Patents Assigned to Ecoduna AG
  • Patent number: 10488110
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for obtaining dewatered biomass from algae and/or microorganisms. The concentrated biomass available as a result of the harvesting process is spread over an endless conveyor belt (1) and exposed to heated air on the conveyor belt (1). The air is heated by the sun and/or an air heater (5) in a closed system, the conveyor belt (1) being enclosed by a light-permeable casing (2). The drying process is carried out until a residual moisture is achieved, the dewatered biomass adhering to the conveyor belt (1) at the end of the drying process. Said biomass is separated from the conveyor belt (1) by means of a doctor- or scraper edge (9) and is gathered in a collection container (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ECODUNA AG
    Inventor: Franz Emminger
  • Publication number: 20190218491
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photobioreactor 1 for cultivating phototrophic microorganisms, comprising a reactor element 2, which has a tube 3, a maintenance device 4, and a drive system 5, which can move the maintenance device 4 in the tube 3. The photobioreactor is designed such that liquid culture medium 6 containing the microorganisms flows through at least some of the tube 3 when the photobioreactor 1 is in the operating state. The invention is characterised in that the photobioreactor 1 is designed such that the maintenance device 4 can be used in the tube 3 when the photobioreactor 1 is in operating state and can be moved in the tube 3 at least counter to the flow of the culture medium 6 by the drive system 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: ECODUNA AG
    Inventors: Franz EMMINGER, Silvia FLUCH
  • Publication number: 20190218490
    Abstract: The invention relates to a photobioreactor (1) for cultivating phototrophic microorganisms (such as microalgae for example), comprising a reactor element (2) which has a plurality of rising pipes (3a) and falling pipes (3b) for a liquid culture medium (4) containing the microorganisms and which has a distributing pipe (5). The upper ends (6) of each of the rising pipes (3a) and the falling pipes (3b) are connected to the distributing pipe (5) in a liquid-permeable manner. The invention is characterized in that both the culture medium (4) as well as a gas chamber (9) above the culture medium (4) for receiving gas bubbles (10) rising out of the culture medium (4) are provided in the distributing pipe (5) in the operating state, wherein a boundary surface (11) is arranged between the culture medium (4) and the gas chamber (9) in the distributing pipe (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: ECODUNA AG
    Inventors: Franz EMMINGER, Silvia FLUCH
  • Publication number: 20190041133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for obtaining dewatered biomass from algae and/or microorganisms. The concentrated biomass available as a result of the harvesting process is spread over an endless conveyor belt (1) and exposed to heated air on the conveyor belt (1). The air is heated by the sun and/or an air heater (5) in a closed system, the conveyor belt (1) being enclosed by a light-permeable casing (2). The drying process is carried out until a residual moisture is achieved, the dewatered biomass adhering to the conveyor belt (1) at the end of the drying process. Said biomass is separated from the conveyor belt (1) by means of a doctor- or scraper edge (9) and is gathered in a collection container (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: ecoduna AG
    Inventor: Franz EMMINGER
  • Publication number: 20170130181
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for a photochemical process, such as a photocatalytic and/or photosynthetic process, in particular for the culture and production or the hydroculture of microorganisms. A reaction medium (6) is conducted in a meandering manner in a reactor element (2) which is made of at least two upright and connected pipes (3) or chambers (13). Multiple reactor elements (2) are serially connected into a bio solar reactor (1), and a reaction medium (6) flow which is stress-free for the microorganisms is generated in the bio solar reactor (1) using hydrostatic pressure and level compensation. Inlet and outlet openings (4, 5) are arranged on the lower face (8) of each individual reactor element (2) on each of the outermost pipes (3) or chambers (13). The reaction medium (6) flows around all of the connections in the lower region, in particular the inlet opening (4), the outlet opening (5), and the introduction inlet (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: ECODUNA AG
    Inventor: Franz EMMINGER
  • Patent number: 9260689
    Abstract: Device for a photochemical process includes a reactor. A reaction medium is contained in the reactor and is guided in the reactor in a meandering manner. At least one reactor element is arranged in the reactor through which the reaction medium flows. A light-conducting liquid is utilized. The at least one reactor element comprises one of pipes connected at a bottom and being arranged vertically, pipes connected at a bottom and being inclined at an angle relative to a vertical plane, chambers connected at a bottom and being arranged vertically, and chambers connected at a bottom and being inclined at an angle relative to a vertical plane. The reaction medium is introduced into the reactor and removed therefrom over an upper reaction medium surface and without pressure and freely to the atmosphere such that the flow of the reaction medium is stress-free for micro-organisms disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ECODUNA AG
    Inventors: Martin Mohr, Franz Emminger
  • Patent number: 8895289
    Abstract: Photochemical process and device adapted to breed, produce, or hydrocultivate microorganisms. The process includes conveying a reaction medium in a reactor in a meander-shaped way that includes moving the reaction medium along a direction that perpendicularly or inclined at an angle to an imaginary horizontal plane, wherein, during the conveying, the reaction medium moves in the reactor at least once along a first direction defined as one of a top down direction and a direction of gravity, moves in the reactor at least once along a second direction defined as one of a bottom up direction and against the direction of gravity, and moves in the reactor one of freely under atmospheric pressure and while exposed to the atmosphere. The process also includes introducing into and removing from the reactor the reaction medium in a continuous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ecoduna AG
    Inventors: Martin Mohr, Franz Emminger