Patents Assigned to Univation Technologies, LLC
  • Patent number: 11161924
    Abstract: An ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer that can be synthesized in a fluidized-bed, gas phase polymerization reactor and made into a blown film. The ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer is characterized by a bubble stability-effective combination of properties comprising density, melt flow ratio (“I21/I5”), and melt storage modulus G? (G?=3,000 Pa). The synthesis in the FB-GPP reactor is characterized by a property-imparting-effective combination of operating conditions comprising reactor bed temperature and H2/C2 gas molar ratio. An embodiment of the blown film consisting of the ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer is characterized by enhanced bubble stability. A method of making the ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. A film comprising the ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. A method of making the film. A manufactured article comprising the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bo Liu, Mark G. Goode, Ayush A. Bafna, Daniel C. Garska, François Alexandre, Timothy R. Lynn
  • Patent number: 11149136
    Abstract: Provided are various bimodal polyethylene, including but not limited to a bimodal polyethylene for a pipe having a density of from 0.9340 to 0.9470 gram/cubic centimeters (g/ccm), a melt index (12) of from 0.1 to 0.7 gram/10 minute, a melt flow ratio (121/12) of from 20 to 90. The bimodal polyethylene includes a high molecular weight polyethylene component and a low molecular weight polyethylene component which are a reaction product of a polymerization process performed in a single reactor and that employs a bimodal polymerization catalyst system. The bimodal polymerization catalyst system includes a bimodal catalyst system of bis(2-pentamethylphenylamido)ethyl)amine Zirconium dibenzyl and either (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)Zirconium dichloride or (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dimethyl in a 3.0:1 molar ratio; and a trim catalyst of (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)Zirconium dichloridedimethyl in heptane added to adjust melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nitin Borse, Swapnil Chandak, Ayush A. Bafna, Cliff R. Mure, Yi Zhang, Timothy R. Lynn, Roger L. Kuhlman, John F. Szul
  • Patent number: 11142598
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method of methylating a catalyst composition while substantially normalizing the entiomeric distribution is provided. The method includes slurrying the organometallic compound in dimethoxyethane (DME), and adding a solution of RMgBr in DME, wherein R is a methyl group or a benzyl group, and wherein the RMgBr is greater than about 2.3 equivalents relative to the organometallic compound. After the addition of the RMgBr, the slurry is mixed for at least about four hours. An alkylated organometallic is isolated, wherein the methylated species has a meso/rac ratio that is between about 0.9 and about 1.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francis C. Rix, Alexander D. Todd, C. Jeff Harlan
  • Patent number: 11142597
    Abstract: A bimodal linear polyethylene composition, products made therefrom, methods of making and using same, and articles containing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Swapnil B. Chandak, Nitin Borse, Ayush A. Bafna, Yi Zhang, Timothy R. Lynn, Roger L. Kuhlman, John F. Szul
  • Patent number: 11142600
    Abstract: An ethylene/1-hexene copolymer has a density from 0.9541 to 0.9600 gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm3), a molecular mass dispersity (DM=Mw/Mn) from greater than 2.0 to 3.5; and a Z-average molecular weight (Mz) from 120,000 to 240,000 grams per mole (g/mol). Methods of making and using same. Articles containing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Swapnil B. Chandak, Peter S. Martin, Yi Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210284770
    Abstract: A system and method of producing polyethylene, including: polymerizing ethylene in presence of a catalyst system in a reactor to form polyethylene, wherein the catalyst system includes a first catalyst and a second catalyst; and adjusting reactor conditions and an amount of the second catalyst fed to the reactor to control melt index (MI), density, and melt flow ratio (MFR) of the polyethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Boller, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., C. Jeff Harlan, James M. Farley, Fathi David Hussein, Dongming Li, Steven A. Best
  • Publication number: 20210284768
    Abstract: Polymerization process control methods for making polyethylene are provided. The process control methods include performing a polymerization reaction in a polymerization reactor to produce the polyethylene, where ethylene, and optionally one or more comonomers, in the polymerization reaction is catalyzed by an electron donor-free Ziegler-Natta catalyst and an alkyl aluminum co-catalyst. A melt flow ratio (I21/I2) of the polyethylene removed from the polymerization reactor is measured and an amount of long chain branching (LCB) of the polyethylene from the polymerization reactor is controlled by adjusting a weight concentration of the alkyl aluminum co-catalyst present in the polymerization reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley R. Mariott, Kevin J. Cann, John H. Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Thomas Oswald
  • Patent number: 11117991
    Abstract: Methods for olefin polymerization are described. The methods include a) forming a first polyolefin under a first set of polymerization conditions in the presence of a first catalyst composition and a first concentration of at least a first continuity additive composition, the first polyolefin composition having a target density, ?1, and a target Flow Index, FI1; and b) forming a second polyolefin composition under a second set of polymerization conditions in the presence of a second catalyst composition and a second concentration of a second continuity additive composition, the second polyolefin composition having a target density, ?2, and a target Flow Index, FI2; wherein the process is essentially free of providing a polymerization neutralizing composition between steps a) and b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, R. Eric Pequeno, Brandon C. Locklear
  • Patent number: 11078306
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure directed towards bimodal polymerization catalysts. As an example, the present disclosure provides a bimodal polymerization catalyst system including a non-metallocene olefin polymerization catalyst and a zirconocene catalyst of Formula I: (Formula I) where each of R1, R2, and R4 are independently a C1 to C20 alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group or a hydrogen, where R3 is a C1 to C20 alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group, and where each X is independently a halide, C1 to C20 alkyl, aralkyl group or hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cliff R. Mure, Timothy R. Lynn
  • Patent number: 11059840
    Abstract: A method comprising synthesizing a cyclic organic compound via reaction of an unsubstituted or substituted cyclohexene with an unsubstituted or substituted acrylic acid in the presence of phosphoric and/or sulfonic acid reagent to make the cyclic organic compound. Also, a method of synthesizing a ligand for a transition metal, and a related substituted ligand-metal complex and catalyst, from the unsubstituted or substituted cyclohexene and unsubstituted or substituted acrylic acid. Also, the cyclic organic compound, ligand, and substituted ligand-metal complex and catalyst synthesized thereby. Also a method of polymerizing an olefin with the catalyst to give a polyolefin, and the polyolefin made thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angela I. Padilla-Acevedo, Roger L. Kuhlman
  • Publication number: 20210198391
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. A catalyst composition is provided that includes a catalyst compound supported to form a supported catalyst system, the catalyst compound including: where each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and X are as discussed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donna J. Crowther, C. Jeff Harlan, Jackie Lovell, Haiqing Peng
  • Publication number: 20210189024
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for improving the activity of Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalysts. The method includes forming a modified precursor composition of a ZN catalyst by providing a precursor composition of the ZN catalyst for treatment with an aluminum alkyl compound in a liquid organic solvent. The precursor composition of the ZN catalyst includes at least one titanium compound. The at least one titanium compound in the precursor composition is treated with the aluminum alkyl compound in the liquid organic solvent, where the aluminum alkyl compound converts the at least one titanium compound in the precursor composition into a modified state of the ZN catalyst. At least a portion of the aluminum alkyl compound not consumed in converting the at least one titanium compound in the precursor composition into the modified state of the ZN catalyst and reaction by-product compounds in the liquid organic solvent are removed to form the modified precursor composition of the ZN catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Cann, Michael D. Awe, Wesley R. Mariott
  • Patent number: 11034783
    Abstract: A system and method of producing polyethylene, including: polymerizing ethylene in presence of a catalyst system in a reactor to form polyethylene, wherein the catalyst system includes a first catalyst and a second catalyst; and adjusting reactor conditions and an amount of the second catalyst fed to the reactor to control melt index (MI), density, and melt flow ratio (MFR) of the polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Boller, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., C. Jeff Harlan, James M. Farley, Fathi David Hussein, Dongming Li, Steven A. Best
  • Patent number: 11028191
