WO2002002866A2 - Systeme et procede de confinement destines a l'incubation de champignons - Google Patents

Systeme et procede de confinement destines a l'incubation de champignons Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002002866A2
WO2002002866A2 PCT/US2001/020955 US0120955W WO0202866A2 WO 2002002866 A2 WO2002002866 A2 WO 2002002866A2 US 0120955 W US0120955 W US 0120955W WO 0202866 A2 WO0202866 A2 WO 0202866A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air
air flow
wood chips
incubation
flow
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/020955
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2002002866A3 (fr
Inventor
Ross E. Swaney
Masood Akhtar
Michael J. Lentz
Original Assignee
Biopulping International, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Biopulping International, Inc. filed Critical Biopulping International, Inc.
Priority to AU2001270278A priority Critical patent/AU2001270278A1/en
Publication of WO2002002866A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002002866A2/fr
Publication of WO2002002866A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002002866A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M29/00—Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps
    • C12M29/20—Degassing; Venting; Bubble traps
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M25/00—Means for supporting, enclosing or fixing the microorganisms, e.g. immunocoatings
    • C12M25/16—Particles; Beads; Granular material; Encapsulation
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M29/00—Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps
    • C12M29/06—Nozzles; Sprayers; Spargers; Diffusers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M41/00—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21C—PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE BY REMOVING NON-CELLULOSE SUBSTANCES FROM CELLULOSE-CONTAINING MATERIALS; REGENERATION OF PULPING LIQUORS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • D21C1/00—Pretreatment of the finely-divided materials before digesting
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21C—PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE BY REMOVING NON-CELLULOSE SUBSTANCES FROM CELLULOSE-CONTAINING MATERIALS; REGENERATION OF PULPING LIQUORS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • D21C5/00—Other processes for obtaining cellulose, e.g. cooking cotton linters ; Processes characterised by the choice of cellulose-containing starting materials
    • D21C5/005—Treatment of cellulose-containing material with microorganisms or enzymes

Definitions

  • Biopulping refers generally to treating lignocellulosic starting material, such as wood chips, with a microorganism in order to bring about a desired change in the starting material.
  • lignocellulosic starting material such as wood chips
  • microorganism for a detailed discussion of biopulping processes, please see U.S. Serial No. 08/824,235, which is incorporated by reference herein.
  • Certain fungi, especially white-rot fungi may be used in biopulping to reduce lignin content which thereby reduces the energy requirements of subsequent pulping steps or increases the strength of the paper product.
  • the fungal treatment of wood chips or other lignocellulosic starting materials includes the following steps and their associated material transfer operations: preinoculation preparation, inoculation, and incubation.
  • preinoculation preparation preparation for biopulping processes that employ fungi to be economically viable
  • large-scale commercial implementation is necessary.
  • implementation of fungal treatment processes on a large scale is associated with certain technical concerns. Much research has been directed toward improving the efficacy of biopulping.
  • U.S. Patent No. 3,962,033 discloses that treating wood chips with at least one of several white-rot fungal species of the genus Rigidoporus, Phanerochaete (also called Sporotrichum), Trametes, Polyporiis, Peniophora, or Coriolus may result in energy savings and increased paper strength.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,460,697 teaches a method for reducing propagation of contaminating microorganisms in biopulping by treating the wood chips with sulf ⁇ te salts, on which C. subvermispora is able to grow. Other advances enhancing biopulping efficacy are known.
  • the present invention provides a method of ventilating material in a fungal incubation comprising introducing the material into a containment system equipped with at least two vertical air distributors; and delivering air through at least one of the vertical air distributors.
  • the air is delivered through the vertical air distributors at alternating intervals such that air delivery from each air distributor is not continuous.
  • a fungal incubation containment system comprising a substantially enclosed storage silo equipped with at least two air distributors vertically positioned within the silo is provided.
  • the present invention also provides a method of controlling air flow within a substantially closed biological incubation system so as to eliminate or reduce regions of relative elevated temperature or of stagnated air flow within the system comprising providing a substantially closed incubation system including multiple orifice means which are adapted to be both air inlets and air outlets, the system further including air flow generating and directing means for generating and directing air flow to and from the orifice means, the air flow generating and directing means including timing means for periodically modifying the direction and flow of air to and from the orifice means; activating the air flow generating and directing means so as to cause air to flow into the system from air inlets generally toward the air outlets; and activating the timing means to cause the air flow generating and directing means periodically to change the direction of air flow to the orifice means so that air flows within the system so as to eliminate or reduce regions of elevated temperature or air flow stagnation.
  • the air flow generating and directing means cause air to flow from orifice means providing air inlet and generally toward orifice means providing air outlet, with periodic alteration of the air flow direction. Alteration of the air flow may optionally include intermittent cessation of air flow.
  • Fig. 1 shows vertical and horizontal crosssections of linear and cylindrical or conical silo equipped with air ducts; the air ducts are shown with hatched marks.
  • Fig. 2 shows the alterations of air flow patterns obtained with air flow switched between air inlets.
  • Fig. 3 shows air flow pattern with continuous air flow from a single inlet.
  • the present invention relates to biopulping containment systems that allow biopulping under controlled conditions of temperature, humidity, and air quality.
  • biopulping containment systems and methods of biopulping that afford increased control over temperature, humidity or air quality during fungal incubation in biopulping and which meet material handling requirements during the biopulping process.
  • Control of incubation conditions requires forced ventilation with air at carefully controlled conditions of temperature, humidity, and quality.
  • the incubation period encompasses several phases of fungal behavior, with heat and moisture release rates and optimum conditions varying over time. Control of conditions during the incubation step in biopulping is further complicated by the time-dependent variations in optimal conditions.
  • a system that is able to accommodate changes in the requirements in optimal conditions of temperature, humidity, and air quality and variations over time of the fungi used in biopulping is desired.
  • the design of the containment system is an important consideration in commercial applications of biopulping.
  • An important aspect of a containment system for biopulping processes is the volume of material being processed or held during the incubation period.
  • the volume of material is preferably large.
  • technical and economic constraints must be considered in designing larger volume biopulping operations.
  • a suitable construction for containing materials during fungal incubation is a storage silo.
  • Storage silo economics favor internal storage heights of approximately 50-60 feet. Lower pile heights are less desirable, because a correspondingly greater base area is required to achieve the same volume as obtained with a higher pile height, and silo costs increase significantly with base area.
  • flow of material through a silo is by gravity. The material is introduced into the top of the pile, and removed from the bottom of the pile by mechanical reclaiming equipment operating across the base area. Large base areas increase the cost per volume stored because of increased reclaimer costs, increased costs associated with silo construction, and increased plant plot area requirements. Therefore, the 50-60 ft. pile heights employed in conventional silos provide the most favorable economics for containment systems for use in biopulping.
