Patents by Inventor C. Mitchell Means

C. Mitchell Means has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Process for removing water soluble organic compounds from produced water
    Patent number: 5135656
    Abstract: A process for the removal of water soluble organic compounds from produced water is provided. The process allows for the removal of water soluble organic compounds by passing the produced water through a column of adsorbing resin which is capable of removing the soluble organic compounds from the water and providing an environmentally acceptable effluent. The removal of polllutants from the produced water is monitored continuously by a fluorescence detector. The process further allows for the generation of the adsorbing resin by regenerating the resin with a solvent capable of eluting accumulated soluble organic compounds from the column followed by treatment of the resin with steam to remove residual eluting solvent. The process further allows for the treatment of the eluting solvent and soluble organic compound admixture in a manner to allow reuse of the solvent and to allow recovery of the soluble organic compound or to allow direct injection of the soluble organic compound admixture into the oil stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: C. Mitchell Means, Michael L. Braden
  • Process for removing water soluble organic compounds from produced water
    Patent number: 5104545
    Abstract: A process for the removal of water soluble organic compounds from produced water is provided. The process allows for the removal of water soluble organic compounds by passing the produced water through a column of adsorbing resin which is capable of removing the soluble organic compounds from the water and providing an environmentally acceptable effluent. The process further allows for the regeneration of the adsorbing resin by backwashing the resin with a solvent capable of eluting accumulated soluble organic compounds from the column. The process further allows for the treatment of the eluting solvent and soluble organic compound admixture in a manner to allow reuse of the solvent and to allow recovery of the soluble organic compounds or to allow direct injection of the soluble organic compound admixture into the oil stream. Thus, the invention provides a process for removal and recovery of water soluble organic compounds from produced water which creates no environmentally hazardous waste streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: C. Mitchell Means, Michael L. Braden