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AssigneeSouthwest Research Institute
InventorsHerman W. Schlaemus, Mary C. Marshall, Michael G. MacNaughton, Matthew L. Alexander, James R. Scott
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A microcapsule for use in degrading a hydrocarbon comprising a core material, a coating material, and at least one microorganism capable of degrading said hydrocarbon, said core material comprising a lipophilic material containing nutrients necessary for the sustenance of said microorganism, said coating material being water-insoluble, and said capsule having a density such that said microcapsule is kept in close proximity to said hydrocarbon to be degraded whens said microcapsule is applied thereto; and the method of using the microcapsule to degrade hydrocarbons.
A microcapsule for use in degrading a hydrocarbon consisting essentially of, a coating material, and at least one microorganism capable of degrading said hydrocarbon, said core material comprising a lipophilic material containing nutrients necessary for the sustenance of said microorganism, said coating material being water-insoluble, and said capsule having a density and/or surface chemistry such that said microcapsule is kept at the oil-water interface in close proximity to said hydrocarbon to be degraded when said microcapsule is applied thereto, said at least one microorganism being on the outer surface of said coating, included in said coating, or both.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.