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).

  • Patent number: 11242417
    Abstract: A method for an olefin polymerization catalyst comprises contacting a silica support or a chromium-silica support with titanium to produce a Cr/Si—Ti catalyst. A titanium-containing solution is used to facilitate the association of titanium with the support, wherein the titanium-containing solution is formed by contacting a solvent, an amino acid, optionally a peroxide, optionally a carboxylate and a titanium-containing compound. A method for preparation of an olefin polymerization catalyst comprises contacting a chromium-silica support with the titanium-containing solution under conditions suitable to form a pre-catalyst composition and further processing the pre-catalyst composition to produce a Cr/Si—Ti catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Kathy S. Clear, William C. Ellis, Deloris R. Gagan
  • Patent number: 11242416
    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. The method further comprising drying the titanated silica support to form a pre-catalyst composition; contacting a chromium-containing compound with the silica support, the titanated silica support, the pre-catalyst composition, or combinations thereof; and calcining the pre-catalyst composition to form an olefin polymerization catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Kathy S. Clear, William C. Ellis, Deloris R. Gagan
  • Patent number: 11242418
    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 20 wt. % based upon a total weight of the silica within the pre-catalyst composition; c) a chromium-containing compound wherein an amount of chromium is in a range of from about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % based upon a total weight of the silica within the pre-catalyst composition; 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Kathy S. Clear, William C. Ellis, Deloris R. Gagan
  • Publication number: 20220033332
    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: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Carlos A. Cruz, Masud M. Monwar, Max P. McDaniel, Jared L. Barr, Kathy S. Clear, William C. Ellis
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200087430
    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 16, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Kathy S. Clear, Max P. McDaniel, William C. Ellis, Eric D. Schwerdtfeger, Deloris R. Gagan, Carlos A. Cruz, Masud M. Monwar
  • Patent number: 4416644
    Abstract: A handwheel rotates an improved flexible shaft assembly which causes a socket member to rotate therewith. The socket seats an adapter therein which is uniquely configured to engage tapered square valve stems of different sizes and degrees of taper. The flexible shaft assembly is provided with a ferrule at the handwheel end and another ferrule at the socket end. The casing of the flexible shaft is free-positioning by virtue of the ability of the casing to slowly rotate in the ferrule provided at either the handwheel end, or at both the handwheel end and socket end, thus automatically relieving casing torsional stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Pennwalt Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Kulischenko, William F. Bogan, William C. Ellis
  • Patent number: 4184576
    Abstract: Clutch assembly which couples rotary motion from an output shaft of a high speed power source to a flexible shaft when the output shaft rotates in the desired direction. Power driven flexible shafts which are subjected to torque loads should desirably be rotated in one direction only. Thus, a flexible shaft having its outermost layer of wire coiled in one direction should be rotated in that direction which tightens up the coiled wire in that layer, and not rotated in the other direction. The clutch consists of a 3-component assembly comprising a cylindrical split spring clip, an input bearing or member, and an output bearing or member. The split spring clip interconnects the input member, which usually receives one end of the power driven flexible shaft; and the output member, which is connected to and rotates the spindle of a suitable handpiece tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: Pennwalt Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Kulischenko, William C. Ellis