Patents Examined by T. J. Reardon
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Patent number: 5637499Abstract: A method of enhancing the bacterial reduction of industrial gases using perfluorocarbons (PFCs) is disclosed. Because perfluorocarbons (PFCs) allow for a much greater solubility of gases than water does, PFCs have the potential to deliver gases in higher concentrations to microorganisms when used as an additive to microbial growth media thereby increasing the rate of the industrial gas conversion to economically viable chemicals and gases.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: Lockheed Idaho Technologies CompanyInventor: Charles E. Turick
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Patent number: 5563066Abstract: A method and apparatus for remediating contaminated soil containing organic compounds, wherein, a sectional, portable, and sealable container is assembled at a site for remediation. Contaminated soil for remediation is disposed within the container and covered by a pool of recirculating water carrying selected biological elements and chemicals to effect the remediation process. Hydrocarbon elements released from the contaminated soil rise to the surface of the pool and are collected by skimming for recovery.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1993Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Inventor: Alan B. Buchanan
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Patent number: 5534435Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting peroxycarboxylic acids to carboxylic acids, the process comprising treating a peroxycarboxylic acid of the general formula I:R--CO--OOH (I)wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group, an aryl group or an aryl-alkyl group each of which may optionally be substituted with one or more hydroxy, halogen, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, sulfo, sulfoxy, sulfono, amido, carboxy, percarboxy or nitro groups, with an enzyme catalyst to form the corresponding carboxylic acid of the general formula II:R--CO--OH (II)wherein R has the meaning indicated above.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1995Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/SInventors: Sven E. Godtfredsen, Ole Kirk, Ture Damhus
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Patent number: 5532162Abstract: A method for eliminating used aqueous degreasing or cleaning solutions in a closed rinsing system where the contaminated solution with its impurities and other agents is rinsed off the surfaces of the cleaned goods and organic matter including tensides is degraded by microorganisms contained within the rinse system. Further, a method for cleaning goods is provided which comprises cleaning these goods in a cleaning or degreasing system (either conventional or biologically active) followed by rinsing them in a closed system wherein during the rinsing step the cleaning solution and impurities are rinsed off the surfaces of the goods and organic matter including tensides is degraded by microorganisms contained within the rinse system. Finally spent degreasing and cleaning solution can be fed into the rinse bath where organic matter, contained in the solution, is degraded by the microorganisms, thus reducing the liquid waste load.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1994Date of Patent: July 2, 1996Inventor: Haldor Aamot
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Patent number: 5529930Abstract: A method for reducing the viscosity of viscous petroleum liquids, such as heavy crude oil and bitumen, is disclosed. The method is appropriate for use with viscous petroleum liquids that contain sulfur-bearing heterocycles, the physicochemical properties of the heterocycles contributing significantly to the viscosity of the liquid. The method comprises contacting the viscous petroleum liquid with a biocatalyst that converts sulfur-bearing heterocycles into molecules that lack physicochemical properties condusive to viscosity. The biocatalyst works in a sulfur-specific manner, such that the sulfur-bearing heterocycle is altered at the sulfur heteroatom thereof. Through biocatalysis, carbon-sulfur bonds are cleaved and/or polar substituents such as hydroxyl groups are joined to the sulfur heteroatom, the hydrocarbon framework of the sulfur-bearing heterocycle, or both. Preferred biocatalysts for viscosity reduction include preparations of Rhodococcus rhodochrous ATCC No.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1993Date of Patent: June 25, 1996Assignee: Energy BioSystems CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Monticello, William M. Haney, III
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Patent number: 5525509Abstract: A method for preparing unhaired hides ready for tanning from hides and skins using proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes in the beamhouse, whereby in at least one of the partial steps of the beamhouse consisting of a) liming in the pH range 11.5-14 and b) bating in the pH range 5-11.5, alkaline lipases (E.C.3.1.3.) having an activity optimum in the pH range 9-11 are added to the aqueous floats corresponding to these partial steps.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Assignee: Rohm GmbHInventors: Juergen Christner, Tilman Taeger, Gertrud Wick
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Patent number: 5521091Abstract: Compositions and methods for destroying hydrogen peroxide, for example, contact lens disinfecting amounts of hydrogen peroxide, are disclosed. The present invention utilizes non-mammalian-derived catalase, for example, catalase obtained as a result of the action of one or more microorganisms such as Micrococcus luteus, Aspergillus niger and mixtures thereof, to promote the destruction of hydrogen peroxide. Such non-mammalian-derived catalase has substantial advantages, e.g., enhanced stability, relative to bovine catalase, which is conventionally used in such contact lens-related applications.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1994Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Assignee: Allergan, Inc.Inventors: James N. Cook, John L. Worsley
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Patent number: 5518920Abstract: Apparatus for treatment of material containing biodegradable volatile organic compounds in solid or liquid state, comprises a first chamber having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, the gas inlet being below the gas outlet. Material to be treated is supported in the first chamber between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The material to be treated is warmed and an upward flow of air is established in the first chamber whereby biodegradable volatile organic compounds in the material are volatilized and become entrained in the upward flow of air. A second chamber has a gas inlet and a gas outlet, the gas inlet of the second chamber being below the gas outlet thereof. A duct delivers gas from the gas outlet of the first chamber to the gas inlet of the second chamber. A biologically active matrix including at least one organism that biologically converts the organic compounds to a non-toxic form is supported in the second chamber between the gas inlet and the gas outlet thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1994Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: Bio-Reaction Industries, Inc.Inventors: William C. Stewart, Randall R. Thom
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Patent number: 5518921Abstract: Fungi which grow white/colorless and reduce pitch are used to protect structural wood before or after cutting from logs against color staining by staining fungi. The fungus Phanerochaete gigantea is also useful to facilitate debarking.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1995Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: Clariant Finance (BVI) LimitedInventors: Robert A. Blanchette, Roberta L. Farrell, Chad J. Behrendt
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Patent number: 5518924Abstract: A process for manufacturing a pasteurized substrate by biological decomposition of organic refuse is characterized by the following processing steps:a) A container (1) is half filled with a mixture of solid refuse to be decomposed, liquid substances are added, and the mixture is stirred for a first residence time of 2 to 3 hours.b) A quantity not greater than one-third of the weight of the mixed refuse of decanted clarified sludge at a temperature equal to that of the mixed refuse is added. A quantity of white lime may also be added, and stirring is continued for a further residence time of 69 to 70 hours. An apparatus for carrying out the process comprises a parallelepipedal container (1) with a pentagonal profile in the shape of an inverted house roof with its ridge pole sunk in the ground and whose width (b) is greater than its length (l). The base of the container includes two identical, obtuse-angled, mutually inclined half-bases (1.1, 1.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1994Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: Adymat AGInventor: Adelrich Spescha
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Patent number: 5516687Abstract: A device and method for maintaining effective bacterial levels within a collecting container of an organic matter collection system of the type having a collecting container having a bottom and a liquid to air interface-surface is provided. The bacterial incubator comprise: a housing having a first and second interior chamber; an elongated feed tube, connected to the housing, having a passageway terminating at one end in connection with the second interior chamber and terminating at the other end in a feed opening; and a plurality of high surface-area members that are contained within the first interior chamber. The first interior chamber is in fluid connection with both the second interior chamber and the exterior of the housing. The elongated feed tube is of a length sufficient to allow a section thereof containing the feed opening to be positioned above the air to liquid interface-surface of a collecting container.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1994Date of Patent: May 14, 1996Assignee: Interbio, Inc.Inventors: J. Peter Perez, John A. Christiansen
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Patent number: 5512479Abstract: A process for degrading volatile organic contaminants such as trichloroethylene. and remediating volatile organic contaminant contaminated media using trichloroethylene induced toluene monooxygenase activity in Pseudomonas mendocina KR-1 is described.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1993Date of Patent: April 30, 1996Assignee: Envirogen, Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Steffan
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Patent number: 5510265Abstract: A method for the deep desulfurization of a liquid fossil fuel containing organic sulfur comprising aromatic sulfur-bearing heterocycles is described, wherein the fossil fuel is (a) subjected to hydrodesulfurization or microbial desulfurization, (b) contacted with a biocatalyst in an aqueous medium in an amount and under conditions sufficient for the conversion of aromatic sulfur-bearing heterocycles to inorganic sulfur, wherein the biocatalyst comprises bacteria or a substantially cell-free preparation thereof having the capability of the parent microorganism for catalyzing the removal of sulfur from aromatic sulfur-bearing heterocycles, thereby preparing a deeply desulfurized fossil fuel; and (c) separated from the aqueous medium.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: Energy BioSystems CorporationInventor: Daniel J. Monticello
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Patent number: 5508195Abstract: A method for liming hides and skins using a proteolytic enzyme in an aqueous-alkaline float is taught, wherein the liming float has a pH value from 10-14 and contains both thiourea dioxide and an alkaline protease having elastase activity.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1995Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Assignee: Rohm GmbHInventors: Juergen Christner, Tilman Taeger, Gertrud Wick
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Patent number: 5501973Abstract: A treatment composition for treating contaminated material is disclosed which has water, coal, and an alkali metal carbonate. In another aspect an additional ingredient is a seaweed derivative. A method for making such a treatment composition for treating contaminated material has been developed which includes introducing water into a first tank, blending in alkali metal carbonate in the first tank with the water to form a first composition, adding coal to the first composition and blending them together forming a base composition, introducing one half of the base composition from the first tank into a second tank, introducing an amount of seaweed derivative into the second tank equal in volume to the amount of base composition in the second tank, and blending the contents of the second tank together producing the treatment composition.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1994Date of Patent: March 26, 1996Inventor: Thomas B. Mayfield
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Patent number: 5496729Abstract: This invention relates to an integrated method for the desulfurization and desalting of a fossil fuel, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a fossil fuel with; (i) a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution capable of depleting the fossil fuel of forms of water soluble salt contaminants; and (ii) an effective amount of a biocatalyst capable of depleting the fossil fuel of forms of sulfur-bearing organic molecules; (b) incubating the above mixture whereby; (i) the fossil fuel is significantly depleted of forms of water soluble salt contaminants; and (ii) the biocatalytic agent selectively catalyzes carbon-sulfur bonds in sulfur-bearing organic molecules generating a significant amount of water-soluble inorganic sulfur molecules; both reactions occurring without depleting the fossil fuel of combustible organic molecules; and (c) separating the aqueous component from the fossil fuel component, the fossil fuel now being significantly reduced in sulfur and salt contamination and the aqueous component now beingType: GrantFiled: August 31, 1994Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Assignee: Energy BioSystems CorporationInventor: Daniel J. Monticello
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Patent number: 5484729Abstract: An improved process for anerobic microbial dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds in sediment containing microorganisms capable of dechlorinating polychlorinated biphenyls which includes adding and admixing the sediment with a halogen substituted benzoic acid, salicylic acid or a lower alkyl ester of the acids.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1995Date of Patent: January 16, 1996Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kim A. DeWeerd, Donna L. Bedard
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Patent number: 5484730Abstract: A method of eluting trinitrotoluene (TNT) from soil using a dispersant from bacterial intra-amoebic isolate 1s, ATCC 75229.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1995Date of Patent: January 16, 1996Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Tyndall, Arpad Vass
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Patent number: 5481815Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of sediment. The apparatus provides a plurality of injection sites for injecting a biochemical oxidant into the sediment. The oxidant is useful for oxidizing a bacterial growth inhibitor to a non-inhibiting form thus permitting bacterial growth and thus greater numbers for sediment detoxification.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1995Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by The Minister of The EnvironmentInventors: Thomas Murphy, Harry Savile
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Patent number: 5480788Abstract: A variety of plant materials adopted for processing into, e.g., low-calorie vegetable fibers and dietary flours, are bleached by (1) soaking a plant material having a moisture content of up to 50% at a temperature ranging from 20.degree. to 100.degree. C. with an aqueous solution containing an alkaline agent and more than 100 g/l of hydrogen peroxide, and having a pH of at least 8.5, such that the aqueous solution is completely absorbed by the plant material without establishing any liquid phase; (2) heating the soaked plant material at a temperature ranging from 40.degree. to 100.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to effect the bleaching, and washing the bleached plant material with water and drying it.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1994Date of Patent: January 2, 1996Assignee: Elf Atochem S.A.Inventor: Michel Devic