Patents by Inventor Willis A. Wood

Willis A. Wood has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Injection of dextrins for subterranean microbial processes
    Patent number: 5368099
    Abstract: The use of a dextrin as the carbon source for achieving a complete nutrient medium capable of sustaining microbial activity in subterranean formations is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Mary E. Davey, Diane Gevertz, Gary E. Jenneman, Scott T. Kellogg, Willis A. Wood, J. Bennett Clark
  • Aqueous-soluble polymeric coal substrate for depolymerization by a lignin peroxidase
    Patent number: 5036013
    Abstract: A method is provided for converting coal to low molecular weight organic compounds comprising combining an aqueous solution of an aqueous-soluble polymeric coal substrate with a lignin peroxidase, oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The invention is exemplified using the lignin peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Also provided are aqueous-soluble polymeric coal substrates suitable for lignin peroxidase-catalyzed depolymerization and methods of preparing such substrates. Finally, a method is provided for isolating the lignin peroxidase from mycelia-free, unconcentrated media of cultures of P. chrysosporium producing the enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: The Salk Institute Biotechnology/Industrial Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Willis A. Wood, Lillian M. Wondrack
  • Enzymatic depolymerization of coal
    Patent number: 4960699
    Abstract: A method is provided for converting coal to low molecular weight organic compounds comprising combining an aqueous solution of an aqueous-soluble polymeric coal substrate with a lignin peroxidase, oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The invention is exemplified using the lignin peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Also provided are aqueous-soluble polymeric coal substrates suitable for lignin peroxidase-catalyzed depolymerization and methods of preparing such substrates. Finally, a method is provided for isolating the lignin peroxidase from mycelia-free, unconcentrated media of cultures of P. chrysosporium producing the enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Salk Institute Biotechnology/Industrial Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Willis A. Wood, Lillian M. Wondrack