Patents by Inventor Gary Vanzin
Gary Vanzin 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).
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Publication number: 20240132919Abstract: Exemplary methods of producing methane in a reservoir may include accessing a consortium of microorganisms in a geologic formation. The methods may include delivering an aqueous solution including waste product to the consortium of microorganisms. The methods may include increasing production of gaseous materials by the consortium of microorganisms The methods may include recovering gaseous products from the reservoir. The gaseous products may by characterized by an enriched methane concentration.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Gary Vanzin, Joseph Edward Zemetra, Roland P. DeBruyn, John Deuss
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Patent number: 9434872Abstract: A method of increasing biogenic production of a combustible gas from a subterranean geologic formation 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 29, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Transworld Technologies Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn Ulrich, Gary Vanzin, Verlin Dannar, Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson
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Publication number: 20150104795Abstract: 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 29, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn Ulrich, Gary Vanzin, Verlin Dannar, Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson
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Patent number: 8794315Abstract: 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: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Transworld Technologies Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn Ulrich, Gary Vanzin, Verlin Dannar, Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson
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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: 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: 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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Publication number: 20120021495Abstract: 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: July 22, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: LUCA Technologies, LLCInventor: Gary Vanzin
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Patent number: 8067223Abstract: 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: November 29, 2011Assignee: Luca Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich, Gary Vanzin
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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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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: 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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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
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Patent number: 7640978Abstract: 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: June 10, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 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: 20090035840Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: LUCA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich, Gary Vanzin