Patents by Inventor Ronald Tharappel

Ronald Tharappel 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: 8710162
    Abstract: Polymerization processes in a bulk loop reactor are described herein. In particular, a method of contacting a flow of metallocene with a flow of propylene is provided. This method includes directing the flow of metallocene towards a junction, directing the flow of propylene towards the junction and maintaining a portion of the flow of metallocene separate from a portion of the flow propylene within a portion of the junction downstream of the flow of propylene into the junction. In another embodiment, a method of introducing a quantity of antifouling agent into a catalyst mixing system is provided. In this embodiment a portion of the antifouling agent is introduced at or downstream of a point of contact of a stream of propylene with a stream of catalyst. The antifouling agent may be a member, alone or in combination with other members, selected from Stadis 450 Conductivity Improver, Synperonic antifouling agent, and Pluronic antifouling agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Publication number: 20110207898
    Abstract: Polymerization processes in a bulk loop reactor are described herein. In particular, a method of contacting a flow of metallocene with a flow of propylene is provided. This method includes directing the flow of metallocene towards a junction, directing the flow of propylene towards the junction and maintaining a portion of the flow of metallocene separate from a portion of the flow propylene within a portion of the junction downstream of the flow of propylene into the junction. In another embodiment, a method of introducing a quantity of antifouling agent into a catalyst mixing system is provided. In this embodiment a portion of the antifouling agent is introduced at or downstream of a point of contact of a stream of propylene with a stream of catalyst. The antifouling agent may be a member, alone or in combination with other members, selected from Stadis 450 Conductivity Improver, Synperonic antifouling agent, and Pluronic antifouling agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Patent number: 7960484
    Abstract: Polymerization processes in a bulk loop reactor are described herein. In particular, a method of contacting a flow of metallocene with a flow of propylene is provided. This method includes directing the flow of metallocene towards a junction, directing the flow of propylene towards the junction and maintaining a portion of the flow of metallocene separate from a portion of the flow propylene within a portion of the junction downstream of the flow of propylene into the junction. In another embodiment, a method of introducing a quantity of antifouling agent into a catalyst mixing system is provided. In this embodiment a portion of the antifouling agent is introduced at or downstream of a point of contact of a stream of propylene with a stream of catalyst. The antifouling agent may be a member, alone or in combination with other members, selected from Stadis 450 Conductivity Improver, Synperonic antifouling agent, and Pluronic antifouling agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Patent number: 7390860
    Abstract: Polymerization processes in a bulk loop reactor are described herein. In particular, a method of contacting a flow of metallocene with a flow of propylene is provided. This method includes directing the flow of metallocene towards a junction, directing the flow of propylene towards the junction and maintaining a portion of the flow of metallocene separate from a portion of the flow propylene within a portion of the junction downstream of the flow of propylene into the junction. In another embodiment, a method of introducing a quantity of antifouling agent into a catalyst mixing system is provided. In this embodiment a portion of the antifouling agent is introduced at or downstream of a point of contact of a stream of propylene with a stream of catalyst. The antifouling agent may be a member, alone or in combination with other members, selected from Stadis 450 Conductivity Improver, Synperonic antifouling agent, and Pluronic antifouling agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Publication number: 20080114135
    Abstract: Polymerization processes in a bulk loop reactor are described herein. In particular, a method of contacting a flow of metallocene with a flow of propylene is provided. This method includes directing the flow of metallocene towards a junction, directing the flow of propylene towards the junction and maintaining a portion of the flow of metallocene separate from a portion of the flow propylene within a portion of the junction downstream of the flow of propylene into the junction. In another embodiment, a method of introducing a quantity of antifouling agent into a catalyst mixing system is provided. In this embodiment a portion of the antifouling agent is introduced at or downstream of a point of contact of a stream of propylene with a stream of catalyst. The antifouling agent may be a member, alone or in combination with other members, selected from Stadis 450 Conductivity Improver, Synperonic antifouling agent, and Pluronic antifouling agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hotmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Patent number: 7056991
    Abstract: The present invention relates to propylene polymerization process in a bulk loop reactor, and particularly to propylene polymerization process for polymerizing commercial quantities of polypropylene in a bulk loop reactor by sequentially introducing Ziegler-Natta and metallocene catalyst systems into the bulk loop reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Patent number: 7053163
    Abstract: The tendency of copolymer fluff grains of propylene and ethylene to agglomerate is reduced by injecting at least one olefin comonomer, such as ethylene monomer, into more than one point along the length of the reactor, rather than injecting all of the ethylene at one point. This process reduces the tendency of copolymer fluff grains to agglomerate and cause processing problems as compared with injecting the comonomer at only one point. Copolymer made by this process is expected to have lower substantially amorphous polypropylene content and better organoleptics than copolymer made where the ethylene is injected at only one point. In one non-limiting embodiment the copolymerization reactor is a loop-type reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Tian, David Rauscher, William Gauthier, Mark C. Douglass, Nelson Black, Ronald Tharappel
