Abstract
The invention provides a reactor assembly (1) comprising a reactor (30), wherein the reactor (30) is configured for hosting a fluid (100) to be treated with light source radiation (11) selected from one or more of UV radiation, visible radiation, and IR radiation, wherein the reactor (30) comprises a reactor wall (35) which is transmissive for the light source radiation (11), wherein: (i) the reactor (30) is a tubular reactor (130), and wherein the reactor wall (35) defines the tubular reactor (130); (ii) the tubular reactor (130) is configured in a tubular arrangement (1130); and (iii) the reactor assembly (1) further comprises a reactor support element (40), wherein (a) the reactor support element (40) encloses at least part of the tubular arrangement (1130) or wherein (b) the tubular arrangement (1130) encloses at least part of the reactor support element (40); wherein part of the tubular arrangement (1130) is configured in contact with the reactor support element (40), and wherein another part of the tubular arrangement (1130) and the reactor support element (40) define one or more fluid transport channels (7).
Claims
1. A reactor assembly comprising a reactor, wherein the reactor is configured for hosting a fluid to be treated with light source radiation selected from one or more of UV radiation, visible radiation, and IR radiation, wherein the reactor comprises a reactor wall which is transmissive for the light source radiation, wherein: the reactor is a tubular reactor, and wherein the reactor wall defines the tubular reactor; the tubular reactor is configured in a tubular arrangement; the reactor assembly further comprises a reactor support element configured to support the reactor, wherein (i) the reactor support element encloses at least part of the tubular arrangement or wherein (ii) the tubular arrangement encloses at least part of the reactor support element, part of the tubular reactor is configured in contact with the reactor support element, and wherein another part of the tubular reactor and the reactor support element define one or more fluid transport channels; wherein the reactor assembly comprises a photoreactor assembly, wherein the reactor assembly further comprises a light source arrangement comprising a plurality of light sources configured to generate the light source radiation, wherein the reactor wall is configured in a radiation receiving relationship with the plurality of light sources; and wherein the reactor assembly comprises one or more cooling elements, wherein the one or more cooling elements comprise the one or more fluid transport channels defined by the reactor support element and the tubular reactor, wherein the reactor assembly further comprises a cooling system configured for transporting a cooling fluid through one or more of the one or more fluid transport channels, wherein the cooling system comprises a fluid transporting device; and wherein the reactor support element comprises a plurality of support element faces, wherein the support element faces are configured concavely relative to the tubular reactor, wherein the plurality of support element faces and the tubular reactor define the one or more fluid transport channels.
2. The reactor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tubular reactor encloses the reactor support element, wherein at two or more positions the tubular reactor and the reactor support element are in physical contact with each other, and wherein between two adjacent positions of the two or more positions the tubular reactor and the reactor support element are not in physical contact with each other.
3. The reactor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tubular arrangement defines a circle or a polygon.
4. The reactor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reactor support element has a polygonal shape, wherein the tubular arrangement has a circular shape, and wherein the reactor support element and the tubular reactor define the one or more fluid transport channels.
5. The reactor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reactor support element has a cylindrical shape with one or more elongated recesses parallel to a length axis of the cylindrical shape, wherein the one or more recesses and the tubular reactor define the one or more fluid transport channels.
6. The reactor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of support element faces comprises one or more reflective elements configured to reflect the light source radiation.
7. The reactor assembly according to claim 6, wherein the reactor support element defines a polygon, wherein the tubular reactor encloses at least part of the reactor support element.
8. The reactor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises on or more of Chips-on-Board light sources (COB), Light emitting diodes (LEDs), and laser diodes.
9. The reactor assembly according to claim 1, wherein one or more of (i) at least a first subset of the plurality of light sources enclose the tubular arrangement and (ii) at least a second subset of the plurality of light sources are enclosed by the tubular arrangement.
10. The reactor assembly according to claim 1, wherein one or more of (i) one or more of the tubular arrangement and the light source arrangement defines a polygon and (ii) the tubular arrangement and the light source arrangement both define polygons having mutually parallel configured polygon edges, wherein the polygons each comprise 4-10 polygon edges.
11. The reactor assembly according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of light sources are associated to the reactor support element, wherein the one or more of the plurality of light sources are configured between the reactor support element and the tubular reactor, and wherein the one or more of the light sources define part of the one or more fluid transport channels or are at least partly configured within the one or more fluid transport channels.
12. The reactor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tubular arrangement comprises a coiled tubular arrangement, wherein the tubular reactor is helically coiled.
13. The reactor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tubular reactor comprises a first reactor wall and a second reactor wall, together defining the tubular reactor, wherein one or more of the first reactor wall and the second reactor wall is transmissive for the light source radiation.
14. The reactor assembly according to claim 12, wherein the tubular arrangement comprises a straight tubular arrangement.
15. A method for treating a fluid with light source radiation, wherein the method comprises: providing the reactor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reactor assembly comprises the photoreactor assembly; providing the fluid to be treated with the light source radiation in the reactor; irradiating the fluid with the light source radiation, and wherein the method further comprises: transporting the fluid through the reactor while irradiating the fluid with the light source radiation and transporting a cooling fluid through one or more of the one or more fluid transport channels.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0152] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:
[0153] FIGS. 1A-1D schematically depict some general aspects of the reactor assembly and of a coiled tubular reactor arrangement;
[0154] FIGS. 2A-2G schematically depict some further aspects of the reactor assembly;
[0155] FIG. 3 schematically depicts some aspects of the cooling system of the reactor assembly;
[0156] FIG. 4 schematically depicts a further embodiment comprising a straight tubular arrangement; and
[0157] FIGS. 5A-C schematically depict further features of embodiments of the photoreactor assembly.
[0158] The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0159] FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically depict some general aspects of the reactor assembly 1. The reactor assembly 1 comprises a reactor 30 for hosting a (reactor) fluid 100 to be treated with light source radiation 11. The light source radiation 11 may especially be selected from the group of UV radiation, visible radiation, and IR radiation. The reactor 30 comprises a reactor wall 35 which is at least partly transmissive for the light source radiation 11. The reactor wall 35 may define the reactor 30.
[0160] Light source radiation 11 may be provided by a plurality of light sources 10, such as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The light source 10 may be part of the reactor assembly 1. The reactor assembly 1 comprising the light sources 10 may also be referred to as a photoreactor assembly. The light source 10 may especially comprise one or more of Chips-on-Board light sources (COB), Light emitting diodes (LEDs), and laser diodes.
[0161] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a cross section of embodiments of the reactor assembly 1. The reactor 30 is a tubular reactor 130 configured in a tubular arrangement 1130, especially in a coiled tubular arrangement 1131. The coiled tubular arrangement 1131 may be depicted more clearly in FIGS. 1C and 1D. As is indicated by the dashed lines connecting the solid lines depicting the windings 36, the tubular reactor 130 is helically coiled in both of the embodiments of FIGS. 1C and 1D.
[0162] The (photo)reactor assembly 1 depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B comprises a light source arrangement 1010 comprising the plurality of light sources 10. This may also be indicated as: the plurality of light sources 10 are arranged in the light source arrangement 1010. The reactor wall 35 is especially configured in a radiation receiving relationship with the plurality of light sources 10. The light source radiation 11 provided by the light sources 10 may directly irradiate the fluid 100 arranged downstream of the reactor wall 35. In embodiments, the light source radiation may (also) travel from the light source 10 to the reactor wall 35 via a reflective element 1011.
[0163] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1A, (all of) the plurality of light sources 10 enclose the tubular arrangement 1130. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1B (all of) the plurality of light sources 10 are enclosed by the tubular arrangement 1130. Yet, in other embodiments, a first subset of the plurality of light sources 10 encloses the tubular arrangement 1130 and a second subset of the plurality of light sources 10 is enclosed by the tubular arrangement 1130, see e.g., FIG. 2F.
[0164] FIG. 1A further schematically depicts an embodiment wherein two or more of the plurality of light sources 10, 10a, 10b, 10c provide light source radiation 11 having different spectral power distributions, i.e., for example, a first light source 10, 10a may provide light source radiation 11 having a different spectral power distribution from the light source radiation 11 provided by a second light source 10, 10b. For instance, a first light source 10, 10a may be configured to generate UV radiation and a second light source 10, 10b may be configured to generate visible radiation. In specific embodiments, the (photo)reactor assembly 1 may comprise two or more such light sources 10,10a,10b configured at different positions along an (tubular) arrangement axis A1. The arrangement axis A1 may e.g. be a length axis, or an axis of symmetry relative to the reactor. Hence, e.g. at different heights, different types of light sources 10 may be provided. In further embodiments, the (photoreactor) assembly 1 may comprise two or more such light sources 10,10a,10c configured at different sides of the reactor, especially at the same position with respect to the arrangement axis A1 (e.g., at the same height). Hence, at different sides of the reactor 30, different types of light sources 10 may be provided. In FIG. 2A a further embodiment is depicted wherein two or more of the plurality of light sources 10, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h provide light source radiation 11 having different spectral power distributions and/or are configured to radiate light source radiation with different intensities. One or more of the light sources 10, such as the light sources 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h, may in embodiments comprise a plurality of light emitting (radiating) segments radiating different intensities and/or different wavelength distributions. For instance, the light source 10c may comprise such plurality of light emitting segments (not depicted). The light source 10 and/or the light emitting segments may be arranged parallel to the tube axis A2 or, e.g., perpendicular to the tube axis A2.
[0165] However, FIG. 1A and FIG. 2A further schematically depicts in fact also an embodiment wherein two or more of the plurality of light sources 10, 10a, 10b, 10c and two or more of the plurality of light sources 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h, respectively provide light source radiation 11 having identical spectral power distributions. Hence, different options are possible.
[0166] FIG. 1B further depicts an embodiment wherein one or more of the plurality of light sources 10, especially all (depicted) light sources 10, are at least partly configured within at least one of the one or more fluid transport channels 7.
[0167] FIG. 1A further depicts an embodiment wherein successive windings (turns) 36 of the tubular reactor 130 may be arranged contacting each other substantially along a complete winding 36 (turn 36). The pitch d6 of the tubular reactor 130 may substantially equal a characteristic outer size d5 of the tube 32. In further embodiments (also see FIGS. 1C and 1D), the pitch d6 may be equal to or less than 10 times the outer size of the tube 32, such as equal to or less than 5 times the outer size of the tube 32. The pitch d6 may in embodiments e.g. be substantially 2 times the characteristic outer size d5 (especially leaving space for a further, especially parallel arranged, tube), see e.g. FIG. 1C. Yet, the pitch d6 may in embodiments be larger than 10, such as 50 or 100 times the characteristic outer size d5.
[0168] FIG. 1C schematically depicts a side view of an embodiment of the tubular reactor 130, wherein the tube 32 is coiled around the reactor support element 40, especially the support body 45, in a plurality of windings 36. In the depicted embodiment, the successive windings are spaced apart, i.e., the pitch d6 of the tubular reactor 130 is larger than the characteristic outer size d5 of the tube 32, such as 2*d5≤d6≤3*d5. Also in FIG. 1D, the successive windings 36 are spaced apart. In the embodiment, d5 is just a little smaller than d6 (d6≤1.5*d5).
[0169] Further, also in this embodiment, the reactor wall 35 defines part of a channel wall 71 of at least one of the one or more fluid transport channels 7.
[0170] In the depicted embodiments of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the cooling system 90 comprises a fluid transporting device, especially a gas transporting device 96 (also “air transporting device” 96) selected from the group consisting of an air blower, an air sucker, and a fan 97. Hence, in embodiments, the fluid transporting device, especially the gas transporting device 96, may be configured to blow air (towards the reactor 30) or to suck air (from the reactor 30). The gas transporting device may be arranged above and/or below the reactor 30, i.e., in embodiments, the gas transporting device 96 may be arranged on a top section of the photoreactor assembly 1, and in further embodiments the gas transporting device 96 may be arranged on a bottom section of the photoreactor assembly 1.
[0171] The light source arrangement 1130 and the tubular arrangement 1010 may be configured coaxially around the (tubular) arrangement axis A1. In embodiments, both the light source arrangement 1010 and the tubular arrangement 1130 comprise a cylindrical arrangement, see e.g. FIG. 2D. In further embodiments, one or more of the tubular arrangement 1130 and the light source arrangement 1010 defines a polygon 50. This is further depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C and 2E-2G. In the embodiments of FIGS. 2A-2C and 2E-2G, e.g. the light source arrangement 1010 defines the polygon 50. In most of these figures, the polygonal light source arrangement 1010 is clearly observable based on the arrangement of the light support element 19. In FIG. 2E, the light source arrangements 1010 defining the polygon 50 is further demonstrated by the (polygonal) dotted lines passing through the light sources 10. The embodiments of FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C and FIGS. 2E-2F are examples of embodiments wherein the tubular arrangement 1130 and the light source arrangement 1010 both define polygons 50 having mutually parallel configured polygon edges 59. Moreover, in FIG. 2C the polygons 50 each comprise six polygon edges 59. In FIG. 2E, each polygon 50 comprises three polygon edges 59. The tubular arrangement 1130 may in embodiments define a circle or a cylinder, see e.g. FIG. 1C and FIG. 2D. In the embodiment of FIG. 2D, the light source arrangement 1010 defines a circle.
[0172] The embodiments depicted in the FIGS. 1 and 2 further comprise a reactor support element 40 to support the reactor 30. The reactor support element 40 may comprise a support body 45. In the embodiments, the light support element 40 is configured rotational symmetrical (around the (tubular reactor) arrangement axis A1). Especially part of the tubular reactor 130 is configured in contact with the reactor support element 40, and another part of the tubular reactor 1130 and the reactor support element 40 define one or more (temperature control) fluid transport channel 7, as is depicted in FIG. 1D and FIGS. 2C-2G. The fluid transport channels 7 may facilitate enhanced cooling of the reactor 30, especially if a cooling fluid 91 is flown through the channel 7. If desired, the one or more fluid transport channels 7 may (also) be used for heating (the reactor 30) by transporting a temperature control fluid 91 with a relative higher temperature through the fluid transport channels 7. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1C, 2A, and 2B the fluid transport channels 7 between the reactor support element 40 and the tube of the reactor 30 are not depicted to allow explaining some general aspects.
[0173] In the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2, the (tubular) arrangement axis A1 and the tube axis A2 are configured almost perpendicular to each other. The embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 further depict some further aspects of the fluid transport channel 7. In embodiments, the light sources 10 are at least partly configured within at least one of the one or more fluid transport channels 7 (see e.g. FIGS. 2D and 2F). In further embodiments, at least part of the reactor wall 35 is configured within at least one of the one or more fluid transport channels 7. As such at least part of the reactor wall 35 may define part of a channel wall 71 of at least one of the one or more fluid transport channels 7, see e.g. the embodiments of FIGS. 1B, 2C-2G. Additionally or alternatively, (at least a part of) the tubular reactor 130 and the reactor support element 40 define a fluid transport channel 7, as e.g. is depicted in FIG. 1D and (also) FIGS. 2C-2G. In the embodiments of FIGS. 2C-2F the tubular reactor 130 encloses the reactor support element 40. In FIG. 2G, the support element 40 encloses the tubular reactor 130. In all these embodiments at two or more positions the tubular reactor 130 and the reactor support element 40 are in physical contact with each other, and between two adjacent positions of the two or more positions the tubular reactor 130 and the reactor support element 40 are not in physical contact with each other. In most of these embodiments, the part that contacts the support element 40 is very small, only a few percent of the length of the tube. In the figures of the embodiments schematically shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B this part is substantially 100%. In the embodiment of FIG. 2D, along the length of the tube about 50% of the tubular reactor 130 contacts the support element 40.
[0174] The light sources 10 may be arranged at a light source element 19, such as is indicated in FIG. 1A, and e.g. FIGS. 2C and 2E-2G. Yet in embodiments, the reactor assembly 1 comprises a light source support element 140 configured to support the plurality of light sources 10. The light source support element 140 especially comprises a light source support body 145. Such light source support element 140, especially light source support body 145 may especially also comprise cooling element 95 such as a fluid transport channel 7. In FIG. 1B for instance an embodiment comprising the light source support body 145 is depicted. In the depicted embodiment, the light source support body 145 comprises one or more of the one or more fluid transport channels 7. In embodiments, the reactor support element 40, especially the reactor support body 45, may comprise or function as the light source support body 145, see e.g. FIG. 2D. In the embodiment of FIG. 2D one or more of the plurality of light sources 10 are associated to the reactor support element 40, and especially the one or more of the plurality of light sources 10 are configured between the reactor support element 40 and the tubular reactor 130. In the embodiment, (one or more) of the one or more of the light sources 10 are at least partly configured within the one or more fluid transport channels 7. In further embodiments, one or more of the one or more of the light sources 10 may be part of a wall of the recess 49 and especially define part of the one or more fluid transport channels 7.
[0175] The embodiments of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, further show a cooling system 90 comprising a fluid transporting device, especially a gas (or air) transporting device 96 comprising a fan 97. The fan 97 comprises ventilator blades 98 defining a blade diameter d3.
[0176] The reactor support element 40 and also the light source support element 140 may in embodiments comprise one or more fluid transport channels 7. Further, the tubular reactor 130 and the reactor support element 40 may define one or more fluid transport channels 7. The air transporting device 96 may be configured for providing the cooling fluid 91 through one or more of these fluid transport channels 7. The cooling fluid 91 may transfer the heat away from the support element 40 and/or the reactor 30. Additionally or alternatively, the support element 40 may comprise a heat sink to actively or passively cool the support element 40. The support element 40 may e.g. comprise a thermally conductive element 2 configured in (thermal) contact with the tubular reactor 130, which may facilitate dissipation of heat from the tubular reactor 130 to the support element 40. The thermally conductive element 2 may comprise a heat sink, optionally comprising fins. Such heat sinks (thermally conductive elements 2) are e.g. schematically indicated in many of the embodiments of FIG. 2 in thermal contact with the light sources 10. The thermally conductive element 2 of the support element 40 may also be defined by (at least a part of) the support element 40 comprising (or made of) a thermally conductive material.
[0177] Furthermore, FIGS. 1A and 1D (as well as most of the embodiments of FIG. 2) depict embodiments wherein the tubular reactor 130 is coiled around the support element 40. Herein this may also be described as the reactor support element 40 encloses (at least part of) the tubular arrangement 1130. In FIG. 1B and FIG. 2G, the tubular reactor 130 is coiled inside the support element 40. Hence, in such embodiment the tubular reactor 130 encloses at least part of the reactor support element 40.
[0178] The support element 40 may be made of a thermally conductive material such as aluminum. The support element 40 may therefore be thermally conductive, and as such comprises, especially is, the thermally conductive element 2. Moreover, aluminum (but also other conductive materials, especially metals) may reflect the light source radiation 11. The surface 41 of the support element 40 is especially reflective for the light source radiation 11 and may therefore comprise the reflective element 1011. Moreover, reactor support element 40 may comprise a plurality of support element faces 44, and especially the support element faces 44 may comprise the reflective element 1011, which is schematically depicted in FIGS. 2E and 2F. Moreover, in the embodiment, the reactor support element 40 comprises the reflective element 1011 at a side of the reactor support element 40 closest to the reactor 30. Hence, in such embodiment, the thermally conductive element 2 may comprise the reflective element 1011. In further embodiment, the surface 41 of the support element 40, especially the support element face 44 may comprise a thermally conductive coating that may be reflective for the light source light 11.
[0179] FIGS. 2A and 2B depict some further general aspects of the reactor assembly 1. FIG. 2A, e.g., depicts an embodiment of the support element 40 comprising a support body 45. The support element 40 comprises a hollow (tubular) body, wherein the hollow body comprising a support body wall 451. The support body wall 451 comprises an inner support body face 452 and an outer support body face 453. In the depicted embodiment, the inner support body face 452 defines at least (also) one of the one or more fluid transport channels 7. Further, in the depicted embodiment, the reactor 30 is configured at the side of the outer support body face 453. In alternative embodiments, the reactor may be configured at the side of the inner support body face 452, especially wherein the reactor defines an (internal) fluid transport channel 7. In embodiments, see e.g. FIG. 2A, the inner support body face 452 may define a support body space 454, wherein 30-100 vol. %, especially 50-99 vol. %, of the support body space 454 is defined by the (internal) fluid transport channel 7. In the embodiment, the support body space 454 may be essentially an open (“hollow”) space. However, in alternative embodiments, the support body space 454 may be partially filled with a filler material, such as filled with a thermally conductive material, especially wherein the filler material defines a plurality of fluid transport channels 7. The support body wall 451 may have a circular cross-section, especially wherein the inner support body face 452 and the outer support body face 453 define diameters d1,d2, respectively. Further a blade diameter d3 of ventilator blades 98 of a possible fan 97 is schematically depicted. The blade diameter d3 is in embodiments especially selected larger than the outer size of the support body 45 defined as d2.
[0180] Although not depicted in the figures, such (internal) fluid transport channel 7 may also be configured in embodiments comprising the support element face 44 with one or more recesses 49 and/or wherein the support element faces 44 are configured concavely relative to the tubular reactor 130, e.g. in the embodiments as depicted in FIGS. 2C-2G.
[0181] FIGS. 2C-2E may further illustrate the recess 49 in the support element 40 and/or the concave configuration. The recess 49 is especially elongated, especially in a direction of the support element axis/the arrangement axis A1 and may connect extremes in of the support element 40. Recesses 49 may further essentially have any arbitrary shape. Moreover, the support element face 44 configured concavely relative to the tubular reactor 130, as such also defines a recess 49. In the embodiment of FIG. 2D, the reactor support element 40 has a cylindrical shape with one or more elongated recesses 49 parallel to a length axis of the cylindrical shape. The one or more recesses 49 and the tubular reactor 130 define the one or more fluid transport channels 7. In alternative embodiments (not shown) the reactor support has a polygonal shape such as in FIG. 2B, wherein the tubular reactor 130 and/or the tubular arrangement 1130 has a circular shape and/or comprises a cylindrical arrangement. As such, also in such embodiments, the reactor support element 40 and the tubular reactor 130 may define (at least a subset of) the one or more fluid transport channels 7. In the embodiments of FIGS. 2C, and 2E-2G (and also FIG. 4), the plurality of support element faces 44 and the (part of the) tubular reactor 130 define (at least a subset of) the one or more fluid transport channels 7. Moreover, FIGS. 2C, and 2E-2F also depict embodiments, wherein the reactor support element 40 defines a polygon 50, and wherein the tubular reactor 130 encloses at least part of the reactor support element 40.
