Patents by Inventor Marianna Vuorikari

Marianna Vuorikari 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: 7740808
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process and an apparatus for continuous polymerisation of olefin monomers. In particular, the present invention concerns a process and an apparatus for continuous polymerisation olefin monomers like ethylene and other monomers, wherein an olefin monomer is polymerised in slurry phase in an inert hydrocarbon diluent in at least one loop reactor. According to the invention, a polymer slurry is continuously withdrawn from the loop reactor and concentrated. The concentrated slurry is conducted to a flash unit in order to remove the remaining fluid phase, and gas obtained is compressed in a flash gas compressor before it is being fed to a distillation section. By means of the present invention it is possible reduce the size of the flash gas compressor and the capacity of the distillation sections. This significantly reduces investment cost for a continuously operated polymerization apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Borealis Technology Oy
    Inventors: Marianna Vuorikari, Esa Korhonen, Henrik Andtsjö, Samuli Zitting
  • Publication number: 20080039597
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process and an apparatus for continuous polymerisation of olefin monomers. In particular, the present invention concerns a process and an apparatus for continuous polymerisation olefin monomers like ethylene and other monomers, wherein an olefin monomer is polymerised in slurry phase in an inert hydrocarbon diluent in at least one loop reactor. According to the invention, a polymer slurry is continuously withdrawn from the loop reactor and concentrated. The concentrated slurry is conducted to a flash unit in order to remove the remaining fluid phase, and gas obtained is compressed in a flash gas compressor before it is being fed to a distillation section. By means of the present invention it is possible reduce the size of the flash gas compressor and the capacity of the distillation sections. This significantly reduces investment cost for a continuously operated polymerization apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Borealis Technology OY
    Inventors: Marianna Vuorikari, Esa Korhonen, Henrik Andtsjo, Samuli Zitting
  • Publication number: 20070299220
    Abstract: Olefins are polymerised in the presence of a solid catalyst component and optionally a cocatalyst. The solid catalyst component is introduced into the polymerisation reactor by suspending the solid component into oil having a viscosity of from 20 to 1500 mPa s. Optionally, the suspension comprises a drag reduction agent dissolved in the oil. The suspension is metered into the polymerisation reactor by using a valveless piston pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Erno Elovainio, Marianna Vuorikari, Esa Korhonen, Pauli Leskinen
  • Patent number: 7115687
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process and an apparatus for continuous polymerisation of olefin monomers in a cascade of polymerisation reactors. According to the process, an olefin monomer is polymerised first in slurry phase in an inert hydrocarbon diluent in at least one loop reactor and then, subsequently, in gas phase in at least one gas phase reactor. According to the invention, a polymer slurry is continuously withdrawn from the loop reactor and optionally concentrated. The concentrated slurry is conducted to a high pressure flash unit in order to remove the remaining fluid phase, and fed to the gas phase reactor. With the process described in this invention, it is possible to produce bimodal polyethylene with good properties. The operation of the process is stable because of the truly continuous operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Borealis Technology Oy
    Inventors: Marianna Vuorikari, Esa Korhonen, Henrik Andtsjö, Samuli Zitting
  • Publication number: 20060052552
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process and an apparatus for continuous polymerisation of olefin monomers in a cascade of polymerisation reactors. According to the process, an olefin monomer is polymerised first in slurry phase in an inert hydrocarbon diluent in at least one loop reactor and then, subsequently, in gas phase in at least one gas phase reactor. According to the invention, a polymer slurry is continuously withdrawn from the loop reactor and optionally concentrated. The concentrated slurry is conducted to a high pressure flash unit in order to remove the remaining fluid phase, and fed to the gas phase reactor. With the process described in this invention, it is possible to produce bimodal polyethylene with good properties. The operation of the process is stable because of the truly continuous operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Marianna Vuorikari, Esa Korhonen, Henrik Andtsjo, Samuli Zitting