HK1201305B - Integrated curtain walling serving for optimized industrial production of microalgae in building facades - Google Patents

Abstract

Insulating and/or temperature regulating device and use thereof in the construction of a building. Device for insulating and/or regulating the temperature of buildings and a facade and building comprising said insulating and/or temperature regulating device and use thereof for the industrial production of microalgae and/or microorganisms.

Description

Integrated curtain wall for optimal industrial production of microalgae in the facade of a building

The present invention relates to an insulation and/or temperature conditioning apparatus, and to the use of the apparatus for building construction.

The invention also relates to an insulating and/or temperature conditioning device for buildings and to the use of the device for the industrial production of microalgae and/or microorganisms.

The invention is particularly applicable in the fields of architecture, exterior and interior planning or landscaping.

State of the art

It is currently of great interest to find alternative solutions to fossil energy sources, since these are limited and responsible for numerous environmental pollutants.

For example, towns produce pollution and produce large amounts of carbon dioxide through their thermal power stations, through building heating systems and in refrigeration plants. Furthermore, the handling of contaminated air from buildings is not always obvious, especially when it comes from humans, but also from underground parking lots, notably from motor vehicles.

In particular, carbon dioxide (CO)₂) And nitrogen dioxide (NO)₂) Escape into the atmosphere and cause greenhouse effects and climate change.

Towns also consume large amounts of energy, which is produced remotely and must be transported at great expense, even with significant pressure differential losses to electrical energy. A commercial area of full air conditioning operated by electrical energy from a thermal power plant is an energy black hole.

Many solutions have been developed for improving the insulation of buildings, such as external insulation systems, and the manufacture of windows with enhanced insulation, such as double/triple glazing.

Furthermore, solutions have also been investigated for reducing the consumption of fossil energy sources and/or for finding alternative solutions for these energy sources. Typical of these solutions are for example the production of hybrid electric/thermal engines, the production of electric engines using lithium batteries, the production of "biofuels" from microorganisms/plants, etc.

Unfortunately, these systems are very expensive and difficult to implement. In particular, these systems do not significantly reduce the consumption of fossil energy, nor do they result in systems with efficiencies/autonomy comparable/similar to those obtained with fossil energy-using devices. For systems with plants, there is also the problem of regeneration and maintenance of the plants, which is complex, very labour intensive and difficult to automate. These problems are for example prominent with the Photobioreactor (PBR). In particular, two major obstacles to the development of conventional PBR relate to:

their investment costs, linked in particular to the cost of the glass products, the complexity of the piping that must be achieved under processing, which is not always optimal, and the expensive metalworking structures necessary for its stability.

The cost of temperature regulation of the microalgae culture and/or the microorganisms, the temperature which is usually maintained between 15 ℃ and 28 ℃ to ensure sufficient productivity is required.

There is therefore a real need for a system that alleviates these drawbacks, disadvantages and obstacles of the prior art.

Summary of The Invention

The subject of the invention is in particular an insulating and/or thermoregulation device comprising a container of algae and/or microbial cultures in an aqueous medium (mileuaqueux), said device being able to be integrated in modular form in the structure of a building, for exampleFacade of buildingThe element of (1).

A further subject of the invention is therefore a building facade comprising at least one module (D), that is to say one or more modules (D) which are identical or different.

The device according to the invention can be named "curtain photobioreactors" (PBRR) or "integrated curtain walls for the optimal industrial production of algae or microalgae in the facade of buildings".

One of the objects of the present invention is to produce a ventilated double facade intended for building applications, which allows microalgae culture by optimizing solar energy input and temperature regulation.

Another object of the invention is to produce a ventilated single or double facade allowing, for example, cultures of algae and/or microalgae and/or microorganisms by optimizing solar energy input and temperature regulation and intended for building applications.

The present invention is particularly directed to the properties of products or equipment integratable that are associated with the benefits of thermal and maintenance of single or double-deck facades. Instead of installing an insulated photobioreactor behind or in or on a facade, the present invention makes it possible to use directly a Photobioreactor (PBR) or "container of algae and/or microorganism culture" as facade element.

The present invention also provides the benefits of maintenance of single or double-deck facades as defined below.

By means of the invention, savings are thus achieved by the integrated construction of the elements.

Furthermore, by means of the invention, industrial processes and production lines developed for ventilated three-level facades are re-used and orchestrated so that "standardized" PBRs can be produced at less expense.

One of the obstacles to the development of conventional PBRs is their capital cost and in particular the cost of the glass product, the complexity of the piping that must be achieved under processing, and the expensive metalworking structures necessary for building stability.

The present invention meets the above-mentioned needs and addresses the deficiencies of the prior art by integrating PBRs in buildings.

The present invention advantageously allows for space and time savings in the construction of buildings and savings in relation to the manufacture of PBRs that result from pooling of construction elements.

Also advantageously, the building is used to ensure stability of the PBR or PBR module. And therefore no ferrous articles are required.

Thus, glass can be used for producing facades.

Furthermore, by allowing a lateral displacement of the mesh (roseaux) to the position, notably a water and/or culture medium supply circuit, the problem of crossing of the mesh (synthetic problem) and therefore of optimal mesh volume is solved.

By a careful alternation of transparent glass modules (for illuminating the rooms of the building) and PBR modules according to the invention (for cultivating algae and/or microorganisms), the following problems are also solved and at a lower cost by solving the problem of "synthesis" and crossing of the mesh on the thickness of the floor supporting the modules mounted on the facade of the building: the mesh inlet and outlet, notably the water, culture medium and compressed air supply circuits, and the circuits for harvesting/recovering biomass such as algae.

In other words, the invention also allows to solve the problem of the entrance and exit of the mesh at low cost by means of the delicate alternation of modules (E), such as transparent windows (for illuminating the house of a building) and PBR modules (D) according to the invention or comprising the containers (for culturing algae, microalgae and/or microorganisms) of the culture according to the invention, by solving the problem of the "synthesis" and crossing of the mesh over the thickness of the raised floor where the conventional photobioreactor has its mesh entrance from below.

The present invention allows for horizontal, vertical or hybrid installation of the PBR module according to the present invention and thus enables it to create large scale network-like photobioreactors all along or on the facade of a building.

According to the invention, the module (D) can comprise at least two parallel or preferably substantially parallel walls defining at least one interior space, one of these walls being able to act as or be attached to a facade wall of a building.

According to the invention, the walls of the module (D) can be made of any material known to the person skilled in the art. These walls may be identical or different by their form and/or by their material of construction. They may be, for example, transparent walls or opaque walls. In the case of transparent walls, they may be made of, for example, glass, polycarbonate, Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), transparent resin, or the like. In the case of opaque walls, they may be made, for example, of polycarbonate, or of metal, such as stainless steel, aluminium.

According to the invention, the thickness of the wall may independently be from 0.5mm to 50mm, for example from 6mm to 24 mm.

According to the invention, the spacing of the walls may independently be from 0.5mm to 200mm, for example from 40mm to 100 mm.

According to the invention, the walls of the modules (D) can be independently single-layer walls or multi-layer walls, for example they can be walls consisting of one to ten layers, for example one to three layers.

According to the invention, when the wall is multilayered, the layers may be separated independently by spaces, e.g. gas tight spaces containing e.g. gases such as oxygen, argon, nitrogen. According to the invention, the at least one airtight space may also constitute a container for the cultivation of algae and/or microorganisms.

According to the invention, at least one space in the module (D) may be a space ventilated, for example via an air flow, for example a laminar air flow, thereby defining a ventilated air space.

According to the invention, at least one space in the module (D) can be a venting space, for example sealed via a hole, so that a venting space can be defined, advantageously making it possible to avoid the formation of condensation, for example on the walls of the module.

According to the invention, at least one internal space in module (D) can comprise a container of culture or algae and/or microorganism culture medium.

According to the invention, each wall in the module (D) can independently comprise, for example, a single layer (M)₁) Double layer (M)₂) Or three layers (M)₃) Glass, multiple wall glass or even a combination of these different glasses.

These walls advantageously define an interior space that is temperature controlled, particularly a space in which the temperature can be between and/or regulated between the outside and inside of the building to facilitate or allow the growth of microalgae and/or microorganisms.

According to the invention, from a single layer (M)₁) Double layer (M)₂) Or three layers (M)₃) At least one of the spaces defined by the glass or double wall glass may be or include a container of a culture within the contemplation of the present invention.

