Judith G Pruitt

US Patent:

7081361, Jul 25, 2006

Filed:

Aug 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/636339

Inventors:

Dale V. Kiplinger - Carrollton TX, US
Jose E. Evaro - Mansfield TX, US
Judith Gayle Pruitt - Mesquite TX, US
Joseph Thomas Colarusso - Arlington TX, US

Assignee:

NCH Corporation - Irving TX

International Classification:

C12M 1/36

US Classification:

4352865, 4352867, 4352891, 4353092, 435813

Abstract:

A biomass generator useful for continuously growing and withdrawing bacteria to be used in a desired beneficial application, the generator having a bacteria growth chamber; water and nutrient inlet ports; upper and lower outlet ports; a recirculating pump withdrawing and reintroducing fluid to establish a vortex in the growth chamber while controlling foaming and pump cavitation; a low pressure air inlet line discharging air inside the growth chamber above the vortex; a fluid discharge line receiving bacteria-containing fluid from the upper outlet port of the growth chamber; a flush line discharging wash water into the fluid discharge line; and an electrical controller cooperating with solenoid-operated valves and a feeder mechanism to periodically introduce water and nutrients into the chamber, thereby simultaneously causing bacteria-containing fluid to be discharged from the growth chamber through the upper outlet port. A method for growing bacteria using the subject apparatus is also disclosed.

US Patent:

7635587, Dec 22, 2009

Filed:

Nov 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/282785

Inventors:

Dale V. Kiplinger - Carrollton TX, US
Jose E. Evaro - Mansfield TX, US
Judith Gayle Pruitt - Mesquite TX, US
Joseph Thomas Colarusso - Arlington TX, US

Assignee:

NCH Corporation - Irving TX

International Classification:

C12M 1/36

US Classification:

4352865, 4352867, 4352891, 4353092, 435813

Abstract:

A biomass generator useful for continuously growing and withdrawing bacteria to be used in a desired beneficial application, the generator having a bacteria growth chamber; water and nutrient inlet ports; upper and lower outlet ports; a recirculating pump withdrawing and reintroducing fluid to establish a vortex in the growth chamber while controlling foaming and pump cavitation; a low pressure air inlet line discharging air inside the growth chamber above the vortex; a fluid discharge line receiving bacteria-containing fluid from the upper outlet port of the growth chamber; a flush line discharging wash water into the fluid discharge line; and an electrical controller cooperating with solenoid-operated valves and a feeder mechanism to periodically introduce water and nutrients into the chamber, thereby simultaneously causing bacteria-containing fluid to be discharged from the growth chamber through the upper outlet port. A method for growing bacteria using the subject apparatus is also disclosed.

US Patent:

8093040, Jan 10, 2012

Filed:

Dec 22, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/644785

Inventors:

Dale V. Kiplinger - Carrollton TX, US
Jose E. Evaro - Mansfield TX, US
Judith Gayle Pruitt - Mesquite TX, US
Joseph Thomas Colarusso - Arlington TX, US

Assignee:

NCH Corporation - Irving TX

International Classification:

C12M 1/36
C12Q 3/00

US Classification:

4352865, 435 3, 4352867, 4352891, 4353092, 435813

Abstract:

A biomass generator useful for continuously growing and withdrawing bacteria to be used in a desired beneficial application, the generator having a bacteria growth chamber; water and nutrient inlet ports; upper and lower outlet ports; a recirculating pump withdrawing and reintroducing fluid to establish a vortex in the growth chamber while controlling foaming and pump cavitation; a low pressure air inlet line discharging air inside the growth chamber above the vortex; a fluid discharge line receiving bacteria-containing fluid from the upper outlet port of the growth chamber; a flush line discharging wash water into the fluid discharge line; and an electrical controller cooperating with solenoid-operated valves and a feeder mechanism to periodically introduce water and nutrients into the chamber, thereby simultaneously causing bacteria-containing fluid to be discharged from the growth chamber through the upper outlet port. A method for growing bacteria using the subject apparatus is also disclosed.

