Patents Represented by Attorney Patrick C. Baker
  • Patent number: 6365099
    Abstract: A process and system for reducing the concentration of odorous contaminants, primarily hydrogen sulfide, in the vapor spaces of sewage handling and treatment systems, primarily the vapor spaces of sewage trunk lines, by injecting a fine spray, mist or fog of a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide and a base selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide and sodium carbonate to mix intimately with the vapor flow. The peroxide and base solutions may be pre-mixed and diluted with water and injected through atomizing nozzles utilizing compressed air as an atomizing fluid. The system may also provide for separate storage of the peroxide and base solutions, mixing of the peroxide and base solutions with dilution water with in-line mixing devices and direct injection with or without compressed air atomization into the vapor space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Harry M. Castrantas, Scott W. Duggan
  • Patent number: 6268191
    Abstract: Enzymes are immobilized for use in non-aqueous enzymatic reactions by dehydrating hydrocolloid gel beads having an average particle size of 5 to 150 microns and a network structure capable of swelling in aqueous media, immersing or suspending the dehyrated gel beads in an aqueous solution of enzyme where the beads swell and imbibe the enzyme solution, optionally dehydrating the resultant enzyme-containing gel beads and recovering the gel beads containing the enzyme. In a specific method, the hydrocolloid is carrageenan such a kappa carragennan, the enzyme is subtilisin Carlsberg, the aqueous enzyme solution contains 0.05% to 40 wt % enzyme and the amount of enzyme imbibed is 0.05 to 0.5 grams of enzyme per gram of dehydrated gel beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventors: Robert K. Prud'homme, Catherine-Ann Cukras, Henry A. Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 6251346
    Abstract: A solution mining process for recovering sodium values from an underground deposit of a sodium bicarbonate containing ore is disclosed. The process involves contacting the ore with an aqueous sodium carbonate-containing solution to produce a dilute brine which is stripped with steam to reduce the bicarbonate content and increase the carbonate content. The dilute carbonate/bicarbonate solution from the stripper is fed to a sodium carbonate decahydrate crystallizer to produce pure sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals and a mother liquor containing less than about 4% sodium bicarbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Tg Soda Ash, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Neuman, Richard W. Chastain
  • Patent number: 6228335
    Abstract: A process for the production of soda ash by withdrawing an aqueous mining solution containing dissolved sodium carbonate and at least about 1 wt % sodium bicarbonate from an underground alkali source; stripping CO2 gas from the withdrawn aqueous mining solution, to convert sodium bicarbonate dissolved therein to sodium carbonate; co-crystallizing sodium carbonate monohydrate and sodium sesquicarbonate by evaporation of water from the CO2-stripped aqueous mining solution, without co-crystallization of anhydrous sodium carbonate, to form a slurry of crystalline solids in an aqueous liquor; recovering crystalline solids from the slurry; and calcining the recovered crystalline solids to produce soda ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: FMC Wyoming Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Copenhafer, David E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6187293
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a process for increasing by at least about 100% the viscosity of a carrageenan-containing dentifrice composition that comprises allowing the composition to quiescently cool from a temperature at or above about 45° C. The process may be applied to making toothpastes having suitable viscosity using carrageenan levels as low as about 0.05 weight percent. The dentifrice compositions are comprised of one or more of the following carrageenans: iota, modified kappa, or mixtures thereof. Toothpastes prepared using this method are easier to process and require much less carrageenan relative to similar viscosity toothpastes prepared by previous methods. This invention also pertains to certain toothpaste compositions having low levels of carrageenan including those made according to this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur D. Ballard
  • Patent number: 6180804
