Patents by Inventor Joel A. Mutchler

Joel A. Mutchler 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: 11969725
    Abstract: Reactor systems, reactor coolant systems, and associated processes for polymerizing polyolefins are described. The reactor systems generally include a reactor pipe and a coolant system, in which the coolant system includes a jacket pipe surrounding at least a portion of the reactor pipe to form an annulus therebetween, at least one spacer coupling the jacket to the reactor pipe, and a coolant which flows through the annulus to remove heat from the reactor pipe. At least one of the external surface of the reactor pipe, the internal surface of the jacket, and at least one spacer, are independently modified, for example by polishing, coating, or reshaping, to reduce the fluid resistance of the coolant flow through the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Anurag Gupta, Scott E. Kufeld, Larry W. Ezell, Robert R. McElvain, Robert F. Parrott, Joel A. Mutchler
  • Publication number: 20240059807
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph A. CURREN, Rebecca A. GONZALES, Scott E. KUFELD, Joel A. MUTCHLER, Eric J. NETEMEYER, Jamie N. SUTHERLAND, Paul J. DESLAURIERS, Jeffrey S. FODOR
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 11845815
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joseph A. Curren, Rebecca A. Gonzales, Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Jamie N. Sutherland, Paul J. Deslauriers, Jeffrey S. Fodor
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11684904
    Abstract: Methods for operating a high pressure olefin polymerization reactor include the steps of introducing an initiator stream containing ethylene and an initiator compound through an initiator nozzle into the reactor, introducing an olefin stream containing ethylene and an optional comonomer through an olefin nozzle into the reactor, and polymerizing ethylene and optionally the comonomer in the presence of the initiator stream in the reactor under high pressure polymerization conditions to produce an ethylene polymer. The amount of ethylene in the initiator stream is from 0.01 to 2 wt. % of the amount of ethylene in the olefin stream. An injection nozzle that can be used in conjunction with the high pressure reactor also is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Dooley, Corey W. Knight, Ralph J. Price, Joel A. Mutchler
  • Publication number: 20230159674
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph A. CURREN, Rebecca A. GONZALES, Scott E. KUFELD, Joel A. MUTCHLER, Eric J. NETEMEYER, Jamie N. SUTHERLAND, Paul J. DESLAURIERS, Jeffrey S. FODOR
  • Publication number: 20230122570
    Abstract: Methods for operating a high pressure olefin polymerization reactor include the steps of introducing an initiator stream containing ethylene and an initiator compound through an initiator nozzle into the reactor, introducing an olefin stream containing ethylene and an optional comonomer through an olefin nozzle into the reactor, and polymerizing ethylene and optionally the comonomer in the presence of the initiator stream in the reactor under high pressure polymerization conditions to produce an ethylene polymer. The amount of ethylene in the initiator stream is from 0.01 to 2 wt. % of the amount of ethylene in the olefin stream. An injection nozzle that can be used in conjunction with the high pressure reactor also is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Dooley, Corey W. Knight, Ralph J. Price, Joel A. Mutchler
  • Publication number: 20230046752
    Abstract: Reactor systems, reactor coolant systems, and associated processes for polymerizing polyolefins are described. The reactor systems generally include a reactor pipe and a coolant system, in which the coolant system includes a jacket pipe surrounding at least a portion of the reactor pipe to form an annulus therebetween, at least one spacer coupling the jacket to the reactor pipe, and a coolant which flows through the annulus to remove heat from the reactor pipe. At least one of the external surface of the reactor pipe, the internal surface of the jacket, and at least one spacer, are independently modified, for example by polishing, coating, or reshaping, to reduce the fluid resistance of the coolant flow through the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Anurag Gupta, Scott E. Kufeld, Larry W. Ezell, Robert R. McElvain, Robert F. Parrott, Joel A. Mutchler
  • Patent number: 11548957
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joseph A. Curren, Rebecca A. Gonzales, Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Jamie N. Sutherland, Paul J. Deslauriers, Jeffrey S. Fodor
  • 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: 20220135710
    Abstract: A process and system for pre-polymerizing propylene are disclosed. A first catalyst suspension is formed by mixing catalyst particles with a hydrocarbon that is a saturated hydrocarbon or propylene. Various other catalyst components are added to the first catalyst suspension, and the first catalyst suspension is then pre-polymerized under pre-polymerization conditions to form a pre-polymerized catalyst suspension that is introduced to a polymerization reactor or a storage tank. The saturated hydrocarbon can be propane, mixed butanes, or mixture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Reza KHANKAL, Joel A. MUTCHLER, Bryan M. GARNER, James E. HEIN
  • Patent number: 11254761
    Abstract: A process and system for pre-polymerizing propylene are disclosed. A first catalyst suspension is formed by mixing catalyst particles with a hydrocarbon that is a saturated hydrocarbon or propylene. Various other catalyst components are added to the first catalyst suspension, and the first catalyst suspension is then pre-polymerized under pre-polymerization conditions to form a pre-polymerized catalyst suspension that is introduced to a polymerization reactor or a storage tank. The saturated hydrocarbon can be propane, mixed butanes, or mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Reza Khankal, Joel A. Mutchler, Bryan M. Garner, James E. Hein
  • Patent number: 10947331
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joseph A. Curren, Rebecca A. Gonzales, Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Jamie N. Sutherland, Paul J. DesLauriers, Jeffrey S. Fodor
  • Patent number: 10913046
    Abstract: A system and method for a first reactor to produce a transfer slurry having a first polyolefin polymerized in the first reactor, a heat-removal zone to remove heat from the transfer slurry, and a second reactor to receive the transfer slurry cooled by the heat-removal zone, the second reactor to produce a product slurry having a product polyolefin which includes the first polyolefin and a second polyolefin polymerized in the second reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Maruti Bhandarkar, Elizabeth A. Benham, Rebecca A. Gonzales, Joel A. Mutchler, Catherine M. Gill, Timothy O. Odi, Thanh T. Nguyen, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20210032380
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph A. CURREN, Rebecca A. GONZALES, Scott E. KUFELD, Joel A. MUTCHLER, Eric J. NETEMEYER, Jamie N. SUTHERLAND, Paul J. DESLAURIERS, Jeffrey S. FODOR
  • Patent number: 10858458
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph A. Curren, Rebecca A. Gonzales, Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Jamie N. Sutherland, Paul J. Deslauriers, Jeffrey S. Fodor