Patents by Inventor William C. Ellis

William C. Ellis 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: 20220017661
    Abstract: Processes for activating chromium polymerization catalysts, which can use lower maximum activation temperatures and shorter activation times than conventional activation methods, and provide polyethylenes with high melt indices, broader molecular weight distributions, and lower long chain branching content. The activation process can comprise heating a supported chromium catalyst in an inert atmosphere to a first temperature (T1) for a first hold time (tH1), followed by allowing the chromium catalyst to attain a second temperature (T2) in the inert atmosphere, then contacting the chromium catalyst with an oxidative atmosphere for a second hold time (tH2), in which T2 can be less than or equal to T1. Additional activation treatments and conditioning steps are disclosed which can be used to enhance the melt index potential of Phillips (Cr/silica) catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Kathy S. Clear, William C. Ellis, Deloris R. Gagan, Ted H. Cymbaluk
  • Publication number: 20210403616
    Abstract: A pre-catalyst composition comprising: a) a silica support comprising silica wherein an amount of silica is in a range of from about 70 wt. % to about 95 wt. % based upon a total weight of the silica support; b) a titanium-containing compound wherein an amount of titanium is in a range of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % based upon the total weight of the silica support; c) a chromium-containing compound wherein an amount of chromium is in a range of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % based upon the total weight of the silica support; d) a surfactant wherein the surfactant comprises a non-ionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, or a combination thereof, e) a carboxylate wherein the carboxylate comprises a multi carboxylate, an alpha-hydroxy carboxylate, or a combination thereof, and f) a solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Max P. MCDANIEL, Kathy S. CLEAR, William C. ELLIS, Deloris R. GAGAN
  • Publication number: 20210402383
    Abstract: Catalyst preparation systems and methods for preparing reduced chromium catalysts are disclosed, and can comprise irradiating a supported chromium catalyst containing hexavalent chromium with a light beam having a wavelength within the UV-visible light spectrum. Such reduced chromium catalysts have improved catalytic activity compared to chromium catalysts reduced by other means. The use of the reduced chromium catalyst in polymerization reactor systems and olefin polymerization processes also is disclosed, resulting in polymers with a higher melt index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kathy S. Clear, Max P. McDaniel, William C. Ellis, Eric D. Schwerdtfeger, Deloris R. Gagan, Carlos A. Cruz, Masud M. Monwar
  • Patent number: 11180435
    Abstract: Processes for converting a hydrocarbon reactant into an alcohol compound and/or a carbonyl compound are disclosed, and these processes include the steps of forming a supported chromium catalyst comprising chromium in a hexavalent oxidation state, irradiating the hydrocarbon reactant and the supported chromium catalyst with a light beam at a wavelength in the UV-visible spectrum to reduce at least a portion of the supported chromium catalyst to form a reduced chromium catalyst, and hydrolyzing the reduced chromium catalyst to form a reaction product comprising the alcohol compound and/or the carbonyl compound. The supported chromium catalyst can be formed by heat treating a supported chromium precursor, contacting a chromium precursor with a solid support while heat treating, or heat treating a solid support and then contacting a chromium precursor with the solid support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP
    Inventors: Carlos A. Cruz, Masud M. Monwar, Max P. McDaniel, Jared L. Barr, Kathy S. Clear, William C. Ellis
  • Patent number: 11173475
    Abstract: Catalyst preparation systems and methods for preparing reduced chromium catalysts are disclosed, and can comprise irradiating a supported chromium catalyst containing hexavalent chromium with a light beam having a wavelength within the UV-visible light spectrum. Such reduced chromium catalysts have improved catalytic activity compared to chromium catalysts reduced by other means. The use of the reduced chromium catalyst in polymerization reactor systems and olefin polymerization processes also is disclosed, resulting in polymers with a higher melt index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Kathy S. Clear, Max P. McDaniel, William C. Ellis, Eric D. Schwerdtfeger, Deloris R. Gagan, Carlos A. Cruz, Masud M. Monwar
  • Publication number: 20210340085