  • FIG. 1 shows examples of suitable silo constructions, equipped with an air manifold (shown by cross-hatching) having a plurality of air distribution ducts, in vertical and horizontal cross section.
  • Preferred containment systems are designed such that the interior lacks horizontal surfaces, which may impede the vertical movement of materials through the silo.
  • Another important consideration in the design of containment systems for use in biopulping processes according to the present invention is an air flow scheme that allows for at least a portion of the pile exit air to be recovered and recycled, h conventional systems, the high cost of the power required to provide necessary pile ventilation by pumping air through a pile and properly preconditioning the air reduces the economic feasibility of commercial scale biopulping.
  • the blower power cost increases with the square of the distance of the flow path through the pile.
  • Conventional ventilation geometries blowing through large pile with a 50-foot flow path will have large blower power costs.
  • preconditioning the ventilation air to the required temperature, humidity, or quality could be prohibitively expensive unless at least a portion of the pile exit air is recycled.
  • containment systems of the present invention are equipped with air distributors that permit at least a portion of the pile exit air to be recycled.
  • the present invention includes a biopulping containment system and method of use that employs a vertical gravity flow of materials. For example, if the starting material is wood chips, incoming chips are distributed on the top of the pile, while chips are removed from the pile bottom by means of a suitable reclaimer device. Chip input and output may be continuous or conducted at specific time intervals.
  • the containment system provides contained or covered storage, which is necessary for recycling ventilation air. Conventional storage silos are a principal example of this type of storage and movement pattern.
  • a biopulping containment system according to the present invention includes a chip storage silo or containment means, as described above, equipped with a suitable air distribution system.
  • the distribution system will generally include air preparation or conditioning systems and distribution ducts coupled to air inlet/outlet or air orifice means.
  • Orifice means are adapted to permit air to flow into or out of the system.
  • the air distribution system will also include mechanisms to generate air flow such as fans, and air flow directing means which permit the direction of air flow to be controlled.
  • an air distribution system of this invention will include a control structure which permits the direction of air flow within the system to be changed so that air inlet/air outlets can be periodically and alternatively used to change the direction of air flow within the pile.
  • a timing or other control mechanism also is preferably employed so that the direction of air flow (more precisely inflow and outflow) can be periodically changed.
  • the air inlet/outlets in accordance with the invention will be substantially vertically oriented with respect to the bulk pile.
  • the air inlet/return distributor is suspended from above the pile, e.g., from the ceiling or other support structure and extends vertically downward into the pile at least about 50% throughout the height of the pile.
  • the distributor extends at least about 75%. More preferably still, the distributor extends at least 90% or even as much as 100% the height of the pile. Any other suitable support means may be employed.
  • the means by which the air distribution ducts are supported does not impede vertical flow of material within the silo.
  • the containment system of the present invention is equipped with a plurality of vertical ducts arranged throughout the pile in a horizontal array pattern.
  • the ducts could be arranged to form an array that could be a square, rectangular, triangular, or any other regular or irregular pattern.
  • any suitable cross-sectional shapes can be employed for the vertical ducts.
  • the cross-sectional shape and dimensions may vary along the length of the pile height.
  • the ducts may have internal partitions, allowing multiple segregated flows to be connected with different portions of the external surfaces of the ducts.
  • the containment system of the present invention is equipped with an array of vertical circular ducts, suspended from the top, extending down through most or all of the pile height.
  • the ducts could be tapered incrementally or in steps such that the diameter of a duct varies along its length. Additional air inlets/outlets could be positioned along the containment walls and in the headspace above the pile and floor space below the pile.
  • the containment system and biopulping method of the invention provide several advantages over conventional systems and methods.
  • the spacing pattern and distances between the ducts may be selected to provide a much shorter average flow path length than any of the total pile dimensions. Reduced average flow path results in reduced blower power operating costs relative to simple air flow geometries not having distributors internal to the pile.
  • the containment system of the present invention makes it feasible to avoid shallow pile geometries and the high capital costs associated with such geometries. It is a further advantage that conventional silo storage and material handling equipment, with top feed (stacker), downward flow by gravity, and bottom reclaimers, can be adapted to this use with modest additions and modifications. These modifications are preferably accomplished without introducing horizontal surfaces that may potentially interfere with the downward movement of the chips and cause them to "hang-up". Air distributor geometries may be selected with a mind toward minimizing the tendency for the chips to "bridge.” Furthermore, the use of an array of ducts introduces only limited additional vertical surface area in contact with the bulk chip pile, minimizing any potential increase in the tendency for the chips to "bridge".
  • Undesired bridging of wood chips can be reduced by employing a vertical duct capable of moving vertically or rotating about its vertical axis.
  • This may be accomplished by any suitable means, including, without limitation, a mechanism that permits vertical motion of a duct relative to its supply ducting and support. Suitable means include a sleeve/sliding mechanism. Other suitable mechanisms include hinged supply connections at one end.
