US4980282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Treatment of corn steep liquor
Assignee: Unilever Bestfoods North America
•
Filing: 1987-11-19
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Granted: 1990-12-25
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Expires: 2007-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A process for the treatment of corn steepwater. The steepwater is incubated for a sufficient time to develop biomass before corn steepwater is fed continuously to the developed biomass at a rate such that the residence time of the steepwater in contact with the biomass is in excess of 4 hours.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Claude de Troostembergh
- 👤 Francoise Oudeene
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:38
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08B; C08B30/00; C08B30/04; C12; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/14; C08B30/02; C12P; C12P37/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/813
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A process for the treatment of corn steepwater, which consists essentially of: (a) separating steepwater from corn; (b) initially adjusting the pH of the steepwater to at least about 3.5; (c) maintaining the steepwater at a temperature of about 40° C. to about 80° C. for up to 48 hours for development of biomass; (d) continuously feeding fresh steepwater to the developed biomass at a rate such that the residence time is in excess of 4 hours in contact with the biomass at a temperature of about 40° C. to about 48° C., the pH of the steepwater feed being adjusted, at least at the beginning of the continuous feeding, to be at least about 3.5; and (e) separating the steepwater from the biomass and reducing its volume by evaporation to give corn steep liquor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A process for the treatment of corn steepwater, which consists essentially of: (a) separating steepwater from corn; (b) initially adjusting the pH of the steepwater to at least about 3.5; (c) maintaining the steepwater at a temperature of about 40° C. to about 80° C. for up to 48 hours for development of biomass; (d) continuously feeding fresh steepwater to the developed biomass at a rate such that the residence time is in excess of 4 hours in contact with the biomass at a temperature of about 40° C. to about 48° C., the pH of the steepwater feed being adjusted, at least at the beginning of the continuous feeding, to be at least about 3.5; and (e) separating the steepwater from the biomass and reducing its volume by evaporation to give corn steep liquor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the quantity of biomass developed in Step (c) is at least five times the amount present in Step (b).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the pH is adjusted to 3.75 to 4.5 in Step (b).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the pH in Step (b) is greater than 5.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein the pH is about 5.5.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein the pH is adjusted by the addition of ammonia.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2298623A
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US2444176A
Cited
US4086135A
Cited
US4302475A
Cited
US4359528A
Cited
US4771001A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-24 | 1994-06-25 | 1994-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-06-25 | 1998-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-24 | 2002-06-25 | 2002-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |