Abstract: Methane is produced from peat by solubilizing the phenolic polymers therein, and oxidizing the solute to produce short chain molecules. The short chain molecules are fermented to produce a gas that this scrubbed to remove CO.sub.2 to produce methane. Solubilizing takes place in a vertically oriented pressurized vessel that is circular in cross-section and divided into a number of regular vertically elongated compartments, each comprising a circular sector in cross-section, and extending the majority the height of the vessel. Slurried peat is fed into the top of one compartment while another compartment is being emptied from the bottom, the compartment being filled or emptied being progressively changed in response to rotation of a central shaft in the vessel. Oxidation of solubilized peat takes place in a structure that transports the solubilized peat in a substantially vertical wave path from an inlet to an outlet with oxygen being introduced at the bottoms of segments of the wave path, and CO.sub.

Abstract: A method of extracting protein from green crops such as leaves, grasses, legumes, stems of green plants and tree leaves is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of subjecting the green crops to a pulping action in an acid solution recirculated from a subsequent anaerobic fermentation step to produce a pulp comprising a protein-rich liquid and fibrous material. The protein-rich liquid in the pulp is separated from the fibrous material. The protein is separated from the protein-rich liquid by anaerobic fermentation in an acidic solution thereby providing a concentrated protein fraction suitable for preservation and an acidic solution at least a portion of which is recycled to insure further removal of protein from the fibrous material.

Abstract: An improved method suitable for extracting glucose from green crops, such as leaves, grasses, legumes, stems of green plants and tree leaves. The method comprises the steps of subjecting the green crops to a pulping action in an organic acid solution recirculated from a subsequent fermentation separation step to produce a pulp comprising a protein-rich liquid and fibrous material, separating protein-rich liquid in the pulp from the fibrous material and separating protein from the protein-rich liquid by initiating anaerobic fermentation in an acidic solution thereby providing a concentrated protein fraction suitable for preservation and an acidic solution. At least a portion of the acidic solution is recycled to the separation step, the recycling of the solution being provided for purposes of washing the fibrous material to remove residual protein therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to a 1-step process for the preparation of fructose polymers and ethyl alcohol from sucrose. The fructose polymers are especially useful for production of high fructose syrups.

Abstract: Production of methane from a substrate comprising an organic material, by way of example in a process by means of a culture of anaerobic and preferably thermophile microorganisms, which in a processing chamber (8) is brought into contact with the organic material and in which the generated gas is collected. The substrate is introduced into an ante-chamber (7) for pretreatment which is provided with a heating device (28) with the substrate heated in the ante-chamber to at least the temperature that it is intended to have during the process or preferably to a higher temperature, whereafter it is transported to said processing chamber (8) to be brought into contact with the culture of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a two-stage continuous process for the production of a gelable curdlan-type exopolysaccharide. In the first stage a stable, curdlan-producing strain of microorganism such as Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes ATCC 31749 and ATCC 31750, is grown aerobically in an aerated, agitated culture medium containing assimilable carbon, nutrients and organic salts. The amount of nitrogen in the first stage is so limited that the effluent therefrom contains substantially no inorganic nitrogen. The effluent is introduced into a second stage in a constant volume fermenter wherein it is mixed with a nitrogen-free carbohydrate. The resultant mixture is aerated and mixed at pH 5.5 to 6.5 at a temperature of from 25.degree. to 35.degree. C.

Abstract: A horizontal fermenter which allows the uninhibited growth of an organism is disclosed. The fermenter is particularly useful for producing alcohols such as ethanol from sugars such as glucose, and comprises a container for holding a selected nutrient solution. A fiber or wood substrate is included for supporting a selected organism such as Zymomonas. Also included is means for physically detaching or dislodging the organisms from the substrate.

Abstract: An improved anaerobic digestor system for producing methane gas from waste biomass includes closed provisions for continuously feeding the biomass for system digestion, for continuously advancing and stirring the biomass while in the system through a continuum of stages, for continuously collecting gases produced and for continuously expelling spent biomass from the system for use as fertilizer; a second embodiment provides a longer path in a plurality of parallel short length troughs cast in one piece, each trough of which has a corresponding plurality of hemi-cylindrical covers and of end pieces with "U" shaped connections between ends of the tanks so-formed.

Abstract: Methanol is produced from an organic waste material such as sewage by a process wherein an arc heater or "plasma jet" performs novel process steps including: (1) partially vaporizing an organic sewage sludge (a semi-liquid material produced by bacterial digestion of the sewage); (2) reacting the gas products obtained by the sludge vaporization, together with a digester gas (obtained by digestion of the sewage), to form a synthesis gas comprising principally H.sub.2, CO, CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 O and CH.sub.4, and (3) optionally, driving a water shift reaction to convert a portion of the output gases to additional H.sub.2 and CO for use as a feed stream to the jet. The synthesis gas is converted to methanol in a subsequent process step.

Abstract: A process for enzymatically converting whole plant biomass containing hydrocarbon-containing laticifers to soluble sugars and recovering hydrocarbons in increased yields which comprises hydrolyzing whole plant cellulosic material in the presence of enzymes, particularly cellulase, hemicellulase, and pectinase, to produce a hydrocarbon product and recovering from the hydrolysis products a major proportion of the cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase enzymes for reuse.

Abstract: A continuous fermentor or reactor and process using the reactor for producing ethanol including at least two vertically arranged unit reactors each having an open top cone which is connected to an inverted open bottom cone by a short cylinder greater in diameter than the two cones. The lowest unit reactor is connected to a gas supply member and a liquid introducing pipe and the highest unit reactor is connected to a gas separator and a mash discharge pipe. Inert gas introduced into the bottom unit produces both upward and downward flows in each unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a 2-step process for the preparation of fructose polymers and ethyl alcohol from sucrose. The fructose polymers are especially useful for the production of high fructose syrups.

Abstract: A vessel capable of passing a liquid therethrough is packed with a support having at least hydrophilicity and microorganism cells are inoculated to the support, retained and cultivated therein. A reaction substrate is fed to the vessel and brought into contact with the microorganism, whereby the microorganism is allowed to propagate within the support and act upon the reaction substrate to induce decomposition or synthetic reactions thereof.

Abstract: Continuous fermentation of solutions such as grape juice with wine yeast is carried out in a tower under sterile conditions. In the process, a tower with an enlarged upper end section is sterilized with steam followed by introducing sterile gas into the tower to maintain a positive pressure of sterilized gas therein, then continuously introducing a fermentable solution into the lower end of the tower, fermenting the solution while introducing a stream of bubbles of sterile gas to agitate the solution, continuously removing fermentation products from the upper end section of the tower, separating yeast from the products and reintroducing the yeast into the lower end of the tower. Before fermentation of the solution, yeast may be cultured under aerobic conditions and when the desired yeast concentration is reached, the solution to be fermented is introduced and fermented under anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of producing glucosone which comprises enzymatically oxidizing glucose with glucose-2-oxidase in a first zone and separating the concomitantly produced hydrogen peroxide from said first zone through a semi-permeable membrane into a second zone wherein an alkene is reacted with said hydrogen peroxide to form oxygenated products of said alkene, said membrane being permeable only to compounds of a molecular weight of less than about 100.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of producing glucosone which comprises enzymatically oxidizing glucose with glucose-2-oxidase in a first zone and separating the concomitantly produced hydrogen peroxide from said first zone through a semi-permeable membrane into a second zone, said membrane being permeable only to compounds of a molecular weight of less than about 100.

Abstract: For the production of biological masses of microbial origin, the yeast strain NRRL-Y 11119 uses ethanol as a carbon source and an energy source simultaneously. Proteic biomasses of a very good quality are obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process especially useful for the preparation of novel fructose polymers and high fructose syrups from sucrose.

Abstract: In the production of xanthan gum by the action of Xanthomonas bacteria on a nutrient medium, the specific productivity of the organism employed can be improved by the increase in average cell concentration through the stepwise increase of growth limiting nutrients in the medium.

Abstract: Fructose productivity and isomerase activity in immobilized beds or column operations employing isomerases obtained from Bacillus organisms are significantly improved by isomerizing a high solids feed syrup at pH 7.0-7.5 and 55.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. Without adding cobalt to the feed streams, continuous column operation in excess of 4,000 hours and yielding greater than 3,500 pounds of a 42% fructose syrup for each pound of isomerase can be achieved.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the continuous fermentation of sugar to ethanol in a series of fermentation vessels featuring yeast recycle which is independent of the conditions of fermentation occurring in each vessel at a particular point in time. The process facilitates the management of yeast levels in each fermentation vessel so as to provide an optimum overall rate of ethanol production.

Abstract: A process of general applicability in the microbiological field wherein a culture is subjected to periods of availability and non-availability of an essential energy source such as a carbon source, i.e. the energy source is supplied in pulses. The efficiency of the culture in converting substrate carbon to cellular carbon varies depending upon the relative duration of the periods of availability and non-availability of the energy source. Thus depending upon the relative duration chosen the process can be applied differently, i.e. when the efficiency is high the process is suitable for single cell protein production while when it is low it is suitable for waste water treatment.

