US3857757A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for the oxygen/temperature control of aerobic fermentations
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1972-11-30
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1992-11-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is described for simultaneously supplying the oxygen demands for microbial growth in a biological growth system and controlling the temperature of the system. The growth system contains a quantity of liquid medium for the growth of microorganisms and means are provided to sense the dissolved oxygen content of the liquid medium and to sense the temperature thereof. Each of these parameters is used primarily to control the introduction of one of two different gases to the growth system (and thereupon to the liquid medium) thereby satisfying both the oxygen and the temperature demands of the microorganisms. In practice at least one of the incoming gas flows will be an oxygen-containing gas, e.g., air, and the other gas flow will be pressurized steam, pressurized oxygen, pressurized nitrogen, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 C Herrick
- 👤 J Shull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:34
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M27/00; C12M27/02; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/006; C02F3/02; C02F3/12; C02F3/26; C12M29/00; C12M29/26; C12M41/00; C12M41/30; C12M41/32; C12M41/48; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for the conduct of controlled aerobic fermentations, said apparatus comprising in combination: a. means for defining a growth system and containing a quantity of medium therein for the growth of microorganisms; b. means located in said growth system for agitating said medium; c. first means in flow communication with said growth system for introducing a first gas thereinto; d. first means connected to said first gas introducing means for controlling the rate of gas admission therethrough; e. second means in flow communication with said growth system for introducing a second gas thereto; f. second means connected to said second gas introducing means for controlling the rate of gas admission therethrough; g. means located in said growth system for sensing the molecular oxygen content of said medium; h. means located in said growth system for sensing the temperature of said medium; i. said first rate controlling means being connected to and responsive to signals from said oxygen-content sensing means and j. said second rate controlling means being connected to and responsive to signals from said temperature-sensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for the conduct of controlled aerobic fermentations, said apparatus comprising in combination: a. means for defining a growth system and containing a quantity of medium therein for the growth of microorganisms; b. means located in said growth system for agitating said medium; c. first means in flow communication with said growth system for introducing a first gas thereinto; d. first means connected to said first gas introducing means for controlling the rate of gas admission therethrough; e. second means in flow communication with said growth system for introducing a second gas thereto; f. second means connected to said second gas introducing means for controlling the rate of gas admission therethrough; g. means located in said growth system for sensing the molecular oxygen content of said medium; h. means located in said growth system for sensing the temperature of said medium; i. said first rate controlling means being connected to and responsive to signals from said oxygen-content sensing means and j. said second rate controlling means being connected to and responsive to signals from said temperature-sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second gas introducing means is disposed with the discharge end therefore adjacent said agitating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the agitating means comprises a flat-bladed turbine and drive means therefor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first gas introducing means comprises a conduit having the discharge end thereof close to the center of the turbine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first gas introducing means comprises a vertically extending draft tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which the draft tube is vertically adjustable at least in part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second gas introducing means comprises a conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the conduit extends into the first gas introducing means for at least part of the length of said conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the discharge end of said conduit is within a vertically extending draft tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the conduit is disposed within a second conduit as the first gas introducing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each rate controlling means includes a controller device and an automatically adjustable valve operated thereby.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
A PROCESS FOR THE CONDUCT OF CONTROLLED AEROBIC FERMENTATIONS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: MEDIUM CONTAINING REQUISTIE NUTRIENTS AND A SOURCE OF CARBON, b. RAISING THE OXYGEN CONTENT AND TEMPERATURE OF SAID MEDIUM TO LEVELS WHICH THE MICROBIAL CULTURE CAN GROW AND MULTIPLY, C. CONTINUOUSLY SENSING THE TEMPERATURE OF SAID MEDIUM DURING THE GROWTH CYCLE, D. CONTINUOUSLY SENSING THE DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONTENT OF SAID MEDIUM DURING THE GROWTH CYCLE, E. MIXING A FIRST GAS WITH SAID MEDIUM CONTINUOUSLY DURING AT LEAST PART OF THE GROWTH CYCLE,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
A PROCESS FOR THE CONDUCT OF CONTROLLED AEROBIC FERMENTATIONS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: MEDIUM CONTAINING REQUISTIE NUTRIENTS AND A SOURCE OF CARBON, b. RAISING THE OXYGEN CONTENT AND TEMPERATURE OF SAID MEDIUM TO LEVELS WHICH THE MICROBIAL CULTURE CAN GROW AND MULTIPLY, C. CONTINUOUSLY SENSING THE TEMPERATURE OF SAID MEDIUM DURING THE GROWTH CYCLE, D. CONTINUOUSLY SENSING THE DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONTENT OF SAID MEDIUM DURING THE GROWTH CYCLE, E. MIXING A FIRST GAS WITH SAID MEDIUM CONTINUOUSLY DURING AT LEAST PART OF THE GROWTH CYCLE,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the first and second gases are premixed prior to being mixed with the medium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the first gas is air and the second gas is oxygen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the first gas is steam and the second gas is air and as air bubbles are formed, the interiors thereof have a high relative humidity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the thermophilic organisms are employed, the operating temperature is in the 45*-80*C range and the dissolved oxygen content is maintained in the 1-3ppm range.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 16 wherein the first gas is air and the second gas is oxygen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 16 wherein the first gas is steam and the second gas is air and as air bubbles are formed, the interiors thereof have a high relative humidity.
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) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |