US3957585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for conducting fermentation
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
•
Filing: 1975-01-30
•
Granted: 1976-05-18
•
Expires: 1995-01-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for conducting a fermentation process for the production of single cell protein and the like. The apparatus includes a vessel with a reaction zone and has liquid atomizing means opening thereinto for the injection of atomized liquid into the reaction zone to effect intimate contact of the atomized liquid with a gas phase in the reaction zone. Fermentation medium is supplied to the reaction zone and provides a source of carbon and energy for the culturing of a microorganism and preferably before introduction into the reaction zone said medium is saturated with an oxygen-containing gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Emil A. Malick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:12
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M27/00; C12M27/02; C12M27/18; C12M27/24; C12M41/00; C12M41/12; C12M41/18; C12M41/24; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/804; Y10S435/812; Y10S435/813; Y10S435/818; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/874; Y10S435/911; Y10S435/93
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of culturing a microorganism by fermentation of a carbon and energy source, said method comprising: a. at least substantially saturating and pressurizing a portion of a feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas; b. introducing said feedstock into a fermenting reaction zone containing a microorganism for fermenting said feedstock; said reaction zone being at a pressure lower than the pressure of said feedstock so that a gas phase is formed in said reaction zone; c. conducting fermentation in said reaction zone; d. atomizing a liquid selected from the group consisting of feedstock, ferment or mixtures thereof in said reation zone during fermentation so that said atomized liquid contacts with said gas phase in an upper portion of said reation zone; and e. removing the product produced by the fermentation of the feedstock from said reaction zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of culturing a microorganism by fermentation of a carbon and energy source, said method comprising: a. at least substantially saturating and pressurizing a portion of a feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas; b. introducing said feedstock into a fermenting reaction zone containing a microorganism for fermenting said feedstock; said reaction zone being at a pressure lower than the pressure of said feedstock so that a gas phase is formed in said reaction zone; c. conducting fermentation in said reaction zone; d. atomizing a liquid selected from the group consisting of feedstock, ferment or mixtures thereof in said reation zone during fermentation so that said atomized liquid contacts with said gas phase in an upper portion of said reation zone; and e. removing the product produced by the fermentation of the feedstock from said reaction zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said feedstock is supersaturated with an oxygen-containing gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 including: a. circulating said feedstock in said reaction zone; b. removing heat from said reaction zone; and wherein c. said feedstock introduction, said atomizing and said product removal is substantially continuous.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said liquid includes feedstock.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein: a. said liquid includes ferment from said reaction zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein: a. said reaction zone is substantially foam filled with said foam being comprised of a ferment phase and an oxygen-containing gas phase; and including the step of b. breaking said foam into a ferment phase and a gas phase wherein said atomized liquid is contacted with the last mentioned gas phase.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2200581A
Cited
US2244902A
Cited
US3041181A
Cited
US3131131A
Cited
US3201327A
Cited
US3625834A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-18 | 1979-11-17 | 1980-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-18 | 1983-11-17 | 1984-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-18 | 1987-11-17 | 1988-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |