Ecolab USA Inc.

Nalco Company

Michael J Murcia

Prasad Y Duggirala

Mita Chattoraj

Sergey M Shevchenko

Aseet Mukherjee

David P Workman

Darlington Mlambo

David R Szymborski

Michael E Bradley

Rodney H Banks

William A Von Drasek

Peter D Hicks

Craig W Myers

Hui Li

Joe L Schwartz

Daniel Eugene Schwarz

Tommy Jacobson

Jason R Burney

Laura M Sherman

Mika Salonen

Alessandra Gerli

Martti O Latva

Brett Brotherson

Patrick J Macuch

Alexander P Mantis

The invention is directed towards methods, compositions, and apparatus for accurately detecting the presence and amounts of contaminants in wastewater. The method comprises the steps of adding to a volume of wastewater at least one tracer molecule, observing the tracer for indications of particular contaminants, conducting at least one second form of contamination detection, and interrelating the two measured properties to identify the specific composition of the contamination. Using a tracer molecule allows for the detection of otherwise hard to detect oils and grease. Use of the second method however compensates for tracer interfering contaminants and allows for more accurate readings. The invention includes feeding of functional chemicals in response to the detections and conducting the detections online and continuously.

Method for monitoring and control of a wastewater process stream

Fluid flow systems can include one or more resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) in contact with the fluid flowing through the system. One or more RTDs can be operated in a heating mode and a measurement mode. Thermal behavior of the one or more RTDs can be analyzed to characterize a level of deposit formed on the RTD(s) from the fluid flowing through the system. Characterizations of deposition on RTDs operated at different temperatures can be used to establish a temperature-dependent deposition profile. The deposition profile can be used to determine if depositions are likely to form at certain locations in the fluid flow system, such as at a use device. Detected deposit conditions can initiate one or more corrective actions that can be taken to prevent or minimize deposit formation before deposits negatively impact operation of the fluid flow system.

Deposit monitor

A method for characterizing a process fluid comprising applying electrical power to a first resistance temperature detector (RTD) in contact with a fluid to increase the temperature of the first RTD; allowing the first RTD to cool toward a fluid equilibrium temperature; analyzing the temperature decay profile of the first RTD over time to determine thermal characteristics; applying electrical power to a second RTD in contact with the fluid to increase the temperature of the second RTD; allowing the second RTD to cool toward the fluid equilibrium temperature; analyzing the temperature decay profile of the second RTD over time to determine thermal characteristics; comparing the thermal characteristics of the first and second RTD to determining one or more characteristics of the fluid based; and performing a corrective action. The first RTD has a first coating and the second RTD has a second coating different than the first coating.

Systems and methods utilizing sensor surface functionalization

A filtration apparatus and methods of installing, using, and retracting the same. A filtration apparatus includes a compression gland, a ball valve, and a filter pipe. A distal portion of the filter pipe has one or more filtration holes. The filtration apparatus may be installed in a process pipe and the distal portion of the filter pipe may be disposed within the process pipe. The filter pipe can be easily retracted from the process pipe without interruption of the industrial process. The filtration apparatus can be automatically cleaned by compressed air or water.

Method and apparatus for filtration of samples for online analyzers

Disclosed are methods and compositions for coagulating and clarifying produced waters for use as boiler feed waters, for example for the generation of steam. The methods and compositions are especially useful for treatment of produced waters from steam-injection methods of tertiary oil recovery such as steam-assisted gravitational drainage. Disclosed are compositions comprising a first copolymer having a high molecular weight and bearing a low molar cationic charge and a second copolymer having a lower molecular weight and bearing a high molar cationic charge. The compositions are suitable for addition as coagulants to produced waters that have been treated by warm lime softening. Also disclosed are methods of treating produced waters from steam-injection oil recovery for use as boiler feed waters to generate steam in such steam injection methods.

Methods and compositions for clarifying produced waters for boiler feed waters

Fluid flow systems can include one or more thermoelectric devices in contact with the fluid flowing through the system. One or more thermoelectric devices can be operated in a temperature control mode and a measurement mode. Thermal behavior of the one or more thermoelectric devices can be analyzed to characterize a level of deposit formed on the thermoelectric device(s) from the fluid flowing through the system. Characterizations of deposition on thermoelectric devices operated at different temperatures can be used to establish a temperature-dependent deposition profile. The deposition profile can be used to determine if depositions are likely to form at various locations in the system, such as at a use device or in a flow vessel. Detected deposit conditions can initiate one or more corrective actions that can be taken to remove deposits, or to prevent or minimize deposit formation before deposits negatively impact operation of the system.

Thermoelectric deposit monitor

A method of obtaining or maintaining optical transference into deaerated liquid in contact with a light transference medium is disclosed. The method comprises applying ultrasonic energy at a wavelength (&#x3bb;) into deaerated liquid in contact with a light transference medium. The ultrasonic energy at wavelength (&#x3bb;) originates at a distance (d) from an optical signal transmitted into the light transference medium. The distance (d) may be defined by a formula based on the wavelength (&#x3bb;) of the ultrasonic energy.

Method of obtaining or maintaining optical transmittance into deaerated liquid

A challenge in using recycled material in the papermaking process is the presence of hydrophobic organics with adhesive properties commonly known as 'stickies.' Hydrophobic agglomerates can result in spots or defects in the final paper product or deposit on papermaking equipment resulting in poor runnability and downtime. Technologies for monitoring and controlling microstickies exist. However, a need exists for a technique to rapidly determine the size and content of macrostickies (diameter&#x3e;100 microns) in recycled pulp process streams. The present invention is a device and method to perform real-time macrostickies and/or any visible hydrophobic particle analysis in an aqueous medium. Using the present invention, furnish quality can be monitored and treatment performance can be monitored and controlled. The technique is based on fluorescence image analysis to identify and count sticky particles as well as measure their size.

Method of monitoring macrostickies in a recycling and paper or tissue making process involving recycled pulp

The invention provides methods and compositions for measuring the formation of scale within a process system. The method involves measuring changes in the cell fouling as reflected on the refraction index measurements of a liquid medium with a refractometer and determining the scale formation from changes in the cell fouling factor. This allows for a refractometer to determine the formation of scale in locations that otherwise would not be measurable.

Method of deposition monitoring

A device and method for reducing and/or preventing fouling of a sensor is disclosed. The method comprises operating ultrasound technology that is submerged or partially submerged into a liquid medium that is responsible for the fouling. The device comprises the ultrasound technology itself. The ultrasound technology may be operated intermittently at high intensity to advantageously provide cavitation of the liquid medium, while avoiding the disadvantages typical of continuously operating ultrasound technology at high intensity. Additionally, the method may be carried out by taking advantage of the piezoelectric property of quartz.

Fouling reduction device and method

A method for monitoring with enhanced sensitivity of the deposition of one or more organic materials dispersed in an aqueous medium in a papermaking process which includes measuring the rate of deposition of the organic materials from the aqueous medium onto a quartz crystal microbalance having a top side contacting with the aqueous medium coated with a layer containing a material with surface energy in the range from about 34 to about 49 dynes/cm2, and a second, bottom side isolated from the aqueous medium is disclosed. Additionally, a method for measuring the effectiveness of an inhibitor that decreases the deposition of the organic materials in a papermaking process is also disclosed.

Enhanced method for monitoring the deposition of organic materials in a papermaking process

The present disclosure is directed to a composition comprising activated magnesium hydroxide, a thickening agent for said magnesium hydroxide, water, an emulsifier, and an oil comprising tall oil fatty acid. In certain embodiments, the composition contains no caustic soda or hydrogen peroxide. The composition comprises from about 5% to about 70% by weight magnesium hydroxide, based upon the weight of the composition. The composition is useful in pulp deinking. In certain embodiments, the thickening agent may be xanthan gum, and the emulsifier may be sodium lauryl sulfate.

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DeKalb, IL, United States of America

Michael J Murcia