    Abstract: A working solution for producing hydrogen peroxide, containing an alkylanthraguinone working compound dissolved in a solvent, is regenerated by contacting the working solution with a catalyst containing from 5% to 100% boehmite at a temperature of 25° C. to 150° C. At least a portion of the tetrahydro-alkylanthraquinone epoxide present in the working solution is converted to working compound to maintain the composition of the working solution within specified limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Edward F. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 6162906
    Abstract: A composition comprising a dry, clarified, water-soluble, konjac-derived glucomannan substantially free of insoluble impurities, having a nitrogen content of not greater than about 0.25 wt %, which has a turbidity potential as a 1.0% aqueous sol of not greater than about 20 turbidity units, as measured by the Formazin Turbidity Standard, as well as gels thereof; and methods for the preparation of the foregoing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Shiroh Ohashi, Gerald J. Shelso, Arthur L. Moirano, deceased, Walter L. Drinkwater
  • Patent number: 6159446
    Abstract: A stable, high moisture toothpaste has now been developed that comprises a carrageenan binder that is at least 70% iota carrageenan, a calcium based-polishing agent, humectant, surfactant, water and optional additives and therapeutic actives used in dentrifice compositions. The calcium-based agent is present at a weight percent concentration in the range of about 35 to 50, the water is about 35 to 50%, the humectant is about 5 to 15%, the carrageenan is about 0.5 to 0.85%, and the surfactant is about 0.5 to 5%. The high moisture, low cost toothpaste that is provided has favorable physical properties such as good viscosity and stability without the need for additional binder which is optional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Vinayak Bhalchandra Randive, Vijay Kamalakant Gadkari
  • Patent number: 6146610
    Abstract: Arsenic is removed from elemental phosphorus by treating it with an oxidized form of iodine in a sufficient amount and for a sufficient time to obtain the amount of arsenic reduction desired. When iodine is the source of the oxidized iodine an oxidant is additionally used. An oxidant is optionally used when an oxidized iodine is used. The oxidant also reduces the amount of antimony present in the elemental phosphorus, and a dilute oxidant rinse removes any residual iodine source and also results in a water-white liquid phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Louis T. Gunkel
  • Patent number: 6110415
    Abstract: The invention provides a remotely controlled furnace tap hole tapping system. The system is pneumatically driven and is able to tap holes placed at different heights, different positions, and different angles. The invention replaces an oxygen filled lance which is consumable, with a solid metal lance. The lance is carried by a carrier system, which moves long a track. The invention provides a gantry that is able to move the carrier system to different tracks. The pneumatic drive system cools the tapping system, in addition to driving the tapping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond L. Hickman, Gerald J. Madden, Marvin R. Hackett
  • Patent number: 6090297
    Abstract: A process for treating precious metal tailing slurries with Caro's acid, in which the Caro's acid is accompanied by reduced amounts of Caro's acid mist, is disclosed. The hot Caro's acid-containing mixture, formed by reaction of concentrated sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, is quenched with water to reduce or eliminate the Caro's acid mist. The resulting cooled and diluted mixture is introduced into a precious metal tailings slurry to reduce the amount of cyanide values in the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Harry M. Castrantas, James L. Manganaro, Ralph S. Mikida, William Johnson
  • Patent number: 6077914
    Abstract: The molecular weight of a polyolefin such as polypropylene is reduced, as evidenced by lowered viscosity and increased melt flow rate, by treatment with an inorganic peroxygen selected from metal persulfates, ammonium persulfates, and any mixtures thereof. The treatment avoids or minimizes the color or odor attendant treatment with organic peroxygens and the toxic products of organic persulfate decomposition, and avoids the special handling required with organic peroxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Nancy D. Arabinick, John L. Burba, III, William O. Dalton
  • Patent number: 6053989
    Abstract: The present invention provides an amorphous or amorphous/microcrystalline metal alloy comprising Fe.sub.a Cr.sub.b V.sub.c P.sub.d Si.sub.e C.sub.f M.sub.g X.sub.h wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ni, and mixtures thereof; X is selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, and mixtures thereof; a is about 66 to about 80; b is about 0.5 to about 5.0; c is about 0.5 to about 5.0; d is about 7.0 to about 13.0; e is about 0.2 to about 3.0; f is about 4.5 to about 8.0; g is about 0.1 to about 0.9; h is about 0.1 to about 3.0; and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and h represent atomic percent where the total is nominally equal to 100 atomic percent. Such metal alloys have desirable magnetic properties such as high saturation induction, low coercivity and high normal permeability. Significantly cost-effective methods of producing such alloys using by-product ferrophosphorus from phosphorus production and impure sources of alloying elements are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Orillion, Johan Pfeiffer, Yulig K. Kovneristy
  • Patent number: 5989509
    Abstract: A process for purifying elemental phosphorus that contains antimony using an oxidizer, such as hydrogen peroxide, peroxymonosulfate, peroxydisulfate, or a hypochlorite, in a two phase system containing water and phosphorus as the two liquids. A purified elemental phosphorus having 200 ppb or less antimony content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Louis T. Gunkel, John Crosby, Theodore F. Munday, Paul J. Beck
  • Patent number: 5977403
    Abstract: Dilute, aqueous solutions of lower organic peracids are rapidly prepared by reacting the anhydride of the organic acid corresponding to the peracid with concentrated hydrogen peroxide to form an aqueous peracid mixture. Before equilibrium is attained, the mixture is diluted with water and hydrogen peroxide to produce an equilibrium mixture of organic acid, peracid, hydrogen peroxide, and water. The process can be carried out in 60 minutes or less and can be run either as a batch or as a continuous process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Lance R. Byers
  • Patent number: 5972164
    Abstract: A method for repulping a wet strength paper is disclosed. Wet strength paper, which contains a wet strength resin, is agitated in water to form an aqueous slurry. An effective amount of a composition that contains a dry mixture of a persulfate and a base in the range of 90:10 to 10:90 is added either before or during agitation, and the slurry heated to produce pulp product for paper manufacture. The persulfate/base combination is capable of breaking down the wet strength resin and adjusting or maintaining the pH at a predetermined level without additional chemical treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Frank E. Caropreso, Dean S. Thorp, Robert H. Tieckelmann
  • Patent number: 5888350
    Abstract: Repulping and/or decolorizing formulations and mixtures which include a catalytic amount of a salt of a metal such as copper, iron, silver, or nickel; a persulfate; and from 0-10% saccharide. Formulations containing a carbonate, sesquicarbonate or bicarbonate for adjusting pH are preferred. A method of repulping and/or decolorizing broke, whether containing wet strength resin or not, using the formulations or mixtures of the ingredients in the formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Tieckelmann, Dean S. Thorp
  • Patent number: 5855805
    Abstract: The microetching and cleaning of copper clad substrates in printed wiring board production with solutions containing alkali metal persulfate and sulfuric acid is controlled to provide slower and more consistent copper etch rates by the presence of high proportions of alkali metal sulfate or an alkali metal sulfate/bisulfate mixture in the solutions, in a mole ratio of persulfate to sulfate or sulfate/bisulfate mixture of 1:0.1 to 1:10. When bisulfate is present with the sulfate, the sulfate will comprise at least about 10 mole % of the sulfate/bisulfate mixture. A surfactant may be present in the solutions to aid wettability on the copper clad substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Nancy D. Arabinick
  • Patent number: 5849985
    Abstract: An alkali metal peroxydisulfate or caroate can be used alone or in combination to destroy haloform present in an aqueous system. The destruction results in a reduction in the amount of haloform in the system. In another aspect, uv light and the peroxydisulfate and/or caroate can be used together to destroy the haloform present in the aqueous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Tieckelmann, Dean S. Thorp, deceased, by Colleen Gagliardi, executor, Gale D. Downey
  • Patent number: 5830382
    Abstract: Repulping and/or decolorizing formulations and mixtures which include a catalytic amount of a salt of a metal such as copper, iron, silver, or nickel; a persulfate; and from 0-10% saccharide. Formulations containing a carbonate, sesquicarbonate or bicarbonate for adjusting pH are preferred. A method of repulping and/or decolorizing broke, whether containing wet strength resin or not, using the formulations or mixtures of the ingredients in the formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Tieckelmann, Dean S. Thorp