US4214985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for sewage treatment with bacteria
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-11-27
•
Granted: 1980-07-29
•
Expires: 1998-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A process for the treatment of sewage wherein the sludge is innoculated with a bacteria, L. plantarum, and a carbohydrate such as lactose is admixed therewith. The addition of the bacteria and the carbohydrate without more, drops the pH of the sludge to below 4.0. This results in the elimination of pathogenic bacteria and renders the sludge suitable for use as a soil extender without any further environmental constraints.
Inventors
- 👤 Bonnie J. Bodenrader
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:23
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/34; C02F1/00; C02F1/02; C02F1/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for the treatment of sewage sludge which treatment renders the sludge environmentally acceptable which includes: inoculating the sludge with Lactobacillus the sludge per se containing the nutritional requirements for the lactobacilli; and admixing a fermentable carbohydrate in an effective amount with the sludge, the Lactobacillus inoculated and the carbohydrate admixed in an amount sufficient to lower the pH of the sludge to below 4.5 to render the sludge substantially free of coliform, and pathogenic bacteria.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for the treatment of sewage sludge which treatment renders the sludge environmentally acceptable which includes: inoculating the sludge with Lactobacillus the sludge per se containing the nutritional requirements for the lactobacilli; and admixing a fermentable carbohydrate in an effective amount with the sludge, the Lactobacillus inoculated and the carbohydrate admixed in an amount sufficient to lower the pH of the sludge to below 4.5 to render the sludge substantially free of coliform, and pathogenic bacteria.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sludge is raw sludge and which includes: sterilizing the sludge by heating the sludge prior to innoculation and admixing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sludge is raw sludge and which includes: sterilizing the sludge by irradiation prior to innoculation and admixing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sludge is digested sludge and which includes: sterilizing the sludge by heating the sludge prior to innoculating and admixing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sludge is digested sludge and which includes: sterilizing the sludge by irradiation prior to innoculation and admixing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sludge is untreated raw sludge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sludge is untreated digested sludge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 wherein the carbohydrate is lactose and wherein the bacteria is L. plantarum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the amount of L. plantarum in the sludge increases from 10 3 to 10 9 as the pH drops below 4.5.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the lactose added is between 0.25 to 5% based on the total volume of the sludge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate is lactose.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the Lactobacillus is L. plantarum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 which includes: maintaining the sludge at a temperature of between about 5°-53° C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 which includes maintaining the temperature of the sludge between about 30°-35° C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the Lactobacillus is L. plantarum and the carbohydrate is lactose.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the bacteria is selected from the group consisting of L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. casei, L. coryniformis, L. debrucckii, L. helveticus, L. Lactis, L. Leichmannii, L. plantarum, L. Thermophilus, L. Xylosus, L. brevis, L. buchneri, L. corprophilus, L. fermentum, L. viridescens and combinations thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the bacteria is L. casei.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate is selected from the group consisting of Amygdalin, Arabinose, Cellobiose, Fructose, Galactose, Glucose, Gluconate, Lactose, Maltose, Mannitol, Mannose, Melezitose, Melibiose, Raffinose, Rhamnose, Ribose, Salicin, Sorbitol, Sucrose, Trehalose, Xylose, Esculin and combinations thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the carbohydrate is lactose and wherein the bacteria is L. plantarum.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the carbohydrate is glucose.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 which includes: adding ammonia to the sludge to produce ammonium lactate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 which includes: innoculating the sludge with treated sludge.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the bacteria is L. casei and the carbohydrate is glucose.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US3961078A
Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-07-29 | 1984-01-28 | 1984-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-29 | 1988-01-28 | 1988-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-29 | 1992-01-28 | 1992-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |