Patents by Inventor Michael Allen Kinnan

Michael Allen Kinnan 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: 6858684
    Abstract: This invention relates to processes for transitioning among polymerization catalyst systems, preferably catalyst systems, which are incompatible with each other. Particularly, the invention relates to processes for transitioning among olefin polymerization reactions utilizing Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems, metallocene catalyst systems and chromium-based catalyst systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian D. Burdett, Ping P. Cai, Ronald Steven Eisinger, Mark Gregory Goode, F. David Hussein, Michael Allen Kinnan, Michael Elroy Muhle, James L. Swecker, II
  • Patent number: 6833416
    Abstract: A method of transitioning catalysts for polyolefin polymerization is provided. In one aspect, the process includes providing a polymerization reactor that includes a first catalyst system, contacting olefin monomers with the first catalyst system to form polyolefin in a first polymerization reaction and introducing a catalyst killer to the polymerization reactor in an amount sufficient to terminate the first polymerization reaction. The method further includes introducing a second catalyst system to the polymerization reactor in the presence of at least a portion of the catalyst killer, wherein the at least a portion of the catalyst killer is an amount sufficient to activate the second catalyst system and contacting olefin monomers with the second catalyst system to form polyolefin in a second polymerization reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Allen Kinnan, Fred David Ehrman, Pradeep Pandurang Shirodkar, Mark Bradley Davis, Michele Lynn Grief-Rust
  • Patent number: 6833417
    Abstract: A process of transitioning from a first polymerization reaction conducted in the presence of a mixed catalyst system to a second polymerization reaction conducted in the presence of a chrome-based catalyst system is disclosed, the polymerization reactions being conducted in one embodiment in a polymerization zone of a gas phase fluidized bed reactor which contains a fluidized bed of polymer particles by the essentially continuous passage of monomer gases through the polymerization zone, comprising: a) discontinuing the introduction of the mixed catalyst system into the reactor; b) maintaining polymerization conditions in the reactor and permitting polymerization to continue for a period of time to allow the components of the mixed catalyst system present in the reactor to produce additional polymer particles; c) introducing a deactivating agent into the fluidized bed in an amount sufficient to deactivate the mixed catalyst system; d) establishing optimal conditions within the reactor for the chrome-based
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fred David Ehrman, Mark Bradley Davis, Ronald Steven Eisinger, Mark Gregory Goode, Michael Allen Kinnan
  • Publication number: 20040214969
    Abstract: A process of transitioning from a first polymerization reaction conducted in the presence of a mixed catalyst system comprising to a second polymerization reaction conducted in the presence of a chrome-based catalyst system is disclosed, the polymerization reactions being conducted in one embodiment in a polymerization zone of a gas phase fluidized bed reactor which contains a fluidized bed of polymer particles by the essentially continuous passage of monomer gases through the polymerization zone, comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Fred David Ehrman, Mark Bradley Davis, Ronald Steven Eisinger, Mark Gregory Goode, Michael Allen Kinnan
  • Publication number: 20040186250
    Abstract: A method of transitioning catalysts for polyolefin polymerization is provided. In one aspect, the process includes providing a polymerization reactor that includes a first catalyst system, contacting olefin monomers with the first catalyst system to form polyolefin in a first polymerization reaction and introducing a catalyst killer to the polymerization reactor in an amount sufficient to terminate the first polymerization reaction. The method further includes introducing a second catalyst system to the polymerization reactor in the presence of at least a portion of the catalyst killer, wherein the at least a portion of the catalyst killer is an amount sufficient to activate the second catalyst system and contacting olefin monomers with the second catalyst system to form polyolefin in a second polymerization reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Allen Kinnan, Fred David Ehrman, Pradeep Pandurang Shirodkar, Mark Bradley Davis, Michele Lynn Grief-Rust
  • Publication number: 20040138391
    Abstract: This invention relates to processes for transitioning among polymerization catalyst systems, preferably catalyst systems, which are incompatible with each other. Particularly, the invention relates to processes for transitioning among olefin polymerization reactions utilizing Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems, metallocene catalyst systems and chromium-based catalyst systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ian D. Burdett, Ping P. Cai, Ronald Steven Eisinger, Mark Gregory Goode, F. David Hussein, Michael Allen Kinnan, Michael Elroy Muhle, James L. Swecker