The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 1991
Filed:
Mar. 24, 1989
Charles T Sweeney, Round Rock, TX (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method for conversion of comminuted cellulosic agricultural wastes into a form edible by ruminant animals comprises treating such wastes, e.g., straw, corn husks, cotton wastes, peanut shells, saw dust, etc. by spraying with an aqueous solution of a mixed oxidant gas, at a pH of about 11-12, to produce a water content of less than 40% and a pH of about 11.4-11.7 in the waste. The mixed-oxidant gas is preferably produced by a gas generator comprising an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment, a cathode compartment and a membrane separating the compartments to permit only a limited flow of electrolyte therebetween. When a low salt concentration solution is electrolyzed in this cell, the output is a mixed oxidant gas containing chlorine and various oxygen-containing species. Another gas generator which may be used is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,681. The oxidant gas produced from dilute salt solutions contains chlorine, chlorine dioxide and other oxygen-containing gases. After a reaction time from several hours up to several days, the product obtained is essentially free from chemically combined lignins and has been substantially hydrolyzed to sugars, and is a satisfactory feed for ruminant animals. Alternatively, the wastes may be treated with aqueous caustic to the desired pH and water content and the mixed oxidant gas circulated through the waste and absorbed therein.