Patents Assigned to LUCA Technologies, Inc.
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Publication number: 20140178970Abstract: An isolated microbial consortia is described. The consortia may include a first-bite microbial consortium that converts a starting hydrocarbon that is a complex hydrocarbon into two or more first-bite metabolic products. The consortia may also include a downstream microbial consortium that converts a starting hydrocarbon metabolic product into a downstream metabolic product. The downstream metabolic product has a greater mol. % hydrogen than the starting hydrocarbon. The first-bite microbial consortium or the downstream microbial consortium includes one or more species of Desulfuromonas.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Luca Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Gary Vanzin
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Publication number: 20140034297Abstract: Methods of dispersing an activation agent, nutrient, or both to a carbonaceous material to stimulate production of a biogenic gas are described. The methods may include accessing a subterranean geologic formation containing the carbonaceous material, and supplying a mixture to the formation. The mixture may include an activation agent or nutrient mixed with a dispersed phase and a continuous phase. The method may also include contacting the carbonaceous material with the mixture, and distributing at least a portion of the activation agent or nutrient over and/or into the carbonaceous material from the dispersed phase. The production of biogenic gases is increased by microorganisms that are stimulated by the distributed activation agent or nutrient to convert a portion of the carbonaceous material into the biogenic gases.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Luca Technologies, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130240204Abstract: A method of increasing biogenic production of a combustible gas from a subterranean geologic formation is described. The method may include extracting formation water from the geologic formation, where the extracted formation water includes at least a first species and a second species of microorganism. The method may also include analyzing the extracted formation water to identify the first species of microorganism that promotes the biogenic production of the combustible gas. An amendment may be introduced to the formation water to promote the growth of the first species of microorganism, and the biological characteristics of the formation water may be altered to decrease a population of the second species in the geologic formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn Ulrich, Gary Vanzin, Verlin Dannar, Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson
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Patent number: 8479813Abstract: Methods to enhance biogenic gas production in an anaerobic geologic formation containing carbonaceous material may include the steps of accessing the anaerobic formation, increasing a rate of production of the biogenic gases in the anaerobic formation, and flowing formation water within the anaerobic formation after the increase in the production of biogenic gases. Methods to redistribute formation water in an anaerobic geologic formation containing carbonaceous material may include the steps of locating a reservoir of the formation water within the anaerobic formation, forming at least one channel between the reservoir and at least a portion of the carbonaceous material, and transporting the formation water from the reservoir to the carbonaceous material through the channel. The methods may also include the accumulation of biogenic gas in an anaerobic geologic formation to enhance biogenic gas production.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Verlin Dannar, Robert S. Pfeiffer, Roland P. DeBruyn, Shane Bower, Glenn A. Ulrich, Jeffrey L. Weber, David Brock, Jim Ford, Travis Meyers, Mark Finkelstein
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Patent number: 8302683Abstract: A method of increasing biogenic production of a combustible gas from a subterranean geologic formation is described. The method may include extracting formation water from the geologic formation, where the extracted formation water includes at least a first species and a second species of microorganism. The method may also include analyzing the extracted formation water to identify the first species of microorganism that promotes the biogenic production of the combustible gas. An amendment may be introduced to the formation water to promote the growth of the first species of microorganism, and the biological characteristics of the formation water may be altered to decrease a population of the second species in the geologic formation.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn Ulrich, Gary Vanzin, Verlin Dannar, Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson
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Patent number: 8092559Abstract: Disclosed are strategies for the economical microbial generation of hydrogen, useful as an alternative energy source, from hydrocarbon-rich deposits such as coal, oil and/or gas formations, oil shale, bitumen, tar sands, carbonaceous shale, peat deposits and sediments rich in organic matter through the management of the metabolism of microbial consortia.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2005Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Luca Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson, Robert S. Pfeiffer, Eric L. Szaloczi, Glenn A. Ulrich, Jeffrey L. Weber
