Patents by Inventor Xue Min Dong

Xue Min Dong 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: 12270010
    Abstract: Dilutable concentrates useful for hard surface cleaners with improved film/streak performance on high-energy surfaces are disclosed. The concentrates comprise a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant and a polyetheramine. A relatively minor proportion of a polyetheramine can resolve film/streak issues that characterize hard surface cleaners formulated with nonionic surfactants. The efficacy of polyetheramines for improving film/streak performance of hard surface cleaners formulated with nonionic alkoxylated surfactants far exceeds the benefits available from known improvements, such as the use of hydrotropes. Other inventive dilutable concentrates and hard surface cleaners comprise an amine-functional hydrophobe and an auxiliary surfactant. Still other dilutable concentrates or hard surface cleaners comprise a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant and lactic acid. An improved method for measuring film/streak properties of hard surface cleaners is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald A. Masters, Mona Marie Knock, Patrick Shane Wolfe, Timothy A. Boebel, Xue Min Dong, Dennis S. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20240209160
    Abstract: Copolymers comprising recurring units of a phenyl glycidyl ether and alkylene oxides are disclosed. Some of the copolymers comprise a di- or polyfunctional nucleophilic initiator and recurring units of the phenyl glycidyl ether and an alkylene oxide. The di- or polyfunctional nucleophilic initiator is an alcohol, phenol, amine, thiol, thiophenol, sulfinic acid, or deprotonated species thereof. Other copolymers comprise a monofunctional nucleophilic initiator selected from thiols, thiophenols, aralkylated phenols, sulfinic acids, secondary amines, C10-C20 terpene alcohols, and deprotonated species thereof. Pigments dispersions comprising the copolymers are also disclosed. The copolymers meet the growing needs of the industry with their ease of manufacture, diverse structures, and desirable performance attributes for dispersing a wide range of organic and inorganic pigments. Agricultural applications for the copolymers are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy A. BOEBEL, Xue Min DONG, E. Carolina ROJAS, Renee LUKA, Gary LUEBKE, Paul W. KNOX
  • Patent number: 11981879
    Abstract: Dilutable concentrates useful for hard surface cleaners with improved film/streak performance on high-energy surfaces are disclosed. The concentrates comprise a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant and a polyetheramine. A relatively minor proportion of a polyetheramine can resolve film/streak issues that characterize hard surface cleaners formulated with nonionic surfactants. The efficacy of polyetheramines for improving film/streak performance of hard surface cleaners formulated with nonionic alkoxylated surfactants far exceeds the benefits available from known improvements, such as the use of hydrotropes. Other inventive dilutable concentrates and hard surface cleaners comprise an amine-functional hydrophobe and an auxiliary surfactant. Still other dilutable concentrates or hard surface cleaners comprise a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant and lactic acid. An improved method for measuring film/streak properties of hard surface cleaners is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald A. Masters, Mona Marie Knock, Patrick Shane Wolfe, Timothy A. Boebel, Xue Min Dong, Dennis S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 11939434
    Abstract: Copolymers comprising recurring units of a phenyl glycidyl ether and alkylene oxides are disclosed. Some of the copolymers comprise a di- or polyfunctional nucleophilic initiator and recurring units of the phenyl glycidyl ether and an alkylene oxide. The di- or polyfunctional nucleophilic initiator is an alcohol, phenol, amine, thiol, thiophenol, sulfinic acid, or deprotonated species thereof. Other copolymers comprise a monofunctional nucleophilic initiator selected from thiols, thiophenols, aralkylated phenols, sulfinic acids, secondary amines, C10-C20 terpene alcohols, and deprotonated species thereof. Pigments dispersions comprising the copolymers are also disclosed. The copolymers meet the growing needs of the industry with their ease of manufacture, diverse structures, and desirable performance attributes for dispersing a wide range of organic and inorganic pigments. Agricultural applications for the copolymers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy A. Boebel, Xue Min Dong, E. Carolina Rojas, Renee Luka, Gary Luebke, Paul W. Knox
  • Patent number: 11760889
    Abstract: Sulfate and sulfonate derivatives of unsaturated fatty alcohols, processes for making them, and methods of using them are disclosed. In one aspect, a monounsaturated fatty alcohol composition is made by reducing a metathesis-derived monounsaturated alkyl ester. The fatty alcohol composition is then converted to a sulfate or sulfonate derivative by one or more of alkoxylation, sulfation, sulfonation, and sulfitation. Of particular interest are the sulfate and ether sulfate derivatives. Microscopy studies indicate that the unsaturated sodium sulfates in particular have a lamellar phase that should enable formulation at high actives levels. Sulfate compositions comprising 40 to 60 wt. % of a monounsaturated fatty primary alcohol sulfate and 40 to 60 wt. % of a secondary hydroxyalkyl primary alcohol sulfate are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: David R. Allen, Marcos Alonso, Mary Beddaoui, Randal J. Bernhardt, Aaron Brown, Scott Dillavou, Xue Min Dong, Wilma Gorman, John C. Hutchison, Gary Luebke, Renee Luka, Franz Luxem, Andrew D. Malec, Ronald A. Masters, Dennis S. Murphy, Nicholas Pendleton, Irma Ryklin, Patti Skelton, Brian Sook, Chris Spaulding, Krista Turpin, Gregory Wallace, Michael Wiester, Patrick Shane Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20210139815
    Abstract: Dilutable concentrates useful for hard surface cleaners with improved film/streak performance on high-energy surfaces are disclosed. The concentrates comprise a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant and a polyetheramine. A relatively minor proportion of a polyetheramine can resolve film/streak issues that characterize hard surface cleaners formulated with nonionic surfactants. The efficacy of polyetheramines for improving film/streak performance of hard surface cleaners formulated with nonionic alkoxylated surfactants far exceeds the benefits available from known improvements, such as the use of hydrotropes. Other inventive dilutable concentrates and hard surface cleaners comprise an amine-functional hydrophobe and an auxiliary surfactant. Still other dilutable concentrates or hard surface cleaners comprise a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant and lactic acid. An improved method for measuring film/streak properties of hard surface cleaners is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Ronald A. MASTERS, Mona Marie KNOCK, Patrick Shane WOLFE, Timothy A. BOEBEL, Xue Min DONG, Dennis S. MURPHY
  • Patent number: 10989028
    Abstract: Methods for making efficient use of steam in a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process for recovering heavy oils from tar sands and similar petroleum deposits are disclosed. The methods utilize a surfactant to generate steam foam in ways that maximize efficient use of steam. In some aspects, steam foam is used in water layers or gas caps that reside above steam chambers to prevent loss of steam from the steam chamber. The predominant use of relatively dry steam in SAGD processes makes it challenging to find ways to introduce surfactants and generate steam foam. However, decreasing the mobility of the steam by converting at least some of it to foam allows the wellbore and steam chambers above the injection site to be more fully developed, provides for more effective heat transfer to the heavy oil and rock, improves production, and allows recovery of the heavy oil with a minimum amount of steam usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron Sanders, Gregory P. Dado, Brian Holland, Xue Min Dong, E. Carolina Rojas
  • Patent number: 10982174
    Abstract: Synergistic surfactant blends are disclosed. In one aspect, the blend comprises an anionic surfactant and a metathesis-based cationic surfactant comprising a quaternized derivative. The quaternized derivative is a quaternized fatty amine, quaternized fatty amidoamine, imidazoline quat, or esteramine quat made from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid or its ester derivative. Also disclosed are synergistic surfactant blends comprising a cationic surfactant and a metathesis-based anionic surfactant comprising a sulfonated derivative. The sulfonated derivative is a fatty ester sulfonate, fatty acid sulfonate, sulfoestolide, fatty amide sulfonate, sulfonated fatty ester alkoxylate, imidazoline quat sulfonate, sulfonated amidoamine oxide, or sulfonated amidoamine betaine. The synergistic blends have a negative ? value or a reduced interfacial tension (IFT) when compared with an expected IFT value calculated from the individual surfactant components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Randal J. Bernhardt, Xue Min Dong
  • Publication number: 20200347245
    Abstract: Sulfate and sulfonate derivatives of unsaturated fatty alcohols, processes for making them, and methods of using them are disclosed. In one aspect, a monounsaturated fatty alcohol composition is made by reducing a metathesis-derived monounsaturated alkyl ester. The fatty alcohol composition is then converted to a sulfate or sulfonate derivative by one or more of alkoxylation, sulfation, sulfonation, and sulfitation. Of particular interest are the sulfate and ether sulfate derivatives. Microscopy studies indicate that the unsaturated sodium sulfates in particular have a lamellar phase that should enable formulation at high actives levels. Sulfate compositions comprising 40 to 60 wt. % of a monounsaturated fatty primary alcohol sulfate and 40 to 60 wt. % of a secondary hydroxyalkyl primary alcohol sulfate are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: David R. ALLEN, Marcos ALONSO, Mary BEDDAOUI, Randal J. BERNHARDT, Aaron BROWN, Scott DILLAVOU, Xue Min DONG, Wilma GORMAN, John C. HUTCHISON, Gary LUEBKE, Renee LUKA, Franz LUXEM, Andrew D. MALEC, Ronald A. MASTERS, Dennis S. MURPHY, Nicholas PENDLETON, Irma RYKLIN, Patti SKELTON, Brian SOOK, Chris SPAULDING, Krista TURPIN, Gregory WALLACE, Michael WIESTER, Patrick Shane WOLFE
  • Patent number: 10745347
    Abstract: Sulfate and sulfonate derivatives of unsaturated fatty alcohols, processes for making them, and methods of using them are disclosed. In one aspect, a monounsaturated fatty alcohol composition is made by reducing a metathesis-derived monounsaturated alkyl ester. The fatty alcohol composition is then converted to a sulfate or sulfonate derivative by one or more of alkoxylation, sulfation, sulfonation, and sulfitation. Of particular interest are the sulfate and ether sulfate derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: David R. Allen, Marcos Alonso, Mary Beddaoui, Randal J. Bernhardt, Aaron Brown, Scott Dillavou, Xue Min Dong, Wilma Gorman, John C. Hutchison, Gary Luebke, Renee Luka, Franz Luxem, Andrew D Malec, Ronald A. Masters, Dennis S. Murphy, Nicholas Pendleton, Irma Ryklin, Patti Skelton, Brian Sook, Chris Spaulding, Krista Turpin, Gregory Wallace, Michael Wiester, Patrick Shane Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20200255593
    Abstract: Polymers useful in formulating dispersing agents for pigments are disclosed. One such polymer can be made from a glycidyl intermediate. A nucleophilic initiator can be reacted with epichlorohydrin to produce a glycidyl intermediate. This intermediate is reacted with an aralkylated phenol to give a hydroxy-functional hydrophobe. Alkoxylation of the hydrophobe gives the desired polymer. In an alternative, approach, the polymer is made by reacting the nucleophilic initiator with an aralkylated phenol glycidyl ether to give the hydroxy-functional hydrophobe, which is then alkoxylated. Pigments dispersions comprising the polymers are also disclosed. The polymers meet the growing needs of the industry with their ease of manufacture, diverse structures, and desirable performance attributes for dispersing a wide range of organic and inorganic pigments. Agricultural applications for the polymers are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy A. BOEBEL, Xue Min DONG, E. Carolina ROJAS, Renee LUKA, Gary LUEBKE
  • Publication number: 20200223988
    Abstract: Copolymers comprising recurring units of a phenyl glycidyl ether and alkylene oxides are disclosed. Some of the copolymers comprise a di- or polyfunctional nucleophilic initiator and recurring units of the phenyl glycidyl ether and an alkylene oxide. The di- or polyfunctional nucleophilic initiator is an alcohol, phenol, amine, thiol, thiophenol, sulfinic acid, or deprotonated species thereof. Other copolymers comprise a monofunctional nucleophilic initiator selected from thiols, thiophenols, aralkylated phenols, sulfinic acids, secondary amines, C10-C20 terpene alcohols, and deprotonated species thereof. Pigments dispersions comprising the copolymers are also disclosed. The copolymers meet the growing needs of the industry with their ease of manufacture, diverse structures, and desirable performance attributes for dispersing a wide range of organic and inorganic pigments. Agricultural applications for the copolymers are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy A. BOEBEL, Xue Min DONG, E. Carolina ROJAS, Renee LUKA, Gary LUEBKE, Paul W. KNOX
  • Publication number: 20200182031
    Abstract: Methods for making efficient use of steam in a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process for recovering heavy oils from tar sands and similar petroleum deposits are disclosed. The methods utilize a surfactant to generate steam foam in ways that maximize efficient use of steam. In some aspects, steam foam is used in water layers or gas caps that reside above steam chambers to prevent loss of steam from the steam chamber. The predominant use of relatively dry steam in SAGD processes makes it challenging to find ways to introduce surfactants and generate steam foam. However, decreasing the mobility of the steam by converting at least some of it to foam allows the wellbore and steam chambers above the injection site to be more fully developed, provides for more effective heat transfer to the heavy oil and rock, improves production, and allows recovery of the heavy oil with a minimum amount of steam usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron SANDERS, Gregory P. DADO, Brian HOLLAND, Xue Min DONG, E. Carolina ROJAS
  • Patent number: 10590749
    Abstract: Methods for making efficient use of steam in a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process for recovering heavy oils from tar sands and similar petroleum deposits are disclosed. The methods utilize a surfactant to generate steam foam in ways that maximize efficient use of steam. In some aspects, steam foam is used in water layers or gas caps that reside above steam chambers to prevent loss of steam from the steam chamber. The predominant use of relatively dry steam in SAGD processes makes it challenging to find ways to introduce surfactants and generate steam foam. However, decreasing the mobility of the steam by converting at least some of it to foam allows the wellbore and steam chambers above the injection site to be more fully developed, provides for more effective heat transfer to the heavy oil and rock, improves production, and allows recovery of the heavy oil with a minimum amount of steam usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Aaron Sanders, Gregory P. Dado, Brian Holland, Xue Min Dong, E. Carolina Rojas
  • Patent number: 10590331
    Abstract: Mixed dimer and mixed oligomer compositions are disclosed. The mixed dimer compositions comprise a monosulfonated cross-dimer or a salt thereof. The monosulfonated cross-dimer is a reaction product of (a) an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid); and (b) an unsulfonated olefin, an unsulfonated olefin precursor, or a functionalized olefin. The mixed oligomer compositions comprise a mono- or polysulfonated cross-oligomer or a salt thereof. The mono- or polysulfonated cross-oligomer is a reaction product of (a) an AOS acid; and (b) an unsulfonated diolefin or an unsulfonated diolefin precursor. Various methods for making the mixed dimer or oligomer compositions are described. Salts of the mixed dimer and oligomer compositions are useful surfactants for foams used in oilfield and other applications. The foams have improved high-temperature stability when compared with foams from AOS dimer acid salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: E. Carolina Rojas, Xue Min Dong, Aaron Sanders, Gregory P. Dado
  • Publication number: 20200040279
    Abstract: Synergistic surfactant blends are disclosed. In one aspect, the blend comprises an anionic surfactant and a metathesis-based cationic surfactant comprising a quaternized derivative. The quaternized derivative is a quaternized fatty amine, quaternized fatty amidoamine, imidazoline quat, or esteramine quat made from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid or its ester derivative. Also disclosed are synergistic surfactant blends comprising a cationic surfactant and a metathesis-based anionic surfactant comprising a sulfonated derivative. The sulfonated derivative is a fatty ester sulfonate, fatty acid sulfonate, sulfoestolide, fatty amide sulfonate, sulfonated fatty ester alkoxylate, imidazoline quat sulfonate, sulfonated amidoamine oxide, or sulfonated amidoamine betaine. The synergistic blends have a negative ? value or a reduced interfacial tension (IFT) when compared with an expected IFT value calculated from the individual surfactant components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Randal J. BERNHARDT, Xue Min DONG
  • Patent number: 10513670