  • Vertical motion of duct may be accomplished through the force of gravity or by traction exerted on duct surfaces by surrounding solid materials.
  • Vertical movement of duct may be achieved by forced vertical movement via hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrical mechanisms exerting vertical force on a duct sufficeint to cause vertical movement relative to surrounding solid material or relative to the containment or support structure. The forced vertical movement is preferably controlled.
  • the duct may be comprised of more than one vertical segment, with one or more segments being independently capable of vertical movement achieved by any suitable means.
  • the vertical duct may be moveable about its vertical axis in a rotary motion. This may be achieved by any suitable mechanism that allows rotary motion of a duct relative to its supply ducting and support.
  • a sleeve/sliding mechanism is suitable for achieving rotary motion.
  • Rotary motion of a duct may be achieved by hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrical mechanisms that exert torque on a duct sufficient to produce rotation relative to its surrounding solid material or the containment or support structure.
  • the mechanism permits the controlled rotary movement of the duct.
  • the outer surface of the duct may be equipped with a helical flighting such that rotary motion of the duct causes a vertical force to be exerted on the surrounding solid material.
  • a duct may be comprised of more than one vertical segment, with segments being independently capable of rotary movement achieved by any suitable means.
  • the vertical ducts of the present invention may be capable of vertical motion or rotary motion, or both vertical motion and rotary motion.
  • the air distribution system can be piped such that different air flow control is available at different heights within the pile. This feature will make it possible to meet the differential optimum condition requirements and release rates of heat and moisture that can occur during fungal incubation as a function of its residence time within the pile. With a downflow solid movement pattern, it may be beneficial to control different horizontal layers or zones separately.
  • Fig. 3 Problems of stagnation and inlet burn that result from continuous air flow from a single inlet are represented in Fig. 3.
  • Application of a steady air flow to the pile may result in regions of stagnation.
  • the problem of stagnation may be reduced by periodically changing the direction of air flow.
  • the present invention also provides more uniform average ventilation over horizontal cross-sections of the pile.
  • Flow switching can also reduce the incidence of inlet burn by employing a cycle phase sequence wherein no individual duct is continuously serving as an air inlet. Periodic cycles or random time cycles of flow phases may be employed in the practice of the present invention.
  • An example of a suitable air duct system would include a rectangular array with four phases of equal duration, as represented schematically in Fig. 2.
  • the flow of air from air inlets arranged in a rectangular array is alternated or switched between the various inlets so as to prevent stagnation and inlet burn, hi the pattern shown in Fig. 2, air flows through two adjacent air inlets designated C and D for a period of time, and then switches so that air flows from inlets C and A, such that the flow of air is at a 90 degree angle to the original flow. Air then flows from inlets B and D for a given time interval, and then switches to inlets A and B.
  • the proper alternation pattern would, over time, reduce stagnant regions during the individual phases.
  • Ventilation flow rate requirements may be reduced by periodically reversing the flow or switching. Reduced ventilation flow rate requirements would result in reduced operating costs.
  • the containment system and method of the present invention may be employed in microbial incubations of materials other than wood chips, including, but not limited to, non-woody plant material or wood waste, for example.
  • a containment system within the scope of the present invention may be optionally equipped with additional features.
  • the containment system may be equipped with a conveyor for conveying lignocellulosic material such as wood chips such that the material may be conveniently delivered to or removed from the containment system.
  • the system may also include a decontaminator positioned adjacent to said conveyor and capable of delivering a decontaminant onto the wood chips so as to reduce the growth of undesired contaminating organisms.
  • a decontaminant it is meant any treatment that reduces undesired growth of contaminating microorganism.
  • the chips may be decontaminated by any suitable method, including treatment with sulfite salts, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No 5,460,697, treating with steam at atmospheric pressure for about 10 minutes, or delivering steam onto the chips for from about 15 seconds to about 5 minutes.
  • the lignocellulosic materials or wood chips are treated with the decontaminant prior to inoculation with the inoculum.
  • an inoculator positioned adjacent to said conveyor and capable of delivering inoculum onto at least a portion of the wood chips may be used.
  • the present invention may employ fungal inoculum suitable for biopulping, including, but not limited to, Ceriporiopsis, Phlebia, Dichomitus, Phanerochaete, Poria, Hypodonti.a Rigidoporus, Phanerochaete (also called Sporotrichum), Trametes, Polyporus, Peniophora, or Coriolus.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système de confinement sensiblement fermé destiné à l'incubation de champignons, s'utilisant dans la réduction biologique en pâte d'une matière lignocellulosique; ce système étant équipé d'un dispositif de régulation du débit d'air qui se dirige vers ces matières ou qui émane d'elles. Par ailleurs, cette invention concerne des procédés qui permettent d'incuber les matières lignocellulosiques inoculées de champignons, tout en régulant le débit d'air durant l'incubation.
PCT/US2001/020955 2000-06-30 2001-06-29 Systeme et procede de confinement destines a l'incubation de champignons WO2002002866A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001270278A AU2001270278A1 (en) 2000-06-30 2001-06-29 Fungal incubation containment system and methods

