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).

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).

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.

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).

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).

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.

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).

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).

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.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a photochemical process, such as a photocatalytic and/or a photosynthetic process, especially for the cultivation and production or hydrocultivation of preferably phototrophic micro-organisms. A reactor, especially a bioreactor, is provided, and a reaction medium, for example an aqueous solution or a suspension, is guided in the reactor in a meandering manner. The reactor through which the reaction medium (6) flows consists of at least one reactor element (2) comprising two interconnected pipes (3) or chambers (8) that are vertical or inclined at an angle. The reaction medium (6) is introduced into the reactor and released therefrom, over the upper reaction medium surface, preferably continuously, without pressure and freely to the atmosphere. As a result of the hydrostatic pressure and level compensation, the flow of the reaction medium (6) is stress-free for the micro-organisms.

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.