Abstract: Water soluble .alpha.-ketocarboxylic acids are continuously converted in a membrane reactor into the corresponding aminoacids. The conversion takes place in the presence of a substrate specific dehydrogenase, of ammonium ions and of a nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD.sup.+ /NADH) enlarged in molecular weight through linkage to a water soluble polymer as coenzyme. Simultaneously NADH is regenerated continuously from NAD.sup.+ in presence of a formate dehydrogenase and from formate ion. The membrane must have a mean pore diameter of 1 to 3 nm. As coenzyme there is employed 0.1 to 10 mmol/l of NAD.sup.+ /NADH present bound to a polyoxyethylene having an average molecular weight between 500 and 50,000. There is continuously supplied to the reactor a substrate stream which contains 50 to 100% of the maximum amount soluble, but not over 2,000 mmol/l, of the reacting .alpha.

Abstract: A polysaccharide processing useful flow and gel-forming properties is prepared by cultivation of Pseudomonas sp NCIB 11264 (ATCC 31260). The polysaccharide, which readily can be produced in up to 75% yield by continuous culture, possesses properties which are similar to those of xanthan and other gums.

Abstract: A carbohydrate polymer such as starch and/or cellulose is converted to ethanol by a process in which an aqueous slurry of the carbohydrate polymer acid hydrolyzed to provide a sterile fermentable sugar solution is thereafter continuously converted by fermentation to dilute aqueous ethanol ("beer") in a series of agitated fermentations vessels which contain progressively more ethanol and less fermentable suger employing at least two strains of yeast for the fermentation, one of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively low concentration of ethanol and a relatively high concentration of fermentable sugar and the other of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively high concentration of ethanol and a relatively low concentration of fermentable sugar.

Abstract: Continuous process for the cultivation of yeast cells under aerobic conditions in an aqueous growth medium, to which an aqueous nutrient medium comprising a source of assimilable nitrogen and methanol of a source of assimilable carbon is continuously added. The yeast belongs to the species Candida boidinii and the nutrient medium comprises a primary source of assimilable nitrogen consisting of urea and a secondary source of assimilable nitrogen chosen from ammonia, ammonium hydroxide and ammonium salts, the ratio between nitrogen in the primary source and that in the secondary source being from 2:1 to 1:20.

Abstract: A method for the continuous culturing of microbes in a plug-flow reactor which comprises the steps of:A. supplying medium to microbes immobilized on a porous inorganic support at a rate sufficient to maintain such microbes substantially in a logarithmic growth stateandB. removing microbe-containing effluent from the immobilized microbes at a rate equal to the medium supply rate, wherein the microbes are selected from the group consisting of bacteria, yeasts, and fungus-like organisms; such reactor is operated continuously in a substantially plug-flow mode; the immobilized microbes are substantially covered by said medium; and such porous inorganic support has a controlled porosity such that at least 70% of the pores, on a pore size distribution basis, have a pore diameter,a. in the case of bacteria, at least as large as the smallest major dimension of the microbes but less than about five times the largest major dimension of the microbes;b.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus relates to the microbiological industry and can be used in the food and medical industries, as well as in agriculture for utilization of the waste and refuse of animal-breeding farms. The apparatus comprises a sealed vertically arranged vessel divided into a vertical row of sections by perforated partitions of two kinds mounted alternatingly height-wise of the vessel. Some of the partitions are made as discs arranged so that annular gaps remain between them and the vessel housing, while other partitions are in the form of flat rings; the annular gaps and the central openings of the flat rings serve as ducts for the passage of a nutrient medium into the underlying sections. Mounted above the perforated partitions are cylindrical shells serving as intermediate accumulators for the nutrient medium, and blade-type agitators adapted to urge the nutrient medium toward the annular gaps and central openings.

Abstract: A broth containing yeast cells is continuously or intermittently removed from a fermentor. Then, yeast cells are separated from the filtrate using a cell separator, or further washed with water. Then, the yeast cells so obtained are recycled to the fermentor, whereby yeasts are cultivated at a high cell concentration of from 6% to about 20% based on dry weight. As discussed herein, by removing the filtrate from the cultivation system, there is no accumulation of metabolites and salts prohibiting the cultivation of yeasts, and further the growth of miscellaneous microorganisms which interfere with yeast cell growth, is surprisingly suppressed.

Abstract: Apparatus for cultivating aerobic microorganisms is provided which comprises cell multiplying compartment and cell ripening compartment. The invention also provides a cultivation process using the same apparatus. The invention improves oxygen transfer rate and utilization of oxygen, thus enabling cultivation at a higher concentration of microorganisms as compared with any conventional process.

Abstract: The commercial process of preparing citric acid by submerged fermentation of hydrolized carbohydrates under aerobic conditions with yeasts of the genus Candida, while maintaining the pH value at 5-7 by addition of calcium hydroxide, is improved by submitting the broth obtained from a first fermentation operation to a first centrifuging to separate calcium citrate and then to a second centrifuging to separate the yeast cells. The cells thus recovered are recycled for use in a further fermentation operation. The use of said recycle cells permits higher yields and outputs of citric acid to be obtained in the further fermentation operation.

Abstract: Wine is champagnized by a continuous-flow process wherein a stream of champagne wine-stock, saccharose and yeast cells is continuously passed for secondary fermentation at a temperature up to 15.degree. C. through a yeast mass accumulated by separation of yeast from the stream. During secondary fermentation the wine is enriched with biologically active substances from autolyzed yeast and is freed of yeast cells while the yeast mass increases in concentration to 5-10 billion cells per ml. Completely champagnized wine stock substantially free of yeast cells is obtained in about 17 days. The process enables intensification of champagnization by 5 to 6 times due to the use of yeast exceeding by 10-15 times the concentrations usually employed. The process can be continued for a time period of 2-3 years without stopping the process to recharge.

Abstract: The invention relates to enzymatic compositions containing intra-cellular glucose-isomerase which is enclosed in structures based on cellulose ester, their preparation and their use for isomerizing glucose into levulose.In addition to the cellulose ester and micro-organism cells, e.g. Streptomyces phaeochromogenes, these compositions contain a sparingly water-soluble magnesium compound and optionally a sparingly water-soluble cobalt compound.These compositions make it possible to isomerize glucose into levulose in a continuous process, with the addition of either no, or a small amount of magnesium ions to the glucose syrup to be isomerized and without the addition of cobalt ions.

Abstract: Glucose isomerase is immobilized in an active form by adsorbing the glucose isomerase onto a colloidal silica. The enzyme is contacted with the colloidal silica and the resulting composite solidified by freezing. Optionally, the composite may be gelatinized prior to freezing. The composite is then used for the isomerization of glucose to fructose.

Abstract: A multi-stage continuous system for producing heteropolysaccharides. The system comprises: a fermentation stage consisting of an outer enzyme/nutrient containing chamber in which a membrane microbial growth chamber is movably mounted, the growth chamber being arranged to continuously produce Xanthomonas campestris cells in the late exponential-early stationary phase of growth and transfer polymerizing exo-enzymes and cell lysate therefrom into the surrounding medium of the enzyme/nutrient chamber and to retain the Xanthomonas campestris cells; and a polymerization state consisting of at least one module to receive the exo-enzymes and cell lysate from the fermentation stage to produce heteropolysaccharides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing acrylamide or methacrylamide utilizing microorganisms having a nitrilase activity. This process involves (1) utilizing highly active novel bacteria belonging to the genus Corynebacterium or the genus Nocardia, (2) conducting the reaction utilizing microorganisms having a nitrilase activity at temperatures as low as the freezing point of the medium to 15.degree. C. so as to conduct the reaction for a long period of time while maintaining a high concentration of acrylamide or methacrylamide, and (3) conducting the reaction according to a newly devised continuous column process to obtain a highly concentrated acrylamide or methacrylamide aqueous solution with economic advantages.

Abstract: Starch is converted to ethanol by a process in which an aqueous starch slurry is hydrolyzed in sequential liquefication and saccharification steps to provide sterile saccharified starch solution containing from about 60 to about 80 weight percent of fermentable sugar based on the weight of the original starch present and the fermentable sugar is thereafter continuously converted by fermentation to dilute aqueous ethanol ("beer") in a series of agitated fermentation vessels which contain progressively more ethanol and less fermentable sugar employing at least two strains of yeast for the fermentation, one of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively low concentration of ethanol and a relatively high concentration of fermentable sugar and the other of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively high concentration of ethanol and a relatively low concentration of fermentable sugar.

Abstract: A carbohydrate polymer such as starch and/or cellulose is converted to ethanol by a process in which an aqueous slurry of the carbohydrate polymer acid hydrolyzed to provide a sterile fermentable sugar solution is thereafter continuously converted by fermentation to dilute aqueous ethanol ("beer") in a series of agitated fermentations vessels which contain progressively more ethanol and less fermentable sugar employing at least two strains of yeast for the fermentation, one of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively low concentration of ethanol and a relatively high concentration of fermentable sugar and the other of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively high concentration of ethanol and a relatively low concentration of fermentable sugar.

