Patents by Inventor Larry W. Ezell

Larry W. Ezell 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).

  • Patent number: 11969725
    Abstract: Reactor systems, reactor coolant systems, and associated processes for polymerizing polyolefins are described. The reactor systems generally include a reactor pipe and a coolant system, in which the coolant system includes a jacket pipe surrounding at least a portion of the reactor pipe to form an annulus therebetween, at least one spacer coupling the jacket to the reactor pipe, and a coolant which flows through the annulus to remove heat from the reactor pipe. At least one of the external surface of the reactor pipe, the internal surface of the jacket, and at least one spacer, are independently modified, for example by polishing, coating, or reshaping, to reduce the fluid resistance of the coolant flow through the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Anurag Gupta, Scott E. Kufeld, Larry W. Ezell, Robert R. McElvain, Robert F. Parrott, Joel A. Mutchler
  • Publication number: 20230046752
    Abstract: Reactor systems, reactor coolant systems, and associated processes for polymerizing polyolefins are described. The reactor systems generally include a reactor pipe and a coolant system, in which the coolant system includes a jacket pipe surrounding at least a portion of the reactor pipe to form an annulus therebetween, at least one spacer coupling the jacket to the reactor pipe, and a coolant which flows through the annulus to remove heat from the reactor pipe. At least one of the external surface of the reactor pipe, the internal surface of the jacket, and at least one spacer, are independently modified, for example by polishing, coating, or reshaping, to reduce the fluid resistance of the coolant flow through the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Anurag Gupta, Scott E. Kufeld, Larry W. Ezell, Robert R. McElvain, Robert F. Parrott, Joel A. Mutchler
  • Patent number: 11478768
    Abstract: Reactor systems, reactor coolant systems, and associated processes for polymerizing polyolefins are described. The reactor systems generally include a reactor pipe and a coolant system, in which the coolant system includes a jacket pipe surrounding at least a portion of the reactor pipe to form an annulus therebetween, at least one spacer coupling the jacket to the reactor pipe, and a coolant which flows through the annulus to remove heat from the reactor pipe. At least one of the external surface of the reactor pipe, the internal surface of the jacket, and at least one spacer, are independently modified, for example by polishing, coating, or reshaping, to reduce the fluid resistance of the coolant flow through the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Anurag Gupta, Scott E. Kufeld, Larry W. Ezell, Robert R. McElvain, Robert F. Parrott
  • Publication number: 20200346179
    Abstract: Reactor systems, reactor coolant systems, and associated processes for polymerizing polyolefins are described. The reactor systems generally include a reactor pipe and a coolant system, in which the coolant system includes a jacket pipe surrounding at least a portion of the reactor pipe to form an annulus therebetween, at least one spacer coupling the jacket to the reactor pipe, and a coolant which flows through the annulus to remove heat from the reactor pipe. At least one of the external surface of the reactor pipe, the internal surface of the jacket, and at least one spacer, are independently modified, for example by polishing, coating, or reshaping, to reduce the fluid resistance of the coolant flow through the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Anurag Gupta, Scott E. Kufeld, Larry W. Ezell, Robert R. McElvain, Robert F. Parrott
  • Patent number: 8202949
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring pressure and flow rate of polymer slurry circulating in a loop reactor. For flow rate measurement, the loop reactor has a pressure tap on an outside radius of an elbow of the loop and a pressure tap on an inside radius of the elbow. The pressure taps incorporate diaphragms. Sensing legs couple the pressure taps with a differential pressure meter configured to provide a signal indicative of the flow rate of the polymer slurry. For pressure measurement, pressure taps without diaphragms at the loop reactor wall may be disposed at various points along the loop reactor, the pressure taps coupled to pressure sensing lines. A diluent flush line having a screen disposed therein may provide diluent to the pressure taps. The screen may reduce fouling of the pressure tap and sensing line with solids from the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Larry W. Ezell, Anurag Gupta
  • Publication number: 20100056732
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring pressure and flow rate of polymer slurry circulating in a loop reactor. For flow rate measurement, the loop reactor has a pressure tap on an outside radius of an elbow of the loop and a pressure tap on an inside radius of the elbow. The pressure taps incorporate diaphragms. Sensing legs couple the pressure taps with a differential pressure meter configured to provide a signal indicative of the flow rate of the polymer slurry. For pressure measurement, pressure taps without diaphragms at the loop reactor wall may be disposed at various points along the loop reactor, the pressure taps coupled to pressure sensing lines. A diluent flush line having a screen disposed therein may provide diluent to the pressure taps. The screen may reduce fouling of the pressure tap and sensing line with solids from the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Larry W. Ezell, Anurag Gupta