US4936994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Application of cellulase to control industrial slime
Assignee: ChampionX LLC
•
Filing: 1989-03-13
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Granted: 1990-06-26
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Expires: 2009-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A method of attacking and removing microbial slime in slime covered surfaces and maintaining a slime-free surface as in exposed cooling tower surfaces and in waste water treatment and paper making. This method comprises utilizing an enzyme blend in 2 to 100 parts per million (ppm) of cellulase, alpha-amylase and protease. Such enzyme blends have been found specifically to digest microbial slime and reduce microbial attachment and biofilm. A specific combination of polysaccharide degrading enzymes is a ratio of 2 parts cellulase to 1 alpha-amylase to 1 protease utilized in 2-100 parts per million. Broadly, the alpha-amylase must be at least 1 and the protease may vary from 0.5 to 1 part.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher L. Wiatr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:21
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/34; C02F3/342; C02F1/00; C02F1/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of removing slime from slime-covered surfaces of cooling towers which comprises contacting said surfaces with an effective amount of a composite enzyme preparation consisting of a ratio of 2 parts cellulase, 1 part alpha-amylase and 1 part protease.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of removing slime from slime-covered surfaces of cooling towers which comprises contacting said surfaces with an effective amount of a composite enzyme preparation consisting of a ratio of 2 parts cellulase, 1 part alpha-amylase and 1 part protease.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
24 words
A method of using a composite enzyme system consisting of cellulose, alpha-amylase and protease to digest microbial slime and reduce microbial attachment and biofilm.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
24 words
A method of using a composite enzyme system consisting of cellulose, alpha-amylase and protease to digest microbial slime and reduce microbial attachment and biofilm.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of digesting slime from slime covered surfaces and wastewater treatment and maintaining a slime-free surface in systems which comprises treating said water with at least 80 ppm of a composite blend of enzymes consisting of 2 parts cellulase, 1 part alpha-amylase and 1 part protease.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of digesting slime from slime covered surfaces and wastewater treatment and maintaining a slime-free surface in systems which comprises treating said water with at least 80 ppm of a composite blend of enzymes consisting of 2 parts cellulase, 1 part alpha-amylase and 1 part protease.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3773623A
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JPS5020559A
Cited
US4055467A
Cited
US4288545A
Cited
US4370199A
Cited
US4684469A
Cited
JPS63190690A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-25 | 1993-12-25 | 1994-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-12-25 | 1998-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-25 | 2001-12-25 | 2002-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |