Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • METHOD OF REDUCING CORROSION AND CORROSION BYPRODUCT DEPOSITION IN A CRUDE UNIT
    Publication number: 20190292471
    Abstract: A method of optimizing system parameters in a crude unit to reduce corrosion and corrosion byproduct deposition in the crude unit is disclosed and claimed. The method includes measuring or predicting properties associated with the system parameters and using an automated controller to analyze the properties to cause adjustments in the chemical program to optimize the system parameters. Adjusting the system parameters effectively controls corrosion in the crude unit by reducing the corrosiveness of a fluid in the process stream and/or by protecting the system from a potentially corrosive substance. System parameter sensing probes are arranged at one or more locations in the process stream to allow accurate monitoring of the system parameters in the crude unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Glenn L. Scattergood, Sam Ferguson
  • Method for preserving recycled fiber by using biocides in paper manufacturing and method for manufacturing paper using recycled fibers
    Patent number: 10422079
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preserving recycled fiber by using biocides and a method for manufacturing paper using recycled fiber. The method for manufacturing paper, using recycled fiber as a raw material, comprises pulping procedure: pulping the raw material containing recycled fiber, and papermaking procedure: producing the paper with the pulp slurry obtained in the pulping procedure; wherein the total starch content of recycled fiber is measured before recycled fiber is pulped, and when the total starch content of recycled fiber is higher than a predetermined value, one or more biocides are added during the pulping procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Wenli Tu, Yumei Lu, Zhi Chen, Yulin Zhao
  • Cleaning and rinse aid compositions and emulsions or microemulsions employing optimized extended chain nonionic surfactants
    Patent number: 10421926
    Abstract: The invention discloses synergistic combinations of extended chain surfactants which can form microemulsions without the need for a linker/co-surfactant. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes extended nonionic surfactants, with an internal PO linker having a chain length of about 5 to 8, may be capped, or include a Guerbet alcohol hydrophobe. This system forms stable emulsions or microemulsions with oils, including non-trans fats proteins, and fatty acids. The invention also includes cleaning compositions, such as hard surface cleaners, warewash detergents, rinse aids and the like which incorporate the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Derrick Richard Anderson
  • Solid rinse aid composition and method of making same
    Patent number: 10421933
    Abstract: The invention includes a solid rinse aid that is particularly designed for pressed or extrusion solid formation and which is effective for spotless surfaces after rinsing, especially rinsing metals without corrosion. According to the invention, a solid acid is combined with a short-chain alkylbenzene and alkyl naphthalene sulfonate. The short-chain alkylbenzene and alkyl naphthalene sulfonate act as a solidification agent as well as a hydrotrope, and total dissolved solid (TDS) active and are combined with at least one nonionic low foaming surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Sun, Derrick Anderson, Kelsey West, Janel Marie Kieffer, Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Melissa Hunter
  • Global backflow prevention assembly
    Patent number: 10413133
    Abstract: A backflow prevention assembly for global use with dispensers requiring a variety of backflow prevention devices based on regulatory standards is provided. The assembly includes a housing comprising first and second housing members and including quick connector attachments extending therefrom. The quick connector attachments are non-threaded members configured to be attached to the various measurement and types of connections found throughout the world. A cover is provided for venting purposes to reduce the backflow siphoning forces or pressure, which causes the backflow of a product chemistry. Furthermore, a backflow prevention device is configured to be fluidly coupled to the housing of the present invention to provide for one way flow and the prevention of backflow of a product chemistry into a water supply. The flow control may be selected based on the regulatory standards of the location used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Max Schultz, Ryan Jacob Urban, Brian Philip Carlson, Jay Anderson, Jeffrey Alan Blansit
  • Conductivity sensor with void correction
    Patent number: 10416107
