Synthetic Polymer Patents (Class 210/732)
  • Publication number: 20030189008
    Abstract: A process for treating liquid septage and other biosolids having the steps of placing a known amount of liquid septage in a tank, mixing in a sufficient quantity of alkaline material to raise the pH to a desired level, storing the pH adjusted septage for a predetermined period of time, dewatering the septage, and pasteurizing the resultant dewatered solids cake. The process for treating liquid septage and biosolids disclosed by the current invention meets the Class A vector attractant reduction and pathogen reduction requirements mandated by the U.S. EPA. The end product of septage and other biosolids treated using the process disclosed by the current invention can be sold as fertilizer, and utilized without any additional permits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Roger A. Hickey
  • Patent number: 6617421
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing substantially dry water insoluble polymers from poly alkyl esters of vinylic monomers for use in a method for the clarification of red mud-containing liquors generated in the Bayer process for the recovery of alumina from bauxite ore. The polymers can be either homopolymers, copolymers or terpolymers. Preferably, the dried emulsion polymers are high molecular weight polymers of poly(methyl acrylate), poly(methyl acrylate/acrylic acid), poly(vinyl acetate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate), poly(t-butyl methacrylate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate) and poly(t-butyl acrylate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Ondeo Nalco Company
    Inventors: Everett C. Phillips, Ronald J. Allain
  • Patent number: 6596176
    Abstract: A process for the purification of water includes the addition of hydrogen peroxide and metallic coagulants in order to remove organic contaminants. Metallic coagulants increase the oxidative activity of hydrogen peroxide, while also causing the oxidized by-products to coagulate. The method is suitable for use in existing water treatment facilities. Optionally, an anionic polymer may also be added to enhance coagulation of the oxidized contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald Edward Delozier II, Kenneth Wayne Farris, Larry Don Casey
  • Publication number: 20030121863
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating dredged material in which liquid is first added to the dredged material, and dewatering the dredged material to obtain a filtrate and a solid portion. Contaminants are removed from the dredged material by at least one oxidation process. The solid portion may be used to form structural articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph M. Kelly, Daniel J. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6576594
    Abstract: A method of controlling algae in a municipal water plant including the step of adding an algicide-flocculant solution including 25-50 wt % acidic flocculent, 0-10 wt % polymer flocculant aid, an algicide consisting essentially of copper having a concentration of 0.025-1.275 wt % in the form of a water soluble copper salt, balance water. The algicide-flocculant solution may be added to the water via a clarifier of the water plant, a basin of the water plant, or a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber may be located within the clarifier, adjacent to the basin, or upstream of the clarifier and/or the basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Bay Chemical and Supply Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Nier, Tosby L. Linn
  • Publication number: 20030089669
    Abstract: A method for the refreshment and reuse of loaded developers used in lithographic printing is disclosed. A polyoxyalkylene derivative is added to a silicate-containing loaded developer. Insoluble material is separated and the alkalinity level of the resulting essentially colorless liquid adjusted to produce a refreshed developer. The refreshed developer may be used to develop additional exposed imageable elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Ulrich Fiebag, Hans-Joachim Timpe, Uwe Tondock, Andreas Vihs
  • Patent number: 6555009
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for demulsification of water-in-oil emulsions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Ramesh Varadaraj
  • Patent number: 6544425
    Abstract: A method of dewatering a mixture of coal tailings, water and contaminants comprising the steps of (a) providing a tank having a base surface and introducing said mixture of coal, tailings, water, and contaminants to said tank and allowing said coal tailings to settle on said base surface, (b) removing the coal tailings from said base surface of said tank along with water and contaminants and then separating said water and at least some of said contaminants from said coal tailings wherein said separated contaminants are suspended in said separated water, (c) adding an agent selected from one or more of the group consisting of a coagulant and a flocculent to said water and suspended contaminants separated from the coal tailings in step (b), (d) allowing the agent added in step (c) to coagulate or flocculate with the suspended contaminants to form a coagulated or flocculated mass and a quantity of supernatant water, and (e) separating the coagulated or flocculated mass formed in step (d) from the quantity of sup
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Slurry Cleanup Environmental, Inc.
