Patents by Inventor Kenneth C. Kirkwood

Kenneth C. Kirkwood has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Polymer cracking
    Patent number: 5364995
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the conversion of waste and/or fresh polymers, especially polyolefins, into lower hydrocarbons by vaporizing them in a fluidized bed of particulate material in the presence of a fluidizing gas at a temperature from 300.degree.-690.degree. C. The lower hydrocarbons can be further converted to useful olefins, paraffins or waxes by steam cracking the lower hydrocarbons, preferably in the absence of any catalyst. This is an effective and efficient method of recycling waste polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Kirkwood, Stephen A. Leng, David W. Sims
  • Polymerization catalyst
    Patent number: 4256865
    Abstract: Process for preparing a supported Ziegler catalyst by impregnating a magnesium-containing support material with the product of reacting a halogen-containing transition metal compound (other than a fluorine-containing compound) with an aliphatic alcohol under substantially anhydrous conditions. Preferred support materials are magnesium oxide or the product of heating magnesium chloride with silica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: David L. Hyde, Kenneth C. Kirkwood
  • Polymerization catalyst
    Patent number: 4170568
    Abstract: A process for making a supported Ziegler catalyst by (i) forming a support material by heating a magnesium carboxylate to convert it at least partially to magnesium oxide and (ii) impregnating said support material with product of reacting a halo-transition metal compound with an alcohol. The transition metal is Ti, V or Zr and the halo-compound is a halide, haloalkoxide, or oxyhalide. The catalyst can be activated using conventional Ziegler catalyst activations, e.g. triethyl aluminium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Kirkwood
  • Polymerization catalyst
    Patent number: RE30970
    Abstract: Process for preparing a supported Ziegler catalyst by impregnating a magnesium-containing support material with the product of reacting a halogen-containing transition metal compound (other than a fluorine-containing compound) with an aliphatic alcohol under substantially anhydrous conditions. Preferred support materials are magnesium oxide or the product of heating magnesium chloride with silica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: David L. Hyde, Kenneth C. Kirkwood