Patents by Inventor Jeffrey S. Lowell

Jeffrey S. Lowell 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).

  • Publication number: 20240059808
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 11850581
    Abstract: Techniques and systems for reducing fouling in a polymerization system are described. The polymerization system includes a reactor coupled to a recycle system. The recycle system includes at least one fouling-susceptible unit. The technique includes inducing polymerization of a reactant, for example, at least one olefin monomer reactant, with a catalyst in the reactor. The technique may further include circulating a fluidizing stream through the reactor and the at least one fouling-susceptible unit. The fluidizing stream may include entrained particles tending to foul the at least one fouling-susceptible unit. The technique can further include contacting the fluidizing stream with a catalyst poison at at least one location upstream of the at least one fouling-susceptible unit in the recycle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lowell, Kenneth A. Dooley, Ran Li, Darius Aruho
  • Patent number: 11845814
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20230374166
    Abstract: A purge system for a polymerization system may include a purge column including a stripping zone and a stripping fluid distributor below the stripping zone for injecting a stripping fluid including one or more light olefins. A first displacement zone is below the distributor. A second displacement zone is below the first displacement zone. A nitrogen distributor introduces nitrogen in the second displacement zone. Another purge system for a polymerization system may include a fluidized bed separator and a purge column. The fluidized bed separator includes a separator inlet, a stripping fluid inlet, a first stripped fluid outlet, and a separator outlet. The purge column includes a flake inlet, a stripping zone, a stripping fluid distributor below the stripping zone, a stripped flake outlet, and a second stripped fluid outlet for a second stripped fluid from the purge column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY LP
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Joseph A. Curren, Rebecca A. Gonzales
  • Patent number: 11767378
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20230242685
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20230242684
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 11541367
    Abstract: Methods of reducing heat exchanger fouling rate or of producing polyolefins may include providing a first gas stream comprising a gas and entrained fine polyolefin particles to a gas outlet line; removing a portion of the entrained fine polyolefin particles from the gas outlet line to form a bypass stream; and providing the bypass stream to a bypass line comprising a bypass line inlet and a bypass line outlet. The bypass line inlet and outlet are located upstream and downstream of a first heat exchanger. The methods may further include providing at least a portion of the first gas stream to the first heat exchanger; and combining the bypass stream and a second gas stream at the bypass line outlet to form a combined gas stream comprising one or more olefins or paraffins. A temperature of the combined gas stream is below the dew point of the combined gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ralph J. Price, Jeffrey S. Lowell
  • Patent number: 11466104
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20220266211
    Abstract: Techniques and systems for reducing fouling in a polymerization system are described. The polymerization system includes a reactor coupled to a recycle system. The recycle system includes at least one fouling-susceptible unit. The technique includes inducing polymerization of a reactant, for example, at least one olefin monomer reactant, with a catalyst in the reactor. The technique may further include circulating a fluidizing stream through the reactor and the at least one fouling-susceptible unit. The fluidizing stream may include entrained particles tending to foul the at least one fouling-susceptible unit. The technique can further include contacting the fluidizing stream with a catalyst poison at at least one location upstream of the at least one fouling-susceptible unit in the recycle system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lowell, Kenneth A. Dooley, Ran Li, Darius Aruho
  • Patent number: 11312797
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for removing volatile components from an ethylene polymer effluent stream from a polymerization reactor, and related polyethylene recovery and volatile removal systems. In these methods and systems, the polymer solids temperature is increased significantly prior to introduction of the polymer solids into a purge column for the final stripping of volatile components from the polymer solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Joseph A. Curren, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 11173468
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved degassing of polymer flake are provided herein. These systems include a polymerization reactor configured to polymerize one or more olefin monomers and produce a product stream comprising solid polymer flake entrained in a fluid; a flash chamber configured to separate the solid polymer flake from the fluid and to produce a fluid stream and a concentrated stream; and a first degassing chamber configured to separate the concentrated stream by contacting the concentrated stream with a purge fluid comprising one or more light hydrocarbons to produce a partially degassed polymer flake stream and a purge fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Joseph Curren
  • Patent number: 11168157
    Abstract: This disclosure provides for polymerization processes of polyolefins wherein the melt index can be regulated. For example, there is provided a process for producing a polyethylene, the process comprising: (1) in a polymerization reactor, contacting (a) a polymerization catalyst, (b) ethylene, (c) an optional ?-olefin comonomer, and (d) (x+y) ppm by weight of an antistatic agent on an ethylene basis; and (2) applying reaction conditions to the reaction mixture suitable to produce the polyethylene having a desired set of characteristics, such as desired target melt index. The disclosed polymerization processes allow for production of polyolefins having higher melt indices, and in the alternative to produce polyolefins having a desired target melt index at lower polymerization temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Daniel M. Hasenberg, Jeffrey S. Lowell
  • Publication number: 20210260552
    Abstract: Methods of reducing heat exchanger fouling rate or of producing polyolefins may include providing a first gas stream comprising a gas and entrained fine polyolefin particles to a gas outlet line; removing a portion of the entrained fine polyolefin particles from the gas outlet line to form a bypass stream; and providing the bypass stream to a bypass line comprising a bypass line inlet and a bypass line outlet. The bypass line inlet and outlet are located upstream and downstream of a first heat exchanger. The methods may further include providing at least a portion of the first gas stream to the first heat exchanger; and combining the bypass stream and a second gas stream at the bypass line outlet to form a combined gas stream comprising one or more olefins or paraffins. A temperature of the combined gas stream is below the dew point of the combined gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Ralph J. Price, Jeffrey S. Lowell
  • Patent number: 11027253
    Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing heat exchanger fouling rate and of producing polyolefins are provide herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Ralph J. Price, Jeffrey S. Lowell
  • Patent number: 10988554
    Abstract: An eductor, a process and apparatus for gas phase polymerization of olefins in a polymerization reactor are disclosed. The process and apparatus employ an eductor which has an inlet which makes a bend of less than about 90° toward the outlet after entering the mixing chamber of the eductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lowell, Gregory G. Hendrickson, Ralph J. Price
  • Publication number: 20210094009
    Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing heat exchanger fouling rate and of producing polyolefins are provide herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Ralph J. Price, Jeffrey S. Lowell
  • Publication number: 20200347156
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for removing volatile components from an ethylene polymer effluent stream from a polymerization reactor, and related polyethylene recovery and volatile removal systems. In these methods and systems, the polymer solids temperature is increased significantly prior to introduction of the polymer solids into a purge column for the final stripping of volatile components from the polymer solids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Joseph A. Curren, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20200330954
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved degassing of polymer flake are provided herein. These systems include a polymerization reactor configured to polymerize one or more olefin monomers and produce a product stream comprising solid polymer flake entrained in a fluid; a flash chamber configured to separate the solid polymer flake from the fluid and to produce a fluid stream and a concentrated stream; and a first degassing chamber configured to separate the concentrated stream by contacting the concentrated stream with a purge fluid comprising one or more light hydrocarbons to produce a partially degassed polymer flake stream and a purge fluid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Joseph Curren
  • Patent number: 10774161
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for removing volatile components from an ethylene polymer effluent stream from a polymerization reactor, and related polyethylene recovery and volatile removal systems. In these methods and systems, the polymer solids temperature is increased significantly prior to introduction of the polymer solids into a purge column for the final stripping of volatile components from the polymer solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY LP
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Joseph A. Curren, Scott E. Kufeld