Patents by Inventor Leo Zhaoqing Liu

Leo Zhaoqing Liu 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).

  • Publication number: 20240141115
    Abstract: A fast-hydrating polyacrylamide solid in the shape of microplates is provided and the process to make the microplates. The microplates can be treated with any processing and/or functional substances to facilitate the dissolution process or/and to import functional properties to the said solid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: SOLENIS TECHNOLOGIES, L.P.
    Inventor: Leo Zhaoqing Liu
  • Patent number: 8889653
    Abstract: A method of grafting galactomannan-type polysaccharide polymers, preferably guar, to a functional group by irradiation with high energy electron beams in the presence of an unsaturated monomer-compressing the described functional group. The method may include the depolymerization of the grafted polymer to a pre-selected low molecular weight. The preferred galactomannans for treatment according to this method are guar gum, guar splits and hydroxypropyl guar. In a preferred embodiment the guar gum is also depolymerized, preferably to a molecular weight of below about 700,000 Daltons, and most preferably to a molecular weight of between about 100,000 Daltons to about 250,000 Daltons. The depolymerized guar most preferably has a polydispersity of less than about 3.0 and is useful in oil well fracturing to enhance oil production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rhodia, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Zhaoqing Liu, Christian Priou
  • Patent number: 8796487
    Abstract: An improved process for production of dialkyldithiophosphinic acid including sulfurizing a purified dialkylphosphinic acid by: reacting a hypophosphorous acid or salt with a stoichiometric excess of an alpha olefin in the presence of a free radical initiator to form a reaction product comprising monoalkylphosphinic acid and dialkylphosphinic acid; adding sufficient aqueous base to the reaction product to i) form the salts of the phosphinic acids, and ii) establish an aqueous phase and an organic phase, wherein a monoalkylphosphinic acid solubilizes into an aqueous phase; separating the organic phase from the aqueous phase; acidifying the organic phase and removing the olefin from the organic phase; isolating the purified dialkylphosphinic acid product; and sulfurizing the purified dialkylphosphinic acid product to form a dialkydithiophosphinic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Rhodia Operations
    Inventors: Leo Zhaoqing Liu, Gary Woodward
  • Patent number: 8258342
    Abstract: A method for making a (meth)acrylamide monomer, comprises reacting a (meth)acrylate ester with an amino-functional compound in an organic solvent in the presence of a transesterification catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rhodia Operations
    Inventor: Leo Zhaoqing Liu
  • Patent number: 8119733
    Abstract: A polymer network, comprises an interfacially polymerized reaction product derived from a surfactant monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Rhodia Operations
    Inventor: Leo Zhaoqing Liu
  • Publication number: 20110137004
    Abstract: A method of grafting galactomannan-type polysaccharide polymers, preferably guar, to a functional group by irradiation with high energy electron beams in the presence of an unsaturated monomer-compressing the described functional group. The method may include the depolymerization of the grafted polymer to a pre-selected low molecular weight. The preferred galactomannans for treatment according to this method are guar gum, guar splits and hydroxypropyl guar. In a preferred embodiment the guar gum is also depolymerized, preferably to a molecular weight of below about 700,00 Daltons, and most preferably to a molecular weight of between about 100,00 Daltons to about 250,00 Daltons. The depolymerized guar most preferably has a polydispersity of less than about 3.0 and is useful in oil well fracturing to enhance oil production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: RHODIA, INC.
    Inventors: Leo Zhaoqing LIU, Christian PRIOU
  • Patent number: 7858722
    Abstract: A method for making a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated group and two or more quaternary ammonium groups per molecule, comprising: (a) reacting an excess of a monomeric reactant having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group and at least one tertiary amino group per molecule with a halohydroxyalkyl(trialkyl)quaternary ammonium salt, in an aqueous medium, (b) monitoring the pH of the aqueous medium from at least as early as the time when all reactants have been added to aqueous medium until completion of the reaction, and (c) adjusting the pH of the aqueous medium to and maintaining the pH of the aqueous medium at a value greater than or equal to 9, from the time, after all reactants have been added to aqueous medium, that the reaction mixture exhibits an apparent pH minimum until completion of the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Rhodia Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Zhaoqing Liu, Jon D. Kiplinger, Douglas Radtke
  • Patent number: 7838667
    Abstract: A method of grafting galactomannan-type polysaccharide polymers, preferably guar, to a functional group by irradiation with high energy electron beams in the presence of an unsaturated monomer-compressing the described functional group. The method may include the depolymerization of the grafted polymer to a pre-selected low molecular weight. The preferred galactomannans for treatment according to this method are guar gum, guar splits and hydroxypropyl guar. In a preferred embodiment the guar gum is also depolymerized, preferably to a molecular weight of below about 700,000 Daltons, and most preferably to a molecular weight of between about 100,000 Daltons to about 250,000 Daltons. The depolymerized guar most preferably has a polydispersity of less than about 3.0 and is useful in oil well fracturing to enhance oil production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Rhodia, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Zhaoqing Liu, Christian Priou
  • Publication number: 20090253931
    Abstract: An improved process for production of dialkyldithiophosphinic acid including sulfurizing a purified dialkylphosphinic acid by: reacting a hypophosphorous acid or salt with a stoichiometric excess of an alpha olefin in the presence of a free radical initiator to form a reaction product comprising monoalkylphosphinic acid and dialkylphosphinic acid; adding sufficient aqueous base to the reaction product to i) form the salts of the phosphinic acids, and ii) establish an aqueous phase and an organic phase, wherein a monoalkylphosphinic acid solubilizes into an aqueous phase; separating the organic phase from the aqueous phase; acidifying the organic phase and removing the olefin from the organic phase; isolating the purified dialkylphosphinic acid product; and sulfurizing the purified dialkylphosphinic acid product to form a dialkyldithiophosphinic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Leo Zhaoqing Liu, Gary Woodward
  • Patent number: 7585927
    Abstract: A reactive polymeric surfactant that contains: (a) at least two hydrophilic monomeric units per molecule, each independently according to formula (I): wherein R1 is alkylene or oxyalkylene, R2 is H, methyl, or ethyl, R3 is H, and n is greater than about 5, (b) one or more hydrophobic monomeric units per molecule, each independently according to formula (II) wherein R4 is H or methyl, R5 is a hydrophobic group, is useful in stabilizing aqueous emulsions and aqueous dispersions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Rhodia Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Zhaoqing Liu
  • Patent number: 7572931
    Abstract: An improved process for production of dialkyldithiophosphinic acid including sulfurizing a purified dialkylphosphinic acid by: reacting a hypophosphorous acid or salt with a stoichiometric excess of an alpha olefin in the presence of a free radical initiator to form a reaction product comprising monoalkylphosphinic acid and dialkylphosphinic acid; adding sufficient aqueous base to the reaction product to i) form the salts of the phosphinic acids, and ii) establish an aqueous phase and an organic phase, wherein a monoalkylphosphinic acid solubilizes into an aqueous phase; separating the organic phase from the aqueous phase; acidifying the organic phase and removing the olefin from the organic phase; isolating the purified dialkylphosphinic acid product; and sulfurizing the purified dialkylphosphinic acid product to form a dialkydithiophosphinic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Rhodia Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Zhaoqing Liu, Gary Woodward
  • Publication number: 20090163650
    Abstract: A reactive polymeric surfactant that contains: (a) at least two hydrophilic monomeric units per molecule, each independently according to formula (I): wherein R1 is alkylene or oxyalkylene, R2 is H, methyl, or ethyl, R3 is H, and n is greater than about 5, (b) one or more hydrophobic monomeric units per molecule, each independently according to formula (II) wherein R4 is H or methyl, R5 is a hydrophobic group, is useful in stabilizing aqueous emulsions and aqueous dispersions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: RHODIA INC.
    Inventor: Leo Zhaoqing Liu
  • Publication number: 20080234432
    Abstract: A method for making a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated group and two or more quaternary ammonium groups per molecule, comprising: (a) reacting an excess of a monomeric reactant having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group and at least one tertiary amino group per molecule with a halohydroxyalkyl(trialkyl)quaternary ammonium salt, in an aqueous medium, (b) monitoring the pH of the aqueous medium from at least as early as the time when all reactants have been added to aqueous medium until completion of the reaction, and (c) adjusting the pH of the aqueous medium to and maintaining the pH of the aqueous medium at a value greater than or equal to 9, from the time, after all reactants have been added to aqueous medium, that the reaction mixture exhibits an apparent pH minimum until completion of the reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Leo Zhaoqing Liu, Jon D. Kiplinger, Douglas Radtke
  • Publication number: 20080234515
    Abstract: A method for making a (meth)acrylamide monomer, comprises reacting a (meth)acrylate ester with an amino-functional compound in an organic solvent in the presence of a transesterification catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Leo Zhaoqing Liu
  • Publication number: 20080103330
    Abstract: An improved process for production of dialkyldithiophosphinic acid including sulfurizing a purified dialkylphosphinic acid by: reacting a hypophosphorous acid or salt with a stoichiometric excess of an alpha olefin in the presence of a free radical initiator to form a reaction product comprising monoalkylphosphinic acid and dialkylphosphinic acid; adding sufficient aqueous base to the reaction product to i) form the salts of the phosphinic acids, and ii) establish an aqueous phase and an organic phase, wherein a monoalkylphosphinic acid solubilizes into an aqueous phase; separating the organic phase from the aqueous phase; acidifying the organic phase and removing the olefin from the organic phase; isolating the purified dialkylphosphinic acid product; and sulfurizing the purified dialkylphosphinic acid product to form a dialkydithiophosphinic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Leo Zhaoqing Liu, Gary Woodward
  • Patent number: 7259192
    Abstract: A method of depolymerizing galactomannan-type polysaccharide polymers and xanthan, preferably galactomannans, to a pre-selected lower molecular weight by irradiation with high energy electron beams. The preferred galactomannans for treatment according to this method are guar gum, guar splits and hydroxypropyl guar. In a preferred embodiment the guar gum is depolymerized preferably to a molecular weight of about 150,000 Daltons to about 200,000 Daltons. The depolymerized guar has a polydispersity of less than about 3.0 and is useful in oil well fracturing to enhance oil production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Rhodia, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Zhaoqing Liu, Christian Priou
  • Patent number: 7247693
    Abstract: A polymer includes repetitive units derived from a monomer compound according to formula (I): wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, A, which is identical or different, is a group comprising an ester group of formula -A1-C(O)—O-A2-, or an amide group of formula -A1-C(O)—NR10-A2-, wherein: R10, which is identical or different, is hydrogen or an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or aminoalkyl C1-C6 linear or branched group, A1, which is identical or different is a covalent bond or a group of formula —(CH2)p1— wherein p1 is an integer of from 1 to 6, A2, which is identical or different, is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group comprising optionally N, O, or S heteroatoms or heterogroups, optionally substituted, optionally forming or comprising a cycle, R1, R2, R3, R5 and R6, which are identical or different, are hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or aminoalkyl C1-C6 linear or branched groups, or, if inside the brackets, form a heterocycle with group A2, m is an integer of from 1 to 10, n is an inte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Rhodia Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Zhaoqing Liu, Dominic Wai-Kwing Yeung
  • Patent number: 7030275
    Abstract: Monomer compounds comprising several cationic groups, a process for making such compounds and polymers derived from such compounds are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Rhodia Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Zhaoqing Liu
  • Patent number: 6838514
    Abstract: A polymer produced by polymerizing via water-in-oil emulsion polymerization one or more water soluble monomers with one or more polyalkoxylated monomers wherein said one or more polyalkoxylated monomers contains at least 25 alkylene oxide units and wherein said product demonstrates thermothickening properties, its method of manufacture and use thereof is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Rhodia Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic Wai Kwing Yeung, Leo Zhaoqing Liu, Bruno RC Langlois, Dominique Charmot, Pascale Corpart
  • Publication number: 20040072947
    Abstract: A method of grafting galactomannan-type polysaccharide polymers, preferably guar, to a functional group by irradiation with high energy electron beams in the presence of an unsaturated monomer-compressing the described functional group. The method may include the depolymerization of the grafted polymer to a pre-selected low molecular weight. The preferred galactomannans for treatment according to this method are guar gum, guar splits and hydroxypropyl guar. In a preferred embodiment the guar gum is also depolymerized, preferably to a molecular weight of below about 700,000 Daltons, and most preferably to a molecular weight of between about 100,000 Daltons to about 250,000 Daltons. The depolymerized guar most preferably has a polydispersity of less than about 3.0 and is useful in oil well fracturing to enhance oil production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Leo Zhaoqing Liu, Christian Priou