US3860489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for the aerobic cultivation of microorganisms
Assignee: Gulf Research and Development Co
•
Filing: 1972-08-07
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1992-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus is provided for the aerobic cultivation of a microorganism wherein the oxygen-containing gas, e.g., air, is employed to effect (1) growth of the microorganism, (2) agitation of the fermentation mass and (3) removal of the heat of fermentation by evaporative cooling. The apparatus is a vessel which has a low L/D and at least one and preferably at least four draft tubes.
Inventors
- 👤 Iii Peter Garfield Cooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:37
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M27/00; C12M27/18; C12M27/24; C12M27/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/802; Y10S435/804
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
A fermentation vessel according to claim 1 further characterized in that said means for introducing gas containing free oxygen into said vat is operatively connected to a temperature sensing device within said vat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fermentation vessel according to claim 1 further characterized in that said means for introducing alkaline pH-controlling material into said vat is operatively connected to a pH-measuring device within said vat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fermentation vessel according to claim 1 wherein the means for introducing gas containing free oxygen in the bottom of the vat is a perforated plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fermentation vessel according to claim 1 wherein the means for introducing gas containing free oxygen in the bottom of the vat is a pipe containing apertures therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fermentation vessel according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the cross-sectional area of a single draft tube to the cross-sectional area of the vat is within the range of about 1:5 to about 1:35, single draft tube area:vat area, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A fermentation vessel according to claim 6 wherein the ratio of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all draft tubes in the vat to the cross-sectional area of the vat is within the range of about 0.15:1.0 to about 0.60:1.0 total draft tube area:vat area, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fermentation vessel according to claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of the vat is square having an L/D of about 1/16.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fermentation vessel according to claim 8 wherein the ratio of the cross-sectional area of a single draft tube to the cross sectional area of the vat is about 1:30.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A fermentation vessel according to claim 9 wherein the number of draft tubes in the vat is 9 and the ratio of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all draft tubes in the vat to the cross-sectional area of the vat is about 0.3:1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3536305A
Cited
US3732148A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |