Patents by Inventor Frances Fournier

Frances Fournier 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).

  • Publication number: 20240101908
    Abstract: The invention relates to method and composition for treating tailings from a separation process, where bitumen is separated from mineral solids. Tailings comprise an aqueous phase with suspended solid particulate material and residual bitumen and have a dry solids content <25 weight-%. The method comprises addition of a flocculating agent comprising polyacrylamide to the tailings, as well as addition of an auxiliary agent comprising ionic liquid to tailings in conjunction with the flocculating agent. Flocs, which comprise solid particulate material, are formed and the formed flocs are separated from the aqueous phase. The composition comprises a copolymer of (meth)acrylamide and an auxiliary agent comprising ionic liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas FENDERSON, Lasse KYLLONEN, Alistair KING, Evangelos SKLAVOUNOS, Frances FOURNIER, Sukhjit AUJLA
  • Patent number: 11845899
    Abstract: The invention relates to method and composition for treating tailings from a separation process, where bitumen is separated from mineral solids. Tailings comprise an aqueous phase with suspended solid particulate material and residual bitumen and have a dry solids content <25 weight-%. The method comprises addition of a flocculating agent comprising polyacrylamide to the tailings, as well as addition of an auxiliary agent comprising ionic liquid to tailings in conjunction with the flocculating agent. Flocs, which comprise solid particulate material, are formed and the formed flocs are separated from the aqueous phase. The composition comprises a copolymer of (meth)acrylamide and an auxiliary agent comprising ionic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Thomas Fenderson, Lasse Kyllonen, Alistair King, Evangelos Sklavounos, Frances Fournier, Sukhjit Aujla
  • Patent number: 11753580
    Abstract: An inverse emulsion composition comprising: one or more hydrophobic liquids having a boiling point at least about 100° C.; up to about 38% by weight of one or more acrylamide-(co)polymers; one or more emulsifier surfactants; and one or more inverting surfactants; wherein, when the composition is inverted in an aqueous solution, it provides an inverted solution having a filter ratio using a 1.2 micron filter (FR1.2) of about 1.5 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Logan Jackson, Thomas J. Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla, Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis
  • Patent number: 11299409
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising an acrylamide (co)polymer, as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of acrylamide (co)polymer of from about 50 to about 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in dewatering, clarification, flocculation and/or thickening applications, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignees: KEMIRA OYJ, CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Logan Jackson, Thomas J. Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla, Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David Espinosa, Taimur Malik
  • Publication number: 20220033706
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer), as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer) of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in oil and gas operations, including enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David Espinosa, Taimur Malik, Logan Jackson, Tom Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla
  • Patent number: 11220622
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of using liquid polymer and inverse emulsion compositions comprising one or more hydrophobic liquids having a boiling point at least about 100° C.; one or more acrylamide-(co)polymers; one or more emulsifier surfactants; one or more inverting surfactants; and one or more stabilizing agents (e.g., one or more siloxane polyether compounds, one or more poly(alkyl)acrylate compounds, or any combination thereof). When the composition is inverted in an aqueous solution, it provides an inverted solution having a filter ratio using a 1.2 micron filter (FR1.2) of about 1.5 or less. The inverted solutions can be used in oil and gas operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Yang, Frances Fournier
  • Publication number: 20210284914
    Abstract: The invention relates to method and composition for treating tailings from a separation process, where bitumen is separated from mineral solids. Tailings comprise an aqueous phase with suspended solid particulate material and residual bitumen and have a dry solids content <25 weight-%. The method comprises addition of a flocculating agent comprising polyacrylamide to the tailings, as well as addition of an auxiliary agent comprising ionic liquid to tailings in conjunction with the flocculating agent. Flocs, which comprise solid particulate material, are formed and the formed flocs are separated from the aqueous phase. The composition comprises a copolymer of (meth)acrylamide and an auxiliary agent comprising ionic liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas FENDERSON, Lasse KYLLONEN, Alistair KING, Evangelos SKLAVOUNOS, Frances FOURNIER, Sukhjit AUJLA
  • Patent number: 11084973
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer), as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer) of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in oil and gas operations, including enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David Espinosa, Taimur Malik, Logan Jackson, Tom Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla
  • Publication number: 20210238482
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surfactant composition comprising an ionic liquid prepared from an unsubstituted or substituted primary, secondary or tertiary amine, or from an unsubstituted or substituted pyridine, amidine or guanidine with at least one fatty acid and/or resin acid. The invention also relates to a method for treating bitumen froth from a separation process, where bitumen is separated from mineral solids. The method comprises addition of said surfactant composition to the diluent and/or to the froth before phase separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Lasse Kyllonen, Sukhjit Aujla, Frances Fournier, Thomas Fenderson, Alistair King, Evangelos Sklavounos
  • Patent number: 11001761
    Abstract: A method and a composition for treating tailings from a separation process are disclosed, where bitumen is separated from mineral solids. Tailings include an aqueous phase with suspended solid particulate material and residual bitumen and have a dry solids content <25 weight-%. The method includes addition of a flocculating agent including polyacrylamide to the tailings, as well as addition of an auxiliary agent including ionic liquid to tailings in conjunction with the flocculating agent. Flocs, which include solid particulate material, are formed and the formed flocs are separated from the aqueous phase. The composition in a copolymer of (meth)acrylamide and an auxiliary agent comprising ionic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Thomas Fenderson, Lasse Kyllönen, Alistair King, Evangelos Sklavounos, Frances Fournier, Sukhjit Aujla
  • Patent number: 10920149
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surfactant composition comprising an ionic liquid prepared from an unsubsituted or substituted primary, secondary or tertiary amine, or from an unsubstituted or substituted pyridine, amidine or guanidine with at least one fatty acid and/or resin acid. The invention also relates to a method for treating bitumen froth from a separation process, where bitumen is separated from mineral solids. The method comprises addition of said surfactant composition to the diluent and/or to the froth before phase separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Lasse Kyllönen, Sukhjit Aujla, Frances Fournier, Thomas Fenderson, Alistair King, Evangelos Sklavounos
  • Patent number: 10822539
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer), as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer) of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in oil and gas operations, including enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David Espinosa, Taimur Malik, Logan Jackson, Tom Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla
  • Publication number: 20200216748
    Abstract: Liquid polymer and inverse emulsion compositions comprising: one or more hydrophobic liquids having a boiling point at least about 100° C.; one or more acrylamide-(co)polymers; one or more emulsifier surfactants; one or more inverting surfactants; and one or more poly(alkyl)acrylate compounds. When the composition is inverted in an aqueous solution, it provides an inverted solution having a filter ratio using a 1.2 micron filter (FR1.2) of about 1.5 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Hong Yang, Frances Fournier
  • Publication number: 20200165778
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising an acrylamide (co)polymer, as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of acrylamide (co)polymer of from about 50 to about 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in dewatering, clarification, flocculation and/or thickening applications, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Logan Jackson, Thomas J. Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla, Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David Espinosa, Taimur Malik
  • Publication number: 20200165457
    Abstract: Liquid polymer and inverse emulsion compositions comprising: one or more hydrophobic liquids having a boiling point at least about 100° C.; one or more acrylamide-(co)polymers; one or more emulsifier surfactants; one or more inverting surfactants; and one or more siloxane polyether compounds. When the composition is inverted in an aqueous solution, it provides an inverted solution having a filter ratio using a 1.2 micron filter (FR1.2) of about 1.5 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Hong Yang, Frances Fournier
  • Patent number: 10626320
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer), as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer) of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in oil and gas operations, including enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David Espinosa, Taimur Malik, Logan Jackson, Tom Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla
  • Publication number: 20200115621
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer), as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer) of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in oil and gas operations, including enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David Espinosa, Taimur Malik, Logan Jackson, Tom Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla
  • Patent number: 10619087
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer), as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer) of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in oil and gas operations, including enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David Espinosa, Taimur Malik, Logan Jackson, Tom Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla
  • Publication number: 20190284478
    Abstract: A method and a composition for treating tailings from a separation process are disclosed, where bitumen is separated from mineral solids. Tailings include an aqueous phase with suspended solid particulate material and residual bitumen and have a dry solids content <25 weight-%. The method includes addition of a flocculating agent including polyacrylamide to the tailings, as well as addition of an auxiliary agent including ionic liquid to tailings in conjunction with the flocculating agent. Flocs, which include solid particulate material, are formed and the formed flocs are separated from the aqueous phase. The composition in a copolymer of (meth)acrylamide and an auxiliary agent comprising ionic liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas FENDERSON, Lasse KYLLÖNEN, Alistair KING, Evangelos SKLAVOUNOS, Frances FOURNIER, Sukhjit AUJLA
  • Publication number: 20190241793
    Abstract: An inverse emulsion composition comprising: one or more hydrophobic liquids having a boiling point at least about 100° C.; up to about 38% by weight of one or more acrylamide-(co)polymers; one or more emulsifier surfactants; and one or more inverting surfactants; wherein, when the composition is inverted in an aqueous solution, it provides an inverted solution having a filter ratio using a 1.2 micron filter (FR1.2) of about 1.5 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Logan Jackson, Thomas J. Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla, Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis