Patents by Inventor James Austin Kendrick

James Austin Kendrick 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: 7575724
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of the first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James Austin Kendrick, Thomas W. Towles, Scott Thomas Roger
  • Patent number: 7381777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for controlling fouling in the reaction zone of slurry-type olefin polymerization reactors by measuring a process operating parameter and by responding to said process operating parameter, e.g., by introducing a gaseous poison for the polymerization catalyst in response to a comparison between said measured parameter and a fouling parameter limit for said measured parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Towles, James E. Skinner, Robert G. DePierri, James Austin Kendrick
  • Patent number: 7268194
    Abstract: A process of converting a loop reactor into multiple loop reactors comprising starting with a loop reactor comprising at least 8 vertical legs, at least two non-vertical conversion runs, each non-vertical run connected in fluid flow communication with two vertical legs; at least two feed inlets; and at least two continuous discharge conduits; disconnecting at least one connection of each conversion run; and reconnecting each conversion run in fluid flow communication with a different vertical leg in such a manner to form multiple loop reactors each having at least one feed inlet and at least one continuous discharge conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James Austin Kendrick, Thomas W. Towles, Scott Thomas Roger
  • Patent number: 7034090
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of said first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: James Austin Kendrick
  • Patent number: 6926868
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent of a slurry loop reactor containing a flow of slurry therein, comprising a discharge conduit extending a distance into the loop reactor; the conduit having a longitudinal axis and an opening inside the loop reactor; at least a portion of the conduit being curved along its longitudinal axis inside the loop reactor; and the opening substantially facing the flow of the slurry, wherein the discharge conduit is located within a lower leg of the loop reactor such that a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank wherein volatile inert diluent and unreacted monomers are removed and the polymer solids which remain after removal of about 50 to 100% of the inert diluent therefrom to a second flash tank at a lower pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventors: James Austin Kendrick, Thomas W. Towles, Scott Thomas Roger, Robert G. DePierri
  • Patent number: 6833415
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of the first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: James Austin Kendrick, Thomas W. Towles, Scott Thomas Roger
  • Patent number: 6800698
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of the first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: James Austin Kendrick, Thomas W. Towles, Scott Thomas Roger
  • Publication number: 20030199645
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of the first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to th
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Chemical Company
    Inventors: James Austin Kendrick, Thomas W. Towles, Scott Thomas Roger
  • Publication number: 20030161765
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of the first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to th
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: James Austin Kendrick, Thomas W. Towles, Scott Thomas Roger
  • Publication number: 20020182121
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (I) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of said first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to t
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventor: James Austin Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20020173598
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of the first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to th
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: James Austin Kendrick, Thomas W. Towles, Scott Thomas Roger
  • Publication number: 20020132936
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of the first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to th
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: James Austin Kendrick, Thomas W. Towles, Scott Thomas Roger, Robert G. DePierri
  • Publication number: 20020111441
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of the first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to th
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: James Austin Kendrick, Thomas W. Towles, Scott Thomas Roger
  • Publication number: 20020086955
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of said first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to t
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: James Austin Kendrick
  • Patent number: 6380325
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of said first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: James Austin Kendrick
  • Patent number: 6281300
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of said first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventor: James Austin Kendrick