IP Library Granted Patent US 8,227,226
Granted Patent B2
US 8,227,226 · App. 12/805,830 · Granted Jul 24, 2012

Method for producing entrapping immobilization pellets, apparatus for producing the same, and entrapping immobilization pellets

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,227,226
App. No.
12/805,830
Granted
Jul 24, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

It is possible to eliminate fluctuation in the pellet strength of the entrapping immobilization pellets according to production lots, and constantly and stably produce the entrapping immobilization pellets having high pellet strength regardless of the production lots. An apparatus for producing entrapping immobilization pellets by polymerizing an immobilizing material into a gel in the presence of an activated sludge to entrap and immobilize microorganisms in the immobilizing material, the apparatus including: a line mixer which mixes an activated sludge with an immobilizing material to prepare a raw material solution, a temperature sensor which measures a temperature of the prepared raw material solution, an addition pump which adds a polymerization initiator to the prepared raw material solution, and a controller which controls the addition pump according to the measured temperature to control an additive rate of the polymerization initiator.

Claims (7)

1. A method for producing entrapping immobilization pellets which entraps and immobilizes microorganisms in an immobilizing material, by polymerizing the immobilizing material to gelate in the presence of the microorganisms, the method comprising:

a raw material solution preparing step for mixing the microorganisms with the immobilizing material to prepare a raw material solution;

a solution temperature measuring step for measuring a temperature of the prepared raw material solution; and

an additive rate adjusting step for adjusting an additive rate of a polymerization initiator added to the prepared raw material solution,

wherein in the additive rate adjusting step, the additive rate is adjusted according to the measured temperature so that the entrapping immobilization pellets to be produced have a ratio A/B (kgf/cm 2 ) which is a ratio of a compression stress at break A (kgf/cm 2 ) to a deformation ratio at break B (−), in a predetermined range.

2. The method for producing entrapping immobilization pellets according to claim 1 , wherein the additive rate of the polymerization initiator is adjusted so that the ratio A/B falls within a range from 5.5 to 25 kgf/cm 2 .

3. The method for producing entrapping immobilization pellets according to claim 1 , wherein the additive rate of the polymerization initiator is adjusted so that the ratio A/B falls within a range from 12.5 to 21.5 kgf/cm 2 .

Assignments (3)
MERGER Recorded Mar 4, 2014
From: HITACHI PLANT TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
To: HITACHI, LTD.
Reel/Frame 032384/0877 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ORIGINAL COVER SHEET, THE ASSIGNEE'S ADDRESS IS INCORRECT, PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 024899 FRAME 0081. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Apr 13, 2012
From: KITASAKI, SHOKO; ABE, NAOKI; SUMINO, TATSUO
To: HITACHI PLANT TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 028040/0648 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2010
From: KITASAKI, SHOKO; ABE, NAOKI; SUMINO, TATSUO
To: HITACHI PLANT TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 024899/0081 →