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure directed towards polymerization catalysts having improved ethylene enchainment. As an example, the present disclosure provides a polymerization catalyst having improved ethylene enchainment, the polymerization catalyst comprising a zirconocene catalyst of Formula (I) where R1 is a C1 to C20 alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group, wherein R2 is an C1 to C20 alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group, and where R3 is a C1 to C20 alkyl or a hydrogen, and where each X is independently a halide, C1 to C20 alkyl, aralkyl group or hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger L. Kuhlman, Mahsa McDougal, Timothy M. Boller, C. Jeff Harlan, Timothy R. Lynn, Cliff R. Mure, John F. Szul, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210163639
    Abstract: A catalyst system including two or more metallocene catalysts and processes for using the same to produce polyolefin polymer compositions are provided. The polyolefin polymer compositions have a good balance of a melt index ratio and normalized melt strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ching-Tai Lue, Phillip T. Matsunaga, Donna J. Crowther
  • Patent number: 11014998
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system and method for producing a polyethylene polymer (PE) that includes measuring a melt flow index (MFI) of the PE, comparing the measured value of the MFI to a predetermined desired range for the MFI, changing a catalyst feed rate to the polymerization reactor based on the compared values of the MFI, where changes in the catalyst feed rate preemptively compensate for subsequent changes in an oxygen flow rate to the polymerization reactor that maintain a predetermined residence time and bring the MFI of the PE into the predetermined desired range for the MFI; and changing the oxygen flow rate to the polymerization reactor thereby maintaining both the predetermined residence time and bringing the MFI of the PE into the predetermined desired range for the MFI. The measuring and comparing steps are repeated to ensure the measured value of the MFI is within the predetermined desired range of the MFI at the predetermined residence time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Bernal, Mark G. Goode, Francois Alexandre, William A. Matthews
  • Patent number: 10995161
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of maintaining a target value of a melt flow index of a polyethylene polymer product being synthesized with a metallocene catalyst in a fluidized bed gas phase reactor. The method includes producing the polyethylene polymer product at the target value of the melt flow index with a metallocene catalyst in a fluidized bed gas phase reactor at a steady state in which the fluidized bed gas phase reactor is at a first reactor temperature and receives feeds of hydrogen and ethylene at a hydrogen to ethylene feed ratio at a first ratio value. When a change in reactor temperature is detected, the hydrogen to ethylene feed ratio is changed from the first ratio value to a second ratio value so as to maintain the melt flow index value of the polyethylene polymer product at the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, R. Eric Pequeno, Brandon C. Locklear, Jim Farley
  • Publication number: 20210122846
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of determining a relative decrease in catalytic efficacy of a catalyst in a test sample of a catalyst solution with unknown catalytic activity. The method includes (a) mixing the test sample with a test solvent to form a test mixture and (b) measuring the increase in the temperature of the test mixture at predetermined time intervals immediately after forming the test mixture. A predetermined feature is used to determine both a test value in the increase in temperature measured in (b) and a control value in a known increase in temperature of a control mixture of the test solvent with a control sample of a control catalyst solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian M. Munro, C. Jeff Harlan
  • Patent number: 10988497
    Abstract: A method comprising synthesizing a cyclic organic compound via reaction of an unsubstituted or substituted cycloheptene with an unsubstituted or substituted acrylic acid in the presence of phosphoric and/or sulfonic acid reagent to make the cyclic organic compound. Also, a method of synthesizing a ligand for a transition metal, and a related substituted ligand-metal complex and catalyst, from the unsubstituted or substituted cycloheptene and unsubstituted or substituted acrylic acid. Also, the cyclic organic compound, ligand, and substituted ligand-metal complex and catalyst synthesized thereby. Also a method of polymerizing an olefin with the catalyst to give a polyolefin, and the polyolefin made thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angela I. Padilla-Acevedo, Roger L. Kuhlman
  • Publication number: 20210115168
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards catalyst formulations including a metallocene and a stearic compound selected from bis 2-hydroxyethyl stearyl amine, aluminum distearate, and combinations thereof, where the metallocene is represented by the following formula: (Formula (I)) wherein each n-PR is n-propyl, and each X is independently CH3, Cl, or F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley R. MARIOTT, John F. SZUL, Haiqing PENG, James M. FARLEY, Bruce J. SAVATSKY, Brandon C. LOCKLEAR