US Patent:

20010051371, Dec 13, 2001

Filed:

Jan 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/227792

Inventors:

DALE VILMER KIPLINGER - CARROLLTON TX, US
JUDITH GAYLE PRUITT - MESQUITE TX, US
JOSE EDURADO EVARO - IRVING TX, US
ROBERT CLARENCE PEARCE - ARLINGTON TX, US

International Classification:

C07F001/00
C07K001/00
C07C001/00
C07H001/00
C07J001/00

US Classification:

435/262000

Abstract:

An automated system and method for cultivating bacteria in a fluid medium and thereafter selectively discharging the fluid medium, wherein an initial supply of the selected strain or strains of bacteria is combined with nutrients and water in a biogenerator in the presence of air to promote mixing and bacterial cultivation. The disclosed system and method utilize a vortex created by recirculation of the fluid medium to achieve aeration and mixing without substantial foaming. The disclosed system and method are particularly useful for supplying bacteria to control grease accumulation in restaurant grease traps.

US Patent:

20070251352, Nov 1, 2007

Filed:

Oct 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/550185

Inventors:

Judith G. Pruitt - Irving TX, US
Robert Clarence Pearce - Irving TX, US
John Ray Roheim - Flower Mound TX, US

International Classification:

C21B 3/04

US Classification:

75435

Abstract:

The present invention is a bacteria and nutrient delivery composition containing bran. The subject composition is preferably made in the form of a tablet that is structurally stable without being excessively hard. The tablets preferably have a configuration that reduces the likelihood of premature shearing in tableting presses or jamming in feeder devices for biomass generators. Methods of manufacturing the bacterial delivery composition in a structurally stable form that maintains bacterial viability are also provided.

US Patent:

20220340464, Oct 27, 2022

Filed:

Apr 22, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/726913

Inventors:

- Irving TX, US
Charles J. Greenwald - Irving TX, US
Judith G. Pruitt - Mesquite TX, US

International Classification:

C02F 3/34
C12N 1/20
A01N 63/22

Abstract:

A spore germination composition and method to produce a bioaugmentation solution that is added to an anaerobic digester or partially aerobic digester to increase biogas production. A nutrient-germinant composition comprises L-amino acids a phosphate buffer, an industrial preservative, and an optional source of potassium. The composition and spores of one or more species are heated to a preferred elevated temperature range of 35 C. to 60 C. for an incubation period of around 20 to 60 minutes to form a bioaugmentation solution that is dispensed to the digester, preferably to the hydrolysis stage of the digester. A dose of bioaugmentation solution is added to the digester around once per day in an amount to provide at least 1000 CFU per mL of the full volume capacity of the digester, which can increase methane production by around 5 to 10% over operation of the digester without the bioaugmentation solution.

US Patent:

20190098915, Apr 4, 2019

Filed:

Oct 4, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/151805

Inventors:

- Irving TX, US
GABRIEL F. K. EVERETT - Irving TX, US
CHARLES J. GREENWALD - Irving TX, US
JUDITH G. PRUITT - Irving TX, US
SKYLAR R. WHITE - Irving TX, US

International Classification:

A23K 10/18
A23K 50/75
A23K 50/80
A01N 63/00

Abstract:

Described herein are nutrient formulations, spore formulations, and nutrient-spore formulations. Also described herein are methods of making and using the nutrient formulations, spore formulations, and nutrient-spore formulations.

US Patent:

20190100723, Apr 4, 2019

Filed:

Oct 3, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/151165

Inventors:

- Irving TX, US
Gabriel F.K. Everett - Mansfield TX, US
Charles J. Greenwald - Irving TX, US
Christopher J. Laney - Euless TX, US
Michael Paloian - Cold Spring Harbor NY, US
Judith G. Pruitt - Mesquite TX, US
Amanda K. Rosmarin - Lantana TX, US
Michael J. Schuster - Shorewood IL, US

International Classification:

C12N 1/20
A61K 35/742
C12N 3/00

Abstract:

Metastable state spore incubation mixing systems are described. An example system includes a spore container to store spores, a nutrient container, an arrangement of valves and tubes, a reciprocating pump, a mixing tube, and a holding tank. In a drawing phase of the system, a controller can control the reciprocating pump to draw a ratioed volume of the spores, the nutrients, and water through the valves and tubes. During an expelling phase of the system, the controller can control flow control valves to direct the spores, nutrients, and water through the mixing tube and into the holding tank. The controller can also direct a heater to heat the mixture in the holding tank to a predetermined temperature. Once the mixture reaches the temperature, the controller can also direct the system through a number of other phases of operation, including cooling and purging phases.