Patents by Inventor Gilbert Valdez

Gilbert Valdez 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: 7645847
    Abstract: A novel liquid phase polymerization process for preparing a polyolefin product having preselected properties is disclosed. The process includes the steps of providing a liquid feedstock which contains an olefinic component and a catalyst composition consisting of a stable complex of BF3 and a complexing agent therefor. The feedstock may comprise any one or more of a number of olefins including branched olefins such as isobutylene, C3 to C15 linear alpha olefins and C4 to C15 reactive non-alpha olefins. The feedstock and the catalyst composition are introduced into a residual reaction mixture recirculating in a loop reactor reaction zone provided in the tube side of a shell and tube heat exchanger at a recirculation rate sufficient to cause intimate intermixing of the residual reaction mixture, the added feedstock and the added catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals LLC
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Gilbert Valdez, Christopher Lobue, Timothy Lowry, Armen Abazajian
  • Patent number: 7498396
    Abstract: A mid-range vinylidene content PIB polymer composition made by a liquid phase polymerization process conducted in a loop reactor at a temperature of at least 60° F. using a BF3/methanol catalyst complex and a contact time of no more than 4 minutes. At least about 90% of the PIB molecules present in the product comprise alpha or beta position isomers. The vinylidene (alpha) isomer content of the product may range from 20% to 70% thereof, and the content of tetra-substituted internal double bonds is very low, advantageously no more than about 10%, preferably less than about 5% and ideally less than about 1-2%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals LP
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Gilbert Valdez, Christopher Lobue, Timothy Lowry, Armen Abazajian
  • Patent number: 7091285
    Abstract: A reaction product comprising an adduct of a mid-range vinylidene content PIB polymer composition and maleic anhydride, a phenolic compound or a compound having a reactive site for subsequent amination. The PIB composition comprises a relatively low molecular weight, mid-range vinylidene content PIB polymer product wherein at least about 90% of the PIB molecules present in the product comprise alpha or beta position isomers. The vinylidene (alpha) isomer content of the product may range from 20% to 70% thereof and the content of tetra-substituted internal double bonds is very low, preferably less than about 5% and ideally less than about 1–2%. The mid-range vinylidene content PIB polymer products may be prepared employing a liquid phase polymerization process conducted in a loop reactor at a temperature of at least 60° F. using a BF3/methanol catalyst complex and a contact time of no more than 4 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals LP
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Christopher Lobue, Gilbert Valdez, Daniel Herndon, Timothy Lowry
  • Patent number: 7056990
    Abstract: A process for making a relatively low molecular weight, mid-range vinylidene content PIB polymer product comprising a liquid phase polymerization process conducted in a loop reactor at a temperature of at least 60° F. using a BF3/methanol catalyst complex and a contact time of no more than 4 minutes. At least about 90% of the PIB molecules present in the product comprise alpha or beta position isomers. The vinylidene (alpha) isomer content of the product may range from 20% to 70% thereof, and the content of tetra-substituted internal double bonds is very low, advantageously no more than about 10%, preferably less than about 5% and ideally less than about 1–2%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals, LP
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Gilbert Valdez, Christopher Lobue, Timothy Lowry, Armen Abazajian
  • Patent number: 7037999
    Abstract: A relatively low molecular weight, mid-range vinylidene content PIB polymer product and a process for making the same. At least about 90% of the PIB molecules present in the product comprise alpha or beta position isomers. The vinylidene (alpha) isomer content of the product may range from 20% to 70% thereof and the content of tetra-substituted internal double bonds is very low, preferably less than about 5% and ideally less than about 1–2%. The midrange vinylidene content PIB polymer products are prepared by a liquid phase polymerization process conducted in a loop reactor at a temperature of at least 60° F. using a BF3/methanol catalyst complex and a contact time of no more than 4 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals LP
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Christopher Lobue, Gilbert Valdez, Daniel Herndon, Timothy Lowry
  • Publication number: 20060079652
    Abstract: A mid-range vinylidene content PIB polymer composition made by a liquid phase polymerization process conducted in a loop reactor at a temperature of at least 60° F. using a BF3/methanol catalyst complex and a contact time of no more than 4 minutes. At least about 90% of the PIB molecules present in the product comprise alpha or beta position isomers. The vinylidene (alpha) isomer content of the product may range from 20% to 70% thereof, and the content of tetra-substituted internal double bonds is very low, advantageously no more than about 10%, preferably less than about 5% and ideally less than about 1-2%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: C. Baxter, Gilbert Valdez, Christopher Lobue, Timothy Lowry, Armen Abazajian
  • Publication number: 20060030684
    Abstract: Polyolefin product produced using process conducted in apparatus for olefin polymerization which includes one or more shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus may also include an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher Lobue, Gilbert Valdez, Daniel Herndon, C. Baxter, Russell Reid
  • Patent number: 6992152
    Abstract: Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes one or more shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus may also include an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals LP
