US4393136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bacterial ethanol production
Assignee: Tate and Lyle PLC
•
Filing: 1981-07-07
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Granted: 1983-07-12
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Expires: 2001-07-07
Abstract
Abstract Glucose or other substrate is converted to ethanol using immobilized bacterial cells under conditions which prevent growth of the cells.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter S. J. Cheetham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:25
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12P; C12P7/00; C12P7/02; C12P7/04; C12P7/06; C12P7/065; C12N; C12N11/00; C12N11/02; C12N11/04; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E50/00; Y02E50/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A process for producing ethanol, wherein a carbohydrate is converted by immobilized cells of an ethanol-producing bacterium into ethanol, said carbohydrate being presented to said cells in a medium which is nutritionally inadequate for growth of said cells by lacking at least one factor required therefor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process for producing ethanol, wherein a carbohydrate is converted by immobilized cells of an ethanol-producing bacterium into ethanol, said carbohydrate being presented to said cells in a medium which is nutritionally inadequate for growth of said cells by lacking at least one factor required therefor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said cells are immoblized in a gel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 2, wherein said gel is dried after immobilization of said cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 2, wherein said cells are co-immobilized with bone char.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said carbohydrate is employed in aqueous solution which does not contain any other nutrient or assimilable material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said aqueous solution contains 5-20% (w/v) glucose.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said solution contains about 10% glucose.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said cells are immobilized in a calcium alginate gel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said cells are immobilized in a calcium alginate-bone char gel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
In a process for producing ethanol by conversion of a substrate using cells of a bacterium, the improvement which comprises immobilizing said cells and converting said substrate in a non-fermentative manner by dissolving said substrate in water to give a medium which lacks at least one factor required for growth of the bacterium, and contacting said medium with said immobilized cells to effect said conversion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
In a process for producing ethanol by conversion of a substrate using cells of a bacterium, the improvement which comprises immobilizing said cells and converting said substrate in a non-fermentative manner by dissolving said substrate in water to give a medium which lacks at least one factor required for growth of the bacterium, and contacting said medium with said immobilized cells to effect said conversion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 10, when effected on a continuous basis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said substrate is a carbohydrate and said medium lacks any other nutrient or assimilable material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 12 wherein said carbohydrate is glucose in an amount of 5-20% (w/v).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said amount is about 10%.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said cells are immobiled in a calcium alginate gel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said cells are immobilized in a calcium alginate-bone char gel.
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) | 1986-07-11 | 1987-01-10 | 1987-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-11 | 1991-01-10 | 1991-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-11 | 1995-01-10 | 1995-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |