Patents by Inventor Scott E. Kufeld

Scott E. Kufeld 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: 20240059808
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20240059807
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph A. CURREN, Rebecca A. GONZALES, Scott E. KUFELD, Joel A. MUTCHLER, Eric J. NETEMEYER, Jamie N. SUTHERLAND, Paul J. DESLAURIERS, Jeffrey S. FODOR
  • Patent number: 11845814
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 11845815
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joseph A. Curren, Rebecca A. Gonzales, Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Jamie N. Sutherland, Paul J. Deslauriers, Jeffrey S. Fodor
  • Publication number: 20230390718
    Abstract: Disclosed are a process and system for preparing a catalyst slurry. The process can include preparing a catalyst slurry comprising a solid particulate catalyst and a carrier liquid in a catalyst slurry preparation system. The catalyst slurry preparation system can include a mixing vessel, a rotatable impeller system connected to the mixing vessel, and a motor connected to the rotatable impeller system. The rotatable impeller system can include an agitator shaft and a hub connected to the agitator shaft. The hub and at least a portion of the agitator shaft are positioned within the mixing vessel along a longitudinal axis of the mixing vessel, and the hub has at least three blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: James E. HEIN, Scott E. KUFELD
  • Patent number: 11833479
    Abstract: Disclosed are a process and system for preparing a catalyst slurry. The process can include preparing a catalyst slurry comprising a solid particulate catalyst and a carrier liquid in a catalyst slurry preparation system. The catalyst slurry preparation system can include a mixing vessel, a rotatable impeller system connected to the mixing vessel, and a motor connected to the rotatable impeller system. The rotatable impeller system can include an agitator shaft and a hub connected to the agitator shaft. The hub and at least a portion of the agitator shaft are positioned within the mixing vessel along a longitudinal axis of the mixing vessel, and the hub has at least three blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 11767378
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20230242684
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20230242685
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 11667738
    Abstract: Polymerization processes for producing ethylene-based plastomers and elastomers having densities less than 0.91 g/cm3 utilize a metallocene-based catalyst system containing a chemically-treated solid oxide. These polymerization processes can be conducted in a slurry reactor, a solution reactor, and/or a gas phase reactor. Ethylene polymers produced from the polymerization process can be characterized by a density of less than 0.91 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter of less than 0.2, and a ratio of HLMI/MI of at least 30, or a density less than 0.91 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter from 0.25 to 0.75, and a ratio of Mw/Mn from 2 to 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Max P. McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20230159674
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph A. CURREN, Rebecca A. GONZALES, Scott E. KUFELD, Joel A. MUTCHLER, Eric J. NETEMEYER, Jamie N. SUTHERLAND, Paul J. DESLAURIERS, Jeffrey S. FODOR
  • 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: 11548957
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joseph A. Curren, Rebecca A. Gonzales, Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Jamie N. Sutherland, Paul J. Deslauriers, Jeffrey S. Fodor
  • Publication number: 20220356278
    Abstract: Polymerization processes for producing ethylene-based plastomers and elastomers having densities less than 0.91 g/cm3 utilize a metallocene-based catalyst system containing a chemically-treated solid oxide. These polymerization processes can be conducted in a slurry reactor, a solution reactor, and/or a gas phase reactor. Ethylene polymers produced from the polymerization process can be characterized by a density of less than 0.91 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter of less than 0.2, and a ratio of HLMI/MI of at least 30, or a density less than 0.91 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter from 0.25 to 0.75, and a ratio of Mw/Mn from 2 to 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Max P. McDaniel
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11466104
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 11466108
    Abstract: Polymerization processes for producing ethylene-based plastomers and elastomers having densities less than 0.91 g/cm3 utilize a metallocene-based catalyst system containing a chemically-treated solid oxide. These polymerization processes can be conducted in a slurry reactor, a solution reactor, and/or a gas phase reactor. Ethylene polymers produced from the polymerization process can be characterized by a density of less than 0.91 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter of less than 0.2, and a ratio of HLMI/MI of at least 30, or a density less than 0.91 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter from 0.25 to 0.75, and a ratio of Mw/Mn from 2 to 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Max P. McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20220177619
    Abstract: Polymerization processes for producing ethylene-based plastomers and elastomers having densities less than 0.91 g/cm3 utilize a metallocene-based catalyst system containing a chemically-treated solid oxide. These polymerization processes can be conducted in a slurry reactor, a solution reactor, and/or a gas phase reactor. Ethylene polymers produced from the polymerization process can be characterized by a density of less than 0.91 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter of less than 0.2, and a ratio of HLMI/MI of at least 30, or a density less than 0.91 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter from 0.25 to 0.75, and a ratio of Mw/Mn from 2 to 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Max P. McDaniel, Kenneth A. Dooley
  • Patent number: 11326003
    Abstract: Polymerization processes for producing ethylene-based plastomers and elastomers having densities less than 0.91 g/cm3 utilize a metallocene-based catalyst system containing a chemically-treated solid oxide. These polymerization processes can be conducted in a slurry reactor, a solution reactor, and/or a gas phase reactor. Ethylene polymers produced from the polymerization process can be characterized by a density of less than 0.91 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter of less than 0.2, and a ratio of HLMI/MI of at least 30, or a density less than 0.91 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter from 0.25 to 0.75, and a ratio of Mw/Mn from 2 to 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Max P. McDaniel, Kenneth A. Dooley