[0182] It is further noted that the cylindrical support element 40 in FIG. 2D actually comprises one support element face 44 comprising the (six) recesses 49. Yet in other embodiments, the support element 40 may comprise a plurality of support element faces 44, wherein one or more of the support element faces 44 comprises one or more further recesses 49 (in the concave wall).
[0183] FIG. 2B and e.g. FIG. 2C further schematically depict embodiments, wherein the (photo)reactor assembly 1 comprises a plurality of light source elements 19, wherein each light source element 19 comprises one or more of the plurality of light sources 10, and wherein each of the light source elements 19 comprises at least one thermally conductive element 2 configured in functional, especially thermal, contact with the one or more of the plurality of light sources 10. The light source element 19 further comprises a reflective element 1011 at a surface 190 of the light source element 19 facing the reactor wall 35. In the depicted embodiments of FIGS. 2B and 2C, the (photo)reactor assembly 1 further comprises a (second) fluid transporting device 196 configured to transport a cooling fluid 91 along one or more of the thermally conductive elements 2 configured in functional contact with one or more of the plurality of light sources 10. For visualization purposes, a single (second) fluid transporting device 196 is depicted very schematically. However, in further embodiments, each light source element 19 may be functionally coupled with a (respective) (second) fluid transporting device 196. A single (second) fluid transporting device 196 may also be functionally coupled with a plurality of light source elements 19. The second fluid transporting device 196 is especially a fluid transporting device 96.
[0184] In FIGS. 2C-2G some further embodiments and aspects of the reactor assembly 1 are depicted. In the embodiments, e.g., different configurations of light sources 10 relative to the tubular arrangement 1130 are depicted. For instance, in FIG. 2C, the plurality of light sources 10 enclose the tubular arrangement 1130. In FIG. 2D, the plurality of light sources 10 are enclosed by the tubular arrangement 1130. FIG. 2F depicts an embodiment wherein (at least) a first subset of the plurality of light sources 10 enclose the tubular arrangement 1130 and (at least) a second subset of the plurality of light sources 10 are enclosed by the tubular arrangement 1130.
[0185] Further, the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2D and 2F show examples of embodiments wherein the reactor support element 40 comprises at least part of the plurality of light sources 10. To prevent light source radiation 11 from escaping from the photoreactor assembly 1, the embodiment of FIG. 2D (also) comprises a wall 4 with a reflective element 1011, especially a reflective surface 5 (facing the tubular reactor 130) enclosing the tubular reactor 130 and the light sources 10. The reflective element 1011 and/or reflective surface 5 is especially reflective for the light source radiation 11. The reflective element 1010 and/or surface 5 may reflect back any radiation that is not absorbed by the fluid 100. This may further provide an improved light homogeneity over the fluid 100 in the reactor 30.
[0186] FIG. 2G further depicts an embodiment of the reactor assembly 1 wherein the support element 40 is configured enclosing the tubular arrangement 1130. Also this depicted embodiment is configured to prevent light source radiation 11 from escaping. In this embodiment, the support element faces 44 comprise the reflective element 1011. Moreover, in the embodiment, the reactor support element 40 comprises the reflective element 1011 at a side of the reactor support element 40 closest to the reactor 30. The figure further illustrates different embodiments of the fluid transport channel 7. This may herein also be indicated as “a plurality of (different) (the) one or more different fluid transport channels 7”. Based on the combination of these channels 7, the tubular reactor 130 may be cooled from different sides.
[0187] In FIG. 2G, e.g. a circular fluid transport channel 7 between the tubular reactor 130 and the light source elements 19 is defined by the tubular reactor 130 and the light source elements 19. Furthermore, between support element faces 44 and the tubular reactor 130 (also) six more fluid transport channels 7 are defined. Such fluid transport channel 7 may have a width d4, e.g. in the range of 1-5 mm, as depicted in FIG. 2A. Further, one central fluid transport channel 7 is defined by the six light source elements 19. Yet, in embodiments, see also e.g. FIG. 2A wherein a (straight) fluid transport channel 7 is (also) configured, especially as a through opening, in the support element 40, the width d1 may be larger than 5 cm. In further embodiments, fluid channels 7 may be defined in any of the thermally conductive elements 2.
[0188] The (photo)reactor assembly 1 may especially comprise one or more cooling elements 95, e.g., comprising one or more fluid transport channels 7 and/or one or more thermally conductive elements 2. The reactor support element 40, especially the support body 45, may especially be solid or hollow, especially comprising a cavity and/or a fluid transport channel 7. The reactor support element 40, especially the support body 45, may further comprise a heatsink, especially comprising fins. In embodiments, the reactor support element 40, especially the support body 45, is finned. The reactor support element 40, especially the support body 45, may thus be configured for facilitating a flow of a cooling fluid 91 (e.g. air 91,92 and/or water 91,93 or another cooling liquid 91,93) through and/or along the reactor support element 40.
[0189] Some further elements of the cooling system 90 are further depicted in FIG. 3. The cooling system 90 may comprise the cooling elements 95. The cooling system 90 is especially configured for transporting the cooling fluid 91 through one or more of the one or more fluid transport channels 7. Additionally or alternatively, the cooling system 90 may be configured to transport the cooling fluid 91 along one or more of the thermally conductive elements. The cooling system 90 may e.g. comprise an air (or gas) transporting device 96, such as a fan 98 or an air blower for blowing or sucking a gaseous fluid 91,92, especially air 91,92 through one or more of the fluid transport channels 7. Additionally or alternatively a liquid (cooling) fluid, 91, 93 may be used, and the cooling system 90 may comprise a pump for transporting the liquid cooling fluid 91,93. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, for instance, the (photo)reactor assembly 1 comprises an air (or gas) transport devices 96, such as a fan 97 on top of the reactor assembly 1, configured for transporting gas, especially air, through one or more of the fluid transporting channels. Further gas (or air) transporting devices 96 are arranged at the sides for providing air 92 along thermally conductive elements 2 in thermal connection with the light sources 10, such as heat sinks of the light source element 19. Further, a pump may be arranged to pump a liquid cooling fluid 91,93 through e.g. some of the fluid transport channels 7.
[0190] In FIG. 4, some aspects of a further embodiment of the (photo)reactor assembly 1 are depicted. In this embodiment, the reactor wall 35 of the tubular reactor 130 actually comprises a first reactor wall 351 and a second reactor wall 352 together defining the tubular reactor 130. Hence, in embodiments, the tube 32 may (also) have a first reactor wall 351 and a second reactor wall 352. Herein, such configuration is also called a double walled tube 32. Depending on the configuration of the light source arrangement 1010 (not depicted in the figure) the first reactor wall 351, the second reactor wall 352 or both walls 351, 352 are configured at least partly transmissive for the light source radiation 11. In this embodiment, the tubular arrangement defines the polygon 50 (a square). In alternative embodiments two coaxially arranged cylindrical tubes may define a cylindrical tubular reactor 130. In the embodiment, the fluid 100 may flow in the channel configured between the first (reactor) wall 351 and the second (reactor) wall 352. Herein, such channel is also referred to as (square) annulus 137. In the embodiment, fluid transport channels 7 are defined by the first reactor wall 351 and the support element 40. In the embodiment, the tube 32 of the tubular reactor 130 comprises 4 sections at the four sides of the support element 40, wherein each section together with the reactor support element 40 defines a fluid transport channel 7. The sections are in open fluid connection with each other over the entire annulus 137. In further embodiments, these sections may all define a single tube 32 (or a single tubular reactor section) together defining the tubular reactor 130. It will be understood that also other configurations are possible, e.g. wherein at each side of the support element 40 two, or more tubular reactor sections are configured, these two or more tubular reactor sections together with the support element 40 may define a single fluid transport channel 7.
[0191] In further embodiments, the tubular reactor 130 depicted in FIG. 4, may also be defined by a plurality parallel tubes 32, together defining the reactor 30 (not depicted). The tube axis A2 of the plurality of tubes 32 (as well as the tube axis A2 of the double walled tube 32) may especially also be configured parallel to the tubular arrangement axis A1. Yet, in embodiments, the plurality of tubes 32 in such embodiment may be configured at an angle with respect to the tubular arrangement axis A1. Such angle is especially an acute angle. Herein, the tubular arrangement 1130 of the double walled tube 32 or the (alternative) one described above comprising the plurality of tubes 32 is also named a straight tubular arrangement 1132.
