Utilizing An Apparatus With Two Or More Physically Distinct Zones Patents (Class 525/53)
  • Patent number: 6518379
    Abstract: In a process for polymerizing dienes in a solvent comprising vinylaromatic monomers, the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a metal compound of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo or W as catalyst and a Lewis acid as cocatalyst and, if desired, an alkylating agent and, if desired, a regulator. This process can be used for preparing high-impact polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers or methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Jüngling, Christian Schade, Hermann Gausepohl, Volker Warzelhan, Rainer Moors, Hansjörg Schäch, Joachim Queisser, Gerrit Luinstra, Jürgen Demeter
  • Patent number: 6486271
    Abstract: The present invention provides to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a method of producing a polymer. The method includes taking a product stream from a monovinyl aromatic polymerization system wherein the product stream comprises a polymerized monomer and a monomer. The product stream is introduced into an up-flow heat exchanger in a presence of an initiator, such as a peroxide, that affects a polymerization of the monomer in the up-flow heat exchanger. The initiator may include a low-temperature initiator and a high-temperature initiator where a ratio of the high-temperature initiator to the low-temperature initiator can range from about 0:600 to about 50:600.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose M. Sosa, Aron T. Griffith
  • Publication number: 20020173588
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for manufacturing monovinylaromatic compounds containing an elastomer to provide increased toughness and strength. One particular embodiment of the invention discloses a process for manufacturing high impact polystyrene wherein styrene monomer containing a dissolved polybutadiene rubber is flowed into an elongated upflow stirred reactor containing three reaction zones, wherein the styrene and rubber are polymerized past the inversion point, then discharged to at least one additional reactor to continue their conversion to polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Jose M. Sosa, Billy Ellis
  • Publication number: 20020169221
    Abstract: The disclosed process to obtain a modifier for cement systems comprises a synthesis of the modifier by a process of polymerization in a soft alkaline catalysis. This contributes to the formation of a product with a low molecular mass and viscosity. The concentration of the homogeneous aqueous solution is from 40-58% and the specific production of the process is Q=0.25 to 3.00 kg per hour in comparison with the specific production of the known prototype which is Q=0.03 to 0.04 kg per hour. One of the most important characteristics of the new process used to obtain the disclosed modifier is the fact that synthesis is achieved without external heat sources. Also, synthesis is achieved either by a periodic process or a continuous process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Jaime Moreno
  • Patent number: 6479609
    Abstract: A multi-stage process for preparing ethylene (co)polymers having broad molecular weight distributions is disclosed, said process comprising: (A) a first polymerization stage in which, in the presence of a Ti or V catalyst, a first ethylene polymer is prepared; (B) a treatment stage in which the catalyst used in the first stage is deactivated and in which a bridged bis-2-indenyl zirconocene is supported on the ethylene polymer produced in stage (A), optionally in the presence of a suitable cocatalyst; and (C) a second polymerization stage in which ethylene is polymerized in the presence of the product obtained from stage (B). Furthermore, polyethylene obtainable by the above process is disclosed, having intrinsic viscosity ranging from 0.5 to 6 dl/g, Mw/Mn>8 and cold xylene solubility<1.2 % wt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Basell Technology Company BV
    Inventors: Tiziano Dall'Occo, Giovanni Baruzzi, Colin J. Schaverien
  • Patent number: 6471865
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solvent exchange column for continuously exchanging styrene monomer with the solvent used to produce polybutadiene and a method of use therefor. The solvent exchange column includes an exchange plate support structure coupled to and supporting spaced apart exchange plates, wherein each of the exchange plates has holes located therein to allow a passage of fluid therethrough. The solvent exchange column further includes a vapor ventilation system for allowing the volatized solvent to exit the solvent exchange column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Todd Reaves, Aron T. Griffith, Jose M. Sosa, Douglas Berti, Brad Klussmann
  • Patent number: 6469110
    Abstract: Described herein is a process and an apparatus for polymerizing propylene. The process comprises carrying out the polymerization in at least one slurry reactor and at least one gas phase reactor without recycling unreacted monomers to the slurry reactor. A polymerization product containing unreacted monomers is recovered from the slurry reactor and volatile components are separated from the product in a separation unit. The polymerization product is recovered from the separation unit and conducted to a first gas phase reactor; and at least a part of the volatile components a recovered from the separation unit and conducted them to a gas phase reactor. At least 10% of the polymer product is produced in the gas phase reactor(s). The invention provides propylene homopolymers and alloys of propylene homopolymers and copolymers having good impact and creep properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Borealis Technology Oy
