Patents by Inventor Robert R. McElvain
Robert R. McElvain 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: 11623176Abstract: A closed-loop nitrogen transport system including a first transfer line configured for nitrogen pressure conveyance of a polymer fluff from at least one upstream vessel to at least one downstream vessel, a second transfer line configured to return a nitrogen gas stream comprising primarily nitrogen from the at least one downstream vessel to the at least one upstream vessel, a conveyor blower operable to provide flow throughout the closed loop, and a treatment unit operable to remove hydrocarbons from at least a portion of the nitrogen gas stream comprising primarily nitrogen, to provide a purified nitrogen stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Lei Ji, Gregory G. Hendrickson, Robert R. McElvain, Steven D. Bridges, Jennifer F. Drew
-
Publication number: 20230046752Abstract: Reactor systems, reactor coolant systems, and associated processes for polymerizing polyolefins are described. The reactor systems generally include a reactor pipe and a coolant system, in which the coolant system includes a jacket pipe surrounding at least a portion of the reactor pipe to form an annulus therebetween, at least one spacer coupling the jacket to the reactor pipe, and a coolant which flows through the annulus to remove heat from the reactor pipe. At least one of the external surface of the reactor pipe, the internal surface of the jacket, and at least one spacer, are independently modified, for example by polishing, coating, or reshaping, to reduce the fluid resistance of the coolant flow through the annulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2022Publication date: February 16, 2023Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Anurag Gupta, Scott E. Kufeld, Larry W. Ezell, Robert R. McElvain, Robert F. Parrott, Joel A. Mutchler
-
Patent number: 11478768Abstract: Reactor systems, reactor coolant systems, and associated processes for polymerizing polyolefins are described. The reactor systems generally include a reactor pipe and a coolant system, in which the coolant system includes a jacket pipe surrounding at least a portion of the reactor pipe to form an annulus therebetween, at least one spacer coupling the jacket to the reactor pipe, and a coolant which flows through the annulus to remove heat from the reactor pipe. At least one of the external surface of the reactor pipe, the internal surface of the jacket, and at least one spacer, are independently modified, for example by polishing, coating, or reshaping, to reduce the fluid resistance of the coolant flow through the annulus.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Anurag Gupta, Scott E. Kufeld, Larry W. Ezell, Robert R. McElvain, Robert F. Parrott
-
Publication number: 20200346179Abstract: Reactor systems, reactor coolant systems, and associated processes for polymerizing polyolefins are described. The reactor systems generally include a reactor pipe and a coolant system, in which the coolant system includes a jacket pipe surrounding at least a portion of the reactor pipe to form an annulus therebetween, at least one spacer coupling the jacket to the reactor pipe, and a coolant which flows through the annulus to remove heat from the reactor pipe. At least one of the external surface of the reactor pipe, the internal surface of the jacket, and at least one spacer, are independently modified, for example by polishing, coating, or reshaping, to reduce the fluid resistance of the coolant flow through the annulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Anurag Gupta, Scott E. Kufeld, Larry W. Ezell, Robert R. McElvain, Robert F. Parrott
-
Patent number: 10792609Abstract: A system for recovering nitrogen during regeneration of a treater, the system including an adsorbent bed downstream of the treater, wherein the adsorbent bed comprises an adsorbent operable to adsorb at least one impurity from a treater bed regeneration effluent stream comprising nitrogen to provide a nitrogen product having a higher nitrogen purity than a nitrogen purity of the treater bed regeneration effluent stream. A method for recovering nitrogen during regeneration of a treater is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Lei Ji, Gregory G. Hendrickson, Robert R. McElvain, Steven D. Bridges, Jennifer F. Drew
-
Publication number: 20200306684Abstract: A closed-loop nitrogen transport system including a first transfer line configured for nitrogen pressure conveyance of a polymer fluff from at least one upstream vessel to at least one downstream vessel, a second transfer line configured to return a nitrogen gas stream comprising primarily nitrogen from the at least one downstream vessel to the at least one upstream vessel, a conveyor blower operable to provide flow throughout the closed loop, and a treatment unit operable to remove hydrocarbons from at least a portion of the nitrogen gas stream comprising primarily nitrogen, to provide a purified nitrogen stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Lei Ji, Gregory G. Hendrickson, Robert R. McElvain, Steven D. Bridges, Jennifer F. Drew
-
Patent number: 10611863Abstract: A process is described for introducing a catalyst into a polymerization zone by detecting one or a combination of (i) a change in a concentration of the catalyst in a catalyst feed stream upstream of the polymerization zone, (ii) a change in a concentration of monomer in the polymerization zone, and (iii) a change in a polymer production rate of the polymerization zone, adjusting a first catalyst flow rate of the catalyst in the catalyst feed stream to a second catalyst flow rate based on the one or a combination of (i), (ii), and (iii), and introducing the catalyst into the polymerization zone downstream of a location in the catalyst feed stream where the step of adjusting is performed. A catalyst injection system for carrying out such a process is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Anurag Gupta, Anne M Balinsky, Robert R McElvain, John D Stewart
-
Publication number: 20190336906Abstract: A system for recovering nitrogen during regeneration of a treater, the system including an adsorbent bed downstream of the treater, wherein the adsorbent bed comprises an adsorbent operable to adsorb at least one impurity from a treater bed regeneration effluent stream comprising nitrogen to provide a nitrogen product having a higher nitrogen purity than a nitrogen purity of the treater bed regeneration effluent stream. A method for recovering nitrogen during regeneration of a treater is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Lei Ji, Gregory G. Hendrickson, Robert R. McElvain, Steven D. Bridges, Jennifer F. Drew
-
