Patents by Inventor Dan Edward Kieke

Dan Edward Kieke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Catalytic method for the preparation of lignin phenol surfactants in organic solvents
    Patent number: 6207808
    Abstract: A method of making surfactants from lignin is disclosed by reducing lignin in the presence of a metal oxide or iron based catalyst in an organic hydrogen donor solvent to produce lignin phenol and subjecting the lignin phenol to one or a combination of several reactions such as alkoxylation, alkylation, sulfonation, sulfation, alkoxysulfation, and sulfomethylation. The lignin surfactants so produced can be employed in a surfactant system to recover oil from underground formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Gene Naae, Lawrence Edward Whittington, Dan Edward Kieke
  • Catalytic method for the preparation of lignin phenol surfactants in organic solvents
    Patent number: 6100385
    Abstract: A method of making surfactants from lignin is disclosed by reducing lignin in the presence of a metal oxide or iron based catalyst in an organic hydrogen donor solvent to produce lignin phenol and subjecting the lignin phenol to one or a combination of several reactions such as alkoxylation, alkylation, sulfonation, sulfation, alkoxysulfation, and sulfomethylation. The lignin surfactants so produced can be employed in a surfactant system to recover oil from underground formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Gene Naae, Lawrence Edward Whittington, Dan Edward Kieke
  • Use of unmodified kraft lignin, an amine and a water-soluble sulfonate composition in enhanced oil recovery
    Patent number: 5911276
    Abstract: A method for the enhanced recovery of oil comprises injecting into an oil-containing formation an aqueous surfactant system having at least (1) a blend containing an unmodified Kraft lignin, an oil-soluble amine and a water-soluble sulfonate, and (2) water; driving the surfactant system through the formation and producing the oil mobilized by the surfactant system. A surfactant composition useful for enhanced oil recovery methods is also provided having at least an unmodified Kraft lignin, an oil-soluble amine and a water-soluble sulfonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Texaco Inc
    Inventor: Dan Edward Kieke