Advantageously, the inventors have surprisingly demonstrated that when the walls of the module (D) are multi-layer walls, they can advantageously make it possible to define one or more air spaces which make it possible to:

thermally insulating the algae culture container/medium and/or the microorganisms from the outside by means of an insulating air space in winter,

through the air space (L)₁) Avoiding the formation of condensation which would be detrimental to the productivity of the microalgae and/or microorganisms by reducing the light energy,

-according to the air space (L) ventilated by the air flow₂) In order to facilitate the natural ventilation of the microalgae culture and/or the microorganisms, in the case of double facades the air flow (L) is in exchange mode with the outside in summer and with the building interior and/or the passage (S) in winter.

According to the invention, when the inner space of the module (D) comprises a container of culture, the outer surface of the culture container wall may or may not be in direct contact with the inner surface of the wall of the module (D).

According to the invention, the module (D) may comprise a space and/or a recess in which the illumination and/or the backlight may be placed or accommodated. For example, the container may be bean-shaped in cross-section, with light being able to be accommodated in the hollow of the bean. A plurality of hollows or undulations may be provided to accommodate artificial lighting that can provide light to the cultured algae and/or microorganisms that they need to grow. It may also be artificial lighting.

Advantageously, according to the invention, when the walls of the modules (D) delimit an airtight space that can comprise or constitute a container for microalgae cultures and/or microorganisms, they can also ensure, on the outside of the building, the illumination of the algae and/or microorganisms, for example by their transparency, and can also ensure, on the building side, in the case of single facades, the heat exchange with the interior of the building, or, in the case of double facades, the heat exchange with the interior space (S) of the double facades.

According to the invention, the walls of module (D) may be multi-layered walls, wherein one or more are located between the outside and the algae or microalgae culture medium and/or microorganisms. The layer(s) advantageously make it possible to ensure natural illumination of the algae, microalgae culture/culture medium and/or microorganisms.

Another subject of the invention is a building insulation plant comprising at least one module (D) and/or at least one module (E), for example as defined above.

According to the invention, the module (E) may comprise at least two parallel or preferably substantially parallel walls defining at least one interior space, one of these walls being able to act as or be attached to a facade of a building.

According to the invention, the walls of the module (E) can be made of any material known to the person skilled in the art. These walls may be identical or different by their form and/or by their material of construction. They may be, for example, transparent walls or opaque walls. In the case of transparent walls, they may be made of, for example, glass, polycarbonate, Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), transparent resin, or the like. In the case of opaque walls, they may be made, for example, of concrete, wood, or metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum.

According to the invention, the thickness of the wall may be from 0.5mm to 100mm, for example from 5mm to 50 mm.

According to the invention, the spacing of the walls may independently be from 0.5mm to 200mm, for example from 5mm to 50 mm.

According to the invention, the module (E) may be, for example, a single-ply, double-or triple-ply glazing, or even a so-called "multi-wall" glazing, the case of which is defined by a combination of a plurality of glazings, for example via a profile (profilede filre) or any other mixed technique known to the person skilled in the art.

According to the invention, the inner space of the module (E) may be an airtight or permeable space.

According to the invention, when the inner space of the module (E) is gas-tight, it may contain a gas, such as air or argon.

According to the invention, when the inner space of the module (E) is permeable, the module (E) may comprise at least one opening, one ventilation system, one aperture at least one of the ends. Advantageously, when module (E) is permeable, it may allow circulation of fluids, such as gases and/or liquids in module (E). Advantageously, the circulation of the fluid in the module (E) may allow heat exchange between the outside and the inside of the building, advantageously allowing the regulation of the temperature of the building.

According to the invention, the module (E) can be mounted on a frame, for example a metal frame made of, for example, aluminium, a wooden frame, or a frame made of a polymer plastic, for example polyvinyl chloride.

Another subject of the invention is a device, namely a facade, also known as single-layer facade, and/or an external facade (a) of a facade, or of a double-layer facade (a) comprising at least one module (D) and/or at least one module (E), as defined below.

According to the invention, "single-storey facade" is understood to mean a facade of a building comprising an outer surface (a') of the building.

According to the invention, "double facade" is understood to mean a building facade comprising a surface of a building, also referred to as exterior facade (a), and a surface (N or B) outside or inside the building, i.e. a surface other than the exterior surface of the building, for example an outer skin (envelope outer) and/or a surface comprised in the building, which delimits a double skin (double peau) or a buffer space.

According to the invention, the surface (N or B) of the outside and/or inside of the building may be transparent and may comprise louvers, said double skin preferably being fixed and parallel to the facade of the building. The outer jacket of the double skin may be, for example, a glass surface, a surface made of ETFE, a surface made of fine wood and glass, a surface made of fine wood and guide pillars (r é sile) made of steel, metal, stainless steel, galvanized steel, nylon or carbon. The louvers allow ventilation of the space between the outer jacket of the double skin or double wall and the facade of the building.

According to the invention, the inner sheath of the double facade is preferably airtight, preferably, especially in winter, which makes it possible to limit the passage of air and/or air flow in order to protect the container of algae culture from temperature variations.

According to the invention, the double facade preferably enables it to form an air blanket around the building and/or to contain heat or cold emitted by the building and thereby enables it to heat and/or cool the algae and/or the microbial culture with the heat and/or cold emitted by the building.

Advantageously, the double facade also makes it possible to store building calories, increase the thermal inertia of the building and adjust the temperature of the culture.

According to the invention, the facade and/or the facade or facade exterior (a) of a double-deck facade may comprise two types of modules:

-a module (E) ensuring observation and illumination,

-a module (D) acting as both a facade element and a Photo Bioreactor (PBR).

Advantageously, and surprisingly, the invention makes it possible to ensure the temperature regulation of microalgae and/or microbial cultures by means of a specific design of the curtain wall modules (E) and (D):

passive through natural ventilation of the facade and heat exchange with outside air in summer or with inside air of a building or of a space of a double-storey facade in winter,

and/or actively by heat exchange with the water circuit of the building.

According to the invention, the arrangement of the modules (D) and (E) on the facade and/or the outer facade (a) of the facade or double-decked facade may be staggered, optionally, for example, 1 in 2, 1 in 3, horizontally and/or vertically. Thus, the arrangement of modules on facades, for example on the outer facade (a) of e.g. a double facade, can be done in a checkerboard pattern, linear 1 in 2, 1 in 3, 1 in 4, diagonal 1 in 2, 1 in 3, 1 in 4, or any other layout suitable for natural lighting and temperature regulation of buildings and algae (see fig. 9).

According to the invention, the modules (D) and/or (E) can independently comprise a cover layer (habilage) and/or a protective system on at least one of their outer surfaces. The cover layer and/or the protective system can be, for example, a metal plate, which is made of, for example, aluminum or zinc. Furthermore, a cover layer or a protective system can be arranged directly on at least one outer surface of the modules (D) and/or (E). According to the invention, a covering or protection system can be arranged on the surface of the module located on the inside of the building.

According to the invention, the height of the modules (D) and/or (E) can independently be, for example, between 1m and 10m, preferably between 2m and 3.60 m. In fact, any height may be used as long as it is practical for the construction of the building.

According to the invention, the modules (E) and/or (D) may be prefabricated, for example they may be modules manufactured in a factory ready for implementation, for example for the construction of the facade (a) of a facade and/or double facade.

According to the invention, the modules (D) and (E) can be assembled directly on the building, for example by fastening them to a metal frame (C), or on the front edge of the building floor, for example by stiffeners or pins (F).

According to the invention, the assembled modules (D) and (E) may constitute a facade (B) of a building and/or an outer facade (a) of a facade or double facade.

The invention may also comprise two facades, where one on the outside would alternate two types of prefabricated window assembly:

one type of prefabricated window assembly with double glazing ensures the observation and lighting of the house. Which contains the natural ventilation of the double-deck facade in the top and bottom parts.

Another type of prefabricated window assembly comprises triple glazing comprising double glazing and single glazing separated by a gas-tight space, suitable for receiving and containing a gas-tight culture container acting both as facade element and as Photobioreactor (PBR).

These two facades advantageously define a temperature-controlled space with an intermediate temperature between the outside and the inside that favours the growth and cultivation of microalgae.

The present invention resides notably in the integrated nature of the "facade + photobioreactor" components in a multipurpose component or module.

The first facade, the outer part a, is waterproof and airtight in winter and waterproof in summer.

Facade a is a curtain wall made up of glass modules D and E assembled and fastened to a metal frame made of aluminium or directly to the front edge of the panel. Any stiffeners or pins (F) will be able to be made of aluminum, or metal, or Befup or wood.

The modules D form a closed prefabricated assembly mounted on a frame F which is metal or aluminium with thermal bridge breakers. They serve as elements forming both the facade and the photobioreactor.

The second facade, the inside (N), is made of a fixed frame or curtain wall of any height made of aluminium. The glass of the curtain wall will be able to be single-ply glass or double-ply glass.

The container of algae and/or microorganism culture may for example have a thickness of between 5 and 20cm, for example 8 cm.

According to the invention, the additional module (X) on the building side can also be arranged, for example, in contact with one of the outer surfaces of the module (D) mentioned above.

According to the invention, the module (X) can be made up of a plurality of walls delimiting an internal space. It may be, for example, a hollow plate, for example a plate comprising at least one cavity, such as a thermal solar panel.

According to the invention, the walls of the modules (X) can be made of any material having good thermal conductivity. It may be, for example, a metal wall, such as a stainless steel wall or a steel wall.

According to the invention, the inner space of the module (X) may contain a gas or a liquid, such as water, or an antifreeze, an antiseptic, a bactericide, a fungicide, an anti-scaling heat transfer liquid based on monopropanol.

According to the invention, the water may be, for example, water originating from a building, for example from a building in which the module (X) is located. For example, it may be water originating from a water circuit of a building or otherwise originating from a reclaimed water circuit of a building.

Advantageously, module (X) may also ensure that heat exchange between the water flows of the building is possible, for example by incorporating channels of these flows directly and/or by incorporating channels of the heat transfer flow in heat exchange with the water flows of the building and PBR or module (D).

Advantageously, the present invention makes it possible for the algae and/or microorganisms contained in the PBR to benefit from a controlled thermal environment:

benefits from the inside of the building when modules D and E constitute the facade (A') of the building,

-benefit from the intermediate space (S) of the double facade when they constitute the outer facade (a) of the double facade.

They also benefit from possible heat exchange with the water circuit of the building.

The modules D and E also advantageously make it possible to ensure tightness of the building with respect to air, in particular cold, water and wind in the winter and water and heat in the summer.

According to the invention, the container of algae and/or microorganism culture specifically comprised in module (D) may comprise a molded part.

The molded portion may be any material that enables it to be contained in a container of algae and/or microorganism culture. For example, the molded portion may be made of resin.

The molded part may advantageously comprise one or more tubes to supply algae and/or microorganisms with gas, water, nutrients, etc.

Preferably, the tube or tubes of the moulded part are contained in said moulded part. In other words, the tube or tubes of the molded part form an integral part of the molded part.

The pipe or pipes of the moulded part may for example be coupled to a pipe located in a suspended ceiling or raised floor, for example, so that it is coupled to the tank.

The pipe or pipes of the moulded part may be arranged on the bottom part of the moulded part, i.e. the part closest to the ground. This makes it possible to leave the top part of the container of algae and/or microbial culture, which is advantageous for mechanical interventions. For example, the window may be positioned on a top portion of the container of algae and/or microorganism culture.

According to the invention, at least one specific part or moulded part, for example one to three specific parts (G)₁、G₂、G₃) Can also be included in the container and/or module (D) of algae and/or microorganism culture in order to ensure the connection and/or power of the different fluids.

According to the invention, this particular part can be made of any material known to the person skilled in the art:

-any material that enables it to be contained in a container of algae and/or microbial culture; and/or

Any material compatible with algae and/or microbial cultures.

It may be, for example, a material selected from stainless steel, plastic, rubber or resin.

According to the invention, the specific part or parts can advantageously be moulded.

This specific part may advantageously comprise one or more pipes making it possible to supply the algae and/or microorganism culture medium or to extract the algae medium (J) and/or culture medium, for example with gas (K), water, nutrients, etc. (I).

According to the invention, the tube of the specific part may advantageously be contained in the specific part. For example, the tube or tubes of a particular section may be an integral part of the particular section.

According to the invention, the tube or tubes of the specific part or parts can be coupled, for example, to tubes located in a suspended ceiling (Q) or raised floor (T), for example.

According to the invention, the pipe or pipes of a particular section may be arranged on the bottom part of the section, i.e. the part closest to the ground. This arrangement advantageously makes it possible to leave the top part of the container of algae and/or microorganism culture, which is advantageous for mechanical interventions. For example, the window may be positioned on a top portion of the module (D) and/or the container of algae and/or microorganism culture.

According to the invention, the at least one well and/or tube facing the culture container and/or the module (D) may be oriented at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to the vertical axis of the culture container and/or the module (D). Advantageously, the orientation of said at least one hole and/or tube makes it possible to create agitation in the culture medium by injection of a fluid or gas, avoiding the formation of algae deposits in the containers and/or modules (D).

The container of algae and/or microorganism culture may advantageously be in the form of a rhombus, one of the vertices of which is positioned towards the bottom, i.e. towards the ground, as shown for example in fig. 5.

The container of algae and/or microbial culture may constitute all or part of a facade of a building. For example, when a plurality of containers of algae and/or microbial cultures constitute a surface of a building, in particular in the form of modules (D), they may represent from 5% to 100% of the surface of the building, from 5% to 50% of the surface of the building, or from 50% to 100% of the surface of the building.

When a plurality of containers of algae and/or microbial cultures make up the surface of a building, they may be arranged, for example, alternately with the windows of the building. For example, it may be vertical and/or horizontal.

The modules (D) and (E), and the container of algae and/or microbial culture advantageously make it possible to insulate the building and to make it airtight and waterproof.

The device according to the invention can be purified in different ways. The decontamination can substantially remove algae and/or microbial cultures disposed on an interior surface of the container of algae and/or microbial cultures.

For example, the apparatus according to the invention may be purified by ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light may be applied, for example, from the exterior of the container of algae and/or microbial culture.

The ultraviolet light may be applied by any device known to those skilled in the art that makes it possible to emit ultraviolet light.

The device according to the invention can also be cleaned by ultrasound. The ultrasound may be applied, for example, from the outside of the container of algae and/or microbial culture.

The device according to the invention can also be decontaminated by an embedded mechanical system. The embedded mechanical system may be applied from the inside of the container of algae and/or microbial culture. For example, the embedded mechanical system may be introduced into the container of algae and/or microorganism culture from a window located on a top portion of the container of algae and/or microorganism culture.

For example, the embedded mechanical system may be a roller, such as a floating roller.

The purification means may also be liquid oxygen or ozone dissolved in the water.

The purification device described above advantageously makes it possible to purify both internal surfaces of the container of algae and/or microbial cultures.

The purification device described above can advantageously be automated. For example, the ultraviolet and/or ultrasonic application devices may be arranged on a track that makes it possible to decontaminate a plurality of containers of algae and/or microbial cultures. When the building has a plurality of floors, this may be, for example, one track per floor or one track per a number of floors.

Furthermore, the surface of the building may comprise ventilation flaps. For example, the ventilation flap can be positioned at the base of the module (D) and/or (E) and/or the container of algae and/or microorganism culture.

Furthermore, the surface of the building may also comprise ventilation flaps which may be positioned at the base and/or top of modules (D) and/or (E).

The device according to the invention may also comprise and/or be connected to one or more of the following elements:

-supply means for algae and/or microorganism cultures,

-means for injecting emissions into the algae and/or microorganism culture, said emissions originating from the building,

-means for regulating the temperature of the algae culture,

-means for connecting the building from which the emissions come to the injection device, the function of said means being to conduct the emissions coming from the building to the injection device, and

-optionally, facilitating the illumination of the algae and/or microorganism culture.

According to the invention, a "building" is understood to be any construction for accommodating humans, animals or things. It can be, for example, the construction of industrial and/or office and/or residential and/or agricultural buildings, such as houses, apartment blocks, thermal power stations and/or underground technical works, such as underground infrastructures for motor vehicles and/or rail traffic, such as highway tunnels, subway tunnels, parking lots, tunnels, underground public road networks, spaces under floors, caverns or caverns formed for human, animal or culture living or for industrial or storage use.

According to the invention, the emissions may be, for example, gaseous emissions and/or liquid emissions.

According to the invention, "liquid discharge" means a single discharge or a mixture of liquid discharges. It may be any contaminated liquid and/or solution, for example from a building. Liquid emissions can be contaminated by human occupancy. It may be, for example, waste water from a toilet, a liquid containing impurities such as metals, e.g. lead, nickel, or pollutants, e.g. nitrates, salts.

The invention makes it possible, for example, by means of the module (D), to significantly reprocess contaminated liquid effluents, such as those mentioned above, also for example effluents with metals, salts, compounds and other contaminants which may be, for example, discharged from buildings.

According to the present invention, the treatment of the liquid discharge or the mixture of liquid discharges may comprise, for example, the removal, i.e. extraction, of at least one pollutant, one impurity, such as a metal, for example lead, nickel, nitrates, salts and any polluting substance from the liquid discharge. Which may for example include desalting the liquid effluent and/or regenerating the treated liquid. The treatment may depend on the algae and/or microorganisms selected. According to the present invention, algae and/or microorganisms may be selected according to the desired treatment of the effluent to be treated.

In this document, "gaseous emissions" is understood to mean a single gaseous emission or a mixture of gaseous emissions. It may be any contaminated air from the building or any mixture of contaminated air from the building. The gaseous emissions may be air that is occupied by humans, polluted by vehicular traffic in buildings, such as a parking lot or parking lots, or surrounding buildings, such as tunnels, underground public road networks, spaces under floors, polluted by industrial products, and thermal devices from buildings, particularly diesel or gasoline. According to the invention, the gaseous emission may be a gas comprising, for example, CO₂Nitrogen dioxide or air occupied by humans, occupied by vehicle traffic in buildings (parking lots), by rail traffic, or surrounding buildings (tunnels, underground public road networks, spaces under floors), polluted by industrial products.

The invention notably enables the reprocessing of CO by means of ventilated plants and other examples listed below₂And nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and other pollutant-contaminated gaseous emissions emitted from buildings and produced by humans, particularly those mentioned above.

According to the invention, the treatment of the gaseous effluent may comprise, for example, the removal, i.e. extraction, of CO from the gaseous effluent₂And/or NO₂. Advantageously, the algae convert CO₂And/or NO₂Into oxygen which may make it possible, for example, to renew the atmosphere of a building or to discharge. It may be a gas other than those gaseous emissions mentioned above, and it may also be particulates and dust present in these gases. The treatment may depend on the algae and/or microorganisms selected. Similarly, algae and/or microorganisms may be selected according to the effluent to be treated.

According to the invention, the device for injecting emissions into algae and/or microorganism cultures can be connected to a device for recovering the emissions to be treated, which makes it possible to recover the emissions or emissions from one or more buildings and/or from one or more underground technical works, such as underground roads or rail transit infrastructures, such as motorway tunnels, subway tunnels, to inject them into algae cultures. Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to treat contaminated air or contaminated liquid from a building by connecting the building to the above-mentioned equipment used in the invention.

According to the invention, the means for recovering said emissions may be selected from the group comprising a fan, a suction pump, an aeration circuit of the building, an air conditioning circuit, or an air filtration circuit. Any means for recovering the effluent to be treated may be used. The recovery device may be, for example, a pipeline that makes it possible to transport emissions from, for example, a building or buildings, for example from one or more thermal power plants or any other building such as those mentioned above. Obviously, the recovery device is connected to the injection device in order to bring the effluent into contact with the algae and/or microorganisms in culture, whose function is to metabolize the pollutants and/or the elements in the effluent that are not required, such as gases, for example CO₂And/or NO₂To clear them.

According to the invention, the container of the algae and/or microorganism culture may be any container known to the person skilled in the art. The container may for example be in the form of a group selected from the group comprising a tube, a cylinder, a flat tube, a tube undulated in length and/or in width, a hollow plate, a sphere, a cube, a cuboid, a spiral, a cuboid with rounded edges, a hollow structure without sharp edges or a bag. In the terminology of the construction field, the term "tube" also covers all these possible structures, as long as they are hollow. Preferably, according to the invention, the hollow structure is free of sharp edges. Furthermore, in this document, "tube" is to be understood as any form of container, including a tube or a hollow plate, which makes possible a culture comprising algae and/or microorganisms. For example, it may be an ultra-thin bag, such as an Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) bag; contoured glass, such as a parallelepiped form, preferably having rounded edges, or hollow panels of contoured glass, preferably allows for the cultivation of algae and/or microorganisms. The vessel actually forms a reactor in which algae and/or microorganisms are cultured. Thus, any form suitable for an algal culture is suitable.

The container of the algae and/or microorganism culture may for example take the form of a hollow structure selected from the group comprising flat tubes, hollow plates, cuboids with rounded edges and hollow structures without sharp edges.

Preferably, the container of the algae and/or microorganism culture takes the form of a hollow structure selected from the group consisting of flat tubes, hollow plates, cuboids with rounded edges and hollow structures without sharp edges.

Even more preferably, the container of algae and/or microorganism culture is in the form of a hollow cuboid with rounded edges, e.g. a hollow plate with inner edges, possibly outer edges and rounded edges, or a tube. Advantageously, the culture device does not have sharp edges. In fact, the absence of edges makes it possible to avoid the accumulation and/or attachment of algae and/or microorganisms, which is observed in the hollow formed by these edges, in containers with sharp edges.

According to the invention, the container is preferably a container that is transparent to light. It may be, for example, a container made of profiled glass, or a tube of polycarbonate or heat-resistant plexiglass (plexiglass). This obviously relates to the walls of the container. This is particularly preferred when the algae or microorganisms in culture require light to grow and/or treat the effluent, and the light used is natural light.

According to the invention, the thickness of the container, i.e. the thickness of its walls, may be between 5cm and 60cm, preferably between 15cm and 20 cm. The thickness may be from 5mm to 60mm, or from 15mm to 20 mm. It can be virtually any thickness that ensures the strength of the container when it is filled with culture medium and algae and/or microorganisms. The thickness will be readily determined by one skilled in the art.

According to the invention, the height of the container may be, for example, between 1m and 10m, preferably between 2m and 8.50 m. In fact, any height may be used as long as it is configurable. Furthermore, the height of the container may be the same or different relative to the height of the module in which it may be positioned.

According to the invention, when the container is horizontal, the length of the container may for example be equal to the length of the building and/or its width, for example 100 meters.

When the container is horizontal or inclined, it may be arranged on the roof of a building. The inclination of the roof controls the inclination of the container.

According to the invention, the container may comprise a recess in which the illumination and/or backlight may be placed or accommodated. For example, the container may be bean-shaped in cross-section, with illumination being able to be accommodated in the bean's hollow. A plurality of hollows or undulations may be provided to accommodate artificial lighting that makes it possible to supply the cultured algae and/or microorganisms with the light required for their growth and/or treatment of the effluent. It may also be artificial lighting.

According to the invention, when the culture container is a tube or a hollow plate, and for the same reasons as those mentioned above, the tube or the hollow plate is also transparent to the light to which the algae and/or the microorganisms are sensitive for their cultivation. This advantageously makes it possible, in particular from the viewpoint of the treatment of emissions, for the algae and/or the microorganisms to utilize natural and/or artificial light for their metabolism, in particular for photosynthesis. As previously indicated, it may be a tube or plate made of, for example, glass, polycarbonate or heat-resistant perspex or any other material suitable for the implementation of the invention.

According to the invention, when the culture container is a tube, the outer diameter of the tube may for example be between 20cm and 100cm, preferably between 40cm and 80 cm. The thicknesses may be, for example, those mentioned above.

According to the invention, the height of the tube may be, for example, between 1m and 10m, preferably between 2m and 8.50 m. The same discussion as those above relating to containers generally applies to heights.

According to the invention, the container, such as a tube or a plate, may for example be multilayered. It may comprise, for example, an outer layer, an intermediate layer and an inner layer concentrically from the outside to the inside, and also a lighting device or a backlight device. This backlighting makes it possible to illuminate the culture for the reasons indicated above, for example when the environment does not give sufficient light or the user needs to stimulate the cultivation of algae and/or microorganisms.

A layer is understood to create a space between two concentric containers, such as tubes or plates, i.e. placing one container inside the other, with the axes of the containers, such as tubes or plates, parallel and leaving a space between the containers, such as tubes or plates. "concentric" is understood to mean one or more containers, for example tubes or plates, placed in one or more other tubes.

The layer is thus delimited by the walls of the container, e.g. the tube and/or the plate. The containers may be identical or different in their construction, i.e. in terms of the form and materials used. The distance between the concentric containers creates a space bounded by the walls of the containers. The space is a function of the diameter of each of the concentrically preferably lengthwise arranged containers.

According to the invention, the layer of containers located on the side of the building can advantageously be a stamped, extruded, drawn, welded, crimped or composite part.

Preferably, the surface of the culture container in contact with the culture medium is a surface that will prevent or prevent any adhesion of especially algae and/or microorganisms on this surface. It may for example be a surface previously treated with an anti-adhesive (anti-fouling) chemical product.

The container may be, for example, a vertical or horizontal or inclined container. For example, the inclination of the container may be between 0 ° and 90 °. Preferably, the container is a vertical or horizontal container. It may be, for example, a vertical or non-vertical pipe or hollow plate or any other form mentioned above, for example, and the inclination of the vessel, e.g. pipe or other piece, may be between vertical or horizontal, for example between 0 ° and 90 °.

