Patents by Inventor David H. Burns
David H. Burns 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: 7803324Abstract: A catalyst slurry for a polymerization reactor can be prepared in a mixing tank and the catalyst slurry fed to one or more storage tanks. The storage tanks can include agitators so that the catalyst slurry is maintained at an essentially homogeneous solids-to-liquid ratio. From the storage tank(s), the catalyst slurry can be pumped to the polymerization reactor along a fluid passage having a flow meter. The flow of the catalyst slurry can be continuous and/or adjusted based on a measured parameter. The catalyst slurry may be continuously and reliability fed to the polymerization reactor.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser
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Publication number: 20100056707Abstract: A flash chamber sized to receive the effluent discharged from a polyolefin reactor during normal operation of the reactor and during a reactor dump, advantageously eliminating a reactor dump tank or alternate flash tank from the equipment outlay of a polyolefin manufacturing process. The flash chamber is sized to hold at least the polyolefin solids discharged from the reactor. A condenser fluidically coupled to an overhead portion of the flash chamber is sized to condense the flow rate of vaporized hydrocarbon (e.g., diluent, monomer, etc.) discharged overhead from the flash chamber during normal operation and during the reactor dump.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: John D. Hottovy, John H. Tait, David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser, James E. Hein
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Publication number: 20090326168Abstract: Multiple components are selected, conveyed, and measured in a polymerization system. A control system adjusts the system variables to the desired values. Portions of the components can be fed to a pre-contactor before introduction into the polymerization reactor. The catalyst component concentrations and residence times are tightly controlled in the pre-contactor to affect product properties. The pre-contactor can be a single or multiple combinations of a CSTR or plug flow pre-contactors.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser, Elizabeth A. Benham, Max P. McDaniel, John D. Hottovy, Dale A. Zellers, Penny A. Zeller, Clay K. Thurman, David A. Lockman, John O. Lawmaster, Matthew T. Haberly, Thomas H. Smith, Jerry T. Lanier, Matthew G. Thorn
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Patent number: 7615596Abstract: Multiple components are selected, conveyed, and measured in a polymerization system. A control system adjusts the system variables to the desired values. Portions of the components can be fed to a pre-contactor before introduction into the polymerization reactor. The catalyst component concentrations and residence times are tightly controlled in the pre-contactor to affect product properties. The pre-contactor can be a single or multiple combinations of a CSTR or plug flow pre-contactors.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser, Elizabeth A. Benham, Max P. McDaniel, John D. Hottovy, Dale A. Zellers, Penny A. Zellers, legal representative, Clay K Thurman, David A. Lockman, John O. Lawmaster, Matthew T. Haberly, Thomas H. Smith, Jerry T. Lanier, Matthew G. Thorn
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Patent number: 7547750Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing polymer solids from a slurry loop reactor. A discharge conduit having a longitudinal axis and an end section for removing polymer solids from the slurry loop reactor is provided. The discharge conduit is attached to the slurry loop reactor so that the longitudinal axis and at least a portion of an outer wall of the slurry loop reactor form an angle of less than about 90 degrees. The end section includes a first edge and a second edge that extends past at least a portion of an inner wall of the slurry loop reactor into a liquid reactor slurry. Polymer solids contained within the liquid reactor slurry are concentrated on the second edge so that an average polymer solids concentration in the discharge slurry is greater than an average polymer solids concentration of the liquid reactor slurry within the slurry loop reactor.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2005Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Robert R McElvain, John D Hottovy, David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser, Anurag Gupta, Ralph W. Romig
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Patent number: 7524904Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating polymer solids, hydrocarbon fluids, and purge gas in an intermediate pressure zone and a purge zone. The purge gas in the purge zone is used to remove hydrocarbon fluids from the polymer solids, and a stream containing the purge gas and hydrocarbons is passed to a hydrocarbon/purge gas recovery zone. High-purity purge gas from the recovery zone is efficiently used by passing a portion back to the purge zone and another portion to an extruder feed zone. Hydrocarbon fluids separated from polymer solids in the intermediate pressure zone and in the hydrocarbon/purge gas recovery zone are liquefied and passed to a recycle zone, and the hydrocarbons (typically liquid diluent and/or unreacted monomer) are recycled to the reactor without fractionation.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2003Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John D. Hottovy
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Publication number: 20080200780Abstract: This document discloses, among other things, systems and methods for measuring a level of myoglobin, hemoglobin, and cytochrome using an optical probe coupled to a spectrometer. Multivariate analysis of the spectral data yields quantifiable cellular and mitochondrial characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2007Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventors: Kenneth A. Schenkman, Lorilee S.L. Arakaki, Wayne A. Ciesielski, Eric O. Feigl, David H. Burns
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Patent number: 7087685Abstract: A recycling and recovery system and process comprising a flash gas separator that receives a slurry comprising liquid medium and solid polymer particles. The flash gas separator separates the diluent from the solid polymer particles as a vapor stream comprising at least diluent and heavies. A line receives the vapor stream from the flash gas separator. The line leads to a heavies removal system that yields a liquid that is relatively concentrated in heavies and a diluent vapor that is relatively free of heavies. The liquid is passed to a heavies column while the diluent vapor is passed to a diluent recycle chamber and then recycled to a slurry polymerization reactor without additional treatment to remove heavies.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LPInventors: David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser
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Patent number: 7033545Abstract: A polymerization loop reactor including a loop reaction zone, a continuous takeoff, and a fluid slurry disposed in the reaction zone. A generally cylindrical wall defines the loop reaction zone. The length of the loop reaction zone and the nominal outside diameter of the generally cylindrical wall define a length/diameter ratio greater than 250. The reactor can be charged with a fluid slurry including an olefin monomer reactant, solid olefin polymer particles, and a liquid diluent. The concentration of the solid olefin polymer particles in the slurry can be greater than 40 weight percent based on the weight of polymer particles and the weight of liquid diluent. Also disclosed is a polymerization process carried out by polymerizing, in the loop reaction zone of a reactor as defined above, at least one olefin monomer in a liquid diluent to produce a fluid slurry as defined above.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Chevon Phillips Chemical Company, LPInventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Thomas A. Reid, John H. Tait, David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser, Harvey D. Hensley, David J. Przelomski, Teddy H. Cymbaluk, Robert K. Franklin, Ethelwoldo P. Perez, John D. Hottovy
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Patent number: 7005485Abstract: A process is provided that produces polyolefins. The process comprises mixing a first stream, which comprises at least one catalyst deactivating agent, with a second stream, which comprises at least one polyolefin, at least one catalyst, at least one diluent, and at least one monomer, to produce a third stream, which comprises at least one polyolefin, at least one deactivated catalyst, at least one diluent, and at least one monomer. By utilizing the deactivating agent, polymerization can be slowed, or substantially stopped, when downstream equipment is being repaired or process control problems are being corrected. Later, polymerization can be restarted without the use of scavengers to remove poisons from the slurry polymerization reactor, and polyolefin production can be resumed.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser, John D Hottovy, Michael C. Carter, Robert W. Bohmer
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Patent number: 6967230Abstract: A process is provided that produces polyolefins.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2001Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: John D. Hottovy, Michael C. Carter, Robert W. Bohmer, Scott E. Kufeld, David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser, Ragayan Vaidyanathan
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Patent number: 6953553Abstract: Polymer solids are maintained in an intermediate pressure zone for a desired polymer solids residence time and then transferred to a purge zone or other lower pressure zone. An increase in the polymer solids residence time in the intermediate pressure zone allows more diluent to flash or separate, thereby avoiding or reducing the need for a low pressure flash zone. A fluff chamber may be disposed between the intermediate pressure zone and a lower pressure zone. A transporter tank may be used to transport polymer solids after the intermediate pressure zones.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Inventors: Thomas A. Reid, Scott E. Kufeld, John H. Tait, David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser
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Patent number: 6908971Abstract: A catalyst slurry for a polymerization reactor can be prepared in a mixing tank and the catalyst slurry fed to one or more storage tanks. The storage tanks can include agitators so that the catalyst slurry is maintained at an essentially homogeneous solids-to-liquid ratio. From the storage tank(s), the catalyst slurry can be pumped to the polymerization reactor along a fluid passage having a flow meter. The flow of the catalyst slurry can be continuous and/or adjusted based on a measured parameter. The catalyst slurry may be continuously and reliability fed to the polymerization reactor.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LPInventors: David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser
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Patent number: 6838531Abstract: Polymer solids are maintained in an intermediate pressure zone for a desired polymer solids residence time and then transferred to a purge zone or other lower pressure zone. An increase in the polymer solids residence time in the intermediate pressure zone allows more diluent to flash or separate, thereby avoiding or reducing the need for a low pressure flash zone. A fluff chamber may be disposed between the intermediate pressure zone and a lower pressure zone transporter tank may be used to transport polymer solids after the intermediate pressure zone.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LPInventors: Thomas A. Reid, Scott E. Kufeld, John H. Tait, David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser
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Publication number: 20040230031Abstract: A process is provided that produces polyolefins.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2001Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: John D. Hottovy, Michael C Carter, Robert W. Bohmer, Scott E. Kufeld, David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser, Ragavan Vaidyanathan
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Patent number: 6818186Abstract: A recycling and recovery system and process comprising a flash gas separator that receives a slurry comprising liquid medium and solid polymer particles. The flash gas separator separates the diluent from the solid polymer particles as a vapor stream comprising at least diluent and heavies. A line receives the vapor stream from the flash gas separator. The line leads to a heavies removal system that yields a liquid that is relatively concentrated in heavies and a diluent vapor that is relatively free of heavies. The liquid is passed to a heavies column, while the diluent vapor is passed to a diluent recycle chamber and then recycled to a slurry polymerization reactor without additional treatment to remove heavies.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LPInventors: David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser
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Patent number: 6815511Abstract: An improved polymerization process includes withdrawing a portion of a fluid slurry through a plurality of active continuous take off mechanisms, monitoring the pressure of feed material fed to the reactor, and adjusting the continuous take off mechanisms in response to the monitored feed line pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LPInventors: Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, James E. Hein, George K. Rajaendran, John D. Hottovy
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Publication number: 20040151642Abstract: A process is provided that produces polyolefins. The process comprises mixing a first stream, which comprises at least one catalyst deactivating agent, with a second stream, which comprises at least one polyolefin, at least one catalyst, at least one diluent, and at least one monomer, to produce a third stream, which comprises at least one polyolefin, at least one deactivated catalyst, at least one diluent, and at least one monomer. By utilizing the deactivating agent, polymerization can be slowed, or substantially stopped, when downstream equipment is being repaired or process control problems are being corrected. Later, polymerization can be restarted without the use of scavengers to remove poisons from the slurry polymerization reactor, and polyolefin production can be resumed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser, John D. Hottovy, Michael C. Carter, Robert W. Bohmer
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Publication number: 20040136881Abstract: An olefin polymerization process wherein monomer, diluent and catalyst are circulated in a continuous loop reactor and product slurry is withdrawn and passed through a heated conduit to a cyclone. The cyclone allows better separation of vaporized diluent. In a preferred embodiment, the slurry is heated in a flashline heater so that a high percentage of the withdrawn diluent is vaporized. The vaporized diluent and concentrated intermediate product are passed to a cyclone where a majority of the vaporized diluent is separated and thereafter condensed by heat exchange, without compression, and recycled to the reactor. Also an apparatus for separating vaporized diluent and polymer particles using a cyclone.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John D. Hottovy
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Publication number: 20040136882Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating polymer solids, hydrocarbon fluids, and purge gas in an intermediate pressure zone and a purge zone. The purge gas in the purge zone is used to remove hydrocarbon fluids from the polymer solids, and a stream containing the purge gas and hydrocarbons is passed to a hydrocarbon/purge gas recovery zone. High-purity purge gas from the recovery zone is efficiently used by passing a portion back to the purge zone and another portion to an extruder feed zone. Hydrocarbon fluids separated from polymer solids in the intermediate pressure zone and in the hydrocarbon/purge gas recovery zone are liquefied and passed to a recycle zone, and the hydrocarbons (typically liquid diluent and/or unreacted monomer) are recycled to the reactor without fractionation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John D. Hottovy
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Patent number: 4824336Abstract: A vacuum pump comprises a slide shaft having one end provided with a discharging valve and a diaphragm, a cam plate in press-contact with the other end of the slide shaft to cause reciprocating movement of the slide shaft, a shaft of a motor for rotating the cam plate and a bearing casing for holding a bearing which supports the motor shaft in a freely rotatable manner, wherein the cam plate is provided at its one side surface with a recess for receiving the bearing and provided at its other side surface with a cam surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1988Date of Patent: April 25, 1989Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiyuki Iwaki, Akio Matsumoto, Kimiaki Seki