Patents by Inventor Stephen William Almond

Stephen William Almond 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).

  • Patent number: 11957777
    Abstract: Compositions comprising a reaction product of a saccharide polymer and a fatty ester may be obtained in an aqueous phase in the presence of a hydroxide base and a neutral surfactant, the saccharide polymer comprising a dextran, a dextrin compound, or any combination thereof. The compositions also comprise one or more alcohols originating from the fatty ester upon forming the reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty ester. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty ester may be present in the aqueous phase at a concentration effective to lower a surface tension of the neutral surfactant. The fatty ester may comprise one or more glycerol esters, such as one or more plant and/or animal oils and/or fats, and the one or more alcohols originating from the fatty ester may comprise glycerol. Fatty acids originating from the fatty ester may be substantially straight-chain fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: INTEGRITY BIO-CHEMICALS, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Gardner, Stephen William Almond
  • Publication number: 20240076540
    Abstract: Compositions comprising a neutral surfactant or a reaction product thereof and a reaction product of a saccharide polymer and a fatty acid may be obtained in the presence of water and a hydroxide base (optionally in the presence of the neutral surfactant), the saccharide polymer comprising a dextran, a dextrin compound, or any combination thereof. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty acid may be present at a concentration effective to lower surface tension of the neutral surfactant. Depending on the fatty acid identity, among other factors, the compositions may promote emulsification or de-emulsification. In addition, the compositions may promote foam formation under appropriate conditions. Treatment fluids comprising the compositions, including foamed treatment fluids, may be introduced into a subterranean formation to perform a treatment operation in which fluid emulsification or de-emulsification may occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Integrity Bio-Chemicals, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. GARDNER, Stephen William ALMOND
  • Patent number: 11827846
    Abstract: Proppant embedment can sometimes be problematic during fracturing operations. A partially oxidized, amine-functionalized polysaccharide comprising a plurality of oxidatively opened monosaccharide units and bearing an amine moiety at one or more sites of oxidative opening may lessen the amount of proppant embedment that occurs. Fracturing methods may comprise providing a fracturing fluid comprising such a partially oxidized, amine-functionalized polysaccharide and a plurality of proppant particulates, introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at a hydraulic pressure sufficient to create or extend one or more fractures therein, such that at least a portion of the plurality of proppant particulates become localized in the one or more fractures, and releasing the hydraulic pressure. Upon releasing the hydraulic pressure, embedment of the proppant particulates in a face of the one or more fractures is about 10% to about 40% of a grain size of the proppant particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: INTEGRITY BIO-CHEMICALS, LLC
    Inventors: Charles R. Landis, Stephen William Almond
  • Patent number: 11827844
    Abstract: Compositions comprising a neutral surfactant or a reaction product thereof and a reaction product of a saccharide polymer and a fatty acid may be obtained in the presence of water and a hydroxide base (optionally in the presence of the neutral surfactant), the saccharide polymer comprising a dextran, a dextrin compound, or any combination thereof. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty acid may be present at a concentration effective to lower surface tension of the neutral surfactant. Depending on the fatty acid identity, among other factors, the compositions may promote emulsification or de-emulsification. In addition, the compositions may promote foam formation under appropriate conditions. Treatment fluids comprising the compositions, including foamed treatment fluids, may be introduced into a subterranean formation to perform a treatment operation in which fluid emulsification or de-emulsification may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Integrity Bio-Chemicals, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Gardner, Stephen William Almond
  • Patent number: 11767375
    Abstract: Fluid contaminants may be prevalent in many industries, such as the mining industry. Functionalized saccharide polymers comprising two or more monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds and having a portion of the monosaccharide units oxidatively opened and functionalized with at least one aminocarboxylic acid covalently bound through nitrogen at a site of oxidative opening may be utilized in conjunction with fluid remediation processes, such as froth flotation. In non-limiting examples, the functionalized saccharide polymers may also be useful for promoting dust control, particulate coating, clay stabilization, and various subterranean treatment operations. Glycine represents one example of an aminocarboxylic acid that may be covalently bonded through nitrogen at a site of oxidative opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher P. Gardner, Stephen William Almond
  • Publication number: 20230270654
    Abstract: Compositions comprising a reaction product of a saccharide polymer and a fatty ester may be obtained in an aqueous phase in the presence of a hydroxide base and a neutral surfactant, the saccharide polymer comprising a dextran, a dextrin compound, or any combination thereof. The compositions also comprise one or more alcohols originating from the fatty ester upon forming the reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty ester. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty ester may be present in the aqueous phase at a concentration effective to lower a surface tension of the neutral surfactant. The fatty ester may comprise one or more glycerol esters, such as one or more plant and/or animal oils and/or fats, and the one or more alcohols originating from the fatty ester may comprise glycerol. Fatty acids originating from the fatty ester may be substantially straight-chain fatty acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: INTEGRITY BIO-CHEMICALS, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. GARDNER, Stephen William ALMOND
  • Publication number: 20230272122
    Abstract: Fluid contaminants may be prevalent in many industries, such as the mining industry. Functionalized saccharide polymers comprising two or more monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds and having a portion of the monosaccharide units oxidatively opened and functionalized with at least one aminocarboxylic acid covalently bound through nitrogen at a site of oxidative opening may be utilized in conjunction with fluid remediation processes, such as froth flotation. In non-limiting examples, the functionalized saccharide polymers may also be useful for promoting dust control, particulate coating, clay stabilization, and various subterranean treatment operations. Glycine represents one example of an aminocarboxylic acid that may be covalently bonded through nitrogen at a site of oxidative opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: INTEGRITY BIO-CHEMICALS, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. GARDNER, Stephen William ALMOND
  • Patent number: 11725134
    Abstract: Proppant embedment can sometimes be problematic during fracturing operations. A partially oxidized, amine-functionalized polysaccharide comprising a plurality of oxidatively opened monosaccharide units and bearing an amine moiety at one or more sites of oxidative opening may lessen the amount of proppant embedment that occurs. Fracturing methods may comprise providing a fracturing fluid comprising such a partially oxidized, amine-functionalized polysaccharide and a plurality of proppant particulates, introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at a hydraulic pressure sufficient to create or extend one or more fractures therein, such that at least a portion of the plurality of proppant particulates become localized in the one or more fractures, and releasing the hydraulic pressure. Upon releasing the hydraulic pressure, embedment of the proppant particulates in a face of the one or more fractures is about 10% to about 40% of a grain size of the proppant particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Integrity Bio-Chemicals, LLC
    Inventors: Charles R. Landis, Stephen William Almond
  • Publication number: 20230111955
    Abstract: Compositions comprising a neutral surfactant or a reaction product thereof and a reaction product of a saccharide polymer and a fatty acid may be obtained in the presence of water and a hydroxide base (optionally in the presence of the neutral surfactant), the saccharide polymer comprising a dextran, a dextrin compound, or any combination thereof. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty acid may be present at a concentration effective to lower surface tension of the neutral surfactant. Depending on the fatty acid identity, among other factors, the compositions may promote emulsification or de-emulsification. In addition, the compositions may promote foam formation under appropriate conditions. Treatment fluids comprising the compositions, including foamed treatment fluids, may be introduced into a subterranean formation to perform a treatment operation in which fluid emulsification or de-emulsification may occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Integrity Bio-Chemicals, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. GARDNER, Stephen William ALMOND
  • Patent number: 11542429
    Abstract: Compositions comprising a neutral surfactant or a reaction product thereof and a reaction product of a saccharide polymer and a fatty acid may be obtained in the presence of water and a hydroxide base (optionally in the presence of the neutral surfactant), the saccharide polymer comprising a dextran, a dextrin compound, or any combination thereof. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty acid may be present at a concentration effective to lower surface tension of the neutral surfactant. Depending on the fatty acid identity, among other factors, the compositions may promote emulsification or de-emulsification. In addition, the compositions may promote foam formation under appropriate conditions. Treatment fluids comprising the compositions, including foamed treatment fluids, may be introduced into a subterranean formation to perform a treatment operation in which fluid emulsification or de-emulsification may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Integrity Bio-Chemicals, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Gardner, Stephen William Almond
  • Publication number: 20220220364
    Abstract: Proppant embedment can sometimes be problematic during fracturing operations. A partially oxidized, amine-functionalized polysaccharide comprising a plurality of oxidatively opened monosaccharide units and bearing an amine moiety at one or more sites of oxidative opening may lessen the amount of proppant embedment that occurs. Fracturing methods may comprise providing a fracturing fluid comprising such a partially oxidized, amine-functionalized polysaccharide and a plurality of proppant particulates, introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at a hydraulic pressure sufficient to create or extend one or more fractures therein, such that at least a portion of the plurality of proppant particulates become localized in the one or more fractures, and releasing the hydraulic pressure. Upon releasing the hydraulic pressure, embedment of the proppant particulates in a face of the one or more fractures is about 10% to about 40% of a grain size of the proppant particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: INTEGRITY BIO-CHEMICALS, LLC
    Inventors: Charles R. LANDIS, Stephen William ALMOND
  • Publication number: 20220177772
    Abstract: Compositions comprising a neutral surfactant or a reaction product thereof and a reaction product of a saccharide polymer and a fatty acid may be obtained in the presence of water and a hydroxide base (optionally in the presence of the neutral surfactant), the saccharide polymer comprising a dextran, a dextrin compound, or any combination thereof. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty acid may be present at a concentration effective to lower surface tension of the neutral surfactant. Depending on the fatty acid identity, among other factors, the compositions may promote emulsification or de-emulsification. In addition, the compositions may promote foam formation under appropriate conditions. Treatment fluids comprising the compositions, including foamed treatment fluids, may be introduced into a subterranean formation to perform a treatment operation in which fluid emulsification or de-emulsification may occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Integrity Bio-Chemicals, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. GARDNER, Stephen William ALMOND
  • Patent number: 11299667
    Abstract: Compositions comprising a neutral surfactant or a reaction product thereof and a reaction product of a saccharide polymer and a fatty acid may be obtained in the presence of water and a hydroxide base (optionally in the presence of the neutral surfactant), the saccharide polymer comprising a dextran, a dextrin compound, or any combination thereof. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty acid may be present at a concentration effective to lower surface tension of the neutral surfactant. Depending on the fatty acid identity, among other factors, the compositions may promote emulsification or de-emulsification. In addition, the compositions may promote foam formation under appropriate conditions. Treatment fluids comprising the compositions, including foamed treatment fluids, may be introduced into a subterranean formation to perform a treatment operation in which fluid emulsification or de-emulsification may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Integrity Bio-Chemicals, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Gardner, Stephen William Almond
  • Publication number: 20210340429
    Abstract: Compositions comprising a neutral surfactant or a reaction product thereof and a reaction product of a saccharide polymer and a fatty acid may be obtained in the presence of water and a hydroxide base (optionally in the presence of the neutral surfactant), the saccharide polymer comprising a dextran, a dextrin compound, or any combination thereof. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty acid may be present at a concentration effective to lower surface tension of the neutral surfactant. Depending on the fatty acid identity, among other factors, the compositions may promote emulsification or de-emulsification. In addition, the compositions may promote foam formation under appropriate conditions. Treatment fluids comprising the compositions, including foamed treatment fluids, may be introduced into a subterranean formation to perform a treatment operation in which fluid emulsification or de-emulsification may occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: Integrity Bio-Chemicals, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Gardner, Stephen William Almond
  • Publication number: 20210139766
    Abstract: Proppant embedment can sometimes be problematic during fracturing operations. A partially oxidized, amine-functionalized polysaccharide comprising a plurality of oxidatively opened monosaccharide units and bearing an amine moiety at one or more sites of oxidative opening may lessen the amount of proppant embedment that occurs. Fracturing methods may comprise providing a fracturing fluid comprising such a partially oxidized, amine-functionalized polysaccharide and a plurality of proppant particulates, introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at a hydraulic pressure sufficient to create or extend one or more fractures therein, such that at least a portion of the plurality of proppant particulates become localized in the one or more fractures, and releasing the hydraulic pressure. Upon releasing the hydraulic pressure, embedment of the proppant particulates in a face of the one or more fractures is about 10% to about 40% of a grain size of the proppant particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Integrity Bio-Chemicals, LLC
    Inventors: Charles R. Landis, Stephen William Almond