Patents by Inventor Scott E. Kufeld

Scott E. Kufeld 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: 12565545
    Abstract: Supported chromium (VI) catalysts containing a solid oxide, 0.05 to 5 wt. % chromium, and 0.2 to 20 wt. % carbon, in which the solid oxide or the catalyst has a particle size span from 0.5 to 1.4, less than 3 wt. % has a particle size greater than 100 ?m, and less than 10 wt. % has a particle size less than 10 ?m, can be contacted with an olefin monomer in a fluidized bed reactor or other suitable polymerization reactor to produce an olefin polymer. Representative ethylene-based polymers produced using the chromium catalysts have a HLMI of 4 to 70 g/10 min, a density from 0.93 to 0.96 g/cm3, from 150 to 680 ppm solid oxide (such as silica), from 0.5 to 3 ppm chromium, and a film gel count of less than 15 catalyst particle gels per ft2 of 25 micron thick film and/or a gel count of less than or equal to 50 catalyst particles of greater than 100 ?m (in diameter) per five grams of the ethylene polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2026
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Eric D. Schwerdtfeger, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20250236687
    Abstract: Supported chromium (VI) catalysts containing a solid oxide, 0.05 to 5 wt. % chromium, and 0.2 to 20 wt. % carbon, in which the solid oxide or the catalyst has a particle size span from 0.5 to 1.4, less than 3 wt. % has a particle size greater than 100 ?m, and less than 10 wt. % has a particle size less than 10 ?m, can be contacted with an olefin monomer in a fluidized bed reactor or other suitable polymerization reactor to produce an olefin polymer. Representative ethylene-based polymers produced using the chromium catalysts have a HLMI of 4 to 70 g/10 min, a density from 0.93 to 0.96 g/cm3, from 150 to 680 ppm solid oxide (such as silica), from 0.5 to 3 ppm chromium, and a film gel count of less than 15 catalyst particle gels per ft2 of 25 micron thick film and/or a gel count of less than or equal to 50 catalyst particles of greater than 100 ?m (in diameter) per five grams of the ethylene polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2024
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Eric D. Schwerdtfeger, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20250223383
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2025
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Inventors: Joseph A. CURREN, Rebecca A. GONZALES, Scott E. KUFELD, Joel A. MUTCHLER, Eric J. NETEMEYER, Jamie N. SUTHERLAND, Paul J. DESLAURIERS, Jeffrey S. FODOR
  • Patent number: 12319774
    Abstract: Supported chromium (VI) catalysts containing a solid oxide, 0.05 to 5 wt. % chromium, and 0.2 to 20 wt. % carbon, in which the solid oxide or the catalyst has a particle size span from 0.5 to 1.4, less than 3 wt. % has a particle size greater than 100 ?m, and less than 10 wt. % has a particle size less than 10 ?m, can be contacted with an olefin monomer in a fluidized bed reactor or other suitable polymerization reactor to produce an olefin polymer. Representative ethylene-based polymers produced using the chromium catalysts have a HLMI of 4 to 70 g/10 min, a density from 0.93 to 0.96 g/cm3, from 150 to 680 ppm solid oxide (such as silica), from 0.5 to 3 ppm chromium, and a film gel count of less than 15 catalyst particle gels per ft2 of 25 micron thick film and/or a gel count of less than or equal to 50 catalyst particles of greater than 100 ?m (in diameter) per five grams of the ethylene polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Eric D. Schwerdtfeger, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 12252558
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joseph A. Curren, Rebecca A. Gonzales, Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Jamie N. Sutherland, Paul J. Deslauriers, Jeffrey S. Fodor
  • Patent number: 12195562
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20240400729
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 12115506
    Abstract: Disclosed are a process and system for preparing a catalyst slurry. The process can include preparing a catalyst slurry comprising a solid particulate catalyst and a carrier liquid in a catalyst slurry preparation system. The catalyst slurry preparation system can include a mixing vessel, a rotatable impeller system connected to the mixing vessel, and a motor connected to the rotatable impeller system. The rotatable impeller system can include an agitator shaft and a hub connected to the agitator shaft. The hub and at least a portion of the agitator shaft are positioned within the mixing vessel along a longitudinal axis of the mixing vessel, and the hub has at least three blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 11969725
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Anurag Gupta, Scott E. Kufeld, Larry W. Ezell, Robert R. McElvain, Robert F. Parrott, Joel A. Mutchler
  • Publication number: 20240059808
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20240059807
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph A. CURREN, Rebecca A. GONZALES, Scott E. KUFELD, Joel A. MUTCHLER, Eric J. NETEMEYER, Jamie N. SUTHERLAND, Paul J. DESLAURIERS, Jeffrey S. FODOR
  • Patent number: 11845814
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 11845815
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joseph A. Curren, Rebecca A. Gonzales, Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Jamie N. Sutherland, Paul J. Deslauriers, Jeffrey S. Fodor
  • Publication number: 20230390718
    Abstract: Disclosed are a process and system for preparing a catalyst slurry. The process can include preparing a catalyst slurry comprising a solid particulate catalyst and a carrier liquid in a catalyst slurry preparation system. The catalyst slurry preparation system can include a mixing vessel, a rotatable impeller system connected to the mixing vessel, and a motor connected to the rotatable impeller system. The rotatable impeller system can include an agitator shaft and a hub connected to the agitator shaft. The hub and at least a portion of the agitator shaft are positioned within the mixing vessel along a longitudinal axis of the mixing vessel, and the hub has at least three blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: James E. HEIN, Scott E. KUFELD
  • Patent number: 11833479
    Abstract: Disclosed are a process and system for preparing a catalyst slurry. The process can include preparing a catalyst slurry comprising a solid particulate catalyst and a carrier liquid in a catalyst slurry preparation system. The catalyst slurry preparation system can include a mixing vessel, a rotatable impeller system connected to the mixing vessel, and a motor connected to the rotatable impeller system. The rotatable impeller system can include an agitator shaft and a hub connected to the agitator shaft. The hub and at least a portion of the agitator shaft are positioned within the mixing vessel along a longitudinal axis of the mixing vessel, and the hub has at least three blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 11767378
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20230242684
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20230242685
    Abstract: Polymerization processes and reactor systems for producing multimodal ethylene polymers are disclosed in which at least one loop reactor and at least one fluidized bed reactor are utilized. Configurations include a loop reactor in series with a fluidized bed reactor and two loop reactors in series with a fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Joel A. Mutchler, Eric J. Netemeyer, Joseph A. Curren, Michael H. Treptau, Kenneth A. Dooley, Jeffrey S. Lowell, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 11667738
    Abstract: Polymerization processes for producing ethylene-based plastomers and elastomers having densities less than 0.91 g/cm3 utilize a metallocene-based catalyst system containing a chemically-treated solid oxide. These polymerization processes can be conducted in a slurry reactor, a solution reactor, and/or a gas phase reactor. Ethylene polymers produced from the polymerization process can be characterized by a density of less than 0.91 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter of less than 0.2, and a ratio of HLMI/MI of at least 30, or a density less than 0.91 g/cm3, a CY-a parameter from 0.25 to 0.75, and a ratio of Mw/Mn from 2 to 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Max P. McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20230159674
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes that produce multimodal polyolefins, and in particular, polyethylene resins, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by using two reactors in series, where one of the reactors is a multi-zone circulating reactor that can circulate polyolefin particles through two polymerization zones optionally having two different flow regimes so that the final multimodal polyolefin has improved product properties and improved product homogeneity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph A. CURREN, Rebecca A. GONZALES, Scott E. KUFELD, Joel A. MUTCHLER, Eric J. NETEMEYER, Jamie N. SUTHERLAND, Paul J. DESLAURIERS, Jeffrey S. FODOR