Patents by Inventor C. Jeff Harlan

C. Jeff Harlan 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: 10266557
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. In an example, a method of synthesizing a monocyclopentadienyl compound is provided. The method includes melting a di-cyclopentadienyl compound including the following structure: (A). As used herein, M is hafnium or zirconium. Each R is independently an H, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a heteroatom group. Each X is a leaving group selected from a halogen or a heteroatom group. A reaction melt is formed by adding a metal salt including the following structure: (B). A monocyclopentadienyl compound is deposited from a vapor formed over the reaction melt, wherein the monocyclopentadienyl compound includes the following structure: (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: C. Jeff Harlan
  • Publication number: 20190111414
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel bridged bi-aromatic phenol ligands and transition metal catalyst compounds derived therefrom. Also disclosed are methods of making the ligands and transition metal compounds, and polymerization processes utilizing the transition metal compounds for the production of olefin polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Catherine Anne Faler, C. Jeff Harlan
  • Patent number: 10253121
    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 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    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 D. Hussein, Dongming Li, Steven A. Best
  • Patent number: 10239809
    Abstract: New methods of preparing bridged bi-aromatic ligands are disclosed. The methods employ direct di-ortho-lithiation of aromatic rings of bridged protected bi-aromatic diphenols. The ligands may be used to prepare transition metal compounds useful as catalysts in olefin polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Catherine Anne Faler, C. Jeff Harlan, Kevin P. Ramirez
  • Patent number: 10239977
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are described. A method includes selecting a catalyst blend using a blend polydispersity index (bPDI) map. The polydispersity map is generated by generating a number of polymers for at least two catalysts. Each polymer is generated at a different hydrogen to ethylene ratio. At least one catalyst generates a higher molecular weight polymer and another catalyst generates a lower molecular weight polymer. A molecular weight for each polymer is measured. The relationship between the molecular weight of the polymers generated by each of the catalysts and the ratio of hydrogen to ethylene is determined. A family of bPDI curves for polymers that would be made using a number of ratios of a blend of the at least two catalysts for each of a number of ratios of hydrogen to ethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francis C. Rix, Ching-Tai Lue, Timothy M. Boller, Garth R. Giesbrecht, C. Jeff Harlan
  • Patent number: 10233270
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method for making a catalyst support includes forming a mixture of a support material and a fluoride donor. The mixture is added to a fluidized bed reactor. The mixture is fluidized to form a fluidized bed while maintaining a flow rate of a fluidizing gas of about 0.1 ft./sec at less than about 370° C. and greater than about 0.35 ft./sec at temperatures greater than about 370° C. The mixture is calcined to decompose the fluoride donor, forming a fluorinated support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John H. Moorhouse, Kevin J. Cann, Phuong A. Cao, Mark G. Goode, C. Jeff Harlan, Wesley R. Mariott
  • Patent number: 10208139
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method for making a catalyst support includes forming a mixture of a support material and a fluoride donor. The mixture is added to a fluidized bed reactor. The mixture is fluidized to form a fluidized bed while maintaining a ratio of a pressure drop across a distributor plate to a pressure drop across the fluidized bed of greater than about 7%. The mixture is calcined to decompose the fluoride donor, forming a fluorinated support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John H. Moorhouse, Kevin J. Cann, Phuong A. Cao, Mark G. Goode, C. Jeff Harlan, Wesley R. Mariott
  • Patent number: 10195589
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel bridged bi-aromatic phenol ligands and transition metal catalyst compounds derived therefrom. Also disclosed are methods of making the ligands and transition metal compounds, and polymerization processes utilizing the transition metal compounds for the production of olefin polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Catherine Anne Faler, C. Jeff Harlan
  • Patent number: 10189923
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method of polymerizing olefins to produce a polyolefin polymer with a multimodal composition distribution, includes contacting ethylene and a comonomer with a catalyst system. The catalyst system includes a first catalyst compound and a second catalyst compound that are co-supported to form a commonly supported catalyst system. The first catalyst compound includes a compound with the general formula (C5HaR1b)(C5HcR2d)HfX2. The second catalyst compound includes at least one of the following general formulas: In both catalyst systems, the R groups can be independently selected from any number of substituents, including, for example, H, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, or a heteroatom group, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, C. Jeff Harlan, Laughlin G. McCullough
  • Patent number: 10189917
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method for making a catalyst support includes forming a mixture of a support material and a fluoride donor. The mixture is added to a fluidized bed reactor. The mixture is fluidized to form a fluidized bed with a height to diameter ratio of at least about 2.3. The mixture is calcined to decompose the fluoride donor, forming a fluorinated support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John H. Moorhouse, Kevin J. Cann, Phuong A. Cao, Mark G. Goode, C. Jeff Harlan, Wesley R. Mariott
  • Publication number: 20180298128
    Abstract: A polymerization catalyst system, a method of using the polymerization catalyst system, and a polymer produced with the catalyst system. The polymerization catalyst system has a non-metallocene catalyst and a metallocene catalyst. The metallocene catalyst has the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently, phenyl, methyl, chloro, fluoro, or a hydrocarbyl group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: C. Jeff Harlan, Timothy R. Lynn, Fathi David Hussein, Timothy M. Boller
  • Publication number: 20180186911
    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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francis C. Rix, Alexander D. Todd, C. Jeff Harlan
  • Publication number: 20180186912
    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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francis C. Rix, Alexander D. Todd, C. Jeff Harlan
  • Publication number: 20180147562
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel bridged bi-aromatic phenol ligands and transition metal catalyst compounds derived therefrom. Also disclosed are methods of making the ligands and transition metal compounds, and polymerization processes utilizing the transition metal compounds for the production of olefin polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Catherine Anne Faler, C. Jeff Harlan
  • Publication number: 20180111953
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. In an example, a method of synthesizing a monocyclopentadienyl compound is provided. The method includes melting a dicyclopentadienyl compound including the following structure: (A). As used herein, M is hafnium or zirconium. Each R is independently an H, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a heteroatom group. Each X is a leaving group selected from a halogen or a heteroatom group. A reaction melt is formed by adding a metal salt including the following structure: (B). A monocyclopentadienyl compound is deposited from a vapor formed over the reaction melt, wherein the monocyclopentadienyl compound includes the following structure: (C).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: C. Jeff Harlan
  • Publication number: 20180105625
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are described. A method includes selecting a catalyst blend using a blend polydispersity index (bPDI) map. The polydispersity map is generated by generating a number of polymers for at least two catalysts. Each polymer is generated at a different hydrogen to ethylene ratio. At least one catalyst generates a higher molecular weight polymer and another catalyst generates a lower molecular weight polymer. A molecular weight for each polymer is measured. The relationship between the molecular weight of the polymers generated by each of the catalysts and the ratio of hydrogen to ethylene is determined. A family of bPDI curves for polymers that would be made using a number of ratios of a blend of the at least two catalysts for each of a number of ratios of hydrogen to ethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francis C. Rix, Ching-Tai Lue, Timothy M. Boller, Garth R. Giesbrecht, C. Jeff Harlan
  • Patent number: 9932426
    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: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francis C. Rix, Alexander D. Todd, C. Jeff Harlan
  • Publication number: 20180079704
    Abstract: New methods of preparing bridged bi-aromatic ligands are disclosed. The methods employ direct di-ortho-lithiation of aromatic rings of bridged protected bi-aromatic diphenols. The ligands may be used to prepare transition metal compounds useful as catalysts in olefin polymerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Catherine Anne Faler, C. Jeff Harlan, Kevin P. Ramirez
  • Publication number: 20180079838
    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: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donna J. Crowther, C. Jeff Harlan, Jackie Lovell, Haiqing Peng
  • Publication number: 20180066088
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A method of polymerizing olefins to produce a polyolefin polymer with a multimodal composition distribution, includes contacting ethylene and a comonomer with a catalyst system. The catalyst system includes a first catalyst compound and a second catalyst compound that are co-supported to form a commonly supported catalyst system. The first catalyst compound includes a compound with the general formula (C5HaR1b)(C5HcR2d)HfX2. The second catalyst compound includes at least one of the following general formulas: In both catalyst systems, the R groups can be independently selected from any number of substituents, including, for example, H, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, or a heteroatom group, among others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, C. Jeff Harlan, Laughlin G. McCullough