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be used for correcting for the presence of voids in a fluid when measuring the conductivity thereof. The conductivity of a fluid can be measured using a conductivity sensor. Capacitance electrodes can be used to measure the capacitance of the fluid. The measured capacitance affected by the fluid can be used in combination with the measured conductivity to determine a corrected conductivity value that compensates for possible voids in the fluid. Other parameters, such as the makeup or temperature of the fluid can be used in determining the corrected conductivity measurement. Some such systems include an annular housing and can be inserted or integrated into fluid flow systems so that fluid to be analyzed flows through an aperture defined by the annular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Ray Godfrey, Eugene Tokhtuev, Joseph Erickson
  • Methods of treating a stream comprising crude oil and water
    Patent number: 10414988
    Abstract: Multi-component performance liquids suitable for treating a stream comprising crude oil and water, and methods of their use, are provided. The multi-component performance liquids comprise solvent and active ingredients, which may have a weight average molecular weight of from about 1200 daltons to about 300,000 daltons. The methods comprise activating a multi-component performance liquid, delivering the activated multi-component performance liquid to a stream comprising crude oil and water, and allowing the treated stream to separate into an oil phase and an aqueous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Bailey, John Ibagon
  • Insect pest monitor and product transfer station
    Patent number: 10412952
    Abstract: A system, method, and kit for monitoring, capturing, or killing crawling insects, including the population of a colony of insects, is provided. A station is provided including a lower member that may be flat, curved or of varying contour, a curved or angled upper member connected directly or by one or more intermediate members to the lower member, and an adhesive on one of the lower member or the upper member. A secondary element can include a repellant or non-repellant pesticide, an adhesive, and/or an attractant to aid in killing the crawling insects. As the insects interact with the station and secondary element, they can take a portion of the pesticide back to the colony to kill more insects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Staci J. Johnston, Douglas B. Gardner
  • Compositions to boost fabric softener performance
    Patent number: 10415003
    Abstract: Method for treating a textile under industrial and institutional fabric care conditions to impart softness within a single wash and/or rinse cycle are disclosed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combination of a liquid or solid fabric conditioning composition and a softening booster for treating a textile to impart softness within a single wash and/or rinse cycle. Compositions employed therein are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Amanda Ruth Blattner, Charles Allen Hodge, Claire Lucille Notermann, Julio R. Panama, Shaun Patrick Kennedy
  • Solid concentrated fabric softener composition
    Patent number: 10415004
    Abstract: A solid fabric softening composition is disclosed which includes a quaternary ammonium fabric softening compound which is stabilized to form a solid with a mixture of a water soluble organic salt and a medium to long chain carboxylic acid. This stabilizing combination has been shown to effectively form a solid quaternary ammonium based fabric softening composition with up to as much as 70% by weight of quaternary ammonium compound. The formulations are stable at typical storage temperatures of up to 110° F. and provide fabric softening similar to and even superior to other traditional liquid formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Christensen, Joanna A. Pham, Jessica Bull
  • Analyzing images of pests using a mobile device application
    Patent number: 10417780
    Abstract: Techniques for analyzing images of pests using a mobile device application are described. A mobile computing device may receive, via a graphical user interface (GUI), location information input corresponding to a location of a glueboard, an identification input of a pest type caught on the glueboard, and an image of the glueboard. The device may analyze white and dark areas of the image to determine at least one of: 1) total dark surface area of the glueboard and 2) number and size of multiple contiguous dark surface areas of the glueboard. The device may calculate a quantity of pests based on dark surface area and an average size of the pest. The device may output the quantity of pests to the GUI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jared R. Freudenberg, Christopher D. Diller, Kevin S. Smyth
  • LOW CHLORIDE PAINT DETACKIFIER
    Publication number: 20190276687
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a low chloride paint detackifier composition. Also disclosed are methods of making the paint detackifier composition and methods of using the paint detackifier composition. The detakifier may be made from cationized starch and sodium aluminate. The starch can be wheat starch, corn starch, tapioca starch, potato starch, rice starch, sweet potato starch, sago starch, mung bean starch, arrowroot starch, and any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventor: Joseph Peter Miknevich
