Patent US4713343A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4713343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biodegradation of halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons
Assignee: United States, US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY THE, Administrator of
•
Filing: 1985-08-29
•
Granted: 1987-12-15
•
Expires: 2005-08-29
Abstract
Abstract Contaminating amounts of certain halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons are degraded and removed from water such as drinking water and industrial waste water, by treatment of the water with a microorganism that is effective to metabolize gaseous hydrocarbons by the action of monooxygenase enzyme.
Inventors
- 👤 John T. Wilson, Jr.
- 👤 Barbara H. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:21
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/12; C02F3/1205; C02F3/1231; C02F3/34; C02F3/342; C12; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/26; C12N1/28; C12N1/30; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A process for the treatment of water which contains halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons to aerobically degrade said halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons, said halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons being one or more members selected from the group consisting of 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, cis-1,2-di-chloroethylene, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, 1,2-dibromoethane, and vinyl chloride, the process comprising treating the water with a microorganism in the presence of a lower molecular weight alkane containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and oxygen, the microorganism comprising bacteria that can aerobically degrade low molecular weight alkanes by beginning their attack with the action of a monooxygenase to produce the corresponding alcohol, the bacteria acting to degrade said halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons to form products comprising carbon dioxide and water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process for the treatment of water which contains halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons to aerobically degrade said halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons, said halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons being one or more members selected from the group consisting of 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, cis-1,2-di-chloroethylene, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, 1,2-dibromoethane, and vinyl chloride, the process comprising treating the water with a microorganism in the presence of a lower molecular weight alkane containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and oxygen, the microorganism comprising bacteria that can aerobically degrade low molecular weight alkanes by beginning their attack with the action of a monooxygenase to produce the corresponding alcohol, the bacteria acting to degrade said halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons to form products comprising carbon dioxide and water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the lower molecular weight alkane is methane, ethane, normal propane, normal butane or mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the water is industrial waste water and the water is treated with the microorganism in situ.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the water is ground water and the contaminating halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon is trichloroethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the microorganism is a methanotroph and the process is carried out in the presence of a mixture of natural gas and air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the water contains up to 200 micrograms per liter of said halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the water contains up to 30 micrograms per liter of trichloroethylene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the water to be treated is industrial waste water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the water to be treated is from an interdiction well.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the water is treated in situ.
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) | 1990-12-14 | 1991-06-15 | 1991-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-14 | 1995-06-15 | 1995-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-14 | 1999-06-15 | 1999-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |