US4443544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ethanol production in a continuous process with cell recycle
Assignee: Unisearch Ltd
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Filing: 1981-03-03
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Granted: 1984-04-17
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Expires: 2001-03-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved method for the production of ethanol from a fermentable carbohydrates such as glucose, fructose or sucrose using the bacterium Zymomonas mobilis which method involves continuously culturing the bacterium in a culture medium containing the fermentable carbohydrate, continuously drawing off a portion of the culture medium and replacing that portion with fresh culture medium, separating from the removed portion of the culture medium cells of Zymomonas mobilis contained therein and returning those cells to the culture medium and recovering the ethanol contained in the portion of the culture medium from which the cells have been removed. It has been found that this method results in greatly improved ethanol production without the disadvantages which have been found when yeasts are continuously cultured.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter L. Rogers
- 👤 David E. Tribe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:42
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M21/00; C12M21/12; C12M29/00; C12M29/04; C12M29/18; C12M47/00; C12M47/10; C12P; C12P7/00; C12P7/02; C12P7/04; C12P7/06; C12P7/065; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E50/00; Y02E50/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/801; Y10S435/813; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A process for the production of ethanol from a culture medium containing a fermentable carbohydrate, said process consisting essentially of continuously anaerobically culturing Zymomonas mobilis in the culture medium, continuously or periodically drawing off a portion of the culture medium to give a withdrawn portion and replacing that portion with fresh culture medium, separating from the withdrawn portion of the culture medium cells of Zymomonas mobilis contained therein, returning said cells to the culture medium, and recovering the ethanol contained in the portion of the culture medium from which said cells have been removed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A process for the production of ethanol from a culture medium containing a fermentable carbohydrate, said process consisting essentially of continuously anaerobically culturing Zymomonas mobilis in the culture medium, continuously or periodically drawing off a portion of the culture medium to give a withdrawn portion and replacing that portion with fresh culture medium, separating from the withdrawn portion of the culture medium cells of Zymomonas mobilis contained therein, returning said cells to the culture medium, and recovering the ethanol contained in the portion of the culture medium from which said cells have been removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the fermentable carbohydrate is selected from the group consisting of glucose, fructose and sucrose.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the cells are recovered from the withdrawn portion of the culture medium by filtration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the cells are flocculent and are recovered from the withdrawn portion of the culture medium in a settling vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the culture medium is maintained at a temperature between 20° C. and 50° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the culture medium is maintained at a pH between 3.7 and 8.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
104 words
A process for the production of ethanol from a culture medium containing a fermentable carbohydrate, said process comprising continuously culturing a strain of Zymomonas mobilis selected from the group consisting of CP4,ZM481 and ZM401 in the culture medium, continuously or periodically drawing off a portion of the culture medium to give a withdrawn portion and replacing that portion with fresh culture medium, separating from the withdrawn portion of the culture medium said cells of Zymomonas mobilis contained therein, returning said cells to the culture medium, and recovering the ethanol contained in the portion of the culture medium from which said cells have been removed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
104 words
A process for the production of ethanol from a culture medium containing a fermentable carbohydrate, said process comprising continuously culturing a strain of Zymomonas mobilis selected from the group consisting of CP4,ZM481 and ZM401 in the culture medium, continuously or periodically drawing off a portion of the culture medium to give a withdrawn portion and replacing that portion with fresh culture medium, separating from the withdrawn portion of the culture medium said cells of Zymomonas mobilis contained therein, returning said cells to the culture medium, and recovering the ethanol contained in the portion of the culture medium from which said cells have been removed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB2013716A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-04-17 | 1987-10-17 | 1988-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-17 | 1991-10-17 | 1992-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-17 | 1995-10-17 | 1996-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |