to create a fluidized bed (40) from at least a portion of the first bulk mass of plants or animals ; and(b) removing a fraction of the fluidized bed (40) of plants or animals present in a removal zone (34) of the sorting chamber (30); wherein the fraction of the fluidized bed (40) of plants or animals removed from the removal zone (34) comprises a sorting ratio of plants or animals in the first or early development stage and in a second or advanced development stage, wherein the sorting ratio is in a predetermined range.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first bulk mass of plants or animals is a composition comprising animal cocoons or eggs, preferably a bulk mass of worm cocoons.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first development stage consist of cocoons or eggs prior to hatching of the animals.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first bulk mass of plants or animals is a composition comprising plant seeds.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first development stage consists of seeds prior to sprouting, and the second development stage consists of sprouted seeds.

6. The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein the step of supplying the first bulk mass of plants or animals to the sorting chamber (30) is a continuous process, preferably wherein a rate of bulk mass of plants or animals supplied to the sorting chamber (30) is substantially constant.

7. The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein the step of removing a fraction of the fluidized bed (40) of plants or animals from the removal zone (34) of the sorting chamber (30) is a continuous process, preferably wherein a rate of plants or animals removed from the removal zone (34) is substantially constant.

8. The method of any one of the previous claims, comprising a steady state in which a rate of the first bulk mass of plants or animals supplied to the sorting chamber (30) equals a rate of plants or animals removed from the removal zone (34).

9. The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein the step of sorting further comprises the step of:(c) separating the plants or animals from the fraction of the fluidized bed (40) of plants or animals removed from the removal zone (34).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of sorting further comprises the step of:(d) collecting the separated plants or animals in a second bulk mass (70) of plants or animals comprising the predetermined sorting ratio of plants or animals in the first or early development stage and in a second or advanced development stage.

11. The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein the predetermined range of the sorting ratio of plants or animals is obtained through controlling at least one flow parameter of the fluid medium supplied to the sorting chamber (30).

12. The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein the step of sorting further comprises the step of:(e) developing plants or animals in the sorting chamber (30) from the first or early development stage to the second or advanced development stage at a predetermined conversion rate.

13. A computer program product comprising instructions to cause a system (10) to execute the steps of the method of claims 1 to 12.

14. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon the computer program product of claim 13.

15. System for processing plants or animals, the system (10) comprising: a sorting chamber (30) configured to receive a first bulk mass of plants or animals in at least a first or early development stage, the sorting chamber (30) comprising a fluidization zone (38) and a removal zone (34); a supply of fluid medium connected to the sorting chamber (30) and configured to supply fluid medium to the sorting chamber (30); wherein the sorting chamber (30) is configured such that, when fluid medium is supplied to the sorting chamber (30): a fluidized bed (40) from at least a portion of the first bulk mass of plants or animals is formed in the fluidization zone (38); a fraction of the fluidized bed (40) of plants or animals is located in the removal zone (34); and the fraction of the fluidized bed (40) of plants or animals that is located in the removal zone (34) is removed from the sorting chamber (30); and a control unit (60) configured to control the supply of fluid medium to the sorting chamber (30) such that the fraction of the fluidized bed (40) of plants or animals removed from the removal zone (34) comprises a sorting ratio of plants or animals in the first or early development stage and in a second or advanced development stage, wherein the sorting ratio is in a predetermined range.

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