Patents by Inventor Daniel P. Zilker
Daniel P. Zilker 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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Publication number: 20130035463Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8329835Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 9, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark G. Goode, Rainer Kolb, Chi-I Kuo, Tae Hoon Kwalk, Dongming Li, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
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Patent number: 8318872Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, John H. Oskam, Mark W. Blood, Mark B. Davis, Douglas H. Jackson, Timothy R. Lynn, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
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Publication number: 20120220747Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stephen P. Jaker, Sun-Chueh Kao, Dongming Li, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., Ching-Tai Lue
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Patent number: 8202940Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Stephen P. Jaker, Sun-Chueh Kao, Dongming Li, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Ching-Tai Lue
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Publication number: 20110275772Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2008Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, John H. Oskam, Mark W. Blood, Mark B. Davis, Douglas H. Jackson, Timothy R. Lynn, Daniel P. Zilker, JR.
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Publication number: 20110130531Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20110098422Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2008Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Dongming Li, Mark G Goode, Rainer Kolb, Chi-I Kuo, Tae Hoon Kwalk, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Daniel P. Zilker, JR.
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Patent number: 7847036Abstract: A method for controlling a transition from an initial polymerization reaction to a target polymerization reaction in a manner that reduces significantly the amount of off-grade product having excessively low density produced during the transition, including steps of: during the transition, maintaining a first one of a concentration ratio and a feed ratio at an at least substantially constant value while implementing process changes in an effort to bring produced polymer into compliance with a target specification set and monitoring (without controlling) the other one of the concentration ratio and the feed ratio to generate first data; and during the transition, determining from the first data whether polymer having excessively low density is likely to be produced during the transition, and upon determining that polymer having excessively low density is likely to be produced during the transition, maintaining during the remaining portion of the transition the other ratio at a value that is at least substantiaType: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100298511Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2008Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Chi-I Kuo, Dongming Li, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Mark G. Goode, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., Tae Hoon Kwalk
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Publication number: 20100144981Abstract: A method for controlling a transition from an initial polymerization reaction to a target polymerization reaction in a manner that reduces significantly the amount of off-grade product having excessively low density produced during the transition, including steps of: during the transition, maintaining a first one of a concentration ratio and a feed ratio at an at least substantially constant value while implementing process changes in an effort to bring produced polymer into compliance with a target specification set and monitoring (without controlling) the other one of the concentration ratio and the feed ratio to generate first data; and during the transition, determining from the first data whether polymer having excessively low density is likely to be produced during the transition, and upon determining that polymer having excessively low density is likely to be produced during the transition, maintaining during the remaining portion of the transition the other ratio at a value that is at least substantiaType: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2007Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC.Inventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, Daniel P. Zilker, JR.
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Publication number: 20100133714Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2009Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC.Inventors: Stephen P. Jaker, Sun-Chueh Kao, Dongming Li, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., Ching-Tai Lue
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Publication number: 20100041841Abstract: A nozzle for catalyst injection for olefin polymerization is provided. In one or more embodiments the nozzle includes a first conduit including a body, a tapered section, and an injection tip. The nozzle also includes a second conduit having an inner surface and an outer surface. The first conduit is disposed about the second conduit defining a first annulus therebetween. The nozzle further includes a support member at least partially disposed about the outer surface of the first conduit defining a second annulus therebetween. The support member has a converging outer surface at a first end thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2007Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: Univation Tecchnologies, LLCInventors: Kersten A. Terry, Mark W. Blood, John H. Oskam, Timothy R. Lynn, Bruce J. Savatsky, Mark B. Davis, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., Charles W. Lipp
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Publication number: 20090312506Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.Inventors: Kevin J. Cann, Minghui Zhang, Jose Fernando Cevallos-Candau, John H. Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., Maria Apecetche
