Patents by Inventor Randall L. Force
Randall L. Force 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: 9650453Abstract: Methods for integrating aluminoxane production into catalyst production are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Randall L. Force, Timothy R. Lynn, Michael D. Awe
-
Patent number: 9181361Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for separating a purge gas recovered from a polyethylene product. The method includes recovering a polyethylene product containing one or more volatile hydrocarbons from a polymerization reactor and contacting the polyethylene product with a purge gas to remove at least a portion of the volatile hydrocarbons to produce a polymer product having a reduced concentration of volatile hydrocarbons and a purge gas product enriched in volatile hydrocarbons. The purge gas product is compressed to a pressure of 2,500 kPaa to 10,000 kPaa, and is then cooled and separated into at least a first product, a second product, and a third product. A portion of one or more of the first, second, or third products is then recycled as a purge gas, to the polymerization reactor, or to the purge gas product enriched in volatile hydrocarbons prior to compression, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark W. Blood, Randall L. Force, Theodore D. Duncan, George W. Schwarz, Jr., Daniel W. Mosser, Donald A. Fischer, Robert D. Olson, James Leland Swecker, II, Cloid Russell Smith, III
-
Publication number: 20150315308Abstract: Methods for integrating aluminoxane production into catalyst production are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2013Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Randall L. Force, Timothy R. Lynn, Michael D. Awe
-
Patent number: 9039333Abstract: A discharge system for removing a solid/gas mixture from a fluidized bed pressure vessel is provided. The system includes a fluidized bed pressure vessel, settling vessels, discharge lines, primary discharge valves, vent lines, primary vent valves, crosstie lines, crosstie valves, and primary exit valves wherein the system is absent a transfer tank, and absent a filter element. The method provides for transferring a solid/gas mixture via a discharge line from the pressure vessel to a settling vessel, wherein gas is separated from the mixture, and the gas is transferred to at least one other settling vessel via a crosstie line. After the solids are transferred out of the settling vessel, the empty vessel then receives gas from other settling vessels in the system.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Randall L. Force, Robert G. Aronson, Mark W. Blood, Gerardo Corona, Dung P. Le, W. Scott Hamilton, Thomas A. Maliszewski, William K. Lutz
-
Patent number: 8876942Abstract: Various methods and systems for removing particulates from a cycle gas stream, e.g., in a reactor system, are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods are performed in conjunction with a polymerization reactor system such as a gas-phase reactor system.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Randall L. Force, William J. Blickley, Edward A. Leach, Robert O. Hagerty
-
Patent number: 8835576Abstract: Provided are processes and systems for recovering hydrocarbons in a vent stream from a polymerization process. The methods and systems may include the recovery of an olefin monomer from a polymerization vent gas using ethylene refrigeration to condense and recover the olefin monomers from the vent gas. In some embodiments, the methods and systems may also include compression and condensation of polymerization vent gas, recompression of ethylene refrigerant, and use of an expander compressor turbine device for ethylene refrigeration.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Inventors: Randall L. Force, Donald A. Fischer
-
Publication number: 20130291720Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for separating a purge gas recovered from a polyethylene product. The method includes recovering a polyethylene product containing one or more volatile hydrocarbons from a polymerization reactor and contacting the polyethylene product with a purge gas to remove at least a portion of the volatile hydrocarbons to produce a polymer product having a reduced concentration of volatile hydrocarbons and a purge gas product enriched in volatile hydrocarbons. The purge gas product is compressed to a pressure of 2,500 kPaa to 10,000 kPaa, and is then cooled and separated into at least a first product, a second product, and a third product. A portion of one or more of the first, second, or third products is then recycled as a purge gas, to the polymerization reactor, or to the purge gas product enriched in volatile hydrocarbons prior to compression, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mark W. Blood, Randall L. Force, Theodore D. Duncan, George W. Schwarz, JR., Daniel W. Mosser, Donald A. Fischer, Robert D. Olson, James Leland Swecker, II, Cloid Russell Smith, III
-
Patent number: 8557029Abstract: Methods and systems for regenerating a purification bed take advantage of inert gas pressure, such as, for example, supplied by a pipeline. The inert gas (102) is provided at a first pressure and combined with a recycle composition (116) from the vessel (110, 110a) containing the material being regenerated. These streams form a regeneration fluid composition (114) at a second pressure less than the inert gas pressure, which is then routed to the vessel to regenerate the purification bed. A jet compressor (108) may be used for the combining of the inert gas and recycle streams. The recycled composition allows reduction in inert gas usage, while a portion is flared or otherwise disposed of.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Randall L. Force, Rachael L. Le Geyt
-
Publication number: 20130125581Abstract: Provided are processes and systems for recovering hydrocarbons in a vent stream from a polymerization process. The methods and systems may include the recovery of an olefin monomer from a polymerization vent gas using ethylene refrigeration to condense and recover the olefin monomers from the vent gas. In some embodiments, the methods and systems may also include compression and condensation of polymerization vent gas, recompression of ethylene refrigerant, and use of an expander compressor turbine device for ethylene refrigeration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Randall L. Force, Donald A. Fischer
-
Patent number: 8129486Abstract: A discharge system for removing a solid/gas mixture from a fluidized bed pressure vessel is provided. The discharge system includes a fluidized bed pressure vessel, a settling vessel, a transfer vessel, discharge line, primary discharge valve, and primary exit valve. Also in included is a method to operate the discharge system. The method includes transferring a solid/gas mixture from a fluidized bed pressure vessel to a settling vessel, transferring the solids to a transfer vessel, and then emptying the transfer vessel.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Randall L. Force, Robert G. Aronson, Mark W. Blood, Gerardo Corona, Dung P. Le, W. Scott Hamilton, Thomas A. Maliszewski, William K. Lutz
-
Patent number: 8129485Abstract: Systems and methods for removing a volatile catalyst poison from a liquid hydrocarbon are provided. In one embodiment, a process vent (106) can be introduced to a vent recovery system (108) to provide a recycle gas (110). A first portion of the recycle gas (112) and a liquid hydrocarbon (102) can be introduced to a stripper column (104) to provide a stripper vent gas (114) and a degassed liquid hydrocarbon (116) that can be introduced to a polymerization process.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Randall L. Force, James L. Swecker, Kevin D. Roy
-
Publication number: 20120024324Abstract: Methods and systems for regenerating a purification bed take advantage of inert gas pressure, such as, for example, supplied by a pipeline. The inert gas (102) is provided at a first pressure and combined with a recycle composition (116) from the vessel (110, 110a) containing the material being regenerated. These streams form a regeneration fluid composition (114) at a second pressure less than the inert gas pressure, which is then routed to the vessel to regenerate the purification bed. A jet compressor (108) may be used for the combining of the inert gas and recycle streams. The recycled composition allows reduction in inert gas usage, while a portion is flared or otherwise disposed of.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Randall L. Force, Rachael L. Le Geyt
-
Publication number: 20110237855Abstract: Systems and methods for removing a volatile catalyst poison from a liquid hydrocarbon are provided. In one embodiment, a process vent (106) can be introduced to a vent recovery system (108) to provide a recycle gas (110). A first portion of the recycle gas (112) and a liquid hydrocarbon (102) can be introduced to a stripper column (104) to provide a stripper vent gas (114) and a degassed liquid hydrocarbon (116) that can be introduced to a polymerization process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2008Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Randall L. Force, James L. Swecker, Kevin D. Roy
-
Patent number: 7878431Abstract: A rotary feeder for feeding a particulate material including: a cylindrical housing comprising a feeder inlet, a first feeder outlet, and a second feeder outlet; a rotor mounted in the cylindrical housing including a plurality of substantially impeller blades defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets alignable with the feeder inlet, first feeder outlet, and second feeder outlet, and adapted to sweep a wall of the cylindrical housing as the rotor rotates in the cylindrical housing; a device for rotating the rotor; and a separating screen in the first feeder outlet to substantially prevent oversize material from exiting through the first feeder outlet, wherein each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets will align with the feeder inlet to receive therein a particulate material and an oversize material through the feeder inlet, rotate in the cylindrical housing to align with the first feeder outlet and discharge the particulate material therefrom, and rotate in the cylindrical housinType: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: William J. Blickley, Randall L. Force, David M. Gaines
