Patent US1773130A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4198211A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Microbiological processes to produce fuel gas
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-01-03
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Granted: 1980-04-15
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Expires: 1998-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A process of treating an animal manure slurry susceptible to aerobic composting and anaerobic microbiological degradation with the production of a fuel gas, comprises: separating the slurry into a first, solids concentrated, fraction of relatively coarse particle size, and a second, solids dilute, fraction of relatively fine particle size; carrying out on the first fraction an aerobic composting reaction which is exothermic; carrying out on the second fraction an anaerobic microbiological reaction in which a fuel gas comprising methane is produced; and utilizing heat from the exothermic reaction to promote the fuel gas producing reaction. The plant for carrying out the process advantageously comprises a reactor for the exothermic reaction comprising a frusto-conical outer shell portion within which is located a heat exchanger of conical cage configuration; liquor from the anaerobic reaction circulates through the heat exchanger for heat exchange with solid composting material passing downwardly through the frusto-conical shell portion in direct contact with the heat exchanger.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey F. Shattock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:46
CPC Classifications
C; C05; C05F; C05F3/00; C02; C02F; C02F11/00; C02F11/12; C02F3/00; C02F3/28; C02F3/30; C12; C12M; C12M21/00; C12M21/04; C12M23/00; C12M23/58; C12M41/00; C12M41/12; C12M41/18; C12M45/00; C12M45/04; F; F24; F24V; F24V99/00; F28; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/06; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/10; Y02A40/20; Y02E; Y02E50/00; Y02E50/30; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/141; Y02P20/145; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A process of treating an organic effluent slurry susceptible to aerobic composting and anaerobic microbiological degradation with the production of a fuel gas, comprising the steps of (a) separating the slurry into a first, solids concentrated, fraction of relatively coarse particle size, and a second, solids dilute, fraction of relatively fine particle size; (b) carrying out on the first fraction an aerobic composting reaction which is exothermic; (c) carrying out on the second fraction an anaerobic microbiological reaction in which a fuel gas comprising methane is produced in the presence of microorganisms comprising methanogenic bacteria; and (d) utilising heat from the exothermic reaction to promote the fuel gas producing reaction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A process of treating an organic effluent slurry susceptible to aerobic composting and anaerobic microbiological degradation with the production of a fuel gas, comprising the steps of (a) separating the slurry into a first, solids concentrated, fraction of relatively coarse particle size, and a second, solids dilute, fraction of relatively fine particle size; (b) carrying out on the first fraction an aerobic composting reaction which is exothermic; (c) carrying out on the second fraction an anaerobic microbiological reaction in which a fuel gas comprising methane is produced in the presence of microorganisms comprising methanogenic bacteria; and (d) utilising heat from the exothermic reaction to promote the fuel gas producing reaction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the slurry is an agricultural fibrous organic slurry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the slurry is an animal manure slurry.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the slurry has a dry matter content between about 5 and about 15% by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the fraction involved in the fuel gas producing reaction has a dry matter content not greater than about 8% by weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the fuel gas producing reaction is promoted by use of an extended surface area provided by a biological filter material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 6, wherein the fraction involved in the fuel gas producing reaction has a dry matter content not less than about 0.3%.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the particle size of the fraction involved in the fuel gas producing reaction is not greater than about 1 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the particle size of the fraction involved in the exothermic reaction is between about 1 mm. and about 25 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the fraction involved in the exothermic reaction has a dry matter content of at least about 20% by weight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the exothermic reaction takes place at a temperature between about 40° C. and about 70° C., and the fuel gas producing reaction takes place at a temperature between about 30° C. and about 45° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the exothermic reaction is carried out in a first reactor; the fuel gas producing reaction is carried out in a second reactor; and fraction involved in the fuel gas producing reaction is heated by circulation through a heat exchanger which is in direct contact with fraction involved in the exothermic reaction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the micro-organisms are mesophilic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the micro-organisms are thermophilic.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-15 | 1983-10-15 | 1984-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-15 | 1987-10-15 | 1988-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-15 | 1991-10-15 | 1992-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |