Chemistry: fertilizers – Processes and products – Bacterial
Patent
1992-01-08
1994-08-23
Lander, Ferris
Chemistry: fertilizers
Processes and products
Bacterial
71 6411, 71903, 210610, 435262, C05F 1108, C05F 300
Patent
active
053403762
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to improvements in biological remediation (bioremediation) efficiencies and improvements to the environmental soundness of the bioremediation approach to contamination cleanup. More particularly, it relates to improved nutrient delivery systems which reduce nutrient losses in open systems such as the ones found in most bioremediation operations. These nutrient delivery systems are amenable to both soil and water applications and are particularly helpful in reducing labor costs associated with nutrient application and also in reducing the potential for environmental damage due to nutrient run-off.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Bioremediation refers to the conversion of toxic environment contaminating compounds into innocuous substances by way of microbial digestion. Bioremediation has been successfully used to treat contaminated soil in above-ground treatment systems, above-ground slurry bioreactors, slurry pits, above-ground soil heaps, composting material, and in situ. A good example of in situ soil treatment came following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. This oil contaminated miles of Alaskan shoreline and an approximately 70 mile section of shoreline was treated using bioremediation. This remediation process as it was employed focused on enhancing the indigenous microorganisms' growth and oil degrading activities through the application of nutrients.
Representative disclosures of bioremediation process include U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,289, to Michel Guillerme et al., which discloses a method for removing hydrocarbon residues from the effluents from oil well drilling. This method involves culturing microorganisms in a portion of the effluent and then adding the portion back to the remainder to degrade the hydrocarbons. Genetic Engineering News, vol. 9, No. 10 (Nov.-Dec. 1989) at page 3 presents a good example of the in situ bioremediation processes used to assist the clean-up of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
It is known that speeding the bioremediation process, by promoting the growth and activity of the waste-degrading microorganisms is desirable. In most situations the microorganisms naturally present in the soil and groundwater are capable of degrading the contaminating compounds. For a successful remediation, the bioremediator must enhance the growth and activity of these naturally occurring microorganisms. To that end, it is understood that supplying the microorganisms with nutrients and advantageous environmental conditions is beneficial. Just noted U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,289 teaches the addition of nitrogen and phosphorus sources to its culturing medium. U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,031 to Richard A. Brown et al., describes a composition of nutrients and a method of using the composition to stimulate the growth of aerobic bacteria, and particularly bacteria capable of hazardous waste degradation. This patent makes reference to Busch, Aerobic Biological Treatment of Waste Waters, Oligodynamics Press, Houston (1971), at page 107, for teaching that phosphorus and nitrogen are critical growth-limiting nutrients and when not present must be added to aerobic bacteria, such as those found naturally occurring in soil and water environments. Other similar disclosures of bioremediation include U.S. Pat. No. 3,846,290 to Richard Raymond, which discloses the advantageous injection of nutrients into subsurface water supplies to reduce contaminating hydrocarbons; U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,569 to Vidyut Jhaveri et al., which similarly shows injecting nutrients into the ground to enhance microbial action on contaminants; U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,802 to Michael Nelson et al., which shows adding an amino acid to bioremediation systems; U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,360 to Edward Azarowicz, which shows a multitank digestion process for degrading oily wastes; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,895 to Joseph F. Colaruotolo et al., which shows particular microorganisms which are capable of dissimilating halogenated compounds into the natural carbon cycle.
In general,
REFERENCES:
patent: 3232739 (1966-02-01), Belak
patent: 3252786 (1966-05-01), Bozzelli et al.
patent: 3259482 (1966-07-01), Hansen
patent: 3300293 (1967-01-01), Bozzelli et al.
patent: 3475154 (1969-10-01), Kato et al.
patent: 3846290 (1974-11-01), Raymond
patent: 3943066 (1976-03-01), Fusey
patent: 3952741 (1976-04-01), Baker
patent: 4035289 (1977-07-01), Guillerme et al.
patent: 4111201 (1978-09-01), Theeuwes
patent: 4120685 (1978-10-01), Vargiu et al.
patent: 4210437 (1980-07-01), Windgassen et al.
patent: 4401569 (1983-08-01), Jhaveri et al.
patent: 4401762 (1983-08-01), Tellier et al.
patent: 4460692 (1984-07-01), Tellier et al.
patent: 4493895 (1985-01-01), Colaruotolo et al.
patent: 4563208 (1986-01-01), Backlund
patent: 4581846 (1986-04-01), Stensaas
patent: 4657576 (1987-04-01), Lambie
patent: 4727031 (1988-02-01), Brown et al.
patent: 4756738 (1988-07-01), Detroit
patent: 4849360 (1989-07-01), Norris et al.
patent: 4871673 (1989-10-01), Rehm et al.
patent: 4925802 (1990-05-01), Nelson et al.
Genetic Engineering News (Nov./Dec. 1989) 9(10):3.
Busch, Aerobic Biological Treatment of Waste Waters, Oligodynamics Press, Houston, (1971) pp. 107-111.
Lander Ferris
The Sierra Horticultural Products Company
LandOfFree
Controlled-release microbe nutrients and method for bioremediati does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Controlled-release microbe nutrients and method for bioremediati, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Controlled-release microbe nutrients and method for bioremediati will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-499791