[0192] FIG. 5A-C schematically depict further features of the (photo)reactor assembly 1. In particular, FIG. 5A-C schematically depict thermal contact between a light source 10 and a (cooling) fluid transport channel 7. In each of FIG. 1A-1C, the light source 10 and the fluid transport channel 7 are in functional contact, especially thermal contact, i.e., the fluid transport channel 7 may facilitate cooling of the light source 10. In FIG. 5A, the light source 10 and the fluid transport channel 7 are in direct (fluid) contact. In FIG. 5B, the light source 10 and the fluid transport channel 7 are separated by a reflective element 1011, wherein the reflective element 1011, wherein heat may dissipate from the light source 10 to the fluid transport channel 7 via the reflective element 1011. In FIG. 5C, the light source 10 and the fluid transport channel 7 are separated by a thermally conductive element 2, such as a metal block, or such as fins. Hence, in such embodiment, heat may dissipate from the light source 10 to the fluid transport channel 7 via the thermally conductive element 2.
[0193] The (photo)reactor assembly 1 described herein may be used for treating the (reactor) fluid 100 with light source radiation 11. During use, the fluid 100 is provided in the reactor 30 and irradiated with the light source radiation 11. The method may comprise a batch process. Yet, the method may especially comprise a continuous process. During the continuous process, the fluid 100 is transported through the reactor 30 while irradiating the fluid 100 with the light source radiation 11. Simultaneously a cooling fluid 91 may be transported through and/or along one or more cooling elements 95 as is schematically depicted in FIG. 3.
[0194] Hence, the invention provides embodiments of a reactor 30 with light sources 10 that can easily be replaced (for instance when a certain reaction needs a specific wavelength region), and may have a very high efficiency, both in terms of light/radiation output versus power input of the source, and in capturing of the radiation by the reactants. In embodiments, the assembly 1 comprises a hexagonal or octagonal enclosure formed by six or eight light source elements 19 comprising a heatsink 2, each carrying one or more COBs. The heatsinks 2 may especially facilitate cooling of the light sources 10 and maintaining the COB 10 at a low temperature (for maximum efficiency).
[0195] In embodiments, a COB 10 (with or without phosphor) and/or an array of LEDs 10 (not necessarily of the same type) is configured on a heatsink 2 that is big enough to keep the COB 10 or LEDs 10 at a low temperature. For instance, three to ten of such heatsinks 2 (configured as light source elements 19) are slit into a frame in such a way that they form a polygonal structure 50 or enclosure. The fluid 100 containing (photosensitive) reactants may be flown through a (tiny) tube 32 that is coiled around a core comprising a support element 40 and/or support body 45 with the same polygonal shape 50 (in embodiments with rounded edges to prevent damaging of the tube 32 while coiling, taking the minimum bending radius of the tube into account, depending on the tube diameter d5). The support body 45 and tube 32 may in embodiments be placed in the enclosure from top or bottom side. The coiled tube 32 especially extends over the whole height of the enclosure, so all radiation 11 radiated by the sources 10 may imping on the coiled tube 32, and especially no light source radiation 11 will escape from top or bottom, or imping on other parts of the enclosure.
[0196] Hence, the invention especially relates to a flow reactor 30 for photochemical processes, especially to a reactor assembly 1 for hosting a fluid 100 to be treated with light source radiation 11. Especially wherein the light sources 10 can be cooled via the thermally conductive elements 2, such as heatsinks (that in embodiments can be equipped with fans 96 or a cooling fluid 91). The tube 32 with reactants may in embodiments can be cooled via the support element 40 configured enclosed by the tubular reactor 130 and/or configured enclosing the tubular reactor 130. The tube 32 with reactants may in further embodiments be cooled via a (forced) air flow 91 in the area between tube 32 and light sources 10 and/or the tube 32 and the support element 40. The support element 40 may comprises concave faces 44 instead of flat faces to allow a cooling fluid 91 flowing between the coiled tube 32 and the support element 40.
[0197] The terms “substantially” or “essentially” herein, and similar terms, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The terms “substantially” or “essentially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially or essentially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” or the term “essentially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%.
[0198] The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of”.
[0199] The term “and/or” especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after “and/or”. For instance, a phrase “item 1 and/or item 2” and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. The term “comprising” may in an embodiment refer to “consisting of” but may in another embodiment also refer to “containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species”.
[0200] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.
[0201] The devices, apparatus, or systems may herein amongst others be described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation, or devices, apparatus, or systems in operation.
[0202] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
[0203] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.
[0204] Use of the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.
[0205] The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.
[0206] The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim, or an apparatus claim, or a system claim, enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
[0207] The invention also provides a control system that may control the device, apparatus, or system, or that may execute the herein described method or process. Yet further, the invention also provides a computer program product, when running on a computer which is functionally coupled to or comprised by the device, apparatus, or system, controls one or more controllable elements of such device, apparatus, or system.
[0208] The invention further applies to a device, apparatus, or system comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.
[0209] The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Further, the person skilled in the art will understand that embodiments can be combined, and that also more than two embodiments can be combined. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.
