US3914437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Osmotic pressure control to improve thermophilic microorganism growth
Assignee: BIOLOGICAL ENERGY Corp A CORP OF DE
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Filing: 1974-04-30
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1994-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A method is described by which the osmotic pressure (of the medium in which thermophilic cellulolytic and ligninolytic microorganisms are grown on biodegradable organic waste material containing cellulose) is controlled in order to stimulate cell mass growth and cellulose digestion. Increase of osmotic pressure is controllably effected by providing a concentration of inorganic salt in the medium to the extent desired. Sodium chloride and soluble phosphate are exemplary salts.
Inventors
- 👤 Winthrop D Bellamy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:12
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/20; C12N1/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
IN THE METHOD FOR GROWTH OF CELLULOLYTIC AND LIGNINOLYTIC THERMOACTINOMYCES IN AN AQUEOUS LIQUID MEDIUM IN A FERMENTOR OR BIODEGRADBLE ORGANIC WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING CELLULOSE AND/OR LIGNIN IN THE PRESENCE OF REQUISITE MINERAL SALTS AT A TEMPERATURE IN THE RANGE OF 45*C TO 80*C, A PH IN THE RANGE OF FROM ABOUT 7.0 TO ABOUT 8.5 AND AN OXYGEN CONCENTRATION OF 0.3 TO 2.0 MG. PER LITER, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THE OSMOTIC PRESSURE OF SAID AQUEOUS LIQUID MEDIUM IN SAID FERMENTOR AT A VALUE IN THE RANGE BETWEEN THE OSMOTIC PRESSURE THAT WOULD BE INDUCED AT SAID TEMPERATURE IN PURE WATER BY THE DISSOLUTION THEREIN OF 0.5% BY WEIGHT OF SODIUM CHLORIDE AND THE OSMOTIC PRESSURE THAT WOULD BE INDUCED AT SAID TEMPERATURE IN PURE WATER BY THE DISSOLUTION THEREIN OF 3.3% BY WEIGHT OF SODIUM CHLORIDE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
IN THE METHOD FOR GROWTH OF CELLULOLYTIC AND LIGNINOLYTIC THERMOACTINOMYCES IN AN AQUEOUS LIQUID MEDIUM IN A FERMENTOR OR BIODEGRADBLE ORGANIC WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING CELLULOSE AND/OR LIGNIN IN THE PRESENCE OF REQUISITE MINERAL SALTS AT A TEMPERATURE IN THE RANGE OF 45*C TO 80*C, A PH IN THE RANGE OF FROM ABOUT 7.0 TO ABOUT 8.5 AND AN OXYGEN CONCENTRATION OF 0.3 TO 2.0 MG. PER LITER, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THE OSMOTIC PRESSURE OF SAID AQUEOUS LIQUID MEDIUM IN SAID FERMENTOR AT A VALUE IN THE RANGE BETWEEN THE OSMOTIC PRESSURE THAT WOULD BE INDUCED AT SAID TEMPERATURE IN PURE WATER BY THE DISSOLUTION THEREIN OF 0.5% BY WEIGHT OF SODIUM CHLORIDE AND THE OSMOTIC PRESSURE THAT WOULD BE INDUCED AT SAID TEMPERATURE IN PURE WATER BY THE DISSOLUTION THEREIN OF 3.3% BY WEIGHT OF SODIUM CHLORIDE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the osmotic pressure is established and maintained by the addition to the medium of a salt selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride and soluble phosphate salts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein the salt is sodium chloride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein a salt is generated in situ in the medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the osmotic pressure is established and maintained by the addition to the medium of a combination non-toxic inorganic salts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein sodium chloride and a soluble phosphate salt are used in combination.
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) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |