Patents by Inventor Brandon C. Locklear
Brandon C. Locklear 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).
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Patent number: 11518825Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Wesley R. Mariott, John F. Szul, Haiqing Peng, James M. Farley, Bruce J. Savatsky, Brandon C. Locklear
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Patent number: 11230614Abstract: Methods for reducing gels and/or dome sheeting in gas phase polymerization processes and their resulting products are provided. The polymerization processes include polymerizing ethylene and one or more optional comonomers in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a metallocene catalyst, hydrogen, and at least one condensing agent.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patent Inc.Inventors: Brandon C. Locklear, Haiqing Peng, Bruce J. Savatsky, James M. Farley, Daniel P. Zilker, Robert O. Hagerty, Michael E. Muhle, Fathi D. Hussein
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Patent number: 11117991Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, R. Eric Pequeno, Brandon C. Locklear
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Patent number: 10995161Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, R. Eric Pequeno, Brandon C. Locklear, Jim Farley
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Publication number: 20210115168Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Wesley R. MARIOTT, John F. SZUL, Haiqing PENG, James M. FARLEY, Bruce J. SAVATSKY, Brandon C. LOCKLEAR
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Patent number: 10975183Abstract: A process for testing a commercial polyolefin condensed mode operation on a pilot plant scale is provided. A feed stream including one or more olefin monomers and one or more inert fluids can be introduced to a fluidized bed contained within a reactor housing having a length to diameter ratio of 1.0 to 20. The one or more olefin monomers can be contacted with one or catalysts within the fluidized bed at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin. A cycle gas stream can be withdrawn from the housing, the cycle gas stream having a gas velocity of 1.0 ft/sec to 3.0 ft/sec and including the unreacted monomers and the inert fluids. The cycle gas stream can be compressed to a pressure above the reaction pressure within the housing. The cycle gas stream can be cooled to a temperature that is above the dew point of the cycle gas, and a portion of the compressed cycle gas stream can be removed to create a side stream of the compressed cycle gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, Richard E. Pequeno, Brandon C. Locklear
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Patent number: 10682797Abstract: Methods for extrusion of polyolefins (112) that control specific energy input to the extruder (102) for gel reduction. Disclosed herein is an example method for forming plastic products (120, 208) with reduced gels, comprising: melting a polyolefin resin (112) in extruder (102) to form a melt; adjusting specific energy input in the extruder (102) to reduce gels in the melt; and forming the melt into a polyolefin product (120, 208). Disclosed herein is also an example method for forming plastic products (120, 20) with reduced gels, comprising: melting a polyolefin resin in extruder (102) to form a melt; selecting a throttle valve (104) position for gel reduction; setting the throttle valve (104) at the selected throttle valve (104) position to restrict flow of the melt out of the extruder (102); and forming the melt into a polyolefin product (120, 208).Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2016Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Daudi A. Abe, Brandon C. Locklear, Yuet Meng Chu, T. R. Veariel
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Publication number: 20200140581Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, R. Eric Pequeno, Brandon C. Locklear, Jim Farley
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Publication number: 20200010585Abstract: Methods for reducing gels and/or dome sheeting in gas phase polymerization processes and their resulting products are provided. The polymerization processes include polymerizing ethylene and one or more optional comonomers in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a metallocene catalyst, hydrogen, and at least one condensing agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2017Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Brandon C. Locklear, Haiqing Peng, Bruce J. Savatsky, James M. Farley, Daniel P. Zilker, Robert O. Hagerty, Michael E. Muhle, Fathi D. Hussein
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Publication number: 20190352440Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, R. Eric Pequeno, Brandon C. Locklear
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Patent number: 10471641Abstract: Methods for extrusion of polyolefins (110) that utilize melt temperature to control molecular weight and also reduce gels. Disclosed herein is an example method for controlling polymer chain scission in an extrusion system (100), comprising: melting a polyolefin resin (110) in extruder (102) at a first melt temperature to form a first melt (112); passing the first melt (112) through a screen pack (106); forming the first melt 112) into a first polyolefin product (116, 118); melting additional polyolefin resin (110) of the same grade in the extruder (102) at a second melt temperature to form a second melt (112), wherein the second melt temperature differs from the first melt temperature by 5° C. or more to control chain scission in the extruder (102); passing the second melt (112) through the screen pack (106); and forming the second melt (112) into a second polyolefin product (116, 118).Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Daudi A. Abe, Brandon C. Locklear
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Patent number: 10400049Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, R. Eric Pequeno, Brandon C. Locklear
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Publication number: 20190169335Abstract: A process for testing a commercial polyolefin condensed mode operation on a pilot plant scale is provided. A feed stream including one or more olefin monomers and one or more inert fluids can be introduced to a fluidized bed contained within a reactor housing having a length to diameter ratio of 1.0 to 20. The one or more olefin monomers can be contacted with one or catalysts within the fluidized bed at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin. A cycle gas stream can be withdrawn from the housing, the cycle gas stream having a gas velocity of 1.0 ft/sec to 3.0 ft/sec and including the unreacted monomers and the inert fluids. The cycle gas stream can be compressed to a pressure above the reaction pressure within the housing. The cycle gas stream can be cooled to a temperature that is above the dew point of the cycle gas, and a portion of the compressed cycle gas stream can be removed to create a side stream of the compressed cycle gas stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2017Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, Richard E. Pequeno, Brandon C. Locklear
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Patent number: 10221254Abstract: A method for transitioning a gas phase polymerization reactor between metallocene catalysts is provided. The method comprises first reducing the superficial gas velocity and increasing the height of the fluidized bed within the reactor prior to stopping a feed comprising a first metallocene catalyst. The method further comprises introducing a first polymerization neutralizer to the reactor, wherein the first polymerization reactor does not comprise water, and then introducing a second polymerization neutralizer to the reactor, wherein the second polymerization neutralizer is different from the first polymerization neutralizer. After this, the method comprises purging the reactor with an inert gas and then introducing a feed comprising a second metallocene catalyst to the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Brandon C. Locklear, R. Eric Pequeno, Richard B. Pannell, Fathi David Hussein, Rich John Stolz, William A. Matthews
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Methods of changing polyolefin production rate with the composition of the induced condensing agents
Patent number: 10174142Abstract: Polyolefin polymerization performed by contacting in a reactor an olefin monomer and optionally a comonomer with a catalyst system in the presence of induced condensing agents (ICA) and optionally hydrogen. The ICA may include two or more ICA components where the composition of the ICA (i.e., the concentration of each ICA component) may affect the polyolefin production rate. Changes to the relative concentration of the two or more ICA components may be according to ICA equivalency factors that allow for increasing the polyolefin production rate while maintain a sticking temperature, increasing polyolefin production rate while increasing the dew point approach temperature of the ICA, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2015Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, Brandon C. Locklear, R. Eric Pequeno, Abarajith S. Hari, David M. Glowczwski -
Publication number: 20180118862Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, R. Eric Pequeno, Brandon C. Locklear
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Publication number: 20180079836Abstract: A method for transitioning a gas phase polymerization reactor between metallocene catalysts is provided. The method comprises first reducing the superficial gas velocity and increasing the height of the fluidized bed within the reactor prior to stopping a feed comprising a first metallocene catalyst. The method further comprises introducing a first polymerization neutralizer to the reactor, wherein the first polymerization reactor does not comprise water, and then introducing a second polymerization neutralizer to the reactor, wherein the second polymerization neutralizer is different from the first polymerization neutralizer. After this, the method comprises purging the reactor with an inert gas and then introducing a feed comprising a second metallocene catalyst to the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Brandon C. Locklear, R. Eric Pequeno, Richard B. Pannell, Fathi David Hussein, Rich John Stolz, William A. Matthews
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Publication number: 20180001537Abstract: Methods for extrusion of polyolefins (110) that utilize melt temperature to control molecular weight and also reduce gels. Disclosed herein is an example method for controlling polymer chain scission in an extrusion system (100), comprising: melting a polyolefin resin (110) in extruder (102) at a first melt temperature to form a first melt (112); passing the first melt (112) through a screen pack (106); forming the first melt 112) into a first polyolefin product (116, 118); melting additional polyolefin resin (110) of the same grade in the extruder (102) at a second melt temperature to form a second melt (112), wherein the second melt temperature differs from the first melt temperature by 5° C. or more to control chain scission in the extruder (102); passing the second melt (112) through the screen pack (106); and forming the second melt (112) into a second polyolefin product (116, 118).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Daudi A. Abe, Brandon C. Locklear
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Publication number: 20180001533Abstract: Methods for extrusion of polyolefins (112 ) that control specific energy input to the extruder (102 ) for gel reduction. Disclosed herein is an example method for forming plastic products (120, 208 ) with reduced gels, comprising: melting a polyolefin resin (112 ) in extruder (102 ) to form a melt; adjusting specific energy input in the extruder (102 ) to reduce gels in the melt; and forming the melt into a polyolefin product (120, 208 ). Disclosed herein is also an example method for forming plastic products (120, 20 ) with reduced gels, comprising: melting a polyolefin resin in extruder (102 ) to form a melt; selecting a throttle valve (104 ) position for gel reduction; setting the throttle valve (104 ) at the selected throttle valve (104 ) position to restrict flow of the melt out of the extruder (102 ); and forming the melt into a polyolefin product (120, 208 ).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Daudi A. Abe, Brandon C. Locklear, Yuet Meng Chu, T.R. Veariel
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METHODS OF CHANGING POLYOLEFIN PRODUCTION RATE WITH THE COMPOSITION OF THE INDUCED CONDENSING AGENTS
Publication number: 20170355791Abstract: Polyolefin polymerization performed by contacting in a reactor an olefin monomer and optionally a comonomer with a catalyst system in the presence of induced condensing agents (ICA) and optionally hydrogen. The ICA may include two or more ICA components where the composition of the ICA (i.e., the concentration of each ICA component) may affect the polyolefin production rate. Changes to the relative concentration of the two or more ICA components may be according to ICA equivalency factors that allow for increasing the polyolefin production rate while maintain a sticking temperature, increasing polyolefin production rate while increasing the dew point approach temperature of the ICA, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2015Publication date: December 14, 2017Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, Brandon C. Locklear, R. Eric Pequeno, Abarajith S. Hari, David M. Glowczwski