Publication number: 20190106515Abstract: A process is described for introducing a catalyst into a polymerization zone by detecting one or a combination of (i) a change in a concentration of the catalyst in a catalyst feed stream upstream of the polymerization zone, (ii) a change in a concentration of monomer in the polymerization zone, and (iii) a change in a polymer production rate of the polymerization zone, adjusting a first catalyst flow rate of the catalyst in the catalyst feed stream to a second catalyst flow rate based on the one or a combination of (i), (ii), and (iii), and introducing the catalyst into the polymerization zone downstream of a location in the catalyst feed stream where the step of adjusting is performed. A catalyst injection system for carrying out such a process is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Anurag GUPTA, Anne M. BALINSKY, Robert R. MCELVAIN, John D. STEWART
-
Patent number: 10179826Abstract: A process is described for introducing a catalyst into a polymerization zone by detecting one or a combination of (i) a change in a concentration of the catalyst in a catalyst feed stream upstream of the polymerization zone, (ii) a change in a concentration of monomer in the polymerization zone, and (iii) a change in a polymer production rate of the polymerization zone, adjusting a first catalyst flow rate of the catalyst in the catalyst feed stream to a second catalyst flow rate based on the one or a combination of (i), (ii), and (iii), and introducing the catalyst into the polymerization zone downstream of a location in the catalyst feed stream where the step of adjusting is performed. A catalyst injection system for carrying out such a process is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Anurag Gupta, Anne M Balinsky, Robert R McElvain, John D Stewart
-
Publication number: 20180319909Abstract: A process is described for introducing a catalyst into a polymerization zone by detecting one or a combination of (i) a change in a concentration of the catalyst in a catalyst feed stream upstream of the polymerization zone, (ii) a change in a concentration of monomer in the polymerization zone, and (iii) a change in a polymer production rate of the polymerization zone, adjusting a first catalyst flow rate of the catalyst in the catalyst feed stream to a second catalyst flow rate based on the one or a combination of (i), (ii), and (iii), and introducing the catalyst into the polymerization zone downstream of a location in the catalyst feed stream where the step of adjusting is performed. A catalyst injection system for carrying out such a process is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2017Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Anurag GUPTA, Anne M BALINSKY, Robert R MCELVAIN, John D STEWART
-
Patent number: 9687815Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method of regenerating a desiccant in an off-line treater of a polyolefin production process. The method may include a heating phase followed by a cooling phase. The heating phase may involve use of a regenerating gas made from heating a treated a recycle stream of the polyolefin production process to regenerate desiccant in an off-line treater. The cooling phase may involve thermosyphoning the regenerating gas, nitrogen, an olefin-free diluent, or combinations thereof in a closed-convection loop of the off-line treater.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Ralph W. Romig, Robert R. McElvain, Steve E. Page
-
Patent number: 9610558Abstract: A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Ralph W. Romig, Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John H. Tait, Richard Peacock, James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld, Carl W. Fenderson, Anurag Gupta, Dale A. Zellers
-
Publication number: 20160361705Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method of regenerating a desiccant in an off-line treater of a polyolefin production process. The method may include a heating phase followed by a cooling phase. The heating phase may involve use of a regenerating gas made from heating a treated a recycle stream of the polyolefin production process to regenerate desiccant in an off-line treater. The cooling phase may involve thermosyphoning the regenerating gas, nitrogen, an olefin-free diluent, or combinations thereof in a closed-convection loop of the off-line treater.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Ralph W. Romig, Robert R. McElvain, Steve E. Page
-
Publication number: 20160101399Abstract: A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Ralph W. Romig, Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John H. Tait, Richard Peacock, James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld, Carl W. Fenderson, Anurag Gupta, Dale A. Zellers
-
Patent number: 9289748Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method of regenerating a desiccant in an off-line treater of a polyolefin production process. The method may include a heating phase followed by a cooling phase. The heating phase may involve use of a regenerating gas made from heating a treated a recycle stream of the polyolefin production process to regenerate desiccant in an off-line treater. The cooling phase may involve thermosyphoning the regenerating gas, nitrogen, an olefin-free diluent, or combinations thereof in a closed-convection loop of the off-line treater.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Ralph W. Romig, Robert R. McElvain, Steve E. Page
-
Patent number: 9221920Abstract: A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Chevron Philips Chemical Company LPInventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Ralph W. Romig, Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John H. Tait, Richard Peacock, James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld, Carl W. Fenderson, Anurag Gupta, Dale A. Zellers
-
Publication number: 20140256889Abstract: A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Ralph W. Romig, Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John H. Tait, Richard Peacock, James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld, Carl W. Fenderson, Anurag Gupta, Dale A. Zellers
-
Patent number: 8765884Abstract: A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Ralph W. Romig, Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John H. Tait, Richard Peacock, James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld, Carl W. Fenderson, Anurag Gupta, Dale A. Zellers
-
Publication number: 20140024788Abstract: A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Ralph W. Romig, Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John H. Tait, Richard Peacock, James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld, Carl W. Fenderson, Anurag Gupta, Dale A. Zellers