Patent FR-2952381-A1 (FR)
Title: Reaction envelope useful in reactor for culturing photosynthesis microorganisms e.g. algae, comprises internal and external sheaths made of transparent material, first and second openings, and external and internal connecting parts
Inventor: MULLER-FEUGA ARNAUD
IPC: C12M1/04
Filed: 2009-11-10
Abstract: The reaction envelope comprises an internal sheath (4) and an external sheath (3) partially made of a transparent material, a first opening (11) and a second opening (12) defining a path of gas/liquid culture medium two-phase flow, an external connecting part on which the proximal end of the outer sheath is tightly mounted, and an internal connecting part on which the proximal end of the inner sheath is tightly or rotatably mounted. The inner sheath extends inside the outer sheath so that the sheaths define an inter-sheath space connecting with the first opening of the reaction envelope. The reaction envelope comprises an internal sheath (4) and an external sheath (3) partially made of a transparent material, a first opening (11) and a second opening (12) defining a path of gas/liquid culture medium two-phase flow, an external connecting part on which the proximal end of the outer sheath is tightly mounted, and an internal connecting part on which the proximal end of the inner sheath is tightly or rotatably mounted. The inner sheath extends inside the outer sheath so that the sheaths define an inter-sheath space connecting with the first opening of the reaction envelope. The outer sheath has a proximal end opened in fluid connection with the second opening of the envelope, and a closed distal end provided with a port for contacting between the inside of the inner sheath and an inter-sheath space. The two sheaths are made of a flexible material for folding, inflating, transverse deformation and/or bending. The first opening of the reaction envelope is fixed on the external connecting part. The second opening of the reaction envelope is fixed on the internal connecting part. The internal connecting part is mounted inside the outer connecting part. The external connecting part comprises a coupling unit with a unit for rotating the external connecting part and the external sheath. The internal connecting part is free to rotate in the outer connecting part so that the rotation of the outer sheath ensures the rotation of the inner sheath by friction between the two sheaths. The inner sheath extends along all of the length of the outer sheath reduced from its diameter. The connecting hole provided on the distal end of the inner sheath has a convergence area prepared in the form of a reduction of the diameter of the inner sheath at the open distal end of the inner sheath for carrying out a pressure drop in the gas/liquid culture medium two-phase flow. A third sheath of flexible material extends inside the inner sheath to allow an injection or suction of gas to the distal ends of the sheaths. A removable unit is arranged for clamping or ligation of the two sheaths on an intermediate zone between the proximal ends and distal ends of the two sheaths. An intermediate opening is arranged between the interior of the inner sheath and the inter-sheath space. A flap closure unit (7) is arranged for the intermediate opening and movable between an open position and a closed position. Independent claims are included for: (1) a reactor for the culture of photosynthetic microorganisms; (2) a process for the culture of photosynthetic microorganisms; and (3) a process for manufacturing a reaction envelope.