Patents by Inventor Edwar S. Shamshoum

Edwar S. Shamshoum 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: 5767031
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making a catalyst in which a metallocene is included in the synthesis of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and a process for using the catalyst in the polymerization of olefins, specifically, propylene, to produce a polymer product with broad polydisperisty.The catalyst may be synthesized by:1) selecting a solid component comprising a magnesium dialkoxide;2) adding a chlorinating agent;3) adding a titanating agent;4) adding a metallocene prior to step 2), after step 2), prior to step 3) or after step 3) and5) adding an aluminum alkyl cocatalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, David John Rauscher, Christopher G. Bauch
  • Patent number: 5753785
    Abstract: A process of polymerizing ethylene with a catalyst using a single metallocene catalyst comprising a bridged metallocene compound having two cyclopentadienyl rings, one substituted with a bulky group in a distal position and one substituted such that a fused ring, substituted or unsubstituted, is formed, which produces a copolymer of ethylene. The metallocene catalyst promotes simultaneous oligomerization of a fraction of ethylene to form a comonomer in situ and copolymerization of the remaining ethylene and the comonomer to form a copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Baireddy Raghava Reddy, Edwar S. Shamshoum, Margarito Lopez
  • Patent number: 5739073
    Abstract: This invention relates to a conventional supported heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalyst for the polymerization of olefins. It has been found that adding a lithium compound to a transition metal catalyst component and then adding an organoaluminum co-catalyst and an organosilicon electron donor produces a catalyst which yields polymer with increased molecular weight. The lithium compound is of the general formula LiCp wherein Cp is a cyclopentadienyl or substituted cyclopentadienyl and is preferably lithium cyclopentadienide or lithium indene. Preferably, the molar ratio of lithium compound/transition metal is at least 0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, Christopher G. Bauch
  • Patent number: 5739220
    Abstract: An olefin polymerization process in which at least two introductions of hydrogen are made during the olefin polymerization reaction. Suitable catalysts include metallocenes of the general formula (Cp).sub.m TiX.sub.n, wherein Cp is a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl ring, X is a halogen, m=1-2, n=2-3, and wherein m+n=4, and conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts blended with or modified by such metallocenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, David J. Rauscher
  • Patent number: 5504048
    Abstract: This invention relates to a conventional supported heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalyst for the polymerization of olefins. It has been found that adding a lithium compound to a transition metal catalyst component and then adding an organoaluminum co-catalyst and an organosilicon electron donor produces a catalyst which yields polymer with increased molecular weight. The lithium compound is of the general formula LiCp wherein Cp is a cyclopentadienyl or substituted cyclopentadienyl and is preferably lithium cyclopentadienide or lithium indene. Preferably, the molar ratio of lithium compound/transition metal is at least 0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, Christopher Bauch
  • Patent number: 5475180
    Abstract: A process is provided for the disproportionation of a toluene feedstock over a metal promoted mordenite catalyst. The catalyst may contain between 1.0-1.5 weight percent nickel. The toluene feedstock is supplied to the reaction zone and into contact with the catalyst. The reaction zone is operated under disproportionation conditions. During disproportionation, heavy aromatic reformates, in concentration of at least 4 weight percent, are introduced into the reaction zone. Disproportionation product containing benzene and xylene is continuously withdrawn. The addition of the heavy aromatic reformate does not adversely affect toluene conversion rates, product selectivity to benzene, catalyst activity or catalyst life. Moreover, production of xylenes increase at the expense of production of heavies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, Thomas R. Schuler, Ashim K. Ghosh, James R. Butler, James T. Merrill
  • Patent number: 5449651
    Abstract: This invention relates to a syndiospecific metallocene of a substituted iPr[(cyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)]zirconium dichloride containing long-chain terminal alkene, for example octenyl groups, on fluorene at C2/C7. The metallocene compound useful as a catalyst in the present invention is described by the general formula:R"(C.sub.5 H.sub.4)(C.sub.4 H.sub.4-m R'.sub.m C.sub.5 C.sub.4 H.sub.4-n R'.sub.n)MeQ.sub.pwherein (C.sub.5 H.sub.4) is a cyclopentadienyl ring and (C.sub.4 H.sub.4-m R'.sub.m C.sub.5 C.sub.4 H.sub.4-n R'.sub.n) is a fluorenyl radical; R' is a long chain alkene substituent having 5-20 carbon atoms on the fluorene ligand at C2 or C7, each R' may be the same or different; R" is a structural bridge between the (C.sub.5 H.sub.4) and (C.sub.4 H.sub.4-m R'.sub.m C.sub.5 C.sub.4 H.sub.4-n R'.sub.n) rings to impart stereorigidity; Q is a hydrocarbon radical or a halogen; Me is a Group IIIB, IVB, VB, or VIB metal; m=0 or 1; n=1; and p is the valence of Me minus 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Baireddy R. Reddy, Edwar S. Shamshoum
  • Patent number: 5432139
    Abstract: Processes for the formulation of Ziegler-type catalysts from a transition metal component, an electron donor and a co-catalyst which are sequentially mixed together. The co-catalyst is initially contacted with either of the transition metal catalyst or the electron donor for a first contact time of 5-120 seconds. This mixture is then contacted with the remainder of the electron donor or transition metal component for a second contact time of less and 110 seconds. The three component system is then used in olefin polymerization. The olefin contacting step can involve an initial pre-polymerization reaction. A specific order of addition involves mixture of the transition metal component and the co-catalyst component for a contact time of 5-120 seconds followed by contact with an electron donor component for no more than 30 seconds. Another order of addition involves initially contacting the electron donor with the co-catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, David J. Rauscher, Shabbir A. Malbari
  • Patent number: 5395810
    Abstract: This invention concerns a making a catalyst system comprising at least one homogeneous catalyst and at least one heterogeneous catalyst, specifically, a metallocene catalyst and a conventional Ziegler-Natta catalyst, respectively. This invention is useful for making a catalyst for the polymerization of any polymer in which separate polymerizations with a homogeneous catalyst and with a heterogeneous catalyst are possible, but preferably, polymerization of olefins, more preferably, .alpha.-olefins, and, most preferably, propylene. This invention provides a catalyst system which facilitates use of a homogeneous catalyst but eliminates the disadvantages of such a system. This invention produces a polymer with molecular weight distribution (MWD) as broad or broader than the MWD of the heterogeneous catalyst alone. Hydrogen can be used to control molecular weight distribution of a polymer produced with this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, Michael J. Elder, Baireddy R. Reddy, David J. Rauscher
  • Patent number: 5387732
    Abstract: A process is provided for the disproportionation of a toluene feed stock that includes using an unconventionally low hydrogen to toluene mole ratio during reaction start-up, i.e., until the production of non-aromatics begins to stabilize; thereafter the ratio is increased. Reducing the hydrogen content at the beginning of the reaction substantially lessens any hydrogenation activity, thereby gaining optimum selectivities to benzene at a much sooner rate than that achieved using more conventional hydrogen to toluene ratios. The post start-up increase in hydrogen concentration following stabilized production of non-aromatics is generally believed to enhance the aging character of the catalyst, thereby preserving catalyst life. In practicing the invention, a reaction zone is established loading a metal-modified mordenite catalyst into the reaction zone. A toluene containing feed stock is continuously supplied to the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, Ashim K. Ghosh, Thomas R. Schuler
  • Patent number: 5378672
    Abstract: A system for combining the components of a multi-component catalyst system comprising at least four chambers with flow passageway means connecting the chambers in series. The catalyst components can include a transition metal, an electron donor and a co-catalyst, which are sequentially mixed together in the course of formulating a Ziegler-type system to be charged to an olefin polymerization reactor. The passages between the second and third chambers have valves. Each of the second and fourth chambers is provided with an inlet opening separate from the interconnecting flow passages and a vent opening separate from the inlet openings and the interconnecting flow passages. The chamber also has an outlet opening. This system also has flushing inlet passages for each of the four chambers which are connected to a manifold adapted to be connected to a source of nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, David J. Rauscher, Shabbir A. Malbari
  • Patent number: 5336824
    Abstract: In accordance with the the present invention, there is provided a process for the conversion of aromatic hydrocarbons including benzene to hydrocarbon components comprising primarily toluene. According to the invention, a catalyst reaction zone is established having a metal-loaded mordenite catalyst. A mixed feedstock of aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzene, xylene(s) and, optionally, ethylbenzene is introduced into the reaction zone and hydrogen is used as a cofeed to provide a reductive environment. The feedstock is contacted with the metal-loaded mordenite catalyst and the conversion of the aromatic hydrocarbon components is conducted under temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to effect the conversion of the feedstock to hydrocarbon components containing primarily toluene. Finally, the conversion product containing primarily toluene is recovered from the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, Ashim K. Ghosh
  • Patent number: 5330947
    Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst system using a boron alkyl in combination with an aluminum alkyl as a co-catalyst, a process for making the catalyst system and a process using the catalyst system for polymerization of olefins, especially .alpha.-olefins, such as propylene. While both boron alkyls and aluminum alkyls are known as co-catalysts separately, use of a boron alkyl with an aluminum alkyl as co-catalysts in olefin polymerization resulted in an unexpected increase in polymer yield. An increase in yield is accomplished without any increase in the amount of aluminum residue in the polymer product. The preferred boron alkyl is triethyl boron. The preferred aluminum alkyl is TEAl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, David J. Rauscher, Shabbir A. Malbari
  • Patent number: 5308817
