Patents by Inventor Reinhard Kuehl

Reinhard Kuehl 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: 11834531
    Abstract: A process for preparing a multimodal ethylene copolymer in suspension in a reactor cascade including a first polymerization reactor and subsequent polymerization reactor(s) including polymerizing ethylene and C3-C12-1-alkenes and forming a suspension of multimodal ethylene copolymer particles in a suspension medium made from or containing a diluent, transferring the suspension into a separator, wherein the suspension is separated into multimodal ethylene copolymer particles and recovered suspension medium, purifying part of the recovered suspension medium for producing purified components of the recovered suspension medium, and recycling part of the purified components of the recovered suspension medium to the first polymerization reactor of the reactor cascade, wherein the purified components of the recovered suspension medium recycled to the first polymerization reactor and made from or containing the diluent, undergo catalytic hydrogenation before being introduced into the first polymerization reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Elke Damm, Reinhard Kuehl, Rodrigo Carvajal
  • Publication number: 20230133399
    Abstract: A process for preparing an ethylene polymer in a suspension polymerization including the steps of separating the formed suspension of ethylene polymer particles in a solid-liquid separator into ethylene polymer particles and mother liquor, transferring a first part of the mother liquor into a work-up section including an evaporation unit for producing a wax-depleted portion of the mother liquor, wherein a protic agent is added to the part of the mother liquor which is transferred into the work-up section, and recycling a first part of the wax-depleted portion of the mother liquor to the polymerization reactor or the series of polymerization reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Kuehl, Volker Dolle, Peter Rohrbach, Elke Damm
  • Patent number: 11104036
    Abstract: A process for continuously preparing a polyolefin composition made from or containing a polyolefin and carbon black in an extruder device. The process includes the steps of supplying polyolefin in form of a polyolefin powder and carbon black to a mixing device; alternatively, (a) measuring the flow rate of the polyolefin powder supplied to the mixing device or (b) measuring the flow rate of the polyolefin pellets prepared in the extruder device; adjusting the flow rate of the carbon black to the mixing device in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin powder or adjusting the flow rate of the polyolefin powder to the mixing device in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin pellets; melting and homogenizing the mixture within the extruder device; and pelletizing the polyolefin composition into the polyolefin pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kruempel, Harald Prang, Reinhard Kuehl, Elke Damm
  • Publication number: 20210198387
    Abstract: A process for preparing a multimodal ethylene copolymer in suspension in a reactor cascade including a first polymerization reactor and subsequent polymerization reactor(s) including polymerizing ethylene and C3-C12-1-alkenes and forming a suspension of multimodal ethylene copolymer particles in a suspension medium made from or containing a diluent, transferring the suspension into a separator, wherein the suspension is separated into multimodal ethylene copolymer particles and recovered suspension medium, purifying part of the recovered suspension medium for producing purified components of the recovered suspension medium, and recycling part of the purified components of the recovered suspension medium to the first polymerization reactor of the reactor cascade, wherein the purified components of the recovered suspension medium recycled to the first polymerization reactor and made from or containing the diluent, undergo catalytic hydrogenation before being introduced into the first polymerization reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Elke Damm, Reinhard Kuehl, Rodrigo Carvajal
  • Patent number: 10899041
    Abstract: A process for continuously preparing a polyolefin composition made from or containing a bimodal or multimodal polyolefin and one or more additives in an extruder device equipped with at least one hopper. The process includes the steps of supplying a bimodal or multimodal polyolefin in form of a polyolefin powder to the hopper; (a) measuring the flow rate of the polyolefin powder or (b) measuring the flow rate of the prepared polyolefin pellets; supplying one or more additives to the hopper; adjusting the flow rates of the additives supplied to the hopper in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin powder or adjusting the flow rate of the polyolefin powder in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin pellets; melting and homogenizing the polyolefin powder and additives within the extruder device; and pelletizing the molten polyolefin composition into the polyolefin pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kruempel, Elke Damm, Reinhard Kuehl, Phil Pyman
  • Patent number: 10788262
    Abstract: A method for preparing a dried powder is provided. The facility includes a first drying chamber having a heating element and a second drying chamber. A mixture of powder and diluent is introduced into the first drying chamber. A pre-dried powder is transferred from the first drying chamber into the second drying chamber. A dried powder, including a recirculated amount of powder and a discharge amount of powder, is formed in the second drying chamber. The recirculated amount of the dried powder is transferred by a conveyor device from the second drying chamber into the first drying chamber. The discharge amount of the dried powder is discharged from the second drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Prang, Michael Chatterjee, Reinhard Kuehl, Alexander Seifert
  • Publication number: 20190339007
    Abstract: A method for preparing a dried powder is provided. The facility includes a first drying chamber having a heating element and a second drying chamber. A mixture of powder and diluent is introduced into the first drying chamber. A pre-dried powder is transferred from the first drying chamber into the second drying chamber. A dried powder, including a recirculated amount of powder and a discharge amount of powder, is formed in the second drying chamber. The recirculated amount of the dried powder is transferred by a conveyor device from the second drying chamber into the first drying chamber. The discharge amount of the dried powder is discharged from the second drying chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Prang, Michael Chatterjee, Reinhard Kuehl, Alexander Seifert
  • Publication number: 20190337190
    Abstract: A process for continuously preparing a polyolefin composition made from or containing a polyolefin and carbon black in an extruder device. The process includes the steps of supplying polyolefin in form of a polyolefin powder and carbon black to a mixing device; alternatively, (a) measuring the flow rate of the polyolefin powder supplied to the mixing device or (b) measuring the flow rate of the polyolefin pellets prepared in the extruder device; adjusting the flow rate of the carbon black to the mixing device in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin powder or adjusting the flow rate of the polyolefin powder to the mixing device in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin pellets; melting and homogenizing the mixture within the extruder device; and pelletizing the polyolefin composition into the polyolefin pellets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kruempel, Harald Prang, Reinhard Kuehl, Elke Damm
  • Publication number: 20190329451
    Abstract: A process for continuously preparing a polyolefin composition made from or containing a bimodal or multimodal polyolefin and one or more additives in an extruder device equipped with at least one hopper. The process includes the steps of supplying a bimodal or multimodal polyolefin in form of a polyolefin powder to the hopper; (a) measuring the flow rate of the polyolefin powder or (b) measuring the flow rate of the prepared polyolefin pellets; supplying one or more additives to the hopper; adjusting the flow rates of the additives supplied to the hopper in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin powder or adjusting the flow rate of the polyolefin powder in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin pellets; melting and homogenizing the polyolefin powder and additives within the extruder device; and pelletizing the molten polyolefin composition into the polyolefin pellets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kruempel, Elke Damm, Reinhard Kuehl, Phil Pyman
  • Patent number: 10047176
    Abstract: A slurry polymerization process for the preparation of polyethylene in a reactor cascade of two or more polymerization reactors including the steps of feeding to a polymerization reactor amounts of ethylene, of a Ziegler catalyst, of fresh aluminum alkyl and of a diluent; feeding the slurry product withdrawn from the polymerization reactor to a second polymerization reactor; and feeding additional amounts of ethylene and of diluent wherein the ethylene is first passed through an ethylene purification unit, which reduces at least the concentration of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, acetylene and water contained in the ethylene, before it is fed to the two or more polymerization reactors of the reactor cascade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhardus Meier, Elke Damm, Reinhard Kuehl, Rodrigo Carvajal, Phil Pyman
  • Patent number: 9896520
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a slurry polymerization process for the preparation of polyethylene in the presence of a Ziegler catalyst and aluminum alkyl co-catalyst in at least one polymerization reactor, in which process suspension medium comprising a concentration of aluminum alkyl co-catalyst is recycled to the polymerization, the concentration of aluminum alkyl co-catalyst in the recycled suspension medium is determined; and the amount of fresh aluminum alkyl co-catalyst fed to the polymerization is adjusted to maintain a targeted aluminum alkyl co-catalyst concentration in the recycled suspension medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Kuehl, Rodrigo Carvajal, Gerhardus Meier, Elke Damm, Phil Pyman
  • Publication number: 20180022842
    Abstract: A slurry polymerization process for the preparation of polyethylene in a reactor cascade of two or more polymerization reactors including the steps of feeding to a polymerization reactor amounts of ethylene, of a Ziegler catalyst, of fresh aluminum alkyl and of a diluent; feeding the slurry product withdrawn from the polymerization reactor to a second polymerization reactor; and feeding additional amounts of ethylene and of diluent wherein the ethylene is first passed through an ethylene purification unit, which reduces at least the concentration of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, acetylene and water contained in the ethylene, before it is fed to the two or more polymerization reactors of the reactor cascade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhardus Meier, Elke Damm, Reinhard Kuehl, Rodrigo Carvajal, Phil Pyman
  • Publication number: 20170341266
    Abstract: A process for continuously preparing a polyolefin composition made from or containing a polyolefin and carbon black in an extruder device. The process includes the steps of supplying polyolefin in form of a polyolefin powder and carbon black to a mixing device; alternatively, (a) measuring the flow rate of the polyolefin powder supplied to the mixing device or (b) measuring the flow rate of the polyolefin pellets prepared in the extruder device; adjusting the flow rate of the carbon black to the mixing device in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin powder or adjusting the flow rate of the polyolefin powder to the mixing device in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin pellets; melting and homogenizing the mixture within the extruder device; and pelletizing the polyolefin composition into the polyolefin pellets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kruempel, Harald Prang, Reinhard Kuehl, Elke Damm
  • Patent number: 9809659
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyethylene by polymerizing in a slurry ethylene and optionally one or more C3 to C10 alpha-olefins in a reactor system comprising a polymerization reactor and one or more first heat exchangers located outside the polymerization reactor where the slurry in the polymerization reactor is cooled by withdrawing slurry from the polymerization reactor, cooling the slurry in the one or more first heat exchangers and returning the cooled slurry to the polymerization reactor, wherein the one or more first heat exchangers are cooled by a first coolant having a temperature of 29° C. or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Giuseppe Penzo, Rodrigo Carvajal, Reinhard Kuehl, Elke Damm
  • Patent number: 9790303
    Abstract: A method for controlling a slurry polymerization for the preparation of polyethylene, where the polyethylene is formed in a polymerization reactor comprising a vapor section by contacting a Ziegler-type catalyst, ethylene, and either hydrogen or, as comonomer(s), one or more C3 to C10 alpha-olefins or hydrogen and one or more C3 to C10 alpha-olefins, wherein the ethylene partial pressure is maintained by adjusting the flow rate of the catalyst to the polymerization reactor and the hydrogen/ethylene and comonomer/ethylene partial pressure ratios are maintained by adjusting the flow rates of hydrogen and/or of the one or more comonomers to the polymerization reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Kuehl, Rodrigo Carvajal, Gerhardus Meier, Elke Damm, Phil Pyman
  • Publication number: 20170259458
    Abstract: A process for continuously preparing a polyolefin composition made from or containing a bimodal or multimodal polyolefin and one or more additives in an extruder device equipped with at least one hopper. The process includes the steps of supplying a bimodal or multimodal polyolefin in form of a polyolefin powder to the hopper; (a) measuring the flow rate of the polyolefin powder or (b) measuring the flow rate of the prepared polyolefin pellets; supplying one or more additives to the hopper; adjusting the flow rates of the additives supplied to the hopper in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin powder or adjusting the flow rate of the polyolefin powder in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin pellets; melting and homogenizing the polyolefin powder and additives within the extruder device; and pelletizing the molten polyolefin composition into the polyolefin pellets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kruempel, Elke Damm, Reinhard Kuehl, Phil Pyman
  • Patent number: 9738735
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of polyethylene by polymerizing in a slurry ethylene and optionally one or more C3 to C10 alpha-olefins. In some embodiments, the polymerization is carried out in a cylindrical polymerization reactor equipped with an agitator for mixing the contents of the reactor and inducing a flow of the slurry, the ethylene is fed into the reactor by an ethylene injection system comprising one or more injection nozzles which project through the bottom reactor head or through the reactor wall and extend from 0.02-0.5 times the inner diameter D into the reactor, and the ethylene exits the injection nozzle with an exit velocity from 10-200 m/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Kuehl, Harald Prang, Rodrigo Carvajal, Elke Damm, Phil Pyman
  • Publication number: 20170233505
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of polyethylene by polymerizing in a slurry ethylene and optionally one or more C3 to C10 alpha-olefins. In some embodiments, the polymerization is carried out in a cylindrical polymerization reactor equipped with an agitator for mixing the contents of the reactor and inducing a flow of the slurry, the ethylene is fed into the reactor by an ethylene injection system comprising one or more injection nozzles which project through the bottom reactor head or through the reactor wall and extend from 0.02-0.5 times the inner diameter D into the reactor, and the ethylene exits the injection nozzle with an exit velocity from 10-200 m/s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard KUEHL, Harald PRANG, Rodrigo CARVAJAL, Elke DAMM, Phil PYMAN
  • Publication number: 20170210833
    Abstract: A method for controlling a slurry polymerization for the preparation of polyethylene, where the polyethylene is formed in a polymerization reactor comprising a vapor section by contacting a Ziegler-type catalyst, ethylene, and either hydrogen or, as comonomer(s), one or more C3 to C10 alpha-olefins or hydrogen and one or more C3 to C10 alpha-olefins, wherein the ethylene partial pressure is maintained by adjusting the flow rate of the catalyst to the polymerization reactor and the hydrogen/ethylene and comonomer/ethylene partial pressure ratios are maintained by adjusting the flow rates of hydrogen and/or of the one or more comonomers to the polymerization reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Kuehl, Rodrigo Carvajal, Gerhardus Meier, Elke Damm, Phil Pyman
  • Publication number: 20170204206
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyethylene by polymerizing in a slurry ethylene and optionally one or more C3 to C10 alpha-olefins in a reactor system comprising a polymerization reactor and one or more first heat exchangers located outside the polymerization reactor where the slurry in the polymerization reactor is cooled by withdrawing slurry from the polymerization reactor, cooling the slurry in the one or more first heat exchangers and returning the cooled slurry to the polymerization reactor, wherein the one or more first heat exchangers are cooled by a first coolant having a temperature of 29° C. or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: GIUSEPPE PENZO, Rodrigo CARVAJAL, Reinhard KUEHL, Elke DAMM