According to the invention, "illumination in favour of algae and/or microorganisms culture" is understood to mean natural illumination, such as sunlight and/or artificial illumination, for example light emitted by illumination means making it possible to regenerate sunlight or wavelengths sufficient for the culture of algae and/or microorganisms.

According to the invention, the lighting device may be a device that supplements or replaces the natural lighting from the sun, independently of the algae and/or microorganisms in culture. According to the present invention, the illumination device may be produced, for example, by one or more fluorescent tubes, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) or by one or more halogen lamps. Preferably, the lighting means can be produced by one or more fluorescent tubes, light-emitting diodes or one or more halogen lamps, the light wavelength of which is chosen between 430nm and 660nm, preferably equal to 430nm or 660 nm. The illumination may be a function of the decorativeness and/or algae and/or microorganisms and the treatment requirements for their growth and/or emissions.

The illumination device may be placed in a space created by a concentric arrangement of containers, such as tubes and/or hollow plates. It may also be placed and/or fixed on another surface, such as a facade of a building and/or from the building itself. For example, when two containers arranged concentrically, such as tubes or plates, are used, one outside and the other inside, a backlight may be placed in the inner container or in the space created between the outer container and the inner container in order to protect the illumination from the culture medium.

According to the invention, the algae may be algae or microalgae or a mixture thereof.

According to the invention, the algae may be chosen, for example, from algae including green algae (chlorophyces); chlorella (Chlorella); chlorophyceae incisa (Parietochloris inclise); eyebrows (Amphora sp.), rhomboheptus (Nitzchia sp.) and diatoms (Chaetoceros sp. diatoms); group of Chrysophyceae (Chrysophyctes). Indeed, advantageously, according to the invention, any type of algae is suitable, as long as it can be cultivated and treat the effluent within the device of the invention. Advantageously, it may be a microalgae or a mixture of microalgae which makes it possible to form biodiesel.

According to the invention, the microorganism may be selected from, for example, bacteria, yeast, mushrooms. Advantageously, any type of microorganism is suitable according to the invention, as long as it can be cultured and treat the effluent within the device of the invention. Preferably, the microorganism is a bacterium. Preferably, the bacteria are cyanobacteria. Preferably, the cyanobacteria is selected from the group consisting of Spirulina platensis (Spiromonas), Coccocaena caerulea (Chroococcales Chamaesiphon), Coccomyxobolus (Chroococcales gloeactor), Coccomyxobolus (Chroococcales glocoticus), Coccomyxobolus (Chroococcales) of Chroococcales, Coccomyxobolus (Chroococcales Glocothece), Coccomyxobolus (Chroococcales) of Chroococcales, Coccomyxobolus (Chroococcales Synechocystis), Coccomyxobolus (Chlorococcales Synechocystis), Coccomyxobolus (Pleurospora Oscillatoria), Coccomyxobolus (Oscilaria), Coccobolus (Oscilaria), Oscilaria (Pleurotales Oscillatoria), Oscilaria (Pleurotorales), Piercales (Pleurotus), Piercales Oscillatoria), Percocephalum (Pleurotus), Percocephalum) of Chlorococcales, Oscilaria), Pierculatum (Pleurotus), Percocephalum (Pleurotus), Pierculatum) of Chlorococcales (Pleurotus), Piercalia, Trichosporon (Oscilastarilus Crinalium) of the order Oscillatoriales, Microcoleus (Oscilastarilus) of the order Oscillatoriales, Anabaena (Nostocales Anabeana) of the order Ascomycetes, Aphanizomenon (Nostocales Aphanizonens) of the order Nostocales, Cylindrococcus (Nostocales Cylindropremum) of the order Nostocales, Pseudoramophyces (Nostocales Sconema) of the order Nostocales, Sphaerothecium (Nostocales Calothrix), Sphaerothecium (Stylocophyllum Chlootherwise) of the order Ascomycetales), Sphaemaphyllum (Geigonigra belonging to the order Ascomyces), and Protozoa (Pleurospora) of the order Ascomycetales.

The cultivation of algae and/or microorganisms may be performed by any suitable means known to those skilled in the art. According to the invention, the culture medium can be selected according to the algae or algae to allow preferential optimal cultivation, but above all optimal metabolism for the treatment of effluents, such as gaseous effluents. The algae may be pressurized during cultivation to increase their effectiveness in treating gaseous or liquid effluents. According to the invention, the culture medium is selected according to the microorganism or microorganisms to allow a preferential optimal cultivation, but above all an optimal metabolism for the treatment of emissions, such as gaseous emissions. The microorganisms may be pressurized during the culturing to increase their effectiveness in treating gaseous or liquid effluents.

Very large amounts of culture medium are available on the internet or in specialized factories. According to the invention, cultures in aqueous media are preferred. The pressure may be provided, for example, by means of chemical molecules. Those skilled in the art will be aware of these techniques and molecules.

According to the invention, the means for supplying algae and/or microbial cultures may comprise, for example, an automatic pump, means for regulating the supply of algae, a supply tank. Any other suitable means for ensuring the cultivation of algae is suitable. All these devices are those conventional devices used by the skilled in the art to ensure continuous cultivation of algae or microorganisms.

According to the invention, the means for regulating the temperature of the algae and/or microorganism culture may be, for example, a thermostat or other suitable temperature and reaction control means in the event of an undesired temperature change.

According to the invention, the apparatus of the invention may further comprise means for controlling the temperature around the culture container. These control means may be connected to the heating and/or cooling means.

According to the invention, the means for heating the algae and/or microorganism culture may be selected from the group comprising, for example, means for recovering heat energy from a building, means for recovering external heat energy, means for recovering solar heat energy and means for recovering heat energy.

For example, the means for recovering external heat energy may be a heat pump, for example, the means for recovering building heat energy may be a double skin comprising an outer skin arranged in front of a facade of a building, for example.

According to the invention, the device for cooling the algae and/or microorganism culture may be selected, for example, from the group comprising devices for recovering cold energy of buildings, devices for recovering external cold energy and refrigeration devices, such as air conditioners. For example, the means for recovering external cold energy may be a heat pump.

Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to recover the thermal and/or cold energy of a building to culture algae and/or microorganisms and at the same time to treat, for example, the emissions produced by said building by means of the culture of said algae and/or microorganisms.

According to the invention, the plant may also comprise means for recovering the biomass formed by the cultivation of the algae.

According to the invention, the apparatus may also comprise a system for emptying the container of algae and/or microbial culture. This system makes it possible, for example, to decontaminate the container and/or the apparatus of the invention as a whole. It also makes it possible, if desired, to recover the biomass formed to reuse it, as indicated above.

According to the invention, the thermal insulation and/or temperature regulation device may also comprise one or more of the following algae culture control and regulation means: means for controlling the supply of algae and/or microorganisms; means for controlling temperature; means for controlling pH; a device for controlling the illumination of algae and/or microorganisms. These devices may be, for example, those typically used for the cultivation of algae and/or microorganisms, and more typically microorganisms. The insulation and/or temperature conditioning apparatus may also include means for controlling the injection of emissions to be treated.

According to the invention, advantageously, the apparatus can be controlled by a computer so as to allow the cultivation of algae and/or microorganisms and/or the treatment of effluents to be optimized. The computer may be connected to thermostats, for example of the container of algae and/or microbial culture, and to the different control devices installed to operate the apparatus of the invention.

According to the invention, the apparatus of the invention can be operated continuously or discontinuously. It can be operated continuously during the day and night. The illumination of the algae and/or microorganisms may thereby be permanently maintained in order to maintain the activity of the culture for the treatment of the effluent.

According to the invention, the facade of the building may advantageously comprise a railing. The railing may enable, for example, an individual to walk along the apparatus, as well as to service and maintain the apparatus.

For example, the balustrade can be made of metal or glass, for example. For example, it may be constructed of a metal construction, as well as a steel, metal, stainless steel, galvanized steel, nylon or carbon pillar, metal rod, and/or a construction of metal and ETFE film.

According to the invention, the apparatus may also comprise structural reinforcements making it possible to support a container of algae and/or microbial culture, which can be, for example, an algae and/or microbial culture pipe, said reinforcements being able to be fixed to the building. The structural reinforcement may be fixed to the building, self-supporting or fixed to the double-skinned outer skin. This makes it possible to support the container of algae culture when it is arranged on the facade of an apartment block, for example.

According to the invention, the apparatus may also comprise at least one channel capable of acting as a means for the service personnel to access the container of the algae and/or microorganism culture.

Thus, according to the invention, advantageously, a true biological facade of a building can be formed, which not only makes it possible to treat contaminated air in and emitted by the building, insulate the building, and recover heat from the building for the cultivation of algae and/or microorganisms, but also makes it possible to produce biomass which can be reused, in particular, as biofuel in the pharmaceutical field or in the agrofoods field. It may be, for example, a compound or a protein.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the biomass that can be formed by algae and/or microbial cultures can be recovered and reused practically as a biofuel, a chemical compound, or a pharmaceutical compound, in particular.

Biomass can make it possible to produce oily microorganisms.

According to the present invention, the biomass may be a biomass that can be converted, for example, by techniques known to those skilled in the art into coal or bio-petroleum.

According to the invention, the biomass can be used directly for the production of electricity. It can also be transported, for example by pipes, to buildings such as treatment plants. It can also be converted by oil extraction or by treatment with cracking to produce coal or bio-petroleum, for example, by techniques known to those skilled in the art.

According to the invention, the device can advantageously be incorporated in the structure of a building or attached to a building.

The invention thus makes it possible to produce the main biochemical energy obtained by photosynthesis, in particular biofuel, on the facade of a building.

Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to use the climatic, chemical and structural opportunities offered by the facade of a building to incorporate biochemical processes inside or along the facade to operate a symbiotic regime between two systems mutually using each other, one system recycling the emissions of the other system to produce the energy it needs.

The invention can advantageously be implemented on all surfaces of new or already existing buildings, building peripheries, facades or roofs, underground technical works such as underground roads or rail transit infrastructures, such as highway tunnels, subway tunnels. For example, the surface may be a part of a less utilized building, such as the periphery or any other or all surfaces of a building or the interior surfaces of a building. The surface selected to position the apparatus of the invention is preferably a surface that makes it possible to exploit the large available surface area of deployment, the height direction arrangement, the incident radiation, the thermal emission, its infrastructure and the chemical input from the building. The surface may be, for example, a surface composed of concrete, a glass surface, a surface including a gas-tight composite and a slab wall (dam), and a photovoltaic surface. The optimal conditions are those of the selected culture of algae.

By limiting real estate that is imposed on the ground by the apparatus of the invention, the invention can be installed anywhere, even in an already dense urban environment. It may also be applied to existing building facades in repair or reconfiguration operations. It is therefore responsive to current restructuring movements of office buildings to bring them up to new needs and environmental standards.

From a building point of view, the present invention can advantageously incorporate recent trends in biological climate construction. This has the advantage of being able to operate in any orientation compared to conventional energy facades of the photoelectric type.

The culture container itself can be considered a water container and therefore also makes it possible to take part in the regulation of the hot superheating conditions.

The apparatus of the invention may also comprise the incorporation of means which make it possible, for example, to improve the thermal protection of the bioreactor.

Other advantages may emerge from reading the embodiments below.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 shows the elevation of a ventilated curtain photobioreactor alternating in elevation/vertical cross-section/horizontal cross-section.

FIG. 2 shows the vertical elevation of the photobioreactor with the air curtains aligned on the front/vertical/horizontal cross-section.

Figure 3 shows a detail of the bottom moulded part.

Figure 4 represents an example of a module.

Figure 5 shows a view with staggered modules.

Figure 6 shows a view with staggered modules.

Figure 7 represents a method practiced on the facade of an office building. In particular, it relates to the simulation of module interleaving on very high buildings.

Figure 8 shows a full facade, in a double facade solution, curtain photobioreactors (D) alternating with clear-ventilated glass panels (E) (facade).

Figure 9 represents a complete facade, comprising, in a double facade solution, a ventilated clear multiple glazing panel (front) incorporating a mobile curtain photobioreactor (D).

Figure 10 represents a facade comprising modules (D) and (E), with curtain walls in a double facade solution, and triple glazing with containers constituting algae/microbial cultures, and with aligned vents (frontal/vertical cross-section/horizontal cross-section).

Fig. 11 shows the facade (front/vertical/horizontal cross section) in a double-deck facade solution with curtain wall comprising modules (D) and (E), with multiple-wall glass and removable PBR, with connectors and backside heat exchanger.

Fig. 12 shows the facade (facade/vertical cross section/horizontal cross section) comprising modules (D) and (E) in a single-storey facade solution with curtain wall, with multiple-storey wall glass and removable PBR, with connectors and backside heat exchanger.

Fig. 13 represents a facade in a single-storey facade solution on an insulating frame, comprising modules (D) and (E) (facade/vertical cross-section/horizontal cross-section) with connections and a backside heat exchanger module (X).

Fig. 14 shows an example of the geometrical form of the PBRR module.

Figure 15 shows nine examples of the construction of the walls of the module (D).

The following notation applies to all of figures 1 to 15:

a double-layer facade.

A' is an exterior facade of a building having a single-storey facade.

B, an inner vertical face of the double-layer vertical face.

C metal or aluminum frame with thermal bridge breaker.

D is also indicated as photobioreactor facade airtight module of PBRR module.

E is also indicated as ventilated facade airtight module of ventilated glass airtight curtain wall module.

F system for attaching curtain wall modules (plates, stiffeners, pins, etc.).

G1 (at the lowest part of the module) PTFE/resin/polycarbonate/befup molded part

G2 (at the uppermost part of the module) PTFE/resin/polycarbonate/befup molded part

G3 machined part at the lowest part of the photobioreactor facade gas tight module-metal/stainless steel.

H-probes or electrical controls, thermal sensors, probes, etc.

I injection site (algae Medium (Water + dissolved CO)₂+ nutrient) arrival location).

J algae media extraction site.

K is used for the air injection site for agitation of the so-called "air-up" medium.

L air outlet/natural draft.

L₁The air space is breathed.

L₂The air space is ventilated.

Double layered glass (double layered glass felt) in M1 airtight frame/double tempered layered glass.

Single ply laminated glass/tempered single ply laminated glass in M2 airtight frame.

N single pane/double pane in a hermetic frame.

And (4) an O window.

O1 enters the window into the technical space under the raised floor on the block.

O2 supplies louvers/windows at the uppermost portion of the photobioreactor facade module (module D).

P concrete slabs.

A Q-suspended ceiling.

R1 steel/aluminum riser.

R2 steel/aluminum riser.

S double table/technology path.

T raised floor.

And (7) U blocks.

V natural ventilation/profile member with skylight.

Microalgae (W).

X a double-layer metal cover that combines a heat transfer fluid circuit for heat exchange with a water circuit of a building.

Z is along a track arranged at any height of the photobioreactor facade module/"fail-safe" purification device or a track with an ultrasonic probe or 3UV fluorescent tube.

(a) Algae.

(b) Double glazing.

(c) A single layer of glass.

(d) A leak-free box in welded polycarbonate.

(e) A metal plate.

(f) Stamped stainless steel or folded stainless steel fire resistant covers.

(g) A ventilated air space.

(h) The air space of the breath.

(i) A polycarbonate sheet.

(j) A tank made of thin stamped or re-welded transparent composite material.

(k) Quantum glass or fiber cloth or stainless steel plates contained in acrylic plates.

(l) A heat transfer fluid circuit for heat exchange.

Examples

Example 1: vertical curtain wall installation with alternating vertical frames

Embodiments of the present invention are described herein. The equipment used is schematically represented in figures 2, 8 and 10 and forms the facade of a building.

The algae culture used is chlorella. It is cultured in an aqueous culture medium, i.e.Wolvens medium (millieu de Walnes), i.e.680 g sodium nitrate (NaNO 3), 200g sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 400g sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (Na) for 10 l of medium₂EDTA), 20g boric acid (H3 BO 3), 40ml of a 500ml solution containing 32.5g potassium bromide (KBr), 6.5g strontium chloride (SrCl)₂6H 2O), 0.25g of aluminum chloride solution (AlCl 3.6H 2O), 0.1g of rubidium chloride (RbCl), 0.05g of lithium chloride (LiCl. H2O), 0.025g of potassium iodide (KI) and 800ml of a 10 liter solution containing 213.2g of iron chloride hexahydrate (FeCl-₃·6H₂O), 15.0g manganese sulfate monohydrate (MnSO)₄·H₂O), 2.5g zinc sulfate (ZnSO 4), 2.0g copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO)₄5H 2O), 0.26g of cobalt sulfate heptahydrate (CoSO)₄7H 2O), 0.14g of sodium molybdate dihydrate (Na)₂Mo₄·2H₂O) and 0.10g of sodium fluoride (NaF).

The cultivation of the algae is carried out in the above medium at a temperature ranging from 18 ℃ to 25 ℃, preferably 20 ℃. The pH of the medium is equal to 7.3.

