Patents by Inventor Michael D. Awe

Michael D. 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: 11325928
    Abstract: A modified spray-dried Ziegler-Natta (pro)catalyst system comprising a Ziegler-Natta (pro)catalyst, a carrier material, and a tetrahydrofuran/ethanol modifier; polyolefins; methods of making and using same; and articles containing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventors: Wesley R. Mariott, C. Dale Lester, Phuong A. Cao, Michael D. Awe, Nitin Borse
  • Patent number: 11248066
    Abstract: Methods of making spray-dried Ziegler-Natta (pro)catalyst systems containing titanium Ziegler-Natta (pro)catalysts, a hydrophobic silica carrier material, and tetrahydrofuran. The spray-dried Ziegler-Natta (pro)catalyst systems made by the method. Methods of polymerizing olefin (co)monomer(s) with the spray-dried Ziegler-Natta catalyst system to make polyolefin polymers, and the polyolefin polymers made thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian M. Munro, Wesley R. Mariott, C. Dale Lester, Nitin Borse, Michael D. Awe, Phuong A. Cao, Jesse C. Beilhart
  • Patent number: 11180582
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Cann, Michael D. Awe, Wesley R. Mariott
  • Publication number: 20210230317
    Abstract: Methods of making spray-dried Ziegler-Natta (pro)catalyst systems containing titanium Ziegler-Natta (pro)catalysts, a hydrophobic silica carrier material, and tetrahydrofuran. The spray-dried Ziegler-Natta (pro)catalyst systems made by the method. Methods of polymerizing olefin (co)monomer(s) with the spray-dried Ziegler-Natta catalyst system to make polyolefin polymers, and the polyolefin polymers made thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Ian M. Munro, Wesley R. Mariott, C. Dale Lester, Nitin Borse, Michael D. Awe, Phuong A. Cao, Jesse C. Beilhart
  • Publication number: 20210189024
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Cann, Michael D. Awe, Wesley R. Mariott
  • Publication number: 20200369693
    Abstract: A modified spray-dried Ziegler-Natta (pro)catalyst system comprising a Ziegler-Natta (pro)catalyst, a carrier material, and a tetrahydrofuran/ethanol modifier; polyolefins; methods of making and using same; and articles containing same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Wesley R. Mariott, C. Dale Lester, Phuong A. Cao, Michael D Awe, Nitin Borse
  • Patent number: 10414843
    Abstract: Methods of preparing supported catalyst compositions using spray drying are disclosed. The supported catalyst compositions find use in the polymerization of olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Pannell, Michael D. Awe
  • Patent number: 10329364
    Abstract: Polymerization catalyst compositions are provided as are methods of their preparation. The compositions comprise fatty amines and find advantageous use in olefin polymerization processes. The catalyst composition comprises at least one supported polymerization catalyst wherein the catalyst composition is modified with at least one fatty amine wherein the fatty amine is substantially free of particulate inorganic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Pannell, David M. Glowczwski, Chi-I Kuo, Timothy R. Lynn, Fathi David Hussein, Phuong A. Cao, Wesley R. Mariott, Michael D. Awe
  • Patent number: 10035868
    Abstract: Continuity compositions are provided as are methods of their preparation. The compositions comprise metal carboxylate salts and fatty amines and find advantageous use in olefin polymerization processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Pannell, David M. Glowczwski, Chi-I Kuo, Timothy R. Lynn, Fathi David Hussein, Phuong A. Cao, Wesley R. Mariott, Michael D. Awe
  • Patent number: 9938361
    Abstract: Methods for producing catalyst systems with increased productivity are disclosed. The methods may comprise providing a catalyst composition comprising a solvent and a single-site catalyst component, heating an inert gas to a temperature in a range of from about 100° C. to about 150° C., and spray drying the catalyst composition in the presence of the inert gas to form a spray-dried catalyst system. Additionally, the methods may comprise providing a catalyst composition comprising a solvent, an activator, a filler material, a metallocene catalyst, and a Group 15-containing catalyst; heating an inert gas to a temperature in a range of from about 100° C. to about 150° C.; and spray drying the catalyst composition in the presence of the inert gas to form a spray-dried catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Lynn, F. David Hussein, R. Eric Pequeno, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Bruce J. Savatsky, Michael D. Awe
  • Patent number: 9902790