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US21530800P 2000-06-30 2000-06-30
US60/215,308 2000-06-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002002866A2 true WO2002002866A2 (fr) 2002-01-10
WO2002002866A3 WO2002002866A3 (fr) 2002-06-06

Family

ID=22802463

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/020955 WO2002002866A2 (fr) 2000-06-30 2001-06-29 Systeme et procede de confinement destines a l'incubation de champignons

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001270278A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002002866A2 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB469300A (en) * 1935-11-22 1937-07-22 Int Suiker En Alcohol Cie Inte Improvements in a process for obtaining alcohol and/or yeast by fermentation of liquids containing carbohydrate
WO1998042914A1 (fr) * 1997-03-25 1998-10-01 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Procede de bio-trituration a l'echelle commerciale et dispositif correspondant
WO1999057239A2 (fr) * 1998-04-30 1999-11-11 Prophyta Biologischer Pflanzenschutz Gmbh Cuve et procede de fermentation en milieu solide

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB469300A (en) * 1935-11-22 1937-07-22 Int Suiker En Alcohol Cie Inte Improvements in a process for obtaining alcohol and/or yeast by fermentation of liquids containing carbohydrate
WO1998042914A1 (fr) * 1997-03-25 1998-10-01 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Procede de bio-trituration a l'echelle commerciale et dispositif correspondant
WO1999057239A2 (fr) * 1998-04-30 1999-11-11 Prophyta Biologischer Pflanzenschutz Gmbh Cuve et procede de fermentation en milieu solide

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2001270278A1 (en) 2002-01-14
WO2002002866A3 (fr) 2002-06-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4686189A (en) Apparatus for bioconversion of vegetal raw material
EP0844987B1 (fr) Procede et systeme de calcination du gypse en plusieurs etapes, pour produire de l'anhydrite
JP4221617B2 (ja) 動植物性残渣物乾燥発酵飼料・乾燥発酵肥料等製造装置
EP3395189B1 (fr) Dispositif de fermentation continue
KR870700233A (ko) 인간 동물 또는 식물의 유기적 산물 부산물 및 쓰레기를 혐기성 배지 내에서 분해하는 방법 및 장치
Scott et al. Engineering, scale-up, and economic aspects of fungal pretreatment of wood chips
US2198587A (en) Method of and apparatus for pack
WO2002002866A2 (fr) Systeme et procede de confinement destines a l'incubation de champignons
EP1633848A1 (fr) Installation pour fermentation a l'etat solide
CN111100781A (zh) 固体发酵系统
US3622441A (en) Multiple discharge stock treatment apparatus and method
SE427560B (sv) Forfarande for omvandling av organiskt material pa mikrobiologisk veg under gasutveckling
JPH03275582A (ja) 堆肥製造機の制御装置
KR20020094230A (ko) 가축분뇨 발효처리장치 및 그 처리방법
JPH0683663B2 (ja) 微生物連続培養方法および装置
KR102262631B1 (ko) 사일로형 퇴비 발효기의 공기공급장치
WO1998042914A1 (fr) Procede de bio-trituration a l'echelle commerciale et dispositif correspondant
EP2321401B1 (fr) Procédé et appareil de fermentation de biomasse
KR200220439Y1 (ko) 미생물 발효 제품 제조기
SCOTT et al. and ROSS E. SWANEY
CN110342975B (zh) 一种立式无机械搅拌仓筒好氧反应器及其使用方法
CN110604335B (zh) 高效烟草加香、加料的方法及装置
CN210765303U (zh) 具有厌氧发酵和好氧发酵功能的发酵系统
JPS6321272A (ja) 有機質廃棄物の急速連続堆肥化装置
CN207619391U (zh) 一种自循环气流搅拌发酵罐

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase in:

Ref country code: JP