Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Reid

Thomas A. Reid 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).

  • Slurry polymerization reactor having large length/diameter ratio
    Patent number: 7033545
    Abstract: A polymerization loop reactor including a loop reaction zone, a continuous takeoff, and a fluid slurry disposed in the reaction zone. A generally cylindrical wall defines the loop reaction zone. The length of the loop reaction zone and the nominal outside diameter of the generally cylindrical wall define a length/diameter ratio greater than 250. The reactor can be charged with a fluid slurry including an olefin monomer reactant, solid olefin polymer particles, and a liquid diluent. The concentration of the solid olefin polymer particles in the slurry can be greater than 40 weight percent based on the weight of polymer particles and the weight of liquid diluent. Also disclosed is a polymerization process carried out by polymerizing, in the loop reaction zone of a reactor as defined above, at least one olefin monomer in a liquid diluent to produce a fluid slurry as defined above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Chevon Phillips Chemical Company, LP
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Thomas A. Reid, John H. Tait, David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser, Harvey D. Hensley, David J. Przelomski, Teddy H. Cymbaluk, Robert K. Franklin, Ethelwoldo P. Perez, John D. Hottovy
  • Process and apparatus for separating diluent from polymer solids
    Patent number: 6953553
    Abstract: Polymer solids are maintained in an intermediate pressure zone for a desired polymer solids residence time and then transferred to a purge zone or other lower pressure zone. An increase in the polymer solids residence time in the intermediate pressure zone allows more diluent to flash or separate, thereby avoiding or reducing the need for a low pressure flash zone. A fluff chamber may be disposed between the intermediate pressure zone and a lower pressure zone. A transporter tank may be used to transport polymer solids after the intermediate pressure zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas A. Reid, Scott E. Kufeld, John H. Tait, David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser
  • Process and apparatus for separating diluent from polymer solids
    Patent number: 6838531
    Abstract: Polymer solids are maintained in an intermediate pressure zone for a desired polymer solids residence time and then transferred to a purge zone or other lower pressure zone. An increase in the polymer solids residence time in the intermediate pressure zone allows more diluent to flash or separate, thereby avoiding or reducing the need for a low pressure flash zone. A fluff chamber may be disposed between the intermediate pressure zone and a lower pressure zone transporter tank may be used to transport polymer solids after the intermediate pressure zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP
    Inventors: Thomas A. Reid, Scott E. Kufeld, John H. Tait, David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser
  • Process and apparatus for separating diluent from polymer solids
    Publication number: 20040116597
    Abstract: Polymer solids are maintained in an intermediate pressure zone for a desired polymer solids residence time and then transferred to a purge zone or other lower pressure zone. An increase in the polymer solids residence time in the intermediate pressure zone allows more diluent to flash or separate, thereby avoiding or reducing the need for a low pressure flash zone. A fluff chamber may be disposed between the intermediate pressure zone and a lower pressure zone transporter tank may be used to transport polymer solids after the intermediate pressure zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas A. Reid, Scott E. Kufeld, John H. Tait, David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser
  • Slurry Polymerization reactor having large length / diameter ratio, and process of polymerizing polyolefins in such a reactor
    Publication number: 20030229187
    Abstract: A polymerization loop reactor including a loop reaction zone, a continuous takeoff, and a fluid slurry disposed in the reaction zone. A generally cylindrical wall defines the loop reaction zone. The length of the loop reaction zone and the nominal outside diameter of the generally cylindrical wall define a length/diameter ratio greater than 250. The reactor can be charged with a fluid slurry including an olefin monomer reactant, solid olefin polymer particles, and a liquid diluent. The concentration of the solid olefin polymer particles in the slurry can be greater than 40 weight percent based on the weight of polymer particles and the weight of liquid diluent. Also disclosed is a polymerization process carried out by polymerizing, in the loop reaction zone of a reactor as defined above, at least one olefin monomer in a liquid diluent to produce a fluid slurry as defined above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Scott E. Kufeld, Thomas A. Reid, John H. Tait, David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser, Harvey D. Hensley, David J. Przelomski, Teddy H. Cymbaluk, Robert K. Franklin, Ethelwoldo P. Perez, John D. Hottovy