Patents by Inventor Andre Dumain

Andre Dumain has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5266276
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the gas-phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized-bed reactor maintained at a temperature T1. A gaseous reaction mixture comprising the olefins to be polymerized passes through the reactor and is recycled to the reactor by means of a recycling line comprising successively a first heat transfer means, a compressor and a second heat transfer means. The present invention consists in introducing a readily volatile liquid hydrocarbon into the inlet of the first heat transfer means or into the recycling line, upstream and in the vicinity of the first heat transfer means. The first heat transfer means cools the gaseous reaction mixture to a temperature T2, below T1, while volatilizing the readily volatile hydrocarbon and without condensing a constituent of the gaseous reaction mixture. The second heat transfer means cools the gaseous reaction mixture to a temperature T3, below T2, for maintaining the fluidized-bed at the desired temperature T1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Chinh, Andre Dumain
  • Patent number: 5066736
    Abstract: A process for the continuous polymerization of one or more alpha-olefins with a transition metal catalyst, in a reactor having a fluidized and/or mechanically stirred bed, in which a very small amount of an activity retarder, generally less than 0.1 ppm, is introduced continuously into the reactor at a flow rate which is varied with time so as to keep substantially constant either the polymerization rate or the content of transition metal in the polymer produced. Suitable activity retarders include polymerization inhibitors such as, for example, oxygen, alcohols, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide and electron donor compounds such as amides and ethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Andre Dumain, Jean Engel, Laszlo Havas
  • Patent number: 5028670
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the gas-phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized-bed reactor maintained at a temperature T1. A gaseous reaction mixture comprising the olefins to be polymerized passes through the reactor and is recycled to the reactor by means of a recycling line comprising successively a first heat transfer means, a compressor and a second heat transfer means. The present invention consists in introducing a readily volatile liquid hydrocarbon into the inlet of the first heat transfer means or into the recycling line, upstream and in the vicinity of the first heat transfer means. The first heat transfer means cools the gaseous reaction mixture to a temperature T2, below T1, while volatilizing the readily volatile hydrocarbon and without condensing a constituent of the gaseous reaction mixture. The second heat transfer means cools the gaseous reaction mixture to a temperature T3, below T2, for maintaining the fluidized-bed at the desired temperature T1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Chinh, Andre Dumain
  • Patent number: 4882400
    Abstract: Process for gas phase polymerization of olefins using a highly active catalyst in a fluidized bed reactor (1), comprising a recator body (2) partially occupied by the fluidized bed and surmounted by a disengagement chamber (3). The gas mixture withdrawn from the disengagement chamber (3) is fed to a dust separator (6) e.g. a clycone, to separate the fine particles entrained by the gas. The gas is cooled, compressed and recycled to the base of the reactor. The particles are withdrawn from the dust separator (6) by a mixing device (8) which mixes the particles with a carrier gas. The carrier gas and particles are recycled to the reactor where they are introduced into the reactor body (2) through an opening in the side wall thereof at a position above the fluidized bed, but below the disengagement chamber (3). The velocity of the particles introduced into the reactor is insufficient to cause them to be blown directly into the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Andre Dumain, Charles Raufast
  • Patent number: 4774299
    Abstract: Device and process for introducing a powder with catalytic activity into a fluidized bed polymerization reactor (1), the said device comprising:a storage enclosure (2) for powder with catalytic activity, provided with a feed line (3) for powder with catalytic activity and a shut-off valve (26), this enclosure being connected to a metering device (4) making it possible to deliver periodically a given volume of powder with catalytic activity,an intermediate chamber (5), placed below the metering device to receive direct the powder delivered by the latter, this intermediate chamber comprising in its upper part a tube (6) bringing in an inert carrier gas, provided with a shut-off valve,piping for conveying the powder (8) connecting the bottom part of the intermediate chamber to the fluidized-bed reactor, this piping having a portion which is more or less horizontal, the said powder conveying piping being provided with a full-bore rapid-opening valve (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Andre Dumain, Charles Raufast
  • Patent number: 4687381
    Abstract: Device and process for introducing a powder with catalytic activity into a fluidized bed polymerization reactor (1), the said device comprising:a storage enclosure (2) for powder with catalytic activity, provided with a feed line (3) for powder with catalytic activity and a shut-off valve (26), this enclosure being connected to a metering device (4) making it possible to deliver periodically a given volume of powder with catalytic activity,an intermediate chamber (5), placed below the metering device to receive direct the powder delivered by the latter, this intermediate chamber comprising in its upper part a tube (6) bringing in a inert carrier gas, provided with a shut-off valve,piping for conveying the powder (8) connecting the bottom part of the intermediate chamber to the fluidized-bed reactor, this piping having a portion which is more or less horizontal, the said powder conveying piping being provided with a full-bore rapid-opening valve (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Andre Dumain, Charles Raufast