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Publication number: 20110284215Abstract: A method of increasing biogenic production of a combustible gas from a subterranean geologic formation is described. The method may include extracting formation water from the geologic formation, where the extracted formation water includes at least a first species and a second species of microorganism. The method may also include analyzing the extracted formation water to identify the first species of microorganism that promotes the biogenic production of the combustible gas. An amendment may be introduced to the formation water to promote the growth of the first species of microorganism, and the biological characteristics of the formation water may be altered to decrease a population of the second species in the geologic formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn Ulrich, Gary Vanzin, Verlin Dannar, Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson
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Patent number: 8051908Abstract: A method for stimulating methane production from a carbonaceous material is described. The methods may include the step of contacting the material with cells of a methanogenic consortium under anaerobic conditions to form a reaction mixture. The method may also include maintaining anaerobic conditions for a time sufficient to permit methanogenesis, and collecting methane from anaerobic water or head space of the reaction mixture.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2010Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn Ulrich, Gary Vanzin, Verlin Dannar, Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson
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Patent number: 7977282Abstract: Methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content are described. The methods may include accessing a consortium of microorganisms in a geologic formation that includes a carbonaceous material. They may also include providing a phosphorous compound to the microorganisms. The phosphorous compound stimulates the consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous material into a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content. Also, methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content by providing a yeast extract amendment to a consortium of microorganisms is described. The yeast extract amendment stimulates the consortium to metabolize carbonaceous material in the formation into the metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Luca Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich, Roland P. DeBruyn, Gary Vanzin
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Patent number: 7975762Abstract: A method of increasing biogenic production of a combustible gas from a subterranean geologic formation is described. The method may include extracting formation water from the geologic formation, where the extracted formation water includes at least a first species and a second species of microorganism. The method may also include analyzing the extracted formation water to identify the first species of microorganism that promotes the biogenic production of the combustible gas. An amendment may be introduced to the formation water to promote the growth of the first species of microorganism, and the biological characteristics of the formation water may be altered to decrease a population of the second species in the geologic formation.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Luca Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn Ulrich, Gary Vanzin, Verlin Dannar, Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson
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Publication number: 20110139439Abstract: Methods to enhance biogenic gas production in an anaerobic geologic formation containing carbonaceous material are described. The methods may include the steps of accessing the anaerobic formation, increasing a rate of production of the biogenic gases in the anaerobic formation, and flowing formation water within the anaerobic formation after the increase in the production of biogenic gases. Also described are methods to redistribute formation water in an anaerobic geologic formation containing carbonaceous material. The methods may include the steps of locating a reservoir of the formation water within the anaerobic formation, forming at least one channel between the reservoir and at least a portion of the carbonaceous material, and transporting the formation water from the reservoir to the carbonaceous material through the channel. Further described are methods of accumulating biogenic gas in an anaerobic geologic formation to enhance biogenic gas production.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Verlin Dannar, Robert S. Pfeiffer, Roland P. DeBruyn, Shane Bower, Glenn A. Ulrich, Jeffrey L. Weber, David Brock, Jim Ford, Travis Meyers, Mark Finkelstein
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Patent number: 7871792Abstract: An isolated microbial consortium is described that includes a first microbial consortium having Thermacetogenium phaeum to metabolize a complex hydrocarbon substrate into metabolic products comprising an acetate compound. The consortium also includes a second microbial consortium having a methanogen to convert the acetate compound into a final product that includes methane. Also, a method of increasing production of materials with enhanced hydrogen content. The method includes isolating Thermacetogenium phaeum from geologic formation water, culturing the isolated Thermacetogenium phaeum to increase the Thermacetogenium phaeum population, and introducing a consortium of the cultured Thermacetogenium phaeum, which may include spores of Thermacetogenium phaeum, into a hydrocarbon formation containing a complex hydrocarbon substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich, Gary Vanzin
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Patent number: 7845403Abstract: A process for introducing microorganisms to carbonaceous material in an anaerobic environment is described. The process includes the step of extracting formation water from a geologic formation, and removing at least a portion of an extractable material from the formation water to make amended formation water. The process may further include introducing the amended formation water to the carbonaceous material. Also, a process for increasing biogenic hydrocarbon production in a geologic formation containing a carbonaceous material is described. The process includes extracting formation water from the formation, removing at least a portion of one or more hydrocarbons from the formation water to make amended formation water, and reintroducing the amended formation water to the geologic formation.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn Ulrich, Gary Vanzin, Verlin Dannar, Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson
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Publication number: 20100300680Abstract: A method of increasing biogenic production of a combustible gas from a subterranean geologic formation is described. The method may include extracting formation water from the geologic formation, where the extracted formation water includes at least a first species and a second species of microorganism. The method may also include analyzing the extracted formation water to identify the first species of microorganism that promotes the biogenic production of the combustible gas. An amendment may be introduced to the formation water to promote the growth of the first species of microorganism, and the biological characteristics of the formation water may be altered to decrease a population of the second species in the geologic formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn Ulrich, Gary Vanzin, Verlin Dannar, Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson
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Publication number: 20100248322Abstract: Methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content are described. The methods may include accessing a geologic formation that includes carbonaceous material. The methods may also include introducing an amendment to the geologic formation. The amendments may further include removing compounds with enhanced hydrogen content from the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich, Shelley Haveman
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Publication number: 20100248321Abstract: Methods of conditioning a carbonaceous material in a subterranean geologic formation for metabolism into a compound with enhanced hydrogen content by a microorganism consortium are described. The methods may include the steps of accessing the subterranean geologic formation through an access point, and contacting the carbonaceous material with a surfactant. The microorganism consortium can utilize the surfactant as a first nutrient source. The surfactant also increases accessibility of the carbonaceous material as a second nutrient source for the microorganism consortium. The microorganism consortium metabolizes the carbonaceous material into the compound with the enhanced hydrogen content.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jefferey W. Steaffens, Shelley Haveman, Mark Finkelstein
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Publication number: 20100190203Abstract: Methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content are described. The methods may include accessing a consortium of microorganisms in a geologic formation that includes a carbonaceous material. They may also include providing hydrogen and one or more phosphorous compounds to the microorganisms. The combination of the hydrogen and phosphorous compounds stimulates the consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous material into the metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content. Also, methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content by providing a carboxylate compound, such as acetate, to a consortium of microorganisms is described. The carboxylate compound stimulates the consortium to metabolize carbonaceous material in the formation into the metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich
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Publication number: 20100101782Abstract: A method for stimulating methane production from a carbonaceous material is described. The methods may include the step of contacting the material with cells of a methanogenic consortium under anaerobic conditions to form a reaction mixture. The method may also include maintaining anaerobic conditions for a time sufficient to permit methanogenesis, and collecting methane from anaerobic water or head space of the reaction mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2010Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn Ulrich, Gary Vanzin, Verlin Dannar, Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson
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Patent number: 7696132Abstract: Methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content are described. The methods may include accessing a consortium of microorganisms in a geologic formation that includes a carbonaceous material. They may also include providing hydrogen and one or more phosphorous compounds to the microorganisms. The combination of the hydrogen and phosphorous compounds stimulates the consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous material into the metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content. Also, methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content by providing a carboxylate compound, such as acetate, to a consortium of microorganisms is described. The carboxylate compound stimulates the consortium to metabolize carbonaceous material in the formation into the metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich, Mark Finkelstein
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Publication number: 20100035309Abstract: Processes for biogenic production of a hydrogen-carbon-containing fluid from a hydrocarbon containing formation are described. The processes may include providing in the formation an anaerobic microorganism consortium containing one or more enzymes to activate a starting hydrocarbon by an addition of a chemical group to the hydrocarbon. The processes may further include converting the activated hydrocarbon into the hydrogen-carbon-containing fluid through one or more intermediate hydrocarbons, and recovering the hydrogen-carbon-containing fluid from the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Shelley Havemen, Gary Vanzin, Glenn Ulrich