Abstract: Disclosed herein are polymer compositions useful in high temperature enhanced oil recovery applications. The polymer compositions include at least 20 mol % of an N,N-dialkyl-N,N-diallylammonium salt and further have a net negative charge. The polymer compositions provide polymer dispersions in water or brine having stable viscosity when maintained at temperatures of 100° C. and above for at least 2 days.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 12, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
Peter E. Reed, William J. Andrews, Ashish Dhawan
Abstract: Cleaning compositions and methods for removing chewing gum, its components and other sticky soils from surfaces, especially production facilities, are disclosed. Cleaning composition solutions that do not require a rinse step are disclosed and suitable for treatment of surfaces having indirect food contact. In an aspect, the cleaning compositions and methods employ a scraping-spraying-wiping procedure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 19, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
Clinton Hunt, Jr., Tanya Paola Tristan Garza, Mallory Jo Tevis, Mark Andrew Malwitz, Marne Colleen Rasinen, Eric Joseph Ditzel, Scott Lyman Burnett, Sara Trevino Garza
Abstract: Methods of making triamine solids are disclosed. Solids including free-flowing powders, to pressed, cast, extruded or other solids are disclosed. Compositions employing the solid triamines are provided and methods of use thereof are particularly suitable for cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, rinsing and/or lubricating are disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 16, 2016
Date of Patent:
October 15, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
Erik C. Olson, Carter M. Silvernail, Gregory G. Griese
Abstract: Corrosion inhibitor compositions are provided that can include a mixture of one or more transition metals, one or more organic phosphates, one or more inorganic phosphates, optionally a dispersant, and hydroxyphosphono acetic acid and/or salts thereof. Methods of mitigating or inhibiting corrosion of housing or conduits containing aqueous mediums are also disclosed. The methods can include the steps of pretreating the metal conduit with a mixture of one or more transition metals, one or more organic phosphates, one or more inorganic phosphates, and hydroxyphosphono acetic acid, introducing an aqueous medium into the metal conduit, and injecting a mixture of one or more transition metals, one or more organic phosphates, one or more inorganic phosphates, and hydroxyphosphono acetic acid and/or salts thereof into the aqueous medium.
Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions and methods that are useful in removing, lowering, or otherwise controlling hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans. The compositions and methods can be used in any industry where hydrogen sulfide poses problems, such as when dealing with crude oil based, natural gas based, and/or coal based products. In some embodiments, the compositions include one or more alkoxylated amino formaldehyde adducts.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 27, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 15, 2019
Assignee:
ECOLAB USA INC.
Inventors:
Prakasa Rao Anantaneni, Ryan Matthew Harrington, David Tarverdi, Lawrence J. Karas, Ravindranath Mukkamala, Subhasis De
Abstract: Emulsions of mobility control polymers can be used to increase recovery of crude oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation. A flooding fluid comprising the polymer emulsions are injected into a well that is in contact with the subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation. The polymers can be temporarily cross-linked and have protected shear degradation and improved injectivity into the well; the shear resistance can be measured in terms of viscosity loss due to shear, and the improved injectivity can be measured in terms of the flooding fluid's filter ratio, flow rate, and viscosity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 29, 2014
Date of Patent:
October 15, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
Xiaojin Harry Li, Peter E. Reed, William J. Andrews
Abstract: This disclosure relates to anti-agglomerant low dosage hydrate inhibitors that can inhibit the formation of hydrate agglomerants and/or plugs. The anti-agglomerant low dosage hydrate inhibitors can be surfactants. The hydrate inhibitors can be used for inhibiting, retarding, mitigating, reducing, controlling and/or delaying formation of hydrocarbon hydrates, agglomerants of hydrates, and/or plugs. The hydrate inhibitors can be applied to prevent, reduce, and/or mitigate plugging of conduits, pipes, transfer lines, valves, and other places or equipment where hydrocarbon hydrate solids can form. The hydrate inhibitors can be zwitterionic or cationic ammonium surfactants.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 30, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 8, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
Rebecca Michele Lucente-Schultz, Jeff Servesko
Abstract: Disclosed herein are water-soluble polymers comprising hydrolyzable cross-linked monomer units, and methods for recovering hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean formation using the water-soluble polymers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 14, 2014
Date of Patent:
October 8, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
Peter E. Reed, William J. Andrews, Mingli Wei, Xiaojin Harry Li
Abstract: The present invention relates to quaternary ammonium disinfecting cleaning compositions comprising a quaternary ammonium compound, an alkyl a polyglycoside with a CMC greater than 1000 ppm and a chelant. Beneficially, the compositions provide residual sanitizing efficacy without diminished performance and without scale formation when diluted with hard water. The compositions are suitable for inactivating and/or reducing infectious agents, particularly Norovirus, Adenovirus, and Polyomavirus.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 11, 2016
Date of Patent:
October 8, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
Yamini Karandikar, Mark Dennis Levitt, Joseph R. Wegner, Kim R. Solomon
Abstract: A solid glutaraldehyde composition is provided having an increased glass transition temperature. The glutaraldehyde can be used in a method of treating a wellbore or a subterranean formation, by introducing the composition to a wellbore or to an injection line within a wellbore in an amount effective to reduce biodegradation of crude oil, reduce corrosion of metal surfaces from sulfur-reducing bacteria, or to reduce the introduction of bacteria into the formation, reduce microbial contamination of a fluid introduced into the wellbore, or reduce microbial contamination of a pipeline.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 6, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 8, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
David Daniel McSherry, Benjamin Crew, Justin Scott Valenstein
Abstract: Methods of assessing asphaltene inhibitor/dispersant efficiency are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of assessing solvent/dispersant/cleaner efficacy for remediating asphlatene deposition. The methods are useful in facilitating the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas, and more particularly, for preventing the undesired deposition of asphaltene from crude oil.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 6, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 8, 2019
Assignee:
ECOLAB USA INC.
Inventors:
David Marc Daniel Fouchard, Jennifer Elaine Carmichael
Abstract: The present invention relates generally to peroxyformic acid forming compositions, methods for forming peroxyformic acid, preferably in situ, using the peroxyformic acid forming compositions. The present invention also relates to the peroxyformic acid formed by the above compositions and methods. The present invention further relates to the uses of the peroxyformic acid, preferably in situ, for treating a surface or a target. The present invention further relates to methods for treating a biofilm using peroxyformic acid, including peroxyformic acid generated in situ.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 7, 2016
Date of Patent:
October 8, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
Junzhong Li, Allison Brewster, Richard Staub, Steven J. Lange, Taz Cheritu, Jonathan P. Fast, Catherine Hanson
Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for purifying and/or removing oily particles, and/or contaminants suspended or dissolved in water. In particular the process relates to an additive composition that has the appropriate surfactant characteristics for effectively removing an oil phase from an oil/aqueous mixed phase via foam fractionation. According to the invention, a hydrophobically modified polymer that acts as an associative thickener is combined with surfactant in appropriate ratios to facilitate oil removal for water purification in any of a number of commercial, environmental and industrial applications.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 8, 2013
Date of Patent:
October 8, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Michael Charles Denoma, Steven E. Lentsch
Abstract: Disclosed is a method of monitoring and optimizing the concentration of an additive composition in a fuel ethanol. The method includes adding a known amount of the additive composition to the fuel ethanol to create a treated fuel ethanol. A measured fluorescent signal provides information for determining the concentration of the additive composition in the fuel ethanol. A component in the additive composition is capable of providing the fluorescent signal or capable of being chemically derivatized to provide a fluorescent signal or a colorimetric signal. Based upon the measured fluorescent signal or colorimetric signal, the concentration of the additive composition in the fuel ethanol may be adjusted.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 6, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 8, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
John E. Hoots, Phillip E. Bureman, Craig W. Myers
Abstract: Additives including sulfur-containing compounds are used in methods of treating synthetic gypsum. The additives can thermally stabilize heavy metals, such as mercury. This thermal stabilization reduces mercury release from the synthetic gypsum. Illustrative, non-limiting examples of sulfur-containing compounds include inorganic sulfides, organic sulfides, organic compounds containing nitrogen and sulfur, organic compounds containing oxygen and sulfur, and polymers containing sulfur.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 7, 2017
Publication date:
October 3, 2019
Applicant:
ECOLAB USA INC.
Inventors:
Bruce A. Keiser, Wayne M. Carlson, Nicholas R. Denny, Jianwei Yuan, Tommy Hung-Ting Chen
Abstract: A method of enhancing paper strength properties is provided. The method comprises treating a paper sheet precursor with a polyaluminum salt, and a strengthening agent, wherein the strengthening agent comprises a dialdehyde-modified polyacrylamide copolymer and a polyacrylamide copolymer. The polyaluminum salt may be polyaluminum chloride. The methods have been demonstrated to provide, among other things, improvements in retention, strength, and dewatering.
Abstract: Methods and compositions for improving performance of flocculants in an industrial production process. Methods include pH triggered cross-linking reaction between a flocculating agent, such as dextran, and a composition comprising a boronic acid-containing polymer. The pH trigger can be provided by a fluid having a pH of 8 or more. The production process can be a Bayer Process and the fluid is caustic liquor or slurry in the fluid circuit of the Bayer, wherein the reaction time is reduced over conventional methods and the cross-linked dextran composition effectuates improved flocculation of the trihydrate particles.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 4, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 1, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
Jing Wang, Kevin O'Brien, Mingli Wei, Weiguo Cheng, Jinfeng Wang, Kevin McDonald, Xinyu C. Huang
Abstract: Methods and systems for colorimetrically analyzing a liquid medium by analyzing chemical test strip images are provided. The liquid medium can be industrial water in an industrial water system. Image analyzing software carries out the analysis. The results of the analysis can be used to diagnosing a chemical treatment regimen of the industrial water system. A chemical test strip holder can be used to enhance reliability and repeatability of the imaging process and/or subsequent analysis.
Abstract: The invention provides activated or inactivated compositions combining quaternary ammonium compounds and anionic surfactants or acids. The invention further provides activated or inactivated compositions combining quaternary ammonium compounds and anionic chelants or polymers. Activated antimicrobial compositions comprised of a quaternary ammonium compound having less than a C20 chain length, and an anionic carboxylate surfactant having C6-C10 chain length are disclosed. Activated compositions of the invention have a pH of between about 1 and 7 and are substantially free of silanes, sulfates and oxidants. Inactivated antimicrobial compositions comprised of a quaternary ammonium compound having less than a C-20 chain length, and an anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactant are disclosed. Compositions of the invention have a 10 mole to 1 moles ratio of quaternary ammonium compound to anionic surfactant or about 1 mole to 10 moles ratio. Methods of making and employing the compositions are disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 28, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 1, 2019
Assignee:
Ecolab USA Inc.
Inventors:
Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Derrick Richard Anderson