Patents Represented by Attorney Peter A. DiMattia
  • Patent number: 7674382
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a fouled and/or scaled UF or MF membrane with a solution containing one or more thermo-responsive polymers is disclosed. More specifically, the method comprises: (a) treating the membrane in a membrane separation system with a solution containing one or more TRP, wherein said TRP is soluble in said solution and at least an effective amount of said TRP diffuses into a foulant layer that is present on the surface and/or in pores of said membrane; (b) making insoluble said TRP diffused into said foulant layer; (c) optionally rinsing the membrane; (d) optionally backwashing the membrane with air and/or liquid between the steps (b) and (c); and (e) optionally backwashing the membrane with air and/or liquid after the membrane is rinsed in step (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventor: Deepak A. Musale
  • Patent number: 7662289
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a fouled or a scaled RO or NF membrane surface with a solution containing one or more thermo-responsive polymers is disclosed. More specifically, the method comprises: treating the membrane surface in a membrane separation system with a solution containing one or more TRP, wherein said TRP is soluble in said solution and at least an effective amount of said TRP diffuses into a foulant layer on said membrane surface; making insoluble said TRP diffused into said foulant layer; optionally, rinsing the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Deepak A. Musale, E. H. Kelle Zeiher
  • Patent number: 7635449
    Abstract: This invention concerns methods and apparatus for measuring oxidation reduction potentials of water in a hot water system at system temperature and pressure and methods of using the measured oxidation-reduction potential to monitor and control the addition of oxygen scavengers or oxygen to the system in order to maintain effective corrosion inhibiting concentrations of the oxygen scavengers or dissolved oxygen in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Bruce R. Bailey, III, Peter D. Hicks
  • Patent number: 7631821
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a method of improving the grinding of a bauxite containing slurry during the grinding stage of an alumina extraction process. Specifically, an effective amount of one or more non-ionic surfactants, polyglycols, polyglycol ethers, anionic surfactants, anionic polymers, or a combination thereof are added to said bauxite containing slurry during the grinding stage of an alumina extraction process to achieve an improved effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventor: Everett C. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7632412
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cooling water tower comprising: providing a cooling tower system, which includes a recirculated evaporative cooling water stream, a source of make-up water, an evaporative cooling unit, a heat exchanger, a bleed off line, and a bleed-off valve which is in communication with said bleed-off line; providing a plurality of conduits through which said makeup water flows into said evaporative cooling water stream, wherein there is at least a first conduit that contains a weak acid cation ion exchange column and a second conduit that does not contain a weak acid ion exchange column, and wherein each conduit has at least one conduit valve; choosing a pH and a conductivity setpoint value and a deadband value above and below said setpoint value in said cooling tower system; measuring both the pH of said evaporative cooling water stream with one or more pH meters and conductivity of said evaporative cooling water stream with one or more conductivity meters; and implementing a response to said
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Donald A. Johnson, Steven R. Hatch, Arthur J. Kahaian
  • Patent number: 7601789
    Abstract: Fluorescent monomers are described and claimed which are synthesized by reacting a substituted or non-substituted naphthalic anhydride with an amine and with a moiety containing a polymerizable group. Such monomers are useful for the preparation of tagged treatment polymers. Such tagged treatment polymers are useful as scale inhibitors in industrial water systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: John D. Morris, Barbara E. Moriarty, Mingli Wei, Patrick G. Murray, Jerry L. Reddinger
  • Patent number: 7556714
    Abstract: A method of operating a papermaking process containing a press section with at least one press nip is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignees: Nalco Company, Albany International Corporation
    Inventors: Ross T. Gray, Michael R. St. John, James L. Thomas, David I. Weinstein, John M. Hawes, Mary M. Toney
  • Patent number: 7550060
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding one or more chemicals into a process stream of a papermaking process is disclosed, as well as a method of utilizing the apparatus for feeding one or more chemicals into a process stream is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Tommy Jacobson, Mika Salonen, Martti Latva
  • Patent number: 7507299
    Abstract: Described and claimed are apparatuses and systems for surface cleaning comprising a pump and an applicator connected to the pump through which one or more cleaning agents can be applied to the surface at an operating pressure that is about 600 PSI or less and an operating flow rate that is about 1 gal/min or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: John Wadsworth, Stefan Münch
  • Patent number: 7503379
    Abstract: A method of improving the removal of an investment casting shell surrounding a metallic article. The shell is made from the deposit of layers refractory slurry and stucco onto a pattern. The shell contains, after firing, an amount of an alkali metal oxide or an alkaline earth metal oxide sufficient to reduce the strength of the shell. By this invention, after firing of the shell and pouring of the molten metallic part into the shell, the shell is hydrated to further reduce the strength of the shell, to facilitate its removal from the metallic part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Francois Batllo, David S. Viers, Jeffrey S. Mosher
  • Patent number: 7494565
    Abstract: The invention discloses a paper or paperboard produced from a slurry comprising cellulose fibers and an effective amount of SMS. In addition, a method for increasing retention and dewatering during the papermaking process is also disclosed. The method involves the addition of an effective amount of SMS to said papermaking process. The invention also discloses a method for increasing retention and drainage in a papermaking process comprising the steps of: adding both an effective amount of starch and an effective amount of SMS to a slurry of said papermaking process, wherein said starch is selected from the group consisting of: tapioca starch; potato starch; corn starch; waxy maize starch; rice starch; and wheat starch. Moreover, the invention comprises a method for increasing retention and drainage in a papermaking process comprising the steps of: adding both an effective amount of modified starch and an effective amount of SMS to a slurry of said papermaking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Laura M. Sherman, Jane B. Wong Shing, James G. Smith
  • Patent number: 7479490
    Abstract: A system of equipment allowing addition of solid materials to a pressurized pipeline wherein said solid material is conveyed in such a way as to be readily dissolved by the liquid in said pipeline. The system includes a solid material transfer device that is used to transfer solid material to the point of intake in a pressurized pipeline, without allowing liquid from the process pipeline to access the solid material in the solid material feeder. The system of equipment has been found to be particularly useful in feeding pellets containing resazurin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Adams, Rodney H. Banks, Mita Chattoraj, Joe L. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7459059
    Abstract: The invention discloses a paper or paperboard produced from a slurry comprising cellulose fibers and an effective amount of SMS. In addition, a method for increasing retention and dewatering during the papermaking process is also disclosed. The method involves the addition of an effective amount of SMS to said papermaking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Keiser, Laura M. Sherman
  • Patent number: 7455848
    Abstract: A cosmetically acceptable composition for treating skin comprising about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent, based on polymer solids, of an anionic polymer composed of from about 10 to about 80 mole percent of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid or a base addition salt thereof and from about 90 to about 20 mole percent of one or more anionic or nonionic monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Yin Z. Hessefort, Douglas Betts, Wayne M. Carlson, Loralei Brandt, Jennifer L. Smith
  • Patent number: 7449086
    Abstract: A method for decreasing the amount of contaminants in a papermaking a process is disclosed. The method involves adding an effective amount of SMS to said papermaking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Ross T. Gray, Laura M. Sherman, Bruce A. Keiser
  • Patent number: 7448255
    Abstract: A method of fluorometrically monitoring dose control and leak detection, as well as boiler water system programs that occur in industrial systems containing boilers that operate between about 1500 psig and 2600 psig, and at pH from about 7.6 to 11.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: John E. Hoots, Martin R. Godfrey
  • Patent number: 7378023
    Abstract: Cationic polymers having a molecular weight greater than about 200,000 can be added to the activated sludge in an MBR for industrial wastewater treatment for reasons, which include: conditioning the activated sludge; improving flux through a membrane in the MBR; reducing fouling of the of the membrane in the MBR; and reducing foaming of the activated sludge in the MBR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Seong-Hoon Yoon, John H. Collins
  • Patent number: 7300551
    Abstract: A belt conditioning method, apparatus and paper machine employing the method and apparatus are provided. The belt method and apparatus include multiple conditioning devices using chemicals to condition water impermeable surfaces of paper machine belts, such as transfer belts and prevent deposits from accumulating on the belts. In one embodiment, the belt supports a web at a first portion of the belt's loop and is separated from the web at a second portion. The conditioning apparatuses are placed in the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: David I. Weinstein, Peter E. Perry, James P. Rivard, Pawel Cirocki
  • Patent number: 7252096
    Abstract: On-Line and Off-Line methods of simultaneously cleaning and disinfecting an industrial water system are described and claimed. The methods involve the addition to the water of the industrial water system of a Compound selected from the group consisting of the alkali salts of chlorite and chlorate and mixtures thereof; and an acid, followed by allowing the water in the industrial water system to circulate for several hours. The reaction of the alkali salts of chlorite and chlorate and acid produces chlorine dioxide in-situ in the water of the industrial water system. The chlorine dioxide kills microorganisms and the acid acts to remove deposits upon the water-contact surfaces of the equipment. An alternative method involves the use of a chelating agent and a biocide. Other possible cleaning and disinfection reagents may be added as needed including corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, biocides, surfactants and reducing agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Jasbir S. Gill, Amit Gupta
  • Patent number: 7229525
    Abstract: A method to enhance brightness in Chemical and Mechanical pulps comprising adding an organic sulfide chelant is described and claimed. A method to enhance delignification in a Chemical pulp comprising adding an organic sulfide chelant is also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Prasad Y. Duggirala, Sergey M. Shevchenko, Kristine S. Salmen