Method for improving the filterability of a microbial broth
AssigneeShell Oil Company
InventorsJan W. Drozd, Andrew J. Rye
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method of improving the filterability of a microbial broth containing microbial cell matter resulting from the breaking down of cells, which comprises contacting that broth with one or more enzymes having nuclease activity; use of the method for improving the flow of a microbial polysaccharide containing fluid displacement solution which is applied in enhanced oil recovery.
Claims9
A method of preparing an aqueous microbial polysaccharide-containing broth of improved filterability which comprises:
- (a) fermenting microorganisms selected from the group consisting of xanthan-producing species of Xanthomonas, Pseudomonas and Agrobacterium to obtain an aqueous microbial broth comprising polysaccharide polymers produced by said microorganisms and microbial cell matter;
- (b) subjecting said broth to a treating step which results in the breaking down of said microbial cell matter;
- and (c) contacting said broth with one or more enzymes having nuclease activity for a time and under conditions sufficient to increase the filterability of said broth.
A process for preparing an aqueous microbial polysaccharide-containing broth of improved filterability from an aqueous microbial broth comprising microbial polysaccharide polymers produced by a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Xanthomonas, Pseudomonas, or Agrobacterium, and broken microbial cell matter, which process comprises subjecting said aqueous microbial broth, comprising polysaccharide polymr and broken microbial cell matter, to treatment with one or more enzymes having nuclease activity for a time and under conditions sufficient to increase the filterability of said broth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.