Patents by Inventor Virgil T. Little

Virgil T. Little 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: 10072217
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for resolving water and oil emulsions in the produced fluid of an oil production system comprising adding a reverse emulsion breaker to the produced fluid of the crude oil production system in an amount effective for resolving an oil-in-water emulsion. In particular, these methods for resolving an oil-in-water emulsion can be used in separation processes where the oil and solids in the produced fluid are separated from the produced water in the produced fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Izabela A. Owsik, Virgil T. Little
  • Patent number: 9914882
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for resolving water and oil emulsions in the produced fluid of an oil production system comprising adding a reverse emulsion breaker to the produced fluid of the crude oil production system in an amount effective for resolving an oil-in-water emulsion. In particular, these methods for resolving an oil-in-water emulsion can be used in separation processes where the oil and solids in the produced fluid are separated from the produced water in the produced fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil T. Little, Izabela A. Owsik
  • Publication number: 20160257891
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for resolving water and oil emulsions in the produced fluid of an oil production system comprising adding a reverse emulsion breaker to the produced fluid of the crude oil production system in an amount effective for resolving an oil-in-water emulsion. In particular, these methods for resolving an oil-in-water emulsion can be used in separation processes where the oil and solids in the produced fluid are separated from the produced water in the produced fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Virgil T. Little, Izabela A. Owsik
  • Publication number: 20160257892
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for resolving water and oil emulsions in the produced fluid of an oil production system comprising adding a reverse emulsion breaker to the produced fluid of the crude oil production system in an amount effective for resolving an oil-in-water emulsion. In particular, these methods for resolving an oil-in-water emulsion can be used in separation processes where the oil and solids in the produced fluid are separated from the produced water in the produced fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Izabela A. Owsik, Virgil T. Little
  • Patent number: 8888362
    Abstract: A thermal phase separation simulator and method for testing chemicals is disclosed. The simulator comprises a circular block heater carousel mounted for rotation on a stage. The carousel includes a circular array of test wells for receiving a plurality of test bottles, a plurality of heating elements and thermocouples disposed between the wells. Each well has an illumination port and a vertical slit to the outside to allow visual observation or imaging of a vertical swatch of the bottle. An illumination source aligns with the illumination port of each well in response to rotation of the carousel. The method includes adding a mixed phase fluid to a plurality of bottles, adding a chemical agent to each bottle, and simulating a thermal phase separation. Images of the fluid in each bottle are captured and analyzed to determine the performance of the one or more chemical agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Hart, Lee E. Nuebling, Robert R. Cleary, Virgil T. Little, Jan H. Beetge
  • Publication number: 20120212729
    Abstract: A thermal phase separation simulator and method for testing chemicals is disclosed. The simulator comprises a circular block heater carousel mounted for rotation on a stage. The carousel includes a circular array of test wells for receiving a plurality of test bottles, a plurality of heating elements and thermocouples disposed between the wells. Each well has an illumination port and a vertical slit to the outside to allow visual observation or imaging of a vertical swatch of the bottle. An illumination source aligns with the illumination port of each well in response to rotation of the carousel. The method includes adding a mixed phase fluid to a plurality of bottles, adding a chemical agent to each bottle, and simulating a thermal phase separation. Images of the fluid in each bottle are captured and analyzed to determine the performance of the one or more chemical agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: CHAMPION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul R. Hart, Lee E. Nuebling, Robert R. Cleary, Virgil T. Little, Jan H. Beetge