Patents by Inventor Timothy La

Timothy La 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: 20240100544
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for lithium ore beneficiation. The methods and compositions are suitable for use in flotation of lithium ore sources such as pegmatite, Zinnwaldite, Jadarite, or lithium mica. The methods include combining a lithium ore source, a water source, a collector, and optionally a frother to form a lithium beneficiation slurry; sparging the lithium beneficiation slurry; separating the sparged lithium beneficiation slurry to form a lithium beneficiary and a gangue; and collecting the lithium beneficiary, where the collector includes an oleic acid source, a hydroxycarboxylic acid, and a surfactant. The collectors obtain improved performance in terms of purity of lithium recovered from the ore, as a function of percent lithium recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan Travis Chester, Timothy La
  • Publication number: 20240100545
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for lithium ore beneficiation. The methods and compositions are suitable for use in froth flotation of lithium ore sources. The methods include combining a lithium ore source, a water source, and a collector composition to form a lithium beneficiation slurry; sparging the lithium beneficiation slurry; separating the sparged lithium beneficiation slurry to form a lithium beneficiary and a gangue; and collecting the lithium beneficiary, where the collector includes a C10 to C28 hydroxycarboxylic acid, a surfactant, and a solvent. The collectors obtain high yield of lithium and excellent selectivity for lithium species in the froth flotation of lithium ores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan Travis Chester, Timothy La
  • Patent number: 9988282
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more GPS-surfactant based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Nicholas Urbani, Timothy La, John David Kildea
  • Patent number: 9944534
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more particular silane based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Everett C. Phillips, Timothy La, Kailas B. Sawant
  • Publication number: 20170066656
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more GPS-surfactant based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Carl Nicholas Urbani, Timothy La, John David Kildea
  • Publication number: 20170050861
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more particular silane based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Everett C. Phillips, Timothy La, Kailas B. Sawant
  • Patent number: 9487408
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more particular silane based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Everett C. Phillips, Timothy La, Kailas B. Sawant
  • Patent number: 9416020
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more GPS-surfactant based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Carl Nicholas Urbani, Timothy La, John David Kildea
  • Patent number: 8889096
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more particular silane based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Timothy La, John D. Kildea, Kevin L. O'Brien, Everett C. Phillips, Kailas B. Sawant, David H. Slinkman, Frederick J. Swiecinski, Ji Cui
  • Publication number: 20140124451
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more GPS-surfactant based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: NALCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Carl Nicholas Urbani, Timothy La, John David Kildea
  • Publication number: 20130343970
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more particular silane based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Timothy La, Ji Cui, John D. Kildea, David H. Slinkman
  • Patent number: 8545776
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more particular silane based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Timothy La, Ji Cui, John D. Kildea, David H. Slinkman
  • Publication number: 20120148462
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more particular silane based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Everett C. Phillips, Timothy La, Kailas B. Sawant
  • Patent number: 8029752
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of controlling silica in the liquor circuit of the Bayer process. The method involves addition of a promoter material to enhance the precipitation of DSP and includes adding one or more silica dispersion materials or dry silica forms to those parts of the circuit where precipitation of DSP and removal of silica from solution is desirable; for example the desilication stage of a Bayer process plant. The removal of DSP from solution reduces silica concentration in the liquor and thereby enables better control of process issues such as silica contamination in alumina product and DSP formation in later stages of the process where precipitation as scale onto vessel walls and equipment is problematical. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Timothy La, Ji Cui, John D. Kildea, David H Slinkman, Kim Richard Coleman
  • Publication number: 20110212006
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more particular silane based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy La, John D. Kildea, Kevin L. O'Brien, Everett C. Phillips, Kailas B. Sawant, David H. Slinkman, Frederick J. Swiecinski, Ji Cui
  • Publication number: 20110076209
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more particular silane based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy La, Ji Cui, John D. Kildea, David H. Slinkman
  • Publication number: 20100254866
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of controlling silica in the liquor circuit of the Bayer process. The method involves addition of a promoter material to enhance the precipitation of DSP and includes adding one or more silica dispersion materials or dry silica forms to those parts of the circuit where precipitation of DSP and removal of silica from solution is desirable; for example the desilication stage of a Bayer process plant. The removal of DSP from solution reduces silica concentration in the liquor and thereby enables better control of process issues such as silica contamination in alumina product and DSP formation in later stages of the process where precipitation as scale onto vessel walls and equipment is problematical. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Timothy La, Ji Cui, John D. Kildea, David H. Slinkman, Kim Richard Coleman