Microemulsions and uses thereof in dispersing catalysts

• US 9,963,368 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2011
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JRW Bioremediation, LLC
• Original Assignee: Archer Daniels Midland Company, JRW Bioremediation, LLC
• Inventors: Baseeth, Shireen, Sebree, Bruce, Smith, Donovan, Isenhouer, Gwyn
• Primary Examiner(s): Metzmaier, Daniel S
• Application Number:
  US13/885,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20130256590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,366 Days
• Field of Search: 516 53
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/002 involving in-situ ground water treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/08 chemically
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/444 by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/70 by reduction C02F1/4676 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/705 Reduction by metals
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/36 containing halogen
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/06 Contaminated groundwater or leachate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/06 pH
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/04 Surfactants, used as part of a formulation or alone
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/08 Nanoparticles or nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/28 Anaerobic digestion processes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/348 characterised by the way or the form in which the microorganisms are added or dosed
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/40 Valorisation of by-products of wastewater, sewage or sludge processing

Abstract

Compositions for converting contaminants or dispersing compounds are described. Systems and methods of using the compositions are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A composition comprising:

a reductant; and

a microemulsion comprising lecithin;

wherein the reductant is incorporated in the microemulsion; and

wherein the reductant is selected from the group consisting of ferrous oxide, hematite, maghemite, ferrous hydroxide, ferric hydroxide, goethite, akaganeite, lepidocrocite, ferroxyhyte, ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, green rust, fougerite, troilite, greigite, pyrrhotite, mackinawite, siderite, vivianite, and combinations of any thereof;

wherein the composition is aqueous.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the microemulsion comprises water, oil, a surfactant, and a co-surfactant.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the reductant is an in-situ chemical reductant.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the microemulsion further comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, sugar alcohols, fatty acid ethoxylates, sorbitan monoester, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl esters, sorbitan alkyl esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl esters, glycerol esters, short chain fatty alcohols, acids, esters, glycerols, glycols, and combinations of any thereof.

5. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a buffer.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the microemulsion further comprises a low molecular weight water soluble polymer or a biopolymer.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the microemulsion further comprises a polyhydric alcohol selected from the group consisting of glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, sugar alcohols, and combinations of any thereof.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the reductant is located in a micelle formed by the microemulsion.

9. A composition comprising:

a reductant; and

a microemulsion comprising lecithin;

wherein the reductant is selected from the group consisting of ferrous oxide, hematite, maghemite, ferrous hydroxide, ferric hydroxide, goethite, akaganeite, lepidocrocite, ferroxyhyte, ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, green rust, fougerite, troilite, greigite, pyrrhotite, mackinawite, siderite, vivianite, and any combinations thereof;

wherein the microemulsion comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, sugar alcohols, fatty acid ethoxylates, sorbitan monoester, polyoxyethylene alkyl esters, sorbitan alkyl esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl esters, glycerol esters, short chain fatty alcohols, acids, esters, glycerols, glycols, and combinations of any thereof; and

wherein the reductant is incorporated in the microemulsion.

10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the microemulsion further comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of soy soapstock, acid oil of soy soapstock, neutralized acid oil, soybean oil, ethyl lactate, ethoxylated monoglyceride, polylactate, crude glycerol, sodium stearoyl lactylate, propylene glycol, and combinations of any thereof.

11. A composition comprising:

a reductant; and

a microemulsion comprising lecithin, water, oil, a surfactant, and a co-surfactant;

wherein the reductant is incorporated in the microemulsion; and

wherein the reductant is selected from the group consisting of ferrous oxide, hematite, maghemite, ferrous hydroxide, ferric hydroxide, goethite, akaganeite, lepidocrocite, ferroxyhyte, ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, green rust, fougerite, troilite, greigite, pyrrhotite, mackinawite, siderite, vivianite, and combinations of any thereof.

12. A composition comprising:

a reductant;

a buffer; and

a microemulsion comprising lecithin;

wherein the reductant is incorporated in the microemulsion; and

wherein the reductant is selected from the group consisting of ferrous oxide, hematite, maghemite, ferrous hydroxide, ferric hydroxide, goethite, akaganeite, lepidocrocite, ferroxyhyte, ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, green rust, fougerite, troilite, greigite, pyrrhotite, mackinawite, siderite, vivianite, and combinations of any thereof.

13. A composition comprising:

a reductant; and

a microemulsion comprising lecithin and a low molecular weight water soluble polymer or a biopolymer;

wherein the reductant is incorporated in the microemulsion; and

wherein the reductant is selected from the group consisting of ferrous oxide, hematite, maghemite, ferrous hydroxide, ferric hydroxide, goethite, akaganeite, lepidocrocite, ferroxyhyte, ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, green rust, fougerite, troilite, greigite, pyrrhotite, mackinawite, siderite, vivianite, and combinations of any thereof.

14. A composition comprising:

a reductant; and

a microemulsion comprising lecithin and a polyhydric alcohol selected from the group consisting of glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, sugar alcohols, and combinations of any thereof;

wherein the reductant is incorporated in the microemulsion; and

wherein the reductant is selected from the group consisting of ferrous oxide, hematite, maghemite, ferrous hydroxide, ferric hydroxide, goethite, akaganeite, lepidocrocite, ferroxyhyte, ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, green rust, fougerite, troilite, greigite, pyrrhotite, mackinawite, siderite, vivianite, and combinations of any thereof.