  • Heavy oil rheology modifiers for flow improvement during production and transportation operations
    Patent number: 10407611
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for enhancing production and transportation of heavy and extra-heavy crude oil and for reducing the growth of asphaltene flocculants or hindering their formation, the methods comprising contacting an oil-soluble composition that comprises polyetheramines, tallow amines, tallow diamines, alkylphenol-formaldehyde resins, reaction products of alpha-olefin, maleic anhydride and pentaerythritol, or a combination thereof, with the heavy or extra-heavy crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Duy T. Nguyen, John J. Ibagon, Vittoria Balsamo De Hernandez, Tyler D. Boyd, Joseph Paul Bailey
  • Hydrocarbon soluble/dispersible hemiformals as hydrogen sulfide scavengers
    Patent number: 10407626
    Abstract: Scavenging compounds and compositions useful in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of municipal waste water, hydrocarbons, crude oil, and natural gas among others are disclosed. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the compounds and compositions as scavengers, particularly in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of hydrocarbons, crude oil, and natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Geeta Rana, Christopher Thomas Burrell
  • Low solids surface coating compositions and use thereof
    Patent number: 10407591
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to low solid surface coating compositions and methods of using the same. The low solid surface coating compositions comprise a self-crosslinking polymer, a solvent, a surfactant, and water. The low solid surface coating compositions can preferably have a total solid content of less than 15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Hendrickson, Ramakrishnan Balasubramanian, Andrew Wold, Robert D. P. Hei
  • METHOD OF MEASURING BENZIMIDAZOLE-BASED COMPOUNDS IN WATER
    Publication number: 20190271674
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of measuring benzimidazole-based corrosion inhibitors in cooling water. Methods may include withdrawing a sample of water containing a benzimidazole-based compound from an aqueous system and adding an acid to the sample of water and/or diluting with water. Methods may also include exposing the sample of water to light energy of a selected excitation wavelength and measuring an intensity of emitted light about a selected fluorescence emission wavelength. The intensity of the emitted light may be compared to a standard curve, which can be a plot of fluorescence emission intensity of the benzimidazole-based compound versus concentration of the benzimidazole-based compound. The concentration of the benzimidazole-based compound in the sample of water may be determined from the standard curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Kishor Padmakar Dhake, Anup Pandurang Thakur, James Joseph Michels
  • Use of O/W emulsions for chain lubrication
    Patent number: 10400190
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an O/W emulsion, in particular a PIT emulsion, for lubricating conveyor belt systems in food industries as well as a lubricant concentrate based on an O/W emulsion, in particular a PIT emulsion, of wax esters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Küpper, Christina Kohlstedde, Michael Schneider
  • Detergent composition including a saccharide or sugar alcohol
    Patent number: 10400194
    Abstract: Solid detergent compositions according to the present invention include at least one alkali metal silicate, at least one polycarboxylic acid, at least one saccharide or sugar alcohol and water. Suitable saccharides include sucrose, fructose, inulin, maltose and lactulose, and may be present in the composition in a concentration of at least 0.5 wt %. Compositions according to certain embodiments form stable solid block detergent compositions that do not swell significantly even when subjected to elevated temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Olson, Carter M. Silvernail
  • Method for simulating high pressure paraffinic froth treatments
    Patent number: 10400180
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for decreasing viscosity, yield stress, or viscosity and yield stress of an asphaltene precipitate-containing aqueous mixture. More specifically, the method comprises applying an effective amount of a water-soluble polymer to an asphaltene precipitate-containing aqueous mixture. The water-soluble polymers comprise polyanion, polycation, and polar water-soluble polymer components. The present invention also relates to water-soluble asphaltene dispersants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Faghihnejad, Meng Luo, Song Gao, Anoop Chengara
  • Surfactant assisted oil recovery using alcohol ether sulfonates and cationic surfactants
    Patent number: 10400157
    Abstract: A composition comprising an alcohol ether sulfonate and a quaternary ammonium salt is provided for use in methods of increasing recovery of crude oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Duy T. Nguyen, Brian L. Mueller