Patents Assigned to Univation Technologies
  • PRODUCING POLYOLEFIN PRODUCTS WITH IMPROVED STIFFNESS, TOUGHNESS, AND PROCESSABILITY
    Publication number: 20160347888
    Abstract: Polymers, and systems and methods for making and using the same are described herein. A polymer includes ethylene and at least one alpha olefin having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms. The polymer has a melt index ratio (MIR) greater than about 40. The polymer also has a value for Mw1/Mw2 of at least about 2.0, wherein Mw1/Mw2 is a ratio of a weight average molecular weight (Mw) for a first half of a temperature rising elution (TREF) curve from a cross-fractionation (CFC) analysis to an Mw for a second half of the TREF curve. The polymer also has a value for Tw1?Tw2 of less than about ?15° C., wherein Tw1?Tw2 is a difference of a weight average elution temperature (Tw) for the first half of the TREF curve to a Tw for the second half of the TREF curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Timothy M. Boller, Garth R. Giesbrecht, Mark G. Goode, Sun-Chueh Kao, Dongming Li, R. Eric Pequeno, James M. Farley, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
  • Methods for making catalyst compositions and polymer products produced therefrom
    Patent number: 9487601
    Abstract: Methods for making olefin polymerization catalysts and methods for making polymers using the catalysts are provided. The method for making the catalyst can include combining one or more supports with one or more magnesium-containing compounds under reaction conditions to form a first reacted product. One or more chlorinating compounds selected from the group consisting of aluminum alkyl chlorides and chloro substituted silanes can be combined with the first reacted product under reaction conditions to form a second reacted product. One or more titanium-containing compounds selected from the group consisting of titanium alkoxides and titanium halides can be combined with the second reacted product under reaction conditions to form a catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley R. Mariott, Kevin J. Cann, John H. Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Thomas Oswald
  • FEEDING POLYMERIZATION ADDITIVES TO POLYMERIZATION PROCESSES
    Publication number: 20160311937
    Abstract: Processes for making and using a viscosified liquid slurry polymerization additive are disclosed herein. The process for making a viscosified liquid slurry polymerization additive comprises contacting a polymerization additive with a liquid to form a liquid slurry polymerization additive, and shearing the liquid slurry polymerization additive to increase its viscosity and thus form the viscosified liquid slurry polymerization additive. The process for using a viscosified liquid slurry polymerization additive comprises contacting, under polymerization conditions, in a reactor system: a catalyst system, one or more monomers, and at least one viscosified liquid slurry polymerization additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Pannell, David M. Glowczwski, Chi-I Kuo
  • METHODS FOR CONTROLLING POLYMER PROPERTIES
    Publication number: 20160297907
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of controlling polymer properties in polymerization processes that use a chromium-based catalyst. An embodiment discloses a method of producing a polyolefin comprising: contacting a reaction mixture and a reduced chromium oxide catalyst in a gas-phase reactor to produce the polyolefin, wherein the reaction mixture comprises a monomer and a co-monomer; and changing a reaction temperature in the gas-phase reactor by about 1° C. or more whereby a gas molar ratio of the co-monomer to the monomer is changed by about 2% or more and a co-monomer content of the polyolefin at substantially constant density is changed by about 2% or more. Additional methods and compositions are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Goode, Francois Alexandre, Kevin J. Cann, Barbara J. Kopp, William A. Matthews, John H. Moorehouse, Cliff R. Mure
  • Recycle gas cooler systems for gas-phase polymerization processes
    Patent number: 9410001
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are improvements in recycle gas cooler systems in gas-phase polymerization processes that reduce the tendency for cooler fouling, including a recycle gas cooler system comprising a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. One or more of the tubes of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger may have a flared tube inlet at the tube sheet. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger may also be coupled to a straight inlet pipe having a length that is either at least about 5 times the inner diameter of the straight inlet pipe or at least about 15 feet, whichever is greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ping Cai, James L. Swecker, II, Mark W. Blood, Laura J. Dietsche, II, F. David Hussein
  • POLYETHYLENES WITH INCREASED MOLECULAR WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
    Publication number: 20160194421
    Abstract: Methods for making olefin polymerization catalysts and methods for making polyethylene polymers using the catalysts are provided. The polyethylenes can have a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of about 4.5 to about 14, a slope of strain hardening greater than about 0.75, and a melt flow ratio (MFR) greater than or equal to 8.33+(4.17×MWD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley R. Mariott, Kevin J. Cann, John H. Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Thomas Oswald
  • Systems and processes for storing resin
    Patent number: 9371197
    Abstract: Improved systems and processes for storing resins are disclosed herein. These systems and processes are especially useful for reducing the tendency of resins to sinter. In polymerization processes, the improvements disclosed herein can reduce the tendency of resins to sinter while also allowing downstream operations to continue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Simon J. White, Alison H. Hasbargen
  • PROTECTING PHENOL GROUPS
    Publication number: 20160122270
    Abstract: A method for protecting a phenol group on a precursor compound is provided. The method includes reacting the phenol group with dihydropyran in an acid catalyzed protection reaction and quenching the protection reaction with a strong base within less than about 60 seconds to form a protected precursor compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: C. Jeff Harlan, Steven D. Brown
  • Modified chromium-based catalysts and polymerization processes for using the same
    Patent number: 9303103
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to olefin polymerization catalysts, and more specifically to chromium-based catalysts and methods of use of chromium-based catalysts for the production of polyolefins, and even more specifically to methods for controlling or tailoring the flow index response of chromium-based catalysts through the controlled addition of a reducing agent to the catalysts under controlled mixing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John H. Moorhouse, Kevin J. Cann, Mark G. Goode, Ronald S. Eisinger
  • HAFNOCENE CATALYZED POLYETHYLENE FILMS HAVING RAPID CLING DEVELOPMENT
    Publication number: 20160032034
    Abstract: Polyethylene films may include a polyethylene copolymer polymerized in the presence of a hafnium-based metallocene catalyst, wherein the polyethylene comprises a solubility distribution breadth index (SDBI) less than or equal to 23° C.; a melt index (12) less than 1.5; a flow index (121) of from about 16 to about 28; and a melt flow ratio (121/12) of from about 18 to about 23. The film has a cling value that is at least 60% of a cling value the film has at 48 hours after time zero, and wherein time zero is equal to less than 24 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Farley, Phillip A. Adetunji, Stephen J. Mirams, Gerald L. Beckton
  • LIGANDS FOR CATALYSTS
    Publication number: 20160032025
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A catalyst system can include a non-metallocene catalyst having the structure: wherein M is a group 4 element, each of R13-R20 are independently a hydrogen or a methyl group, wherein at least one of R13-R20 is a methyl group, Ar is an aryl group or a substituted aryl group, Ar? is an aryl group or a substituted aryl group, and each X is, independently, a hydride group, an amide, a benzyl group, a methyl group, a chloro group, a fluoro group, or a hydrocarbyl group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Univation Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Garth R. Giesbrecht
  • MULTIPLE CATALYST SYSTEM COMPRISING METALLOCENES AND TRIDENTATE NITROGEN BASED LIGAND COMPLEXES FOR OLEFIN POLYMERISATION
    Publication number: 20160024238
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are described herein. A catalyst system can include at least three catalysts. The three catalysts include a metallocene catalyst, a first non-metallocene including a ligand complexed to a metal through two or more nitrogen atoms, and a second non-metallocene including a ligand complexed to a metal through one or more nitrogen atoms and an oxygen atom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Juliet B. Wagner, Garth R. Giesbrecht, Sun-Chueh Kao, Stephen P. Jaker
  • TRIDENTATE NITROGEN BASED LIGANDS FOR OLEFIN POLYMERISATION CATALYSTS
    Publication number: 20160024237
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are provided. A method for forming a polymer catalyst includes reacting a bromoketone compound with an aryl amine compound to form an amide compound. The amide compound is reacted with an ethylene diamine compound, to form a terminal primary amine compound. The terminal primary amine compound is reacted with a bromoaryl compound to form a ligand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Steven D. Brown
  • POLYMER PRODUCTS AND MULTI-STAGE POLYMERIZATION PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20160009839
    Abstract: Multi-stage polymerization processes that produce polymers having controlled compositions and molecular weight with improved catalyst productivity are disclosed. An example method for producing a multi-modal polyolefin comprises polymerizing the multi-modal polyolefin in the presence of a metallocene catalyst system in at least a slurry-phase polymerization stage and a gas-phase polymerization stage arranged in series in any order, wherein the multi-modal olefin comprises: (i) a first polyolefin fraction having a density of less than about 940 kg/m3, and (ii) a second polyolefin fraction having a density of less than about 930 kg/m3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard B. PANNELL
  • Methods of preparing a catalyst system
    Patent number: 9234060
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preparing a catalyst system comprising a spray-dried activator and polymerization processes employing these catalyst systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sun-Chueh Kao, Phuong A. Cao, C. Jeff Harlan, Parul A. Khokhani, George Rodriguez, Francis C. Rix, Garth R. Giesbrecht
  • Polymerization processes using reactor components suspended in hydrocarbon gels
    Patent number: 9228033
    Abstract: A polymerization process is disclosed, including: providing a reactor component suspended in a hydrocarbon gel; introducing the reactor component to a polymerization reactor; and polymerizing an olefin in the polymerization reactor to form an olefin-based polymer. Another polymerization process is disclosed, including: providing a hydrocarbon gel comprising a reactor component suspended therein; combining the hydrogen gel with an additional reactor feed; introducing the combined mixture of the hydrocarbon gel and the additional reactor feed to a polymerization reactor; and polymerizing an olefin in the polymerization reactor to form an olefin-based polymer. A hydrocarbon gel is disclosed, including: a liquid hydrocarbon; a gelling agent; and a reactor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Lynn, John J. Bielak, Wesley R. Mariott
  • Methods and systems for olefin polymerization
    Patent number: 9221937
    Abstract: Methods and systems for olefin polymerization are provided. The method for olefin polymerization can include flowing a catalyst through an injection nozzle and into a fluidized bed disposed within a reactor. The method can also include flowing a feed comprising one or more monomers, one or more inert fluids, or a combination thereof through the injection nozzle and into the fluidized bed. The feed can be at a temperature greater than ambient temperature. The method can also include contacting one or more olefins with the catalyst within the fluidized bed at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, R. Eric Pequeno, Timothy R. Lynn, F. David Hussein, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
  • Continuity additive for polyolefin polymerization processes
    Patent number: 9221936
    Abstract: A polymerization process is disclosed, including: polymerizing an olefin to form an olefin-based polymer in a polymerization reactor; and introducing a hindered amine light stabilizer to the polymerization reactor. The process may further comprise monitoring static in the polymerization reactor; maintaining the static at a desired level by use of a hindered amine light stabilizer, the hindered amine light stabilizer present in the reactor in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw, based on the weight of polymer produced by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chi-I Kuo, Ghanshyam Ganu H. Patel, R. Eric Pequeno, Bruce J. Savatsky, F. David Hussein
  • PREPARATION OF POLYOLEFIN
    Publication number: 20150368377
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are provided. The catalyst systems can include a plurality of silica particles and a metallocene catalyst and an activator supported on the plurality of silica particles. The polymerization catalysts have a particle size distribution in which about 10% of the particles have a size less than about 17 to about 23 micrometers, about 50% of the particles have a size less than about 40 to about 45 micrometers, and about 90% of the particles have a size less than about 72 to about 77 micrometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dale C. Lester, Kevin J. Cann, Phuong A. Cao, Mark G. Goode, Abarajith S. Hari, David F. Hussein, Wesley R. Mariott, John H. Moorhouse, Richard B. Pannell, Bruce J. Savatsky, Daniel P. Zilker, JR.
  • METHODS FOR PREPARING CATALYST SYSTEMS WITH INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY
    Publication number: 20150361192
    Abstract: Methods for producing catalyst systems with increased productivity are disclosed. The methods may comprise providing a catalyst composition comprising a solvent and a single-site catalyst component, heating an inert gas to a temperature in a range of from about 100° C. to about 150° C., and spray drying the catalyst composition in the presence of the inert gas to form a spray-dried catalyst system. Additionally, the methods may comprise providing a catalyst composition comprising a solvent, an activator, a filler material, a metallocene catalyst, and a Group 15-containing catalyst; heating an inert gas to a temperature in a range of from about 100° C. to about 150° C.; and spray drying the catalyst composition in the presence of the inert gas to form a spray-dried catalyst system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Lynn, David F. Hussein, Eric R. Pequeno, Daniel P. Zilker, Bruce J. Savatsky, Michael D. Awe