Patents by Inventor Michael E. Muhle
Michael E. Muhle 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).
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Patent number: 11230614Abstract: Methods for reducing gels and/or dome sheeting in gas phase polymerization processes and their resulting products are provided. The polymerization processes include polymerizing ethylene and one or more optional comonomers in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a metallocene catalyst, hydrogen, and at least one condensing agent.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patent Inc.Inventors: Brandon C. Locklear, Haiqing Peng, Bruce J. Savatsky, James M. Farley, Daniel P. Zilker, Robert O. Hagerty, Michael E. Muhle, Fathi D. Hussein
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Patent number: 11186654Abstract: A method for controlling the start up conditions in a gas phase polymerization process is provided. An inventory can be calculated for each monomer, comonomer, and hydrogen sufficient to produce a polyethylene polymer having desired properties, such as, a certain melt index and/or density.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2017Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, Richard E. Pequeno, Michael E. Muhle, Robert O. Hagerty, Richard B. Pannell, Eric J. Markel, Mark W. Blood, Mark B. Davis
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Publication number: 20210130507Abstract: A method for controlling the start up conditions in a gas phase polymerization process is provided. An inventory can be calculated for each monomer, comonomer, and hydrogen sufficient to produce a polyethylene polymer having desired properties, such as, a certain melt index and/or density.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2017Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, Richard E. Pequeno, Michael E. Muhle, Robert O. Hagerty, Richard B. Pannell, Eric J. Markei, Mark W. Blood, Mark B. Davis
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Publication number: 20200010585Abstract: Methods for reducing gels and/or dome sheeting in gas phase polymerization processes and their resulting products are provided. The polymerization processes include polymerizing ethylene and one or more optional comonomers in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a metallocene catalyst, hydrogen, and at least one condensing agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2017Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Brandon C. Locklear, Haiqing Peng, Bruce J. Savatsky, James M. Farley, Daniel P. Zilker, Robert O. Hagerty, Michael E. Muhle, Fathi D. Hussein
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Patent number: 8586685Abstract: A process for the polymerization of olefins is disclosed. The process may include: feeding a catalyst, a liquid diluent, and an olefin to a polymerization vessel having, from a polymerization vessel bottom to a polymerization vessel top, a vapor introduction zone, a three-phase reaction zone and a vapor disengagement zone; contacting the catalyst and olefin under conditions of temperature and pressure in the presence of the liquid diluent as a continuous phase in the three-phase reaction zone to form a solid phase polyolefin; withdrawing a gas phase composition from an outlet in fluid communication with the vapor disengagement zone; circulating the gas phase composition through a gas circulation loop to an inlet in fluid communication with the vapor distribution zone at a rate sufficient to agitate the solid and liquid phases within the three-phase reaction zone; and withdrawing a reaction mixture comprising polyolefin and diluents from the three-phase reaction zone.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: F. David Hussein, Michael E. Muhle, Ping Cai, Mark W. Blood
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Patent number: 8433443Abstract: Generally, a method of monitoring a polymerization reaction in a fluid bed reactor to generate, in on-line fashion, data indicative of the imminent occurrence of a discontinuity event (for example, sheeting) and optionally also control the reaction to prevent the occurrence of the discontinuity event is provided. Typical embodiments include the steps of generating in on-line fashion at least one of bed static data indicative of static charge in the fluidized bed and carryover static data indicative of carryover static; and generating at least one of temperature data (in on-line fashion using at least one monitored reaction parameter) indicative of a first temperature and acoustic emission data indicative of resin stickiness in the reactor, where the first temperature is indicative of at least one of degree of resin stickiness in the reactor and a characteristic of melting behavior of polymer resin in the reactor in the presence of at least one diluent.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2008Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert O. Hagerty, Ian D. Burdett, Marc L. DeChellis, F. David Hussein, Eric J. Markel, Michael E. Muhle, Richard B. Pannell, Daniel P. Zilker
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Patent number: 8383739Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a polymerization reactor are provided. The method can include estimating an acoustic condition of a polymer produced in a reactor. The method can also include estimating a stickiness control parameter of the polymer produced in the reactor. The method can further include pairing the acoustic condition with the stickiness control parameter to provide a paired acoustic condition and stickiness control parameter.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael E. Muhle, Richard B. Pannell, Eric J. Markel, Robert O. Hagerty
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Patent number: 8192690Abstract: A method of treating a gas phase fluidized bed reactor and a method of polymerizing olefins in a gas phase fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a catalyst prone to cause sheeting by introducing a chromium-containing compound into the reactor and forming a high molecular weight polymer coating on the walls of the reactor. Furthermore, a device for and method of introducing the chromium-containing compound into the fluidized bed reactor at a plurality of locations in proximity to a lower section of a bed section wall of the fluidized bed reactor, and forming a high molecular weight polymer coating on the bed section wall.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Agapios K. Agapiou, David M. Glowczwski, Zerong Lin, Gary D. Mohr, Ted A. Powell, Michael E. Sieloff, Edward F. Smith, Kevin B. Stavens, Keith W. Trapp, Michael E. Muhle, F. David Hussein
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Publication number: 20120136127Abstract: A process for the polymerization of olefins is disclosed. The process may include: feeding a catalyst, a liquid diluent, and an olefin to a polymerization vessel having, from a polymerization vessel bottom to a polymerization vessel top, a vapor introduction zone, a three-phase reaction zone and a vapor disengagement zone; contacting the catalyst and olefin under conditions of temperature and pressure in the presence of the liquid diluent as a continuous phase in the three-phase reaction zone to form a solid phase polyolefin; withdrawing a gas phase composition from an outlet in fluid communication with the vapor disengagement zone; circulating the gas phase composition through a gas circulation loop to an inlet in fluid communication with the vapor distribution zone at a rate sufficient to agitate the solid and liquid phases within the three-phase reaction zone; and withdrawing a reaction mixture comprising polyolefin and diluents from the three-phase reaction zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: F. David Hussein, Michael E. Muhle, Ping Cai, Mark W. Blood
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Patent number: 8148481Abstract: A method for preparing a reactor for performance of a polymerization reaction, the method including providing at least one seed bed into the reactor; wherein the at least one seed bed includes at least one organometallic compound and polymer particles.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: F. David Hussein, Mark G. Goode, Michael E Muhle, David A. Yahn, Robert O. Hagerty
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Publication number: 20120070575Abstract: A method for treating at least one interior surface (for example, a bed wall) of a fluidized bed polymerization reactor system, including by applying a solution catalyst (preferably at least substantially uniformly and in liquid form) to each surface, and optionally (where a catalyst component of the solution catalyst comprises at least one chromium containing compound) oxidizing at least some of the applied chromium containing compound in a controlled manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert O. Hagerty, Kevin B. Stavens, Randall B. Laird, Zerong Lin, Michael E. Muhle, Agapios K. Agapiou, David M. Glowczwski, Fathi D. Hussein, Gary D. Mohr, Ted A. Powell, Michael E. Sieloff, Edward F. Smith, Keith W. Trapp
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Patent number: 8129481Abstract: A method for treating at least one interior surface (for example, a bed wall) of a fluidized bed polymerization reactor system, including by applying a solution catalyst (preferably at least substantially uniformly and in liquid form) to each surface, and optionally (where a catalyst component of the solution catalyst comprises at least one chromium containing compound) oxidizing at least some of the applied chromium containing compound in a controlled manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2011Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert O. Hagerty, Kevin B. Stavens, Randall B. Laird, Zerong Lin, Michael E. Muhle, Agapios K. Agapiou, David M. Glowczwski, Fathi D. Hussein, Gary D. Mohr, Ted A. Powell, Michael E. Sieloff, Edward F. Smith, Keith W. Trapp
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Publication number: 20120039755Abstract: A method of treating a gas phase fluidized bed reactor and a method of polymerizing olefins in a gas phase fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a catalyst prone to cause sheeting by introducing a chromium-containing compound into the reactor and forming a high molecular weight polymer coating on the walls of the reactor. Furthermore, a device for and method of introducing the chromium-containing compound into the fluidized bed reactor at a plurality of locations in proximity to a lower section of a bed section wall of the fluidized bed reactor, and forming a high molecular weight polymer coating on the bed section wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Agapios K. Agapiou, David M. Glowczwski, Zerong Lin, Gary D. Mohr, Ted A. Powell, Michael E. Sieloff, Edward F. Smith, Kevin B. Stavens, Keith W. Trapp, Michael E. Muhle, F. David Hussein
