Patents Assigned to BP Chemicals Limited
  • Publication number: 20050209101
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for contacting (a) at least one gaseous reactant and (b) at least one liquid selected from the group consisting of reactants, coolants and mixtures thereof in the presence of a fluidised bed of catalyst, in which the liquid is introduced into the reactor through at least one inlet located within the fluidisation zone and the gaseous reactant is introduced into the reactor through at least one inlet located within the fluidisation zone adjacent the support means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Stanley Becker, Timothy Bristow, Robert Clarke, Michele Fiorentino, David Newton, Ian Reid, Bruce Williams
  • Patent number: 6946570
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of lower aliphatic esters by reacting a lower olefin with a saturated lower aliphatic mono-carboxylic acid in the vapor phase in the presence of a heteropolyacid catalyst in a plurality of reactors set up in series such that the reactant gases exiting from a first reactor are fed as the feed gas to a second reactor and those exiting from the second reactor are fed as the feed gas to a third reactor and so on for the subsequent reactors. An aliquot of the reactant monocarboxylic acid is introduced into the feed gas to the second and subsequent reactors so as to maintain the olefin to monocarboxylic acid ratio in the feed gas to each of the second and subsequent reactors within a pre-determined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Stanley John Becker, Geoffrey Bryne, Simon Frederick Thomas Froom, Stephen Robert Hodge
  • Patent number: 6946530
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the gas-phase (co-)polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor wherein fouling is prevented and/or flowability of polymer is improved thanks to the use of a process aid additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Alexandre Gallice, Vince Reiling, Jean-Loic Selo
  • Patent number: 6936674
    Abstract: A process for producing a poly-olefin is disclosed, which comprises contacting at least one 1-olefin under polymerisation conditions with a polymerisation catalyst or catalyst system comprising (1) a compound having the Formula (I) wherein M is Fe[II], Fe[III], Co[I], Co[II], Co[III], Mn[I], Mn[II], Mn[III], Mn[IV], Ru[II], Ru[III], Ru[IV], V[II], V[III], V[IV], or V[V], Ti[II], Ti[III] or Ti[IV]; X represents an atom or group covalently or ionically bonded to the transition metal M; T is the oxidation state of the transition metal M and b is the valency of the atom or group X; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl; and when any two or more of R1-R7 are hydrocarbyl, substited hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl, said two or more can be linked to form one or more cyclic substituents; and optionally (2) an activating quantity of an activator compound com
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Yves Behue, Marianne Gil, Susan Katherine Christie, John Norman Reid Samson
  • Patent number: 6919414
    Abstract: Novel copolymers comprise ethylene and alpha olefins having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms and which have (a) a density in the range 0.900 to 0.940 (b) Mw/Mn of 2-3.4 (c) I21/I2 from 16 to 24 (d) activation energy of flow from 28 to 45 kJ/mol (e) a ratio Ea(HMW)/Ea(LMW)>1.1, and (f) a ratio g?(HMW)/g?(LMW) from 0.85 to 0.95 The copolymers are particularly useful in film applications showing an excellent balance of processing, optical and mechanical properties. The novel polymers may suitably be prepared in the gas phase in the presence of metallocene complexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Choon Kooi Chai, Christopher James Frye
  • Patent number: 6913734
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for contacting (a) at least one gaseous reactant and (b) at least one liquid selected from the group consisting of reactants, coolants and mixtures thereof in the presence of a fluidized bed of catalyst, in which the liquid is introduced into the reactor through at least one inlet located within the fluidization zone and the gaseous reactant is introduced into the reactor through at least one inlet located within the fluidization zone adjacent the support means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Stanley John Becker, Timothy Crispin Bristow, Robert William Clarke, Michele Fiorentino, David Newton, Ian All Beattie Reid, Bruce Leo Williams
  • Patent number: 6911504
    Abstract: A process for the continuous gas-phase (co)polymerization of one or more olefins for which a rising stream of a gas mixture, comprising at least one olefin to be (co)polymerized, maintains polymer particles in the course of formation in the fluidized state in a polymerization reactor, the said stream entraining fine particles above the fluidized bed outside the reactor, the said fine particles being substantially separated from the gas mixture using a separator, thus dividing the said stream into (i) one or more gas streams (A) substantially devoid of solid particles which is cooled and reintroduced below and/or into the bottom part of the fluidized bed, and (ii) one or more gas streams (B) comprising at least a portion of the said particles which is introduced into or above the fluidized bed, which process is characterized in that at least one of the gas streams (B) comprising the solid particles is introduced directly into the fluidized bed by a dilute-phase transport in a simple pipe, that is to say prefer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventor: Vincent Reiling
  • Publication number: 20050131251
    Abstract: A process for the production of acetic acid by carbonylating methanol and/or a reactive derivative thereof in a carbonylation reactor in a liquid reaction composition comprising an iridium carbonylation catalyst, methyl iodide, methyl acetate, water, acetic acid and at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhenium and osmium, characterized in that there is also present in the reaction composition a bis-phosphonate compound having the formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 are independently hydrogen or an organic functional group; Y is an optionally substituted C1-C10 alkylene or C6-C10 aryl group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventor: David Law
  • Patent number: 6894127
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the gas-phase (co-)polymerization of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor using a late transition metal catalyst characterised in that the polymerization is performed in the presence of a process aid additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Yves Behue, Gacem Benazzouz, Laurent Coupier, David Heslop, Sebastien Huchette, Jean-Pierre Isnard, Willy Lemesle, Renaud Viguier
  • Patent number: 6891005
    Abstract: A gas phase olefin polymerization wherein the catalyst comprises a novel Group 4 transition metal complex containing a boron or aluminum bridging group containing a nitrogen containing group, especially an amido group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: David D. Devore, David R. Neithamer
  • Patent number: 6891001
    Abstract: A process for preparing and controlling the density of high density polyethylene in the gas phase comprising contacting ethylene or a mixture of ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins with a chromium oxide catalyst supported on a granular or microspherical refractory oxide in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Kuhlburger
  • Patent number: 6887957
    Abstract: A process for the gas-phase (co-)polymerization of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor using a Ziegler-Natta type catalyst characterised in that the polymerisation is performed in the presence of an additive having the formula R—Cl where R is an alkyl group of 2 to 7 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Christine Chabrand, Muriel Esteban, Caroline Mladenov
  • Patent number: 6887954
    Abstract: The present invention is a process and an apparatus for the gas phase polymerization of olefin(s) using a fluidised-bed reactor (1) from which, at the top part, is withdrawn a recycling gas stream which comprises unreacted gas and entrained solid particles and which is moved by virtue of a compressor (4), which is cooled by passing into a heat exchanger (7) and which is reintroduced into the reactor at the bottom part (1a) of the latter. The heat exchanger (7) is a multitubular exchanger successively comprising an inlet chamber (6), a bundle of tubes (9) with a horizontal longitudinal axis and an outlet chamber (10) equipped with a discharge orifice (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventor: Jean-Alain Maurel
  • Patent number: 6884856
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for controlling the gas-phase co-polymerisation of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor. The present invention further relates to a method for the continuous gas-phase (co-)polymerisation of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor in the presence of a polymerisation catalyst wherein the density of the polymer powder particles leaving the reactor is maintained constant by controlling the particle size distribution of the polymerisation catalyst. The present invention also relates to a process for controlling the particle size distribution of a polymerisation catalyst in order to achieve the production of a polymer powder of constant density during the continuous gas-phase (co-)polymerisation of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Gacem Benazouzz, Claire Couronne, Sebastien Huchette, Patrick Leaney, Christel Maire-Claude Mealares, Frederic Robert Marie Michel Morterol, Renaud Viguier
  • Publication number: 20050085659
    Abstract: Integrated processes for the production of alkenyl carboxylate and alkyl carboxylate comprising oxidation of a C2 to C4 alkane to produce the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid, separation of the product stream to give a gaseous stream comprising the alkene and unreacted alkane, subsequent separation of the alkene and the alkane into respective streams rich in alkene and alkane, and use of the alkene rich stream in the production of either alkenyl carboxylate or alkyl carboxylate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Applicant: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Robert Clarke, Robert Croll, Andrew Lucy, Bruce Williams
  • Patent number: 6881874
    Abstract: A process for the production of an olefin comprising partially combusting in a reaction zone a mixture of a hydrocabon and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst which is capable of supporting combustion beyond the fuel rich limit of flammability to produce the olefin. Prior the partial combustion, the mixture of the hydrocabon and the oxygen-containg gas is passed through a heat excahanger, and the heat exchanger provides a pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Derek Alan Colman, Trevor John Hesketh, Ian Allan Beattie Reid, William Terence Woodfin
  • Publication number: 20050065364
    Abstract: Acetyl anhydrides such as acetyl sulfate are produced by a process for comprising contacting methane and carbon dioxide in an anhydrous environment in the presence of effective amounts of a transition metal catalyst and a reaction promoter, and an acid anhydride compound, and optionally an acid. The acetyl anhydride can be contacted with water to produce acetic acid or with an alcohol to produce a product comprising an acetate ester and that may also comprise acetic acid. Optionally, water in stoichiometric amounts or less, with respect to the acetic anhydride, may be fed to a continuous process of this type to produce some acetic acid in situ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Alexis Bell, Sudip Mukhopadhyay, Mark Zerella, John Sunley, Sander Gaemers, Michael Muskett
  • Patent number: 6857322
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of measuring the compressibility of a hot powder. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of measuring the compressibility of a polymer hot powder, preferably a polyethylene hot powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Alain Garcin, Estelle Meurice
  • Patent number: 6831143
    Abstract: Catalyst systems useful for the polymerisation of 1-olefins are disclosed, which contain nitrogen-containing transition metal compounds comprising the skeletal unit depicted in Formula (B), wherein M is Fe[II], Fe[III], Ru[II], Ru[III] or Ru[IV]; X represents an atom or group covalently or ionically bonded to the transition metal M; T is the oxidation state of the transition metal M and b is the valency of the atom or group X; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R6 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl; R5 and R7 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: George Johan Peter Britovsek, Birgit Angelika Dorer, Vernon Charles Gibson, Brian Stephen Kimberley, Gregory Adam Solan
  • Patent number: 6828398
    Abstract: A complex suitable for use as a catalyst in the polymerisation of olefins is disclosed, having the Formula (I) wherein M is a transition metal; X represents an atom or group covalently or ionically bonded to M; T is the oxidation state of M; b is the valency of the atom or group X; A1 to A3 are each independently N or P or CR, with the proviso that at least one but no more than two of them are independently CR; Y1 and Y2 are each independently CR′ or PR′R″; Z is oxygen or NR5, R5 and R7 and each R, each R′ and each R″ are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl, substituted heterohydrocarbyl or SiR303 where each R30 is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl and substituted heterohydrocarbyl; but excluding those complexes having the formulae (1) and (2) where in both cases R4 and R6 are Me, R5 and R7 are 2, 4, 6-trimethylphenyl, M is Fe, T is II, X is Cl a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Vernon Charles Gibson, Olivier Hoarau, Brian Stephen Kimberley, Peter James Maddox