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:
Nov. 07, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 24, 1991
Applicant:
Inventors:
William M Menger, Houston, TX (US);
Ernest E Kern, Houston, TX (US);
O C Karkalits, Lake Charles, LA (US);
Donald L Wise, Belmont, MA (US);
Alfred P Leuschner, Cambridge, MA (US);
David Odelson, Cambridge, MA (US);
Hans E Grethlein, Lansing, MI (US);
Assignee:
Reliant Energy Incorporated, Houston, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
C12P / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
435167 ; 4352524 ; 210603 ; 48210 ;
Abstract
Lignite is treated with ligninase source to enhance its reactivity. In one embodiment, lignite is gasified in a subterranean reactor by simultaneous digestion by anaerobic ligninase producers, such as termite microflora, and acid formers and methanogens. In another embodiment, the lignite is treated with ligninase prior to digestion by the acid formers and methanogens. If desired, the lignite may be pretreated by alkaline hydrolysis.