Patents by Inventor Kin-Tai Chang

Kin-Tai Chang 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: 9120965
    Abstract: A composition comprising crosslinked expandable polymeric microparticles capable of hydrolysis at or below neutral pH and a method of modifying the permeability to water of a subterranean formation by introducing such compositions into the subterranean formation is disclosed and claimed. This invention further relates to compositions and methods for the recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean reservoir or formation subjected to CO2 or CO2 Water Alternating Gas flooding at low pH and increases the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Pious Kurian, Mingli Wei, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Publication number: 20150068748
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods that may be used for enhanced oil recovery, for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and for increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations. The compositions may include, for example, expandable cross linked polymeric microparticles having an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns and a cross linking agent content of from about 100 to about 200,000 ppm of hydrolytically labile silyl ester or silyl ether crosslinkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile crosslinkers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: NALCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Pious V. Kurian, Kin-Tai Chang, Manian Ramesh, Olga E. Shmakova-Lindeman
  • Patent number: 8889603
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods that may be used for enhanced oil recovery, for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and for increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations. The compositions may include, for example, expandable cross linked polymeric microparticles having an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns and a cross linking agent content of from about 100 to about 200,000 ppm of hydrolytically labile silyl ester or silyl ether crosslinkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile crosslinkers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Pious V. Kurian, Kin-Tai Chang, Manian Ramesh, Olga E. Shmakova-Lindeman
  • Publication number: 20140116691
    Abstract: Methods for reducing fines migration in a porous subterranean reservoir are disclosed. In certain aspects, the methods include introducing a composition comprising a water-soluble or dispersible branched polyhydroxyetheramine into the porous subterranean reservoir, maintaining a sufficient temperature in the porous subterranean reservoir for a period of time, adsorbing the composition onto a surface of the porous subterranean reservoir, and stabilizing at least a portion of the fines present in the porous subterranean reservoir. Methods for enhancing an effective permeability of a porous subterranean reservoir are also disclosed. In connection with the disclosed methods, a treatment composition can be used and in certain aspects, the treatment composition can be a reaction product of bisphenol A, an ethanol amine, diethanol amine, and a monofunctionalized polyoxyalkyleneamine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Eldon Dwyann Dalrymple, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Publication number: 20130192826
    Abstract: A composition comprising crosslinked expandable polymeric microparticles capable of hydrolysis at or below neutral pH and a method of modifying the permeability to water of a subterranean formation by introducing such compositions into the subterranean formation is disclosed and claimed. This invention further relates to compositions and methods for the recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean reservoir or formation subjected to CO2 or CO2 Water Alternating Gas flooding at low pH and increases the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the subterranean formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Pious Kurian, Mingli Wei, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Publication number: 20120316090
    Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion composition and method of production is disclosed. The composition may comprise a monomer phase, an organic phase, at least one initiator, and an inverting phase. The monomer phase may further comprise at least one monomer, water, ammonium chloride, sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonate, tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, and at least one water soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The organic phase may further comprise at least one hydrophobic solvent, lecithin, and a polyoxyethylene derivative of a sorbitan ester. The at least one monomer may be selected from the group consisting of an acrylic monomer, an acrylamide monomer, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Kin-Tai Chang, Kirk E. Wells, Jesse V. Mello
  • Patent number: 7989401
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods that may be used for enhanced oil recovery, for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and for increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations. The compositions may include, for example, expandable cross-linked polymeric microparticles having unexpanded volume average particle size diameters of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns and cross linking agent contents of from about 100 to about 200,000 ppm of labile cross linkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile cross linkers, wherein the expandable polymeric monomers have a block copolymer structure comprising at least two different monomers having different chemical structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Pious V. Kurian, William H. Joyce, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Patent number: 7947630
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods for enhanced oil recovery, for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and for increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations. The compositions may include, for example, expandable cross-linked polymeric microparticles having unexpanded volume average particle size diameters of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns and cross linking agent contents of from about 100 to about 200,000 ppm of labile cross linkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile cross linkers that may be used in combination with other components such as, for example, a second and different polymeric microparticle, a viscosified aqueous solution, a subterranean reservoir treatment, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Jeffery M. Atkins, Joseph Paul Street, Kin-Tai Chang, Cathy C. Doucette
  • Patent number: 7928042
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles comprising an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN). The IPN constrains the microparticle to an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns. Labile cross-links in the polymers of the IPN are subject to degradation, which results in release of the expandable microparticle so that the microparticle expands. The invention is further directed to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Peter E. Reed, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Patent number: 7902127