    Abstract: Processes for converting a hydrocarbon reactant into an alcohol compound and/or a carbonyl compound are disclosed, and these processes include the steps of irradiating the hydrocarbon reactant and a supported chromium catalyst comprising chromium in a hexavalent oxidation state with a light beam at a wavelength in the UV-visible spectrum to reduce at least a portion of the supported chromium catalyst to form a reduced chromium catalyst, and hydrolyzing the reduced chromium catalyst to form a reaction product comprising the alcohol compound and/or the carbonyl compound. In addition, these processes can further comprise a step of calcining all or a portion of the reduced chromium catalyst to regenerate the supported chromium catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Carlos A. Cruz, Masud M. Monwar, Jared L. Barr, William C. Ellis
  • Patent number: 11149098
    Abstract: Processes for activating chromium polymerization catalysts, which can use lower maximum activation temperatures and shorter activation times than conventional activation methods, and provide polyethylenes with high melt indices, broader molecular weight distributions, and lower long chain branching content. The activation process can comprise heating a supported chromium catalyst in an inert atmosphere to a first temperature (T1) for a first hold time (tH1), followed by allowing the chromium catalyst to attain a second temperature (T2) in the inert atmosphere, then contacting the chromium catalyst with an oxidative atmosphere for a second hold time (tH2), in which T2 can be less than or equal to T1. Additional activation treatments and conditioning steps are disclosed which can be used to enhance the melt index potential of Phillips (Cr/silica) catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Kathy S. Clear, William C. Ellis, Deloris R. Gagan, Ted H. Cymbaluk
  • Publication number: 20210292446
    Abstract: A method comprising contacting a silica support with a titanium-containing solution to form a titanated silica support, wherein the titanium-containing solution comprises a titanium compound, a solvent, and an amino acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Max P. MCDANIEL, Kathy S. CLEAR, William C. ELLIS, Deloris R. GAGAN
  • Patent number: 11078143
    Abstract: Processes for converting a hydrocarbon reactant into an alcohol compound and/or a carbonyl compound are disclosed, and these processes include the steps of irradiating the hydrocarbon reactant and a supported chromium catalyst comprising chromium in a hexavalent oxidation state with a light beam at a wavelength in the UV-visible spectrum to reduce at least a portion of the supported chromium catalyst to form a reduced chromium catalyst, and hydrolyzing the reduced chromium catalyst to form a reaction product comprising the alcohol compound and/or the carbonyl compound. In addition, these processes can further comprise a step of calcining all or a portion of the reduced chromium catalyst to regenerate the supported chromium catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Carlos A. Cruz, Masud M. Monwar, Jared L. Barr, William C. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20210130513
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for catalyst preparation. A method includes heating a mixture of one or more transition metal compounds and an oxide support or a chromium containing oxide support to a temperature or a set of temperatures that enables the a transition metal compound of the one or more transition metal compounds to sublime, melt, or thermally decompose, such that a transition metal of the one or more transition metal compounds reacts with and is deposited onto a surface of the oxide support or the chromium containing oxide support to form a catalyst, and activating the catalyst. The catalyst is configured to facilitate a reaction that produces a target inorganic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: William C. Ellis, Max P. McDaniel, Deloris R. Gagan
  • Publication number: 20210078927
    Abstract: Processes for converting a hydrocarbon reactant into an alcohol compound and/or a carbonyl compound are disclosed, and these processes include the steps of irradiating the hydrocarbon reactant and a supported chromium catalyst comprising chromium in a hexavalent oxidation state with a light beam at a wavelength in the UV-visible spectrum to reduce at least a portion of the supported chromium catalyst to form a reduced chromium catalyst, and hydrolyzing the reduced chromium catalyst to form a reaction product comprising the alcohol compound and/or the carbonyl compound. In addition, these processes can further comprise a step of calcining all or a portion of the reduced chromium catalyst to regenerate the supported chromium catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Carlos A. Cruz, Masud M. Monwar, Jared L. Barr, William C. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20210054112
