Patents Assigned to Univation Technologies
  • Patent number: 7582711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to catalyst systems for polyolefin production, and more particularly, to catalyst systems for polyolefins used in producing films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chi-I Kuo, Steven K. Ackerman
  • Patent number: 7579415
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerization process using improved metallocene catalyst systems. Specifically, the catalyst systems of the present invention relate to a metallocene compound having optimized metals loading and activator concentration, and demonstrate improved operability and productivity. In an exemplary embodiment, the improved metallocene catalyst system of the present invention comprises a metallocene catalyst compound activated by methylaluminoxane, and a support material, the methylaluminoxane being present in the range of from 3 to 9 mmole methylaluminoxane per gram of support material, and the metallocene being present in the range of from 0.01 to 1.0 mmole metallocene per gram of support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Agapios K. Agapiou, David M. Glowczwski
  • Patent number: 7566677
    Abstract: A method for preparing a spray dried catalyst and a low viscosity, low foam spray dried catalyst system for olefin polymerization are provided. In one aspect, the method includes preparing a catalyst system including one or more components selected from metallocenes, non-metallocenes, and activators, adding mineral oil to the catalyst system to form a slurry, and adding one or more liquid alkanes having three or more carbon atoms to the slurry in an amount sufficient to reduce foaming and viscosity of the slurry. In one aspect, the catalyst system includes one or more catalysts selected from metallocenes, non-metallocenes, and a combination thereof, wherein the catalyst system is spray dried. The system further includes mineral oil to form a slurry including a catalyst system, and one or more liquid alkanes having three or more carbon atoms in an amount sufficient to reduce foaming and viscosity of the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Natarajan Muruganandam, Kersten Anne Terry, Michael D. Awe, John H. Oskam
  • Patent number: 7563851
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of aluminum alkyl activators and co-catalysts to improve the performance of chromium-based catalysts. The aluminum alkyls allow for the variable control of polymer molecular weight, control of side branching while possessing desirable productivities, and may be applied to the catalyst directly or separately to the reactor. Adding the alkyl aluminum compound directly to the reactor (in-situ) eliminates induction times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J Cann, Minghui Zhang, Jose Fernando Cevallos-Candau, John Moorhouse, Mark Gregory Goode, Daniel Paul Zilker, Jr., Maria Apecetche
  • Patent number: 7560516
    Abstract: Disclosed are various compositions, including but not limited to a high density multimodal polyethylene composition, that has a density of 0.935 g/cc or more, and that includes a blend of a first polyethylene component and a second polyethylene component, in which: the first polyethylene component includes a bimodal polyethylene; and the second polyethylene component includes a unimodal polyethylene that is made from a polymerization conducted in the presence of a metallocene having two cyclopentadienyl rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tae Hoon Kwalk
  • Publication number: 20090082195
    Abstract: A catalyst composition and method for olefin polymerization are provided. In one aspect, the catalyst composition is represented by the formula ?a?b?gMXn wherein M is a metal; X is a halogenated aryloxy group; ? and ? are groups that each comprise at least one Group 15 atom; ? is a linking moiety that forms a chemical bond to each of ? and ?; and a, b, g, and n are each integers from 1 to 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy T. Wenzel, Zondra Dee Dixon
  • Patent number: 7507780
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous gas phase process comprising polymerizing one or more hydrocarbon monomer(s) in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta-type catalyst system and a condensable fluid for a period of at least 12 hours where the bed temperature is less than the Critical Temperature and the dew point temperature of the gas composition in the reactor is within 25° C. of the bed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert O. Hagerty, Kevin B. Stavens, Marc L. DeChellis, D. Brett Fischbuch, James M. Farley
  • Patent number: 7504464
    Abstract: A gas phase polymerization process comprising: (1) preparing a solution of a catalyst precursor comprising a mixture of magnesium and titanium compounds, an electron donor and a solvent; (2) adding a filler to the solution from step (1) to form a slurry; (3) spray drying the slurry from step (2) at a temperature of 100 to 140° C. to form a spray dried precursor, (4) slurring the spray dried precursor from step (3) in mineral oil, (5) partially or fully pre-activating the catalyst precursor by contacting the slurry of (4) with one or more Lewis Acids, and (6) transferring the partially or fully activated precursor from step (5) into a gas phase reactor in which an olefin polymerization reaction is in progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephanie M. Whited, Michael D. Turner, Michael A. Kinnan, Robert J. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 7504463
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of aluminum alkyl activators and co-catalysts to improve the performance of chromium-based catalysts. The aluminum alkyls allow for the variable control of polymer molecular weight, control of side branching while possessing desirable productivities, and may be applied to the catalyst directly or separately to the reactor. Adding the alkyl aluminum compound directly to the reactor (in-situ) eliminates induction times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J Cann, Minghui Zhang, Jose Fernando Cevallos-Candau, John Moorhouse, Mark Gregory Goode, Daniel Paul Zilker, Jr., Maria Apecetche
  • Patent number: 7504055
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various processes, including a process for producing a film, comprising (including) forming a film from a blended polyolefin composition at a line speed of at least 170 feet per minute, wherein the blended polyolefin composition comprises: (a) a bimodal polyethylene component that includes a high molecular weight polyethylene component having a high average molecular weight (MWHMW) and a low molecular weight polyethylene component having a low average molecular weight (MWLMW), wherein the ratio of the high average molecular weight to the low average molecular weight (MWHMW:MWLMW) is 20 or more wherein the high and low molecular weight polyethylene components of the bimodal polyethylene component are formed in a single reactor; and (b) a unimodal polyethylene component that occupies more than 15 wt % of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tae Hoon Kwalk
  • Patent number: 7479529
    Abstract: A catalyst composition and method for olefin polymerization are provided. In one aspect, the catalyst composition is represented by the formula ?a?b?gMXn wherein M is a metal; X is a halogenated aryloxy group; ? and ? are groups that each comprise at least one Group 14 to Group 16 atom; ? is a linking moiety that forms a chemical bond to each of ? and ?; and a, b, g, and n are each integers from 1 to 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy T. Wenzel, Zondra Dee Dixon
  • Patent number: 7432328
    Abstract: Bimodal polyethylene compositions and blow molded bottles made therefrom are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the composition includes at least one high molecular weight polyethylene component having a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of about 6 to about 9, a short chain branch content of less than about 2 branches per 1,000 main chain carbons, and a Mz of about 1,100,000 or more. The composition also includes at least one low molecular weight polyethylene component where a ratio of weight average molecular weight of the high molecular weight polyethylene component to weight average molecular weight of the low molecular weight polyethylene component is about 20 or less. The composition has a density of about 0.94 g/cc or more, an ESCR of about 600 hours or more, and a percent die swell of about 70% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Jaker
  • Patent number: 7414099
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method of polymerizing olefins comprising contacting olefins with a catalyst composition made by the process of combining a hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor with a particulate inorganic oxide for a deposition time greater than 2 hours to form a catalyst composition. Embodiments of the present invention also include catalyst compositions comprising a hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor made by the process of combining the hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor with a particulate inorganic oxide for a deposition time greater than 2 hours to form the catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Maria A. Apecetche, John Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Ronald S. Eisinger, Kevin J. Cann
  • Patent number: 7410926
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a supported, treated catalyst system and its use in a process for polymerizing olefin(s). More particularly, it provides a supported, treated catalyst system produced by a process comprising the steps of: (a) forming a supported bimetallic catalyst system comprising a first catalyst component and a metallocene catalyst compound; and (b) contacting the supported bimetallic catalyst system of (a) with at least one methylalumoxane-activatable compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Sun-Chueh Kao
  • Patent number: 7393916
    Abstract: A process of producing a polyolefin, in one embodiment a polyethylene, and in a preferred embodiment a bimodal polyethylene comprising a high molecular weight component and a low molecular weight component, the process comprising providing a polyolefin having an I21 value of from 2 to 100 g/10 min and a density of from 0.91 to 0.97 g/cm3; followed by forming a melt of the polyolefin and passing the polyolefin through one or more active screen filter(s) having a mesh size of from 70 to 200 micron at a mass flux of from 5 to 100 lbs/hr/square inch; and isolating the polyolefin having passed through the screen filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Charles Neubauer, Fred D. Ehrman, H. Rodney Tunnell, III
  • Patent number: 7384884
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method to prepare a supported catalyst system comprising preparing a combination comprising 1) a first supported catalyst system comprising a support, an activator and a metal catalyst compound, and 2) a second supported catalyst system comprising a support, an activator and a metal catalyst compound and thereafter spray-drying the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy T. Wenzel, David James Schreck
  • Patent number: 7381783
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the polymerization of monomers utilizing a bulky ligand hafnium transition metal metallocene-type catalyst compound, to the catalyst compound itself and to the catalyst compound in combination with an activator. The invention is also directed to an ethylene copolymer composition produced by using the bulky ligand hafnium metallocene-type catalyst of the invention, in particular a single reactor polymerization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. Loveday, Moses Olukayode Jejelowo, Sun-Chueh Kao
  • Patent number: 7381780
    Abstract: Improved catalyst compositions, and polymerization processes using such improved catalyst compositions, are provided. An example of an improved catalyst composition is a supported catalyst system that includes at least one titanium compound, at least one magnesium compound, at least one electron donor compound, at least one activator compound, and at least one silica support material, the at least one silica support material having a median particle size in the range of from 20 to 50 microns with no more than 10% of the particles having a size less than 10 microns and no more than 10% of the particles having a size greater than 50 microns and average pore diameter of at least ?220 angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Maria A. Apecetche, Phuong A. Cao, Michael D. Awe, Ann M. Schoeb-Wolters, Ryan W. Impelman
  • Patent number: 7354880
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst composition and a method for making the catalyst composition of a polymerization catalyst and a carboxylate metal salt. The invention is also directed to the use of the catalyst composition in the polymerization of olefin(s). In particular, the polymerization catalyst system is supported on a carrier. More particularly, the polymerization catalyst comprises a bulky ligand metallocene-type catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Agapios Kyriacos Agapiou, Chi-I Kuo, David Michael Glowczwski, Steven Kent Ackerman
  • Patent number: RE40751
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the polymerization of monomers utilizing a bulky ligand hafnium transition metal metallocene-type catalyst compound, to the catalyst compound itself and to the catalyst compound in combination with an activator. The hafnocene comprises at least one cyclopentadienyl ligand including at least one linear or isoalkyl substituent of at least 3 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Moses O. Jejelowo, Sun-Chueh Kao