Patents by Inventor Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.

Daniel P. Zilker, Jr. 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).

  • Publication number: 20170022309
    Abstract: A method of polymerizing olefins is disclosed. The method comprises contacting ethylene and at least one co-monomer with a catalyst system to produce a polyolefin polymer that is multimodal. The catalyst system comprises a first catalyst that promotes polymerization of the ethylene into a low molecular weight (LMW) portion of the polyolefin polymer and a second catalyst that promotes polymerization of the ethylene into a high molecular weight (HMW) portion of the polyolefin polymer. The first catalyst and at least a portion of the second catalyst are co-supported to form a commonly-supported catalyst system and at least a portion of the second catalyst is added as a catalyst trim feed to the catalyst system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. Vanderlende, C. Jeff Harlan, Haiqing Peng, Michael D. Awe, Roger L. Kuhlman, Ching-Tai Lue, Timothy R. Lynn, Wesley R. Mariott, Daniel P. Zilker, JR.
  • Patent number: 9540460
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: C. Dale Lester, Kevin J. Cann, Phuong A. Cao, Abarajith S. Hari, F. David Hussein, Wesley R. Mariott, John H. Moorhouse, Richard B. Pannell, Bruce J. Savatsky, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Mark G. Goode
  • Patent number: 9512254
    Abstract: A process for the production of ethylene alpha-olefin copolymers is disclosed. The process may include feeding a catalyst system comprising a supported metallocene, such as a hafnocene, having pores saturated with a selected liquid agent, to a gas phase polymerization reactor. Ethylene and an alpha-olefin may then be contacted with the supported metallocene in the gas phase polymerization reactor to produce an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer. The copolymer may have a density of less than 0.93 g/cm3, a melt index (I2) of less than 2 dg/min, and a melt flow ratio (I21/I2) of at least 28. To advantageously result in desired effects on catalyst properties and/or polymer properties, the liquid agent may be selected to advantageously manipulate catalyst temperature profiles and/or catalyst-monomer interaction during an initial heating period when the catalyst is first introduced to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: F. David Hussein, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Kevin J. Cann
  • 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.
  • Publication number: 20160347886
    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 is formed by a trimmed catalyst system including a supported catalyst including bis(n-propylcyclopentadienyl) hafnium (R1)(R2) and a trim catalyst comprising meso-O(SiMe2Ind)2Zr(R1)(R2), wherein R1 and R2 are each, independently, methyl, chloro, fluoro, or a hydrocarbyl group.
    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, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160347874
    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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: 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: 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.
  • 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.
  • Publication number: 20150183905
    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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, R. Eric Pequeno, Timothy R. Lynn, F. David Hussein, Daniel P. Zilker, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150133615
    Abstract: Spray-dried catalyst compositions comprising a transition metal complex and polymerization processes employing the same are disclosed herein. An embodiment provides a spray-dried catalyst composition comprising a transition metal catalyst component represented by the following formula: (I) and polymerization process employing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley R. Mariott, Phuong A. Cao, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., John H. Oskam, Cliff R. Mure
  • Publication number: 20150133614
    Abstract: A process for the production of ethylene alpha-olefin copolymers is disclosed. The process may include feeding a catalyst system comprising a supported metallocene, such as a hafnocene, having pores saturated with a selected liquid agent, to a gas phase polymerization reactor. Ethylene and an alpha-olefin may then be contacted with the supported metallocene in the gas phase polymerization reactor to produce an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer. The copolymer may have a density of less than 0.93 g/cm3, a melt index (I2) of less than 2 dg/min, and a melt flow ratio (I21/I2) of at least 28. To advantageously result in desired effects on catalyst properties and/or polymer properties, the liquid agent may be selected to advantageously manipulate catalyst temperature profiles and/or catalyst-monomer interaction during an initial heating period when the catalyst is first introduced to the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: F. David Hussein, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., Kevin J. Cann
  • Patent number: 8835582
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. The catalyst system can include a single site catalyst compound, a support comprising fluorinated alumina, and an aluminoxane. The aluminoxane can be present in an amount of about 10 mmol or less per gram of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Cann, C. Jeff Harlan, Wesley R. Mariott, Lixin Sun, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., F. David Hussein, Phuong A. Cao, John H. Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode
  • Patent number: 8598287
    Abstract: A process for polymerizing olefin(s) utilizing a cyclic bridged metallocene catalyst system to produce polymers with improved properties is provided. The catalyst system may include a cyclic bridged metallocene, LA(R?SiR?)LBZrQ2, activated by an activator, the activator comprising aluminoxane, a modified aluminoxane, or a mixture thereof, and supported by a support, where: LA and LB are independently an unsubstituted or a substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand bonded to Zr and defined by the formula (C5H4-dRd), where R is hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl substituent, a substituted hydrocarbyl substituent, or a heteroatom substituent, and where d is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; LA and LB are connected to one another with a cyclic silicon bridge, R?SiR?, where R? are independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl substituents that are connected with each other to form a silacycle ring; and each Q is a labile hydrocarbyl or a substituted hydrocarbyl ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chi-I Kuo, Dongming Li, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Mark G Goode, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Tae Hoon Kwalk
  • Patent number: 8497330
    Abstract: Methods for gas phase olefin polymerization are provided. The method can include combining a spray dried catalyst system with a diluent to produce a catalyst slurry. The catalyst system can include a metallocene compound. Ethylene, a continuity additive, and the catalyst slurry can be introduced to a gas phase fluidized bed reactor. The reactor can be operated at conditions sufficient to produce a polyethylene. The spray dried catalyst system can have a catalyst productivity of at least 12,000 grams polyethylene per gram of the catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: F. David Hussein, Kevin J. Cann, Ann M. Schoeb-Wolters, Phuong A. Cao, Bruce J. Savatsky, Eric J. Markel, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Garth R. Giesbrecht
  • Patent number: 8383730
    Abstract: Bimodal polyethylene compositions and methods for making the same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the bimodal polyethylene composition can include a high molecular weight component having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 400,000 to about 950,000. The bimodal polyethylene composition can also include a low molecular weight component having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 3,000 to about 100,000. The high molecular weight component can be present in an amount ranging from about 25 wt % to about 40 wt % of the bimodal polyethylene composition. The bimodal polyethylene composition can also have a percent die swell of less than about 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Jaker, Sun-Cheuh Kao, Dongming Li, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Ching-Tai Lue
  • Publication number: 20130035463
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. The catalyst system can include a single site catalyst compound, a support comprising fluorinated alumina, and an aluminoxane. The aluminoxane can be present in an amount of about 10 mmol or less per gram of the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Cann, C. Jeff Harlan, Wesley R. Mariott, Lixin Sun, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., F. David Hussein, Phuong A. Cao, John H. Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode
  • Patent number: 8329835
    Abstract: Polyethylene compositions having improved properties are provided. In one aspect, a polyethylene composition having a long chain branching index (g?avg) of 0.5 to 0.9; a Melt Flow Rate (MFR) of greater than (49.011×MI(?0.4304)), where MI is Melt Index; and a weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) of less than or equal to 4.6 is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Goode, Rainer Kolb, Chi-I Kuo, Tae Hoon Kwalk, Dongming Li, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8318872
    Abstract: A method of performing a polymerization reaction in a gas phase polymerization reactor to produce a bimodal polymer while controlling activity of a bimodal polymerization catalyst composition in the reactor by controlling concentration of at least one induced condensing agent (‘ICA’) in the reactor is provided. In some embodiments, the ICA is isopentane (or another hydrocarbon compound) and the bimodal catalyst composition includes a Group 15 and metal containing catalyst compound (or other HMW catalyst for catalyzing polymerization of a high molecular weight fraction of the product), and a metallocene catalyst compound (or other LMW catalyst for catalyzing polymerization of a low molecular weight fraction of the product).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, John H. Oskam, Mark W. Blood, Mark B. Davis, Douglas H. Jackson, Timothy R. Lynn, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120220747
    Abstract: Bimodal polyethylene compositions and methods for making the same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the bimodal polyethylene composition can include a high molecular weight component having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 400,000 to about 950,000. The bimodal polyethylene composition can also include a low molecular weight component having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 3,000 to about 100,000. The high molecular weight component can be present in an amount ranging from about 25 wt % to about 40 wt % of the bimodal polyethylene composition. The bimodal polyethylene composition can also have a percent die swell of less than about 80%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Jaker, Sun-Chueh Kao, Dongming Li, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., Ching-Tai Lue
  • Patent number: 8202940
    Abstract: Bimodal polyethylene compositions and methods for making the same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the bimodal polyethylene composition can include a high molecular weight component having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 400,000 to about 950,000. The bimodal polyethylene composition can also include a low molecular weight component having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 3,000 to about 100,000. The high molecular weight component can be present in an amount ranging from about 25 wt % to about 40 wt % of the bimodal polyethylene composition. The bimodal polyethylene composition can also have a percent die swell of less than about 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Jaker, Sun-Chueh Kao, Dongming Li, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Ching-Tai Lue