Valve system

Abstract

A valve system, in particular for biological and / or chemical reactors, having at least one valve for controlling a volume flow and at least one travel path structure for a robot drone, the valve and the travel structure being produced by assembly line printing.

Description

[0001] Valve system

[0002] The present invention relates to a valve system, particularly for biological and / or chemical reactors. The present invention also relates to a supply system, particularly for supplying biological and / or chemical reactors. Finally, the invention also relates to a reactor system, particularly for biological and / or chemical reaction processes.

[0003] Process engineering systems can be installed in mobile containers to achieve availability at decentralized locations. However, this results in numerous economic and environmental disadvantages.

[0004] These containers are accessible to operating and maintenance personnel, and consequently, strict safety regulations must be observed. In particular, pressurized components are designed with a high safety factor. This results in high equipment costs.

[0005] Furthermore, the design, assembly, maintenance, and inspection must always be carried out by specialists, resulting in high acquisition and operating costs. The components of such systems are manufactured from a wide variety of materials to optimize the systems. Recycling can therefore be very costly.

[0006] Furthermore, while mobile containers are considered decentralized systems, if such a container is to be used at a single location to supply a large number of systems or media connection points, the use of powerful pumps may be necessary to pneumatically or hydraulically transport and / or distribute media over the required distances. This results in high energy consumption during operation.

[0007] Extensive processes, especially at decentralized locations, are therefore usually not economically feasible today. Instead, industrial process engineering is characterized by particularly short-cycle, intensive processes with relatively high energy consumption and significant environmental impact.

[0008] The switching, control, and monitoring of decentralized reactor modules is hardly economically feasible. The necessary automation technology must instead be assembled from a multitude of modules, each consisting of numerous materials and components. Furthermore, since valves in automation technology must be electrically connected, the costs for the electrical and electronic components increase with each additional valve required when the modules are arranged decentrally.

[0009] Against the background outlined above, the object of the present invention was to provide a valve system that enables or facilitates the execution of extensive processes with improved economic efficiency, lower energy consumption, and / or reduced environmental impact. The object was also to provide a supply system and a reactor system.

[0010] With regard to the valve system, this problem has been solved by the subject matter of claim 1. A supply system is the subject matter of claim 18 and a reactor system is specified in claim 22. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the respective dependent claims and are explained in more detail below.

[0011] A valve system according to the invention is particularly suitable and / or designed for biological and / or chemical reactors. A valve system according to the invention comprises at least one valve for controlling a volume flow and at least one track structure for a robotic drone. According to the invention, the valve and the track structure are produced by continuous 3D printing, in particular assembly line printing and / or endless printing.

[0012] Valves are particularly well-suited for controlling process engineering operations. Valves can form an interface between a section of pipe or hose – for example, by interrupting a single hose through squeezing – and switching information, which is transmitted electrically or electronically.

[0013] An inventive design of a valve system enables the distributed or decentralized arrangement of valves at or in the immediate vicinity of the respective point of action in a particularly economical manner, while simultaneously ensuring high operational reliability. This allows for extensive and decentralized processes to be carried out with improved economic efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

[0014] Additional costs resulting from the distributed placement of valves directly at their respective points of operation can be avoided or minimized. The roadway structure thus allows for the particularly advantageous use of robotic drones, which can operate and / or monitor the valves at decentralized locations or at the valves' respective points of operation. The roadway structure can define a path or route for the respective robotic drone. The roadway structure can also feature a surface on which a robotic drone can travel.

[0015] The road surface can also be a rail, allowing the use of robot drones in the form of rail vehicles. This eliminates the need for complex wiring of distributed valves with manual connectors for relatively long electrical and / or electronic cables. Simultaneously, maintenance can be performed using robot drones that can be positioned on the road structure. Condition monitoring in the distributed field can therefore be carried out using sensors on the robot drones, thus reducing the overall number of sensors required.

[0016] Continuous 3D printing, particularly assembly line printing and / or continuous printing, of the at least one valve and the roadway structure enables particularly economical manufacturing. The printing process can also predetermine the distributed arrangement of valves for their respective points of action.

[0017] Continuous 3D printing, particularly conveyor belt printing and / or endless printing, allows for the printing of components of any length in at least one spatial direction. Specifically, the components produced in this way can be advanced with each printed layer before the next layer is printed. A conveyor belt printer can be used for this purpose. For components intended to be manufactured using continuous 3D printing, particularly conveyor belt printing and / or endless printing, the orientation of the printing axes of the respective extruder, as well as the conveyor belt orientation, must be taken into account. Despite any design restrictions for the components produced by conveyor belt printing, the ability to print components of any length results in high cost-effectiveness in the production of a valve system according to the invention, especially with regard to the decentralized or distributed arrangement of valves.

[0018] Where continuous 3D printing, in particular assembly line printing and / or endless printing, is mentioned here, this refers to the continuous printing of the same component or assembly. Overall, a valve system according to the invention solves the cost problem of automation technology for slow and extensive processes, especially for chemical and biological processes. This enables mass production with extensive processes to be decentralized, economical, and with low energy consumption and minimal environmental impact.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve can be actuated by one or more robotic drones positioned on the roadway structure. The valve is thus arranged so that a robotic drone can actuate and / or monitor the valve from a single position on the roadway structure. This allows for a high degree of flexibility in the distribution and arrangement of the valve(s) at decentralized locations. Simultaneously, a high level of operational reliability can be achieved, as the predefined roadway structure ensures that the robotic drone can reliably reach and locate each valve.

[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment, the valve can protrude at least partially from a road surface and / or the upper surface of the road structure. This ensures further improved accessibility and operability of the valve by a robotic drone.

[0021] According to a further preferred embodiment, the valve can be arranged, at least section by section, on the underside of the roadway structure, facing away from the road surface and / or from the upper surface of the roadway structure. This allows, for example, a supply line, which may be designed as a fluid line and / or supply hose, to be advantageously arranged beneath the roadway structure and still be controlled by the respective valve. The roadway structure can thus cover any supply lines during operation or in its installed operating position, thereby protecting them. According to a further preferred embodiment, the valve can extend on both sides of the roadway structure, in particular on the upper and lower surfaces. Likewise, the valve can extend from the upper surface of the roadway to the underside.Starting from the top of the roadway, the valve can therefore be actuated by a robot drone, and in the area of ​​the underside of the roadway or below the roadway structure, the valve can act on the respective supply line and influence the fluid flow within it.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, the valve can have an actuation axis that is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the roadway structure by an angle of inclination greater than 0° and less than 90°. This simplifies actuation by a robotic drone. At the same time, such an inclined valve can preferably be manufactured using assembly line printing.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment, the valve can have an actuating axis that is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the road structure at an angle of more than 40° and less than 50°, in particular at about 45°. This allows for particularly advantageous manufacturing by means of assembly line printing. Likewise, such an inclination ensures particularly advantageous identification of the valve by a robotic drone and can simplify its actuation.

[0024] A conventional printer can, for example, print a cylinder with a trapezoidal thread vertically. In assembly line printing, however, it is preferable to align the cylinder with the extruder, for example, at an angle of 45° or approximately 45°. The aforementioned inclination can be oriented such that the actuating axis of the valve forms a plane with the longitudinal axis of the track structure, forming an angle with the width of the track structure or oriented perpendicular to the width. In an installed operating position, this plane can therefore be vertical.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment, a hinge can be formed between the road surface and the valve, via which the angle of inclination between the actuating axis of the valve and the longitudinal axis of the road surface can be adjusted, wherein the hinge can preferably be created by flow belt pressure, particularly together with the valve and / or the road surface. The inclination position of the valve can thus be adjusted during operation to the respective operating conditions.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment, pressure layers for producing the valve can extend transversely or at an angle to the actuating axis of the valve. This enables advantageous manufacturing by means of assembly line printing.

[0027] According to a further preferred embodiment, printing layers for generating the road surface structure can extend at an angle of more than 40° and less than 50°, in particular of about 45°, to the longitudinal axis of the road surface structure. This allows particularly long structures to be produced without interruption by additive manufacturing using assembly line printing.

[0028] According to a further preferred embodiment of the valve system, it can have a plurality of valves arranged at various points of action along the roadway structure, in particular along a longitudinal direction of the roadway structure and / or at an angle to the longitudinal direction or transversely to the longitudinal direction. For example, several valves can be arranged at one point along the longitudinal direction of the roadway structure. In particular, two, three, or more valves can be arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction at one point along the longitudinal direction. Different switching functionalities can thus be provided at such a point. A large number of valves can be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the roadway structure, thereby enabling the interconnection of, for example, reactors.

[0029] According to a further preferred embodiment, the roadway structure can be formed by a plurality of roadway modules, in particular by longitudinally adjacent and / or interconnected roadway modules, each roadway module preferably having a plurality of valves. This increases manufacturing flexibility and allows production line printing to be interrupted after reaching a minimum length and then restarted.

[0030] According to a further preferred embodiment, the valve can be designed as a pinch valve. Likewise, the valve can be designed as a 2-way valve or as a 3-way valve.

[0031] Two-way valves can, for example, open and close a hose between an inlet and an outlet. Pinch valves are particularly well-suited for automation, requiring minimal design effort. Modern pinch valves allow for several thousand closing cycles before the hose needs to be replaced. Three-way valves are especially suitable for dosing and for chemical processes and reactions, as they switch between two media.

[0032] In contrast, electrically controlled valves switch, for example, using magnetic force via solenoids. However, solenoids are relatively expensive. With a large number of valves, this can result in significant costs. A valve system that can operate without electrical or electronic components, or without solenoids, can therefore be scaled much more effectively. An order of magnitude more valves could thus be used for switching directly at the point of action. Consequently, the use of pinch valves can significantly improve efficiency.

[0033] According to a further preferred embodiment, the valve can consist of a plurality of components produced by conveyor belt printing in a mutually assembled and / or pre-assembled position, and / or components of the valve can be arranged in a mutually assembled position by print-in-place.

[0034] In a so-called print-in-place process, the aim is to produce assemblies consisting of several components with only one printing process, so that the assembly can be removed from the printer already assembled or at least pre-assembled.

[0035] According to a further preferred embodiment, the valve can consist of more than two components, in particular at least three components, wherein the valve preferably has a static component that is rigidly connected to the road surface structure and two movable components that can be arranged to move relative to each other and / or relative to the static component. This ensures particularly reliable valve functionality with minimal manufacturing effort.

[0036] According to a further preferred embodiment, a movable component can be designed as a rotatably arranged valve head. Additionally or alternatively, a movable component can be designed as a translationally movable translational component, wherein the valve head is preferably rotatable relative to the static component via an annular groove, and in particular, is rotatably guided. More preferably, the translational component can be guided translationally relative to the static component via a groove. Furthermore, a thread can be formed between the valve head and the translational component. In this way, translational movement for providing switching functionality can be ensured with high reliability and a simple design.

[0037] According to a further preferred embodiment, a rotation of the valve head can be transmitted to the translational component via the thread formed between the valve head and the translational component, thereby generating a translational movement of the translational component, and / or the translational component can be prevented from rotating with the valve head by being guided in the groove. The valve head can thus preferably be rotated by a robotic drone for actuation purposes, which in turn generates a translational movement that switches the valve between different positions. The valve head can be guided rotationally on the static component via an annular groove, so that the position of the valve head along the actuation axis of the valve can be maintained.

[0038] In a further preferred embodiment, the valve head can at least partially enclose the static component of the valve on the outside. This prevents the ingress of water and / or liquid into the interior of the valve and increases operational reliability.

[0039] According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one contact surface for contacting and / or crimping a supply line and / or a supply hose can be formed on the translational component. This ensures a high degree of reliability in the crimping functionality of the valve.

[0040] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a valve system, in particular for biological and / or chemical reactors, comprising at least one valve for controlling a volume flow and at least one track structure for a robot drone, wherein the valve and the track structure are produced as a common assembly.

[0041] The aforementioned further aspect can preferably be further developed in a preferential manner with all other advantageous embodiments as described above.

[0042] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a supply system, in particular for supplying biological and / or chemical reactors. Such a supply system comprises a valve system, in particular according to the preceding description, and at least one robotic drone for the automated actuation of at least one valve of the valve system.

[0043] Such a supply system can therefore include a valve system designed according to the preceding description. It is also possible for such a supply system to be equipped with a valve system in which the at least one valve and the roadway structure are not produced by continuous 3D printing, assembly line printing, or endless printing, but by another manufacturing and / or assembly process.

[0044] A supply system according to the invention makes it possible, in particular, to operate extensive and decentralized processes with improved economic efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The robotic drone enables the switching of decentralized valves without the need to lay electrical cables for the valves over long distances and connect them manually.

[0045] According to a further preferred embodiment, the robotic drone can be positioned on the roadway structure. The robotic drone can be designed and / or configured to actuate various valves for travel along the roadway structure. In this way, the robotic drone can control and actuate a large number of different valves at various points in the valve system, thus providing a high degree of functionality with minimal effort. The robotic drone can be remotely controlled, for example, via a wireless data and / or communication link. Likewise, the robotic drone can be connected to a computer network, such as a cloud network.

[0046] According to a further preferred embodiment, the robot drone can be securely coupled to the road surface in a way that prevents loss and / or theft, in particular via a T-shaped groove in the road surface. This reduces the risk of theft or the robot drone unintentionally falling from the road surface.

[0047] According to a further preferred embodiment, the supply system can have at least one supply line, wherein the volume flow in the supply line is controllable by the at least one valve. The supply line can preferably be generated by flow belt pressure, particularly in conjunction with the valve and / or the road surface structure, and / or in alternating pressure steps with the valve and / or the road surface structure. Furthermore, the supply line can be designed as a flexible and / or compressible supply hose. This ensures a high degree of supply functionality with minimal manufacturing effort.

[0048] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a reactor system, in particular for biological and / or chemical reaction processes, comprising a plurality of reactors and a supply system according to the preceding description, wherein the supply system is operatively connected to the reactors and / or is connected for fluid supply and / or discharge.

[0049] Such a reactor system makes it possible, in particular, to operate extensive and decentralized processes with improved economic efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Reactors for biological and chemical processes can serve as containers for the reaction and for controlling and monitoring defined process sequences. Extensive processes are characterized by the lowest possible input of production factors such as energy, which typically results in particularly long process times. Mass production can be achieved with slow, extensive processes, especially if a large reactor volume is available.

[0050] Reactor systems consisting of numerous reactors or reactor modules can be controlled decentrally with minimal equipment and / or energy expenditure, as each reactor or reactor module has its own valves and, if necessary, its own measuring devices. CO2 storage, for example, can be an extensive process. Similarly, the production of mycelial structures, for instance for insulation materials, algae cultivation, and intelligent irrigation, can also be extensive processes.

[0051] According to a further preferred embodiment, each reactor can have at least one reactor pool and one pretreatment vessel, and at least the reactor pools and pretreatment vessels of two reactors can be interconnected via a plurality of valves of the valve system. Such pretreatment vessels and / or any interconnection between different reactors result in greater flexibility in the process sequences to be carried out.

[0052] According to a further preferred embodiment, the pretreatment tank can be arranged above the reactor pool of the respective reactor, with preferably a lower end of the pretreatment tank projecting into the reactor pool. This allows fluid to be drawn from the reactor pool via the lower end of the pretreatment tank, provided there is a sufficient fluid level in the reactor pool. According to a further preferred embodiment, the pretreatment tank of a reactor can be held in an opening of the track structure of the valve system, in particular by positive locking. This enables a particularly simple arrangement and assembly of the pretreatment tanks in the respective desired or intended operating position.In particular, the respective pretreatment container can be easily inserted into an opening in the road structure and, due to its shape and / or size dimensioning, can arrive in a final position after being inserted into the opening.

[0053] According to a further preferred embodiment, the pretreatment vessel of a reactor can be tubular. Additionally or alternatively, the pretreatment vessel can have an opening at at least one end, in particular at one or both free ends. Furthermore, the pretreatment vessel can have at least one opening between the free ends for fluid supply and / or fluid discharge. In this way, different routes for fluid supply and / or discharge can be used, thereby enabling a greater number of process sequences.

[0054] According to a further preferred embodiment, the pretreatment tank can have at least one expansion device for closing and / or opening an opening, in particular an opening at a free end. The expansion device can preferably be connected to a valve of the valve system and / or be controllable by a valve of the valve system. The closing and / or opening of the respective opening can thus be implemented, in a particularly preferred manner, by a media supply and / or media discharge controlled via a valve.

[0055] According to a further preferred embodiment, the expansion device can have a flexible sealing element, in particular made of butyl material, which expands when pressurized and / or seals against an inner circumferential section of the pretreatment container. This allows for a reliable seal or closure of the respective opening to be achieved with minimal effort.

[0056] According to a further preferred embodiment, the reactors can be arranged within and / or below a wall structure. Additionally or alternatively, the reactors can be arranged, at least partially, between two parallel wall sections of a wall structure, the wall structure being made, in particular, of gravel material. The valve system and / or the roadway structure can preferably be arranged above and / or on top of the wall structure.

[0057] Such a design allows mass production with extensive processes to be carried out not only economically and with low energy consumption, but also in an environmentally integrated way within the cultural landscape.

[0058] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for supplying biological and / or chemical reactors and / or reactor systems, in particular a reactor system described above and / or preferably a valve system and / or supply system described above. In such a method, a robotic drone can automatically actuate at least one valve of a valve system.

[0059] Further advantageous configurations are discussed below.

[0060] The valve system and / or the supply system can be designed as an intelligent valve system or intelligent supply system, respectively. It can be divided into two areas or operating levels. In the preferably upper area, robot drones can be moved along a track or rail of the roadway structure. The roadway can therefore have a road surface and / or a rail or rails for robot drones. In the preferably lower area, supply lines or hoses can be arranged, which are interconnected via the valves of the valve system. The valves are preferably pinch valves with two or three ports.

[0061] The division into an upper and a lower area refers in particular to an installed operating position of the valve system and / or the supply system.

[0062] The valves preferably also connect the upper and lower areas by being aligned during printing at an angle of 45° to the roadway plane of the roadway structure, parallel to the extrusion direction of the respective printhead used, and / or by aligning the roadway structure parallel to a conveyor belt of a respective conveyor belt printer used.

[0063] The lower section of the valve may have openings for squeezing hoses. The upper section of the valve may have a rotatable valve head that can be operated by a tool, in particular a tool on a robotic drone.

[0064] In a preferred version, the valve head is hollow or cavity-shaped, allowing the robotic drone to optically or mechanically detect a movable measuring surface on the valve head, providing information about the valve's setting. A thread, preferably a trapezoidal thread, transmits the rotation of the valve head to a translational component of the valve, which is prevented from rotating by a groove on a static component. This translational movement moves the measuring surface and, in turn, moves the contact surfaces in the lower section of the valve, which compress or decompress the respective hoses or tubing.

[0065] The helical axis, or actuation axis, of the valve thread can be aligned with the extruder axis of the print head used for production, so that the printed layers extend perpendicular to the helical axis, and each layer is built up perpendicular to the helical axis. The trapezoidal shape of the thread can be printed without supports if the trapezoid is inclined at, for example, 45°. The two moving components—the translational component and the rotatably arranged valve head—can be held during printing by thin and / or short support elements that firmly connect all three components.

[0066] The outer circumference or surface of the valve is preferably free of functional surfaces, so that support sections between the rotating valve head and the static component can be arranged in such a way that any broken remnants of the support sections do not generate undesirable friction after the rotating valve head has been freed. A support section can extend from the measuring surface on the inner circumference of the rotating valve head. The translational component can extend downwards directly to the conveyor belt of the respective conveyor printer and be held there during printing.

[0067] In a preferred version, the valve is printed from PETG material using a nozzle larger than 0.5 mm or, for example, 0.8 mm. Overhanging surfaces are spaced from other component surfaces with a gap of, for example, 1.2 mm, and vertical surfaces with a gap of, for example, 0.6 mm. A thread pitch of more than 5 mm or less than 7 mm, for example, 6 mm, has proven suitable for applying sufficient clamping force and for easily releasing the clamping force with a servo drive, especially on a robotic drone.

[0068] In another preferred variant, the valve head can be designed so that it cannot be moved by hand, but only by a robotic drone equipped with a suitable wrench. To reduce the gripping area on the valve head, a static sleeve can preferably be placed around the circumference of the valve. The interior of the valve head can be designed to be difficult or impossible for fingers to grip, for example, by means of an internal engagement structure in the form of an internal pentagon, particularly in a 15 mm version.

[0069] The reactor system can advantageously be operated as a CO2 storage facility and / or configured as a CC storage facility.

[0070] In a preferred design, the roadway structure features an opening in the form of a fitted hole, with a diameter of, for example, approximately 110 mm, to accommodate pretreatment containers from above. The pretreatment containers can be secured in the fitted hole with a slightly widened end. A pretreatment container might, for example, have a standard length of one meter. A rod can be inserted into it, which may be equipped with cylindrical expansion devices at both ends.

[0071] These expansion devices preferably have an outer layer of butyl tubing and an inner layer of hollow cylinder, particularly made of PETG, which may be closed in the middle by a wall. The wall may have hose openings, at least one of which may be provided.

[0072] A lower expansion device can be equipped with only one hose feedthrough, which leads radially to the butyl hose in the wall and can expand the butyl hose as needed with compressed air, CO2, or an exhaust gas mixture. The butyl hose has, for example, a wall thickness of more than 1 mm or less than 2 mm, preferably 1.2 mm. When the butyl hose is expanded, it will be pressed against the inner wall of the pretreatment vessel.

[0073] Preferably, the expansion of the butyl hose can be restricted on the top and / or bottom, for example by an additional butyl tape bonded to the butyl hose, and / or by cage structures projecting radially outwards. Pipes and / or hoses can then be routed through the upper expansion device. When both expansion devices are pressurized to at least 1 bar and / or a maximum of 3 bar, they seal the pretreatment tank at two ends or openings, particularly on the top and bottom in the operating position, and the pretreatment tank can be pressurized.

[0074] If only the upper expansion device is closed, liquid can be drawn in from below the pretreatment tank using negative pressure. Depending on the suction speed, solids transport can then be initiated, especially with a high suction rate, or gravity filtration can be achieved, particularly with slow suction rates and possibly with suction pauses.

[0075] If only the lower expansion device is closed, liquid can be added and also measured from the top or upper end of the pretreatment tank using sensors. For example, the fill level, the suspended solids content, and / or the pH value can be measured with suitable sensors from the top or upper end of the pretreatment tank.

[0076] Furthermore, pressure can preferably be built up in the pretreatment tank, allowing, for example, the injection of CO₂ into the liquid. Alternatively, the pressure can be utilized by rapidly opening a lower expansion device and releasing pressure downwards from the entire pretreatment tank. This can generate a cleaning pulse that removes sludge from the area beneath the pretreatment tank. Additionally, liquid in the pretreatment tank can be subjected to a vacuum to selectively extract CO₂ from an aqueous phase.

[0077] The above-described states of the pretreatment tank can be controlled by valves of a valve system according to the invention, by connecting the valves to the expansion devices with hoses or lines, in particular to an expansion device arranged at the top in the installed position and an expansion device arranged at the bottom in the installed position.

[0078] Hoses or pipes can also lead directly into the interior of the pretreatment tank. In particular, hoses or pipes can run in an upper and / or lower area of ​​the pretreatment tank in its installed position, preferably adjacent to an upper and / or lower expansion device.

[0079] Hoses or lines extending to a lower area of ​​the pretreatment tank, particularly near the lower expansion device, can create CCh bubbles in the pretreatment tank or they can form an outlet for liquid and solid particles when the pretreatment tank is pressurized.

[0080] Hoses or pipes leading to an upper area of ​​the pretreatment tank can draw clean water without suspended particles from the pretreatment tank and / or simply allow excess gas to escape and / or establish a vacuum or negative pressure connection.

[0081] A hose or pipe leading to an upper area of ​​the pretreatment tank may preferably lead to a 3-way valve which can switch on a vent hose and a drainage hose respectively, or to a hose leading to another pretreatment tank for the exchange of media or fluids.

[0082] Preferably, the robotic drones can control the states by switching the valves and / or by measuring them using sensors positioned above a pretreatment tank. Data acquired in this way can be processed within the robotic drone or sent to a cloud for processing. The track structure is preferably designed so that the robotic drones can approach the valves and align rotary tools with the inner areas of the valve heads to control or actuate the respective valves.

[0083] Additionally or alternatively, the robotic drone can align the tools in an offset position so that the tools do not come into contact with any internal holes in the valve heads. In this case, the robotic drone pushes the tool forward over the valve heads. The robotic drone may be slightly raised during this process.

[0084] The outlet of a drainage hose or drainage line from the pretreatment tank can preferably be relocated or moved by a robotic drone along the roadway structure and / or along the valve system in such a way as to control where the liquid and / or the solids or particles drain or drip from the respective pretreatment tank.

[0085] The pretreatment container can preferably be designed to allow robot drones to overtake other robot drones or to travel in opposite directions. Additionally or alternatively, robot drones can be designed to drive over other robot drones. In a further preferred solution, the robot drones can be connected to the track structure via a T-slot in such a way that they cannot be stolen, or can only be stolen with considerable effort, or at least not without causing damage.

[0086] A robotic drone can preferably be configured to actuate valves of the valve system. Additionally or alternatively, a robotic drone can also operate or control a distribution system or reactor system according to the invention, namely through additional or other operations. For operating a reactor system, in particular with a series of CO2 storage modules, a robotic drone can be set up and / or configured to perform a combination of movement patterns.

[0087] A robotic drone can be configured to measure the position of a measuring surface in the valve heads if the position of the respective valve is unknown. This measurement can be performed optically, for example, using a camera or a LiDAR sensor.

[0088] Furthermore, a robotic drone can be configured to engage a tool with a valve or multiple tools with multiple valves by driving forward and to rotate the respective tool clockwise or counterclockwise with a defined tightening torque.

[0089] Furthermore, a robotic drone can be configured to drive over a valve without the tool engaging in the valve head in order to reach the next valve or group of valves.

[0090] Furthermore, a robotic drone can be configured to overtake another robotic drone if necessary, for example a defective robotic drone.

[0091] Furthermore, a robotic drone can be configured to return to a starting point, for example, if the reactor modules or CO2 storage modules do not form a closed formation.

[0092] Furthermore, a robotic drone can be set up to position one or more sensors above one or more pretreatment containers.

[0093] A robotic drone can also be configured to travel to a charging station to recharge its own battery. Furthermore, a robotic drone can be configured to perform assembly operations, for example, replacing, installing, and / or repairing a pretreatment container, or replacing and / or repairing an expansion device.

[0094] The operation of the valve system, supply system, or reactor system can be ensured by the movement patterns of robot drones listed above.

[0095] A process for CC mineralization, as described below, can be implemented using a valve system and / or supply system and / or reactor system as discussed here.

[0096] A load of dunit sludge is delivered by truck, or a wet drum mill is delivered to grind dunit gravel on site.

[0097] A supply line, particularly a relatively thick hose, distributes the dunite sludge to several reactors or CO2 storage modules. By switching valves, a defined quantity is filled into each reactor or module. Switching a valve then allows the dunite sludge to be slowly drawn into the respective pretreatment tank, where the rock particles are separated from the water by gravity filtration. The water can then be returned to the drum mill via a supply line.

[0098] By repeating the process, the reactor or the respective CO2 storage module can be filled with rock flour.

[0099] For a mineralization process, at least two reactors or CO2 storage modules, each with a pretreatment tank, can be interconnected: one reactor with a Dunit and one without. The pretreatment tank of the Dunit reactor can be filled with pure water, and CO2 can be injected from below under pressure. After a certain time, a drainage line opens, and the pressure in the pretreatment tank allows the now carbonated water to escape, overflowing a Dunit pile containing acidic water. This Dunit pile can be located in a reactor basin of the respective reactor, which may be situated below the pretreatment tank.

[0100] As a result, minerals can dissolve and react with CO2. Mineral water forms at the bottom of the reactor basin of the respective reactor. The pretreatment tank can then draw in this mineral water. The pretreatment tank of the empty reactor draws the mineral water from the Dunit reactor and degasses it using a vacuum, preferably at 0.8 bar below atmospheric pressure. The degassed mineral water is now no longer acidic and therefore supersaturated with minerals.

[0101] A drainage pipe can pour the mineral water into the reactor basin of the empty reactor. Minerals precipitate and settle as carbon-containing hydromagnesite. The demineralized water is drawn back to the dunite reactor, and the process is repeated until the dunite is dissolved and the originally empty reactor is filled with hydromagnesite.

[0102] As an alternative to connecting two pretreatment tanks, a cascade of reactors can also be connected to improve the process sequence or to increase the process efficiency and production volume of hydromagnesite and / or magnesite.

[0103] For pH cycling, carbonated water, especially with a low pH, can be supplied to the reactors containing hydromagnesite for, for example, one hour per day. Alkaline water with a high pH can be supplied for approximately 23 hours per day. This cycling process dissolves the hydromagnesite and increases the proportion of stable magnesite with each cycle. In another preferred method, cycling can also be achieved by connecting multiple reactors. In this case, minerals can be broken down in one reactor and reformed in another.

[0104] Preferably, in the autumn, provided and to the extent that the dunite has dissolved, a truck can transport building material in the form of magnesite and / or hydromagnesite produced in the reactors. The mixture of hydromagnesite and magnesite can be conveyed by hydraulic solid transport through the pretreatment tanks into a supply line, particularly in the form of a hose, collected centrally, and made available for the truck. Hydromagnesite is crumbly, whereas magnesite can sinter. Therefore, it is preferably important to ensure that the proportion of hydromagnesite remains high enough so that the magnesite does not form excessively large structures that could impede the hydraulic solid transport.

[0105] The process can be carried out analogously with calcium-containing rock, producing calcium carbonate. It is also possible to produce calcium carbonate in some reactors and magnesium carbonate in others, and then combine them in a suitable ratio in further reactors. This results in a sintered rock with a high carbon storage capacity and high strength.

[0106] In addition to controlling the pretreatment tanks and / or reactors, valves, or a valve system as discussed here, can also be used to control other processes. For example, automatic irrigation can be implemented using the valve system or supply system according to the invention. Similarly, acrylic tubes containing algae cultures and controlled by valve groups can be placed on the reactors described here.

[0107] Preferably, rows of modules or reactors can be placed side by side in such a way that an approximately 1.5 m wide passageway is created between them, which can be spanned by a roof structure. A conveyor belt printer and, if necessary, autonomous robots can be accommodated in this passageway.

[0108] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the associated drawings.

[0109] They show schematically:

[0110] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0111] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the valve system from Figure 1;

[0112] Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the valve system from Figure 1 along the

[0113] Intersection line AA;

[0114] Fig. 4 shows a detail view B of the longitudinal section from Figure 3;

[0115] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0116] Fig. 6 shows a detail view A of the perspective view from Figure 5;

[0117] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a pretreatment container according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0118] Fig. 8 shows a top view of a pretreatment container from Figure 7;

[0119] Fig. 9 shows a longitudinal section of a pretreatment container from Figure 7;

[0120] Fig. 10 shows a detailed view A of the longitudinal section from Figure 9; Fig. 11 shows a circuit diagram of a reactor system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a valve system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 shows a top view of the valve system 10 from Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section of the valve system 10 along the section line AA from Figure 2, and Figure 4 shows a detail view B of the longitudinal section from Figure 3.

[0122] The valve system 10 is designed in particular for biological and / or chemical reactors 100, which will be discussed in more detail below. The valve system 10 has at least one valve 12 for controlling a volume flow and at least one track structure 14 for a robot drone 16, as will be described below with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The valve 14 and the track structure 12 can be produced by conveyor belt printing.

[0123] The valve 14 can be actuated by one or more robot drones 14 arranged on the roadway structure 12. The valve 14 can protrude at least partially from a roadway surface and / or the upper surface 18 of the roadway structure 12, as can be seen in particular in Figure 4.

[0124] The valve can be arranged, at least section by section, on the underside 20 of the roadway structure 12, facing away from the road surface and / or from a road surface 18 of the roadway structure 12. In particular, the valve 14 can extend on both sides of the roadway structure 12, especially above and below the roadway structure 12 and / or from a road surface 18 to a road surface 20.

[0125] The valve 14 can have an actuation axis 22 which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 24 of the roadway structure 12 at an angle of inclination greater than 0° and less than 90°. In particular, the valve 14 can have an actuation axis 22 which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 24 of the roadway structure 12 at an angle of greater than 40° and less than 50°, in particular of about 45°.

[0126] The valve system 10 can comprise a plurality of valves 14 arranged at various points of action along the roadway structure 12, in particular along a longitudinal direction of the roadway structure 12. Furthermore, several valves 14 can be arranged at an angle to the longitudinal direction or transversely to the longitudinal direction, as shown, for example, in Figures 1 and 2. The longitudinal direction can extend along the longitudinal axis 24.

[0127] The roadway structure 12 can be formed by a plurality of roadway modules 26, in particular by longitudinally adjacent and / or combined roadway modules 26, wherein each roadway module 26 may preferably have a plurality of valves 14.

[0128] Valve 14 can be configured as a pinch valve. Valve 14 can also be configured as a 2-way valve or a 3-way valve.

[0129] The valve 14 can consist of a plurality of components, which are produced, for example, by assembly line printing in a pre-assembled and / or pre-assembled position. In particular, components of the valve 14 can be arranged in a pre-assembled position by print-in-place.

[0130] The valve 14 can consist of more than two components, in particular at least three components, wherein the valve 14 preferably has a static component 28, which is rigidly connected to the roadway structure 12, and two movable components 30 and 32, which are arranged to be movable relative to each other and / or relative to the static component 28. One movable component is designed as a rotatably arranged valve head 30 and / or a movable component can be designed as a translationally movable translational component 32. Preferably, the valve head 30 can be rotatably guided, in particular by a ring groove (not shown in detail) relative to the static component 28. More preferably, the translational component 28 can be guided translationally via a groove relative to the static component 28.

[0131] A rotation of the valve head 30 can be transmitted to the translation component 32 via a thread 34 formed between the valve head 30 and the translation component 32, thus generating a translational movement of the translation component 32. The translation component 32 can be prevented from rotating with the valve head 30 by being guided in the groove, and the valve head 30 can be guided rotationally on the static component 28 via an annular groove.

[0132] The translation component 28 can have at least one contact surface 36 for contacting and / or crimping a supply line and / or a supply hose, which is not shown in detail here.

[0133] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a supply system 38 according to an embodiment of the present invention and Figure 6 shows a detail view A of the perspective view from Figure 5.

[0134] The supply system 38 is designed and / or configured specifically for supplying biological and / or chemical reactors 100, as described below. The supply system 38 may be equipped with a valve system 10, particularly as described above. Furthermore, the supply system 38 may be equipped with at least one robotic drone 16 for the automated actuation of at least one valve 14 of the valve system 10. The robotic drone 16 may be arranged on the track structure 12 and may be designed and / or configured for actuating different valves 14 and for traveling along the track structure.

[0135] The robot drone 16 can be coupled to the roadway structure 12 in a way that prevents loss and / or theft, in particular via a T-shaped groove in the roadway structure 12 which is not shown in detail here.

[0136] The supply system 38 can include a supply line (not shown in detail in Figures 1 to 6), wherein the volume flow in the supply line is controllable by the at least one valve 1. Different supply lines are shown schematically in Figure 11 and are explained in more detail below.

[0137] The respective supply line can preferably be produced by continuous 3D printing, in particular assembly line printing and / or endless printing, especially together with the valve and / or the roadway structure and / or in alternating pressure steps with the valve and / or the roadway structure, wherein the respective supply line can preferably be designed as a flexible and / or squeezable supply hose.

[0138] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a pretreatment container 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 shows a top view of a pretreatment container 40 from Figure 7. Furthermore, Figure 9 shows a longitudinal section of a pretreatment container 40 from Figure 7, and Figure 10 shows a detail view A of the longitudinal section from Figure 9.

[0139] The circuit diagram of a reactor system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 11. A reactor system 100, as shown schematically in Figure 11, is designed and / or configured for biological and / or chemical reaction processes. Such a reactor system 100 can be equipped with a plurality of reactors 102 and with a supply system 38 and / or with a valve system 10, particularly as described above. The supply system 38 and / or the valve system 10 can be operatively connected to the reactors 102 and / or connected for fluid supply and / or discharge.

[0140] Each reactor 102 can have at least one reactor pool 104 and one pretreatment vessel 40. At least the reactor pools 104 and pretreatment vessels 40 of two reactors 102 can be interconnected via a plurality of valves 14 of the valve system 10, as will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 11.

[0141] The respective pretreatment vessel 40 can be arranged above the reactor pool 104 of the respective reactor 102. Preferably, a lower end 108 of the pretreatment vessel 40 can project into the reactor pool 104, which is not shown in detail in Figure 11.

[0142] The pretreatment vessel 40 of a reactor 102 can be held in an opening 42 of the roadway structure 12 of the valve system 10, in particular in a form-fitting manner.

[0143] Furthermore, the pretreatment vessel 40 of a reactor 102 can be tubular, as can be seen in Figures 7, 9 and 10. An opening 50, 52 can be provided at at least one end 46, 48, in particular at one free end 46, 48 or at both free ends 46, 48.

[0144] The pretreatment container 40 can further have at least one opening 54 and / or 56 between the free ends 46 and 48 for fluid supply and / or fluid discharge. As can be seen in particular from Figures 9 and 10, the pretreatment container 40 can have at least one expansion device 58 for closing and / or opening an opening 50, 52, in particular an opening 50, 52 at a free end 46, 48, wherein the expansion device 58 is preferably connected to a valve 14 of the valve system 10 and / or is controllable by a valve 14 of the valve system 10. In particular, the pretreatment container 40 can have two expansion devices 58, one at a lower free end 48 and one at an upper free end 46.

[0145] The expansion device 58 can have a flexible sealing element 60, in particular made of butyl material, which expands when pressurized and / or seals against an inner circumferential section 62 of the pretreatment container 40. The expansion device 58 can further have an internal hollow cylinder 64, in particular made of PETG, which can be closed in the middle by a wall 66. Hose passages 68 can be provided in the wall 66, at least one hose passage 68.

[0146] A lower expansion device 58, in particular the expansion device 58 arranged at the lower end 48, can be equipped with only one hose passage 68, which leads radially in the wall 66 to the sealing element 60 and can expand the sealing element 60 with compressed air or CO2 or exhaust gas mixture as required. The sealing element 60 has, for example, a wall thickness of more than 1 mm or less than 2 mm, preferably 1.2 mm. When the sealing element 60 is expanded, it will be pressed against an inner wall section 62 of the pretreatment container 40.

[0147] Preferably, the expansion of the butyl hose can be restricted on the top and / or bottom, for example by an additional butyl tape that is bonded to the butyl hose, and / or by cage structures 70 that project radially outwards. Two expansion devices 58 of a pretreatment container 40 can be connected to each other via a metal rod 71 in order to maintain their position even when pressurized in the pretreatment container 40.

[0148] The reactors 102 can be arranged within and / or below a wall structure 105, as schematically indicated in Figure 5, and / or at least partially between two parallel wall sections of a wall structure 105. The wall structure 105 can be made of gravel material. The valve system 10 and / or the roadway structure 12 can be arranged above and / or on the wall structure 105.

[0149] Preferred operating procedures in a reactor system 100 according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to Figure 11.

[0150] The first operational step involves filling the reactor system, for example in the spring and / or at the beginning of a reaction and / or production period.

[0151] Figure 11 shows the supply lines 106, 108 and 110, where supply line 106 can be a vacuum and / or negative pressure line, supply line 108 can be a CCh line and / or supply line 110 can be a fluid line.

[0152] All or some of the valves shown in Figure 11 and mentioned below can be configured as valves 14 according to the preceding description and / or as shown in Figure 4. Where valve positions are described here as top, bottom, right and / or left, such a directional indication refers to the orientation shown in Figure 11.

[0153] Furthermore, Figure 11 shows four expansion devices 122, 124, 126, and 128, each of which can be configured according to the expansion device 58 described above. Expansion devices 122 and 126 are arranged at an upper end of the respective pretreatment tank 40, and expansion devices 124 and 128 are arranged at a lower end of the respective pretreatment tank 40. Figure 11 also shows junctions 152 between different pipe sections.

[0154] A drum mill or other device produces tons of ground dunite sludge. If an active dunite mine exists in the region, so-called "tailings" can be used as an alternative. These waste sludges from mining operations are produced in large quantities and can be used unground in reactor plants.

[0155] The Dunit sludge can preferably be diluted with water to enable solids transport in the supply lines, which will be discussed in more detail below with reference to Figure 11.

[0156] The Dunit sludge can be supplied, for example, via fluid line 110. Valve 112 switches to the top and right (OR) position, so that Dunit sludge drips into the reactor basin 104 shown on the right, which is used as a dissolution basin 114.

[0157] A mobile sensor 115 on a robotic drone 16 monitors and / or calculates the fill level in the dissolution basin 114, or based on past measurements. As soon as a high water level is reached in the dissolution basin 114, valve 112 closes by switching to the top and left position (OL). Flow through the left line 116 is prevented by first setting valve 118 to closed and valve 120 to left and down (LU).

[0158] As soon as a high fill level is reached in the respective dissolution basin 114 of a reactor system segment of, for example, 20 meters, particularly in the form of so-called rock cells (where two reactors can always form one rock cell), a main valve of the fluid line 110 is closed, so that no further dunit sludge is supplied. Water is then drawn from the dissolution basin 114. For this purpose, the expansion device 126 is closed by switching valve 130 to the right and down position (RU). The expansion device 128 remains open. The vacuum main line 106 is operated at a slight vacuum of preferably -0.4 bar or -0.3 bar to -0.5 bar below atmospheric pressure.

[0159] Valve 132 switches to left and top (LO). Valve 135 opens and the expansion devices 122, 124 and 126 close via valve 134 to left and bottom (LU) and valve 136 to left and top (LO) and valve 130 to right and bottom (RU).

[0160] A vacuum is created in the pretreatment tank 40A. Then, valve 132 is switched to the left and down position (LU), and valve 138 is opened. Now, muddy water is drawn through the expansion device 128 from the dissolution basin 114 into the pretreatment tank 40B until it is full.

[0161] A mobile sensor 115 could now measure through the butyl wall of the sealing element 60 in the expansion device 126 and monitor the fill level, for example by detecting a metallic float in the pretreatment tank 40B or by closing the expansion device 128 for a short period and briefly opening the expansion device 126 and evaluating the data via a mobile camera on a robot drone.

[0162] The negative pressure in the pretreatment tank 40A may need to be renewed by repeating the relevant steps as described above.

[0163] Once the pretreatment tank 40B is full, valve 138 closes for the duration of the gravity filtration process that now begins. Dunit particles sink to the bottom, leaving clear water in the pretreatment tank 40B. For dunit sludge, clear water can be achieved after just 20 minutes; for so-called "tailings," a relatively clear state with slight turbidity is reached after, for example, one hour.

[0164] Now valve 138 opens and valve 132 switches to left and down (LU), and water is drawn from pretreatment tank 40B into pretreatment tank 40A. The vacuum in pretreatment tank 40B may need to be renewed several times.

[0165] Once the pretreatment tank 40A is filled, valve 138 and valve 135 close. The expansion devices 124 and 122 are opened and the water enters the reactor basin 104 shown on the left side of Figure 11, which can be used as a settling basin 140.

[0166] These processes are now repeated until the excretion basin 140 and the dissolution basin 114 are filled with liquid.

[0167] Preferably, this can be done in the entire reactor system 100 with a plurality of reactors 102. A large-scale reactor system 100 can be provided in a walled structure 105.

[0168] Now the main fluid line 110 is switched from pressure to suction operation.

[0169] If necessary, pumps can ensure the negative pressure across the entire reactor system 100 and / or across an entire wall system 105, which can be dismantled again after the filling phase, for example by so-called mobile concrete pumps - not shown in detail here.

[0170] Expansion devices 122 and 126 close, the main valves of the fluid main line 110 open, valve 112 switches to left and top (LO), valve 118 closes, and valve 120 switches to left and top (LO). The water from the settling basin 40A is drawn into the fluid line 110 via expansion device 124 and pretreatment tank 40A. Subsequently, expansion device 124 closes, valve 132 switches to left and bottom (LU), valve 138 opens, and expansion device 126 closes, allowing water from the dissolution basin 40B to also be drawn into the fluid main line 110 via expansion device 128, pretreatment tank 40B, and pretreatment tank 40A.

[0171] It should be noted that the pretreatment tank 40A can extend into and be positioned above the settling tank 140. Similarly, the pretreatment tank 40B can extend into and be positioned above the dissolution tank 114. This is not shown in detail in Figure 11.

[0172] Interruptions can be made for gravity filtration in the pretreatment tank 40B, as described above. Once the liquids in both tanks, the settling tank 140 and the dissolution tank 114, have been removed to the extent technically possible, the entire process can begin again.

[0173] Thus, water is pumped back into the main fluid line 110, and dunite particles aggregate in the settling basin 114 until they eventually rise to the top and completely or partially fill the settling basin 114. It should be noted that fresh dunite sludge is introduced into the settling basin 114 from above, and the water sinks relatively slowly through the dunite pile. Filling a large reactor system 100, particularly in a larger masonry structure 105, could therefore take several months or approximately two months and should ideally be completed before the outside temperature regularly rises above 15°C, as the mineralization process is scheduled to begin at that time. A second operating procedure concerns a mineralization process for hydromagnesite production. Such a process is preferably carried out at water temperatures of approximately 20°C or in the range of 15°C to 30°C.

[0174] In the first phase of the second operating process, demineralized and carbonated water can be produced and / or processed.

[0175] This phase is preferably only carried out at the beginning of the second operating cycle, when the excretion basin 140 is already largely filled with water.

[0176] The expansion device 124 opens, the expansion device 122 closes, which closes the expansion device 126 and the expansion device 128 closes, the valve 132 switches to left and top (LO), the valve 135 opens.

[0177] Water rises through the expansion device 124 and fills the pretreatment tank 40A. When the pretreatment tank 40A is approximately 70% full, the expansion device 124 closes. Valve 142 opens, valve 112 switches to left and top (LO), and valve 120 switches to left and bottom (LU) to create a fluid connection from the bottom of the pretreatment tank 40A to the dissolution basin 114. As expected, the water does not yet flow due to insufficient pressure. Therefore, valve 142 closes, and valve 144 opens. The water in the pretreatment tank 40A is now saturated with CO2 at a pressure of preferably 3 bar, 1 bar, or 2 bar, or between 1 bar and 3 bar. Once the carbonated water is saturated, valve 144 closes, and valve 142 opens, forcing the water under pressure into the settling basin 114. If necessary, the pressure in the pretreatment tank 40A must be renewed by repeating the appropriate steps.

[0178] In a second phase of the second operating process, degassed and mineralized water can be produced and / or processed.

[0179] Ideally, for this phase, a sufficient amount of carbonated water has already been present in the excretion basin 114 for a longer period of time, so that, for example, a low pH value of 5 or preferably 4 is present and has led to the dissolution of minerals from the dunit particles.

[0180] The expansion device 128 opens when valve 146 is switched to the right and down position (RU), allowing gas from the expansion device 128 to escape into the atmosphere via a silencer 148. Valves 130, 134, and 136 can also have an attached silencer 148. Alternatively, all four silencers 148 are replaced by pipes that direct the respective CO2 gas into the dissolution basin 114. This further improves the efficiency of the reactor system 100.

[0181] Expansion devices 126, 124, and 122 close. A vacuum is created in the pretreatment vessel 40A by opening valve 135 and switching valve 132 to left and top (LO). To improve the efficiency of the reactor system, two main vacuum lines 106 can be provided here, one with a strong vacuum and one with a weak vacuum. A weak vacuum should be applied to valve 135 until the pretreatment vessel 40A is under a weak vacuum. Valve 132 switches to left and bottom (LU), valve 138 opens, and water is drawn in through expansion device 128 until the pretreatment vessel 40B is completely filled. Valve 138 then closes.

[0182] After some time, the gravity filtration is complete, and the water in pretreatment tank 40B is clear or relatively clear. The vacuum in pretreatment tank 40A is now set to high, ideally -0.8 bar below atmospheric level, or -0.9 bar, or -0.7 bar. Valve 138 then opens again, and the incoming water in pretreatment tank 40A is degassed. A nozzle can spray the incoming water, and a mesh in pretreatment tank 40A, for example, could collect the water particles so that they slowly flow to the bottom of the tank, exposing a large surface area to the vacuum gas for as long as possible. The vacuum may need to be renewed several times until pretreatment tank 40A is completely full. Valve 132 then switches to LO, and valve 2 opens. After approximately 20 minutes, the water is degassed, and hardly any gas bubbles are forming.Valve 135 closes, expansion devices 122 and 124 open, and the degassed mineral water flows into the settling basin 140. Alternatively, the mineral water can also be routed to the settling basin 140 via valve 118 and drainage line 150A. This may be necessary if hydromagnesite is to be accumulated. Drainage line 150B may also be provided above the dissolution basin 114.

[0183] One particularly efficient solution could involve printing a pump in series with the valve 118, which could be driven by a robotic drone 16. However, the typical types of pumps that can be printed are usually not capable of suction.

[0184] The following solution can therefore either completely transfer water from the pretreatment tank 40A through valve 118 or only until an optional pressurized pump is flooded with water and ready for use. Expansion devices 126 and 128 close, and the pretreatment tank 40B is pressurized slightly by opening valve 144 and closing valve 142. Valve 138 then opens, and valve 132 switches to the left and bottom position (LU). The pressure is transferred from pretreatment tank 40B to pretreatment tank 40A, forcing water from pretreatment tank 40A to valve 118 and thus to the optional pump, or directly into the settling tank 140. The remaining water in pretreatment tank 40B has now been additionally aerated with CO2. By opening expansion devices 126 and 128, it can flow back into the dissolution tank 114.Optionally, the fourth operating sequence described below can be triggered to regularly prevent blockages under the expansion device 128.

[0185] A third operational step involves pH cycling for magnesite production. This step is optional. It can be used if a large amount of hydromagnesite has already been produced over the summer and a refinement of this building material is desired, which should increase the magnesite content in the hydromagnesite.

[0186] For approximately 23 hours, the second operating procedure can be carried out as described above, resulting in a high pH value in the excretion tank 140. Preferably, a pH value of 8, more preferably 9, or possibly only 7.5, is maintained. During one hour of the day, the pH value in the excretion tank 140 can then be lowered as much as possible.

[0187] For this purpose, the pretreatment tank 40A is first filled to approximately 70% by drawing water through the expansion chamber 124. The expansion chambers 124, 126, and 128 close. The pretreatment tank 40B should preferably be filled with water, which will also be aerated as a side effect. Valve 144 opens. Valve 138 opens, and valve 120 switches to the left and bottom position (LU). CO2 flows through valve 120 into the pretreatment tank 40A and aerates the water. The water in the pretreatment tank 40A is then emptied via the expansion device 124 or through valve 118 and the drainage line 150A, as already described in the second operating procedure. The process is then repeated until approximately one hour has elapsed. The low pH value destroys hydromagnesite and forms mineral water. The next day, hydromagnesite is formed again, along with a small amount of magnesite.Through daily cycling, the proportion of magnesite continuously increases, as magnesite withstands pH changes, while hydromagnesite does not. To increase efficiency, the mineralized water could also be replaced with demineralized water. This would require interconnecting many reactor modules, in particular consisting of two reactors 102 each. Such reactor modules can be referred to as so-called rock cells, especially if they are arranged in a wall structure 105.

[0188] pH cycling can also be achieved within the gravel structure of a wall system 105. For this purpose, a branch can be provided downstream of valve 118 so that some of the water does not flow into the settling basin 140, but instead through the gravel structure. This branch can be closed or opened, for example, manually or automatically. This could be carried out, for instance, once in the spring and / or only for the desired rock cells or reactor modules.

[0189] A fourth operating procedure concerns the prevention or resolution of blockages. In this procedure, an accumulation of dunit is to be dissolved or prevented under, within, or even in the pretreatment tank 40B. For this purpose, the pretreatment tank 40B is filled to approximately 70% with water, and the expansion devices 128 and 126 are closed. The pretreatment tank 40B is pressurized by CO2 gassing. Opening the expansion device 128 then forces the water downwards abruptly. This creates a pulse wave that can clean the aforementioned areas.

[0190] Additionally or alternatively, dunite sludge can also be quickly drawn in through the expansion device 128 and filled into the pretreatment tank 40B. The expansion device 128 is then closed. In this variant, the pressurized pretreatment tank 40B is emptied by opening the valve 142. The sludge is then transported away and deposited on top of the dunite pile in the dissolution basin 114.

[0191] Experiments show that a targeted accumulation of very coarse dun material under the expansion device 128 can improve the cleaning process. This is possible if the coarse particles withstand the pressure of the impulse wave. In this case, sludge is washed away by the impulse wave and subsequently no longer flows back as quickly under the expansion device 128, as it migrates back only slowly through any gaps in the coarse material.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Valve system, in particular for biological and / or chemical reactors, comprising at least one valve for controlling a volume flow and at least one track structure for a robot drone, wherein the valve and the track structure are produced by continuous 3D printing, in particular assembly line printing and / or endless printing.

2. Valve system according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve can be actuated by a robot drone or several robot drones arranged on the roadway structure and / or that the valve protrudes at least sectionally from a roadway surface and / or the upper surface of the roadway structure.

3. Valve system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve is arranged at least sectionally on a road surface underside of the road structure facing away from the road surface and / or from a road surface top of the road structure.

4. Valve system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve extends on both sides of the roadway structure, in particular on the upper and lower sides of the roadway structure and / or from a roadway upper surface to a roadway lower surface.

5. Valve system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve has an actuating axis which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the road structure by an angle of inclination of more than 0° and less than 90°.

6. Valve system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve has an actuating axis which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the road structure by an angle of more than 40° and less than 50°, in particular of about 45°.

7. Valve system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hinge is formed between the road surface structure and the valve, via which the angle of inclination between the actuating axis of the valve and the longitudinal axis of the road surface structure can be adjusted, wherein the hinge is preferably generated by flow belt pressure, in particular together with the valve and / or the road surface structure.

8. Valve system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that pressure layers for generating the valve extend transversely or at an angle to the actuating axis of the valve.

9. Valve system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that pressure layers for generating the road surface structure extend at an angle of more than 40° and less than 50°, in particular of about 45°, to the longitudinal axis of the road surface structure.

10. Valve system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of valves arranged at various points of action along the roadway structure, in particular along a longitudinal direction of the roadway structure and / or at an angle to the longitudinal direction or transverse to the longitudinal direction.

11. Valve system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roadway structure is formed by a plurality of roadway modules, in particular by longitudinally connected to one another. adjacent and / or composite roadway modules, each roadway module preferably having a plurality of valves.

12. Valve system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve is designed as a pinch valve and / or that the valve is designed as a 2-way valve or as a 3-way valve.

13. Valve system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve consists of a plurality of components which are produced by conveyor belt printing in a mutually assembled and / or pre-assembled position, and / or that components of the valve are arranged in a mutually assembled position by print-in-place.

14. Valve system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve consists of more than two components, in particular of at least three components, wherein the valve preferably has a static component that is rigidly connected to the road structure and two movable components that are arranged to be movable relative to each other and / or relative to the static component.

15. Valve system according to claim 14, characterized in that a movable component is designed as a rotatably arranged valve head and / or that a movable component is designed as a translationally movable translational component, wherein preferably the valve head is rotatably guided in a ring groove relative to the static component, and / or wherein preferably the translational component is guided translationally via a groove relative to the static component.

16. Valve system according to claim 15, characterized in that a rotation of the valve head onto the translation component is effected via a thread formed between the valve head and the translation component. transferable and a translational movement of the translational component can be generated and / or that the translational component is prevented from rotating with the valve head by the guide in the groove and / or that the valve head is guided rotationally on the static component via a ring groove.

17. Valve system according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that at least one contact surface for contacting and / or crushing a supply line and / or a supply hose is formed on the translation component.

18. Supply system, in particular for supplying biological and / or chemical reactors, comprising a valve system, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, and comprising at least one robot drone for automated actuation of at least one valve of the valve system.

19. Supply system according to claim 18, characterized in that the robot drone is arranged on the roadway structure and is designed and / or equipped for actuating different valves for driving along the roadway structure.

20. Supply system according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the robot drone is coupled to the road structure in a manner that prevents loss and / or theft, in particular via a T-shaped groove in the road structure.

21. Supply system according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized by at least one supply line, wherein the volume flow in the supply line is controllable by the at least one valve, wherein the supply line is preferably controlled by flow belt pressure, in particular together with the valve and / or the road structure and / or in alternating pressure steps with the valve and / or the road structure, is generated, wherein the supply line is preferably designed as a flexible and / or squeezable supply hose.

22. Reactor system, in particular for biological and / or chemical reaction processes, comprising a plurality of reactors and a supply system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply system is operatively connected to the reactors and / or is connected for fluid supply and / or discharge.

23. Reactor system according to claim 22, characterized in that each reactor has at least one reactor pool and one pretreatment vessel and at least the reactor pools and pretreatment vessels of two reactors are interconnected via a plurality of valves of the valve system.

24. Reactor system according to claim 23, characterized in that the pretreatment vessel is arranged above the reactor pool of the respective reactor, preferably with a lower end of the pretreatment vessel projecting into the reactor pool.

25. Reactor system according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the pretreatment vessel of a reactor is held in an opening of the track structure of the valve system, in particular in a form-fitting manner.

26. Reactor system according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the pretreatment vessel of a reactor is tubular and / or has an opening at at least one end, in particular at one free end or both free ends, and / or that The pretreatment container has at least one opening between the free ends for fluid supply and / or fluid discharge.

27. Reactor system according to claim 26, characterized in that the pretreatment vessel has at least one expansion device for closing and / or opening an opening, in particular an opening at a free end, wherein the expansion device is preferably connected to a valve of the valve system and / or is controllable by a valve of the valve system.

28. Reactor system according to claim 27, characterized in that the expansion device has a flexible sealing element, in particular made of butyl material, which expands when pressurized and / or seals against an inner circumferential section of the pretreatment vessel.

29. Reactor system according to one of claims 23 to 28, characterized in that the reactors are arranged within and / or below a wall structure and / or at least partially between two parallel wall sections of a wall structure, wherein the wall structure is in particular made of gravel material and / or wherein the valve system and / or the roadway structure is / are arranged above and / or on the wall structure.

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