Patents Represented by Attorney Robert A. Miller

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  • Use of alginates to treat bauxite red mud
    Patent number: 5478477
    Abstract: Alginic acid is used in combination with high molecular weight synthetic water soluble polymers to flocculate red mud from Bayer process liquors. Superior clarity of supernatant liquor is achieved using the process of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Manian Ramesh, John D. Kildea, Robert P. Mahoney
  • Method for dewatering coal tailings using DADMAC/vinyl trialkoxysilane copolymers as a coagulant
    Patent number: 5476522
    Abstract: A method for concentrating coal tailings and for dewatering coal products employing a copolymer of diallyldimethlylammonium halide and a vinyl alkoxysilane, preferably a copolymer of diallyldimethylammonium chloride and vinyltrimethoxysilane as a coagulant. The method for concentrating coal tailings comprises steps of: feeding the coal tailings to a thickener; treating the coal tailings with the coagulant, discharging substantially concentrated tailing; and withdrawing substantially clarified liquid from the thickener. A method for dewatering coal products containing water comprising the steps of: feeding the clean coal containing water to a twin belt filter press; treating said coal with an effective amount of a copolymer coagulant of diallyldimethylammonium halide and vinyl alkoxysilane, preferably diallyldimethylammonium chloride and vinyl trimethoxysilane is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: E. Michael Kerr, Manian Ramesh
  • Vinylamine polymers for removing color from paper mill effluents
    Patent number: 5476594
    Abstract: The invention comprises a process for removing true and apparent color from pulp and paper waste waters. It comprises treating these waste waters with a vinylamine polymer including from about 1 to about 100 mole percent vinylamine and from about 1 to about 99 mole percent of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of amidine vinylformamide, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, vinyl pyrrolidinone and the esters, amides, nitriles and salts of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: John H. Collins, Dodd Fong, Anthony G. Sommese, Amy M. Tseng
  • Use of dispersion polymers for coated broke treatment
    Patent number: 5466338
    Abstract: A process for treating a re-pulped coated broke slurry comprising the addition of a water-soluble polymer dispersion, the water-soluble polymer is formed by polymerizing a water-soluble mixture which comprises: (a) a first cationic monomer represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## and/or a second cationic monomer represented by the following general formula (II): ##STR2## and (b) (meth)acrylamide in an aqueous solution of a polyvalent anion salt, wherein the polymerization is carried out in the presence of either an organic high-molecular multivalent cation comprising a water-soluble polymer containing at least one monomer of formula (II) or an alkyl ester of acrylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventor: Jon E. Pearson
  • Process for removal of primarily iron oxide deposits
    Patent number: 5466297
    Abstract: A method is described for removing ferrometal corrosion products from cooling water systems, which method recycles ferrous/ferric complexing agents and leads to low volume highly concentrated iron wastes for disposal. The method combines, preferably, the use of citric acid or citric acid-tannin complexing agents with erythorbic acid reducing agents to clean corroded surfaces followed by recovery of both complexing and reducing agents for recycle by contacting spent cleaning solution with strong acid cation exchange resins or chelating resins. The resins remove and retain iron species, releasing chelating and reducing agents to resin bed effluents. These are recycled. A concentrated iron waste stream is recovered by regenerating the resin beds with strong acids, preferably HCL, H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Walter H. Goodman, Narasimba M. Rao, Donald A. Johnson
  • Superabsorbent polymer having improved absorption rate and absorption under pressure
    Patent number: 5462972
    Abstract: A carboxylic containing superabsorbent polymer having a swell rate of at least 0.3 g./g.sec., a gel strength of about 40,000 to about 150,000 dynes/cm.sup.2, a centrifuge capacity at 30 minutes of about 20 to about 50 g/g, an absorption permeability under pressure at 60 minutes of at least 5 g/g at wherein the ratio of the absorption permeability under pressure at 15 minutes is at least 25% of the absorption permeability under pressure at 60 minutes is disclosed. The superabsorbent polymer is prepared from a solution of carboxylic containing monomers, a cross linking agent, and a blowing agent. The polymer is subsequently treated with a surface crosslinking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott J. Smith, Eric J. Lind
  • Phenolic resins and method for breaking crude oil emulsions
    Patent number: 5460750
    Abstract: A composition and method for breaking crude oil emulsions is disclosed. This composition is a branched, high-molecular weight condensation product of cardanol, an alkylphenol, and an aldehyde, which may be ethoxylated or otherwise derivatized using methods standard in the art. These compositions show good emulsion-breaking performance, especially when used in blends with other compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventor: Hernando Diaz-Arauzo
  • Coker/visbreaker and ethylene furnace antifoulant
    Patent number: 5460712
    Abstract: A method of preventing fouling and coke formation on the high temperature sections of hydrocarbon processing equipment in contact with a hydrocarbon fluid which comprises adding to the hydrocarbon fluid prior to its contact with the high temperature sections of such hydrocarbon processing equipment an effective amount of a compound having the formula: ##STR1## wherein Q is Z, or R with the proviso that two occurances of Q are Z, R is hydrogen, or a straight or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and only one or two occurances of R may be alkyl;Z is represented by the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same as R and only one or two occurances of each of R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 may be alkyl, and "n" is a whole number of from 1 to 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventor: Harald K. Lemke
  • Process of drying and removing solids from waste oil
    Patent number: 5458765
    Abstract: This invention is a process comprising several steps for removing solid contaminants and for assisting in the dewatering of liquid hydrocarbons. For the purposes of this invention, solid contaminants include dissolved salts, either in the oil or in the emulsified water phase, or dispersed undissolved solids. First, a sample of liquid hydrocarbon containing solid contaminants is heated to a temperature in the range of 180.degree. F.-200.degree. F. Following heating, an aqueous solution of carbodihydrazide is added to the liquid hydrocarbon and the liquid hydrocarbon is re-heated to a temperature of 180.degree. F. to 200.degree. F. After re-heating, a demulsifier is added to the liquid hydrocarbon and water and the precipitated solids are separated from the liquid hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventor: Porcia E. West
  • Prevention of cracking and blistering of refinery steels by cyanide scavenging in petroleum refinery processes
    Patent number: 5458849
    Abstract: Corrosion cracking and blistering of steels in contact with refinery streams containing cyanide is inhibited or prevented by treating said stream with a reaction product or products obtained by reacting morpholine and formaldehyde. The preferred corrosion cracking and blistering inhibiting treatment product is bis--morpholinyl-- methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Veronica K. Majestic, Manian Ramesh
  • Use of hectorite as a clarification aid for deink plant effluent
    Patent number: 5454955
    Abstract: Hectorite is utilized in conjunction with a water soluble cationic coagulant to clarify waste water from the deinking of waste paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: William E. Albrecht, David W. Reed, James H. Smith
  • Chemical treatment of food processing wastes using dispersion polymers
    Patent number: 5451326
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating food processing wastes. Pursuant to the method, the food processing waste is treated with an effective amount of a dispersion of a water-soluble cationic polymer flocculant. In further embodiments, the method of the present invention includes the further steps of adding effective amounts of both a coagulant and flocculant in combination or separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Wayne M. Carlson, Manian Ramesh
  • Superabsorbent polymer having improved absorption rate and absorption under pressure
    Patent number: 5451613
    Abstract: A carboxylic containing superabsorbent polymer having a swell rate of at least 0.3 g./g.sec., a gel strength of about 40,000 to about 150,000 dynes/cm.sup.2, a centrifuge capacity at 30 minutes of about 20 to about 50 g/g, an absorption permeability under pressure at 60 minutes of at least 5 g/g at wherein the ratio of the absorption permeability under pressure at 15 minutes is at least 25% of the absorption permeability under pressure at 60 minutes is disclosed. The superabsorbent polymer is prepared from a solution of carboxylic containing monomers, a cross linking agent, and a blowing agent. The polymer is subsequently treated with a surface crosslinking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott J. Smith, Eric J. Lind
  • Desalter wash water additive
    Patent number: 5449463
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of preventing crude oil from becoming emulsified in desalter wash water. According to the method, the wash water is treated with an effective amount of a dispersion of a water-soluble cationic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Phillip L. Elliott, Michael L. Braden, Donald J. Newman
  • Transient technique to determine solution resistance for simple and accurate corrosion rate measurements
    Patent number: 5448178
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for determining solution resistance and corrosion rate of a metal surface contained in a solution such as an electrode. The signal is applied to the metal surface of interest and the current response is monitored from the applied signal. A peak detector is provided for detecting the peak of the current response. From the peak, the resistance of the solution is ascertained. Following independent determination of the solution resistance, polarization resistance of the metal surface in the solution may be determined. The corrosion rate of the metal surface may be calculated from the polarization resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu Chen, Frank F.-Y. Lu, Martin R. Godfrey
  • Ethylene plant caustic system emulsion breaking with salts of alkyl sulfonic acids
    Patent number: 5446233
    Abstract: A process for breaking the emulsion which commonly forms in the caustic system of olefin plants comprising mixing the emulsion with an effective amount of a Group II metal salt of an alkyl aryl sulfonic acid, wherein the alkyl contains 4-24 carbon atoms, most preferably 8-14 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Vincent E. Lewis, Sherri L. Fisher
  • Methacrylate polymers as antifoulants in quench water systems
    Patent number: 5445743
    Abstract: A method for dispersing high molecular weight hydrocarbon material in an ethylene water quench tower, the method comprising the step of: introducing a deposit inhibiting amount of a dispersant into the ethylene water quench tower, the dispersant comprising a copolymer of a first monomer and a second monomer, the first monomer being selected from the group consisting of butyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, and decyl methacrylate-2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, the second monomer being selected from the group consisting of diethyl-aminoethyl methacrylate, dimethyl amino-ethyl methacrylate, phenyl aminoethyl methacrylate, butyl aminoethyl methacrylate, and propyl aminoethyl methacrylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Carl T. Rowe, Sherri L. Fisher
  • Composition and method for enhancement of settling stability in oil continuous latex polymers
    Patent number: 5446076
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing polymeric lattices comprising the addition of an organophilic clay which, when properly activated and dispersed, sets up a network that will suspend the polymer particles and retard the settling process is disclosed. The network is easily destroyed by the application of shear, but then reforms when shear is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Anthony G. Sommese, R. Nagarajan
  • Synergistic anti-microbial compositions comprising 2-bromo-2-(bromomethyl)-glutaronitrile and 2-bromo-2-nitro-propane-1,3-diol
    Patent number: 5444088
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for obtaining synergistic anti-microbial (biocidal) activity using a combination of 2-bromo-2-(bromomethyl)-glutaronitrile and 2-bromo-2-nitro-propane-1,3-diol. The methods and compositions of the invention are very effective in preventing microbial spoilage of latex carpet backing compounds and in paper and pulp preparation, particularly with respect to latex paper coatings. Compositions containing the active ingredients in ratios of from 0.0015 parts 2-bromo-2-(bromomethyl)-glutaronitrile to 1 part 2-bromo-2-nitro-propane-1,3-diol to 40 parts 2-bromo-2-(bromomethyl)-glutaronitrile to 1 part 2-bromo-2-nitro-propane-1,3-diol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventor: Allen R. Syrinek
  • Recycling of xerographic waste paper using organic particulates
    Patent number: 5441601
    Abstract: A method for deinking of repulped xerographic paper comprising adding an organic polymeric particulate and a substantially water insoluble organic ester to a repulped aqueous slurry containing xerographic toner particles in an amount sufficient to at least partially agglomerate the xerographic toner particles within the slurry to larger particle sizes; and removing the xerographic toner particles from the slurry by one or more liquid/solid separation techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: David R. Cosper, Karen R. Tubergen