Patents by Inventor Maria A. Apecetche

Maria A. Apecetche 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: 20140200317
    Abstract: Catalysts and methods for making and using the same are provided. The method for fabricating a catalyst may includes contacting a supported catalyst with a monomer under conditions that reduce an overall charge of the catalyst to less than about 75% of an initial charge of the catalyst. A method for polymerization may include introducing a pre-polymerized catalyst and one or more olefins into a gas phase fluidized bed reactor, operating the reactor at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin, wherein the polymerization is carried out in the substantial absence of any continuity additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Maria A. Apecetche, Maria Pollard, Robert O. Hagerty, Michael D. Awe, Kevin J. Cann, Jose F. Cevallos-Candau, F. David Hussein
  • Patent number: 8722820
    Abstract: Catalysts and methods for making and using the same are provided. The method for fabricating a catalyst may includes contacting a supported catalyst with a monomer under conditions that reduce an overall charge of the catalyst to less than about 75% of an initial charge of the catalyst. A method for polymerization may include introducing a pre-polymerized catalyst and one or more olefins into a gas phase fluidized bed reactor, operating the reactor at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin, wherein the polymerization is carried out in the substantial absence of any continuity additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Maria A. Apecetche, Maria Pollard, Robert O. Hagerty, Michael D. Awe, Kevin J. Cann, Jose F. Cevallos-Candau, F. David Hussein
  • Patent number: 8420754
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of aluminum alkyl activators and co-catalysts to improve the performance of chromium-based catalysts. The aluminum alkyls allow for the variable control of polymer molecular weight, control of side branching while possessing desirable productivities, and may be applied to the catalyst directly or separately to the reactor. Adding the alkyl aluminum compound directly to the reactor (in-situ) eliminates induction times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J Cann, Minghui Zhang, Jose Fernando Cevallos-Candau, John Moorhouse, Mark Gregory Goode, Daniel Paul Zilker, Jr., Maria Apecetche
  • Publication number: 20130085245
    Abstract: Catalysts and methods for making and using the same are provided. The method for fabricating a catalyst may includes contacting a supported catalyst with a monomer under conditions that reduce an overall charge of the catalyst to less than about 75% of an initial charge of the catalyst. A method for polymerization may include introducing a pre-polymerized catalyst and one or more olefins into a gas phase fluidized bed reactor, operating the reactor at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin, wherein the polymerization is carried out in the substantial absence of any continuity additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Maria A. Apecetche, Maria Pollard, Robert O. Hagerty, Michael D. Awe, Kevin J. Cann, Jose F. Cevallos-Candau, F. David Hussein
  • Patent number: 8129484
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various processes, including continuous fluidized-bed gas-phase polymerization processes for making a high strength, high density polyethylene copolymer, comprising (including): contacting monomers that include ethylene and optionally at least one non-ethylene monomer with fluidized catalyst particles in a gas phase in the presence of hydrogen gas at an ethylene partial pressure of 100 psi or more and a polymerization temperature of 120° C. or less to produce a polyethylene copolymer having a density of 0.945 g/cc or more and an ESCR Index of 1.0 or more wherein the catalyst particles are prepared at an activation temperature of 700° C. or less, and include silica, chromium, and titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Cann, Ronald S. Eisinger, Mark G. Goode, John H. Moorhouse, Cliff R. Mure, Stephen P. Jaker, Maria A. Apecetche
  • Patent number: 8076262
    Abstract: Broad molecular weight polyethylene and polyethylene having a bimodal molecular weight profile can be produced with chromium oxide based catalyst systems employing alkyl silanols. The systems may also contain various organoaluminum compounds. Catalyst activity and molecular weight of the resulting polyethylene may also be tuned using the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Cann, Minghui Zhang, John H. Moorhouse, Maria A. Apecetche
  • Patent number: 8012903
    Abstract: Methods are provided to prepare a catalyst system that includes at least one titanium compound, at least one magnesium compound, at least one electron donor compound, at least one activator compound, and at least one silica support material, the at least one silica support material having a median particle size in the range of from 20 to 50 microns with no more than 10% of the particles having a size less than 10 microns and no more than 10% of the particles having a size greater than 50 microns and average pore diameter of at least ?220 angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Maria A. Apecetche, Phuong A. Cao, Michael D. Awe, Ann M. Schoeb-Wolters, Ryan W. Impelman
  • Patent number: 7915357
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various processes, including continuous fluidized-bed gas-phase polymerization processes for making a high strength, high density polyethylene copolymer, comprising (including): contacting monomers that include ethylene and optionally at least one non-ethylene monomer with fluidized catalyst particles in a gas phase in the presence of hydrogen gas at an ethylene partial pressure of 100 psi or more and a polymerization temperature of 105° C. or less to produce a polyethylene copolymer having a density of 0.945 g/cc or more and an ESCR Index of 1.0 or more wherein the catalyst particles are prepared at an activation temperature of 700° C. or less, and include silica, chromium, and titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Cann, Ronald S. Eisinger, Mark Gregory Goode, John H. Moorhouse, Cliff R. Mure, Stephen P. Jaker, Maria A. Apecetche
  • Publication number: 20110060111
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of aluminum alkyl activators and co-catalysts to improve the performance of chromium-based catalysts. The aluminum alkyls allow for the variable control of polymer molecular weight, control of side branching while possessing desirable productivities, and may be applied to the catalyst directly or separately to the reactor. Adding the alkyl aluminum compound directly to the reactor (in-situ) eliminates induction times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Cann, Minghui Zhang, Jose Fernando Cevallos-Candau, John Moorhouse, Mark Gregory Goode, Daniel Paul Zilker, JR., Maria Apecetche
  • Patent number: 7816296
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method of polymerizing olefins comprising contacting olefins with a catalyst composition made by the process of combining a hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor with a particulate inorganic oxide for a deposition time greater than 2 hours to form a catalyst composition. Embodiments of the present invention also include catalyst compositions comprising a hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor made by the process of combining the hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor with a particulate inorganic oxide for a deposition time greater than 2 hours to form the catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Maria A. Apecetche, John Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Ronald S. Eisinger, Kevin J. Cann
  • Publication number: 20100160580
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various processes, including continuous fluidized-bed gas-phase polymerization processes for making a high strength, high density polyethylene copolymer, comprising (including): contacting monomers that include ethylene and optionally at least one non-ethylene monomer with fluidized catalyst particles in a gas phase in the presence of hydrogen gas at an ethylene partial pressure of 100 psi or more and a polymerization temperature of 105° C. or less to produce a polyethylene copolymer having a density of 0.945 g/cc or more and an ESCR Index of 1.0 or more wherein the catalyst particles are prepared at an activation temperature of 700° C. or less, and include silica, chromium, and titanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Cann, Ronald S. Eisinger, Mark Gregory Goode, John H. Moorhouse, Cliff R. Mure, Stephen P. Jaker, Maria A. Apecetche
  • Publication number: 20100137533
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method of polymerizing olefins comprising contacting olefins with a catalyst composition made by the process of combining a hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor with a particulate inorganic oxide for a deposition time greater than 2 hours to form a catalyst composition. Embodiments of the present invention also include catalyst compositions comprising a hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor made by the process of combining the hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor with a particulate inorganic oxide for a deposition time greater than 2 hours to form the catalyst composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Maria A. Apecetche, John Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Ronald S. Eisinger, Kevin J. Cann
  • Publication number: 20090312506
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of aluminum alkyl activators and co-catalysts to improve the performance of chromium-based catalysts. The aluminum alkyls allow for the variable control of polymer molecular weight, control of side branching while possessing desirable productivities, and may be applied to the catalyst directly or separately to the reactor. Adding the alkyl aluminum compound directly to the reactor (in-situ) eliminates induction times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Cann, Minghui Zhang, Jose Fernando Cevallos-Candau, John H. Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., Maria Apecetche
  • Publication number: 20090215970
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various processes, including continuous fluidized-bed gas-phase polymerization processes for making a high strength, high density polyethylene copolymer, comprising (including): contacting monomers that include ethylene and optionally at least one non-ethylene monomer with fluidized catalyst particles in a gas phase in the presence of hydrogen gas at an ethylene partial pressure of 100 psi or more and a polymerization temperature of 120° C. or less to produce a polyethylene copolymer having a density of 0.945 g/cc or more and an ESCR Index of 1.0 or more wherein the catalyst particles are prepared at an activation temperature of 700° C. or less, and include silica, chromium, and titanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Cann, Ronald S. Eisinger, Mark G. Goode, John H. Moorhouse, Cliff R. Mure, Stephen P. Jaker, Maria A. Apecetche
  • Patent number: 7563851
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of aluminum alkyl activators and co-catalysts to improve the performance of chromium-based catalysts. The aluminum alkyls allow for the variable control of polymer molecular weight, control of side branching while possessing desirable productivities, and may be applied to the catalyst directly or separately to the reactor. Adding the alkyl aluminum compound directly to the reactor (in-situ) eliminates induction times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J Cann, Minghui Zhang, Jose Fernando Cevallos-Candau, John Moorhouse, Mark Gregory Goode, Daniel Paul Zilker, Jr., Maria Apecetche
  • Patent number: 7504463
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of aluminum alkyl activators and co-catalysts to improve the performance of chromium-based catalysts. The aluminum alkyls allow for the variable control of polymer molecular weight, control of side branching while possessing desirable productivities, and may be applied to the catalyst directly or separately to the reactor. Adding the alkyl aluminum compound directly to the reactor (in-situ) eliminates induction times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J Cann, Minghui Zhang, Jose Fernando Cevallos-Candau, John Moorhouse, Mark Gregory Goode, Daniel Paul Zilker, Jr., Maria Apecetche
  • Publication number: 20080242821
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method of polymerizing olefins comprising contacting olefins with a catalyst composition made by the process of combining a hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor with a particulate inorganic oxide for a deposition time greater than 2 hours to form a catalyst composition. Embodiments of the present invention also include catalyst compositions comprising a hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor made by the process of combining the hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor with a particulate inorganic oxide for a deposition time greater than 2 hours to form the catalyst composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Maria A. Apecetche, John Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Ronald S. Eisinger, Kevin J. Cann
  • Publication number: 20080214388
    Abstract: Methods are provided to prepare a catalyst system that includes at least one titanium compound, at least one magnesium compound, at least one electron donor compound, at least one activator compound, and at least one silica support material, the at least one silica support material having a median particle size in the range of from 20 to 50 microns with no more than 10% of the particles having a size less than 10 microns and no more than 10% of the particles having a size greater than 50 microns and average pore diameter of at least ?220 angstroms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Maria A. Apecetche, Phuong A. Cao, Michael D. Awe, Ann M. Schoeb-Wolters, Ryan W. Impelman
  • Patent number: 7414099
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method of polymerizing olefins comprising contacting olefins with a catalyst composition made by the process of combining a hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor with a particulate inorganic oxide for a deposition time greater than 2 hours to form a catalyst composition. Embodiments of the present invention also include catalyst compositions comprising a hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor made by the process of combining the hindered polyalicyclic alkyl catalyst precursor with a particulate inorganic oxide for a deposition time greater than 2 hours to form the catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Maria A. Apecetche, John Moorhouse, Mark G. Goode, Ronald S. Eisinger, Kevin J. Cann
  • Patent number: 7381780
    Abstract: Improved catalyst compositions, and polymerization processes using such improved catalyst compositions, are provided. An example of an improved catalyst composition is a supported catalyst system that includes at least one titanium compound, at least one magnesium compound, at least one electron donor compound, at least one activator compound, and at least one silica support material, the at least one silica support material having a median particle size in the range of from 20 to 50 microns with no more than 10% of the particles having a size less than 10 microns and no more than 10% of the particles having a size greater than 50 microns and average pore diameter of at least ?220 angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Maria A. Apecetche, Phuong A. Cao, Michael D. Awe, Ann M. Schoeb-Wolters, Ryan W. Impelman