Patents by Inventor David Knoeppel

David Knoeppel 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: 20090198026
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a chromium-type supported olefin polymerization catalyst. A fluidized bed of support particles in an inert carrier gas is established. A chromium (III) compound is added to the fluidized support particles to provide a supported catalyst component. The supported catalyst component is activated to convert at least a portion of the chromium (III) to Chromium (VI). The chromium (III) containing particles may be recovered from the fluidized bed and then activated or they may be activated in the fluidized bed. Also the support particles can be treated in the fluidized bed with other treatment agents. The support particles may be pretreated with a solution of a boron treating agent prior to incorporation of the support in the fluidized bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Ricky McCormick, David Knoeppel
  • Publication number: 20090131616
    Abstract: Methods for improving heat transfer in polymerization processes are described herein. The methods generally include contacting olefin monomer with a catalyst system within a reaction zone to form particles having a first average particle size and altering the reaction zone to improve heat transfer and form polymer particles having a second average particle size. For example, the second average particle size may be larger than the first average particle size and the second particle size results in improved heat transfer over the first particle size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Knoeppel, Steve Nitz, Steven Gray
  • Patent number: 7473664
    Abstract: Methods of forming polyolefins and catalysts are described herein. Such methods generally include forming Ziegler-Natta catalyst compounds in the absence of one or more blended compounds typically used to form such catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kayo Vizzini, David Knoeppel, Steven Gray, David Rauscher, Tim Coffy, Henry Enriquez
  • Publication number: 20080051538
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bimodal Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyethylene, having a density of from 0.930 g/cc to 0.960 g/cc, and a molecular weight distribution of from 10 to 25, wherein an article formed therefrom has a PENT of at least 1500. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a tubular article including obtaining a bimodal polyethylene having a density of from 0.930 g/cc to 0.960 g/cc and a molecular weight distribution of from 10 to 25, and processing the polyethylene under conditions where a specific energy input (SEI) is less than 300 kW.h/ton, and wherein the article has a PENT of at least 1500. Further disclosed is a method for controlling the degradation of polyethylene including polymerizing ethylene monomer, recovering polyethylene, extruding the polyethylene, and controlling the degradation of polyethylene by measuring the SEI to the extruder and adjusting throughput and/or gear suction pressure keep SEI less than 300 kW.h/ton, and forming an article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: TIM COFFY, Steven Gray, David Knoeppel, Cyril Chevillard, David Rauscher, Carlos Corleto, Gerhard Guenther, Brian Cole, Stan Beisert, Vincent Barre, Ruby Curtis, Son Nguyen, Danielle Childress
  • Publication number: 20070299224
    Abstract: Methods of forming polyolefins and catalysts are described herein. Such methods generally include forming Ziegler-Natta catalyst compounds in the absence of one or more blended compounds typically used to form such catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kayo Vizzini, David Knoeppel, Steven Gray, David Rauscher, Tim Coffy, Henry Enriquez
  • Patent number: 7282546
    Abstract: Polyolefins may be prepared using a cocatalyst conforming to the formula: AIRz(Xz)nLzm wherein Rz is a linear or branched organic moiety having at least 5 carbons and Xz is a linear or branched organic moiety having at least 5 carbons or a heterocyclic moiety having at least 4 atoms and can be anionic or di-anionic. The aluminum complex may also be in the form of an adduct complex where Lz is a Lewis base and m=1-3. The cocatalyst Rz components are selected such that they do not react with water under polymerization conditions to form a species that is highly soluble in the polymerization diluent. Use of the specified cocatalyst reduces fouling during metallocene-catalyzed runs and “post-metallocene hangover” when the same production equipment is transitioned to non-metallocene catalyst runs using catalysts such as chromium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Gray, Henry Enriquez, David Knoeppel
  • Publication number: 20060293472
    Abstract: Polyolefins may be prepared using a cocatalyst conforming to the formula: AIRz(Xz)nLzm wherein Rz is a linear or branched organic moiety having at least 5 carbons and Xz is a linear or branched organic moiety having at least 5 carbons or a heterocyclic moiety having at least 4 atoms and can be anionic or di-anionic. The aluminum complex may also be in the form of an adduct complex where Lz is a Lewis base and m=1-3. The cocatalyst Rz components are selected such that they do not react with water under polymerization conditions to form a species that is highly soluble in the polymerization diluent. Use of the specified cocatalyst reduces fouling during metallocene-catalyzed runs and “post-metallocene hangover” when the same production equipment is transitioned to non-metallocene catalyst runs using catalysts such as chromium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Gray, Henry Enriquez, David Knoeppel
  • Publication number: 20050209094
    Abstract: A Ziegler-Natta type catalyst component can be produced by a process comprising contacting a magnesium dialkoxide compound with a halogenating agent to form a reaction product A, and contacting reaction product A with a first, second and third halogenating/titanating agents. Catalyst components, catalysts, catalyst systems, polyolefin, products made therewith, and methods of forming each are disclosed. The reaction products can be washed with a hydrocarbon solvent to reduce titanium species [Ti] content to less than about 100 mmol/L.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: David Knoeppel, Tim Coffy, Henry Enriquez, Steven Gray