Patents by Inventor William Gauthier

William Gauthier 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: 20110207898
    Abstract: Polymerization processes in a bulk loop reactor are described herein. In particular, a method of contacting a flow of metallocene with a flow of propylene is provided. This method includes directing the flow of metallocene towards a junction, directing the flow of propylene towards the junction and maintaining a portion of the flow of metallocene separate from a portion of the flow propylene within a portion of the junction downstream of the flow of propylene into the junction. In another embodiment, a method of introducing a quantity of antifouling agent into a catalyst mixing system is provided. In this embodiment a portion of the antifouling agent is introduced at or downstream of a point of contact of a stream of propylene with a stream of catalyst. The antifouling agent may be a member, alone or in combination with other members, selected from Stadis 450 Conductivity Improver, Synperonic antifouling agent, and Pluronic antifouling agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Patent number: 7973113
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods of forming the catalyst systems are described herein. The methods generally include contacting a support material with an activator to form a support composition, contacting a component with at least a portion of an aluminum containing compound including TIBAl, wherein the component is selected from the support composition, the transition metal catalyst compound and combinations thereof and contacting the support composition with a transition metal catalyst compound to form a supported catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Tian, William Gauthier, Joseph Thorman, Shady Henry
  • Patent number: 7960484
    Abstract: Polymerization processes in a bulk loop reactor are described herein. In particular, a method of contacting a flow of metallocene with a flow of propylene is provided. This method includes directing the flow of metallocene towards a junction, directing the flow of propylene towards the junction and maintaining a portion of the flow of metallocene separate from a portion of the flow propylene within a portion of the junction downstream of the flow of propylene into the junction. In another embodiment, a method of introducing a quantity of antifouling agent into a catalyst mixing system is provided. In this embodiment a portion of the antifouling agent is introduced at or downstream of a point of contact of a stream of propylene with a stream of catalyst. The antifouling agent may be a member, alone or in combination with other members, selected from Stadis 450 Conductivity Improver, Synperonic antifouling agent, and Pluronic antifouling agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Publication number: 20110112262
    Abstract: Method employing a supported metallocene catalyst composition in the production of an isotactic ethylene propylene co-polymer. The composition comprises a metallocene component supported on a particulate silica support having average particle size of 10-40 microns, a pore volume of 1.3-1.6 ml/g, a surface area of 200-400 m2/g. An alkylalumoxane cocatalyst component is incorporated on the support. The isospecific metallocene is characterized by the formula: B(CpRaRb)(FlR?2)MQn??(1) or by the formula: B?(Cp?R?aR?b)(Fl?)M?Q?n???(2) In the formulas Cp and Cp? are substituted cyclopentadienyl groups, Fl and Fl? are fluorenyl groups, and B and B? are structural bridges. R?are substituents at the 2 and 7 positions, Ra and R?a are substituents distal to the bridge, and Rb and R?b are proximal to the bridge. M and M? are transition metals, Q? is a halogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group; and n? is an integer of from 0-4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William Gauthier, David Rauscher, Jun Tian, Nathan Williams
  • Publication number: 20100234544
    Abstract: A process for the polymerisation of olefins comprising the steps of: a) passing an olefin-containing hydrocarbon feedstock over a sorbent material comprising nickel deposited on a support material wherein said nickel is present as both nickel oxide and metallic nickel; b) converting at least part of the olefins contained in said hydrocarbon feedstock into a polymer over one or more metallocene catalysts; and c) recovering the polymer product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy
    Inventors: Kai Hortmann, David Vandewiele, William Gauthier
  • Publication number: 20100099834
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods of forming the catalyst systems are described herein. The methods generally include contacting a support material with an activator to form a support composition, contacting a component with at least a portion of an aluminum containing compound including TIBAl, wherein the component is selected from the support composition, the transition metal catalyst compound and combinations thereof and contacting the support composition with a transition metal catalyst compound to form a supported catalyst system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Tian, William Gauthier, Joseph Thorman, Shady Henry
  • Patent number: 7683002
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods of forming the catalyst systems are described herein. The methods generally include contacting a support material with an activator to form a support composition, contacting a component with at least a portion of an aluminum containing compound including TIBAl, wherein the component is selected from the support composition, the transition metal catalyst compound and combinations thereof and contacting the support composition with a transition metal catalyst compound to form a supported catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Tian, William Gauthier, Joseph Thorman, Shady Henry