    Inventor: Olen O. Miller
  • Patent number: 6420312
    Abstract: An algicide-flocculant solution for use in treating raw water in a municipal water plant to control algae, the algicide-flocculant solution including 25-50 wt % of an acidic flocculant, 0-10 wt % of a polymer flocculant aid, an algicide of essentially copper having a concentration of 0.025-1.25 wt % in the form of a water soluble capper salt, and balance water. Uniform mixing of the flocculant into the raw water simultaneously uniformly mixes the algicide of the algicide-flocculant solution into the raw water. The acidic flocculant is preferably aluminium sulfate, iron sulfate, iron chloride or mixtures thereof. The water soluble copper salt is preferably copper sulfate, copper chloride, copper nitrate, copper acetate or mixtures thereof. Moreover, the flocculant aid is a high molecular weight quaternary amine such as diallyldimethylammonium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Bay Chemical and Supply Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Nier, Tosby L. Linn
  • Patent number: 6372882
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing substantially dry water insoluble polymers from poly alkyl esters of vinylic monomers for use in a method for the clarification of red mud-containing liquors generated in the Bayer process for the recovery of alumina from bauxite ore. The polymers can be either homopolymers, copolymers or terpolymers. Preferably, the dried emulsion polymers are high molecular weight polymers of poly(methyl acrylate), poly(methyl acrylate/acrylic acid), poly(vinyl acetate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate), poly(t-butyl methacrylate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate) and poly(t-butyl acrylate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Everett C. Phillips, Ronald J. Allain
  • Patent number: 6365052
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of dewatering animal farm waste water comprising: (1) adding an effective amount of a cationic dispersion polymer having an RSV of at least 24, the dispersion polymer prepared by polymerizing under free radical forming conditions in an aqueous solution of a water-soluble salt in the presence of one or more particle stabilizing polymers (i) from about 20 to about 90 mole percent nonionic monomers and (ii) from about 10 to about 80 mole percent of cationic monomers wherein the cationic monomers are selected from at least one hydrophilic cationic monomer and at least one hydrophobic cationic monomer and wherein less than 50 percent of the cationic monomers on a molar basis are hydrophobic monomers, (2) mixing the waste water and the cationic dispersion polymer to form a mixture of water and flocculated solids and (3) separating the flocculated solids from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ananthasubramanian Sivakumar, Cathy C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20010052501
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of clarifying water comprising adding to the water an effective clarifying amount of a low molecular weight water-soluble cationic dispersion polymer prepared by polymerizing one or more cationic monomers and one or more nonionic monomers and one or more chain transfer agents under free radical forming conditions in an aqueous solution of an anionic salt in the presence of a stabilizer polymer, wherein the cationic dispersion has a cationic charge of from about 1.0 mole percent to about 75 mole percent and an RSV of from about 0.2 dl/g to about 6 dl/g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: John W. Sparapany, Richard P. Cardile
  • Patent number: 6261461
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte which contains an inorganic pigment, having a sulfonated polystyrene resin as a principal ingredient, and is soluble to water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhito Inagaki, Tsutomu Noguchi, Haruo Watanabe, Miyuki Kuromiya
  • Patent number: 6251277
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying protein containing waste water, In which a) a first insoluble material is caused to form in the waste water, b) the mixture obtained in step a) is separated to form pre-purified waste water, c) the pre-purified waste water is treated with aerobic microorganisms and d) the mixture obtained in step c) is separated to form finely purified waste water, and in which step b) and step d) are carried out in the same device. Preferably, steps b) and d) are alternately carried out in the same device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Friesland Brands B.V.
    Inventor: Jelle Van Der Spoel
  • Patent number: 6248369
    Abstract: A water soluble copper salt, preferably cupric sulfate pentahydrate, is mixed with water. A small quantity of an acidic flocculant is added to the copper sulfate solution to acidify the water and promote dissolving of the copper sulfate in the water. A 25-50% water solution of an acidic flocculant, with or without a cationic polymeric flocculant aid, is prepared and pumped into a processing vessel or tank. The acidified copper sulfate solution is added to the tank and mixed with the acidic flocculant. The algicide-flocculant solution is transported to a municipal water plant and added to raw water in the clarifier to drop out particulates in the incoming water and control algae in the clarifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Bay Chemical and Supply Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Nier, Tosby L. Linn
  • Patent number: 6210585
    Abstract: A method of separating solids and preventing foaming in an industrial water system comprising adding to fluids in the industrial water system an effective amount of a low foaming latex polymer prepared using a tallow amine ethoxylate/polyoxyethylene oleyl ether emulsifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: James Morton Tippett, Graeme John Farquharson, Radhakrishnan Selvarajan, John T. Malito
  • Patent number: 6140130
    Abstract: A system and method for the detection and removal of copper from wastewater streams from semiconductor or printed circuit board manufacturing is described and claimed. The detection system and method involve the addition of a reagent that reacts with copper to quench the fluorophore present, with the decrease in fluorescence being detected by a fluorometer. The reduction of fluorescence is then used to calculate the amount of copper present in the form of Cu+2 ion in the wastewater. The removal system and method involve either the addition of a polymer that reacts with copper to form an insoluble precipitate with said precipitate then being removed by using any technique commonly known in the art; or the use of an ion exchange column to remove the copper from the wastewater stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kristine S. Salmen, Angela S. Kowalski, Brian V. Jenkins, John E. Hoots
  • Patent number: 6136200
    Abstract: A composition for the detackification and clarification of acid and alkaline paint and lacquer waste waters and paint spray booth wastes, comprising:an inorganic-organic and/or organic adduct alloy polymer composition having the formula:A.multidot.B.sup.+ .multidot.D.sup.+wherein: A=[(SiO.sub.2 /Me.sup.I.sub.2 O).sub.u Me.sup.II.sub.m Me.sub.m.sup.III(OH).sbsp.p.sup.(SO.sbsp.4.sup.).sbsp.y.sup.(Aci) (2m+3n)-p-2y].sub.rwhere r=1 to 98% bw; u=0 to 10% bw; ##STR1## where: x=0 to 98% bw; Z is a divalent substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic radicalD.sup.+ =(PQAM).sub.wwherew=2 to 98% b.w. of polyquaternized polymer (PQAM)Me.sub.m.sup.II is selected from the divalent cationic group comprising: Mg, Zn, Ca, and Fe.sup.2+m=0 to 5Me.sub.n.sup.III is a tri-or more valent metal selected from the group comprising: Fe, Al, and Al--Zn complexes;n=1 to 20Aci is selected from the monovalent anionic group comprising Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, NO.sub.3 --, H.sub.2 PO.sub.4 --, CH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Polymer Research Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Waldmann
  • Patent number: 6123856
    Abstract: A sludge, preferably derived at least in part from a paper mill, pulp mill or deinking plant, and which contains at least secondary sludge or primary sludge comprising deinking waste, recycled paper waste or mechanical pulping waste, is flocculated by being mixed with a phenolic material and a polyalkylene oxide and is then subjected to dewatering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Water Treatments Limited
    Inventors: Victor Kumpera, Stephen Robert Tremont
  • Patent number: 6120678
    Abstract: Improved performance in the phase separation of aqueous brines from hydrocarbons within an electrostatic desalter operation is obtained by the addition to the crude oil emulsions entering the desalter of an effective asphaltene dispersing amount of an alkyl phenol-formaldehyde liquid resin polymer, optionally in the presence of a lipophilic/hydrophilic vinylic polymer. The preferred resin is a nonyl phenol-formaldehyde resin having a molecular weight of from 1,000-20,000, and the preferred vinylic polymer is a copolymer of lauryl (meth)acrylate and hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate. Best results from the electrostatic desalter are obtained when also using a demulsifier chemical treatment along with the asphaltene dispersing treatments. Desalter efficiency is increased and desalter brine effluent quality is greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: William K. Stephenson, Joe Scott Walker, Bordan W. Krupay, Sheraldean A. Wolsey-Iverson
  • Patent number: 6110383
    Abstract: A mobile separator system for receiving and separating a mixed composition of oil, water, and sludge. The mobile separator system including a tank for holding the mixed composition, and a drain manifold that includes a plurality of drain pipes extending into the tank at varying elevations for allowing the drainage of water from the tank system. A vacuum source is attached to the top of the tank for carrying a vacuum within the tank to draw the mixed composition into the tank. The drain manifold is surrounded by a screen that allows the passage of water and oil, while preventing the passage of sludge through the screen into the drain pipes. A floating check valve is connected to each of the drain pipes to regulate the flow of water through the drain pipe. The floating check valve includes a valve element that has a density which causes the valve element to float in water and sink in oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Coombs Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey W. Coombs, Ron D. Pearson
  • Patent number: 6059978
    Abstract: Cationic polymers are added to wastewater containing colorants to form a cationic polymer/colorant complex. Anionic polymers are then added to the wastewater to produce a flocculent precipitate that is separated from the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Simco Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Pacifici, Daniel G. Sims
  • Patent number: 6060571
    Abstract: Acrolein polymer from acrolein and one or more polyhydric alcohols, characterized by release of monomeric acrolein in aqueous systems and hence by a prolonged effect on microorganisms, is prepared by adding acrolein to a reaction medium containing catalyst in dissolved form, and not allowing the temperature of the reaction medium to rise about 50.degree. C. The acrolein polymer may be used in aqueous systems as a biocide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Degussa Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Werle, Hans-Peter Krimmer, Martin Trageser, Franz-Rudolf Kunz
  • Patent number: 6039881
    Abstract: Processes for spray drying water-soluble and water-swellable vinyl-addition polymer-containing dispersions, emulsions and microemulsions to obtain substantially dry water-soluble or water-swellable polymer particles, compositions of substantially dry water-soluble or water-swellable polymer particles, methods of agglomerating spray-dried polymer particles, and methods of using spray-dried polymer particles and agglomerates in water-treating, mining, paper, food processing, soil conditioning, solution thickening, biotechnological, and oil recovery applications are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: CYTEC Technology Corp.
    Inventors: William Bloor Davies, John Edward Healy, Gary Kaui Lani Miller, Joseph J. Kozakiewicz, Roderick G. Ryles
  • Patent number: 5993668
    Abstract: Metal ions and/or complexes of metal ions are removed from a solution by formation of an insoluble chelated complex of the metal ions and a polymeric precipitating agent. A two-step process of mixing the influent with the precipitating agent is used to induce rapid precipitation and obtain large, self-agglomerated precipitate without addition of flocculating agent and/or pH adjustment. In addition, parallel loops are employed to simultaneously discharge treated metal-free solution and effectively collect/remove the precipitate-containing sludge without interfering with each other. The metal capturing capacity of the polymeric precipitant is maximized by forcing the influent solution through layers of the collected precipitate and by recycling unsaturated metal-precipitant complexes in the processing loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Hunt Photographic Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Hailing Duan
  • Patent number: 5977190
    Abstract: A process of washing an emulsion such as a silver halide emulsion which contains a hydrophilic colloid comprises deionizing the emulsion and coagulating the emulsion with an anionic polymer and separating the coagulum from the supernatant and resuspending the coagulum with hydrophilic colloid, water and a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lloyd A. Lobo, Kenneth B. Quinn
  • Patent number: 5945004
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating waste liquids containing body fluids so as to prevent problems such as nosocomial infection due to such waste liquids containing body fluids discharged from patients under (surgical) operation or treatment, particularly those waste liquids containing blood or an irrigation liquid used to irrigate the body cavity of such patient. The method includes collecting a waste liquid containing body fluids into a container, separating the waste liquid into a supernatant liquor and a flocculate within the container, discharging the supernatant liquor from the container, and disposing of the flocculate remaining in the container together with the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Daiken Iki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Ohira, Junichi Yamanaka, Satoru Toyoshima, Koichi Murayama
  • Patent number: 5928517
    Abstract: A process of selectively separating a target metal contained in a solid matrix from the solid matrix by contacting a solid matrix containing a target metal with an aqueous solution including a water-soluble polymer adapted for complexation with the target metal for sufficient time whereby a water-soluble polymer-target metal complex is formed, and, separating the solution including the water-soluble polymer-target metal complex from the solid matrix is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Barbara F. Smith, Thomas W. Robison, Nancy N. Sauer, Deborah S. Ehler
  • Patent number: 5885461
    Abstract: A low cost efficient method and system for treating animal waste and in particular pig and swine solid and liquid manure to allow removable of undesirable odors and return of sludge and liquid safely to the environment to eliminate or reduce pollution. The method and system include collecting the manure into a central tank and using a continuous process to compress the manure to separate liquid from the solid sludge and transferring the separated liquid to a separate holding tank. The dried out sludge is collected as a residual and can be safely returned to the environment. Calcium carbonate may be added to the residual sludge to reduce odor. A polymer may be added to the pressing stage of the sludge to enhance liquid sludge separation. The separated liquid is then treated with a pressure filter membrane to remove undesirable elements from the liquid after which is filtered and is returned safely to the environment either to a natural stream to a sewage system or for agricultural uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Purin-Pur, Inc.
    Inventors: Madeleine Tetrault, Denys Grandbois
  • Patent number: 5883181
    Abstract: Multimodal emulsions comprising a blend of at least one polymeric microemulsion provide for high solids and low bulk viscosity. Convenient and versitale processes for preparing multimodal emulsions are also provided. Mannich (alk)acrylamide polymeric microemulsions are among the numerous different polymeric microemulsions which may be used to prepare the multimodal emulsions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corp.
    Inventors: James V. Cicchiello, Sun-Yi Huang, Joseph J. Kozakiewicz, Richard F. Rice
  • Patent number: 5876609
    Abstract: The instant invention relates to a novel process for the hydrolysis of the by-products produced during the manufacture of methyldichlorosilanes comprising combining the by-products with an aqueous medium, optionally comprising a surfactant, at a pH range of at least about 7 and at a temperature of above about 0.degree. C. to produce a solid material in which copper and other metals are retained in a solid phase thereby resulting in a product with a high copper content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Lee White, Sunita Singh Baghel, Luisito Alvarez Tolentino, Mark Kromer Barr, David Cheney DeMoulpied, William Lee Gately, Jan-Willem Goedmakers, Jeffrey David Hallen, Edward Francis Kennedy, Bang Mo Kim, Ray Walton Shade, Matthew David Butts
  • Patent number: 5858247
    Abstract: The invention involves the demulsification and liquefaction of hydrocarbon based sludges. A demulsifier and a liquefaction agent and methods of using the same are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the demulsifier contains a salt of DDBSA, polypropylene glycol, and citrene. In a preferred embodiment, the liquefaction agent contains a glycol ether and sodium silicate. In another preferred embodiment, the liquefaction agent contains a glycol ether and citrene. In preferred practice, the sludge is treated with the liquefaction agent, circulated, treated with the demulsifier, and circulated further. An object of the invention is to provide a hydrocarbon based sludge that is sufficiently liquefied to be pumped and which is sufficiently demulsified to allow the waters, oils, and solids in the sludge to separate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Texchem Group International, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gale James Campbell
  • Patent number: 5853596
    Abstract: A method for reducing the COD of water containing an emulsion of organic material in water. The emulsion contains insoluble organic material and a surfactant. The COD is reduced by mixing a cationic polymer flocculent with the water and maintaining the temperature at from 37.degree. C. to 95.degree. C. for a sufficient length of time for an organic phase and water with reduced COD to form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventor: Michael W. Gibson
  • Patent number: 5853677
    Abstract: Processes for improving solids/liquids separation efficiency in the Bayer process are disclosed, wherein Bayer process streams are treated with calcium or magnesium salts, flocculated with carboxylic acid or salt group-containing polymers, and centrifuged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Peter V. Avotins, Roderick G. Ryles, Gregory Flieg
  • Patent number: 5798046
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing secondary fiber contaminants from paper mill process waters comprising adding a polyvinyl chloride, a cationic polymeric coagulant and a polymeric flocculant to paper mill process waters containing secondary fiber contaminants in an amount sufficient to agglomerate the secondary fiber contaminants to larger particles sizes, and removing the secondary fiber contaminants from the process water by a dissolved air flotation clarification technique. The addition of particulate polyvinyl chloride in combination with a polymeric coagulant and flocculant prior to the DAF clarification process causes the contaminants to become preferentially coated with the polyvinyl chloride particles. This coating is what causes the subsequent removal of the secondary fiber contaminants in the DAF clarification process to be more effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Carol S. Greer, Ann M. Capozzi, Linda S. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 5779910
    Abstract: Mineral slurries such as coal refuse are flocculated to separate solids therefrom by adding a blend of high and low molecular weight cationic flocculants followed by a high molecular weight anionic flocculant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corp.