The module (D) is a prefabricated module (fig. 15-1) comprising two walls, an outer (M1), and a building side (M2), stringing (bead) the glass inside the aluminum profile frame, respectively, through the outer and through the inner side. The wall (M1) comprised an airtight double glazing combining two panes of Glass of the "ultralight diamond" type from Saint Gobain Glass (Saint Gobain Glass), one 4mm thick on the outside and the other 23mm thick on the culture medium side, separated by an air-filled 12mm airtight air space. The building-side wall (M2) comprised laminated glass of 23mm thickness. The space between the two walls is made airtight by a silicon seal and makes it possible to contain culture medium comprising algae (W). This embodiment is suitable for temperate countries.

In another embodiment, the module (D) is a prefabricated module comprising an outer wall (M1), and a building-side second wall (M2), glass strung inside the aluminum profile frame from the outside and from the inside, respectively (fig. 15-2). The wall (M1) comprised a laminated triple glazing combining three panes of glass of the "ultralight diamond" type made of saint gobain glass, the first two panes of glass on the outside being 4mm thick and the third on the culture medium side being 10mm thick, separated by two airtight air spaces of 12mm filled with air. The building-side wall (M2) comprised a 10mm thick laminated single ply of glass. The space between the two walls comprises a culture container made of polycarbonate, which contains a culture medium, comprising algae (W). The polycarbonate culture container ensures tightness. In this embodiment, the resulting seal should not be strengthened in the glass itself as in the previous embodiments. This embodiment is particularly suitable for use in cold-zone countries.

In another embodiment, the module (D) is a prefabricated module comprising an outer wall (M1), and a second wall (M2) on the building side, glass strung inside the aluminum profile frame from the outside and from the inside, respectively (fig. 15-3). The wall (M1) comprised a laminated triple glazing combining three panes of glass of the "ultra-clear diamond" type made of saint gobain glass, the first two panes of glass on the outside being 4mm thick and the third on the culture medium side being 10mm thick, separated by two airtight air spaces of 12mm filled with air. The building-side wall (M2) comprises 4mm steel plates. The space between the two walls comprises a culture container made of polycarbonate, which comprises a culture medium, comprising algae (W). The culture container made of polycarbonate ensures tightness. In this embodiment, the resulting seal should not be strengthened on the glass itself as in the first embodiment. This embodiment is particularly suitable for use in cold-zone countries.

In another embodiment, module (D) is a "multi-storey" prefabricated module comprising an outer wall (M1), and a culture container on the building side, acting as a second wall (M2), glass strung inside an aluminium profile frame, from the outside and from the inside, respectively (fig. 15-5). The wall (M1) comprised a 4mm thick laminated single layer of glass of the "ultra-clear diamond" type made of saint gobain glass. The building-side wall (M2) is a culture container comprising algae (W), consisting of a folded, re-welded 4mm steel plate, delimiting a metal cover and having on the front surface a polycarbonate wall fastened to said cover in a gas-tight manner. The space between the two walls is a ventilated air space. This embodiment is particularly suitable for use in tropical countries.

In another embodiment, the module (D) is a prefabricated module (fig. 15-7) comprising two walls, an outer (M1), and a building-side (M2), glass strung inside an aluminium profile frame from the outside and from the inside, respectively. The wall (M1) comprised an airtight double glazing combining two panes of glass of the "ultra-clear diamond" type from saint gobain glass, one 4mm thick on the outside and 23mm thick on the culture medium side, separated by an airtight air space of 12mm filled with air. The building-side wall (M2) comprised laminated glass of 23mm thickness. The space between the two walls is made airtight by a silicon seal and makes it possible to contain culture medium comprising algae (W). The space also includes glass from quantum glass of saint gobain glass, parallel and at the center of the space, or an array of optical fibers contained in an acrylic plate. This illumination in the culture medium makes it possible to prolong the exposure of the algae to illumination in the visible spectrum when the natural illumination is reduced (cloudy or rainy days, evening, or even night hours), in order to maintain a more stable algae productivity. This embodiment is suitable for temperate and frigid countries, and countries with less sunlight.

In another embodiment, the module (D) is a prefabricated module (fig. 15-8) comprising two walls, an outer (M1), and a building-side (M2), glass strung inside an aluminium profile frame from the outside and from the inside, respectively. The wall (M1) comprises a double-glazing unit incorporating two panes of glass of the "ultra-clear diamond" type of 4mm thickness from saint gobain glass, separated by a breathing air space of 40mm thickness, i.e. filled with air of similar relative humidity to the outside air, to avoid the formation of condensation. The building-side wall (M2) is a culture container comprising algae (W), comprising folded, re-welded 6mm steel plates, delimiting a metal cover and having on the front surface a laminated glass of thickness 2 x 10mm, separated by sheets of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) of thickness 0.38mm from the manufacturer Centriglass brand name evasufe. The space between the two walls is a ventilated air space. The coil welded on the rear face of the metal lid ensures the circulation of antifreeze, antiseptic, bactericide, fungicide, antiscale heat transfer fluid based on monopropanol from the manufacturer PCMB brand name MB 444D. The heat transfer fluid makes it possible to ensure heat exchange between the culture medium of algae and the different fluid networks of the building (cold water circuit, sanitary hot water circuit).

In another embodiment, the module (D) is a prefabricated module (fig. 15-9) comprising two walls, an outer (M1) and a building side (M2), glass strung inside the aluminum profile frame from the outside and the inside, respectively. The wall (M1) comprises a double-glazing unit incorporating two panes of glass of the "ultra-clear diamond" type of 4mm thickness from saint gobain glass, separated by a breathing air space of 40mm thickness, i.e. filled with air of similar relative humidity to the outside air, to avoid the formation of condensation. The building-side wall (M2) is a culture container comprising algae (W), comprising a folded, re-welded 4mm steel plate, delimiting a metal cover and having on the front face a double glass of thickness 2 x 10mm separated by an airtight air space of thickness 12mm, marketed as saint gobain glass. The space between the two walls is a ventilated air space. The culture medium is contained between the double glass and a welded metal plate of 3mm thickness inside the lid, which makes it possible to fix the lid.

In a first embodiment, the space located between the walls M1 and M2 also contains, at its base, a polycarbonate moulded portion (G1) which ensures the synthesis of an air injection circuit for the medium agitated according to the so-called "air lift" technique and an outlet for the discharge and collection of the culture medium (W). The fluid tube is directly formed as a hollow during the moulding of the portion (G1).

The air injection circuit is of the dendritic type, from an injection point located on the rear face of the module and thus divides the main flow of air into eight bare portions flowing to the top horizontal surface of the molded part. The inclination angles of these injectors are inclined at 30 degrees with respect to the vertical plane in the front face in order to produce a laminar movement of the culture medium and at 30 degrees with respect to the vertical plane on the vertical cross section in order to direct the air flow towards the internal glass of the wall M1 and avoid the formation of algal sediments or microorganisms on this glass. The cross section of the injection hole was 1.5 mm.

A20 mm cross-sectional hole for discharging/taking culture medium was located at the left end of the polycarbonate molded part (G1). Which makes it possible to ensure the discharge/take-up of the medium by gravity or pumping.

For dissolving CO₂Is located at the right end of the moulded part. Which enables CO injection₂So that it is possible to modify the pH of the culture medium in a controlled manner.

The moulded part makes it possible to ensure an optimal connection system with the fluid circuit placed under the technical raised floor (T) of the channel (S), and which is accessible through the access window (O1).

The space also incorporates at its head a molded part of polycarbonate (G2) which ensures the synthesis of the water and medium injection circuit, as well as the collection of the medium overflow and of the gases emitted by the culture medium, and finally enables its attachment to pH and temperature probes immersed in the medium. The fluid tube is directly formed as a hollow during the moulding of the portion (G2).

Water was injected through a vertical tube formed as a hollow 20mm section in the molded part (G2). The medium was injected by forming a hollow 6mm cross-section vertical tube in the molded part (G2). A 20mm cross section hole makes it possible to drain the medium overflow in case of failure of the water level control. The 10mm tapped holes make it possible to recover the gases produced by the algae or microorganisms. A10 mm vertical through tapped hole allows it to be screwed into a pH and temperature probe immersed from above into the culture medium. And allows for continuous control of the temperature and pH of the culture medium.

The moulded part makes it possible to ensure an optimal connection system of the fluid circuit under the technical raised floor (T) with the channels (S) placed on the upper floor, and this optimal connection system can be accessed at the top of the module through the access window (O2), and through the upper floor, through the access window (O1).

The probe is connected to enable it to follow the pH, CO of the medium₂Control of the trend of concentration and temperature.

