Patents by Inventor Eric Damme

Eric Damme 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: 9631077
    Abstract: A process for preparing a multimodal polyethylene product with at least two different polyethylene resins includes producing a first polyethylene resin in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in a reactor. The Ziegler-Natta catalyst used for the production of the first polyethylene resin has an average particle size (D50) of at most 15 ?m. The process includes separately producing a second polyethylene resin in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in a reactor. The process includes physically blending together the first and second polyethylene resins to produce a multimodal polyethylene product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Daan Dewachter, Eric Damme
  • Patent number: 9567416
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for polymerizing olefins. One embodiment comprises polymerizing at least one monomer in a first loop reactor in the presence of a catalyst to produce a first polyolefin fraction. A portion of the first polyolefin fraction is transferred to a second loop reactor, connected in series with the first loop reactor. The process further comprises polymerizing in the second loop reactor at least one monomer in the presence of a catalyst to produce a second polyolefin fraction in addition to the first polyolefin fraction. The combination of the first and second polyolefin fractions can produce a polymer resin fluff having bimodal molecular weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOTAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY FELUY
    Inventors: Louis Fouarge, Eric Damme, Olivier Miserque, Daniel Siraux, Philippe Bodart, Andre Lewalle, Marc Van der Auwera, Frans Van den Brande, Giacomo Conti, Hugo Vandaele, Mark Verleysen, Carl Van Camp, Etienne Laurent, Philippe Marechal, Marc Moers, Leopold D'Hooghe, Marjan Sillis, Kai Hortman, Pascal Folie, Renaud Oreins
  • Patent number: 9376557
    Abstract: A process for preparing a homogeneous polyethylene product can include producing a first polyethylene resin in the presence of a metallocene catalyst in a reactor. The first polyethylene resin can have a density of from 0.942 to 0.970 g/cm3 and an HLMI of from 0.5 to 150 g/10 min. The process can include separately producing a second polyethylene resin in the presence of a chromium catalyst in a reactor. The process can include physically blending together the first polyethylene resin and the second polyethylene resin to produce the homogeneous polyethylene product. The homogeneous polyethylene product can include at least 25% by weight of the first polyethylene resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Daan Dewachter, Eric Damme
  • Patent number: 9334396
    Abstract: A process for preparing a polyolefin product can include providing a first high molecular weight (HMW) polyolefin resin having an HLMI of between 0.01 and 5 g/10 min, and separately providing a second low molecular weight (LMW) polyolefin resin having an MI2 of between 1 and 150 g/10 min. A device can be used to continuously physically melt and blend the first HMW polyolefin resin and the second LMW polyolefin resin to produce the polyolefin product. The device can include at least two feeding zones spatially separated and operably connected to each other. At least a art of the first HMW polyolefin resin is introduced in a first feeding zone, and at least a part of the second LMW polyolefin is introduced in a second feeding zone different from the first zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: TOTAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY FELUY
    Inventors: Daan Dewachter, Eric Damme
  • Publication number: 20160108149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for polymerizing olefins. One embodiment comprises polymerizing at least one monomer in a first loop reactor in the presence of a catalyst to produce a first polyolefin fraction. A portion of the first polyolefin fraction is transferred to a second loop reactor, connected in series with the first loop reactor. The process further comprises polymerizing in the second loop reactor at least one monomer in the presence of a catalyst to produce a second polyolefin fraction in addition to the first polyolefin fraction. The combination of the first and second polyolefin fractions can produce a polymer resin fluff having bimodal molecular weight distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Louis Fouarge, Eric Damme, Olivier Miserque, Daniel Siraux, Philippe Bodart, Andre Lewalle, Marc Van der Auwera, Frans Van den Brande, Giacomo Conti, Hugo Vandaele, Mark Verleysen, Carl Van Camp, Etienne Laurent, Philippe Marechal, Marc Moers, Leopold D'Hooghe, Marjan Sillis, Kai Hortman, Pascal Folie, Renaud Oreins
  • Patent number: 9273169
    Abstract: The present relates to a process for optimizing the recovery of unreacted monomers from a polymerization process, wherein said process comprises the steps of recovering a fluid stream generated by the separation of the polyolefin product from the polymerization fluid comprising unreacted monomers and optionally comonomers; contacting said fluid stream in an absorption zone with a scrub liquid comprising at least one C4-10 hydrocarbons, thereby absorbing at least a portion of the unreacted monomers in said scrub liquid; and withdrawing from said absorption zone (i) a vapor overhead comprising light gas and (ii) an absorber bottoms scrub liquid comprising said C4-10 hydrocarbons and said unreacted monomer; thereby recovering said unreacted monomer in said absorber bottoms scrub liquid comprising said C4-10 hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: TOTAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY FELUY
    Inventors: Bernard Van Der Schrick, Eric Damme
  • Patent number: 9228078
    Abstract: A process for preparing a homogeneous polyethylene product can include producing a first polyethylene resin in the presence of a metallocene catalyst in a reactor. The first polyethylene resin can have a density of from 0.940 to 0.970 g/cm3. The first polyethylene resin can have a Low Molecular Weight (LMW) with an MI2 of between 2 and 250 g/10 min. The process can include separately producing a second polyethylene resin in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in a reactor. The second polyethylene resin can have a High Molecular Weight (HMW) with an MI2 of between 0.01 and 15 g/10 min. The process can include physically blending together the first polyethylene resin and the second polyethylene resin to produce the homogeneous polyethylene product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: TOTAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY FELUY
    Inventors: Daan Dewachter, Eric Damme
  • Patent number: 9221921
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for polymerizing olefins. One embodiment comprises polymerizing at least one monomer in a first loop reactor in the presence of a catalyst to produce a first polyolefin fraction. A portion of the first polyolefin fraction is transferred to a second loop reactor, connected in series with the first loop reactor. The process further comprises polymerizing in the second loop reactor at least one monomer in the presence of a catalyst to produce a second polyolefin fraction in addition to the first polyolefin fraction. The combination of the first and second polyolefin fractions can produce a polymer resin fluff having bimodal molecular weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: TOTAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY FELUY
    Inventors: Louis Fouarge, Eric Damme, Olivier Miserque, Daniel Siraux, Philippe Bodart, Andre Lewalle, Marc Van der Auwera, Frans Van den Brande, Giacomo Conti, Hugo Vandaele, Mark Verleysen, Carl Van Camp, Etienne Laurent, Philippe Marechal, Marc Moers, Leopold D'Hooghe, Marjan Sillis, Kai Hortman, Pascal Folie, Renaud Oreins
  • Publication number: 20150299441
    Abstract: A process for preparing a multimodal polyethylene product with at least two different polyethylene resins includes producing a first polyethylene resin in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in a reactor. The Ziegler-Natta catalyst used for the production of the first polyethylene resin has an average particle size (D50) of at most 15 ?m. The process includes separately producing a second polyethylene resin in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in a reactor. The process includes physically blending together the first and second polyethylene resins to produce a multimodal polyethylene product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Daan Dewachter, Eric Damme
  • Patent number: 9126179
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polyolefin in a loop reactor. The polymer is prepared by polymerizing olefin monomers in the presence of a catalyst to produce a polyolefin slurry while pumping said slurry through said loop reactor by means of a pump. The present process is characterized in that the catalyst is fed in the loop reactor at a distance to the pump. The invention allows production of the polymer with advantageous properties while leading to fewer blockages of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: TOTAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY FELUY
    Inventors: Eric Damme, Louis Fouarge, Jerome Bette, Alvaro Fernandez, Aurelien Vantomme, Renaud Oreins, Daniel Siraux
