Patents by Inventor Michael J. Murcia

Michael J. Murcia 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: 9562861
    Abstract: A challenge in using recycled material in the papermaking process is the presence of hydrophobic organics with adhesive properties commonly known as “stickies.” Hydrophobic agglomerates can result in spots or defects in the final paper product or deposit on papermaking equipment resulting in poor runnability and downtime. Technologies for monitoring and controlling microstickies exist. However, a need exists for a technique to rapidly determine the size and content of macrostickies (diameter>100 microns) in recycled pulp process streams. The present invention is a device and method to perform real-time macrostickies and/or any visible hydrophobic particle analysis in an aqueous medium. Using the present invention, furnish quality can be monitored and treatment performance can be monitored and controlled. The technique is based on fluorescence image analysis to identify and count sticky particles as well as measure their size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: William A. Von Drasek, Brett Brotherson, Sergey M. Shevchenko, Michael J. Murcia
  • Publication number: 20160327459
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus and methods of installing, using, and retracting the same. A filtration apparatus includes a compression gland, a ball valve, and a filter pipe. A distal portion of the filter pipe has one or more filtration holes. The filtration apparatus may be installed in a process pipe and the distal portion of the filter pipe may be disposed within the process pipe. The filter pipe can be easily retracted from the process pipe without interruption of the industrial process. The filtration apparatus can be automatically cleaned by compressed air or water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Darlington Mlambo, David R. Szymborski, David P. Workman, Michael J. Murcia
  • Publication number: 20160202508
    Abstract: A method of obtaining or maintaining optical transference into deaerated liquid in contact with a light transference medium is disclosed. The method comprises applying ultrasonic energy at a wavelength (?) into deaerated liquid in contact with a light transference medium. The ultrasonic energy at wavelength (?) originates at a distance (d) from an optical signal transmitted into the light transference medium. The distance (d) may be defined by a formula based on the wavelength (?) of the ultrasonic energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, Hui Li, Michael E. Bradley, Michael J. Murcia, Joe L. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20160201896
    Abstract: A clean-in-place method of maintaining optical transference through a light transference medium operably connected to a boiler system is disclosed. The method comprises inter alia contacting a liquid chemical agent to a wetted surface of a light transference medium. The liquid chemical agent is selected from the group consisting of an acid, a chelant, a reducing agent, and combinations thereof, for a period of time and at a concentration sufficient to clean the wetted surface of the light transference medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Hicks, Hui Li, Michael E. Bradley, Michael J. Murcia, Rodney H. Banks, Joe L. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9063080
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for measuring the formation of scale within a process system. The method involves measuring changes in the cell fouling as reflected on the refraction index measurements of a liquid medium with a refractometer and determining the scale formation from changes in the cell fouling factor. This allows for a refractometer to determine the formation of scale in locations that otherwise would not be measurable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Prasad Y. Duggirala, Sergey M. Shevchenko, Michael J. Murcia
  • Patent number: 9032792
    Abstract: A device and method for reducing and/or preventing fouling of a sensor is disclosed. The method comprises operating ultrasound technology that is submerged or partially submerged into a liquid medium that is responsible for the fouling. The device comprises the ultrasound technology itself. The ultrasound technology may be operated intermittently at high intensity to advantageously provide cavitation of the liquid medium, while avoiding the disadvantages typical of continuously operating ultrasound technology at high intensity. Additionally, the method may be carried out by taking advantage of the piezoelectric property of quartz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Bradley, Michael J. Murcia, Daniel E. Schwarz, Mita Chattoraj
  • Publication number: 20150029496
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for measuring the formation of scale within a process system. The method involves measuring changes in the cell fouling as reflected on the refraction index measurements of a liquid medium with a refractometer and determining the scale formation from changes in the cell fouling factor. This allows for a refractometer to determine the formation of scale in locations that otherwise would not be measureable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Prasad Y. Duggirala, Sergey M. Shevchenko, Michael J. Murcia
  • Patent number: 8500957
    Abstract: A method for monitoring with enhanced sensitivity of the deposition of one or more organic materials dispersed in an aqueous medium in a papermaking process which includes measuring the rate of deposition of the organic materials from the aqueous medium onto a quartz crystal microbalance having a top side contacting with the aqueous medium coated with a layer containing a material with surface energy in the range from about 34 to about 49 dynes/cm2, and a second, bottom side isolated from the aqueous medium is disclosed. Additionally, a method for measuring the effectiveness of an inhibitor that decreases the deposition of the organic materials in a papermaking process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Sergey M. Shevchenko, Michael J. Murcia
  • Publication number: 20130186188
    Abstract: A device and method for reducing and/or preventing fouling of a sensor is disclosed. The method comprises operating ultrasound technology that is submerged or partially submerged into a liquid medium that is responsible for the fouling. The device comprises the ultrasound technology itself. The ultrasound technology may be operated intermittently at high intensity to advantageously provide cavitation of the liquid medium, while avoiding the disadvantages typical of continuously operating ultrasound technology at high intensity. Additionally, the method may be carried out by taking advantage of the piezoelectric property of quartz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Michael E. Bradley, Michael J. Murcia, Daniel E. Schwarz, Mita Chattoraj
  • Patent number: 8466204
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a composition comprising activated magnesium hydroxide, a thickening agent for said magnesium hydroxide, water, an emulsifier, and an oil comprising tall oil fatty acid. In certain embodiments, the composition contains no caustic soda or hydrogen peroxide. The composition comprises from about 5% to about 70% by weight magnesium hydroxide, based upon the weight of the composition. The composition is useful in pulp deinking. In certain embodiments, the thickening agent may be xanthan gum, and the emulsifier may be sodium lauryl sulfate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Prasad Y. Duggirala, Michael J. Murcia
  • Publication number: 20130078730
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards methods, compositions, and apparatus for accurately detecting the presence and amounts of contaminants in wastewater. The method comprises the steps of adding to a volume of wastewater at least one tracer molecule, observing the tracer for indications of particular contaminants, conducting at least one second form of contamination detection, and interrelating the two measured properties to identify the specific composition of the contamination. Using a tracer molecule allows for the detection of otherwise hard to detect oils and grease. Use of the second method however compensates for tracer interfering contaminants and allows for more accurate readings. The invention includes feeding of functional chemicals in response to the detections and conducting the detections online and continuously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Michael J. Murcia, Prasad Y. Duggirala
  • Publication number: 20130020041
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding one or more chemicals into a process stream of a pulp process is disclosed, as well as a method of utilizing the apparatus for feeding one or more chemicals into a pulp process is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Prasad Y. Duggirala, Michael J. Murcia
  • Patent number: 8317974
    Abstract: A composition and method for deinking is disclosed. The composition and method contain an activated magnesium hydroxide or a magnesium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Prasad Y. Duggirala, Michael J. Murcia
  • Publication number: 20120258547
    Abstract: A challenge in using recycled material in the papermaking process is the presence of hydrophobic organics with adhesive properties commonly known as “stickies.” Hydrophobic agglomerates can result in spots or defects in the final paper product or deposit on papermaking equipment resulting in poor runnability and downtime. Technologies for monitoring and controlling microstickies exist. However, a need exists for a technique to rapidly determine the size and content of macrostickies (diameter>100 microns) in recycled pulp process streams. The present invention is a device and method to perform real-time macrostickies and/or any visible hydrophobic particle analysis in an aqueous medium. Using the present invention, furnish quality can be monitored and treatment performance can be monitored and controlled. The technique is based on fluorescence image analysis to identify and count sticky particles as well as measure their size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: William A. Von Drasek, Brett Brotherson, Sergey M. Shevchenko, Michael J. Murcia
  • Publication number: 20120135908
    Abstract: A composition and method for deinking is disclosed. The composition and method contain an activated magnesium hydroxide or a magnesium hydroxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Prasad Y. Duggirala, Michael J. Murcia
  • Publication number: 20120135906
    Abstract: A composition and method for deinking is disclosed. The composition and method contain an activated magnesium silicate or a magnesium silicate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Prasad Y. Duggirala, Michael J. Murcia
  • Publication number: 20120135907
    Abstract: A composition and method for deinking is disclosed. The composition and method contain an activated magnesium hydroxide or a magnesium hydroxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Prasad Y. Duggirala, Michael J. Murcia
  • Patent number: 8133350
    Abstract: A composition and method for deinking is disclosed. The composition and method contain an activated magnesium silicate or a magnesium silicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Prasad Y Duggirala, Michael J Murcia
  • Patent number: 8133351
    Abstract: A composition and method for deinking is disclosed. The composition and method contain an activated magnesium hydroxide or a magnesium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Prasad Y Duggirala, Michael J Murcia
  • Patent number: 8133356
    Abstract: A method for monitoring one or more deposits including microbiological deposits on a surface immersed in an aqueous medium of a process is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) providing a QCM that is in contact with an aqueous medium, wherein said QCM has a top side surface contacting the aqueous medium, and a second, bottom side surface isolated from the aqueous medium; (b) providing a composition that is selective for one or more deposit types, including microbiological deposits without the use of an antigen or an antibody; (c) applying said composition to the top side of said QCM surface; (d) measuring the rate of deposition of said deposits from the aqueous medium onto the top side of said QCM surface; and (e) optionally taking corrective action to change one or more process parameters, or chemistry applied to the process, or a combination thereof, to achieve a desired result in regards to microbiological deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Sergey M. Shevchenko, Michael J Murcia, Patrick J. Macuch