Appeal 2007-2235
Application 10/138,617
BACKGROUND
“The combustion of fuels for energy, or burning of materials for
disposal results in contaminants in product gas that include oxides of
nitrogen, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and sulfur oxides”
(Specification 1). The Specification discloses “methods and apparatus for
removing polluting gases, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon
monoxide, sulfur oxides (SOx) and volatile organic compounds . . . from a
gas stream, by passing the gas stream through a landfill biofiltration system”
(id. at 5).
“Biofiltration . . . refers to the venting and permeation of
contaminated air, vapors, or gases through a biologically active material
comprising microorganisms capable of metabolizing one or more of the
polluting gases” (id. at 6). Thus, “[t]he biofilter of the present invention is a
managed landfill, or alternately, waste dump . . . [that] may be at least about
1000 tons or more in mass” (id.). The contaminated gases are injected into
the landfill, for example, by a pressurized system of pipes (id. at 15). “The
important feature . . . for pollutant-contaminated gas introduction and
withdrawal is that it assure at minimum a gas residence and waste contact
time that is adequate for required pollutant bioremediation” (id.).
DISCUSSION
1. CLAIMS
Claims 1, 2, and 4-24 are pending and on appeal. All of the claims
stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103, and claims 7-10, 20, and 21 also stand
rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph.
2
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