    Inventors: Ali Harlin, Kauno Alastalo, Jouni Kivelä, Esa Korhonen
  • Patent number: 6465570
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the production of impact resistance-modified thermoplastics. An elastomer, in particular a particulate graft polymer with a water moisture content of 1 to 50%, preferably 10 to 40%, is incorporated into a thermoplastics melt in a large volume kneader reactor. The mixing ratio of elastomer to thermoplastics melt is 4:1 to 1:4. The energy required to melt the elastomer and to evaporate the adhering water is added by heating the walls of the apparatus and via the kneading action of the installed rotating parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Liesenfelder, Hans-Jürgen Thiem, Martin Ullrich
  • Patent number: 6455643
    Abstract: Described herein is a process and an apparatus for preparing propylene homopolymers and copolymers, which comprises polymerizing propylene optionally with comonomers in the presence of a catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure in at least one slurry reactor and at least one gas phase reactor, the polymerization product of at least one slurry reactor, containing unreacted monomers, being conducted to a first gas phase reactor essentially without recycling of the unreacted monomers to the slurry reactor. The invention provides for fast start-ups because the gas phase bed material is available directly from the loop reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Borealis Technology Oy
    Inventors: Ali Harlin, Kauno Alastalo, Esa Korhonen, Jouni Kivelä
  • Patent number: 6437043
    Abstract: The present invention discloses processes and apparatus for the efficient and rapid conversion of an elastomeric monomer to a polymerized elastomer, and conjointly, reaction of the resultant rubbery polymer into a monovinylaromatic polymerization reaction to form a rubber-modified polymer; and more specifically teaches a method of polymerizing butadiene and reacting it with styrene monomer to form a transparent rubber-modified impact-resistant polystyrene material exhibiting elastomer concentrations that range from as low as 6 weight percent or lower, to as high as about 50 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose M. Sosa, Billy J. Ellis
  • Patent number: 6433133
    Abstract: There is described a process for producing ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers and functionalized ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers, having reduced melt index ratio (MIR) and reduced weight average molecular weight (Mw). Also disclosed are novel ethylene homopolymers and interpolymers and functionalized ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers, having melt index ratio (MIR) less than 22 and molecular weight distribution greater than 2.4. Further described are novel ethylene interpolymers and functionalized ethylene interpolymers, having a melt index ratio less than 26, a molecular weight distribution value of greater than 2.4 and a density of less than 0.95 g/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventor: Stephen Wayne Coe
  • Patent number: 6407185
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of a composition containing ethylene polymers comprising a polymer of melt index MI2 of 5 to 1000 g/10 min and a polymer of melt index MI5 of 0.01 to 2 g/10 min, the ratio of these indices being from 500 to 50,000 and the weight ratio of the two polymers being equal to (30 to 70):(70 to 30), according to which part of the ethylene, a catalyst derived from a transition metal having an intrinsic molecular weight distribution defined by an intrinsic Mw/Mn ratio less than or equal to 10 and a deactivation constant less than or equal to 0.5 h−1, and a cocatalyst are introduced into a first reactor, polymerization of the ethylene is carried out therein, a mixture comprising one of the polymers, the catalyst and the cocatalyst is drawn off from this reactor and the mixture and another part of the ethylene are introduced into a second reactor, which ethylene is polymerized to form the other polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Michel Promel
  • Patent number: 6403748
    Abstract: A set of trim forward bins is utilized to set aside, distribute and allocate portions of granular product made in a continuous, usually fluidized bed, olefin polymerization reactor, to form blends which more efficiently utilize the products made during transitions from one set of specifications to another and/or to maintain a target property substantially continuously during steady state production of a single product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kim Dwight Powers, Jeff Scott Levin, Mark Louis Nelson, Jose Cavetano Jaen, Carlos Ray Morris
  • Patent number: 6399683