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising crosslinked expandable polymeric microparticles comprising structured polymers having labile crosslinks or having a labile core and non-labile crosslinks. The starting configuration of the structured polymers constrains the microparticle to an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns. Labile crosslinks or the labile core of the structured polymers are subject to degradation which results expansion of the microparticle. The invention is further directed to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Pious Kurian, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Patent number: 7897546
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising encapsulated expandable polymeric microparticles including expandable base microparticles encapsulated in a shell of at least one layer of a labile or degradable encapsulation material. The encapsulated microparticles have an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns. The invention is further directed to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Brett M. Showalter, Peter E. Reed, Manian Ramesh, Joseph Paul Street, Kin-Tai Chang, Pious Kurian
  • Patent number: 7888296
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles comprising hydrophobic polymers having a backbone with labile pendant groups, the microparticles having an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns. Labile pendant groups on the backbone are subject to hydrolysis under a change in environmental conditions that results in expansion of the microparticle. The invention is further directed to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: John D. Morris, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Publication number: 20100022419
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles comprising an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN). The IPN constrains the microparticle to an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns. Labile cross-links in the polymers of the IPN are subject to degradation, which results in release of the expandable microparticle so that the microparticle expands. The invention is further directed to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Peter E. Reed, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Publication number: 20090264322
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles comprising hydrophobic polymers having a backbone with labile pendant groups, the microparticles having an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns. Labile pendant groups on the backbone are subject to hydrolysis under a change in environmental conditions that results in expansion of the microparticle. The invention is further directed to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: John D. Morris, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Publication number: 20090264321
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising encapsulated expandable polymeric microparticles including expandable base microparticles encapsulated in a shell of at least one layer of a labile or degradable encapsulation material. The encapsulated microparticles have an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns. The invention is further directed to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Brett M. Showalter, Peter E. Reed, Manian Ramesh, Joseph Paul Street, Kin-Tai Chang, Pious Kurian
  • Publication number: 20090264324
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising crosslinked expandable polymeric microparticles comprising structured polymers having labile crosslinks or having a labile core and non-labile crosslinks. The starting configuration of the structured polymers constrains the microparticle to an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns. Labile crosslinks or the labile core of the structured polymers are subject to degradation which results expansion of the microparticle. The invention is further directed to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Pious Kurian, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Publication number: 20090264325
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods for enhanced oil recovery, for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and for increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations. The compositions may include, for example, expandable cross-linked polymeric microparticles having unexpanded volume average particle size diameters of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns and cross linking agent contents of from about 100 to about 200,000 ppm of labile cross linkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile cross linkers that may be used in combination with other components such as, for example, a second and different polymeric microparticle, a viscosified aqueous solution, a subterranean reservoir treatment, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffery M. Atkins, Joseph Paul Street, Kin-Tai Chang, Cathy C. Doucette
  • Publication number: 20090260820
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods that may be used for enhanced oil recovery, for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and for increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations. The compositions may include, for example, expandable cross-linked polymeric microparticles having unexpanded volume average particle size diameters of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns and cross linking agent contents of from about 100 to about 200,000 ppm of labile cross linkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile cross linkers, wherein the expandable polymeric monomers have a block copolymer structure comprising at least two different monomers having different chemical structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Pious V. Kurian, William H. Joyce, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Publication number: 20090260819
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods that may be used for enhanced oil recovery, for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and for increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations. The compositions may include, for example, expandable cross linked polymeric microparticles having an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns and a cross linking agent content of from about 100 to about 200,000 ppm of hydrolytically labile silyl ester or silyl ether crosslinkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile crosslinkers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Pious V. Kurian, Kin-Tai Chang, Manian Ramesh
  • Patent number: 7504438
    Abstract: The invention comprises a polymeric demulsifier, methods of producing the demulsifier and methods of using the demulsifier. The demulsifier is the reaction product of at least one amine-containing group, and optionally a second amine-containing group which includes a tertiary amine group, with a diepoxy- or diglycidyl compound and an additional amine compound subsequently reacted with unreacted epoxy groups. This polymeric composition is subsequently reacted with N-alkylating agent containing compounds to produce novel demulsifiers useful to demulsify oil bearing formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Duane S. Treybig, Kin-Tai Chang, Dennis A. Williams