    Abstract: This invention relates to a syndiospecific metallocene of a substituted iPr[(cyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)]zirconium dichloride containing long-chain terminal alkene, for example octenyl groups, on fluorene at C2/C7. The metallocene compound useful as a catalyst in the present invention is described by the general formula:R"(C.sub.5 H.sub.4)(C.sub.4 H.sub.4-m R'.sub.m C.sub.5 C.sub.4 H.sub.4-n R'.sub.n)MeQ.sub.pwherein (C.sub.5 H.sub.4) is a cyclopentadienyl ring and (C.sub.4 H.sub.4-m R'.sub.m C.sub.5 C.sub.4 H.sub.4-n R'.sub.n) is a fluorenyl radical; R' is a long chain alkene substituent having 514 20 carbon atoms on the fluorene ligand at C2 or C7, each R' may be the same or different; R" is a structural bridge between the (C.sub.5 H.sub.4) and (C.sub.4 H.sub.4-m R'.sub.m C.sub.5 C.sub.4 H.sub.4-n R'.sub.n) rings to impart stereorigidity; Q is a hydrocarbon radical or a halogen; Me is a Group IIIB, IVB, VB, or VIB metal; m=0 or 1; n=1; and p is the valence of Me minus 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Baireddy R. Reddy, Edwar S. Shamshoum
  • Patent number: 5308818
    Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst system that exhibits unprecedented catalyst efficiencies and control of desired properties in the polymer product. The catalyst system includes a new generation titanium catalyst in combination with an electron donor described by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl or cycloalkyl group containing a primary or secondary carbon atom attached to the silicon atom; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are alkyl or aryl groups; and R.sub.4 is an alkyl or cycloalkyl group with a primary or secondary carbon atom attached to the silicon atom. The system has a catalyst efficiency of over 30 kg/g-cat.h as the Si/Ti mole ratio varies from 4-20 in the system. The system easily achieves efficiencies over 30 kg/g-cat.h. The system also exhibits good control over the xylene solubles of the polymer products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, David J. Rauscher
  • Patent number: 5256392
    Abstract: The modified zeolite beta has a surface area based upon the crystalline structure of the zeolite beta of at least 600 m.sup.2 /g and a sodium content in the crystalline structure of the zeolite beta of less than 0.04 wt % Na.sub.2 O.A process for modifying an alkali metal containing zeolite beta synthesized by the hydrothermal digestion of a reaction mixture containing an organic templating agent. The as synthesized zeolite beta is treated with an ion exchange medium then calcined at a temperature within the range of 400.degree.-700.degree. C. for a period of two hours or longer. The calcined zeolite beta is again treated with an ion exchange medium to protonate additional active sites by exchanging alkali metal ions. The ion exchanged zeolite from this step is mixed with a binder to produce a mulled zeolite-binder mixture pelletized by extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwar S. Shamshoum
  • Patent number: 5242876
    Abstract: This invention concerns a catalyst system comprising at least one homogeneous catalyst and at least one heterogeneous catalyst, specifically, a metallocene catalyst and a conventional Ziegler-Natta catalyst, respectively. This invention is useful in the polymerization of any polymer in which separate polymerizations with a homogeneous catalyst and with a heterogeneous catalyst are possible, but preferably, polymerization of olefins, more preferably, .alpha.-olefins, and, most preferably, propylene. This invention provides a catalyst system which facilitates use of a homogeneous catalyst but eliminates the disadvantages of such a system. This invention produces a polymer with molecular weight distribution (MWD) as broad or broader than the MWD of the heterogeneous catalyst alone. Hydrogen can be used to control molecular weight distribution of a polymer produced with this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, Michael J. Elder, Baireddy R. Reddy, David J. Rauscher
  • Patent number: 5227558
    Abstract: A process for the alkylation of aromatic compounds by low molecular weight alkylating agents is provided. The process includes the use of a steam modified zeolite beta alkylation catalyst. Such steam modification of the beta zeolite is achieved by steaming the catalyst at a temperature of between about 550.degree. and 750.degree. C., thereby dealuminating the zeolite to obtain a silica to alumina mole ratio of between about 50 and 350. Either liquid or vapor phase alkylation conditions may be utilized, or intermediate conditions in which liquid and vapor phases exist. The process is particularly useful the vapor phase ethylation of benzene to produce ethylbenzene with little or no xylene make.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, Thomas R. Schuler, Ashim K. Ghosh
  • Patent number: 5210356
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable, highly active and selective modified omega zeolite, and its preparation and use in toluene disproportionation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, Ashim K. Ghosh, Thomas R. Schuler
  • Patent number: 5030786
    Abstract: Aromatic conversion processes employing zeolite Y, zeolite omega and zeolite beta molecular sieve catalyst. A feed stock containing at least one aromatic compound and having water entrained therein is passed to a dehydration zone. In the dehydration zone, water is removed to provide a dehydrated feed stock of a water content no more than 100 ppm, preferably 50 ppm or less. The dehydrated feed stock is then supplied to the reaction zone containing the molecular sieve catalyst selected from the group consisting of zeolite Y, zeolite omega, and zeolite beta. The reaction zone is operated at temperature and pressure conditions to maintain the reactor contents in the liquid phase and also sufficient to cause the conversion reaction to proceed in the presence of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwar S. Shamshoum, James T. Merrill