US4053395A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for producing methane gas by processing waste materials
Assignee: Alpha Systems Corp
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Filing: 1976-05-28
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Granted: 1977-10-11
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Expires: 1996-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing methane and other products by processing a slurry of biodegradable waste materials including two tanks containing waste material which are connected to allow fluid flow communication between slurry in each tank, each tank being airtight with respect to the ambient, one of said tanks containing a cathode and the other tank containing an anode to aid in the growth of methane producing bacteria, the tanks provided with movable hoods for collecting gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Switzgable
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:17
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/28; C02F3/286; C02F3/005; C02F3/30; C12; C12M; C12M21/00; C12M21/04; C12M23/00; C12M23/58; C12M35/00; C12M35/02; C02F1/00; C02F1/34; C02F1/36; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E50/00; Y02E50/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
A method for producing methane gas by processing waste material consisting essentially of: a. placing organic waste material into a first tank and a second tank, the first tank being interconnected by a conduit with the second tank for limited liquid waste material flow thereto and for full ion flow therebetween, the conduit being of a size small enough with respect to the capacity of the tanks to prevent any substantial flow of slurry between said first tank and said second tank and to prevent the introduction of any substantial amount of oxygen into said first tank and large enough to allow the free passage of ions, the level of liquid waste material being above the interconnecting conduit; b. introducing an anaerobic bacterial inoculent into the first tank to interact with waste material therein; c. introducing an aerobic bacterial inoculent into the second tank to interact with waste material therein; d. positioning a cathode electrode in the first tank, said cathode being the only electrical terminal within said first tank; e. positioning an anode electrode in the second tank to effect an electrolysis reaction with the cathode in the first tank by ion flow through the conduit therebetween, said anode being the only electrical terminal within said second tank; f. applying an electrical current to said electrodes; g. collecting methane produced in the first tank; h. continuously supplying fresh waste material to the first tank; i. continuously transferring waste material which has interacted with the anaerobic bacteria from the first tank to the second tank; and j. continuously removing waste material from the second tank after interaction with aerobic bacteria therein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
271 words
A method for producing methane gas by processing waste material consisting essentially of: a. placing organic waste material into a first tank and a second tank, the first tank being interconnected by a conduit with the second tank for limited liquid waste material flow thereto and for full ion flow therebetween, the conduit being of a size small enough with respect to the capacity of the tanks to prevent any substantial flow of slurry between said first tank and said second tank and to prevent the introduction of any substantial amount of oxygen into said first tank and large enough to allow the free passage of ions, the level of liquid waste material being above the interconnecting conduit; b. introducing an anaerobic bacterial inoculent into the first tank to interact with waste material therein; c. introducing an aerobic bacterial inoculent into the second tank to interact with waste material therein; d. positioning a cathode electrode in the first tank, said cathode being the only electrical terminal within said first tank; e. positioning an anode electrode in the second tank to effect an electrolysis reaction with the cathode in the first tank by ion flow through the conduit therebetween, said anode being the only electrical terminal within said second tank; f. applying an electrical current to said electrodes; g. collecting methane produced in the first tank; h. continuously supplying fresh waste material to the first tank; i. continuously transferring waste material which has interacted with the anaerobic bacteria from the first tank to the second tank; and j. continuously removing waste material from the second tank after interaction with aerobic bacteria therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1 including collecting oxygen produced in the second tank by electrolysis of the waste material therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the anaerobic bacteria are chosen from the class of such bacteria which produced methane gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising: a. localizing the non-processable and processed waste material in each tank by skimming the surfaces thereof to gather floating material; and b. removing the localized material by passage of same through a drain for disposal thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 4 wherein said localizing and removing is actuated in response to the volume of gases collected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as defined in claim 1 including selectively heating each tank to increase bacterial action therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said collecting is responsive to the vertical position of the vertically moving hood member to cause the withdrawing of selected gases from the tanks.
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) | 1980-10-10 | 1981-04-11 | 1981-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-10 | 1985-04-11 | 1985-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-10 | 1989-04-11 | 1989-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |