Patents by Inventor James A. Counter

James A. Counter 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).

  • Patent number: 10384958
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for green compositions and technologies. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of separating a first material from a second material. For example, the method can comprise mixing the first material and the second material in a slurry with a beneficiation composition. The beneficiation composition can comprise one or more glyceride and fatty acid mixtures extracted from a fuel ethanol process. Air bubbles can be provided in the slurry to form bubble-particle aggregates with the first material and the bubble-particle aggregates can be allowed to be separated from the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Bo L. Tran, Kerem Eraydin, Jianjun Liu, Royce D. Mullins, Jinming Zhang, James A. Counter
  • Publication number: 20150144570
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for green compositions and technologies. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of separating a first material from a second material. For example, the method can comprise mixing the first material and the second material in a slurry with a beneficiation composition. The beneficiation composition can comprise one or more glyceride and fatty acid mixtures extracted from a fuel ethanol process. Air bubbles can be provided in the slurry to form bubble-particle aggregates with the first material and the bubble-particle aggregates can be allowed to be separated from the second material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: NALCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Bo L. Tran, Kerem Eraydin, Jianjun Liu, Royce D. Mullins, Jinming Zhang, James A. Counter
  • Patent number: 8920768
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions, and methods for producing aluminum hydroxide crystals from a precipitation liquor. The precipitation liquor may be located in a Bayer process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: James Counter, John T. Malito
  • Publication number: 20140271417
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions, and methods for producing aluminum hydroxide crystals from a precipitation liquor. The precipitation liquor may be located in a Bayer process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: James Counter, John T. Malito
  • Publication number: 20110200503
    Abstract: An improved method and composition for producing aluminum hydroxide crystals from precipitation liquor, involves the addition of an emulsified crystal growth modifier comprising a C8-C10 fatty acid, precursors, salts or blends thereof. The emulsified crystal growth modifier also facilitates an upward shift in particle size distribution of aluminum hydroxide and an upward shift in oxalate ball size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Jianjun Liu, James A. Counter, Dmitri L. Kouznetsov, David H. Slinkman
  • Patent number: 7976821
    Abstract: An improved method and composition for producing aluminum hydroxide crystals from precipitation liquor, involves the addition of an emulsified crystal growth modifier comprising a C8-C10 fatty acid, precursors, salts or blends thereof. The emulsified crystal growth modifier also facilitates an upward shift in particle size distribution of aluminum hydroxide and an upward shift in oxalate ball size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Jianjun Liu, James A Counter, Dmitri L Kouznetsov, David H Slinkman
  • Patent number: 7976820
    Abstract: An improved method and composition for producing aluminum hydroxide crystals in a Bayer process pregnant liquor, involve the addition of an emulsified crystallization modifier comprising a C8-C10 fatty acid, precursors, salts or blends thereof. The alkyl chain of the fatty acid crystallization modifier is free of functional groups. The modifier yields a commercially viable product in the presence and absence of a hydrocarbon oil which dissolves the fatty acid. Further, the modifier, prepared in either an emulsified form or as a fatty acid neat, facilitates formation of oxalate aggregates greater than 200 ?m which may be readily screened out with minimum trihydrate loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Jianjun Liu, James A Counter, Dmitri L Kouznetsov, David H Slinkman
  • Patent number: 7955589
    Abstract: An improved method and composition for producing aluminum hydroxide crystals in a Bayer process pregnant liquor, involve the addition of a crystallization modifier comprising a C8-C10 fatty acid, precursors, salts or blends thereof. The alkyl chain of the fatty acid crystallization modifier is free of functional groups. The modifier yields a commercially in the presence and absence of an hydrocarbon oil which dissolves the fatty acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: John T. Malito, James A. Counter
  • Publication number: 20070172405
    Abstract: An improved method and composition for producing aluminum hydroxide crystals from precipitation liquor, involves the addition of an emulsified crystal growth modifier comprising a C8-C10 fatty acid, precursors, salts or blends thereof. The emulsified crystal growth modifier also facilitates an upward shift in particle size distribution of aluminum hydroxide and an upward shift in oxalate ball size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Jianjun Liu, James Counter, Dmitri Kouznetsov, David Slinkman
  • Publication number: 20070081932
    Abstract: An improved method and composition for producing aluminum hydroxide crystals in a Bayer process pregnant liquor, involve the addition of an emulsified crystallization modifier comprising a C8-C10 fatty acid, precursors, salts or blends thereof. The alkyl chain of the fatty acid crystallization modifier is free of functional groups. The modifier yields a commercially viable product in the presence and absence of a hydrocarbon oil which dissolves the fatty acid. Further, the modifier, prepared in either an emulsified form or as a fatty acid neat, facilitates formation of oxalate aggregates greater than 200 ?m which may be readily screened out with minimum trihydrate loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Jianjun Liu, James Counter, Dmitri Kouznetsov, David Slinkman
  • Publication number: 20060292050
    Abstract: An improved method and composition for producing aluminum hydroxide crystals in a Bayer process pregnant liquor, involve the addition of a crystallization modifier comprising a C8-C10 fatty acid, precursors, salts or blends thereof. The alkyl chain of the fatty acid crystallization modifier is free of functional groups. The modifier yields a commercially in the presence and absence of an hydrocarbon oil which dissolves the fatty acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: John Malito, James Counter
  • Patent number: 6086771
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements in the Bayer mining process, used for the recovery of alumina from bauxite ore. Water-continuous emulsion polymers are advantageously used to improve the clarification, filtration and scale control of red-mud containing liquors generated during the Bayer process. Preferred polymers are high molecular weight poly(methyl acrylate/acrylic acid), poly(methyl acrylate), poly(vinyl acetate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate) and a combination of a high molecular weight poly(methyl acrylate/acrylic acid) with a lower molecular weight poly(methyl acrylate/acrylic acid).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Radhakrishnan Selvarajan, Everett C. Phillips, Michael G. Strominger, James A. Counter