George R Alther

US Patent:

6503740, Jan 7, 2003

Filed:

Jul 17, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/617571

Inventors:

George Alther - Ferndale MI

Assignee:

Biomin, Inc. - Ferndale MI

International Classification:

C12N 1114

US Classification:

435176, 210601, 210610, 210615, 210616, 435177, 4352625

Abstract:

A treatment media is provided capable of acting upon at least one chemical contaminant in an aqueous composition and assisting in the decomposition thereof. The treatment media is a biologically activated organically modified material which includes a mineral based substrate, selected from the group consisting of clays, clay analogs, synthetic resins, zeolites and mixtures thereof. The mineral based substrate is treated with an organic modification compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary amines, pyridinium compounds, phosphonium amines, and mixtures thereof. At least one strain of bacteria is engrafted to the mineral-based substrate, the bacteria being capable of facilitating decomposition of the chemical contaminant. Quaternary amines used provide enhancement of bacterial colonies and do not adversely effect bacterial activity when employed as the organic modification compound to treat the mineral based substrate. Preferred quaternary amines include ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, hexadecyl ammonium chloride, octadecyl ammonium chloride, di-methyl di-hydrogenated tallow ammonium chloride, and dicocodimethyl ammonium chloride.

US Patent:

60803193, Jun 27, 2000

Filed:

Jun 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/099759

Inventors:

George Alther - Ferndale MI

Assignee:

Biomin Inc. - Huntington Woods MI

International Classification:

C02F 128

US Classification:

210679

Abstract:

A method is provided for removing contaminants from water. The method comprises contacting the contaminants in the water with an organoclay having a positive or negative charge on its surface. Using this method, organic and inorganic contaminants can be removed with such charged organoclays.

US Patent:

44028814, Sep 6, 1983

Filed:

Nov 12, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/206196

Inventors:

George R. Alther - Ferndale MI

Assignee:

International Minerals & Chem. Corp. - Terre Haute IN

International Classification:

B01J 1300
C07F 702

US Classification:

260448C

Abstract:

A substantially dry method for making organophilic clays. Smectite clays, having a moisture content of less than 12% by weight are sprayed with an activator substance comprising about 1-10% by weight of the clay of a hydrophobic radical including those obtained from an "onium" base selected from a class consisting of ammonium, oxonium, sulfonium, arsonium, stibonium and telluronium. Organic amines and ammonium salts are preferred sources for the hydrophobic radical, and a substituted, hydrogenated tallow ammonium chloride is particularly preferred. The pretreated clay is then subjected to mechanical working such as by compaction to activate the clay. The subject method avoids the addition of water or other solvent to the clay when adding the activator substance, and therefore avoids the added cost of later removing the water, or other solvent. The physical properties of the dry processed organophilic clay are superior in some respects to organophilic clays made by the prior art methods. The organophilic clay made by the subject method can be used for gelling oils and oil-muds to suspend solids in a fluid when the fluid is static.

US Patent:

60932414, Jul 25, 2000

Filed:

Mar 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/264253

Inventors:

George R. Alther - Ferndale MI

Assignee:

Biomin, Inc. - Ferndale MI

International Classification:

C04B 1400
C09D 142

US Classification:

106719

Abstract:

Certain wastewater streams coming out of boilers have temperatures higher than 180. degree. Fahrenheit. Organoclay granules where a quaternary amine acts as a binder will dissolve at that temperature. A cementitious binder is used to pelletice an organoclay made of sepiolite to overcome this problem.

US Patent:

42421403, Dec 30, 1980

Filed:

Nov 28, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/098101

Inventors:

George R. Alther - Ferndale MI

Assignee:

International Minerals & Chemical Corp. - Terre Haute IN

International Classification:

C04B 3313

US Classification:

106 72

Abstract:

A method for improving the physical properties of a platey-type clay, which comprises first adding about 1-10% by weight of an activator substance, such as sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, zinc sulfate, or nickel carbonate, and thereafter compacting the treated clay to obtain improved physical properties, including improved viscosity characteristics, fluid loss and reduction in fines. The process upgrades the properties of poor quality smectite clays so that they can be used in foundry moldwash binders, drilling muds and water impedance applications, such as for sealing ponds, slurry trenches and sanitary landfills.

US Patent:

6165485, Dec 26, 2000

Filed:

Jul 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/123680

Inventors:

George Alther - Ferndale MI

Assignee:

Biomin, Inc. - Ferndale MI

International Classification:

A01N 2512

US Classification:

424421

Abstract:

A bentonite based organoclay, when mixed with a biocidal quaternary amine containing a benzyl molecule within its structure, acts as a reasonably effective biocide. When this organoclay is further treated with iodine and iodide compounds, its efficiency is greatly enhanced.