  • Patent number: 9109105
    Abstract: A process for preparing a multimodal polyethylene product with at least two different polyethylene resins can include producing a first polyethylene resin in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in a reactor. The Ziegler-Natta catalyst used for the production of the first polyethylene resin has an average particle size (D50) of at most 15 ?m. The HLMI of the first polyethylene resin is between 0.01 and 5 g/10 min. The process can include separately producing a second polyethylene resin in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in a reactor. The MI2 of the second polyethylene resin is between 1 and 150 g/10 min. The process can include physically blending together the first and second polyethylene resins to produce a multimodal polyethylene product. The physical blending can be performed in a device for continuously melting and blending the first and second polyethylene resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: TOTAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY FELUY
    Inventors: Daan Dewachter, Eric Damme
  • Publication number: 20150175720
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for polymerizing olefins. One embodiment comprises polymerizing at least one monomer in a first loop reactor in the presence of a catalyst to produce a first polyolefin fraction. A portion of the first polyolefin fraction is transferred to a second loop reactor, connected in series with the first loop reactor. The process further comprises polymerizing in the second loop reactor at least one monomer in the presence of a catalyst to produce a second polyolefin fraction in addition to the first polyolefin fraction. The combination of the first and second polyolefin fractions can produce a polymer resin fluff having bimodal molecular weight distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Louis Fouarge, Eric Damme, Olivier Miserque, Daniel Siraux, Philippe Bodart, Andre Lewalle, Marc Van der Auwera, Frans Van den Brande, Giacomo Conti, Hugo Vandaele, Mark Verleysen, Carl Van Camp, Etienne Laurent, Philippe Marechal, Marc Moers, Leopold D'Hooghe, Marjan Sillis, Kai Hortman, Pascal Folie, Renaud Oreins
  • Patent number: 8956573
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for polymerizing olefins. One embodiment comprises polymerizing at least one monomer in a first loop reactor in the presence of a catalyst to produce a first polyolefin fraction. A portion of the first polyolefin fraction is transferred to a second loop reactor, connected in series with the first loop reactor. The process further comprises polymerizing in the second loop reactor at least one monomer in the presence of a catalyst to produce a second polyolefin fraction in addition to the first polyolefin fraction. The combination of the first and second polyolefin fractions can produce a polymer resin fluff having bimodal molecular weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Louis Fouarge, Eric Damme, Olivier Miserque, Daniel Siraux, Philippe Bodart, Andre Lewalle, Marc Van der Auwera, Frans Van den Brande, Giacomo Conti, Hugo Vandaele, Mark Verleysen, Carl Van Camp, Etienne Laurent, Philippe Marechal, Marc Moers, Leopold D'Hooghe, Marjan Sillis, Kai Hortman, Pascal Folie, Renaud Oreins
  • Patent number: 8946359
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of preparing a polyolefin in a loop reactor by introducing anti-fouling agent through a sleeve provided around at least part of the shaft of the pump. Also, the invention relates to the use of anti-fouling agent to prevent or reduce fouling by feeding the anti-fouling agent against the impeller of the pump upon introduction to the loop reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Daniel Siraux, Aurélien Vantomme, Eric Damme, Daan Dewachter
  • Publication number: 20140334984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polyolefin in a loop reactor. The polymer is prepared by polymerizing olefin monomers in the presence of a catalyst to produce a polyolefin slurry while pumping said slurry through said loop reactor by means of a pump. The present process is characterized in that the catalyst is fed in the loop reactor at a distance to the pump. The invention allows production of the polymer with advantageous properties while leading to fewer blockages of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Eric Damme, Louis Fouarge, Jerome Bette, Alvaro Fernandez, Aurelien Vantomme, Renaud Oreins, Daniel Siraux
  • Publication number: 20140299208