    Abstract: A method of polymerizing olefins is disclosed. The method comprises contacting ethylene and at least one comonomer with a catalyst system to produce a polyolefin polymer that is multimodal. The catalyst system comprises a first catalyst that promotes polymerization of the ethylene into a low molecular weight (LMW) portion of the polyolefin polymer and a second catalyst that promotes polymerization of the ethylene into a high molecular weight (HMW) portion of the polyolefin polymer. The first catalyst and at least a portion of the second catalyst are co-supported to form a commonly-supported catalyst system and at least a portion of the second catalyst is added as a catalyst trim feed to the catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. Vanderlende, C. Jeff Harlan, Haiqing Peng, Michael D. Awe, Roger L. Kuhlman, Ching-Tai Lue, Timothy R. Lynn, Wesley R. Mariott, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180051111
    Abstract: Methods of preparing supported catalyst compositions using spray drying are disclosed. The supported catalyst compositions find use in the polymerization of olefins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Pannell, Michael D. Awe
  • Publication number: 20170240674
    Abstract: Continuity compositions are provided as are methods of their preparation. The compositions comprise metal carboxylate salts and fatty amines and find advantageous use in olefin polymerization processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Pannell, David M. Glowczwski, Chi-I Kuo, Timothy R. Lynn, Fathi David Hussein, Phuong A. Cao, Wesley R. Mariott, Michael D. Awe
  • Publication number: 20170183434
    Abstract: Polymerization catalyst compositions are provided as are methods of their preparation. The compositions comprise fatty amines and find advantageous use in olefin polymerization processes. The catalyst composition comprises at least one supported polymerization catalyst wherein the catalyst composition is modified with at least one fatty amine wherein the fatty amine is substantially free of particulate inorganic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Pannell, David M. Glowczwski, Chi-I Kuo, Timothy R. Lynn, F. David Hussein, Phuong A. Cao, Wesley R. Mariott, Michael D. Awe
  • Patent number: 9676885
    Abstract: Continuity compositions are provided as are methods of their preparation. The compositions comprise at least one metal carboxylate salt which is modified with at least one molten fatty amine. These compositions find advantageous use in olefin polymerization processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Pannell, David M. Glowczwski, Chi-I Kuo, Timothy R. Lynn, F. David Hussein, Phuong A. Cao, Wesley R. Mariott, Michael D. Awe
  • Patent number: 9650453
    Abstract: Methods for integrating aluminoxane production into catalyst production are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Randall L. Force, Timothy R. Lynn, Michael D. Awe
  • Publication number: 20170022310
    Abstract: Continuity compositions are provided as are methods of their preparation. The compositions comprise at least one metal carboxylate salt which is modified with at least one molten fatty amine. These compositions find advantageous use in olefin polymerization processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard B. Pannell, David M. Glowczwski, Chi-I Kuo, Timothy R. Lynn, F. David Hussein, Phuong A. Cao, Wesley R. Mariott, Michael D. Awe
  • Publication number: 20170022309
    Abstract: A method of polymerizing olefins is disclosed. The method comprises contacting ethylene and at least one co-monomer with a catalyst system to produce a polyolefin polymer that is multimodal. The catalyst system comprises a first catalyst that promotes polymerization of the ethylene into a low molecular weight (LMW) portion of the polyolefin polymer and a second catalyst that promotes polymerization of the ethylene into a high molecular weight (HMW) portion of the polyolefin polymer. The first catalyst and at least a portion of the second catalyst are co-supported to form a commonly-supported catalyst system and at least a portion of the second catalyst is added as a catalyst trim feed to the catalyst system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. Vanderlende, C. Jeff Harlan, Haiqing Peng, Michael D. Awe, Roger L. Kuhlman, Ching-Tai Lue, Timothy R. Lynn, Wesley R. Mariott, Daniel P. Zilker, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150361192
    Abstract: Methods for producing catalyst systems with increased productivity are disclosed. The methods may comprise providing a catalyst composition comprising a solvent and a single-site catalyst component, heating an inert gas to a temperature in a range of from about 100° C. to about 150° C., and spray drying the catalyst composition in the presence of the inert gas to form a spray-dried catalyst system. Additionally, the methods may comprise providing a catalyst composition comprising a solvent, an activator, a filler material, a metallocene catalyst, and a Group 15-containing catalyst; heating an inert gas to a temperature in a range of from about 100° C. to about 150° C.; and spray drying the catalyst composition in the presence of the inert gas to form a spray-dried catalyst system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Lynn, David F. Hussein, Eric R. Pequeno, Daniel P. Zilker, Bruce J. Savatsky, Michael D. Awe
  • Publication number: 20150315308
    Abstract: Methods for integrating aluminoxane production into catalyst production are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Randall L. Force, Timothy R. Lynn, Michael D. Awe