  • Publication number: 20050165181
    Abstract: Polymerization processes in a bulk loop reactor are described herein. In particular, a method of contacting a flow of metallocene with a flow of propylene is provided. This method includes directing the flow of metallocene towards a junction, directing the flow of propylene towards the junction and maintaining a portion of the flow of metallocene separate from a portion of the flow propylene within a portion of the junction downstream of the flow of propylene into the junction. In another embodiment, a method of introducing a quantity of antifouling agent into a catalyst mixing system is provided. In this embodiment a portion of the antifouling agent is introduced at or downstream of a point of contact of a stream of propylene with a stream of catalyst. The antifouling agent may be a member, alone or in combination with other members, selected from Stadis 450 Conductivity Improver, Synperonic antifouling agent, and Pluronic antifouling agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Publication number: 20050159563
    Abstract: The present invention relates to propylene polymerization process in a bulk loop reactor, and particularly to propylene polymerization process for polymerizing commercial quantities of polypropylene in a bulk loop reactor by sequentially introducing Ziegler-Natta and metallocene catalyst systems into the bulk loop reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Patent number: 6916892
    Abstract: The present invention relates to propylene polymerization process in a bulk loop reactor, and particularly to propylene polymerization process for polymerizing commercial quantities of polypropylene in a bulk loop reactor by sequentially introducing Ziegler-Natta and metallocene catalyst systems into the bulk loop reactor. In one embodiment, separate catalyst mixing systems are used to introduce a quantity of metallocene catalyst and Ziegler-Natta catalyst into the bulk loop reactor. The frequency rate at which the quantity of metallocene catalyst is introduced into the bulk loop reactor may be higher than the frequency rate at which the quantity of Ziegler-Natta catalyst is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Patent number: 6706822
    Abstract: A method of processing polyethylene for use as an extruded blow molding resin to improve the properties and processability thereof is accomplished by modifying a polyethylene resin having a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of less than about 10. The modification is carried out by the addition of a free radical initiator to the resin during extrusion of the resin to increase the rheological breadth of the polyethylene from about 10% to about 60% compared to unmodified polyethylene resin extruded under similar conditions. In another aspect of the invention, a polyethylene resin having higher melt index is processed to provide a desired final melt index by the addition of a free radical initiator where it would otherwise be necessary to utilize a resin having lower melt flow, and which is more difficult to process. Improvements in color can also be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard K. Guenther, Lea Ann Nairn, Curt D. Clark, Ben W. Hicks, Ronald A. Tharappel, Tim J. Coffy
  • Publication number: 20030114608
    Abstract: The present invention relates to propylene polymerization process in a bulk loop reactor, and particularly to propylene polymerization process for polymerizing commercial quantities of polypropylene in a bulk loop reactor by sequentially introducing Ziegler-Natta and metallocene catalyst systems into the bulk loop reactor. In one embodiment, separate catalyst mixing systems are used to introduce a quantity of metallocene catalyst and Ziegler-Natta catalyst into the bulk loop reactor. The frequency rate at which the quantity of metallocene catalyst is introduced into the bulk loop reactor may be higher than the frequency rate at which the quantity of Ziegler-Natta catalyst is introduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Publication number: 20030055170
    Abstract: A method of processing polyethylene for use as an extruded blow molding resin to improve the properties and processability thereof is accomplished by modifying a polyethylene resin having a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of less than about 10. The modification is carried out by the addition of a free radical initiator to the resin during extrusion of the resin to increase the rheological breadth of the polyethylene from about 10% to about 60% compared to unmodified polyethylene resin extruded under similar conditions. In another aspect of the invention, a polyethylene resin having higher melt index is processed to provide a desired final melt index by the addition of a free radical initiator where it would otherwise be necessary to utilize a resin having lower melt flow, and which is more difficult to process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Gerhard K. Guenther, Lea Ann Naim, Curtis D. Clark, Ben W. Hicks, Ronald A. Tharappel, Tim J. Coffy
  • Patent number: 6433103
    Abstract: A method of processing polyethylene for use as an extruded blow molding resin to improve the properties and processability thereof is accomplished by modifying a polyethylene resin having a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of less than about 10. The modification is carried out by the addition of a free radical initiator to the resin during extrusion of the resin to increase the rheological breadth of the polyethylene from about 10% to about 60% compared to unmodified polyethylene resin extruded under similar conditions. In another aspect of the invention, a polyethylene resin having higher melt index is processed to provide a desired final melt index by the addition of a free radical initiator where it would otherwise be necessary to utilize a resin having lower melt flow, and which is more difficult to process. Improvements in color can also be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard K. Guenther, Lea Ann Nairn, Curt D. Clark, Ben W. Hicks, Ronald A. Tharappel, Tim J. Coffy