US3871957A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Use of microorganisms to disperse and degrade oil spills
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1973-05-09
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A new and novel method of preparation and application of specified microorganisms for the rapid dispersal of oil spills found in open seas, along beaches, in coastal areas and along the shore lines and also for protecting beaches and solid surfaces against oil contamination.
Inventors
- 👤 Raam R Mohan
- 👤 Jr George H Byrd
- 👤 James Nixon
- 👤 Edward R Bucker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:08
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/68; C02F1/681; C09; C09K; C09K3/00; C09K3/32; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/30; Y02W10/37; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/824; Y10S435/83; Y10S435/859
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A METHOD FOR PROTECTING BEACHES AND SHORLINE SOLID SURFACES AGAINST OIL CONTAMINATION, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF PRETREATING SAID BEACH OR SHORELINE SOLID SURFACE WITH A WATER SLURRY SAID WATER SLURRY PREPARED BY ADMIXING MUTUALLY COMPATIBLE MICROORGANISM CELLS, SAID MICROORGANISM CELLS BEING SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ARTHROBACTER, MICROOCCUS AND ACHROMOBACTER, AND MIXTURES THEREOF, WITH AN INERT ABSORBENT SUBSTANCE; DRYING SAID MIXTURE AT A ROOM TEMPERATURE RANGING FROM 25* TO 55*C SO AS TO FORM AN ANHYDROUS POWDER, RECONSTITUTING SAID AHYDROUS POWDER WITH AN AQUEOUS PHASE SO AS TO GENERATE A SLURRY THEREBY MAINTAINING THE VIABILITY AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF THE MICROORGANISM AND COATING SAID BEACH OR SHORELINE SOLID SURFACE WITH SAID AQUEOUS SLURRY OF VIABLE MUTUALLY COMPATIBLE MICROORGANISM CELLS.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A METHOD FOR PROTECTING BEACHES AND SHORLINE SOLID SURFACES AGAINST OIL CONTAMINATION, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF PRETREATING SAID BEACH OR SHORELINE SOLID SURFACE WITH A WATER SLURRY SAID WATER SLURRY PREPARED BY ADMIXING MUTUALLY COMPATIBLE MICROORGANISM CELLS, SAID MICROORGANISM CELLS BEING SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ARTHROBACTER, MICROOCCUS AND ACHROMOBACTER, AND MIXTURES THEREOF, WITH AN INERT ABSORBENT SUBSTANCE; DRYING SAID MIXTURE AT A ROOM TEMPERATURE RANGING FROM 25* TO 55*C SO AS TO FORM AN ANHYDROUS POWDER, RECONSTITUTING SAID AHYDROUS POWDER WITH AN AQUEOUS PHASE SO AS TO GENERATE A SLURRY THEREBY MAINTAINING THE VIABILITY AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF THE MICROORGANISM AND COATING SAID BEACH OR SHORELINE SOLID SURFACE WITH SAID AQUEOUS SLURRY OF VIABLE MUTUALLY COMPATIBLE MICROORGANISM CELLS.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the concentration of said microorganism cells ranges from 105 to 108 per mole of slurry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the pretreating step consists of spraying the water slurry onto the beach or shoreline solid surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said shoreline solid surface is one selected from the group consisting of rocks, jetties and cement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said mixture is dried at a temperature ranging from 30* to 50*C.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for protecting beaches and shoreline solid surfaces against oil contamination, said method comprising the steps of admixing mutually compatible microorganism cells, said microorganism cells being selected from the group consisting of Arthrobacter, Micrococcus and Achromobacter and mixtures thereof, with an inert absorbent substance, freeze drying said mixture so as to form an anhydrous powder, reconstituting said powder with an aqueous phase so as to generate a slurry thereby simultaneously maintaining the viability and biological activity of the microorganism, coating said beach or solid surface with said slurry prior to its being contacted with oil.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for protecting beaches and shoreline solid surfaces against oil contamination, said method comprising the steps of admixing mutually compatible microorganism cells, said microorganism cells being selected from the group consisting of Arthrobacter, Micrococcus and Achromobacter and mixtures thereof, with an inert absorbent substance, freeze drying said mixture so as to form an anhydrous powder, reconstituting said powder with an aqueous phase so as to generate a slurry thereby simultaneously maintaining the viability and biological activity of the microorganism, coating said beach or solid surface with said slurry prior to its being contacted with oil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3616204A
Cited
US3769164A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |