Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods that may be used for enhanced oil recovery, for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and for increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations. The compositions may include, for example, expandable cross-linked polymeric microparticles having unexpanded volume average particle size diameters of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns and cross linking agent contents of from about 100 to about 200,000 ppm of labile cross linkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile cross linkers, wherein the expandable polymeric monomers have a block copolymer structure comprising at least two different monomers having different chemical structures.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 16, 2009
Date of Patent:
August 2, 2011
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
Pious V. Kurian, William H. Joyce, Kin-Tai Chang
Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods for enhanced oil recovery, for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and for increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations. The compositions may include, for example, expandable cross-linked polymeric microparticles having unexpanded volume average particle size diameters of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns and cross linking agent contents of from about 100 to about 200,000 ppm of labile cross linkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile cross linkers that may be used in combination with other components such as, for example, a second and different polymeric microparticle, a viscosified aqueous solution, a subterranean reservoir treatment, or combinations thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 16, 2009
Date of Patent:
May 24, 2011
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
Jeffery M. Atkins, Joseph Paul Street, Kin-Tai Chang, Cathy C. Doucette
Abstract: Oxidative compositions and processes that preserve and enhance the brightness and improve color of pulp or paper when applied during different stages of the papermaking process are identified. The oxidative composition and method maintains and/or enhances brightness, prevents yellowing, and enhances the performance of paper products. Used in combination with optical brighteners and/or chelants the oxidative agents produce a synergistic effect not previously identified in the paper process.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 21, 2006
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2011
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
Prasad Y. Duggirala, Sergey M. Shevchenko, Katherine M. Broadus
Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising crosslinked expandable polymeric microparticles comprising structured polymers having labile crosslinks or having a labile core and non-labile crosslinks. The starting configuration of the structured polymers constrains the microparticle to an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns. Labile crosslinks or the labile core of the structured polymers are subject to degradation which results expansion of the microparticle. The invention is further directed to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising encapsulated expandable polymeric microparticles including expandable base microparticles encapsulated in a shell of at least one layer of a labile or degradable encapsulation material. The encapsulated microparticles have an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns. The invention is further directed to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 17, 2009
Date of Patent:
March 1, 2011
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
Brett M. Showalter, Peter E. Reed, Manian Ramesh, Joseph Paul Street, Kin-Tai Chang, Pious Kurian
Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles comprising hydrophobic polymers having a backbone with labile pendant groups, the microparticles having an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns. Labile pendant groups on the backbone are subject to hydrolysis under a change in environmental conditions that results in expansion of the microparticle. The invention is further directed to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
Abstract: A method for feeding one or more chemicals into a papermaking process is disclosed. More specifically, a method for feeding chemistry into a thick stock of a papermaking process is disclosed.
Abstract: A composition for anti-microbial effect in a water system such as a pulp and paper processing line with an aqueous slurry. The composition comprises a free chlorine-generating biocide comprising a chlorine source, urea, and an alkali in a concentration sufficient to provide a pH greater than 10, and typically at least pH 11.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 27, 2006
Date of Patent:
August 17, 2010
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
Laura E. Rice, Andrew J. Cooper, Robert L. Wetegrove, Michael V. Enzien
Abstract: The present invention relates ways to increase the output of a high quality product from the aluminum hydroxide recovery processes such as the Bayer process. The invention is a method of increasing the size of precipitated aluminum hydroxide while not reducing the total production amounts. The invention relates to the use of a crystal growth modifier compositions added to the precipitation liquor to increase the particle size distribution of the precipitated alumina trihydrate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 2006
Date of Patent:
August 10, 2010
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
Dmitri L. Kouznetsov, Jianjun Liu, David H. Slinkman
Abstract: Methods of increasing the yield of tall oil soap from a black liquor are provided. In an embodiment, the method comprises adding a separation aid to the black liquor. The separation aid comprises alkyl alcohol alkoxylates of formula RO[(CH2CHCH3O)x(CH2CH2O)y]M and combinations thereof, wherein R is straight or branched alkyl of about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms; x is 1 to about 20; y is about 20 to about 80 and M is H or an alkali metal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 26, 2007
Date of Patent:
March 17, 2009
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
James J. Svarz, Prasad Y. Duggirala, Grady E. Worley
Abstract: The invention comprises a polymeric demulsifier, methods of producing the demulsifier and methods of using the demulsifier. The demulsifier is the reaction product of at least one amine-containing group, and optionally a second amine-containing group which includes a tertiary amine group, with a diepoxy- or diglycidyl compound and an additional amine compound subsequently reacted with unreacted epoxy groups. This polymeric composition is subsequently reacted with N-alkylating agent containing compounds to produce novel demulsifiers useful to demulsify oil bearing formations.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 20, 2001
Date of Patent:
March 17, 2009
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
Duane S. Treybig, Kin-Tai Chang, Dennis A. Williams
Abstract: A method of preparing a modified diallyl-N,N-disubstituted ammonium halide polymer and use of the polymer in combination with one or more high molecular weight, water soluble cationic, anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic or amphoteric polymers for increasing retention and drainage in a papermaking furnish.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 15, 2004
Date of Patent:
January 6, 2009
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
Jane B. Wong Shing, Alessandra Gerli, Xavier S. Cardoso, Angela P. Zagala, Przem Pruszynski, Cathy C. Doucette
Abstract: A method of sizing paper for use in applications which require resistance to liquids comprising incorporating in the paper a size composition comprising one or more alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) compounds prepared from the reaction of maleic anhydride and one or more substantially symmetrical C20-C28 internal olefins.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 15, 2005
Date of Patent:
November 25, 2008
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
William J. Ward, Krzysztof Andruszkiewicz, Ross T. Gray, Timothy Patrick McGinnis, Robert W. Novak
Abstract: A method of clarifying oily waste water comprising adding to the waste water an effective clarifying amount of one or more demulsifiers selected from the group consisting of dendritic polyamines, dendritic polyamidoamines and hyperbranched polyethyleneimines and the reaction products thereof with gluconolactone, alkylene oxides, salts of 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid, alkyl halides, benzyl halides and dialkyl sulfates.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 23, 2005
Date of Patent:
October 7, 2008
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
Maria B. Manek, Michael J. Howdeshell, Kirk E. Wells, Hester A. Clever, William K. Stephenson
Abstract: A paraffin inhibitor comprising a polymer composed of about (a) 1 to about 98 weight percent of one or more C1-C30 alkyl esters of acrylic acid; (b) about 1 to about 98 weight percent of one or more C1-C30 alkyl esters of methacrylic acid; (c) and about 1 to about 30 weight percent of one or more unsaturated monomers selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylamide monomers, vinyl aromatic monomers, vinyl cycloalkyl monomers, vinyl heterocyclyl monomers, vinyl esters of aliphatic acids, vinyl esters of aromatic acids, vinyl esters of heterocyclic acids, maleimide and maleic anhydride wherein the alkyl ester portion of one of (a) or (b) is C10-C30 alkyl, compositions comprising the polymer and methods of using the polymer to inhibit the deposition of paraffin from oil.
Abstract: A method of modifying the permeability to water of a subterranean formation comprising injecting into the subterranean formation an aqueous composition comprising from about 0.005 percent to about 2 percent, by weight, of a water-soluble alkylene oxide branched polyhydroxyetheramine or a salt thereof, wherein the alkylene oxide branched polyhydroxyetheramine is prepared by reacting a diepoxide with one or more alkylene oxide functionalized amines and one or more amines having two reactive hydrogen atoms and optionally reacting the resulting polyhydroxyetheramine with an acid or alkylating agent to form the salt.
Abstract: Dust control and/or freeze control compositions and methods of using the compositions are provided. In an embodiment, the present invention provides methods of utilizing the dust control and/or freeze control products. For example, the method can comprise preventing the agglomeration of particulate material comprising coal and the adhesion thereof to surfaces in subfreezing weather. The method can also comprise preventing dust formation from particulate material handling processes. The dust control and/or freeze control compositions can comprise one or more glycerin by-products derived from a biodiesel manufacturing process. The dust control and/or freeze control compositions can also comprise one or more glycerin by-products of transesterification reactions involving triglycerides.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 20, 2006
Date of Patent:
July 15, 2008
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
Bo L. Tran, Sankar Bhattacharja, Stephen J. Blubaugh
Abstract: A process for removing metal contaminants, particularly calcium, from hydrocarbon feedstocks is disclosed. The process comprises mixing the feedstocks with an effective metal removing amount of an aqueous solution of one or more water-soluble poly(acrylic acid) derivatives to form an aqueous phase containing the metal ions and a hydrocarbon phase and separating the hydrocarbon phase from the aqueous phase.
Abstract: Mechanical or Chemical pulp is treated with about 0.01 weight % to about 5 weight % of a Mixture. The Mixture is water; diethylenetriaminepentakis(methyl)phosphonic acid or its known salts; polyacrylic acid or its known salts; and optionally one or more inert compounds. This Mixture acts to either maintain the brightness level of the pulp at the target level or to increase the brightness level of the pulp. In addition the Mixture allows for maintaining the pulp at the target level of brightness even when the amounts of other ingredients, such as hydrogen peroxide, hydrosulfite, sodium silicate and magnesium, that are typically added to the pulp, are reduced.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 31, 2004
Date of Patent:
April 1, 2008
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
Sergey M. Shevchenko, Prasad Y. Duggirala
Abstract: A composition comprising expandable cross linked polymeric microparticles having an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 10 microns and a cross linking agent content of about 6,000 to less than about 9,000 ppm of labile cross linkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile cross linkers, useful for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 20, 2002
Date of Patent:
November 27, 2007
Assignee:
Nalco Company
Inventors:
Kin-Tai Chang, Harry Frampton, James C. Morgan