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Publication number: 20120041159Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a polymerization reactor are provided. The method can include estimating an acoustic condition of a polymer produced in a reactor. The method can also include estimating a stickiness control parameter of the polymer produced in the reactor. The method can further include pairing the acoustic condition with the stickiness control parameter to provide a paired acoustic condition and stickiness control parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2010Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Michael E. Muhle, Richard B. Pannell, Eric J. Markel, Robert O. Hagerty
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Patent number: 8088870Abstract: A method for treating at least one interior surface (for example, a bed wall) of a fluidized bed polymerization reactor system, including by applying a solution catalyst (preferably at least substantially uniformly and in liquid form) to each surface, and optionally (where a catalyst component of the solution catalyst comprises at least one chromium containing compound) oxidizing at least some of the applied chromium containing compound in a controlled manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert O. Hagerty, Kevin B. Stavens, Randall B. Laird, Zerong Lin, Michael E. Muhle, Agapios K. Agapiou, David M. Glowczwski, Fathi D. Hussein, Gary D. Mohr, Ted A. Powell, Michael E. Sieloff, Edward F. Smith, Keith W. Trapp
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Patent number: 8084554Abstract: A method of treating a gas phase fluidized bed reactor and a method of polymerizing olefins in a gas phase fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a catalyst prone to cause sheeting by introducing a chromium-containing compound into the reactor and forming a high molecular weight polymer coating on the walls of the reactor. Furthermore, a device for and method of introducing the chromium-containing compound into the fluidized bed reactor at a plurality of locations in proximity to a lower section of a bed section wall of the fluidized bed reactor, and forming a high molecular weight polymer coating on the bed section wall.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Agapios K. Agapiou, David M. Glowczwski, Zerong Lin, Gary D. Mohr, Ted A. Powell, Michael E. Sieloff, Edward F. Smith, Kevin B. Stavens, Keith W. Trapp, Michael E. Muhle, F. David Hussein
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Publication number: 20110294973Abstract: A method for preparing a reactor for performance of a polymerization reaction, the method including providing at least one seed bed into the reactor; wherein the at least one seed bed includes at least one organometallic compound and polymer particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2009Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: F. David Hussein, Mark G. Goode, Michael E. Muhle, David A. Yahn, Robert O. Hagerty
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Publication number: 20110256632Abstract: A polymerization process is disclosed, including: polymerizing at least one olefin to form an olefin based polymer in a polymerization reactor; and feeding at least one ethyleneimine additive to the polymerization reactor. The ethyleneimine additive may comprise a polyethyleneimine, an ethyleneimine copolymer, or a mixture thereof. The process may further comprise monitoring static in the polymerization reactor; maintaining the static at a desired level by use of at least one ethyleneimine additive, the at least one ethyleneimine additive present in said reactor in the range from about 0.1 to about 50 ppm, based on the weight of polymer produced by said combining.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: F. David Hussein, Michael E. Muhle
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Patent number: 7985811Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to measuring and controlling static in a gas phase reactor polymerization. In particular, embodiments relate to monitoring carryover static in an entrainment zone during gas phase polymerization to determine the onset of reactor discontinuity events such as chunking and sheeting. Embodiments also relate to monitoring carryover static to determine the need for effective additions of continuity additives that minimize reactor static activity and thereby preventing discontinuity events.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2008Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert O. Hagerty, Michael E. Muhle, Agapios K. Agapiou, Chi-I Kuo, Mark G. Goode, F. David Hussein, Richard B. Pannell, John F. Szul
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Patent number: 7947797Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to operating a gas-phase reactor at or near maximum production rates and to measuring and controlling polymer stickiness in a gas phase reactor polymerization. In particular, embodiments relate to monitoring acoustic emissions in a reactor during gas phase polymerization to determine the onset of reactor stickiness and possibly discontinuity events such as chunking and sheeting resulting from that stickiness. Embodiments also relate to monitoring acoustic emissions to determine the need for effective control of parameters that minimize reactor stickiness and thereby preventing discontinuity events. The emissions are processed by arithmetic averaging.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael E. Muhle, Robert O. Hagerty