  • Publication number: 20090105433
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include multi-component catalyst systems, polymerization processes and heterophasic copolymers formed by the processes. The multi-component catalyst system generally includes a first catalyst component selected from Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems including a diether internal electron donor and a metallocene catalyst represented by the general formula XCpACpBMAn, wherein X is a structural bridge, CpA and CpB each denote a cyclopentadienyl group or derivatives thereof, each being the same or different and which may be either substituted or unsubstituted, M is a transition metal and A is an alkyl, hydrocarbyl or halogen group and n is an integer between 0 and 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim J. Coffy, Michel Daumerie, Kenneth P. Blackmon, William Gauthier, Jun Tian, Joseph Thorman
  • Publication number: 20080287619
    Abstract: Method employing a supported metallocene catalyst composition in the production of an isotactic ethylene propylene co-polymer. The composition comprises a metallocene component supported on a particulate silica support having average particle size of 10-40 microns, a pore volume of 1.3-1.6 ml/g, a surface area of 200-400 m 2/g. An alkylalumoxane cocatalyst component is incorporated on the support. The isospecific metallocene is characterized by the formula: B(CpRaRb)(FlR?2)MQn ??(1) or by the formula: B?(Cp?R?aR?b)(Fl?)M?Q?n? ??(2) In the formulas Cp and Cp? are substituted cyclopentadienyl groups, Fl and Fl? are fluorenyl groups, and B and B? are structural bridges. R? are substituents at the 2 and 7 positions, Ra and R?a are substituents distal to the bridge, and Rb and R?b are proximal to the bridge. M and M? are transition metals, Q? is a halogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group; and n? is an integer of from 0-4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: William Gauthier, David Rauscher, Jun Tian, Nathan Williams
  • Publication number: 20080194399
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a metallocene catalyst system comprising an inert silica support having pores with a peak pore volume of greater than about 0.115 mL/g at a pore diameter between about 250 Angstroms and about 350 Angstroms, and an alumoxane activator, with the metallocene being bound substantially throughout the support. The activator is grafted to the support in a solvent at a reflux temperature of toluene to obtain an aluminoxane on silica, and a metallocene component is added to make a MCS having a metallocene loading of about 2 wt %. This facilitates the production of metallocene catalyst systems having increased catalytic activity than previously recognized that is at least about 20 percent higher than the catalytic activity for a metallocene loading of about 1 wt % where the activator is grafted to the support at room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jun Tian, William Gauthier, David Rauscher, Shady Henry
  • Patent number: 7390860
    Abstract: Polymerization processes in a bulk loop reactor are described herein. In particular, a method of contacting a flow of metallocene with a flow of propylene is provided. This method includes directing the flow of metallocene towards a junction, directing the flow of propylene towards the junction and maintaining a portion of the flow of metallocene separate from a portion of the flow propylene within a portion of the junction downstream of the flow of propylene into the junction. In another embodiment, a method of introducing a quantity of antifouling agent into a catalyst mixing system is provided. In this embodiment a portion of the antifouling agent is introduced at or downstream of a point of contact of a stream of propylene with a stream of catalyst. The antifouling agent may be a member, alone or in combination with other members, selected from Stadis 450 Conductivity Improver, Synperonic antifouling agent, and Pluronic antifouling agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Publication number: 20080114135
    Abstract: Polymerization processes in a bulk loop reactor are described herein. In particular, a method of contacting a flow of metallocene with a flow of propylene is provided. This method includes directing the flow of metallocene towards a junction, directing the flow of propylene towards the junction and maintaining a portion of the flow of metallocene separate from a portion of the flow propylene within a portion of the junction downstream of the flow of propylene into the junction. In another embodiment, a method of introducing a quantity of antifouling agent into a catalyst mixing system is provided. In this embodiment a portion of the antifouling agent is introduced at or downstream of a point of contact of a stream of propylene with a stream of catalyst. The antifouling agent may be a member, alone or in combination with other members, selected from Stadis 450 Conductivity Improver, Synperonic antifouling agent, and Pluronic antifouling agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hotmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Publication number: 20070232484
    Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods of forming the catalyst systems are described herein. The methods generally include contacting a support material with an activator to form a support composition, contacting a component with at least a portion of an aluminum containing compound including TIBAl, wherein the component is selected from the support composition, the transition metal catalyst compound and combinations thereof and contacting the support composition with a transition metal catalyst compound to form a supported catalyst system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Tian, William Gauthier, Joseph L. Thorman, Shady N. Henry