Abstract: A fermentable sugar feed is continuously converted by fermentation to dilute aqueous ethanol ("beer") in a series of agitated fermentation vessels which contain progressively more ethanol and less fermentable sugar. At least two strains of yeast are selected for the fermentation, one of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively low concentration of ethanol and a relatively high concentration of fermentable sugar and the other of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively high concentration of ethanol and a relatively low concentration of fermentable sugar.

Abstract: An improved process for biological purification of liquid wastes is provided. The improvement is obtained by utilizing anaerobic bacteria in the presence of extra-cellular enzymes produced by Gram-positive bacteria and separated from said Gram-positive bacteria and the intra-cellular enzymes contained therein. As compared to the current technique the anaerobic process according to the invention may produce only 0.2% of sludge, while the retention time may be only 25% of the time currently used.

Abstract: Protease enzyme impurities contained in bacterial .alpha.-amylase enzyme preparations are inactivated by a mild heat treatment in the presence of a protective material. Useful protective materials include calcium and starch hydrolysates such as corn syrup. The protease-free .alpha.-amylase can then be used to solubilize starch materials by various granular starch and conventional processes. Hydrolysates obtained contain significantly less soluble protein than those prepared using untreated .alpha.-amylases. A preferred .alpha.-amylase enzyme preparation is one derived from a Bacillus licheniformis microorganism.

Abstract: The solution viscosity of a polysaccharide, microbial alginate, produced by culturing strains of Azotobacter vinelandii, is controlled by addition of a protease to the culture broth. The protease can be added during the culture, to obtain a polysaccharide of increased viscosity. Alternatively or additionally protease can also be added after culture but before the polysaccharide is isolated from the broth, for example, to prevent reduction of viscosity during storage. Neutral and alkaline proteases having activity at around pH 7 are particularly suitable.

Abstract: A process for the production of microbial protein and lipid from vegetable carbohydrates including starch by culture of a microbe, which comprises a combination of the steps of liquefying starch with a dextrinogenic enzyme in a liquefaction tank, effecting simultaneous saccharification and culture of the microbe in a fermentation tank by aseptically adding a saccharogenic amylase to the culture medium produced in the liquefying step, and separating the cultured microbial cells and lipid from the culture medium.

Abstract: Process for the in-vitro biosynthesis of hormones, especially of insulin, by in-vitro conservation or in-vitro propagation of cells from organs and tissues of animal or human origin under suitable cell growth and cell conservation conditions and isolation of the substance formed in a known manner from the culture medium or by processing of the cells. The hormone-producing cells are propagated or conserved in one or more cell culture spaces separated by semipermeable flat membranes of at least one culture medium space.

Abstract: Cellulase, an enzyme useful in the saccharification of cellulose can be recycled by a process of selective adsorption on cellulose containing materials and readmitted to the reaction mixture in a batch, semi-continuous, or continuous simultaneous saccharification-fermentation process.

Abstract: A continuous two-stage process for the production of heteropolysaccharide by Xanthomonas bacteria on selected cereal grain carbohydrate substrates. The growth phase and the cell population of the bacteria are totally separated from the polymerization of the biopolymer product.

Abstract: Chemical enzymatic conversions are conducted by contacting an aqueous solution of the substrate with a granular immobilized enzyme, the substrate solution being passed through several series-connected, separate fluidized beds of the granular enzyme, while the enzyme particles are passed from one fluidized bed to the next countercurrently and against the direction of flow of the substrate solution. Multi-compartment reactor columns are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for biological denitrification of effluents, containing up to 10 g/l of nitric nitrogen, which comprises using an active denitrification support made of selected high performance denitrifying bacteria fixed on a neutral support.

Abstract: Saccharification of low DP polysaccharides of high glucose content syrups by short term contact with amyloglucosidase e.g. 1-10 hours, 1-10 AG units/gm of syrup solids, and syrup concentrations of 5-25 w/o solids in a batch saccharification, less than 30 minutes in a continuous process employing immobilized AMG.Suitable high glucose content syrups are co-products that result from fractionation of isosyrup into 50+% d.s.b. fructose syrups and from production of crystalline dextrose.

Abstract: Saccharification of low DP polysaccharides in syrups of high fructose content and low glucose content by short term contact with amyloglucosidase e.g. in less than 60 minutes, 1-10 AG units/gm of syrup solids, and syrup concentrations of 2-50 w/o solids in a continuous process employing immobilized AMG.Suitable high fructose content low glucose syrups are products that result from fractionation of isosyrup into enriched 50+% d.s.b. fructose syrups.