    Inventor: William T. Donlin
  • Patent number: 5763523
    Abstract: Stable compositions as flocculants comprising a blend of at least two inverse emulsions, at least one of which is a polymeric microemulsion, provide effective flocculating performance over time. Methods for preparing stable emulsion blends use stabilizing amounts of aldehyde scavenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Haunn-Lin Chen, Richard F. Rice, Louis Rosati, Paul S. Waterman
  • Patent number: 5730880
    Abstract: Process for removing unwanted material from wanted material containing water by bringing an isocyanate-containing prepolymer into contact with the materials, allowing the prepolymer to react with the water to form a flexible foam and removing the foam obtained from the wanted material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventors: Dirk Gerber, Peter Michel Gerber, Viviane Gertrude Johanna Neyens, Peter Frans Eugeen Maria Stroobants
  • Patent number: 5711923
    Abstract: The invention comprises a process for improved flocculation of Bayer process red mud-containing slurry. The improvement comprises adding to the red mud-containing liquor a hydroxymethyl diphosphonic acid polymer optionally in addition to the conventional flocculant. The polymer is added to the red mud-containing liquor in an amount sufficient to reduce the concentration of suspended solids in the supernatant phase and/or increase the rate of sedimentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Harris, Robert P. Mahoney, Manian Ramesh
  • Patent number: 5688861
    Abstract: Polymer polyols and polymer-modified polyols having substantially no transition metal content in the polyol continuous phase may be prepared from encapsulative double metal cyanide complex-catalyzed polyoxyalkylene polyether base polyols without substantial removal of double metal cyanide complex catalyst residues from the base polyol and subsequent in situ polymerization of one or more polymerizable monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald W. Simroth, Xinhua Zhou, Charles V. Rose
  • Patent number: 5670056
    Abstract: Small, wet particulate material is effectively dried by adding a hydrophobizing agent to coat the surfaces of the particulates, and then mechanically removing water droplets from the surfaces of the particulates. Once on the surface of the particulates, the hydrophobizing reagent makes the particulates relatively more hydrophobic and increases the water contact angle on the particulates. The moisture content of the particulate material can easily be reduced to levels below 20%, below 10%, and even below 5%. The process can be used to dewater a wide variety of constituents including coal particles, clays, sulfides, phosphorous compounds, minerals, metals, waste sludge, etc. Particularly preferred hydrophobizing reagents include mono unsaturated fatty esters and polysiloxane polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Roe-Hoan Yoon, Cesar Indiongco Basilio
  • Patent number: 5637229
    Abstract: Disclosed is a combined flocculating and clarifying medium for flocculating and separating solid particles from waste water comprising a mixture of solid filtering or aggregating particles and a dry flocculating agent effective to flocculate the solid particles to form larger and heavier aggregates with the filtering or aggregating particles in the waste water and filtering or gravity separating the formed aggregate from the waste water. Preferably, the filtering and aggregating particles are silicious particles, such as rice hull ash, diatomaceous earth, and perlite. The flocculating and clarifying medium can be combustible or can chemically fix the aggregated solid particles in a silicious cement, which solid particles can include heavy metal particles in silicious cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: enviroGuard, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy S. Rieber
  • Patent number: 5632897
    Abstract: A method for removing aluminum from blood includes the step of adding to the blood an anticoagulant and a complexing agent for aluminum or one compound effective in both preventing coagulation of blood and capable of complexing aluminum. The complexing agent or compound capable of complexing aluminum is allowed to intermingle with the blood and complex with aluminum present in the blood. The complex of complexing agent and aluminum formed during the intermingle step is then separated using a semi-permeable membrane, and the blood is recovered. The method is particularly useful in treating patient's having aluminum intoxication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Fresenius AG