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Publication number: 20080319583Abstract: Generally, a method of monitoring a polymerization reaction in a fluid bed reactor to generate, in on-line fashion, data indicative of the imminent occurrence of a discontinuity event (for example, sheeting) and optionally also control the reaction to prevent the occurrence of the discontinuity event is provided. Typical embodiments include the steps of generating in on-line fashion at least one of bed static data indicative of static charge in the fluidized bed and carryover static data indicative of carryover static; and generating at least one of temperature data (in on-line fashion using at least one monitored reaction parameter) indicative of a first temperature and acoustic emission data indicative of resin stickiness in the reactor, where the first temperature is indicative of at least one of degree of resin stickiness in the reactor and a characteristic of melting behavior of polymer resin in the reactor in the presence of at least one diluent.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert O. Hagerty, Ian D. Burdett, Marc L. DeChellis, F. David Hussein, Eric J. Markel, Michael E. Muhle, Richard B. Pannell, Daniel P. Zilker
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Patent number: 7238756Abstract: Methods of controlling the flow index and/or molecular weight split of a polymer composition are disclosed. The method of producing a polymer composition in one embodiment comprises incorporating a high molecular weight polymer into a low molecular weight polymer to form the polymer composition in a single polymerization reactor in the presence of polymerizable monomers, a bimetallic catalyst composition and at least one control agent; wherein the control agent is added in an amount sufficient to control the level of incorporation of the high molecular weight polymer, the level of low molecular weight polymer, or both. Examples of control agents include alcohols, ethers, amines and oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Fred D. Ehrman, Pradeep P. Shirodkar, Mark Bradley Davis, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Porter C. Shannon
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Patent number: 5604172Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a shape-shifted catalyst component comprising (1) contacting a dihydrocarbyloxide magnesium compound with carbon dioxide in the presence of a slurrying agent to form a slurry of a carboxylated dihydrocarbyloxide magnesium compound; (2) adding a filler to the slurry either before or after the carboxylation of step (1); (3) spray drying the slurry of step (2) to evaporate the slurrying agent and to produce solid particles of the carboxylated dihydrocarbyloxide magnesium compound incorporating the filler; and, optionally, (4) heating the solid particles to remove carbon dioxide to produce a shape-shifted dihydrocarbyloxide magnesium compound component. A catalyst system using the component and a polymerization process employing the catalyst system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1996Date of Patent: February 18, 1997Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology CorporationInventors: Burkhard E. Wagner, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Robert J. Jorgensen
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Patent number: 5567665Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a shape-shifted catalyst component comprising (1) contacting a dihydrocarbyloxide magnesium compound with carbon dioxide in the presence of a slurrying agent to form a slurry of a carboxylated dihydrocarbyloxide magnesium compound; (2) adding a filler to the slurry either before or after the carboxylation of step (1); (3) spray drying the slurry of step (2) to evaporate the slurrying agent and to produce solid particles of the carboxylated dihydrocarbyloxide magnesium compound incorporating the filler; and, optionally, (4) heating the solid particles to remove carbon dioxide to produce a shape-shifted dihydrocarbyloxide magnesium compound component. A catalyst system using the component and a polymerization process employing the catalyst system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1995Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology CorporationInventors: Burkhard E. Wagner, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Robert J. Jorgensen
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Patent number: 5548040Abstract: A method for passivating internal surfaces of a reactor system during start-up and shutdown of an alpha olefin polymerization or copolymerization reaction by adding a passivation agent such as a dialkyl zinc compound, an alcohol, or an epoxide, to the reactor prior to exposing the internal reactor surfaces to air or moisture before reaction initiation and/or after reaction ceases.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1994Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology CorporationInventors: Kevin J. Cann, Fathi D. Hussein, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Kiu H. Lee
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Patent number: 5342907Abstract: A process comprising contacting a mixture comprising ethylene, propylene, and, optionally, a diene, in the gas phase, under polymerization conditions, with a catalyst system comprising:(a) a catalyst precursor, in independent or prepolymer form, consisting of vanadium (acetylacetonate).sub.3 ;(b) optionally, a support for said precursor;(c) a cocatalyst consisting essentially of (i) an alkylaluminum halide having the formula AlR.sub.(3-a) X.sub.a wherein each R is independently alkyl having 1 to 14 carbon atoms; each X is independently chlorine, bromine, or iodine; and a is 1 or 2, and (ii) optionally, a trialkylaluminum provided that the molar ratio of alkylaluminum halide to trialkylaluminum is at least about 1.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1993Date of Patent: August 30, 1994Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology CorporationInventors: Kevin J. Cann, Fathi D. Hussein, Kiu H. Lee, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., James W. Nicoletti, Xinlai Bai