Patents by Inventor Glenn A. Ulrich
Glenn A. Ulrich 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: 20170240806Abstract: 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: October 3, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: Transworld Technologies Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich
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Patent number: 9458375Abstract: 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: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Transworld Technologies Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich
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Patent number: 9057082Abstract: 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: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Transworld 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: 20150101816Abstract: 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: July 8, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich
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Patent number: 8770282Abstract: 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: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Transworld Technologies Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich
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Patent number: 8715978Abstract: 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: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Transworld 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: 20140073023Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Transworld 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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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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Publication number: 20120309070Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: LUCA Technologies, LLCInventors: Roland P. DeBruyn, James B. Dodson, Robert S. Pfeiffer, Eric L. Szaloczi, Glenn A. Ulrich, Jeffrey L. Weber
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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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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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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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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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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: 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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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: 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
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Publication number: 20090023612Abstract: A microbial consortia for biogenically increasing the hydrogen content of a carbonaceous source material, where the consortia includes a first microbial consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous source material into one or more first intermediate hydrocarbons, a second microbial consortium, which includes one or more species of Pseudomonas microorganisms, to convert the first intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more second intermediate hydrocarbons and oxidized carbon. and a third microbial consortium to convert the second intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more smaller hydrocarbons and water, where the smaller hydrocarbons have a greater mol. % hydrogen than the carbonaceous source material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: LUCA Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich, Gary Vanzin
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GENERATION OF MATERIALS WITH ENHANCED HYDROGEN CONTENT FROM MICROBIAL CONSORTIA INCLUDING THERMOTOGA
Publication number: 20090023611Abstract: A microbial consortia for biogenically increasing the hydrogen content of a carbonaceous source material, where the consortia includes a first microbial consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous source material into one or more first intermediate hydrocarbons, a second microbial consortium, which includes one or more species of Thermotoga microorganisms, to convert the first intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more second intermediate hydrocarbons and oxidized carbon. and a third microbial consortium to convert the second intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more smaller hydrocarbons and water, where the smaller hydrocarbons have a greater mol. % hydrogen than the carbonaceous source material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: LUCA Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich, Gary Vanzin