Patents by Inventor Stephen R. Vasconcellos

Stephen R. Vasconcellos 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: 8858803
    Abstract: Methods are provided for making halide-free quaternary ammonium salt monomers. Polymers prepared from the monomers and methods of using the polymers to clarify raw, untreated water or wastewater are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tamaz Guliashvili, Stephen R. Vasconcellos
  • Patent number: 8778185
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of conditioning mixed liquor in membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems comprising adding an effective amount of a treatment composition comprising a water soluble cationic quaternary ammonium starch or a water soluble quaternary ammonium starch/gum blend to the mixed liquor. Also disclosed is a method of improving flux in an MBR system comprising adding the treatment composition to the mixed liquor of the MBR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sijing Wang, Stephen R. Vasconcellos
  • Publication number: 20130037483
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of conditioning mixed liquor in membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems comprising adding an effective amount of a treatment composition comprising a water soluble cationic quaternary ammonium starch or a water soluble quaternary ammonium starch/gum blend to the mixed liquor. Also disclosed is a method of improving flux in an MBR system comprising adding the treatment composition to the mixed liquor of the MBR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Sijing Wang, Stephen R. Vasconcellos
  • Publication number: 20120125863
    Abstract: Methods are provided for making halide-free quaternary ammonium salt monomers. Polymers prepared from the monomers and methods of using the polymers to clarify raw, untreated water or wastewater are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Tamaz Guliashvili, Stephen R. Vasconcellos
  • Patent number: 7943048
    Abstract: A method for recovering tallow from meat processing wastewater includes adding a coagulant composition to the wastewater to agglomerate suspended fat, oil and grease particles in the wastewater, separating solid waste materials from the wastewater and isolating tallow from the solid waste materials. The coagulant composition includes tannin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Abdul Rafi Khwaja, Stephen R. Vasconcellos
  • Patent number: 7722841
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a combination of a polymeric chelant and coagulant to treat metal containing wastewater. More particularly, the invention is directed at removing copper from CMP wastewater. The composition includes a combination of (a) a polymeric chelant derived from a polyamine selected from the group consisting of diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetraamine (TETA), tertraethylenepentaamine (TEPA), poly[vinylamine], and branched or linear poly[ethylenimine] (PEI); and (b) a water soluble or dispersible copolymer of a tannin and a cationic monomer selected from the group consisting of methyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate quaternary salt of dimethyl aminoethyl acrylate, diethylaminoethyl acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide, dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide, and diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Baraka Kawawa, Stephen R. Vasconcellos, William Sean Carey, Nicholas R. Blandford
  • Publication number: 20100051553
    Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of Mercury in a liquid stream, such as an aqueous wastewater or process water stream or a non-aqueous liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream is disclosed wherein the liquid stream is contacted with an effective amount of a Hg-complexing agent, the mercury contaminants in the liquid stream form insoluble complexes with the Hg-complexing agent, then the insoluble complexes are removed from the liquid stream via microfiltration or ultrafiltration techniques including the use of submerged hollow fiber ultrafilters or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gerald C. Walterick, JR., Stephen R. Vasconcellos, Deborah Gereaghty
  • Publication number: 20090266769
    Abstract: A method for recovering tallow from meat processing wastewater includes adding a coagulant composition to the wastewater to agglomerate suspended fat, oil and grease particles in the wastewater, separating solid waste materials from the wastewater and isolating tallow from the solid waste materials. The coagulant composition includes tannin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Abdul Rafi Khwaja, Stephen R. Vasconcellos
  • Patent number: 7291273
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods for removing metals, e.g., ionic cobalt from an electroless plating operation, preferably to levels less than 5 ppm. The metals can then be either landfilled or regenerated for electrowinning and reuse. The invention utilizes an ion exchange media comprised of a silica backbone and functionalized with phosphonate groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen R. Vasconcellos, Nicholas R. Blandford
  • Patent number: 6887935
    Abstract: Methods for the preparation of high molecular weight cationic poly(meth) acrylamide/quaternary ammonium salt copolymers are disclosed wherein after at least about 50% of the monomers have been polymerized, a cross-linking agent is then added to the reaction mixture on a continuous basis and in the absence of any feed of chain transfer agent. Cationic copolymers so produced exhibit improved floc formation properties and are useful as flocculants and dewatering aids in aqueous systems that include an oily sludge or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: GE Betz, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Peltier, Stephen R. Vasconcellos, Michael R. Wood
