Methanol foam fermentation to single cell protein by microorganisms

Claim 2

A process for the production of microbial cells, said process including the steps of: a. placing a microorganism into a fermenter containing a nutrient medium and aerobically culturing said microorganism, said microorganism being capable of assimilating alcohol as a main source of carbon; b. introducing an alcohol having from 1-16 carbon atoms into said fermenter as the main carbon source for said microorganism to assimilate and produce microbial cells; c. maintaining said alcohol and medium in a foamed condition in said fermenter so that said fermenter is essentially foam-filled; and d. separating and recovering the microbial cells produced in said fermenter.

Claim 3

The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said alcohol has from 1-6 carbon atoms.

Claim 4

The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said alcohol is methanol.

Claim 5

The process as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said microorganism is Pseudomonas methanica.

Claim 6

The process as set forth in claim 4 wherein: a. said microorganism is Pseudomonas methanica NRRL B3449.

Claim 7

The process as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said methanol is present in the fermenter in the range of approximately 0.001 to 5% by volume of the contents.

Claim 8

The process as set forth in claim 6 wherein: a. said methanol is introduced at a rate wherein a minimum of methanol is discharged from the fermenter with effluent normally discharged from the fermenter.

Claim 9

The process as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said microorganism is Hansenula polymorpha.

Claim 10

The process as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said fermenter is maintained during operation at a pressure above 1 atmosphere.

Claim 11

The process as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said fermenter is operated at a temperature between approximately 30° to 65° C.

Claim 12

The process as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said process is continuous wherein oxygen and said nutrient and methanol are continuously introduced into said fermenter at controlled rates.

Claim 13

A process for the production of microbial cells, said process including the steps of: a. placing a microorganism in a fermenter, said microorganism being capable of assimilating a straight chain alcohol having 1 to 16 carbon atoms per molecule as a main source of carbon; b. continuously introducing a nutrient medium into said fermenter at a controlled rate; c. introducing oxygen into said fermenter continuously at a controlled rate for aerobically fermenting said alcohol; d. continuously introducing said alcohol into said fermenter at a controlled rate for said microorganism to assimilate as the carbon source and produce microbial cells; e. maintaining said fermenter during operation at a pressure of at least approximately 1 atmosphere; f. maintaining said alcohol and medium in a foamed condition in said fermenter so that said fermenter is essentially foam-filled; and g. continuously separating and recovering the microbial cells produced in said fermenter.

Claim 14

A process for the production of microbial cells, said process including the steps of: a. placing a microorganism in a fermenter, said microorganism being capable of assimilating a straight chain alcohol having 1 to 16 carbon atoms per molecule as a main source of carbon; b. continuously introducing a nutrient medium into said fermenter at a controlled rate; c. introducing oxygen into said fermenter continuously at a controlled rate for aerobically fermenting said alcohol; d. continuously introducing said alcohol into said fermenter at a controlled rate for said microorganism to assimilate as the carbon source and produce microbial cells; e. maintaining said fermenter during operation at a pressure of at least approximately 1 atmosphere; f. maintaining said alcohol and medium in a foamed condition in said fermenter so that said fermenter is essentially foam-filled; and g. continuously separating and recovering the microbial cells produced in said fermenter.

Claim 15

The process as set forth in claim 12 wherein: a. said microorganism is Pseudomonas methanica.

Claim 16

The process as set forth in claim 13 wherein: a. said alcohol is present in the fermenter in the range of approximately 0.001 to 5% by volume of the contents; b. maintaining said fermenter at an operating temperature of approximately 30° to 65° C.

Claim 17

The process set forth in claim 12 wherein: a. said microorganism is Hansenula polymorpha.

Claim 18

The process as set forth in claim 12 wherein: a. said alcohol is methanol.