  • Publication number: 20060247395
    Abstract: A process for preparing low melting copolymers comprising contacting a mixture of olefin monomers with a CpFlu-type metallocene catalyst under reaction conditions sufficient to form a copolymer. The copolymers thus prepared desirably display melt temperatures from about 100° C. to about 140° C. and may be produced with reduced amounts of ethylene. The copolymers may also exhibit reduced levels of undesirable xylene solubles, relatively narrow molecular weight distribution, and other improved optical and physical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William Gauthier, Jun Tian, David Rauscher, Constance Patrick, Shady Henry, Nathan Williams
  • Publication number: 20060247394
    Abstract: Random copolymers may be prepared using a process that includes polymerizing a mixture of monomers including at least propylene and ethylene monomer, in the presence of a catalyst system including a metallocene catalyst having the general structure: racemic-X(2-R1-4-R2-Ind)2MCl2 wherein M is a Group 4, 5 or 6 transition metal, or a lanthanide or actinide series metal; X is a structural bridge imparting stereorigidity; R1 is hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl or a substitution moiety; R2 is hydrogen, or a C1-C4 alkyl; and Ind is an indenyl group. The copolymers are prepared under reaction conditions suitable to form a copolymer, wherein the copolymer has a higher level of ethylene incorporation than a corresponding polymer formed under otherwise identical reaction conditions except that a different bisindeny metallocene catalyst having a 4-indenyl substitution larger than 4 carbons is used. The copolymers may have a lower melt temperature than the corresponding polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William Gauthier, Jun Tian, Shady Henry, Nathan Williams
  • Publication number: 20060154809
    Abstract: Supported stereospecific catalysts and processes for the stereotactic propagation of a polymer chain derived from ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as the polymerization of propylene to produce syndiotactic polypropylene or isotactic polypropylene. The supported catalyst comprises a stereospecific metallocene catalyst component and a co-catalyst component comprising an alkylalumoxane. Both the metallocene catalyst component and the co-catalyst component are supported on a particulate polyorganosilsesquioxane support comprising spheroidal particles of a polyorganosilsesquioxane having an average. diameter with the range of 0.3-20 microns. The polyorganosilsesquioxane support is characterized by relatively low surface area, specifically a surface area less than 100 square meters per gram. The metallocene component can take the form of a single metallocene or two or more metallocenes which are co-supported on the polyorganosilsesquioxane support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: David Rauscher, William Gauthier
  • Patent number: 7056991
    Abstract: The present invention relates to propylene polymerization process in a bulk loop reactor, and particularly to propylene polymerization process for polymerizing commercial quantities of polypropylene in a bulk loop reactor by sequentially introducing Ziegler-Natta and metallocene catalyst systems into the bulk loop reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Tharappel, Renaud Oreins, William Gauthier, David Attoe, Kevin McGovern, Michel Messiaen, David Rauscher, Kai Hortmann, Michel Daumerie
  • Patent number: 7053163
    Abstract: The tendency of copolymer fluff grains of propylene and ethylene to agglomerate is reduced by injecting at least one olefin comonomer, such as ethylene monomer, into more than one point along the length of the reactor, rather than injecting all of the ethylene at one point. This process reduces the tendency of copolymer fluff grains to agglomerate and cause processing problems as compared with injecting the comonomer at only one point. Copolymer made by this process is expected to have lower substantially amorphous polypropylene content and better organoleptics than copolymer made where the ethylene is injected at only one point. In one non-limiting embodiment the copolymerization reactor is a loop-type reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Tian, David Rauscher, William Gauthier, Mark C. Douglass, Nelson Black, Ronald Tharappel
  • Publication number: 20050234198
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heterophasic polymer having a flowability over a broad range of xylene solubles content of the heterophasic polymer, a metallocene catalyst system (MCS) for producing such heterophasic polymer, and a method of producing such heterophasic polymer using the metallocene catalyst system. The MCS includes a support and a metallocene bound substantially throughout the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Tian, William Gauthier, Kenneth Blackmon, David Rauscher
  • Publication number: 20050233892
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a metallocene catalyst system and a process for preparing the system. The metallocene catalyst system comprises a support and metallocene bound substantially throughout the support. The selection of certain supports facilitates the production of metallocene catalyst systems having increased catalytic activity than previously recognized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: FINA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Tian, William Gauthier, David Rauscher, Shady Henry