    Abstract: A resin composition for extruded forms that has improved workability, and excellent properties with respect to transparency, heat resistance, low-temperature resistance, etc. The composition contains 50 to 99% by weight of component A, which is a copolymer of ethylene and &agr;-olefin, and 1 to 50% by weight of component B, which is an ethylene-containing polymer. The component A has: (a) a melt flow rate (MFR) of 0.1 to 5 g/10 min.; (b) a density D of 0.88 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yamamoto, Hajime Ikeno, Keiko Shichijo
  • Patent number: 6399703
    Abstract: A process for preparing impact-modified styrene polymers (HIPS) omprises anionic polymerization of styrene in the presence of a rubber in one or more polymerization reactors in succession. The rubber is prepared in solution in an immediately upstream process. The heat of polymerization is utilized to remove the solvent for the rubber, this solvent having a boiling point lower than those of styrene and ethylbenzene, from at least one of the polymerization reactors via distillation with distillative cooling, and the solvent is reintroduced into the process of rubber preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fischer, Eugen-Walter Büchner, Axel Deimling, Hermann Gausepohl, Christian Schade
  • Patent number: 6399711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a rubber reinforced styrene-based resin, using a polymerization apparatus comprising: a prepolymerizer; mixing means and a circulating reactor connected with a circulation line; and a plug-flow type reactor, which process comprises: continuously feeding a stock solution into the prepolymerizer; feeding the prepolymerized liquid into the mixer; in this mixer, mixing the prepolymer liquid with circulated liquid that is circulated from the circulating reactor at a flow amount of from 0.5 to 3 times (circulation flow ratio: volume ratio) the flow amount of the prepolymer liquid fed from prepolymerizer into the mixing means; particulating and dispersing the rubbery polymer in the mixed liquid by mechanical shear force; and then feeding the polymer liquid into the plug-flow type reactor, to thereby effect a polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiharu Kawasaki, Susumu Tanji
  • Patent number: 6391965
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the continuous production of an ABS resin. The polymerization step comprises at least two substeps, one being a first-stage substep of forming particles of the rubbery polymer and the other a second-stage substep of adjusting the particle sizes of the particles. The first-stage substep is conducted in a polymerization system making use of a plug flow reactor or a batch polymerization reactor, and conducts polymerization at least until the particles are formed in the polymerization mixture. The second-stage substep increases a converted amount of the monomer component into the polymer compared with that in the particle forming substep and makes the particles smaller. A polycarbonate-ABS resin composition is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Koura, Mune Iwamoto, Ryuichi Sugimoto, Takayasu Ikeda, Koji Kawano, Shiro Otsuzuki
  • Publication number: 20020042472
    Abstract: A class of relatively high molecular weight, high density ethylene polymers (HMW-HDPE) is disclosed capable of being formed into thin films of high strength, such polymers having a density of at least about 0.935 g/cc, a flow index (I21) no higher than about 15 g/10 min., a melt flow ratio (MFR) of at least about 65, and a dynamic elasticity at 0.1 rad./sec. of no higher than about 0.7 at a corresponding complex viscosity at 0.1 rad./sec. no higher than about 14E5, i.e., about 14×105 poises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: S. Christine Ong, Sandra D. Schregenberger, Pradeep P. Shirodkar
  • Patent number: 6365682
    Abstract: A process for producing terpolymers of propylene, comprising a) feeding into a slurry reactor a reaction mixture containing 50-85 w-% of propylene, 1-10 w-% of ethylene, 15-40 w-% of another C4-C8 alpha-olefin, a catalyst system maintaining olefin polymerization at said temperature conditions, and optionally hydrogen, b) polymerizing said reaction mixture at a temperature of lower than 70° C. a sufficient time to obtain a propylene terpolymer amounting to 50-99 w-% of the end product, c) transferring said reaction mixture into a gas phase reactor operating at a pressure of higher than 5 bars, preferably higher than 10 bars, optionally adding 0-30 w-% of ethylene, 0-10 w-% of another C4-C8 alpha-olefin, 0-40 w-% of propylene and optionally hydrogen, and d) continuing polymerization in said gas phase reactor for obtaining a propylene terpolymer amounting to 1-50 wt-% of the end product. The terpolymer has a melting temperature a less than 135° C., preferably less than 132° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Borealis Technology Oy
    Inventors: Kauno Alastalo, Bo Malm, Päivi Pitkänen, Mika Meller, Anne Britt Bjåland, Nina Ackermans, Kshama Motha
  • Patent number: 6350828
    Abstract: A polypropylene resin composition exibiting a high melt tension and superior moldability, which can be molded efficiently by a high-speed molding into scarcely deformable larger molded articles of better appearance with high stiffness and which comprises polypropylene as a main component and has the following characteristic features 1) to 4), namely, 1) that a melt flow rate (MFR, determined at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg) is in the range of 0.01 to 5 g/10 min., 2) that a content of a high molecular weight polypropylene exhibiting an intrinsic viscosity [&eegr;], determined at 135° C. in decalin, of 8-13 dl/g is in the range of 15 to 50% by weight, 3) that a gel areal density in number is 3,000/450 cm2 or less and 4) that a molecular weight distribution determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is 6-20, as expressed by Mw/Mn, and is 3.5 or higher, as expressed by Mz/Mw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Grand Polymer Co Ltd
