US3880716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for making optimum chemical conversions and biological fermentations
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-07
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1992-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A method for optimizing biochemical and fermentation processes by shortening the diffussion distances between the active agent, i.e., microorganisms, enzymes, or catalysts and the working liquor. This is achieved by adhering the active agent to freely circulating moving solid bodies which have, (1) a large surface area, (2) a specific gravity different than the worked on liquor, and (3) a volume of between 1 to 1,000mm3. The difference in specific gravity between said bodies and worked on liquor allows higher relative speeds which shorten diffussion distances. This fermentation technique seeks to combine the advantages of adhesive and submerged cultivation.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilke Engelbart
- 👤 Fritz Engelbart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:05
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/0006; C; C12; C12M; C12M25/00; C12M25/16; C12M27/00; C12M27/10; C12M27/14; C12M27/18; C12M27/20; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/18; B01J2219/182; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S423/00; Y10S423/09; Y10S423/17; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/813; Y10S435/818
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A METHOD OF ADHESIVE CULTURE FERMENTING A WORKING LIQUID AND PRODUCING MICROORGANISMS WHICH COMPRISES PRODUCING A RELATIVE FLOW BETWEEN SAID LIQUID SURROUNDING MICROORGANISMS ADHERING TO THE SURFACES OF A LARGE NUMBER OF SOLID BODIES WHICH ARE FREELY MOVABLE WITHIN SAID LIQUID, SAID BODIES EACH HAVING A VOLUME OF ABOUT 1 TO 1,000 MM3 AND HAVING A SPECIFIC GRAVITY DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF SAID LIQUID, AND CONTINUOUSLY MOVING THE LIQUID AND THE FREELY MOVABLE BODIES IN A CIRCULATING FLOW PASSING IN A SPIRAL PATH THROUGH A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED TUBES OF SMALL CROSS SECTIONAL AREA DISPOSED IN SIDEBY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP, SAID TUBES HAVING A HELICAL CORE AND FORMING A CIRCUIT FOR SAID CIRCULATING FLOW.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A METHOD OF ADHESIVE CULTURE FERMENTING A WORKING LIQUID AND PRODUCING MICROORGANISMS WHICH COMPRISES PRODUCING A RELATIVE FLOW BETWEEN SAID LIQUID SURROUNDING MICROORGANISMS ADHERING TO THE SURFACES OF A LARGE NUMBER OF SOLID BODIES WHICH ARE FREELY MOVABLE WITHIN SAID LIQUID, SAID BODIES EACH HAVING A VOLUME OF ABOUT 1 TO 1,000 MM3 AND HAVING A SPECIFIC GRAVITY DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF SAID LIQUID, AND CONTINUOUSLY MOVING THE LIQUID AND THE FREELY MOVABLE BODIES IN A CIRCULATING FLOW PASSING IN A SPIRAL PATH THROUGH A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED TUBES OF SMALL CROSS SECTIONAL AREA DISPOSED IN SIDEBY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP, SAID TUBES HAVING A HELICAL CORE AND FORMING A CIRCUIT FOR SAID CIRCULATING FLOW.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein on the surface of the bodies a layer of adhering components comprising tissues of multi-celled organisms are adhered to said surfaces, and said tissues or for example viruses living in said tissues are produced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that in spite of producing microorganisms a reaction takes place between components in said liquid and components selected from the group consisting of catalysts, enzymes, or crude oil, which in spite of microorganisms, adhere to said surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said freely movable bodies are in the shape of filaments or rods.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
IN THE METHOD OF CARRYING OUT BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS BETWEEN MICROORGANISMS AND A NUTRIENT LIQUID IN THE PRESENCE OF A GAS THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING ADDING TO THE LIQUID A LARGE NUMBER OF SOLID BODIES WHICH ARE FREELY MOVABLE WITHIN THE LIQUID AND WHICH PROVIDE A LARGE SURFACE AREA FOR THE ADHERENCE OF MICROORGANISMS, SAID BODIES EACH HAVING A VOLUME OF ABOUT 1 TO 1,000 MM3 AND HAVING A SPECIFIC GRAVITY DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE NUTRIENT LIQUID, INTRODUCING BUBBLES OF THE GAS INTO THE NUTRIENT LIQUID MOVING THE LIQUID AND THE BODIES IN A CIRCULATING FLOW PASSING IN A SPIRAL PATH THROUGH A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED TUBES OF SMALL CROSS SECTIONAL AREA DISPOSED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP, SAID TUBES HAVING A HELICAL CORE AND FORMING A CIRCUIT FOR SAID CIRCULATING FLOW, AND SEPARATING THE GAS FROM THE LIQUID.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
IN THE METHOD OF CARRYING OUT BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS BETWEEN MICROORGANISMS AND A NUTRIENT LIQUID IN THE PRESENCE OF A GAS THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING ADDING TO THE LIQUID A LARGE NUMBER OF SOLID BODIES WHICH ARE FREELY MOVABLE WITHIN THE LIQUID AND WHICH PROVIDE A LARGE SURFACE AREA FOR THE ADHERENCE OF MICROORGANISMS, SAID BODIES EACH HAVING A VOLUME OF ABOUT 1 TO 1,000 MM3 AND HAVING A SPECIFIC GRAVITY DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE NUTRIENT LIQUID, INTRODUCING BUBBLES OF THE GAS INTO THE NUTRIENT LIQUID MOVING THE LIQUID AND THE BODIES IN A CIRCULATING FLOW PASSING IN A SPIRAL PATH THROUGH A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED TUBES OF SMALL CROSS SECTIONAL AREA DISPOSED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP, SAID TUBES HAVING A HELICAL CORE AND FORMING A CIRCUIT FOR SAID CIRCULATING FLOW, AND SEPARATING THE GAS FROM THE LIQUID.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said bodies are in the shape of filaments or rods.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
IN THE METHOD OF CARRYING OUT BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS BETWEEN MICROORGANISMS ADHERED TO SOLID SURFACES AND A NUTRIENT LIQUID IN THE PRESENCE OF GAS BUBBLES BY PASSING STREAMS OF NUTRIENT LIQUID THROUGH A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED TUBES OF SMALL CROSS SECTION DISPOSED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES INCREASING THE AREA OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE MICROORGANISMS AND THE LIQUID BY GUIDING THE STREAMS INTO CONTACT WITH SPIRAL CORES DISPOSED IN THE TUBES TO THEREBY INCREASE THE SOLID SURFACE AREA AVAILABLE TO THE MICROORGANISM.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
IN THE METHOD OF CARRYING OUT BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS BETWEEN MICROORGANISMS ADHERED TO SOLID SURFACES AND A NUTRIENT LIQUID IN THE PRESENCE OF GAS BUBBLES BY PASSING STREAMS OF NUTRIENT LIQUID THROUGH A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED TUBES OF SMALL CROSS SECTION DISPOSED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES INCREASING THE AREA OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE MICROORGANISMS AND THE LIQUID BY GUIDING THE STREAMS INTO CONTACT WITH SPIRAL CORES DISPOSED IN THE TUBES TO THEREBY INCREASE THE SOLID SURFACE AREA AVAILABLE TO THE MICROORGANISM.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method as in claim 7 including adding to the streams of liquid a large number of small freely movable solid bodies which provide a large surface area for the adherence of microorganisms, said bodies each having a specific gravity different from that of the nutrient liquid and having a volume of about 1 to 1,000 mm3, and effecting flow of the liquid relative to the bodies as the streams and bodies pass through the tubes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said solid bodies are shaped as filaments or rods.
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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |