Patents by Inventor Michael D. Cloeter

Michael D. Cloeter 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: 20200016553
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line mixing apparatus and use therein for adding a polymer solution and dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension. Said method comprises statically mixing the aqueous mineral suspension with a poly(ethylene oxide) (co)polymer to form a dough-like material. The viscous mixture material is then dynamically mixed in an in-line reactor to reduce the mixture viscosity and to form microflocs and release water. Said method is particularly useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries, especially for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Paul A. Gillis, Jason S. Moore, Billy G. Smith, Michael D. Cloeter, Michael K. Poindexter, Irfan Khan
  • Publication number: 20170247271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for flocculating and dewatering oil sands fine tailings. Said method comprises mixing the aqueous mineral suspension with a poly(ethylene oxide) (co)polymer to form a dough-like material. The material is then dynamically mixed in an in-line reactor to break down the dough-like material to form microflocs having an average size of 1 to 500 microns, and to release water. The internal diameter of the in-line reactor is at most five times the internal diameter of the inlet pipe of the reactor. The suspension of microflocs has a viscosity of at most 1000 cP and a yield stress of at most 300 Pa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Gillis, Jason S. Moore, Billy G. Smith, Michael D. Cloeter, Michael K. Poindexter, Carol E. Mohler, Wu Chen, Cole A. Witham, Justice Alaboson, Shankhadeep Das, Harpreet Singh
  • Publication number: 20170216791
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line mixing apparatus and use therein for adding a polymer solution and dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension. Said method comprises statically mixing the aqueous mineral suspension with a poly(ethylene oxide) (co) polymer to form a dough-like material. The viscous mixture material is then dynamically mixed in an in-line reactor 40 to reduce the mixture viscosity and to form microflocs and release water. Said method is particularly useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries, especially for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Gillis, Jason S. Moore, Billy G. Smith, Michael D. Cloeter, Michael K. Poindexter, Irfan Khan
  • Patent number: 9700855
    Abstract: A mixer for a continuous flow reactor and methods for forming the mixer and the operation thereof. The mixer allows for segmentation of a primary reactant flow through a plurality of ports into many smaller flows that are injected as jets into a secondary reactant flow in channels of the mixer. The channel has a constant width dimension to enhance even flow distribution and local turbulence of the primary and secondary reactant flows. The constant width dimension of the channel and the size and number of the ports of the mixer can be configured to ensure the primary reactant flow injected into the channel directly impinges on a surface of the channel that is opposite the injection point at normal operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Gene W. Bachman, Raymond M. Jones, Michael D. Cloeter, Charles W. Lipp, Mark J. Bartel, Brady J. Coomes, Scott J. Daigle, Steve F. Janda
  • Publication number: 20170056846
    Abstract: A static mixer (10) for combining a first fluid and a second fluid. The static mixer (10) including a plurality of plates (18, 24, 32, 40) having orifices (20, 26, 28) formed therethrough. As the first fluid and the second fluid pass through the static mixer (10), the fluids are combined and mixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Zhao Yu, Michael D. Cloeter, Joy L. Mendoza, Philippe P. Maillot, Stacy W. Hoy, IV
  • Patent number: 9545606
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a process and a system for solubilizing a surfactant in supercritical carbon dioxide that include providing a turbulent flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide into which the surfactant solubilizes and injecting the surfactant into the turbulent flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide to achieve a Jet Mixing Number of 0.01 to 1.0. In one or more embodiments, a pump provides turbulent flow to supercritical carbon dioxide moving through at least a portion of piping, and an injector associated with the piping conveys the surfactant through surfaces defining a port in the injector to inject the surfactant into the turbulent flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide so as to achieve the Jet Mixing Number of 0.01 to 1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Cloeter, Raymond M. Jones
  • Patent number: 9447201
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerization inhibitor composition and a method of inhibiting polymerization of distillable monomers in liquid and evaporated/condensed phases with the polymerization inhibitor composition. The polymerization inhibitor composition is useful for inhibiting polymerization of the distillable monomers during manufacture, purification (e.g., distillation), handling, and storage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Kishore K. Kar, Michael D. Cloeter, Olan Stanley Fruchey, Richard S. Harner, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, Renaud Nicolay, Jaroslav Mosná{hacek over (c)}ek
  • Publication number: 20140355373
    Abstract: A mixer for a continuous flow reactor and methods for forming the mixer and the operation thereof. The mixer allows for segmentation of a primary reactant flow through a plurality of ports into many smaller flows that are injected as jets into a secondary reactant flow in channels of the mixer. The channel has a constant width dimension to enhance even flow distribution and local turbulence of the primary and secondary reactant flows. The constant width dimension of the channel and the size and number of the ports of the mixer can be configured to ensure the primary reactant flow injected into the channel directly impinges on a surface of the channel that is opposite the injection point at normal operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Gene W. Bachman, Raymond M. Jones, Michael D. Cloeter, Charles W. Lipp, Mark J. Bartel, Brady J. Coomes, Scott J. Daigle, Steve F. Janda
  • Patent number: 8827544
