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).

  • Publication number: 20200207885
    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: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    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: 20200207882
    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: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph A. CURREN, Rebecca A. GONZALES, Scott E. KUFELD, Joel A. MUTCHLER, Eric J. NETEMEYER, Jamie N. SUTHERLAND, Paul J. DESLAURIERS, Jeff S. FODOR
  • Publication number: 20200207883
    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: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    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: 20200207884
    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: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    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: 10696759
    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: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    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: 10646845
    Abstract: A system and method for a first reactor to produce a transfer slurry having a first polyolefin polymerized in the first reactor, a heat-removal zone to remove heat from the transfer slurry, and a second reactor to receive the transfer slurry cooled by the heat-removal zone, the second reactor to produce a product slurry having a product polyolefin which includes the first polyolefin and a second polyolefin polymerized in the second reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Maruti Bhandarkar, Elizabeth A Benham, Rebecca A. Gonzales, Joel A Mutchler, Catherine M. Gill, Timothy O. Odi, Thanh T. Nguyen, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 10478799
    Abstract: A process comprises polymerizing an olefin monomer in a loop reactor in the presence of a catalyst and a diluent, and producing a slurry comprising solid particulate olefin polymer and diluent. The Biot number is maintained at or below about 3.0 within the loop reactor during the polymerizing process. The slurry in the loop reactor forms a slurry film having a film coefficient along an inner surface of the reactor wall, and the film coefficient is less than about 500 BTU·hr?1·ft?2·° F.?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler, John D. Hottovy
  • Patent number: 10301404
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide a system and method for separation within a polymer production process. Specifically, a flashline heater configured according to present embodiments may provide more time than is required for complete vaporization of liquid hydrocarbons that are not entrained within a polymer fluff produced within a polymerization reactor. Such extra time may allow for liquid hydrocarbons that are entrained within the polymer fluff to be vaporized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Chevron Philips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: John D. Hottovy, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 10106634
    Abstract: Processes of forming polyolefins are described herein. One or more specific embodiments of the processes generally include introducing olefin monomer selected from C2-C3 olefins into a first reaction zone under first polymerization conditions to form a first polyolefin; withdrawing a transfer effluent from the first reaction zone, the transfer effluent including first polyolefin and unreacted olefin monomer; introducing the transfer effluent, a comonomer selected from C4-C8 olefins, and additional olefin monomer to a second reaction zone under second polymerization conditions to form a second reactor product; maintaining an essentially constant comonomer:olefin monomer ratio in the second reaction zone; and withdrawing at least a portion of the second reactor product, wherein the second reactor product includes a bimodal polyolefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler
  • Publication number: 20180272309
    Abstract: A system and method for a first reactor to produce a transfer slurry having a first polyolefin polymerized in the first reactor, a heat-removal zone to remove heat from the transfer slurry, and a second reactor to receive the transfer slurry cooled by the heat-removal zone, the second reactor to produce a product slurry having a product polyolefin which includes the first polyolefin and a second polyolefin polymerized in the second reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY LP
    Inventors: Maruti Bhandarkar, Elizabeth A. Benham, Rebecca A. Gonzales, Joel A. Mutchler, Catherine M. Gill, Timothy O. Odi, Thanh T. Nguyen, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20180207609
    Abstract: Olefin polymerization processes are described herein. The processes generally include circulating a slurry including an olefin monomer selected from C2-C12 olefin monomers, a liquid diluent selected from C3-C7 alkanes, catalyst and polyolefin particles under polymerization conditions within a loop reactor. In one or more specific embodiments, in operation, the process has a cavitation number of from 6 to 60 and the polymerization conditions include a polymerization temperature of from 38° C. to 121° C. and a polymerization pressure of from 27 bar to 50 bar. In other embodiments, the process has a Euler Number (Eu) of at least 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Scott E Kufeld, John D. Hottovy
  • Patent number: 10029230
    Abstract: Olefin polymerization processes are described herein. The processes generally include circulating a slurry including an olefin monomer selected from C2-C12 olefin monomers, a liquid diluent selected from C3-C7 alkanes, catalyst and polyolefin particles under polymerization conditions within a loop reactor. In one or more specific embodiments, in operation, the process has a cavitation number of from 6 to 60 and the polymerization conditions include a polymerization temperature of from 38° C. to 121° C. and a polymerization pressure of from 27 bar to 50 bar. In other embodiments, the process has a Euler Number (Eu) of at least 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Scott E Kufeld, John D Hottovy
  • Publication number: 20180186909
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide a system and method for separation within a polymer production process. Specifically, a flashline heater configured according to present embodiments may provide more time than is required for complete vaporization of liquid hydrocarbons that are not entrained within a polymer fluff produced within a polymerization reactor. Such extra time may allow for liquid hydrocarbons that are entrained within the polymer fluff to be vaporized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: John D. Hottovy, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 9963523
    Abstract: A system and method for discharging a transfer slurry from a first polymerization reactor through a transfer line to a second polymerization reactor, the transfer slurry including at least diluent and a first polyethylene. A product slurry is discharged from the second polymerization reactor, the product slurry including at least diluent, the first polyethylene, and a second polyethylene. The velocity, pressure drop, or pressure loss due to friction in the transfer line is determined, and a process variable adjusted in response to the velocity, pressure drop, or pressure loss not satisfying a specified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY, LP
    Inventors: Maruti Bhandarkar, Elizabeth Ann Benham, Rebecca A. Gonzales, Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler, Catherine M. Gill, Thanh T. Nguyen, Timothy O. Odi
  • Patent number: 9932422
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide a system and method for separation within a polymer production process. Specifically, a flashline heater configured according to present embodiments may provide more time than is required for complete vaporization of liquid hydrocarbons that are not entrained within a polymer fluff produced within a polymerization reactor. Such extra time may allow for liquid hydrocarbons that are entrained within the polymer fluff to be vaporized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: John D. Hottovy, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Publication number: 20180057623
    Abstract: Processes of forming polyolefins are described herein. One or more specific embodiments of the processes generally include introducing olefin monomer selected from C2-C3 olefins into a first reaction zone under first polymerization conditions to form a first polyolefin; withdrawing a transfer effluent from the first reaction zone, the transfer effluent including first polyolefin and unreacted olefin monomer; introducing the transfer effluent, a comonomer selected from C4-C8 olefins, and additional olefin monomer to a second reaction zone under second polymerization conditions to form a second reactor product; maintaining an essentially constant comonomer:olefin monomer ratio in the second reaction zone; and withdrawing at least a portion of the second reactor product, wherein the second reactor product includes a bimodal polyolefin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler
  • Publication number: 20180001293
    Abstract: A process comprises polymerizing an olefin monomer in a loop reactor in the presence of a catalyst and a diluent, and producing a slurry comprising solid particulate olefin polymer and diluent. The Biot number is maintained at or below about 3.0 within the loop reactor during the polymerizing process. The slurry in the loop reactor forms a slurry film having a film coefficient along an inner surface of the reactor wall, and the film coefficient is less than about 500 BTU·hr?1·ft?2·° F.?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler, John D. Hottovy
  • Patent number: 9850330
    Abstract: Processes of forming polyolefins are described herein. One or more specific embodiments of the processes generally include introducing olefin monomer selected from C2-C3 olefins into a first reaction zone under first polymerization conditions to form a first polyolefin; withdrawing a transfer effluent from the first reaction zone, the transfer effluent including first polyolefin and unreacted olefin monomer; introducing the transfer effluent, a comonomer selected from C4-C8 olefins, and additional olefin monomer to a second reaction zone under second polymerization conditions to form a second reactor product; maintaining an essentially constant comonomer:olefin monomer ratio in the second reaction zone; and withdrawing at least a portion of the second reactor product, wherein the second reactor product includes a bimodal polyolefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler
  • Patent number: 9845369
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a polymerization process comprises circulating, with a pump, a reaction mixture slurry in a polymerization loop reactor during a polymerization process, detecting a pressure change in the reaction mixture slurry downstream of the pump, generating, by a pressure controller, a takeoff valve actuation signal for a takeoff valve based on the pressure change, generating, by the pressure controller, a correction to the takeoff valve actuation signal, generating, by the pressure controller, a time delay for the correction, applying the correction to the takeoff valve actuation signal to generate a corrected takeoff valve actuation signal, providing the corrected takeoff valve actuation signal to the takeoff valve after the time delay, and adjusting a position of the takeoff valve in response to providing the corrected takeoff valve actuation signal. The reactor pressure is based on the takeoff valve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Chevron Philips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: John D. Hottovy, Scott E. Kufeld
  • Patent number: 9809660
    Abstract: A process for making a low density polymer in a polymerization reactor system, the process comprising polymerizing an olefin monomer, and optionally an olefin comonomer, in the presence of a diluent in a polymerization reactor to make a polymerization product slurry consisting of a liquid phase and a solid phase, wherein the solid phase comprises an olefin polymer having a density of between about 0.905 g/cm3 to about 0.945 g/cm3; and discharging the polymerization product slurry from the polymerization reactor through a continuous take-off valve to make a mixture further comprising a vapor phase. The mixture comprises a pressure less than a bubble point pressure of a component in the polymerization product slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP
    Inventors: John D. Hottovy, Scott E. Kufeld, Joel A. Mutchler