The module (E) is a prefabricated module comprising wall (N) glass strung inside an aluminium profile frame. The wall N comprises a gas-tight double glazing, represented in figures 2 and 10, incorporating two panes of glass of 4mm thickness with a low emissivity layer, from saint gobain glass, separated by a gas-tight space of 16mm filled with argon.

The module (E) comprises, in its top and bottom parts, chambers equipped with small flaps (V), the openings of which can be mechanically controlled by a building technology management system from the manufacturer schneider electric under the trademark Vista/Xenta, in order to ensure passive temperature regulation of the passage spaces by opening them in summer to extract hot air by natural convection (L) or by closing them in winter to benefit from the greenhouse effect in the double skin (S).

Prefabricated modules (D) and (E) are curtain wall panels which are fixed to the floor slab leading edge (nez de dalles) and together by a system of metal plates and attachments in a standard manner.

By the horizontal and alternating arrangement of each of the modules, modules (E) and (D) form the facade of the building (fig. 8).

The building also includes an inner single layer of glass (N) mounted on an aluminium frame between each floor.

The space between modules (E) and (D) and glass (N) comprise a passage allowing technical access for maintenance and also define a buffer space in which the temperature is passively regulated through a controlled opening of the skylight (V).

The channel is an extension of the fabricated concrete floor fixed into the main frame.

The concentrated culture medium box is located in the roof of a ventilated technical room. Once diluted in the container of culture medium in module (D), the culture medium is prepared so as to have all the suitable characteristics of the product culture medium described above. In particular, the concentrated culture medium is algae or microorganisms, nutrients and dissolved CO₂。

The "pneumatic transport" from the manufacturer TechniFlow supplies the pump with the culture medium containers of the module (D) through a controlled hydraulic network, making it possible to fill the containers of the module (D) individually layer by layer.

The injection of water into the culture medium containers of the modules (D) is carried out by connection layer by layer from the floor above one floor where each module (D) is arranged to the water network of the building. Once diluted in the culture medium container in module (D), water is injected in a controlled manner via the building's water network at normal pressure and simultaneously with the injection of culture medium, for which the produced culture medium has all the suitable properties described above.

Culture media was collected in a controlled manner via a "pneumatic transport" pump from the manufacturer TechniFlow at the end of each channel. Electrically controlled plastic 2-way ball valves (solenoid valves) under the trademark tone make it possible to collect/discharge each culture medium container of module (D) individually, layer by layer. The culture medium is routed via a dedicated hydraulic network to tanks located in the basement technology room.

An air extractor referenced hf.ea.11570 from the manufacturer Asecos GmbH is arranged on the exhaust duct for the gaseous emissions from each floor of the building. This is a constant extractor that reroutes the emissions into a duct of suitable cross-section for the dimensions of the room, which is a 125 liter/min, 10-15 bar SRD125 series (or above depending on the length of the channels) (stationary) lubricated piston air compressor from the manufacturer BOGE compressed air system located at the end of each channel. The compressor makes it possible to inject this gaseous effluent into each culture vessel in a controlled manner via the moulded part (G1), making it possible to increase and or decrease the effluent flow rate as a function of the concentration of CO2 in the culture medium measured by the pH probe. Thus, CO recovery from buildings₂To inject it into the apparatus of the invention.

The gas produced by the microalgae culture is drawn through the holes provided for this purpose in section (G2) by the natural overpressure at the surface of the culture medium. In the case of chlorella, this gas is strongly extracted with oxygen.

The cultivation of algae is performed in the above mentioned medium and the biomass of the medium is recovered by pumping by means of a "pneumatic transfer" pump from the manufacturer TechniFlow to a storage tank located in the basement technical house.

Finally, the rail (Z), which can move horizontally over the entire length of the passage, is equipped with an ultrasonic nozzle with the technical trademark sinaptecultrastronic, driven by a generator from the NexTgen range from the same manufacturer, which in turn can move vertically on the rail, making it possible to ensure, if necessary, the decontamination of the culture container by removing the microalgae that will stick to the glass of the wall (M1) or (M2).

Surprisingly, the inventors have found that the arrangement of the modules on the facade of the building increases its energy efficiency. In practice, the double skin, suitably produced, ensures passive temperature regulation of the building, both by the winter greenhouse effect and by natural ventilation in the summer, and by maintaining the water present in the curtain wall between 18 ℃ and 25 ℃.

CO by introducing gaseous emissions into a culture medium containing algae in the presence of the sun and/or under diode illumination₂And NO₂Can recycle CO through the algae₂And NO₂While producing organic species that evolve oxygen. This recycling is naturally accomplished by algae through photosynthesis processes. The discharge also heats the algae culture medium.

This example thus clearly demonstrates that the apparatus of the invention not only insulates and regulates the temperature of a building, but also recycles the gaseous emissions from the building that are treated by the apparatus of the invention.

Claims (24)

1. A module for thermal insulation and/or temperature regulation of a building, comprising at least two walls in parallel, at least one of which is a multi-wall and which delimit at least two interior spaces, wherein at least one of the at least two interior spaces is a container for a culture of algae and/or microorganisms in an aqueous medium and at least another of the at least two interior spaces is an air space, and wherein one of the at least two walls is capable of acting as or being attached to a facade wall of the building.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the container of algae and/or microorganism culture is in a form selected from the group consisting of flat tubes, hollow plates, cuboids with rounded edges and hollow structures without sharp edges.

3. The module of claim 1 or 2, wherein each wall of the at least two walls independently has a thickness from 0.5mm to 50 mm.

4. A module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the building is an industrial building and/or an office building and/or a residential building and/or an agricultural building and/or a technical project and/or a mixture thereof.

5. A module according to claim 3, wherein the building is an industrial building and/or an office building and/or a residential building and/or an agricultural building and/or a technical project and/or a mixture thereof.

6. The module of any one of claims 1-2 and 5, wherein the molded portion is contained in a container of the algae and/or microorganism culture.

7. The module of claim 3, wherein the molded portion is contained in a container of the algae and/or microorganism culture.

8. The module of claim 4, wherein the molded portion is contained in a container of the algae and/or microorganism culture.

9. The module of claim 6, wherein the molded portion comprises a tube capable of providing a container for the algae and/or microorganism culture.

10. A module according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the moulded part comprises a tube capable of providing a container for the algae and/or microorganism culture.

11. The module of any one of claims 1-2, 5 and 7-9, wherein the algae is selected from the group consisting of green algae; chlorella; incised green algae; supercilia, rhombohedral algae and chaetoceros algae; groups of chrysophyceae.

12. The module of claim 3, wherein the algae is selected from the group consisting of green algae; chlorella; incised green algae; supercilia, rhombohedral algae and chaetoceros algae; groups of chrysophyceae.

13. The module of claim 4, wherein the algae is selected from the group consisting of green algae; chlorella; incised green algae; supercilia, rhombohedral algae and chaetoceros algae; groups of chrysophyceae.

14. The module of claim 6, wherein the algae is selected from the group consisting of green algae; chlorella; incised green algae; supercilia, rhombohedral algae and chaetoceros algae; groups of chrysophyceae.

15. The module of claim 10, wherein the algae is selected from the group consisting of green algae; chlorella; incised green algae; supercilia, rhombohedral algae and chaetoceros algae; groups of chrysophyceae.

16. The module of any of claims 1-2, 5, 7-9, and 12-15, wherein each wall independently comprises a single layer (M)₁) Double layer (M)₂) Or three layers (M)₃) Glass, multiple wall glass or even groups of these different glassesAnd (6) mixing.

17. A module as claimed in claim 3, wherein each wall independently comprises a single layer (M)₁) Double layer (M)₂) Or three layers (M)₃) Glass, multiple wall glass or even a combination of these different glasses.

18. The module of claim 4, wherein each wall independently comprises a single layer (M)₁) Double layer (M)₂) Or three layers (M)₃) Glass, multiple wall glass or even a combination of these different glasses.

19. The module of claim 6, wherein each wall independently comprises a single layer (M)₁) Double layer (M)₂) Or three layers (M)₃) Glass, multiple wall glass or even a combination of these different glasses.

20. The module of claim 10, wherein each wall independently comprises a single layer (M)₁) Double layer (M)₂) Or three layers (M)₃) Glass, multiple wall glass or even a combination of these different glasses.

21. The module of claim 11, wherein each wall independently comprises a single layer (M)₁) Double layer (M)₂) Or three layers (M)₃) Glass, multiple wall glass or even a combination of these different glasses.

22. Use of the insulation and/or temperature conditioning module of any of claims 1 to 21 for the construction of buildings.

23. A building facade comprising a module as defined in any one of claims 1 to 21.

24. A building comprising a plurality of insulation and/or temperature conditioning modules as defined in any one of claims 1 to 21.