-
Publication number: 20100282075Abstract: Various methods and systems for removing particulates from a cycle gas stream, e.g., in a reactor system, are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods are performed in conjunction with a polymerization reactor system such as a gas-phase reactor system for production of polyolefin polymers. The methods comprise the step of compressing a gas stream having particulates entrained therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2008Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Randall L. Force, William J. Blickley, Edward A. Leach, Robert O. Hagerty
-
Publication number: 20100264243Abstract: A rotary feeder for feeding a particulate material including: a cylindrical housing comprising a feeder inlet, a first feeder outlet, and a second feeder outlet; a rotor mounted in the cylindrical housing including a plurality of substantially impeller blades defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets alignable with the feeder inlet, first feeder outlet, and second feeder outlet, and adapted to sweep a wall of the cylindrical housing as the rotor rotates in the cylindrical housing; a device for rotating the rotor; and a separating screen in the first feeder outlet to substantially prevent oversize material from exiting through the first feeder outlet, wherein each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets will align with the feeder inlet to receive therein a particulate material and an oversize material through the feeder inlet, rotate in the cylindrical housing to align with the first feeder outlet and discharge the particulate material therefrom, and rotate in the cylindrical housinType: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2008Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William J. Blickley, Randall L. Force, David M. Gaines
-
Publication number: 20100143050Abstract: A discharge system for removing a solid/gas mixture from a fluidized bed pressure vessel is provided. The system includes a fluidized bed pressure vessel, settling vessels, discharge lines, primary discharge valves, vent lines, primary vent valves, crosstie lines, crosstie valves, and primary exit valves wherein the system is absent a transfer tank, and absent a filter element. The method provides for transferring a solid/gas mixture via a discharge line from the pressure vessel to a settling vessel, wherein gas is separated from the mixture, and the gas is transferred to at least one other settling vessel via a crosstie line. After the solids are transferred out of the settling vessel, the empty vessel then receives gas from other settling vessels in the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2007Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: Univation Technologie, LLC.Inventors: Randall L. Force, Robert G. Aronson, Mark W. Blood, Gerardo Corona, Dung P. Le, W. Scott Hamilton, Thomas A. Maliszewski, William K. Lutz
-
Publication number: 20100092252Abstract: A discharge system for removing a solid/gas mixture from a fluidized bed pressure vessel is provided. The discharge system includes a fluidized bed pressure vessel, a settling vessel, a transfer vessel, discharge line, primary discharge valve, and primary exit valve. Also in included is a method to operate the discharge system. The method includes transferring a solid/gas mixture from a fluidized bed pressure vessel to a settling vessel, transferring the solids to a transfer vessel, and then emptying the transfer vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2007Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Randall L. Force, Robert G. Aronson, Mark W. Blood, Gerardo Corona, Dung P. Le, W. Scott Hamilton, Thomas A. Maliszewski, William K. Lutz
-
Patent number: 5391656Abstract: A method of recovering and recycling monomers from a gas phase olefins polymerization reactor through the use of the monomer feed stream. A high pressure monomer source is reduced in pressure so as to reduce the temperature of the monomer source. The monomer source is then used to cool and condense monomers contained in various vent gas streams. The condensed monomers are then separated from the gas stream and recycled back to the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1993Date of Patent: February 21, 1995Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology CorporationInventors: David W. Campbell, Randall L. Force, Kelli L. Campbell