Sterilization of fermentation vessels by ethanol/water mixtures
US5868997A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 1991 |
| Grant date | Feb 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12M47/12
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for sterilizing process fermentation vessels with a concentrated alcohol and water mixture integrated in a fuel alcohol or other alcohol production facility. Hot, concentrated alcohol is drawn from a distillation or other purification stage and sprayed into the empty fermentation vessels. This sterilizing alcohol/water mixture should be of a sufficient concentration, preferably higher than 12% alcohol by volume, to be toxic to undesirable microorganisms. Following sterilization, this sterilizing alcohol/water mixture can be recovered back into the same distillation or other purification stage from which it was withdrawn. The process of this invention has its best application in, but is not limited to, batch fermentation processes, wherein the fermentation vessels must be emptied, cleaned, and sterilized following completion of each batch fermentation process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.