Reactor for chemical, biochemical or electrochemical reactions and joining method for a reactor

Abstract

The invention relates to a reactor (28, 33) for chemical, biochemical or electrochemical reactions, comprising at least two separate reactor modules (1, 29, 30, 34) connected to one another, wherein: each reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) has a plurality of reaction cells (4) which are of the same type and which are connected to one another; the reaction cells (4) of each reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) form a reaction cell stack (3, 31, 32, 35) and, in order to form the reaction cell stack (3, 31, 32, 35), are arranged one following the other in a stacking direction (R); the reaction cells (4) of the reactor modules (1, 29, 30, 34) are electrically and / or fluidically connected to one another in the stacking direction (R); and the at least two reactor modules (1, 29, 30, 34) have adjacent end plates (8, 9) which are connected to one another in the stacking direction (R). The aim is that reactors of different size can be easily, quickly and economically produced, can be subsequently varied in performance capability and can be maintained. To achieve this aim, according to the invention, the adjacent end plates (8, 9) are force-lockingly and / or form-lockingly connected to one another in at least one stacking direction (R) by means of a screw coupling and / or bayonet coupling and, for the transport of at least one current and / or at least one reaction fluid from one reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) to the adjacent reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34), the two adjacent reactor modules (1, 29, 30, 34) are electrically and / or fluidically connected to one another in at least one stacking direction (R) by means of the end plates (8, 9) connected to one another.

Description

[0001] Reactor for chemical, biochemical or electrochemical reactions, as well as joining processes for a reactor

[0002] The invention relates to a reactor for chemical, biochemical, or electrochemical reactions, comprising at least two interconnected, separate reactor modules, each reactor module having a plurality of identical and interconnected reaction cells, the reaction cells of each reactor module being arranged in a stacking direction to form a reaction cell stack, the reaction cells of the reactor modules being electrically and / or fluidically connected to one another in the stacking direction, and the at least two reactor modules having adjacent end plates connected to one another in the stacking direction. The invention further relates to a method for assembling such a reactor.

[0003] Electrochemical reactors come in various designs. Redox reactions occur in these reactors, and these reactions can be driven by an externally applied voltage difference, as is the case, for example, when charging a battery or a redox flow battery, or when operating an electrolyzer. In an electrolyzer, an electric current is used to conduct a chemical reaction in the form of electrolysis to produce a product, such as hydrogen. Alternatively, the redox reactions occurring in the electrochemical reactor can also be used to generate an electrical voltage. This is the case, for example, with a battery, when discharging a redox flow battery or a rechargeable battery, and when operating a fuel cell.The electrochemical reactors of the type mentioned are generally composed of multiple electrochemical reaction cells, often simply referred to as cells in electrochemical reactors, in each of which the corresponding redox reaction takes place. The individual reaction cells of a battery are often arranged in a row or stacked on top of each other. In this context, one therefore speaks of a reaction cell stack or simply a cell stack. Depending on the application, reaction cell stacks allow for the simple provision of a higher voltage or a higher product flow rate. Such reaction cell stacks and their uses have been known for a long time and from a wide variety of applications, which is why they need not be discussed in detail here.

[0004] The individual electrochemical reaction cells usually consist of half-cells containing electrodes, which may be separated from each other by a separator. The electrodes and, if applicable, the separator of a reaction cell are integrated into an interior space provided by at least one cell frame. If necessary, a reaction cell can also have several cell frames, for example, one cell frame per half-cell of the electrochemical reaction cell. The electrodes, the at least one cell frame, and, if applicable, the separator are arranged at least substantially parallel to each other. This results in a layering that extends in a so-called stacking direction.Furthermore, while the cell frames and bipolar plates can be made from very different materials, for cost and manufacturing reasons, cell frames and bipolar plates that include at least one thermoplastic material are sometimes used. To ensure sufficient electrical conductivity of the bipolar plates, they often contain an electrically conductive filler in addition to the thermoplastic material, for example, in the form of fine particles such as graphite and / or carbon black. The separator, if used, can have an open-pore structure in which a liquid electrolyte may be contained, or through which at least one electrolyte flows, or along which at least one electrolyte flows. The former is the case, for example, in non-flow batteries, while the latter is typically the case in flow-through redox flow batteries.In the case of redox flow batteries, the separator between the two electrodes of a reaction cell can be composed of two parts, with the two parts of the separator being separated by a membrane, for example made of a polymer, which prevents the transfer of electrolyte from one part of the separator to the other part, but allows the transfer of charge carriers in the form of ions. In such a case, the two parts of the separator and the membrane can be considered, for simplicity, as a single, common separator. This is only conditionally relevant to the present invention. Furthermore, for the purposes of the invention, an electrolyte represents a possible reaction fluid.

[0005] In monopolar reaction cell stacks, the individual reaction cells are separated from each other by inert, non-conductive materials and are only electrically connected via wires. In bipolar accumulators, the reaction cells are separated from each other by electrically conductive bipolar plates. An anode and a cathode of adjacent reaction cells are typically located on opposite sides of the bipolar plates. Furthermore, the anode and the cathode are each typically in direct electrically conductive contact with the at least one bipolar plate positioned between them.

[0006] In some cases, the separator itself can provide the electrolyte, as is the case, for example, in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In such fuel cells, the separator is divided into two parts, one of which is permeated by a hydrogen-containing gas and the other by an oxygen-containing gas. The transfer of the gases from one part of the separator to the other is prevented by a membrane, which, however, allows the transfer of charge carriers. Here, too, the entirety of the two parts of the separator and the membrane can be understood as the separator between the electrodes. The precise construction of the separator is only conditionally relevant to the invention. In the case of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the membrane consists of a solid polymer. However, other membranes can be used in other fuel cells, or membranes can be omitted entirely.

[0007] Besides electrochemical reactors, chemical or biochemical reactors are also known, which are likewise formed from individual reaction cells assembled into reaction cell stacks. Chemical or biochemical reactions take place in these reaction cell stacks, with a reaction fluid being supplied to the reaction cells. The reaction fluid is then removed after passing through the reaction cell. It is also conceivable that several reaction fluids are supplied to and removed from the reaction cells, with the reaction fluids remaining separated from each other within the reaction cells by a membrane, particularly a semipermeable one, or similar structure, as is the case with electrochemical reactors. Alternatively or additionally, a catalyst, enzyme, or similar device can be provided in the reaction cells of the chemical or biochemical reactor, in which the desired chemical or biochemical reaction takes place.

[0008] Regardless of the reactor type, the identically constructed reaction cells of the reaction cell stack are stacked in a single direction, i.e., arranged sequentially one behind the other. The reaction cells can be interconnected by transferring one or more reaction fluids from one cell to the adjacent cell. In the case of two reaction fluids, they can be transferred in opposite directions from cell to cell. The reaction fluids typically flow through at least one cell interior of each reaction cell, which can be defined and enclosed by at least one cell frame. Furthermore, the cell interiors of the reaction cells in a reaction cell stack can be traversed serially, as required.In many cases, however, it will be preferable for the cell interiors of the reaction cells in a reaction cell stack to be permeated by at least one reaction cell fluid in parallel. In both cases, however, it is desirable for the reaction cells to be fluidically connected to one another, either to allow the cell interiors to be permeated sequentially or, if necessary, to be distributed among the cell channels arranged one behind the other in the stack direction and collected again after the permeation of the cell interiors.

[0009] The modular design of the reaction cell stacks allows the performance of the previously described reactors to be easily varied by increasing or decreasing the number of reaction cells in the stack. However, for manufacturers of such reactors, it is quite complex and expensive to produce highly customized stack sizes for different applications. This requires highly adaptable manufacturing processes and machinery. Furthermore, it is virtually impossible to prefabricate reaction cell stacks and keep them in stock for later orders.

[0010] To address these problems, reaction cell stacks are typically manufactured in several standardized sizes and combined as needed to create stacks with a larger number of reaction cells. The reaction cells of the reactor modules usually need to be electrically and / or fluidically connected in the stacking direction to operate the reactor, composed of multiple reactor modules, as if it were a single, larger reaction cell stack. End plates can be provided on the reactor modules for this purpose and then connected to each other. If these end plates are standardized, the reactors can be assembled very flexibly from different reactor modules. This simplifies manufacturing but requires connecting separate reactor modules to separate reaction cell stacks.The reaction modules can be connected, for example, using clamping devices. In these devices, the reactor modules are placed one after the other in the stacking direction of the reaction cell stacks and clamped together in the stacking direction to prevent unwanted leakage of reaction fluid between the reaction cells and / or between the reaction cell stacks or reactor modules. However, different clamping devices are required for specific reactor sizes, as a single clamping device cannot be used to effectively clamp reactors of arbitrary sizes.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention is based on the objective of designing and further developing the reactor and the method of the type mentioned at the outset and explained in more detail above in such a way that reactors of different sizes can be manufactured simply, quickly and cost-effectively, their performance can be subsequently varied and they can be maintained.

[0012] This problem is solved in a reactor according to the preamble of claim 1 in that the adjacent end plates are connected to each other in at least one stacking direction by means of a screw closure and / or bayonet closure in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner, and that the two adjacent reactor modules are electrically and / or fluidically connected to each other in at least one stacking direction via the connected end plates for the purpose of transporting at least one current and / or at least one reaction fluid from one reactor module to the adjacent reactor module.

[0013] The aforementioned problem is further solved according to claim 14 by a method for joining a reactor according to one of claims 1 to 13, in which two end plates connected and corresponding to each other with separate reaction cell stacks are joined together by mutual rotation about a stacking direction of the reaction cells of at least one reaction cell stack via a screw connection and / or bayonet connection.

[0014] By connecting the reactor modules via adjacent end plates, which can be joined by a screw connection and / or a bayonet-type connection, reactor modules can be easily, quickly, and flexibly assembled into larger reactors. The reactors can be composed of two or more reactor modules. Each pair of connected reactor modules is then linked to a corresponding pair at adjacent end plates, simply and quickly by a screw connection and / or a bayonet fitting. The screw connection and / or bayonet connection ensures a force-fit and / or form-fit connection between the reactor modules in the stacking direction of at least one reaction cell stack of the reactor modules.The reactor modules are preferably all arranged one behind the other in a stacking direction of the reaction cell stacks, so that the reaction cell stacks of the resulting reactor have a common stacking direction.

[0015] After connection, the two adjacent reactor modules are also linked via the end plates that provide the connection, such that at least one current and / or at least one reaction fluid can be transported from one reactor module to the other via the end plates. The adjacent reaction modules are thus electrically and / or fluidically connected to each other in at least one stacking direction. This allows the reactor modules to be operated as a single, larger reaction cell stack.

[0016] To connect the reaction modules, two reaction modules, each comprising a separate stack of reaction cells, can be joined via corresponding end plates by rotating the reactor modules relative to each other in the stacking direction of at least one reaction cell stack. This rotation creates a screw connection and / or bayonet connection between the end plates, and thus between the reactor modules, providing a force-fit and / or form-fit connection in the corresponding stacking direction.

[0017] For the sake of clarity and to avoid unnecessary repetition, the reactor and the process are described together below, without differentiating between them in detail. However, it will always be clear to a person skilled in the art, based on the context, which feature is particularly preferred with regard to the reactor and the process.

[0018] In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the reactor, one of the adjacent end plates is designed as a socket, while the other end plate of the two adjacent end plates is designed as a plug corresponding to the socket. In this way, an electrical and / or fluid connection between the end plates and / or the reactor modules can be formed very simply by connecting the end plate connectors via a screw connection and / or a bayonet connection. It can be particularly advantageous and simple if, in the connected state of the reactor modules, the plug-type end plate engages with the corresponding socket-type end plate in at least one stacking direction.

[0019] To enable a simple and quick connection of the end plates to the reaction cell stacks of the adjacent reactor modules, at least one end plate of the adjacent end plates can be welded to the corresponding reaction cell stack in the stacking direction, particularly circumferentially, to provide a reliable and fluid-tight connection. For the purpose of welding, it is further advantageous if the at least one end plate is made of a plastic and is welded to a plastic end of the reaction cell stack, in particular a plastic cell frame.

[0020] To enable a simple and quick connection of the end plates to the reaction cell stacks of adjacent reactor modules, one end plate of the adjacent end plates can alternatively or additionally be connected to the reaction cell stack of the same reaction module in at least one stacking direction via a screw closure and / or bayonet fitting, either force-fit and / or form-fit. The connection of the reactor modules is further simplified if both end plates of the adjacent end plates are connected to the reaction cell stacks of the same reaction modules in at least one stacking direction via a screw closure and / or bayonet fitting, either force-fit and / or form-fit.

[0021] If the screw connection and / or the bayonet connection of adjacent end plates are joined by mutual rotation about at least one stacking direction in one end plate joining direction, it is advantageous if the screw connection and / or the bayonet connection of the adjacent end plates are each joined to the associated reaction cell stack of the same reactor module by mutual rotation about at least one stacking direction in a reactor module joining direction opposite to the end plate joining direction. In this way, adjacent end plates can be separated from each other without the end plates separating from the associated reaction cell stacks. Furthermore, joining adjacent end plates in this way cannot lead to overloading or over-tightening of the connection between the end plates and the reaction cell stacks.

[0022] To enable simple and flexible reactor assembly, it can be advantageous for the separate reactor modules to each contain a different number of identical and interconnected reaction cells. This way, the number of reaction cells in a reactor is not limited to a multiple of a specific number of cells. Furthermore, this approach often allows the number of interconnected reaction modules to be kept to a minimum.

[0023] Particularly in the case of an electrochemical reactor, it can be advantageous for transporting current along the reactor if the adjacent end plates each have bipolar plates arranged in a row to transport at least one current from one reactor module to the adjacent reactor module. The arrangement of these bipolar plates allows the bipolar structure of the reaction cell stacks to be continued even in the area where the reaction cell stacks are connected by the two adjacent end plates, which can lead to a simple and cost-effective reactor. The basic bipolar structure of such reactors has already been described previously.In this context, for the sake of simplicity, it is advantageous if the bipolar plates are centrally arranged in the end plates and, further preferably, if at least one reaction fluid connection is provided at the edge of the bipolar plates for transporting at least one reaction fluid from one reactor module to the adjacent reactor module. Then the current can flow centrally from reaction cell to reaction cell, as can also be the case in reaction cell stacks. In addition, at least one reaction fluid, in particular an electrolyte, can be guided from reaction cell to reaction cell in the edge region of the bipolar plates, as can also be advantageous in individual reaction cell stacks.

[0024] If the reaction cells of at least one reaction cell stack, which is assigned to an adjacent end plate of a reactor module, have cell frames made of plastic, this allows for simple and flexible manufacturing of the reaction cell stack. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the cell frames are oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction of the reaction cell stack. Then the cell frames can be easily stacked in the stacking direction of the reaction cells.

[0025] If the cell frames of at least one reactor module are made of plastic, they can be easily welded together to form the reaction cell stack. If the cell frames are welded all the way around, a fluid-tight reaction cell stack can be easily created. Therefore, due to the weld seams, the reaction cell stack of the reactor module can be fluid-tight in at least the connection area of ​​adjacent cell frames in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.

[0026] To facilitate easy connection of the reactor, which is composed of at least two reactor modules, the reactor can have end plates at opposite ends. These end plates can each be equipped with at least one electrical connection and / or at least one reaction fluid connection for transporting at least one current and / or at least one reaction fluid to and / or from the reactor or the adjacent reaction cell module. For simple and reliable attachment of the end plates to the corresponding reaction cell stacks, the end plates can be connected to the respective adjacent reaction cell stack via a screw cap and / or bayonet fitting. Alternatively, to further increase the reactor's flexibility, at least one end plate can be connected to another end plate via a screw cap and / or bayonet fitting, with the end plate then in turn being connected to the corresponding reaction cell stack.This can be done in the manner described above.

[0027] For the electrical connection of the reactor, it is advantageous if the outer end plates each have a monopolar plate, with the monopolar plates being connected to a current collector plate or bipolar plate of the adjacent reactor module or the adjacent reaction cell stack. The screw connection and / or the bayonet connection of each outer end plate to the adjacent reactor module, for example, to the reaction cell stack or the associated end plate, can be formed by rotating the corresponding outer end plate and the corresponding reaction cell stack relative to each other about at least one stacking direction in the end plate joining direction or in the reactor module joining direction.Connecting the outer end plates to the reactor modules, for example to the reaction cell stack or the associated end plate, can then be carried out, as well as separating the outer end plates from the reactor modules, with as little impairment as possible to other connections, such as between end plates or between end plates and associated reaction cell stacks.

[0028] If at least one outer end plate has at least one reaction fluid connection on its edge to the centrally arranged monopole plate for transporting at least one reaction fluid, not only can an electrical connection, but also a fluid connection of the reactor be achieved simply and reliably.