    Inventors: Christopher Lobue, Gilbert Valdez, Daniel Herndon, C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Russell E. Reid, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20060002828
    Abstract: Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes one or more shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus may also include an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher Lobue, Gilbert Valdez, Daniel Herndon, C. Baxter,, Russell Reid,
  • Publication number: 20050137363
    Abstract: A process for making a relatively low molecular weight, mid-range vinylidene content PIB polymer product comprising a liquid phase polymerization process conducted in a loop reactor at a temperature of at least 60° F. using a BF3/methanol catalyst complex and a contact time of no more than 4 minutes. At least about 90% of the PIB molecules present in the product comprise alpha or beta position isomers. The vinylidene (alpha) isomer content of the product may range from 20% to 70% thereof, and the content of tetra-substituted internal double bonds is very low, advantageously no more than about 10%, preferably less than about 5% and ideally less than about 1-2%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: C. Baxter, Gilbert Valdez, Christopher Lobue, Timothy Lowry, Armen Abazajian
  • Publication number: 20050101750
    Abstract: A novel liquid phase polymerization process for preparing a polyolefin product having preselected properties is disclosed. The process includes the steps of providing a liquid feedstock which contains an olefinic component and a catalyst composition consisting of a stable complex of BF3 and a complexing agent therefor. The feedstock may comprise any one or more of a number of olefins including branched olefins such as isobutylene, C3 to C15 linear alpha olefins and C4 to C15 reactive non-alpha olefins. The feedstock and the catalyst composition are introduced into a residual reaction mixture recirculating in a loop reactor reaction zone provided in the tube side of a shell and tube heat exchanger at a recirculation rate sufficient to cause intimate intermixing of the residual reaction mixture, the added feedstock and the added catalyst composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: C. Baxter, Gilbert Valdez, Christopher Lobue, Timothy Lowry, Armen Abazajian
  • Patent number: 6884858
    Abstract: A novel liquid phase polymerization process for preparing a polyolefin product having preselected properties is disclosed. The process includes the steps of providing a liquid feedstock which contains an olefinic component and a catalyst composition consisting of a stable complex of BF3 and a complexing agent therefor. The feedstock may comprise any one or more of a number of olefins including branched olefins such as isobutylene, C3 to C15 linear alpha olefins and C4 to C15 reactive non-alpha olefins. The feedstock and the catalyst composition are introduced into a residual reaction mixture recirculating in a loop reactor reaction zone provided in the tube side of a shell and tube heat exchanger at a recirculation rate sufficient to cause intimate intermixing of the residual reaction mixture, the added feedstock and the added catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals LP
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Gilbert Valdez, Christopher Lobue, Timothy Lowry, Armen Abazajian
  • Patent number: 6858188
    Abstract: Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes a plurality of shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus also includes an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals, LP
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Daniel Herndon, James G. Wakeland, Russel E. Reid, Sr., Gilbert Valdez
  • Publication number: 20050019227
    Abstract: Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes one or more shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus may also include an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Christopher Lobue, Gilbert Valdez, Daniel Herndon
  • Patent number: 6844400
    Abstract: Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes a plurality of shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus also includes an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals LP
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Daniel Herndon, James G. Wakeland, Russel E. Reid, Sr., Gilbert Valdez
  • Patent number: 6844401
    Abstract: Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes a plurality of shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus also includes an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals LP
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Daniel Herndon, James G. Wakeland, Russel E. Reid, Sr., Gilbert Valdez
  • Publication number: 20040225084
    Abstract: Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes a plurality of shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus also includes an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Texas Petrochemicals, LP
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Daniel Herndon, James G. Wakeland, Russel E. Reid, Gilbert Valdez
  • Publication number: 20040225083
    Abstract: Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes a plurality of shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus also includes an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Texas Petrochemicals, LP
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Daniel Herndon, James G. Wakeland, Russel E. Reid, Gilbert Valdez
  • Publication number: 20040225087
    Abstract: Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes a plurality of shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus also includes an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Daniel Herndon, James G. Wakeland, Russel E. Reid, Gilbert Valdez
  • Patent number: 6777506
    Abstract: Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes a plurality of shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus also includes an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals, LP
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Daniel Herndon, James G. Wakeland, Russel T. Reid, Sr., Gilbert Valdez