US3816252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the production of micro-organisms
Assignee: BP PLC
•
Filing: 1972-08-22
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Granted: 1974-06-11
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Expires: 1992-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A continuous process for converting methane into proteinaceous materials wherein a methane utilising micro-organism, preferably Methylococcus casulatus is cultivated continuously under steady state conditions at a production rate of at least 0.81 (dry weight) of micro-organism per litre hour in an aqueous broth containing nutrient salts and ammonium ions, in the presence of methane and a gas containing free oxygen, adding an aqueous nutrient medium to the broth and maintaining the broth pH in the range 4.5 to 8.0 and the ammonium ion concentration in the range 2 to 100 milligrams per litre.
Inventors
- 👤 F Moran
- 👤 P Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:11
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/26; C12N1/28; C12N1/30; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/813; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pH of the aqueous nutrient medium added to the broth is in the range 1.0 to 7.5 and has a value which is sufficiently lower than the broth pH so that the resultant hydrogen ion concentration in the broth is such that the quantity of ammonium ions required at any given moment to control the broth pH is in the range 2 to 100 milligrams per liTre.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the pH of the aqueous medium is in the range 2.0 to 3.5.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the broth pH is maintained in the range 4.5 to 8.0 by addition of an acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric and phosphoric acids or a hydroxide of an alkali metal and the ammonium ion concentration is maintained in the range 2 to 100 milligrams per litre in response to means for estimating the ammonium ion concentration in the broth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ammonium ions are derived by adding either ammonia or ammonium hydroxide to the broth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ammonium ion concentration is maintained in the range 2 to 50 milligrams per litre.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ammonium ion concentration is maintained in the range 10 to 30 milligrams per litre.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the methane utilising micro-organism is part of a microbial population obtained by an enrichment technique.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the methane utilising micro-organism is Methylococcus capsulatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the temperature of operation is in the range of about 42 to about 48*C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
A continuous process for converting methane into proteinaceous materials which comprises cultivating a methane utilizing micro-organism continuously under steady state conditions at a minimum production rate of 0.81 grams (dry weight) of micro-organism per litre hour in an aqueous broth containing nutrient salts and ammonium ions in the presence of methane and a gas containing free oxygen, adding an aqueous nutrient medium to the broth and maintaining the broth pH in the range 4.5 to 8.0 and the ammonium ion concentration is in the range of 2 to 80 milligrams per litre.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |