Donald L Klass

US Patent:

43848729, May 24, 1983

Filed:

Mar 5, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/017571

Inventors:

Frank L. Kester - La Grange IL
Robert V. Fitzsimmons - St. Charles IL
Donald L. Klass - Barrington IL

Assignee:

Institute of Gas Technology - Chicago IL

International Classification:

C10L 122

US Classification:

44 56

Abstract:

Motor fuel composition of about 5 to 50 weight percent methanol, ethanol or mixtures thereof in gasoline with a minor amount of a selected surface active agent which significantly increases the water tolerance of the gasoline-alcohol fuel composition. Suitable surface active additive agents include higher alcohols, higher primary amines, alkyl amides and urea, alkyl ethers and dioxane and alkylphenoxy-polyethoxylated ethanols.

US Patent:

40859720, Apr 25, 1978

Filed:

May 25, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/800357

Inventors:

Sambhunath Ghosh - Homewood IL
Donald L. Klass - Barrington IL

Assignee:

Institute of Gas Technology - Chicago IL

International Classification:

C12B 100
E21B 4322
E21C 4110

US Classification:

299 7

Abstract:

A process for recovering underground fossil fuel deposits retained in an inorganic matrix wherein the deposit is contacted with an aqueous medium of anaerobic microorganisms for a time sufficient to produce particles of the deposit containing both the organic fossil fuel and inorganic matrix of a size capable of forming a slurry with the aqueous medium for pumping to the ground surface. At the ground surface, the particulates are separated from the aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms, the particulates further processed by efficient surface techniques to separate the organic carbon and hydrocarbon component from the inorganic matrix. The aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms is recycled to the underground fossil fuel deposit for further production of the slurry forming particles of the deposit. Spent inorganic matrix may be added to the aqueous medium of anaerobic organisms to provide solid support and nutrient for the organisms and to maintain the desired pH. Such use of the spent inorganic matrix provides a useful service for the waste from the organic carbon and hydrocarbon recovery process.

US Patent:

43169619, Feb 23, 1982

Filed:

Jun 9, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/157474

Inventors:

Donald L. Klass - Barrington IL
Sambhunath Ghosh - Homewood IL

Assignee:

United Gas Pipe Line Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

C12P 502

US Classification:

435167

Abstract:

A process for production of methane gas in higher yields and higher rates by thermophilic or mesophilic anaerobic digestion of plant material and/or organic waste in admixture with an extract of different plant material. Increases of methane yield of greater than about 25% and up to about 500% are obtained by addition of the extract of different plant material to a normally low biodegradable plant and/or organic waste material before anaerobic digestion thereof. The resulting methane yields and production rates are higher than those obtained by the sum from anaerobic digestion of the individual components when using the extract as taught by this invention.

US Patent:

43149049, Feb 9, 1982

Filed:

Dec 12, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/102924

Inventors:

Paul A. Fedde - Owensboro KY
Sambhunath Ghosh - Homewood IL
Michael P. Henry - Willowbrook IL
Donald L. Klass - Barrington IL

Assignee:

Transagra Corporation - Memphis TN

International Classification:

C02F 334

US Classification:

210611

Abstract:

An improved digestion process applicable to aerobic and anaerobic digesters is provided for waste treatment facilities during normal and overload conditions. The digestion system utilizes the addition of a lactobacillus fermentation product in a concentration sufficient to improve the digestion of units without deleteriously affecting the digestion system during normal load conditions. In addition, the use of the lactobacillus fermentation product facilitates recovery of digester systems from sour digestion conditions ("stuck digesters") in relatively short periods of time. Further, the ability of the digestion system to operate at higher-than-normal loadings and lower-than-normal detention times permits the use of existing facilities at not only peak periods which would otherwise be subjected to overloadings, but to be able to actually operate a system at twice designed loading, thus allowing for increased digester system capacity without incurring new capital equipment costs.

US Patent:

43189938, Mar 9, 1982

Filed:

May 4, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/793519

Inventors:

Sambhunath Ghosh - Chicago IL
Donald L. Klass - Barrington IL

Assignee:

Institute of Gas Technology - Chicago IL

International Classification:

C02F 328

US Classification:

435299

Abstract:

A two phase anaerobic digestion process in which an initial phase continually receives an organic feed for short detention times of less than two days under conditions which efficiently liquefy and breakdown the feed to lower molecular weight acids and other intermediates for conversion to methane. A succeeding phase is operated to treat the lower molecular weight acids and intermediates for detention times of about two to about seven days under conditions which efficiently lead to production to methane. The feed is loaded in the first phase at rates from about one to about ten pounds of total organics per cubic foot per day; and the products from the initial phase are loaded in the succeeding phase at rates of about 0. 1 to about 0. 5 pounds total organics per cubic foot per day.

US Patent:

39947807, Nov 30, 1976

Filed:

Oct 17, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/623416

Inventors:

Donald L. Klass - Barrington IL
Sambhunath Ghosh - Homewood IL
John R. Conrad - Downers Grove IL

Assignee:

Institute of Gas Technology - Chicago IL

International Classification:

C12B 100

US Classification:

195 13

Abstract:

An improved anaerobic digestion of organic biomass by rupturing cells of microorganisms present in a digested biomass or untreated biomass fraction undergoing digestion to obtain a treated biomass fraction having liberated indigenous enzymes in place; and contacting such treated biomass fraction with an untreated biomass fraction so the combined fractions undergo improved anaerobic digestion. The cells in the untreated biomass portion are ruptured by conventional means such as sonication, and about equal volumes of the fractions are preferably combined under conditions of conventional anaerobic digestion.

US Patent:

40226654, May 10, 1977

Filed:

Dec 9, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/530760

Inventors:

Sambhunath Ghosh - Chicago IL
Donald L. Klass - Barrington IL

Assignee:

Institute of Gas Technology - Chicago IL

International Classification:

C12D 310

US Classification:

195 27

Abstract:

An improved two phase anaerobic digestion process in which an initial phase continually receives an organic feed for short detention times of less than two days under conditions which efficiently liquefy and breakdown the feed to lower molecular weight acids and other intermediates for conversion to methane. A succeeding phase is operated to treat the lower molecular weight acids and intermediates for detention times of about two to about seven days under conditions which efficiently lead to production of methane. The feed is loaded in the first phase at rates from about 1 to about 10 pounds of total organics per cubic foot per day; and the products from the initial phase are loaded in the succeeding phase at rates of about 0. 1 to about 0. 5 pounds total organics per cubic foot per day.

US Patent:

44240643, Jan 3, 1984

Filed:

May 22, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/152335

Inventors:

Donald L. Klass - Barrington IL
Sambhunath Ghosh - Homewood IL

Assignee:

United Gas Pipe Line Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

C02F 328
C02F 332

US Classification:

48197A

Abstract:

A process for improved methane production by anaerobic digestion of aquatic plant material at least a portion or all of which has been grown in organically polluted water. Mixtures of aquatic plant material one portion of which has been grown in non-polluted and a second portion comprising over about 10 weight percent which has been grown in organically polluted water may be used to result in a synergistic yield of methane. The liquid effluent from the digester may be advantageously returned to the aquatic plant growing pond to maintain the desired organic pollution. The process provides for improved methane production from aquatic plant material which is, by itself, recalcitrant to anaerobic digestion.