[0029] To increase the reactor's pressure stability, it can also be advantageous for the adjacent end plates and / or outer end plates to have a circular cross-section perpendicular to at least one stacking direction. The same applies, alternatively or additionally, to the reaction cells and / or the cell frames of the reaction cells of at least one reactor module. With a corresponding circular cross-section perpendicular to at least one stacking direction, stress peaks in the reaction cells are avoided, allowing the reactor to be operated at higher pressures if desired.

[0030] In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the method, two end plates connected to separate reaction cell stacks and corresponding to each other are joined by mutual rotation about a stacking direction of the reaction cells of at least one reaction cell stack. This rotation creates a screw connection and / or bayonet connection between one end plate and the adjacent reaction cell stack. In this way, rapid, simple, and reproducible assembly of the reactor is possible.

[0031] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that merely illustrates exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows

[0032] Fig. 1A-B shows a reactor module with end plates for forming a reactor according to the invention in schematic, perspective views from opposite directions.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a cell frame of the reaction module from Fig. 1 in a top view,

[0034] Fig. 3A-B shows an outer end plate for purely electrical connection of the reactor in schematic, perspective views.

[0035] Fig. 4A-B shows a schematic, perspective view of an outer end plate for the electrical and fluid connection of the reactor.

[0036] Fig. 5 shows a reactor with two reactor modules of different lengths in a schematic side view and

[0037] Fig. 6 shows a reactor with three identical reaction cell stacks in a schematic side view.

[0038] Figures 1A-B show a reactor module 1 from two opposite directions, which can be connected to other identical reactor modules 1 to form a common reactor. The reactor module 1 comprises a series of reaction cells 2, which are arranged successively in a stacking direction R and connected to each other to form a reaction cell stack 3. The reaction cell stack 3 of the illustrated reaction module 1 comprises seven reaction cells 4. However, a different number of reaction cells 4 would be conceivable. Each reaction cell 4 has an externally visible cell frame 5, which is shown separately in Figure 2 and encloses an interior cell space 6 of the reaction cell 4. The cell frames 5 are welded together around their circumference to form the reaction cell stack 3.Within the cell frames 5 surrounding the cell interiors 6, four channels 7 are provided, extending in the stacking direction R of the reaction cell stack 3. These channels distribute two reaction fluids to the cell interiors 6 and collect them again after they have passed through the cell interiors 6. The reactor module 1 shown is a reactor module 1 of an electrochemical reactor; therefore, the reaction fluids in this case are electrolytes. Furthermore, the cell interiors 6 of the reaction cells 4 are separated from each other by bipolar plates.

[0039] At opposite ends of the reaction module 1, two corresponding end plates 8, 9 are connected to the reaction cell stack 3 arranged between them. The reaction cells 4, the cell frames 5 and the end plates 8, 9 each have a cross-section that is at least substantially circular perpendicular to the stacking direction R of the reaction cell stack 3.

[0040] The end plate 8 of Fig. 1A also has an internal thread 10, which corresponds to the external thread 11 of the end plate 9 from Fig. 1B. In the case of another reactor module 1 with identical end plates 8, 9, two corresponding end plates 8, 9 can be inserted into one another in the manner of a plug-and-socket connection and then rotated relative to each other in the end plate joining direction E about the stacking direction R in order to screw the end plates 8, 9 into one another as shown in Fig. 1A-B. The corresponding screw connection then connects the two reactor modules 1 to form a common reactor.

[0041] In the illustrated and thus preferred reactor module 1, the reaction cell stack 3 is welded to the corresponding end plates 8, 9. The end plates 8, 9 also each have a central bipolar plate 12 and, in a peripheral region 13 around the bipolar plate 12, four channel sections 14 which are connected to the channels 7 in the reaction cell stacks 3. Both end plates 8, 9 are thus configured to correspond to each other.

[0042] In the connected state of the reactor modules 1, the bipolar plates 12 of the end plates 8, 9 are in contact with each other, thus establishing an electrical connection between the reactor modules 1 on the one hand and between the reaction cells 4 of the reaction cell stacks 3 on the other. Furthermore, the channel sections 14 of the end plates 8, 9 are overlapping, and the connection between the channel sections 14 is sealed by a sealant 15. In principle, however, a single sealant 15 per connection would also suffice.

[0043] The screw connection between the end plates 8, 9 can be designed such that the end plates 8, 9 can be screwed together just far enough that the corresponding channel sections 14 overlap. Alternatively, a marking can be provided to indicate to the installer that the connection is reliably closed and the channel sections 14 are overlapping. Another option is to provide the installer with feedback during screwing that the desired connection and position of the end plates 8, 9 relative to each other has been achieved. This can be accomplished, for example, by a built-in locking mechanism that requires overcoming additional resistance to engage or that provides an audible click when connected.

[0044] Instead of screws, the end plates could also be connected to each other by a bayonet fitting. Furthermore, the end plates can also be connected to the associated reaction cell stacks via a screw connection or a bayonet fitting. In this case, the end plates can be rotated in the reactor module joining direction M about the stacking direction R to join the end plates to the reaction cell stacks 3. Figures 3A-B show an outer end plate 16 for the outer termination of a reactor. The outer end plate 16 has an external thread 17 that corresponds to the internal thread 10 of the end plate 8 according to Figure 1A. Therefore, the outer end plate 16 can be screwed into the end plate 8 according to Figure 1A as needed to form the outer termination of the reactor.On the side facing the reaction cell stack 3 and the end plate 8, the outer end plate 16 has a central monopolar plate 18, which, when connected to the corresponding end plate 8, comes into contact with its bipolar plate 12. The monopolar plate 18 is also electrically connected to an electrical terminal 19 or current collector for connecting the reactor to an external circuit. On the side facing the reaction cell stack 3 and the end plate 8, the outer end plate 16 has four seals 20 at the edge of the central monopolar plate 18, which, when the outer end plate 16 is connected to an end plate 8 as shown in Fig. 1A, tightly seal the channels 7 of the reactor or the channel section 14 of the end plate 8.

[0045] The outer end plate 16 could also be directly connected to a reaction cell stack, which would eliminate the need for the end plate but would compromise the flexible use of reactor modules and their flexible assembly into individual reactors. Furthermore, the outer end plate could also be connected to a corresponding end plate via a bayonet connection. It is also conceivable to connect the outer end plate directly to the reaction cell stack, optionally by welding, a screw connection, or a bayonet fitting.

[0046] Figures 4A-B show a further outer end plate 21 for the external termination of a reactor, which can be positioned opposite the outer end plate 16 of Figures 3A-B. The outer end plate 21 has an internal thread 22 that corresponds to the external thread 11 of the end plate 9 according to Figure 1B. Therefore, the outer end plate 21 can be screwed to the end plate 9 according to Figure 1B as an external termination of the reactor, if required. On the side facing the reaction cell stack 3 and the end plate 9, the outer end plate 21 has a centrally located monopolar plate 23, which, when connected to the corresponding end plate 9, comes into contact with its bipolar plate 12. The monopolar plate 23 is also electrically connected to an electrical terminal 24 or current collector for connecting the reactor to an external circuit.On the side facing the reaction cell stack 3 and the end plate 9, the outer end plate 21 has four channel sections 25 adjacent to the central monopole plate 23. These channels allow reaction fluids to be supplied to and discharged from the reactor. Sealing agents 26 are also assigned to the channel sections 25 to seal the channels 7 of the reactor and to seal the connection between the channel sections 24, the outer end plate 21, and the channel sections 14 of the end plate 9. Opposite the channel sections 25 of the outer end plate 21, reaction fluid connections TI are arranged for supplying and discharging reaction fluids.

[0047] The outer end plate 21 could also be directly connected to a reaction cell stack, which would eliminate the need for end plates but would compromise the flexible use of reactor modules and their flexible assembly into individual reactors. Furthermore, the outer end plate could also be connected to a corresponding end plate via a bayonet connection. It is also conceivable to connect the outer end plate directly to the reaction cell stack, optionally by welding, a screw connection, or a bayonet fitting.

[0048] Figure 5 shows a reactor 28 composed of two reactor modules 29, 30 of different sizes. Each reactor module 29, 30 comprises a reaction cell stack 31, 32 consisting of a highly variable number of reaction cells 4. The exact number of cells is of secondary importance. The reaction cells 4 of the reactor 30 are all arranged in a common stacking direction R. Furthermore, each reactor module 29, 30 has an end plate 8 on the left side, as shown in Figure 1A, and an end plate 9 on the right side, as shown in Figure 1B. The two reactor modules 29, 30 are bolted together via the corresponding end plates 8, 9, thus connecting them electrically and fluidically. This means that current and reaction fluids can be transferred between the two reactor modules 29, 30 via the connection.The two separate reaction cell stacks 31,32 can thus be operated similarly to a single large reaction cell stack, which has the same number of reaction cells 4 as the reactor 28 in Fig. 4.

[0049] At the left outer end of reactor 28, an outer end plate 16, as shown in Fig. 3A-B, is screwed to the end plate 8 shown in Fig. 1A. The outer end plate 16 has a monopolar plate 18, which is in contact with the bipolar plate 12 of end plate 8, in order to electrically connect the outer end plate 16 to the reaction cells 4 of the reaction cell stacks 31, 32. The outer end plate 16 seals the four channels 7 of reactor 28 at their ends with the four seals 20 provided at the edges of the monopolar plate 18, thus closing the channels 7.

[0050] At the right end of reactor 28, an outer end plate 21, as shown in Fig. 4A-B, is screwed to the end plate 9 shown in Fig. 1B. The outer end plate 21 also has a monopolar plate 23, which is in contact with the bipolar plate 12 of end plate 9 to electrically connect the outer end plate 21 to the reaction cells 4 of the reaction cell stack 31, 32. The monopolar plate 23 of the outer end plate 21 is connected to an electrical terminal 24 or current collector for this purpose. Adjacent to the monopolar plate 23, the outer end plate 21 has four channel sections 25 that open into reaction fluid connections 27. Reaction fluids can be supplied to the reactor 28 via these reaction fluid connections TI and removed again after flowing through the reactor 28. The reaction fluid connections TI are to be connected to appropriate lines for this purpose.To tap into a voltage or to supply voltage to the reactor 28, the electrical terminals 19, 24 of the outer end plates 16, 21 are connected to an external circuit. Figure 6 shows an alternative reactor 33, which is constructed from three different reactor modules 34 and reaction cell stacks 35. In the reactor 33 shown, which is preferred in this respect, the reaction cell stacks 35 each have the same number of reaction cells 4. However, this is not mandatory. In addition to the reaction cell stacks 35, the individual reactor modules 34 also have corresponding end plates 8, 9 at their ends, as already described in connection with Figures 1A-B. Since the reactor modules 34 are constructed identically, including with regard to the corresponding end plates 8, 9, it is possible to insert the corresponding end plates 8, 9 of adjacent reactor modules 34 into one another and screw them together. In Figure 6, the corresponding end plates 8, 9 of adjacent reactor modules 34 are shown together.Figure 6 shows the adjacent reactor modules 34 in their bolted state. The terminal end plates 8, 9, which are not bolted to other end plates 8, 9, are bolted to outer end plates 16, 21 and sealed, as already shown in connection with Figures 3 and 4.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Reactor (28, 33) for chemical, biochemical or electrochemical reactions, comprising at least two interconnected, separate reactor modules (1, 29, 30, 34), wherein each reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) has a plurality of identical and interconnected reaction cells (4), wherein the reaction cells (4) of each reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) form a reaction cell stack (3, 31, 32, 35) and are arranged successively in a stacking direction (R) to form the reaction cell stack (3, 31, 32, 35), wherein the reaction cells (4) of the reactor modules (1, 29, 30, 34) are electrically and / or fluidically connected to one another in the stacking direction (R), and wherein the at least two reactor modules (1, 29, 30, 34) have adjacent end plates (8, 9) connected to one another in the stacking direction (R), characterized in that the adjacent end plates (8,9) are connected to each other in at least one stacking direction (R) by means of a screw closure and / or bayonet closure in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner, and that the two adjacent reactor modules (1, 29, 30, 34) are electrically and / or fluidically connected to each other in at least one stacking direction (R) via the interconnected end plates (8, 9) for the purpose of transporting at least one current and / or at least one reaction fluid from one reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) to the adjacent reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34).

2. Reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that of the adjacent end plates (8, 9) one end plate (8) is in the form of a socket and one end plate (9) is in the form of a corresponding socket are designed as plugs and that, preferably, the end plate (9) engages in the end plate (8) in the manner of the socket in at least one stacking direction (R) in the manner of the plug.

3. Reactor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one end plate (8, 9) of the adjacent end plates (8, 9) is connected by welding in at least one stacking direction (R) to the reaction cell stack (3, 31, 32, 35) of the same reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) and / or that one end plate of the adjacent end plates is connected by a screw closure and / or bayonet closure in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner, or that both end plates of the adjacent end plates are connected by a screw closure and / or bayonet closure in at least one stacking direction to the reaction cell stacks of the same reactor modules in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner.

4. Reactor according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the screw connection and / or the bayonet connection of the adjacent end plates (8, 9) are joined by mutual rotation about the at least one stacking direction (R) in an end plate joining direction (E) and that, preferably, the screw connection and / or the bayonet connection of the adjacent end plates are each joined with the associated reaction cell stack of the same reactor module by mutual rotation about the at least one stacking direction (R) in a reactor module joining direction (M) opposite to the end plate joining direction (E).

5. Reactor according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the separate reactor modules (1, 29, 30) each have a different plurality exhibiting similar and interconnected reaction cells (4).

6. Reactor according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the adjacent end plates (8, 9) each have bipolar plates (12) arranged in a perpendicular arrangement for transporting at least one current from one reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) to the adjacent reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) and that, preferably, the bipolar plates (12) are arranged centrally in the end plates (8, 9) and that, further preferably, at least one reaction fluid connection (25, 27) is provided at the periphery of the bipolar plates (12) for transporting at least one reaction fluid from one reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) to the adjacent reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34).

7. Reactor according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the reaction cells (4) of at least one reaction cell stack (3,31,32,35) of a reactor module (1,29,30,34) associated with an adjacent end plate (8,9) have cell frames (5) made of plastic and that, preferably, the cell frames (5) are oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction (R) of the reaction cell stack (3,31,32,35).

8. Reactor according to claim 7, characterized in that the cell frames (5) of at least one reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) are welded together, in particular circumferentially, and that, preferably, the reaction cell stack (3, 31, 32, 35) of the reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) is fluid-tight in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction (R), at least in the connection area of ​​adjacent cell frames (5).

9. Reactor according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the reactor (28, 33) has outer end plates (16, 21) at opposite ends for transporting at least one current and / or at least one reaction fluid, each with at least one current connection (19, 24) and / or at least one reaction fluid connection (27), and that, preferably, the outer end plates (16, 21) are connected to the respective adjacent reaction cell stack (3, 31, 32, 35) or an adjacent end plate (8, 9) via a screw closure and / or bayonet closure.

10. Reactor according to claim 9, characterized in that the outer end plates (16,21) each have a monopolar plate (18,23) and that the monopolar plates (18,13) are each in contact with a drain plate or a bipolar plate (12) of the adjacent reactor module (1,29,30,34).

11. Reactor according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the screw connection and / or the bayonet connection of each outer end plate (16, 21) with the adjacent reaction cell stack (3, 31, 32, 35) or an adjacent end plate (8, 9) are joined by mutual rotation about the at least one stacking direction (R) in the end plate joining direction (E) or in the reactor module joining direction (M).

12. Reactor according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one outer end plate (21) has at least one reaction fluid compound (25, 27) for transporting at least one reaction fluid on each side of the centrally arranged monopole plate (23).

13. Reactor according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the adjacent end plates (8, 9) and / or outer end plates (16, 21) have a round cross-section perpendicular to at least one stacking direction (R) and / or that the reaction cells (4) and / or the cell frames of the reaction cells (4) of at least one reactor module (1, 29, 30, 34) have a round cross-section perpendicular to at least one stacking direction (R).

14. Method for joining a reactor (28,33) according to one of claims 1 to 13, in which two end plates (8,9) connected and corresponding to each other with separate reaction cell stacks (3,31,32,35) are joined together by mutual rotation about a stacking direction (R) of the reaction cells (4) of at least one reaction cell stack (3,31,32,35) via a screw connection and / or bayonet connection.

15. Method according to claim 14, in which two end plates (8, 9) connected and corresponding to each other with separate reaction cell stacks (3, 31, 32, 35) are joined to the respective adjacent reaction cell stack (3, 31, 32, 35) by mutual rotation about a stacking direction (R) of the reaction cells (4) of at least one reaction cell stack (3, 31, 32, 35) via a screw connection and / or bayonet connection.

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