US4010071A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clarification of xanthan gum
Assignee: Merck and Co Inc
•
Filing: 1975-12-17
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Granted: 1977-03-01
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Expires: 1995-12-17
Abstract
Abstract Fermentation broths and other aqueous suspensions containing a dissolved xanthan gum and suspended solids resulting from the fermentation producing the xanthan gum are clarified by treatment with a minor amount of a protease enzyme. The injectivity of aqueous solutions containing xanthan gum so clarified is improved, in oil well flooding operations, over solutions not so treated.
Inventors
- 👤 George T. Colegrove
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:45
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12P; C12P19/00; C12P19/04; C12P19/06; C08; C08B; C08B37/00; C08B37/0006; C08B37/0024; C08B37/0033; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/832; Y10S435/836; Y10S435/839; Y10S435/886; Y10S435/896; Y10S435/897
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
24 words
The method of clarifying an aqueous solution of xanthan gum containing water-insoluble fermentation solids that comprises contacting said solution with an alkaline protease enzyme.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
24 words
The method of clarifying an aqueous solution of xanthan gum containing water-insoluble fermentation solids that comprises contacting said solution with an alkaline protease enzyme.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein from about 25-2000 p.p.m. of enzyme are employed.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
37 words
The method of clarifying an aqueous solution of xanthan gum containing insoluble fermentation solids that comprises contacting said solution with from about 25 to 60,000 Delft Units of an alkaline protease enzyme per gram of xanthan gum.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
37 words
The method of clarifying an aqueous solution of xanthan gum containing insoluble fermentation solids that comprises contacting said solution with from about 25 to 60,000 Delft Units of an alkaline protease enzyme per gram of xanthan gum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 wherein from about 1500 to 20,000 Delft Units of alkaline protease are used per gram of xanthan gum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the xanthan gum is obtained by fermentation of a nutrient medium with a Xanthomonas species.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the microorganism is Xanthomonas campestris.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the concentration of xanthan gum in the aqueous solution is from about 0.25 to about 1.5% by weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the enzyme treatment is carried out at ambient temperature for a period in excess of about six hours.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process for clarifying a whole fermentation broth obtained by the fermentation of a nutrient medium with a xanthan-gum producing strain of Xanthomonas that comprises contacting said whole broth with from about 25 to 60,000 Delft Units of alkaline protease enzyme per gram of xanthan gum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process for clarifying a whole fermentation broth obtained by the fermentation of a nutrient medium with a xanthan-gum producing strain of Xanthomonas that comprises contacting said whole broth with from about 25 to 60,000 Delft Units of alkaline protease enzyme per gram of xanthan gum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the enzyme treatment is carried out at a pH of from about 7.5 to 12 at a temperature of up to about 140° F.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
48 words
The method of clarifying an aqueous suspension of a xanthan gum, which gum has been obtained by precipitation from a fermentation broth, containing fermentation solids that comprises contacting said suspension with from about 750 to 60,000 Delft Units of an alkaline protease enzyme per gram of xanthan gum.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
48 words
The method of clarifying an aqueous suspension of a xanthan gum, which gum has been obtained by precipitation from a fermentation broth, containing fermentation solids that comprises contacting said suspension with from about 750 to 60,000 Delft Units of an alkaline protease enzyme per gram of xanthan gum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein from about 1,500 to 15,000 Delft Units of alkaline protease are used per gram of xanthan gum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the xanthan gum is contacted with enzyme for a period in excess of about one hour.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 13 wherein the concentration of xanthan gum in the aqueous solution is from about 0.25 to about 1.5% by weight.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 14 wherein the enzyme treatment is carried out at ambient temperature for a period in excess of about 6 hours.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the xanthan gum is obtained by fermentation of a nutrient medium with Xanthomonas campestris.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-29 | 1980-08-30 | 1981-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-29 | 1984-08-30 | 1985-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-08-30 | 1989-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |