Patents Assigned to Ecolab
  • Processes and compositions for brightness improvement in paper production
    Patent number: 9932709
    Abstract: Compositions and methods that preserve and enhance the brightness of pulp, and also improve the color of pulp or paper, when applied during different stages of a papermaking process, are disclosed. The compositions and methods maintain or enhance brightness, prevent yellowing, and enhance the performance of paper products. The compositions can include a mixture of reducing agents and can also include optical brighteners, chelants, polycarboxylates, or other additives. The mixture of reducing agents can include a borohydride, such as sodium borohydride, and any other reducing agent, such as a sulfite or bisulfite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Prasad Y. Duggirala, Sergey M. Shevchenko
  • MODIFICATION OF IRON-BASED MEDIA FOR WATER TREATMENT
    Publication number: 20180086650
    Abstract: Methods of modification of zero-valent iron (ZVI) to improve its performance in removing contaminants from a discharge stream. In some aspects, the methods include contacting ZVI-impregnated disks with solutions containing metal cations such as Ni2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, or Pd2+. In some aspects, a wastewater stream is treated with a metal cation solution, then passed over ZVI. Compositions for treating wastewater include ZVI that is modified with a metal cation solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Ergang, Daniel E. Schwarz, Darlington Mlambo, Bruce A. Keiser, Hung Ting Chen
  • Surfactant assisted oil recovery using alcohol ether sulfonates and cationic surfactants
    Patent number: 9926486
    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: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Duy T. Nguyen, Brian L. Mueller
  • Use of peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide and peroxide-reducing agents for treatment of drilling fluids, frac fluids, flowback water and disposal water
    Patent number: 9926214
    Abstract: Methods for the use of peracid compositions having decreased hydrogen peroxide concentration for various water treatments, including oil- and gas-field operations, and/or other aseptic treatments are disclosed. In numerous aspects, peracetic acid is the preferred peracid and is treated with a peroxide-reducing agent to substantially reduce the hydrogen peroxide content. Methods for using the treated peracid compositions for treatment of drilling fluids, frac fluids, flow back waters and disposal waters are also disclosed for improving water condition, reducing oxidizing damage associated with hydrogen peroxide and/or reducing bacteria infestation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Keasler, Renato De Paula, Junzhong Li, David D. McSherry, Brandon Herdt, Richard Staub, Robert J. Ryther
  • Lubricant for conveying containers
    Patent number: 9926511
    Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a lubricant composition comprising a water-miscible silicone material having a silicone emulsion wherein the silicone emulsion contains less than 500 ppm of a triethanolamine salts of alkyl benzene sulfonic acid compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Arturo S. Valencia Sil, Lawrence A. Grab, Bruce E. Schmidt, David A. Halsrud, Guang-Jong Jason Wei, Eric D. Morrison, Hector R. Dibenedetto, Jessica L. Anacker, Richard D. Johnson, Megan W. Malvey, Scott P. Bennett, Stefan Seemeyer
  • Acid regeneration of ion exchange resins for industrial applications
    Patent number: 9919935
    Abstract: Methods and systems for employing softened acidified water sources from an acid regenerated ion exchange resins are disclosed. Various methods of dispensing and/or using the softened acidic water generated by an acid regenerate-able ion exchange resin are disclosed to beneficially reduce spotting, filming and scale buildup on treated surfaces, reduce and/or eliminate the need for polymers, including water conditioning agents, threshold reagents and/or rinse aids, and using protons generated in the acidic water effluent for triggering events useful in various cleaning applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Terrence P. Everson, Li Wen, Lylien Tan, Peter Voss, Mark Toetschinger, Terry J. Klos, Mark Dennis Levitt, Sara Treder, Toyin Alowonle
  • Soil resistant surface treatment
    Patent number: 9920281
    Abstract: A soil resistant laminate composition and a soil resistant treatment use composition are provided. In particular, a laminate composition comprising a multilayer composition of a clean surface and a dried layer of a soil resistant agent are disclosed. Soil resistant agents according to the invention include copolymers of a maleic/olefin, an olefin/acrylate and combinations thereof and are suitable for delivery with a water or other organic solvent carrier. A kit and methods for treating a clean surface using a soil resistant laminate composition and a soil resistant treatment use composition are provided by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Erik C. Olson, Keith E. Olson, Steven E. Lentsch, Minyu Li, Catherine Hanson, Andrew Wold
  • Method for reducing slag in biomass combustion
    Patent number: 9920929
    Abstract: Biomass is quickly becoming an important feedstock for energy generation in power plants. Due to their composition and nature, certain biomass fuels contribute to slagging, fouling, and corrosion. This invention provides a novel method of reducing or suppressing slag deposition and/or cleaning deposited slag in energy production processes in which potassium-containing solid fuels are combusted. Besides acting as a slag suppressant, further advantages of this invention are that the additive has no detrimental side-effects on capital equipment, increases slag friability, decreases slag fouling rate, reduces heat transfer corrosion as well as increasing the lifetime of the selective catalytic reduction catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dorner, Nandakumar Srinivasan, Jitendra Shah, Hung-Ting Chen
  • Method of increasing paper strength
    Patent number: 9920482
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the strength of a paper sheet. The method involves adding to the paper sheet an amine containing polymer. The amine containing polymer interacts with materials such as GPAM or starch to make the paper stronger in terms including tensile strength, surface strength and bulk strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Bradley Benz, Paul F. Richardson, James L. Thomas, Mei Liu, Robert M. Lowe
  • Method for recovering gold from refractory ore
    Patent number: 9920395
    Abstract: A method of recovering gold from refractory ore containing a carbonaceous material, a sulfide and gold is provided. Gypsum seed crystals are added to a slurry containing a roasted refractory ore or a pressure-oxidized refractory ore to decrease gypsum encapsulation of gold and improve gold recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald V. Davis, Daniel E. Child, Walter Gerlach
  • Vented fitment for flexible pouch
    Patent number: 9919850
    Abstract: An insert assembly for a fitment used with a pouch containing a liquid product producing an off-gas is provided. The assembly includes a vented insert for use with the vented fitment allowing the off-gas to pass there through. A carrier is configured to be attached to the vented insert and includes a liquid impermeable membrane attach to the carrier and fluid coupled to the fitment and insert to allow gas from the product to pass there through. The membrane, which can comprise an EPTFE material allows the gas to pass through, while preventing the liquid product from passing through a wall of the pouch. The insert assembly can be selectively opened and closed to allow or prevent the off-gas produced by the product to pass through the assembly as needed to reduce the pressure within the pouch or container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Steven Bons, Christopher John Opelt
  • Use of stable lipophilic hydroxylamine compounds for inhibiting polymerization of vinyl monomers
    Patent number: 9914701
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compounds and methods for inhibiting the radical polymerization of unsaturated compounds, particularly vinyl monomers. More particularly, it relates to the use of stable hydroxyl amines to inhibit the polymerization of unsaturated compounds (e.g., vinyl monomers) wherein said stable hydroxylamine is soluble in organic solvents, particularly hydrocarbon solvents consisting of unsaturated and, therefore, polymerizable constituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Masere, Andrew R. Neilson, Russell P. Watson
  • Reverse emulsion breaker polymers
    Patent number: 9914882
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for resolving water and oil emulsions in the produced fluid of an oil production system comprising adding a reverse emulsion breaker to the produced fluid of the crude oil production system in an amount effective for resolving an oil-in-water emulsion. In particular, these methods for resolving an oil-in-water emulsion can be used in separation processes where the oil and solids in the produced fluid are separated from the produced water in the produced fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil T. Little, Izabela A. Owsik
  • TREATMENT OF ANIMAL CARCASSES
    Publication number: 20180064123
    Abstract: Described is a method of sanitizing animal carcasses using aqueous streams having an antimicrobial composition added to the stream. Preferably, the antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C2-C4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C8-C12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing animal carcasses containing a mixture of one or more C2-C4 peroxycarboxylic acids and one or more C8-C12 peroxycarboxylic acids and an alpha-hydroxy mono- or dicarboxylic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. GUTZMANN, Brian J. ANDERSON, Pamela J. REED, Bruce R. CORDS, Lawrence A. GRAB, Edward H. RICHARDSON
  • Use of oxidizing and non-oxidizing biocides for control of bacteria tolerant to stabilized-oxidant treatment
    Patent number: 9908796
    Abstract: The invention provides for treatment strategies that prevent or control the growth of organisms that degrade oxidant stabilizers in oxidant stabilized biocides. This allows stabilized halogen programs to perform at their intended level and prevents the need for increased halogen usage in an attempt to maintain control of these microbial populations and reduce the halogen-demand created by their enzyme byproducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Laura E. Rice, Elisa Luth
  • Slurry biocide
    Patent number: 9909219
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for addressing the problem of microorganism infestations and especially biocorrosion in slurry transporting pipelines. The method comprises treating pipeline fluid (especially plug fluid) with an oxidizing biocide in an amount higher than the oxidant demand of the pipeline and a non-oxidizing biocide in an amount less than 30% of the minimum necessary to sterilize the microbiological organisms. This treatment makes use of the unique characteristics of a slurry pipeline to eliminate microorganisms without harming the pipeline as would be expected by using an oxidizing biocide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Strominger, Danilo Zim, Fabiane Cássia de Sá Aureliano
  • Packaging concept for solid products
    Patent number: 9908156
    Abstract: A device for packaging and dispensing a chemical product is provided. The device may include a first portion connected to a second portion. Counterpoising locking features may secure the first portion and the second portion. A support member is disposed within the lower portion and adapted to support the product. The device may include a flexible enclosure contoured to and enclosing the rigid body and the product. The flexible enclosure may enclose a portion of the housing and the product, after which heat is applied to shrink the flexible enclosure. A handle may provide for ease of installation and/or removal of the device from a solid chemical dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Conrad, Sarah Elise Gilbertson, Scott R. Limback, Daniel Osterberg, Gretchen King, Jeffrey Michael Schultz, Peter Swenson, Timothy Meier
  • Method and apparatus for dispensing solid product
    Patent number: 9901884
    Abstract: A dispensing system includes a dispenser, a logic device, a nozzle, a diluent source, and a solid product. The logic device controls spray on and spray off cycles to pulse diluent supplied to the nozzle. The diluent contacts the solid product to dissolve a portion of the solid product and create a use solution. Pulsing the spray of diluent controls the concentration of the dispensed product in the use solution by limiting the amount of excess dilutant added to the dispensed product. The product is more consistently dispensed and the concentration of the dispensed product in the use solution is more consistent. Additionally, the concentration of the dispensed product in the use solution can be controlled by changing at least one of a volume of diluent dispensed through the nozzle, a pressure of diluent, a pulsed diluent spray frequency, and a pulsed diluent spray duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: R. Ryan S. Carroll, Henry L. Carbone, II, Charles E. Wensman, Bruce W. White, John D. Morey
  • Use of sugars in a stabilization matrix and solid compositions
    Patent number: 9902924
    Abstract: The use of sugars in a stabilization matrix and solid detergent compositions is disclosed along with methods of making and using the solid detergent compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Kiesel, Matthew Zurbey, Dorothy Williams, Michael E. Besse
  • Floor care tool head
    Patent number: D813479
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Balz, Eric Gingras, Scott Latimer