US3779866A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microbial degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls
Assignee: BIOTEKNIKE INT Inc
•
Filing: 1972-04-07
•
Granted: 1973-12-18
•
Expires: 1992-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A process for the microbial degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) which comprises treating the PCBs with certain non-pathogenic, hydrocarbon-utilizing strains of Cladosporium cladosporioides, Candida lipolytica, Nocardia globerula, Nocardia rubra and/or Saccharomyces cerevisiae until the PCBs have been substantially degraded. The process is applicable degrading PCBs as they may be present as pollutants or contaminants in water, in industrial effluents, in various land areas such as industrial sites and the like or in varied laboratory or commercial installations. The process may also be used to clean up and degrade mixtures of PCBs and various hydrocarbon oils or petrochemicals whenever their presence constitutes a deleterious pollution.
Inventors
- 👤 E Azarowicz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:36
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/872; Y10S435/911; Y10S435/921; Y10S435/923; Y10S435/94; Y10S435/942
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said microorganism is mixed with a cellulosic material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said microorganism is mixed with a cellulosic material, a nitrogen source and a phosphorus source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said microorganism is added to an aqueous solution containing the polychlorinated biphenyls in slurry form in an amount of approximately 1 percent to 5 percent by volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 2, wherein said cellulosic material is selected from the group consisting of sawdust, pine bark, wood flour, cotton linters, cottonseed hulls, straw, bagasse, marsh hay and shredded paper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 3, wherein said nitrogen source is cottonseed protein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said microorganism is employed in a slurry form.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said microorganism is employed in a pelletized form.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said microorganism is employed in a powdered form.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said microorganism is employed in the form of a foam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A process for the microbial degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls which comprises treating said polychlorinated biphenyls with at least one microorganism selected from the group consisting of Cladosporium cladosporioides ATCC 20251, Candida lipolytica ATCC 20255, Nocardia globerula ATCC 21505, Nocardia rubra ATCC 21508, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 20252 for a sufficient time until the polychlorinated biphenyls have been substantially degraded.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said microorganism is mixed with a cellulosic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said microorganism is mixed with a cellulosic material, a nitrogen source and a phosphorus source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 11, wherein the polychlorinated biphenyls are contained in an aqueous solution and said microorganism is added thereto in slurry form in an amount of about 1 percent to 5 percent by volume.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 14, wherein about 2 percent by volume of the microorganism slurry is added to the solution of polychlroinated biphenyls.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 14, wherein the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls in said aqueous solution is about 10 p.p.m. to about 15 percent by weight.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 12, wherein said cellulosic material is selected from the group consisting of sawdust, pine bark, wood flour, cotton linters, cottonseed hulls, straw, bagasse, marsh hay and shredded paper.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 13, wherein said nitrogen source is cottonseed protein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said microorganism is employed in a slurry form.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The proCess of claim 11, wherein said microorganism is employed in a pelletized form.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said microorganism is employed in a powdered form.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said microorganism is employed in the form of a foam.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said microorganism is added to the polychlorinated biphenyls at a temperature of approximately 4*C. to approximately 39*C..
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said microorganism is Cladosporium cladosporioides ATCC 20251.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said microoganism is Candida lipolytica ATCC 20255.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said microorganism is Nocardia globerula ATCC 21505.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said microorganism is Nocardia rubra ATCC 21508.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 11, wherein said microorganism is Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 20252.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 11, wherein the polychlorinated biphenyls are contained in an aqueous solution which additionally contains hydrocarbon oils or other petrochemicals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3616204A
Cited
US3634227A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |