Modular reactor

Abstract

A modular device for treatment and/or analysis of substances comprises a supply device which supplies at least one functional fluid to at least one process device, wherein the supply device has multiple receiving means for receiving in each case one process device. The receiving means each have multiple supply ports, including an inflow supply port and an outflow supply port for transmission of a functional fluid. The process device has a functional region for the treatment and/or analysis of substances, a fluid line which encloses the functional region, and multiple coupling means for coupling to the supply ports of a receiving means. A supply device for use in a modular device and a process device for treatment and/or analysis of substances for use in a modular device are also provided.

1 . A supply device for use in a modular device that includes multiple process devices for treatment and/or analysis of substances, the supply device comprising:
 a plurality of receiving means for receiving in each case one process device;   wherein each receiving means has a plurality supply ports, wherein the supply ports of at least two receiving means are arranged so as to be oriented identically to one another, wherein each receiving means has at least two supply ports for the transmission of a functional fluid;   wherein, for each receiving means, one of the at least two supply ports is embodied as an inflow supply port for feeding the functional fluid to a process device, which can be coupled to the receiving means, and another one of the at least two supply ports is embodied as an outflow supply port for receiving the functional fluid to be led out of the couplable process device;   wherein, for each receiving means, a first valve device is provided in a region of the inflow supply port and a second valve device is provided in a region of the outflow supply port, wherein the first valve device and the second valve device of a receiving means are configured to be closed when the receiving means is decoupled from a process device, and wherein the first valve device and the second valve device of the receiving means are configured to be open when the receiving means is coupled to a process device.   
     
     
         2 . The supply device according to  claim 1  wherein, for each receiving means, the first valve device is connectable to an inflow coupling means of one of the multiple process devices so that a fluid-tight connection can be created between the first valve device and the inflow coupling means, and wherein the first valve device comprises a locking part that is deflectable, due to displacement of the inflow coupling means, from a position that prevents fluid communication from the supply device to a position that allows for fluid communication from the supply device when the fluid-tight connection is maintained. 
     
     
         3 . The supply device according to  claim 1  wherein, for each receiving means, the second valve device is connectable to an outflow coupling means of one of the multiple process devices so that a fluid-tight connection can be created between the second valve device and the outflow coupling means, and wherein the second valve device comprises a locking part that is deflectable, due to displacement of the outflow coupling means, from a position that prevents fluid communication into the supply device to a position that allows for fluid communication into the supply device when the fluid-tight connection is maintained. 
     
     
         4 . The supply device according to  claim 1  wherein each receiving means has a data, energy and/or signal supply port that is connectable to a data, energy and/or signal coupling means of a process device when the inflow supply port of the receiving means is coupled to an inflow coupling means of the process device and when the outflow supply port of the receiving means is coupled to an outflow coupling means of the process device. 
     
     
         5 . The supply device according to  claim 4  wherein, for each receiving means, the data, energy and/or signal supply port is arranged identically with respect to the inflow and outflow supply ports of the respective receiving means. 
     
     
         6 . The supply device according to  claim 1  wherein the supply device includes at least two rows of receiving means, wherein at least two receiving means are provided per row, and wherein at least the receiving means of one row are connected to a common feed line for feeding the functional fluid and to a common discharge line for discharging the functional fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The supply device according to  claim 6  wherein all of the receiving means are connected to the common feed line and to the common discharge line. 
     
     
         8 . The supply device according to  claim 6  wherein at least five receiving means are provided per row. 
     
     
         9 . The supply device according to  claim 1  further comprising a control device that can identify each of the process devices independent from a respective receiving means, wherein the data, energy and/or signal supply ports of the plurality of receiving means are connected to the control device. 
     
     
         10 . The supply device according to  claim 1  further comprising a main fluid inlet for introducing the functional fluid into the modular device, and a main fluid outlet for letting the functional fluid out of the modular device. 
     
     
         11 . The supply device according to  claim 1  further comprising a power connection for energy absorption. 
     
     
         12 . The supply device according to  claim 1  further comprising an interface for connecting a multi-channel thermometer and/or a multi-channel infrared circuit board. 
     
     
         13 . A process device for treatment and/or analysis of substances for use in a modular device, wherein the modular device includes a supply device having a receiving means with a plurality of supply ports, and wherein the plurality of supply ports includes an inflow supply port and an outflow supply port, the process device comprising:
 a functional region for the treatment and/or analysis of substances;   a fluid line, which encloses the functional region at least in sections; and   a plurality of coupling means for coupling to the plurality of supply ports of the receiving means of the supply device, wherein, by means of an inflow coupling means and an outflow coupling means of the plurality of coupling means, fluid communication between the inflow supply port and the outflow supply port for receiving a functional fluid to be led out of the process device can be created via the fluid line.   
     
     
         14 . The process device according to  claim 13  further comprising a data, energy and/or signal coupling means, which is arranged in such a manner that a data, energy and/or signal exchange can be effected via a data, energy and/or signal supply port of the receiving means when the inflow supply port of the receiving means is coupled to the inflow coupling means and when the outflow supply port of the receiving means is coupled to the outflow coupling means.