Patents by Inventor Michael Awe

Michael Awe 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: 11311870
    Abstract: A process for reducing the loss of catalyst activity of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst is provided. The process includes preparing a Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalyst by contacting the ZN catalyst with at least one aluminum alkyl compound to produce a reduced ZN catalyst and storing and/or transporting the reduced ZN catalyst for at least 20 days at a temperature of 25° C. or less. The reduced ZN catalyst may be used for polymerizing polyolefin polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Edward F. Smith, George A. Vaughan, Michael Awe, James R. Sollen, Ronald N. Cooke, Sateesh K. Rajput, Ahmed H. Ali
  • Publication number: 20200030785
    Abstract: A process for reducing the loss of catalyst activity of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst is provided. The process includes preparing a Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalyst by contacting the ZN catalyst with at least one aluminum alkyl compound to produce a reduced ZN catalyst and storing and/or transporting the reduced ZN catalyst for at least 20 days at a temperature of 25° C. or less. The reduced ZN catalyst may be used for polymerizing polyolefin polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Edward F. Smith, George A. Vaughan, Michael Awe, James R. Sollen, Ronald N. Cooke, Sateesh K. Rajput, Ahmed H. Ali
  • Publication number: 20070265402
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Maria Apecetche, Phuong Cao, Michael Awe, Ann Schoeb-Wolters, Ryan Impelman
  • Publication number: 20070191215
    Abstract: A method for preparing a spray dried catalyst and a low viscosity, low foam spray dried catalyst system for olefin polymerization are provided. In one aspect, the method includes preparing a catalyst system including one or more components selected from metallocenes, non-metallocenes, and activators, adding mineral oil to the catalyst system to form a slurry, and adding one or more liquid alkanes having three or more carbon atoms to the slurry in an amount sufficient to reduce foaming and viscosity of the slurry. In one aspect, the catalyst system includes one or more catalysts selected from metallocenes, non-metallocenes, and a combination thereof, wherein the catalyst system is spray dried. The system further includes mineral oil to form a slurry including a catalyst system, and one or more liquid alkanes having three or more carbon atoms in an amount sufficient to reduce foaming and viscosity of the slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Natarajan Muruganandam, Kersten Terry, Michael Awe, John Oskam
  • Publication number: 20070123414
    Abstract: Bimetallic catalysts, and methods of producing a bimetallic catalyst comprising a modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst and a metallocene are provided, in one embodiment the method including combining: (a) a Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprising a Group 4, 5 or 6 metal halide and/or oxide, optionally including a magnesium compound, with (b) a modifier compound (“modifier”), wherein the modifier compound is a Group 13 alkyl compound, to form a modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst. Also provided is a method of olefin polymerization using the bimetallic catalyst of the invention. The modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst is preferably non-activated, that is, it is unreactive towards olefin polymerization alone. In one embodiment, the molar ratio of the Group 13 metal (of the modifier) to the Group 4, 5 or 6 metal halide and/or oxide is less than 10:1 in one embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sun-Chueh Kao, Michael Awe
  • Publication number: 20060281880
    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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Maria Apecetche, Phuong Cao, Michael Awe, Ann Schoeb-Wolters, Ryan Impelman
  • Publication number: 20060281879
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Maria Apecetche, Phuong Cao, Michael Awe, Ann Schoeb-Wolters, Ryan Impelman
  • Publication number: 20060172883
    Abstract: A method for preparing a spray dried catalyst and a low viscosity, low foam spray dried catalyst system for olefin polymerization are provided. In one aspect, the method includes preparing a catalyst system including one or more components selected from metallocenes, non-metallocenes, and activators, adding mineral oil to the catalyst system to form a slurry, and adding one or more liquid alkanes having three or more carbon atoms to the slurry in an amount sufficient to reduce foaming and viscosity of the slurry. In one aspect, the catalyst system includes one or more catalysts selected from metallocenes, non-metallocenes, and a combination thereof, wherein the catalyst system is spray dried. The system further includes mineral oil to form a slurry including a catalyst system, and one or more liquid alkanes having three or more carbon atoms in an amount sufficient to reduce foaming and viscosity of the slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Natarajan Muruganandam, Kersten Terry, Michael Awe, John Oskam
  • Publication number: 20050182210
    Abstract: A method for preparing a spray dried catalyst and a low viscosity, low foam spray dried catalyst system for olefin polymerization are provided. In one aspect, the method includes preparing a catalyst system comprising one or more components selected from the group consisting of metallocenes, non-metallocenes, and activators, adding mineral oil to the catalyst system to form a slurry, and adding one or more liquid alkanes having three or more carbon atoms to the slurry in an amount sufficient to reduce foaming and viscosity of the slurry. In one aspect, the catalyst system includes one or more catalysts selected from the group consisting of metallocenes, non-metallocenes, and a combination thereof, wherein the catalyst system is spray dried. The system further includes mineral oil to form a slurry comprising the catalyst system, and one or more liquid alkanes having three or more carbon atoms in an amount sufficient to reduce foaming and viscosity of the slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Natarajan Muruganandam, Kersten Terry, Michael Awe, John Oskam
  • Publication number: 20050054519
    Abstract: Bimetallic catalysts, and methods of producing a bimetallic catalyst comprising a modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst and a metallocene are provided, in one embodiment the method including combining: (a) a Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprising a Group 4, 5 or 6 metal halide and/or oxide, optionally including a magnesium compound, with (b) a modifier compound (“modifier”), wherein the modifier compound is a Group 13 alkyl compound, to form a modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst. Also provided is a method of olefin polymerization using the bimetallic catalyst of the invention. The modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst is preferably non-activated, that is, it is unreactive towards olefin polymerization alone. In one embodiment, the molar ratio of the Group 13 metal (of the modifier) to the Group 4, 5 or 6 metal halide and/or oxide is less than 10:1 in one embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Sun-Chueh Kao, Michael Awe