Patents by Inventor Kevin J. Cann
Kevin J. Cann 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).
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Patent number: 11655316Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards method for modifying a polymer flow index. As an example, a method for modifying a polymer flow index can include providing monomers to a polymerization reactor, providing a chromium catalyst to the polymerization reactor, and providing an active amount of a flow index modifier to the polymerization reactor, wherein the flow index modifier is selected from carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, 2,4-hexadiene, and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Charles D. Lester, Mark G. Goode, Timothy R. Lynn, Kevin J. Cann, John H. Moorhouse, William Albert Matthews, Kefu Sun, Francois Alexandre
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Patent number: 11459413Abstract: Polymerization process control methods for making polyethylene are provided. The process control methods include performing a polymerization reaction in a polymerization reactor to produce the polyethylene, where ethylene, and optionally one or more comonomers, in the polymerization reaction is catalyzed by an electron donor-free Ziegler-Natta catalyst and an alkyl aluminum co-catalyst. A melt flow ratio (I21/I2) of the polyethylene removed from the polymerization reactor is measured and an amount of long chain branching (LCB) of the polyethylene from the polymerization reactor is controlled by adjusting a weight concentration of the alkyl aluminum co-catalyst present in the polymerization reactor.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Wesley R. Mariott, Kevin J. Cann, John H. Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Thomas Oswald
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Patent number: 11299568Abstract: A system and method for charging a chromium-based catalyst to a mix vessel; introducing a reducing agent through an entrance arrangement into the mix vessel, and agitating a mixture of the chromium-based catalyst, the reducing agent, and a solvent in the mix vessel to promote contact of the reducing agent with the chromium-based catalyst to give a reduced chromium-based catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: John H. Moorhouse, Kevin J. Cann, Mark G. Goode, Kevin R. Gross
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Patent number: 11267918Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of controlling polymer properties in polymerization processes that use a chromium-based catalyst. An embodiment discloses a method of producing a polyolefin comprising: contacting a reaction mixture and a reduced chromium oxide catalyst in a gas-phase reactor to produce the polyolefin, wherein the reaction mixture comprises a monomer and a co-monomer; and changing a reaction temperature in the gas-phase reactor by about 1° C. or more whereby a gas molar ratio of the co-monomer to the monomer is changed by about 2% or more and a co-monomer content of the polyolefin at substantially constant density is changed by about 2% or more. Additional methods and compositions are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark G. Goode, Francois Alexandre, Kevin J. Cann, Barbara J. Kopp, William A. Matthews, John H. Moorhouse, Cliff R. Mure
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Patent number: 11180582Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for improving the activity of Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalysts. The method includes forming a modified precursor composition of a ZN catalyst by providing a precursor composition of the ZN catalyst for treatment with an aluminum alkyl compound in a liquid organic solvent. The precursor composition of the ZN catalyst includes at least one titanium compound. The at least one titanium compound in the precursor composition is treated with the aluminum alkyl compound in the liquid organic solvent, where the aluminum alkyl compound converts the at least one titanium compound in the precursor composition into a modified state of the ZN catalyst. At least a portion of the aluminum alkyl compound not consumed in converting the at least one titanium compound in the precursor composition into the modified state of the ZN catalyst and reaction by-product compounds in the liquid organic solvent are removed to form the modified precursor composition of the ZN catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin J. Cann, Michael D. Awe, Wesley R. Mariott
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Publication number: 20210284768Abstract: Polymerization process control methods for making polyethylene are provided. The process control methods include performing a polymerization reaction in a polymerization reactor to produce the polyethylene, where ethylene, and optionally one or more comonomers, in the polymerization reaction is catalyzed by an electron donor-free Ziegler-Natta catalyst and an alkyl aluminum co-catalyst. A melt flow ratio (I21/I2) of the polyethylene removed from the polymerization reactor is measured and an amount of long chain branching (LCB) of the polyethylene from the polymerization reactor is controlled by adjusting a weight concentration of the alkyl aluminum co-catalyst present in the polymerization reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Wesley R. Mariott, Kevin J. Cann, John H. Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Thomas Oswald
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Publication number: 20210189024Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for improving the activity of Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalysts. The method includes forming a modified precursor composition of a ZN catalyst by providing a precursor composition of the ZN catalyst for treatment with an aluminum alkyl compound in a liquid organic solvent. The precursor composition of the ZN catalyst includes at least one titanium compound. The at least one titanium compound in the precursor composition is treated with the aluminum alkyl compound in the liquid organic solvent, where the aluminum alkyl compound converts the at least one titanium compound in the precursor composition into a modified state of the ZN catalyst. At least a portion of the aluminum alkyl compound not consumed in converting the at least one titanium compound in the precursor composition into the modified state of the ZN catalyst and reaction by-product compounds in the liquid organic solvent are removed to form the modified precursor composition of the ZN catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: June 24, 2021Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin J. Cann, Michael D. Awe, Wesley R. Mariott
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Publication number: 20210102016Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards method for modifying a polymer flow index.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Charles D. Lester, Mark G. Goode, Timothy R. Lynn, Kevin J. Cann, John H. Moorhouse, William Albert Matthews, Kefu Sun, Francois Alexandre
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Publication number: 20210054123Abstract: A system and method for charging a chromium-based catalyst to a mix vessel; introducing a reducing agent through an entrance arrangement into the mix vessel, and agitating a mixture of the chromium-based catalyst, the reducing agent, and a solvent in the mix vessel to promote contact of the reducing agent with the chromium-based catalyst to give a reduced chromium-based catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: John H. Moorhouse, Kevin J. Cann, Mark G. Goode, Kevin R. Gross
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Publication number: 20210016252Abstract: A method including contacting a chromium-based catalyst with a reducing agent in a solvent to lower an oxidation state of at least some chromium in the chromium-based catalyst to give a reduced chromium-based catalyst, drying the reduced chromium-based catalyst at a temperature, and adjusting the temperature to affect the flow index response of the reduced chromium-based catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin J. Cann, Mark G. Goode, Kevin R. Gross, John H. Moorhouse
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Patent number: 10870719Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards method for modifying a polymer flow index. As an example, a method for modifying a polymer flow index can include providing monomers to a polymerization reactor, providing a chromium catalyst to the polymerization reactor, and providing an active amount of a flow index modifier to the polymerization reactor, wherein the flow index modifier is selected from carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, 2,4-hexadiene, and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Charles D. Lester, Mark G. Goode, Timothy R. Lynn, Kevin J. Cann, John H. Moorhouse, William Albert Matthews, Kefu Sun, Francois Alexandre
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Patent number: 10870720Abstract: A system and method for charging a chromium-based catalyst to a mix vessel; introducing a reducing agent through an entrance arrangement into the mix vessel, and agitating a mixture of the chromium-based catalyst, the reducing agent, and a solvent in the mix vessel to promote contact of the reducing agent with the chromium-based catalyst to give a reduced chromium-based catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: John H. Moorhouse, Kevin J. Cann, Mark G. Goode, Kevin R. Gross
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Patent number: 10835890Abstract: A method including contacting a chromium-based catalyst with a reducing agent in a solvent to lower an oxidation state of at least some chromium in the chromium-based catalyst to give a reduced chromium-based catalyst, drying the reduced chromium-based catalyst at a temperature, and adjusting the temperature to affect the flow index response of the reduced chromium-based catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin J. Cann, Mark G. Goode, Kevin R. Gross, John H. Moorhouse
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Patent number: 10745501Abstract: A system and method for feeding a chromium-based catalyst to a polymerization reactor; adding a reducing agent to the chromium-based catalyst, and polymerizing an olefin into a polyolefin in the polymerization reactor in the presence of the chromium-based catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin R. Gross, Kevin J. Cann, Mark G. Goode, John H. Moorhouse
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Patent number: 10676588Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are provided. The catalyst system can include a catalyst support, wherein the catalyst support has an average particle size of about 2 microns to about 200 microns. Nanoparticles are adhered to the catalyst support, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of about 2 to about 200 nanometers. A catalyst is supported on the catalyst support.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Yuanqiao Rao, Ping Cai, Kevin J. Cann, F. David Hussein, Wesley R. Mariott, Phuong A. Cao
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Patent number: 10676589Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are provided. The catalyst system can include a catalyst support, wherein the catalyst support has an average particle size of about 2 microns to about 200 microns. Nanoparticles are adhered to the catalyst support, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of about 2 to about 200 nanometers. A catalyst is supported on the catalyst support.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Yuanqiao Rao, Ping Cai, Kevin J. Cann, F. David Hussein, Wesley R. Mariott, Phuong A. Cao
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Patent number: 10597509Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are provided. The catalyst system can include a catalyst support, wherein the catalyst support has an average particle size of about 2 microns to about 200 microns. Nanoparticles are adhered to the catalyst support, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of about 2 to about 200 nanometers. A catalyst is supported on the catalyst support.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Yuanqiao Rao, Ping Cai, Kevin J. Cann, F. David Hussein, Wesley R. Mariott, Phuong A. Cao
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Publication number: 20200010590Abstract: A system and method for charging a chromium-based catalyst to a mix vessel; introducing a reducing agent through an entrance arrangement into the mix vessel, and agitating a mixture of the chromium-based catalyst, the reducing agent, and a solvent in the mix vessel to promote contact of the reducing agent with the chromium-based catalyst to give a reduced chromium-based catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: John H. Moorhouse, Kevin J. Cann, Mark G. Goode, Kevin R. Gross
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Patent number: 10513572Abstract: Polymerization process control methods for making polyethylene are provided. The process control methods include performing a polymerization reaction in a polymerization reactor to produce the polyethylene, where ethylene, and optionally one or more comonomers, in the polymerization reaction is catalyzed by an electron donor-free Ziegler-Natta catalyst and an alkyl aluminum co-catalyst. A melt flow ratio (I21/I2) of the polyethylene removed from the polymerization reactor is measured and an amount of long chain branching (LCB) of the polyethylene from the polymerization reactor is controlled by adjusting a weight concentration of the alkyl aluminum co-catalyst present in the polymerization reactor.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Wesley R. Mariott, Kevin J. Cann, John H. Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Thomas Oswald
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Patent number: 10465026Abstract: A system and method for charging a chromium-based catalyst to a mix vessel; introducing a reducing agent through an entrance arrangement into the mix vessel, and agitating a mixture of the chromium-based catalyst, the reducing agent, and a solvent in the mix vessel to promote contact of the reducing agent with the chromium-based catalyst to give a reduced chromium-based catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: John H. Moorhouse, Kevin J. Cann, Mark G. Goode, Kevin R. Gross