  • Publication number: 20040192840
    Abstract: Methods for the preparation of high molecular weight cationic poly(meth) acrylamide/quaternary ammonium salt copolymers are disclosed wherein after at least about 50% of the monomers have been polymerized, a cross-linking agent is then added to the reaction mixture on a continuous basis and in the absence of any feed of chain transfer agent. Cationic copolymers so produced exhibit improved floc formation properties and are useful as flocculants and dewatering aids in aqueous systems that include an oily sludge or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: GE Betz, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Peltier, Stephen R. Vasconcellos, Michael R. Wood
  • Patent number: 6743421
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of removing organic acid an/or organic amines odors from aqueous systems by treating the aqueous system or the atmosphere adjacent to the aqueous system with a solution of a substantially sulfonate free, anionic kraft pine lignin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: GE Betz, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Vasconcellos, Terry L. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20040087717
    Abstract: Methods for the preparation of high molecular weight cationic poly(meth) acrylamide/quaternary ammonium salt copolymers are disclosed wherein after at least about 50% of the monomers have been polymerized, a cross-linking agent is then added to the reaction mixture on a continuous basis and in the absence of any feed of chain transfer agent. Cationic copolymers so produced exhibit improved floc formation properties and are useful as flocculants and dewatering aids in aqueous systems that include an oily sludge or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: GE Betz, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Peltier, Stephen R. Vasconcellos
  • Patent number: 6666975
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fast-acting, aqueous phase chemical treatment for reducing the emission of hydrogen sulfide odor from an aqueous medium, e.g., a wastewater or pulping and paper making medium, to the vapor phase. This invention comprises adding an effective amount for the purpose of glyoxal to the desired hydrogen sulfide-containing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: GE Betz, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhuo Chen, Stephen R. Vasconcellos
  • Publication number: 20030143182
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of removing organic acid an/or organic amines odors from aqueous systems by treating the aqueous system or the atmosphere adjacent to the aqueous system with a solution of a substantially sulfonate free, anionic kraft pine lignin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen R. Vasconcellos, Terry L. Robbins
  • Patent number: 5846436
    Abstract: Tannin containing polymers, their method of production and methods of using as water treatment agents are disclosed. The polymers are aldehyde-free and comprise copolymers of tannin and a cationic monomer. Another embodiment comprises aldehyde-free polymers of tannin, cationic monomer and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of an anionic monomer and a nonionic monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Chi Chen, Fu Chen, Gerald C. Walterick, Jr., Stephen R. Vasconcellos
  • Patent number: 5720887
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for dewatering sludge that utilizes the step-wise and sequential addition to the sludge of a cationic polyamine and a cationic polyacrylamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Vasconcellos, Michael R. Wood, Kimberly A. Bell
  • Patent number: 5643462
    Abstract: Tannin containing polymers, their method of production and methods of using as water treatment agents are disclosed. The tannin containing polymers comprise copolymers of tannin and a cationic monomer. Another embodiment comprises tannin containing polymers of tannin, cationic monomer and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of an anionic monomer and a nonionic monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Chi Chen, Fu Chen, Gerald C. Walterick, Jr., Stephen R. Vasconcellos
  • Patent number: 5486296
    Abstract: Detoxification of quaternary ammonium compounds using detoxifying amounts of lignosulfonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Betz Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Petrille, III, Stephen R. Vasconcellos, Michael W. Werner
  • Patent number: 5368744
    Abstract: A method for the flocculation of wastewater comprising a block copolymer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein E is a polymeric segment obtained from the polymerization of hydrophobic monomers, x when present is a nonionic monomer, y is a cationic monomer, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and are H or a lower alkyl group from C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 and F is a salt of a ammonium cation. The block copolymer is added to the wastewater particularly oily wastewater, to flocculate contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Betz Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Wood, Stephen R. Vasconcellos