Patents by Inventor James Richardson Lattner

James Richardson Lattner 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: 8410230
    Abstract: Provided are methods of producing polymers with broadened molecular weight and/or composition distribution in a continuous homogeneous polymerization system utilizing reactor temperature gradients, reactor polymer concentration gradients, monomer concentration gradients, catalyst concentration gradients, and combinations thereof in the polymerization reactor. Such methods are particularly suitable when utilizing metallocene catalysts and other single-site catalysts, which generally produce polymers with narrow molecular weight and composition distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gabor Kiss, Robert Patrick Reynolds, Jr., John W. Chu, Patrick Brant, James Richardson Lattner
  • Patent number: 8399586
    Abstract: A process for feeding ethylene into a polymerization system includes providing a low-pressure ethylene stream, one or more low-pressure C3 to C20 monomer streams, an optional low-pressure inert solvent/diluent stream, and one or more reactors; metering the low-pressure ethylene stream, the one or more low-pressure C3 to C20 monomer streams, and the optional low-pressure inert solvent/diluent stream; blending the metered low-pressure ethylene stream, the metered one or more low-pressure C3 to C20 monomer streams, and the metered low-pressure optional inert solvent/diluent stream to form an ethylene-carrying low-pressure blended liquid feed stream; pressurizing the ethylene-carrying low-pressure blended liquid feed stream to the polymerization system pressure with one or more high-pressure pumps to thrm an ethylene-carrying high-pressure blended reactor feed stream; and feeding the ethylene-carrying high-pressure blended reactor feed stream to the one or more reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gabor Kiss, Robert Patrick Reynolds, Jr., John W. Chu, James Richardson Lattner, Gary D. Mohr
  • Patent number: 8080610
    Abstract: A monomer recycle process for fluid phase in-line blending of polymers is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gabor Kiss, Alan Anthony Galuska, James Richardson Lattner
  • Patent number: 8067512
    Abstract: Monomer/solvent separation and recycle processes for continuous supercritical, solution and advanced solution polymerization processes for propylene-containing polymers and their blends are provided. The advantageous monomer/solvent separation and recycle process includes heating a polymer-lean recycle stream coming from a gravimetric separator positioned downstream of the reactor to form a heated polymer-lean recycle stream, and subsequently combining the heated polymer-lean recycle stream with the one or more homogenous reactor effluent streams to form a heated reactor effluent mixed stream. The heated reactor effluent mixed stream may then be passed through a pressure let-down valve followed and a gravimetric separator, such as to provide for reduced fouling propensity of the polymer-rich phase and sufficient heating of the polymer-rich phase to be able to pass through the remainder of the processing steps to form a propylene based polymer product without additional heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gabor Kiss, James Richardson Lattner
  • Publication number: 20110196115
    Abstract: Provided are methods of producing polymers with broadened molecular weight and/or composition distribution in a continuous homogeneous polymerization system utilizing reactor temperature gradients, reactor polymer concentration gradients, monomer concentration gradients, catalyst concentration gradients, and combinations thereof in the polymerization reactor. Such methods are particularly suitable when utilizing metallocene catalysts and other single-site catalysts, which generally produce polymers with narrow molecular weight and composition distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Kiss, Robert Patrick Reynolds, JR., John W. Chu, Patrick Brant, James Richardson Lattner
  • Publication number: 20110196116
    Abstract: Provided are methods of producing polymers with broadened molecular weight and/or composition distribution in a continuous homogeneous polymerization system utilizing reactor temperature gradients, reactor polymer concentration gradients, monomer concentration gradients, catalyst concentration gradients, and combinations thereof in the polymerization reactor. Such methods are particularly suitable when utilizing metallocene catalysts and other single-site catalysts, which generally produce polymers with narrow molecular weight and composition distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Kiss, Robert Patrick Reynolds, JR., John W. Chu, Patrick Brant, James Richardson Lattner
  • Patent number: 7939610
    Abstract: Provided are methods of producing polymers with broadened molecular weight and/or composition distribution in a continuous homogeneous polymerization system utilizing reactor temperature gradients, reactor polymer concentration gradients, monomer concentration gradients, catalyst concentration gradients, and combinations thereof in the polymerization reactor. Such methods are particularly suitable when utilizing metallocene catalysts and other single-site catalysts, which generally produce polymers with narrow molecular weight and composition distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gabor Kiss, Robert Patrick Reynolds, Jr., John W. Chu, Patrick Brant, James Richardson Lattner
  • Patent number: 7910679
    Abstract: Provided are bulk homogeneous polymerization processes for producing ethylene propylene random copolymers. The process includes contacting in a reactor or in a series of reactors propylene monomer, ethylene comonomer with one or more catalyst systems and optional solvent (present at less than 40 wt %), wherein the reactor train is at a temperature of between 65° C. and 180° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gabor Kiss, Robert Patrick Reynolds, Jr., John W. Chu, Steven P. Rucker, James Richardson Lattner
  • Patent number: 7740829
    Abstract: Synthesis gas is produced according to this invention using a combination of steam reforming and oxidation chemistry. The process incorporates the use of solids to heat the hydrocarbon feed, and to cool the gas product. According to the invention, heat can be conserved by directionally reversing the flow of feed and product gases at intermittent intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Christopher L. Becker, Frank Hershkowitz, James Richardson Lattner
  • Publication number: 20100063338
    Abstract: Provided are processes for feeding ethylene into a polymerization system operating in a liquid phase or supercritical phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: GABOR KISS, ROBERT PATRICK REYNOLDS, JR., JOHN W. CHU, JAMES RICHARDSON LATTNER, GARY MOHR
  • Publication number: 20090292085
    Abstract: Provided are methods of producing polymers with broadened molecular weight and/or composition distribution in a continuous homogeneous polymerization system utilizing reactor temperature gradients, reactor polymer concentration gradients, monomer concentration gradients, catalyst concentration gradients, and combinations thereof in the polymerization reactor. Such methods are particularly suitable when utilizing metallocene catalysts and other single-site catalysts, which generally produce polymers with narrow molecular weight and composition distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Gabor Kiss, Robert Patrick Reynolds, JR., John W. Chu, Patrick Brant, James Richardson Lattner
  • Publication number: 20090259005
    Abstract: Monomer/solvent separation and recycle processes for continuous supercritical, solution and advanced solution polymerization processes for propylene-containing polymers and their blends are provided. The advantageous monomer/solvent separation and recycle process includes heating a polymer-lean recycle stream coming from a gravimetric separator positioned downstream of the reactor to form a heated polymer-lean recycle stream, and subsequently combining the heated polymer-lean recycle stream with the one or more homogenous reactor effluent streams to form a heated reactor effluent mixed stream. The heated reactor effluent mixed stream may then be passed through a pressure let-down valve followed and a gravimetric separator, such as to provide for reduced fouling propensity of the polymer-rich phase and sufficient heating of the polymer-rich phase to be able to pass through the remainder of the processing steps to form a propylene based polymer product without additional heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Gabor Kiss, James Richardson Lattner
  • Publication number: 20090163678
    Abstract: Provided are bulk homogeneous polymerization processes for producing ethylene propylene random copolymers. The process includes contacting in a reactor or in a series of reactors propylene monomer, ethylene comonomer with one or more catalyst systems and optional solvent (present at less than 40 wt %), wherein the reactor train is at a temperature of between 65° C. and 180° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Gabor Kiss, Robert Patrick Reynolds, JR., John W. Chu, Steven P. Rucker, James Richardson Lattner
  • Publication number: 20080281040
    Abstract: A monomer recycle process for fluid phase in-line blending of polymers is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Gabor Kiss, Alan Anthony Galuska, James Richardson Lattner
  • Patent number: 7304197
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for converting oxygenate to olefins which comprises: contacting a feedstock comprising oxygenate with a catalyst comprising a molecular sieve under conditions effective to produce a vaporous product comprising the olefins, water and unreacted oxygenate; condensing the vaporous product to provide a liquid stream rich in the water and unreacted oxygenate, and an olefins-rich vapor stream; introducing at least part of the liquid stream to a feed tray in a fractionation tower which provides an oxygenate-rich overhead product and a water-rich liquid bottoms product; providing a liquid, oxygenate-rich stream comprising at least about 20 wt % oxygenate above the feed tray; and passing the olefins-rich vapor stream through a recovery train to recover at least some of the olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, Jeffrey L. Brinen, James Richardson Lattner, Allen Scott Gawlik
  • Patent number: 7220341
    Abstract: This invention is to a process and system for controlling solids distribution in a gas-solids reactor. Solids distribution is controlled by controlling electrical charges between solid particles flowing between conductive surfaces within a gas-solids reactor. The electrical charges are controlled by conventional means such as by grounding the opposing conductive surfaces, or by applying a voltage to one of the opposing conductive surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Smith, James Richardson Lattner, Kenneth R. Clem, Pete N. Loezos, Nicolas P. Coute, Rutton D. Patel
  • Patent number: 7135604
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for removal of carbon dioxide from a reactor effluent stream comprising water, carbon dioxide and olefin(s), where a portion of the carbon dioxide is removed in a quenching step with a quench medium and more carbon dioxide is removed by contacting the quenched effluent stream with an alkaline stream. A portion of the alkaline stream is added to the quench medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong Yi Ding, James Richardson Lattner, David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr., Jeffrey Alan Kabin
  • Patent number: 7102049
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing olefin(s) from oxygenates that is more effective than previously known processes at removing carbon dioxide from the effluent stream by operating a quench tower at a pH greater than 7.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patens Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong Yi Ding, James Richardson Lattner, David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr., Jeffrey Alan Kabin, Cor F. Van Egmond
  • Patent number: 7060865
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing DME from a stream containing C4 olefins. The process includes providing a first stream comprising C4 olefins, C5+ hydrocarbons, DME, and methanol. The first stream is separated into a second stream comprising the C4 olefins and the DME and a third stream comprising the C5+ hydrocarbons and the methanol. The second stream is directed to a DME absorption unit, wherein the second stream contacts water under conditions effective to separate the C4 olefins from the DME. Also disclosed is a process including contacting the first stream with water in a methanol removal unit under conditions effective to separate remove the methanol therefrom; distilling the methanol-depleted stream to remove C5+ hydrocarbon components, and contacting the stream with water in a DME removal unit under conditions effective to form an overhead stream comprising the C4 olefins and a bottoms stream comprising the DME.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong Yi Ding, James Richardson Lattner
  • Patent number: 7005555
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing olefin(s) from oxygenate(s). The process removes oxygenate(s) including carbon dioxide in the bottoms of the quench stream and recycles the oxygenate(s) back to the reactor. Carbon dioxide is removed from the quench bottoms before returning oxygenate(s) in the quench bottoms stream to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong Yi Ding, James Richardson Lattner, Paul N. Chisholm, Jeffrey Alan Kabin