    Inventors: Tohru Takaoka, Ikunori Sakai, Hideki Nakagawa, Mikio Hashimoto, Satoshi Matsuura, Takashi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6344522
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of a composition containing ethylene polymers comprising a polymer of melt index MI2 of 5 to 1000 g/10 min and a polymer of melt index MI5 of 0.01 to 2 g/10 min, the ratio of these indices being from 500 to 50,000 and the weight ratio of the two polymers being equal to (30 to 70):(70 to 30), according to which part of the ethylene, a catalyst derived from a transition metal having an intrinsic molecular weight distribution defined by an intrinsic Mw/Mn ratio less than or equal to 10 and a deactivation constant less than or equal to 0.5 h−1, and a cocatalyst are introduced into a first reactor, polymerization of the ethylene is carried out therein, a mixture comprising one of the polymers, the catalyst and the cocatalyst is drawn off from this reactor and the mixture and another part of the ethylene are introduced into a second reactor, which ethylene is polymerized to form the other polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Solvay Polyolefins - Europe Belgium
    Inventor: Michel Promel
  • Patent number: 6329477
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making polymer compositions, e.g. EPDM compositions, in a multistage reactor with monomers chosen from ethylene, C3-C8 alpha olefins, and a non conjugated diene. In particular, the invention relates to a process for improving diene conversion during the manufacture of the aforementioned polymer compositions by use of a multistage reactor and a metallocene catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Harrington, Charles C. Cozewith, Sudhin Datta, Bernard J. Folie, John F. Walzer, Jr., Donna J. Crowther
  • Patent number: 6316546
    Abstract: A class of relatively high molecular weight, high density ethylene polymers (HMW-HDPE) is disclosed capable of being formed into thin films of high strength, such polymers having a density of at least about 0.925 g/cc, a flow index (I21) no highier than about 15 g/10 min., a melt flow ratio (MFR) of at least about 65, and a dynamic elasticity at 0.1 rad./sec. of no higher than about 0.7 at a corresponding complex viscosity at 0.1 rad./sec. no highier than about 14E5, i.e., about 14×105 poises. The ethylene polymer is a bimodal blend of relatively high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) ethylene polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: S. Christine Ong, Sandra D. Schregenberger, Pradeep P. Shirodkar
  • Publication number: 20010031827
    Abstract: A continuous mass polymerization process for making an extrusion grade ABS resin having desirable properties and suitable for making refrigerator liners is disclosed. The process comprise charging a reaction mixture into a first in a series of reactors under conditions promoting polymerization, the mixture comprising diene rubber, a mixture of monomers, inert solvent and a chemical initiator to form a reaction mixture. The mixture is then transferred into a subsequent reactor operating at a temperature of 130 to 155° C. with no addition of chemical initiator and the resulting product is then devolatilized. The ABS thus produced contains about 10 to 16 pbw of dispersed rubber particles having an average particle diameter of 0.3 to 0.7 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Terry L. Virkler, Wan C. Wu
  • Patent number: 6303721
    Abstract: The anionic polymerization of dienes or copolymers of dienes and vinylaromatic monomers in a vinylaromatic monomer or monomer mixture to give homopolydienes or copolymers or mixed homopolydienes and copolymers is carried out in the presence of a metal alkyl or aryl of an element having a valence of at least two without addition of Lewis bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Lätsch, Wolfgang Fischer, Hermann Gausepohl, Volker Warzelhan, Christian Schade
  • Patent number: 6300434
    Abstract: Propylene-ethylene copolymers obtainable by three-step polymerization from the gas phase in an agitated fixed bed by means of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system which, in addition to a titanium-containing solid component, also contains, as cocatalyst, an aluminum compound, where, in a first polymerization step, propylene is polymerized at from 60 to 90° C. and at from 20 to 40 bar and at a mean residence time of the reaction mixture of from 0.5 to 5 hours, then, in a second polymerization step, a mixture of propylene and ethylene is polymerized onto the polymer obtained from the first polymerization step at from 40 to 110° C. and from 5 to 30 bar, this pressure being at least 7 bar below the pressure in the first polymerization step, and at a mean residence time of the reaction mixture of from 0.2 to 4 hours, and then, in a third polymerization step, ethylene or a mixture of ethylene and propylene is polymerized onto the polymer obtained from the second polymerization step at from 40 to 110° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefin GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Schwager, Juergen Kerth
  • Publication number: 20010021754
    Abstract: Injection molded plastic parts (such as containers for ice cream or margarine, lids for the containers and crates) are made from a polyethylene resin having a controlled but narrow molecular weight distribution and a uniform comonomer distribution. The combination of narrow molecular weight distribution and uniform comonomer distribution allows the parts to be more easily molded whilst still maintaining a surprisingly high level of physical properties in the finished parts. The polyethylene resin is prepared in a dual reactor polymerization process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Mark Weber, Christopher John Brooke Dobbin
  • Patent number: 6262195
    Abstract: A multi-stage process for preparing ethylene (co)polymers having broad molecular weight distributions is disclosed, said process comprising: (A) a first polymerization stage in which, in the presence of a Ti or V catalyst, a first ethylene polymer is prepared; (B) a treatment stage in which the catalyst used in the first stage is deactivated and in which a bridged bis-2-indenyl zirconocene is supported on the ethylene polymer produced in stage (A), optionally in the presence of a suitable cocatalyst; and (C) a second polymerization stage in which ethylene is polymerized in the presence of the product obtained from stage (B). Furthermore, polyethylene obtainable by the above process is disclosed, having intrinsic viscosity ranging from 0.5 to 6 dl/g, Mw/Mn>8 and cold xylene solubility<1.2% wt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Montell Technology Company bv
    Inventors: Tiziano Dall'Occo, Giovanni Baruzzi, Colin J. Schaverien
  • Patent number: 6207750
    Abstract: This invention relates to isotactic propylene homopolymer compositions obtained from metallocene catalysis wherein the polymer has a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of from about 2.5 to about 20.0. The isotactic propylene homopolymer composition may be prepared in a multiple stage polymerization process using the same metallocene component in at least two stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Chon-Yie Lin, Michael Chia-Chao Chen, Aspy Keki Mehta, Rajan K. Chudgar
  • Patent number: 6201078
    Abstract: Ethylene polymer having a die swell ratio (RB) of at least 1.4, a resistance to crazing under stress (ESCR) of at least 55 h and a melt index (MI5) of at least 0.2 g/10 min. Processes for obtaining this ethylene polymer using different catalytic systems, the first based on titanium and zirconium used in a polymerization in two reactors; the second consisting of a mixture of a titanium catalyst and a titanium and zirconium catalyst, used in a polymerization in two reactors; the third based on chromium on a support comprising at least two constituents chosen from silica, alumina and aluminum phosphates, used in a polymerization in a single or in two reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Solvay Polyolefins Europe-Belgium
    Inventors: Jacques Breulet, Benoît Koch, Michel Promel, Jiang Bian, Olivier LHost
  • Patent number: 6194520
    Abstract: A class of relatively high molecular weight, high density ethylene polymer blends is disclosed capable of being blow molded with excellent processability into articles, e.g., bottles, of superior mechanical and other properties, such blends having a density of at least about 0.930 g/cc, a flow index (I21) of at least about 2 g/10 min., a melt flow ratio (MFR) of at least about 60, and a polydispersity index of at least about 8, the polymers of said blend consisting essentially of at least about 0.3 weight fraction of a relatively high molecular weight (HMW) component having a density of at least about 0.900 g/cc, a flow index or high load melt index (I21) of at least about 0.2 g/10 min., and a flow ratio (FR) at least about 10, and a relatively low molecular weight (LMW) component having a density of at least about 0.930 g/cc and a melt index (I2) no greater than about 1000 g/10 min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Subrahmanyam Cheruvu, Thomas E. Nowlin, S. Christine Ong, Giyarpuram N. Prasad, Paul P. Tong
  • Patent number: 6177512
    Abstract: In the present invention, a process is provided for producing high impact polystyrene of improved heat resistance. According to the invention, after phase inversion of the rubber-polystyrene system, a slurry of PPE in styrene is added in situ to the process. The PPE slurry in styrene contains greater than 15 wt. % of PPE and is introduced to the process at point past rubber phase inversion, preferably at point where total polymer solids is greater than 40 wt. % of the total weight of the polymerization mixture. Preferably, four continuous stirred tank reactors in series are used in the process and preferably the slurry of PPE in styrene monomer is introduced to the third CSTR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Chevron Chemical Company LLC
    Inventors: Loren K. Gibbons, Chen-Youn Sue, Jeffrey Silloway, Jason J. Miller, Michael J. Hanner, Seldon L. Dotson
  • Patent number: 6174930
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to foamable polypropylene polymer, and more particularly a foamable isotactic polypropylene homopolymer obtained from metallocene catalysis and to their methods of production and articles formed therefrom. The foamable polypropylene polymer has molecular weight distributions and densities that fall within broad ranges. The foamable polypropylene polymer may be prepared in a multiple stage polymerization process using the same metallocene component in at least two stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Pawan K. Agarwal, Aspy K. Mehta
  • Patent number: 6162880
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for enhancing the production of polymerized monovinyl aromatic compounds, in which process a small polymerization reactor is inserted in the recycle stream to deactivate the polymerization inhibitors in the recycle stream and to further increase the conversion level of monomer to desirable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose M Sosa, LuAnn Kelly
  • Patent number: 6153692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the production of impact resistance-modified thermoplastics. An elastomer, in particular a particulate graft polymer with a water moisture content of 1 to 50%, preferably 10 to 40%, is incorporated into a thermoplastics melt in a large volume kneader reactor. The mixing ratio of elastomer to thermoplastics melt is 4:1 to 1:4. The energy required to melt the elastomer and to evaporate the adhering water is added by heating the walls of the apparatus and via the kneading action of the installed rotating parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Liesenfelder, Hans-Jurgen Thiem, Martin Ullrich
  • Patent number: 6136924
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of a composition containing ethylene polymers comprising a polymer of melt index MI.sub.2 of 5 to 1000 g/10 min and a polymer of melt index MI.sub.5 of 0.01 to 2 g/10 min, the ratio of these indices being from 500 to 50,000 and the weight ratio of the two polymers being equal to (30 to 70):(70 to 30), according to which part of the ethylene, a catalyst derived from a transition metal having an intrinsic molecular weight distribution defined by an intrinsic M.sub.w /M.sub.n ratio less than or equal to 10 and a deactivation constant less than or equal to 0.5 h.sup.-1, and a cocatalyst are introduced into a first reactor, polymerization of the ethylene is carried out therein, a mixture comprising one of the polymers, the catalyst and the cocatalyst is drawn off from this reactor and the mixture and another part of the ethylene are introduced into a second reactor, which ethylene is polymerized to form the other polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Michel Promel
  • Patent number: 6093781
    Abstract: Monovinyl aromatic polymer compositions with high melt strength, good flow and good heat properties which are suitable for fast injection molding, blow molding and thermoforming applications, comprising non-linear monovinyl aromatic polymers and copolymers having comb-type structures with 3 branches, star type structures with 4 to 6 branches, and/or dendritic structures in which the branches themselves have attached branched units. These compositions possess inherent melt strength and can be blow molded or thermoformed without sagging or molded into articles in shorter cycle times using less material than linear monovinyl aromatic polymers and copolymers with the same flow and heat distortion temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mehmet Demirors, Jozef Julius Sleeckx, Peter Hendrikus Vollenberg, Chau V. Vo, Gary C. Welsh
  • Patent number: 6086967
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a film structure suitable for the packaging of perishable food, comprising at least one film layer which in turn comprises a blend of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer and at least one polypropylene polymer, wherein the film structure is characterized as having a 2% secant modulus which is at least 8% greater than a comparable film structure prepared without the polypropylene polymer, an oxygen transmission rate of at least 700 cc(at STP)-mil/100 in..sup.2 -day-atm at 25.degree. C. The inventive film structures exhibit an optimized balance of properties, making them especially useful in modified atmosphere packages for perishable goods. The inventive films are particularly suited for the packaging of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items which would benefit from controlled access to environmental oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Nicole F. Whiteman, Gina L. Young, Jeffrey J. Wooster
  • Patent number: 6084041
    Abstract: A process for homo or copolymerizing propylene, wherein propylene is polymerized in the presence of a catalyst at an elevated temperature in a reaction medium in which a major part of the reaction medium is propylene and the polymerization is carried in at least one CSTR or loop reactor, where the polymerization is carried out at a temperature and a pressure which are above the corresponding critical temperature and the pressure of the reaction medium and where the residence time is at least 15 minutes. The process can also comprise a supercritical loop polymerization before the supercritical stage polymerization or a gas phase polymerization after the supercritical stage polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Borealis A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Andtsjo, Ismo Pentti, Ali Harlin
  • Patent number: 6077903
    Abstract: There is a need for polymers which are utilized in automotive interiors which offer increased heat and ultraviolet light resistance. It is particularly critical for polymers which are utilized in making skin compounds for automotive instrument and door panels to display excellent heat and ultraviolet light resistance. This invention discloses a continuous process for preparing a rubbery polymer which can be blended with polyvinyl chloride to make leathery compositions having good heat and ultraviolet light resistance. This technique involves utilizing a multiple continuous reactor system wherein a first phase monomer solution containing butyl acrylate, an acrylic monomer, acrylonitrile and a crosslinking agent is continuously charged into at least three initial reactors. To attain a small particle size, it is necessary to limit the solids content in each of these initial reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire Rubber Company
    Inventor: Hung Dang Ngoc
  • Patent number: 6028140
    Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers obtained by a multistage process of olefins having the formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHR, in which R is hydrogen or R has from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and is an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group, the process comprising:(A) a first stage of polymerization in which one or more of the olefins are polymerized in the presence of a titanium or vanadium catalyst;(B) a treatment stage in which the product obtained in the first stage of polymerization (A) is brought into contact with a compound capable of deactivating the catalyst present in the stage (A); and also brought into contact with a compound of a transition metal M selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, V, or Hf containing at least one M-.pi. bond and optionally with an alkyl-Al compound; and(C) a second stage of polymerization in which one or more of the olefins are polymerized, in one or more reactors, in the presence of the product obtained in treatment stage (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Montell Technology Company B.V.
    Inventors: Gianni Collina, Tiziano Dall'occo, Maurizio Galimberti, Enrico Albizzati, Luciano Noristi
  • Patent number: 6025448
    Abstract: A gas phase fluidized bed process is described for producing ethylene polymers having improved processability and an MWD of less than about 2.9. Multiple reactors in series or parallel may be used to produce in-situ blended polymers. Each reactor can separately have a constrained geometry catalyst or a conventional Ziegler-Natta catalyst as needed for obtaining in-situ blended polymer with the desired properties as long as there is a constrained geometry catalyst in at least one reactor. Olefin polymers can be produced according to this invention which have low susceptibility to melt fracture, even under high shear stress conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Swindoll, Bruce A. Story, Brian W. S. Kolthammer, Kevin P. Peil, David R. Wilson, James C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6005049
    Abstract: A process for the production of polypropylene comprising continuously contacting liquid propylene or a mixture comprising liquid propylene and one or more other alpha-olefins in one or more reaction zones, under gas phase polymerization conditions, with a catalyst system comprising (i) a solid particulate catalyst precursor, which includes magnesium; titanium; a halogen which is chlorine, bromine, or iodine, or mixtures thereof; and, as an inside electron donor, a carboxylic acid ester; (ii) a hydrocarbylaluminum cocatalyst; and (iii) as an outside electron donor, a silicon compound containing at least one silicon-oxygen-carbon linkage, the particles of precursor being carried into the reaction zone(s) via a portion of the liquid propylene, the flow rate of said portion having a Reynolds number greater than about 15,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David Merrill Rebhan, David Albin Wibbenmeyer
  • Patent number: 5990236
    Abstract: Abstract of the disclosure: A process is described for the continuous preparation of an impact-resistant molding material by anionic polymerization of styrene or another aromatic vinyl compound or mixtures thereof in the presence of a solvent and a block rubber, wherein the polymerization is carried out in at least 2 reaction vessels that together form a reactor cascade, the monomer stream being subdivided among the reaction vessels present, the living polymer chain ends being terminated in a conventional manner and the solvent being removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Konrad Knoll, Wolfgang Loth, Hermann Gausepohl
  • Patent number: 5990235
    Abstract: A chemically bonded olefin block copolymer consists essentially of chemically bonded polypropylene and poly(ethylene-co-propylene). The block copolymer is obtained by a process of (1) introducing a Ziegler polymerization catalyst based on titanium and propylene to a first polymerization zone (a) and polymerizing the propylene in the polymerization zone (a) for a period of 0.01 to 0.130 seconds and withdrawing an effluent stream of polypropylene, catalyst, solvent and unreacted propylene therefrom; (2) introducing the effluent stream to a second polymerization zone (b) together with ethylene dissolved in a solvent and carrying out a polymerization reaction in the second polymerization zone (b) for a period of 0.01 to 0.130 seconds; and (3) recovering the block copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Research Development Corporation of Japan
    Inventor: Minoru Terano
  • Patent number: 5977251
    Abstract: A solution polymerization system for polymerizing a olefin monomer by reacting the monomer with catalyst and solvent has been invented. The system in one aspect including a flow loop with a product polymer outlet, the flow loop forming a recycling reactor, a catalyst inlet on the flow loop through which catalyst and solvent flow into the flow loop, a monomer inlet on the flow loop through which monomer and solvent flow into the flow loop and, with the catalyst, form a reactant materials stream, a first heat exchanger on the flow loop for receiving the reactant materials stream and any formed polymer and for removing heat of reaction or polymerization from the flow loop, and pump apparatus for pumping the reactant materials stream and formed polymer in the flow loop and from the first heat exchanger to the product polymer outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Che I. Kao, R. Bruce Combs, Gary A. Camp, David A. Eversdyk, Pradeep Jain, Greg A. Winter, Jeff H. Stultz
  • Patent number: 5955537
    Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a styrene-butadiene polymer which comprises the steps of: (1) continuously charging 1,3-butadiene monomer, an organolithium compound, a polar modifier and an organic solvent into a first polymerization zone, (2) allowing the 1,3-butadiene monomer to polymerize in said first polymerization zone to a conversion of at least about 90 percent to produce a living polymer solution, (3) continuously withdrawing said living polymer solution from said first polymerization zone, (4) continuously charging divinyl benzene and the living polymer solution being withdrawn from the first polymerization zone into a second polymerization zone, (5) allowing the divinyl benzene monomer to react with the living polybutadiene chains in said second polymerization zone to produce a solution of living divinylbenzene modified butadiene polymer, (6) continuously withdrawing the solution of said divinylbenzene modified butadiene polymer from the second polymerization zone, (7) continuou
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Jean Steininger Clites, Howard Allen Colvin, Ronald David Fiedler
  • Patent number: 5929205
    Abstract: A method of dissolving a rubber continuously to form a raw material for the production of rubber-modified polymer, by dissolving a rubber in a monomer liquid dissolving the rubber and capable of reacting with the rubber in the presence or absence of a solvent. Pieces of rubber are fed continuously to a dissolution tank to allow the dissolved rubber and the undissolved rubber to coexist in the dissolution tank, wherein the concentration of the dissolved rubber is the concentration at which the feeding to the reactor is made, and the quantity of the undissolved rubber present in the dissolution tank is at most the quantity that prevents pieces of the undissolved rubber from sticking to one another to form larger rubber masses. The time required for dissolution can be shortened, and the size of a dissolution tank can be made smaller, compared with the conventional methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Toyo Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Matsuba, Katsuhisa Arai, Tetsuo Maeda
  • Patent number: 5900446
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aromatic polycarbonate-styrene polymer resin composition comprising (A) an aromatic polycarbonate, (B) a specific rubber-modified styrene polymer and (C) a compatibility agent which is a copolymer containing an aromatic vinyl monomer and which has a non-uniform distribution with respect to the proportions of component monomers constituting the copolymer, so that the copolymer comprises copolymer molecules having different solubility parameter (SP) values, wherein the difference in SP value between the copolymer molecule having a maximum SP value and the copolymer molecule having a minimum SP value is from 0.3 to 1.0 ?(cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2 !, and wherein the copolymer has an average SP value of from 10.6 to 11.0 ?(cal/cm.sup.3 ).sup.1/2 !.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hajime Nishihara, Akihiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5874554
    Abstract: Solvent vehicles and methods of their use in the pulse jet delivery of reagents in automated oligonucleotide synthesis by the solid-phase phosphoramidite method are provided. For pulse jet delivery of the activated monomer, acetonitrile in combination with at least one stabilizer co-solvent is employed as the solvent vehicle, where the stabilizer co-solvent is an inert, organic solvent having a boiling point of at least 100.degree. C. For pulse jet delivery of the detritylation reagent, a mono- or disubstituted methane is employed as the solvent vehicle, where substituents have a molecular weight greater than 36 daltons. Use of the solvent vehicles according to the subject invention provides for reduced reagent precipitation in the pulse jet tubes and improved results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Gamble, Thomas P. Theriault, Scott C. Winder