    Abstract: A mixer (100) for a continuous flow reactor (330) and methods for forming the mixer and the operation thereof. The mixer allows for segmentation of a primary reactant flow through a plurality of ports (124) into many smaller flows that are injected as jets into a secondary reactant flow in channels of the mixer. The channel (126) has a constant width dimension to enhance even flow distribution and local, turbulence of the primary and secondary reactant flows. The constant width dimension of the channel and the size and number of the ports of the mixer can be configured to ensure the primary reactant flow injected into the channel directly impinges on a surface (116) of the channel that is opposite the injection point at normal operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Gene W. Bachman, Raymond M. Jones, Michael D. Cloeter, Charles W. Lipp, Mark J. Bartel, Brady J. Coomes, Scott J. Daigle, Steve F. Janda
  • Publication number: 20130240046
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a process and a system for solubilizing a surfactant in supercritical carbon dioxide that include providing a turbulent flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide into which the surfactant solubilizes and injecting the surfactant into the turbulent flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide to achieve a Jet Mixing Number of 0.01 to 1.0. In one or more embodiments, a pump provides turbulent flow to supercritical carbon dioxide moving through at least a portion of piping, and an injector associated with the piping conveys the surfactant through surfaces defining a port in the injector to inject the surfactant into the turbulent flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide so as to achieve the Jet Mixing Number of 0.01 to 1.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Cloeter, Raymond M. Jones
  • Publication number: 20130074943
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a process and a system for solubilizing a surfactant in supercritical carbon dioxide that include providing a turbulent flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide into which the surfactant solubilizes and injecting the surfactant into the turbulent flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide to achieve a Jet Mixing Number of 0.01 to 1.0. In one or more embodiments, a pump provides turbulent flow to supercritical carbon dioxide moving through at least a portion of piping, and an injector associated with the piping conveys the surfactant through surfaces defining a port in the injector to inject the surfactant into the turbulent flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide so as to achieve the Jet Mixing Number of 0.01 to 1.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Cloeter, Raymond M. Jones
  • Patent number: 8338627
    Abstract: A process for producing epoxide, the process including contacting an organic phase including at least one halohydrin(s) with at least one aqueous phase including a base in a plug-flow mixer/reactor system to disperse the organic phase in the aqueous phase via a mixing device imparting a power-to-mass ratio of at least 0.2 W/kg to convert at least a portion of the at least one halohydrin to an epoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William W. Fan, Christian D. Kneupper, Sascha Noormann, Ranate Patrascu, Bruce D. Hook, Charles W. Lipp, Michael D. Cloeter, Heinz Groenewald
  • Patent number: 8143456
    Abstract: Methods for removing methanol from acetone recycle streams during bisphenol-A production, thereby avoiding the deactivation of catalyst, by distilling an acetone-methanol-water comprising mixture such that acetone is taken overhead in form of a relatively pure distillate, and substantial portions of the methanol and the water are leaving with the bottom product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Thomas C. Young, Michael D. Cloeter, Mark E. Busbice
  • Publication number: 20110290635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerization inhibitor composition and a method of inhibiting polymerization of distillable monomers in liquid and evaporated/condensed phases with the polymerization inhibitor composition. The polymerization inhibitor composition is useful for inhibiting polymerization of the distillable monomers during manufacture, purification (e.g., distillation), handling, and storage thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Kishore K. Kar, Michael D. Cloeter, Olan Stanley Fruchey, Richard S. Harner, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, Renaud Nicolay, Jaroslav Mosnacek
  • Publication number: 20110137087
    Abstract: Methods for removing methanol from acetone recycle streams during bisphenol-A production, thereby avoiding the deactivation of catalyst, by distilling an acetone-methanol-water comprising mixture such that acetone is taken overhead in form of a relatively pure distillate, and substantial portions of the methanol and the water are leaving with the bottom product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas C. Young, Michael D. Cloeter, Mark E. Busbice
  • Publication number: 20100103769
    Abstract: A mixer (100) for a continuous flow reactor (330) and methods for forming the mixer and the operation thereof. The mixer allows for segmentation of a primary reactant flow through a plurality of ports (124) into many smaller flows that are injected as jets into a secondary reactant flow in channels of the mixer. The channel (126) has a constant width dimension to enhance even flow distribution and local, turbulence of the primary and secondary reactant flows. The constant width dimension of the channel and the size and number of the ports of the mixer can be configured to ensure the primary reactant flow injected into the channel directly impinges on a surface (116) of the channel that is opposite the injection point at normal operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Gene W. Bachman, Raymond M. Jones, Michael D. Cloeter, Charles W. Lipp, Mark J. Bartel, Brady J. Coomes, Scott J. Daigle, Steve F. Janda
  • Publication number: 20100029960
    Abstract: A process for producing epoxide, the process including contacting an organic phase including at least one halohydrin(s) with at least one aqueous phase including a base in a plug-flow mixer/reactor system to disperse the organic phase in the aqueous phase via a mixing device imparting a power-to-mass ratio of at least 0.2 W/kg to convert at least a portion of the at least one halohydrin to an epoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: William W. Fan, Christian D. Kneupper, Sascha N. Noormann, Renate P. Patrascu, Bruce D. Hook, Charles W. Lipp, Michael D. Cloeter, Heinz G. Groenewald