    Abstract: Synergistic surfactant blends are disclosed. In one aspect, the blend comprises an anionic surfactant and a metathesis-based cationic surfactant comprising a quaternized derivative. The quaternized derivative is a quaternized fatty amine, quaternized fatty amidoamine, imidazoline quat, or esteramine quat made from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid or its ester derivative. Also disclosed are synergistic surfactant blends comprising a cationic surfactant and a metathesis-based anionic surfactant comprising a sulfonated derivative. The sulfonated derivative is a fatty ester sulfonate, fatty acid sulfonate, sulfoestolide, fatty amide sulfonate, sulfonated fatty ester alkoxylate, imidazoline quat sulfonate, sulfonated amidoamine oxide, or sulfonated amidoamine betaine. The synergistic blends have a negative ? value or a reduced interfacial tension (IFT) when compared with an expected IFT value calculated from the individual surfactant components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Randal J. Bernhardt, Xue Min Dong
  • Publication number: 20190225915
    Abstract: Surfactant compositions comprising an alkoxylate, a sulfate, or ether sulfate of a C10-C12 monounsaturated alcohol are disclosed. The alkoxylate, sulfate, or ether sulfate may derive from undecylenic acid or undecylenic alcohol. Compared with their saturated analogs, the monounsaturated alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates are less irritating, making them valuable for personal care, laundry, cleaners, and other household applications. Microscopy studies show that the alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates have favorable phase behavior over a wide range of actives levels, expanding opportunities for products with greater compaction. When combined with cationic surfactants, the alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates exhibit synergy, and they have improved solubility compared with their saturated analogs. The surfactants find value for the personal care, laundry and cleaning, emulsion polymerization, agricultural products, oilfield applications, and specialty foams industries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: David R. Allen, Randal J. Bernhardt, Aaron Brown, Gregory P. Dado, Xue Min Dong, Wilma Gorman, Ronald Masters, Patti Skelton
  • Patent number: 10315988
    Abstract: Methods of making an alpha-olefin sulfonic dimer acid (AOS dimer acid) are disclosed. In one method, an alpha-olefin is sulfonated, preferably with sulfur trioxide, to produce a mixture comprising an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid) and sulfur dioxide. This mixture is then heated while purging sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from the reactor to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. In another method, the AOS acid mixture is treated to remove sulfur dioxide and is then heated to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. With either method, the resulting AOS dimer acid composition has at least a 30% decrease in the level of elemental sulfur when compared with that of an AOS dimer acid composition prepared by a similar process in the absence of any active removal of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide. AOS dimer acid compositions and salts of the AOS dimer acids, which are useful surfactants for oilfield and other applications, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory P. Dado, Aaron Sanders, Xue Min Dong, E. Carolina Rojas
  • Patent number: 10287530
    Abstract: Surfactant compositions comprising an alkoxylate, a sulfate, or ether sulfate of a C10-C12 monounsaturated alcohol are disclosed. The alkoxylate, sulfate, or ether sulfate may derive from undecylenic acid or undecylenic alcohol. Compared with their saturated analogs, the monounsaturated alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates are less irritating, making them valuable for personal care, laundry, cleaners, and other household applications. Microscopy studies show that the alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates have favorable phase behavior over a wide range of actives levels, expanding opportunities for products with greater compaction. When combined with cationic surfactants, the alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates exhibit synergy, and they have improved solubility compared with their saturated analogs. The surfactants find value for the personal care, laundry and cleaning, emulsion polymerization, agricultural products, oilfield applications, and specialty foams industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: David R. Allen, Randal J. Bernhardt, Aaron Brown, Gregory P. Dado, Xue Min Dong, Wilma Gorman, Ronald Masters, Patti Skelton