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for polymerizing olefins. One embodiment comprises polymerizing at least one monomer in a first loop reactor in the presence of a catalyst to produce a first polyolefin fraction. A portion of the first polyolefin fraction is transferred to a second loop reactor, connected in series with the first loop reactor. The process further comprises polymerizing in the second loop reactor at least one monomer in the presence of a catalyst to produce a second polyolefin fraction in addition to the first polyolefin fraction. The combination of the first and second polyolefin fractions can produce a polymer resin fluff having bimodal molecular weight distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: TOTAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY FELUY
    Inventors: Louis Fouarge, Eric Damme, Olivier Miserque, Daniel Siraux, Philippe Bodart, Andre Lewalle, Marc Van der Auwera, Frans Van den Brande, Giacomo Conti, Hugo Vandaele, Mark Verleysen, Carl Van Camp, Etienne Laurent, Philippe Marechal, Marc Moers, Leopold D'Hooghe, Marjan Sillis, Kai Hortman, Pascal Folie, Renaud Oreins
  • Patent number: 8829124
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polyolefin in a loop reactor. The polymer is prepared by polymerizing olefin monomers in the presence of a catalyst to produce a polyolefin slurry while pumping said slurry through said loop reactor by means of a pump. The present process is characterized in that the catalyst is fed in the loop reactor at a distance to the pump. The invention allows production of the polymer with advantageous properties while leading to fewer blockages of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Eric Damme, Louis Fouarge, Jerome Bette, Alvaro Fernandez, Aurelien Vantomme, Renaud Oreins, Daniel Siraux
  • Patent number: 8796400
    Abstract: A method for the copolymerization of ethylene and a C3+ olefin in a loop reactor and polymers formed therefrom are described herein. The method generally includes introducing an ethylene monomer, a C3+ olefin and a diluent carrier liquid into a loop reactor. A catalyst system can be supplied to said loop reactor. The diluent liquid, ethylene monomer, and C3+ olefin can be circulated through said loop reactor, while copolymerizing said ethylene and C3+ olefin in the presence of said catalyst system to produce a slurry. The slurry can be diverted into a settling leg, and sequentially discharged therefrom and withdrawn from said loop reactor. An ethylene monomer co-feed can be introduced into said loop reactor at spaced locations downstream of the ethylene and diluent. The ethylene co-feed can be introduced in an amount effective to reduce the variation in the ratio of ethylene and C3+ olefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Louis Fouarge, Eric Damme, Olivier Miserque, Daniel Siraux, Philippe Bodart, Andre Lewalle, Marc Van der Auwera, Frans Van den Brande, Giacomo Conti, Hugo Vandaele, Mark Verleysen, Carl Van Camp, Etienne Laurent, Philippe Marechal, Marc Moers, Leopold D'Hooghe, Marjan Sillis, Kai Hortman, Pascal Folie, Renaud Oreins
  • Publication number: 20140094575
    Abstract: The present relates to a process for optimizing the recovery of unreacted monomers from a polymerization process, wherein said process comprises the steps of recovering a fluid stream generated by the separation of the polyolefin product from the polymerization fluid comprising unreacted monomers and optionally comonomers; contacting said fluid stream in an absorption zone with a scrub liquid comprising at least one C4-10 hydrocarbons, thereby absorbing at least a portion of the unreacted monomers in said scrub liquid; and withdrawing from said absorption zone (i) a vapor overhead comprising light gas and (ii) an absorber bottoms scrub liquid comprising said C4-10 hydrocarbons and said unreacted monomer; thereby recovering said unreacted monomer in said absorber bottoms scrub liquid comprising said C4-10 hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: TOTAL PETROCHEMICALS RESEARCH FELUY
    Inventors: Bernard Van Der Schrick, Eric Damme
  • Publication number: 20140088272
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polyolefin in a loop reactor. The polymer is prepared by polymerizing olefin monomers in the presence of a catalyst to produce a polyolefin slurry while pumping said slurry through said loop reactor by means of a pump. The present process is characterized in that the catalyst is fed in the loop reactor at a distance to the pump. The invention allows production of the polymer with advantageous properties while leading to fewer blockages of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: TOTAL PETROCHEMICALS RESEARCH FELUY
    Inventors: Eric Damme, Louis Fouarge, Jerome Bette, Alvaro Fernandez, Aurelien Vantomme, Renaud Oreins, Daniel Siraux