    Abstract: A method comprising contacting a silica support with a titanium-containing solution to form a titanated silica support, wherein the titanium-containing solution comprises a titanium compound, a solvent, and a surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Max P. MCDANIEL, Kathy S. CLEAR, William C. ELLIS, Deloris R. GAGAN
  • Patent number: 10889664
    Abstract: A method comprising contacting a silica support with a titanium-containing solution to form a titanated silica support, wherein the titanium-containing solution comprises a titanium compound, a solvent, and a surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Kathy S. Clear, William C. Ellis, Deloris R. Gagan
  • Publication number: 20200392261
    Abstract: A method comprising contacting a silica support with a titanium-containing solution to form a titanated silica support, wherein the titanium-containing solution comprises a titanium compound, a solvent, and an amino acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Max P. MCDANIEL, Kathy S. CLEAR, William C. ELLIS, Deloris R. GAGAN
  • Publication number: 20200392264
    Abstract: A method comprising contacting a silica support with a titanium-containing solution to form a titanated silica support, wherein the titanium-containing solution comprises a solvent; a ligand comprising a glycol, a carboxylate, a peroxide, or a combination thereof; and a titanium compound having the formula Ti(acac)2(OR)2, wherein “acac” is acetylacetonate and wherein each R independently is ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, isobutyl, or n-butyl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Max P. MCDANIEL, Kathy S. CLEAR, William C. ELLIS, Deloris R. GAGAN
  • Publication number: 20200392265
    Abstract: A method comprising contacting a silica support with a titanium-containing solution to form a titanated silica support, wherein the titanium-containing solution comprises a titanium compound, a solvent, and an amino acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Max P. MCDANIEL, Kathy S. CLEAR, William C. ELLIS, Deloris R. GAGAN
  • Publication number: 20200392263
    Abstract: A method comprising contacting a silica support with a titanium-containing solution to form a titanated silica support, wherein the titanium-containing solution comprises a titanium compound, a solvent, and a surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Max P. MCDANIEL, Kathy S. CLEAR, William C. ELLIS, Deloris R. GAGAN
  • Publication number: 20200392262
    Abstract: A method comprising contacting a silica support with a titanium-containing solution to form a titanated silica support, wherein the titanium-containing solution comprises a solvent; a ligand comprising a glycol, a carboxylate, a peroxide, or a combination thereof; and a titanium compound having the formula Ti(acac)2(OR)2, wherein “acac” is acetylacetonate and wherein each R independently is ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, isobutyl, or n-butyl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Max P. MCDANIEL, Kathy S. CLEAR, William C. ELLIS, Deloris R. GAGAN
  • Patent number: 10858456
    Abstract: A method comprising contacting a silica support with a titanium-containing solution to form a titanated silica support, wherein the titanium-containing solution comprises a solvent; a ligand comprising a glycol, a carboxylate, a peroxide, or a combination thereof; and a titanium compound having the formula Ti(acac)2(OR)2, wherein “acac” is acetylacetonate and wherein each R independently is ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, isobutyl, or n-butyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Kathy S. Clear, William C. Ellis, Deloris R. Gagan
  • Publication number: 20200095350
    Abstract: Processes for activating chromium polymerization catalysts, which can use lower maximum activation temperatures and shorter activation times than conventional activation methods, and provide polyethylenes with high melt indices, broader molecular weight distributions, and lower long chain branching content. The activation process can comprise heating a supported chromium catalyst in an inert atmosphere to a first temperature (T1) for a first hold time (tH1), followed by allowing the chromium catalyst to attain a second temperature (T2) in the inert atmosphere, then contacting the chromium catalyst with an oxidative atmosphere for a second hold time (tH2), in which T2 can be less than or equal to T1. Additional activation treatments and conditioning steps are disclosed which can be used to enhance the melt index potential of Phillips (Cr/silica) catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Kathy S. Clear, William C. Ellis, Deloris R. Gagan, Ted H. Cymbaluk