    Inventor: Bernd Mathieu
  • Patent number: 5624569
    Abstract: The invention is a method for clarifying ink-containing effluent water from recycled paper production which comprises the step of adding a water-soluble, surface active, silicon-containing polyelectrolyte polymer coagulant to the ink-containing effluent water from recycled paper production, wherein the polymer has from 0.01 to 10 mole percent of a vinyl alkoxysilane monomer. A preferred silicon-containing polyelectrolyte polymer is the product of a free radical synthesis from vinyltrimethoxysilane and diallyldimethylammoniumchloride monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: NALCO Chemical Company
    Inventors: Daniel K. Chung, Manian Ramesh, Karen R. Tubergen
  • Patent number: 5605633
    Abstract: A process for treating a photographic waste liquid containing a used processing liquid resulting from a processing step having a bleaching ability or a fixing ability in the processing of a silver halide photographic material which process comprises adding a polymer-complex-forming agent to the waste liquid in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 4 equivalents to a metal contained in the waste liquid to thereby form a polymer-metal complex and then filtering off the polymer-metal complex with a mono-membrane filter having a pore size of 0.05 to 10 .mu.m to thereby remove the metal. A device for use in practicing the process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Koji Matsuo, Masaharu Yamada
  • Patent number: 5593572
    Abstract: A method for accelerating the settling of finely divided solids in hydrocarbon fluids comprising adding to the hydrocarbon a sufficient settling amount of a hetero-atom punctuated fatty polymer. Preferably, the hydrocarbon is a fluid catalytic cracker slurry containing spent catalyst fines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Hart
  • Patent number: 5587086
    Abstract: Coagulant compositions, advantageously solvent (water) solution thereof, well suited for the treatment/purification of impure aqueous media, e.g., surface waters, wastewaters, effluents, etc., via sedimentation technique, comprise (i) at least one basic aluminum polychloride or polychlorosulfate, (ii) at least one iron(II) and/or iron(III) compound, and (iii) at least one alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Kemrhone France
    Inventors: Sylvain Danda, Magnus Kvant, Yvette Pescher
  • Patent number: 5578219
    Abstract: A method of treating a water-swellable clay after the clay has been mined and dried to improve its properties when in contact with contaminated water. After the common initial drying of the clay to a moisture content of 12% by weight or less, the clay is impregnated with an aqueous solution containing a dissolved, water-soluble polymer, in an amount of at least about 0.5% by weight based on the dry weight of the clay, and the clay is wetted to a moisture content of more than 12% by weight, preferably at least about 15% or more, based on the dry weight of the clay, and then redried to a moisture content of 12% by weight or less, based on the dry weight of the clay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: AMCOL International Corporation
    Inventor: Laura Kajita
  • Patent number: 5575921
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for remediating ponds and other water sites containing sludge and other waste materials by a dredging and dewatering process which is economical and efficient, uses relatively low cost equipment and provides for high remediation rates. The preferred process dredges the site to produce a sludge which is screened to remove oversize material. The screened sludge is then thickened and the thickened sludge dredged and fed as a uniform thickened sludge mixture to a filter press to dewater the sludge producing a final sludge product having a high solids content. A coagulant is preferably added to the sludge and a polymer and/or coagulant added to the thickened sludge filter press feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Hydrometrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Askin, Robert J. Kimball, Sanna M. Yost
  • Patent number: 5575915
    Abstract: A method of removing silver from a solution containing silver halide and silver ion is described, which comprises a step of adding an a sulfur atom-containing hydrophilic polymer chelating agent to the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Yasuhiro Nakayama, Haruhiko Iwano, Hideo Miyazaki