With Heat Exchanger For Reaction Chamber Or Reactants Located Therein Patents (Class 422/138)
  • Patent number: 7465771
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a radical polymer having controlled molecular weight distribution or a narrow molecular weight distribution profile, comprising feeding a radical polymerization initiator and a radical-polymerizable monomer into a reaction tube having an inner diameter of 2 mm or less and performing polymerization in the reaction tube in a homogeneous liquid state under flow conditions. Also provided is a microreactor having a jacket for allowing a temperature-regulating fluid to pass therethrough and a plurality of round tubes which are arranged in parallel in the jacket, each having an inner diameter of 2 mm or less, wherein reaction temperature in the round tubes can be regulated through flowing of the temperature-regulating fluid in the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Iwasaki, Jun-ichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7459508
    Abstract: A microchannel polymerization reactor comprising: (a) a first microchannel adapted to carry a reactant stream; (b) a fluid conduit adapted to carry a fluid in thermal communication with the first microchannel; and (c) a static mixer in fluid communication with the first microchannel adapted to provide a mixing zone operative to change the cross-sectional fluid flow profile at a predetermined point along the first microchannel without changing the primary direction of the reactant stream through the first microchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Fitzgerald, David J. Hesse, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Laura J. Silva
  • Publication number: 20080281057
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the polymerisation of monomeric vinyl halides in a polymerisation reactor, especially using a flow-through cooler, and also to a polymerisation reactor for carrying out the process according to the invention. As a result, the space-time yield (STY) of an exothermal reaction can be substantially improved whilst the product quality remains almost the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: VINNOLIT TECHNOLOGIE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marcus Pfaadt, Heinz Klippert
  • Publication number: 20080262173
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the high pressure polymerisation of ethylene which comprises a high pressure reactor; a conduit for the supply of ethylene to the reactor, the conduit being provided with a preheater for heating the ethylene; a waste heat boiler for the production of medium pressure steam; a source of high pressure steam; and a steam distribution system comprising a medium pressure steam net for the distribution of medium pressure steam from the waste heat boiler, in which the preheater comprises first, second and third sections and the steam distribution system is such that the first section can be supplied with steam from the medium pressure steam net, the second section can be supplied with steam from the medium pressure steam net or with high pressure steam and the third section can be supplied with high pressure steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Tom Van Nuland, Leo E. Reynders
  • Publication number: 20080227952
    Abstract: Provided for separating polymer from a slurry comprising polymer and unreacted carrier fluid is (a) a method comprising supplying slurry to a first heating means to increase the temperature of the slurry, using a first separator means to extract a portion of unreacted carrier fluid from the slurry to obtain a slurry enriched in polymer, supplying the enriched slurry to a second heating means to increase the temperature of the enriched slurry, and using a second separator means to extract an additional portion of unreacted carrier fluid from the enriched slurry to obtain a further enriched slurry, and (b) an apparatus comprising a first heating means, a first separator means, a second heating means and a second separator means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080227931
    Abstract: The invention is directed to polyester processes that utilizes a pipe reactor in the esterification, polycondensation, or both esterification and polycondensation processes. Pipe reactor processes of the present invention have a multitude of advantages over prior art processes including improved heat transfer, volume control, agitation and disengagement functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce Roger DeBruin
  • Patent number: 7402288
    Abstract: A reactor for testing catalyst systems which has a plurality of catalyst tubes (2) which are arranged parallel to one another in the interior space of the reactor and whose ends are welded into tube plates and also has caps (3) at each end of the reactor which each bound a cap space (4), with a fluid reaction medium (5) being fed via one cap space (4) into the catalyst tubes (2), flowing through the catalyst tubes (2) and being discharged via the other cap space (4), and is also provided with a heat exchange medium circuit in which the heat exchange medium (6) is fed in at one end of the reactor, flows through the intermediate space between the catalyst tubes (2) and flows out at the other end of the reactor, wherein the catalyst tubes (2) are arranged in two or more catalyst tube regions (7) which are thermally separate from one another, is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Olbert, Torsten Mattke, Matthias Kummer, Thomas Ruehl, Frank Rosowski
  • Publication number: 20080159921
    Abstract: A polymerization method comprises, prior to polymerization of a monomer of the cyclic dimer of alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid, a first mixture of a polymerization catalyst by bypassing a part of the monomer of the cyclic dimer is prepared. Then, the first mixture is mixed with a dominant amount of the monomer introduced into a polymerization reactor. The monomer of the cyclic dimer in the polymerization reactor is conducted in the presence of a polymerization initiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Mamoru Mizumoto, Toshiaki Matsuo, Takayuki Matsumoto, Naruyasu Okamoto, Ryuuji Kajiya
  • Publication number: 20080139760
    Abstract: A polyester production process employing an esterification system that utilizes a horizontally elongated esterification vessel as an esterification reactor and/or a vapor-liquid disengagement vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce Roger DeBruin
  • Patent number: 7384608
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for the purpose of drying or solid phase polymerization of Polymer particles by batchwise heating the same in an atmosphere of inert gas or under reduced pressure. More particularly, described is batchwise heating apparatus which is capable of efficient production by preventing an objective product from being contaminated with foreign matters accompanying wear of a sealing packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Takatoshi Shida, Hiroyuki Gonoi, Hideyuki Kurose, Kazumi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20080096118
    Abstract: A polyester resin has a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of approximately from 1.0 to 2.2, wherein molecular weight distribution (MWD) is a weight-averaged molecular weight (Mw)/a number-averaged molecular weight (Mn); and a luminosity (L*) of from approximately 97.0 to 100 when the polyester resin is molded in a diameter of 5 cm and a thickness of 2 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Mera, Tetsuo Ohta
  • Patent number: 7288229
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for carrying out and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions is disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Turner, G. Cameron Dales, Lynn VanErden, Johannes A. M. van Beek
  • Patent number: 7273593
    Abstract: A reactor including a bundle of catalyst tubes through which a reaction mixture is passed, and wherein a heat exchange medium is passed through a space surrounding the catalyst tubes and including ring lines at both reactor ends with jacket orifices for feeding in and removing the heat exchange medium by at least one pump. The heat exchange medium is fed to the upper ring line and is sucked in via the lower ring line by the at least one pump having at least one vertical pump shaft mounted and operated at its upper end. The at least one pump includes a diagonal rotor and a restrictor gap in the longitudinal direction of the at least one pump shaft, within the heat exchange medium, on the pressure side of the at least one pump for sealing and mounting the at least one pump shaft and reducing axial shear of the diagonal rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Olbert, Franz Corr
  • Patent number: 7241423
    Abstract: A stacked plate chemical reactor in which simple plates are stacked together to form the reactor. When openings in adjacent plates are properly aligned, fluid pathways and processing volumes are defined for chemical reactants, heat transfer medium, and a product. In one embodiment of the invention, an n-fold internal array is achieved by providing a first group of simple plates defining a reaction unit that includes bypass fluid channels and reaction fluid channels for each reactant, such that a portion of each reactant is directed to subsequent groups of simple plates defining additional reaction units. A chemical reactor with variable output is obtained in a preferred embodiment by reversibly joining reactor stacks comprising irreversibly joined reaction units, these reaction units consisting of a plurality of simple plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Cellular Process Chemistry, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Golbig, Volker Autze, Peter Born, Christian Drescher
  • Patent number: 7220392
    Abstract: A fuel conversion reactor includes a shell-and-tube heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of a hot gaseous mixture produced by catalytic or non-catalytic reaction of a fuel with a gaseous fluid, and for controlling the temperature of the gaseous fluid and/or the fuel prior to the reaction. The reactor is either a catalytic or non-catalytic burner, or a fuel reformer for converting a fuel to hydrogen. A preferred reactor includes an outer shell having first and second ends and an inner surface, a primary inner shell extending into the outer shell, the primary inner shell defining a heat exchanging chamber and having primary and secondary ends, and a secondary inner shell having a first end located adjacent the secondary end of the primary inner shell. One or more outlet apertures are formed between the two inner shells for passage of the gaseous fluid out of the heat exchanging chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaoyang Rong, Brian E. Cheadle
  • Patent number: 7204962
    Abstract: Polybutylene terephthalate having good heat stability and excellent hydrolysis resistance is continuously produced in a series of a first reactor for reacting an aromatic dicarboxylic acid comprising terephthalic acid as a main ingredient or a derivative thereof with a glycol comprising 1,4-butanediol as a main ingredient, thereby producing an oligomer with an average degree of polymerization of 2.2 to 5, a second reactor for polycondensating the oligomer from the first reactor, thereby preparing a low polymerization product with an average degree of polymerization of 25 to 40, and a third reactor for further polycondensating the low polymerization product from the second reactor, thereby producing a high molecular weight polyester with an average degree of polymerization of 70 to 130, or followed by a fourth reactor for further polycondensing the polyester from the third reactor to an average degree of polymerization of 150 to 200, thereby producing a high molecular weight polyester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Nakamoto, Susumu Harada, Norifumi Maeda, Shuji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7202088
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement, in particular for the parallel testing of a plurality of building blocks of a material library for performance characteristics, in which the arrangement has a block containing at least one reaction module and at least two heating/cooling modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: hte Aktiengesellschaft the high throughput experimentation company
    Inventors: Alfred Haas, Stephan Andreas Schunk, Dirk Demuth, Wolfgang Strehlau, Armin Brenner, Wolfram Stichert
  • Patent number: 7182861
    Abstract: A method for use in two-components electrostatic image developers is disclosed, in which secure separation of a carrier coating resinous materials from a core magnetic material is achieved without affecting the properties of the core materials through process steps benign to the environment in super- or sub-critical water compositions under the conditions of a temperature of 300° C. or more and a pressure of 20 MPa. The core magnetic material is subsequently recycled for forming carrier. This method may also be useful for processing waste including magnetic materials with silicone resin coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunitoshi Sugiyama, Yoshihiko Itoh, Hideyuki Santoh, Kunio Arai, Tadafumi Ajiri
  • Patent number: 7179426
    Abstract: A catalyst activator vessel for heat conditioning a catalyst is disclosed. The activator vessel includes inner and outer vessels, a perforated, normally generally horizontal grid plate within the inner vessel, and a fluid path extending through the grid plate within the vessel. The inner vessel can have an inside diameter of at least 50 inches (1.27 m). The space between the inner and outer vessels defines a flue. The perforated grid plate within the inner vessel can have an upper surface perforated with a pattern of overlapping, generally conical depressions and a lower surface, optionally overlapping by at least 17%. The fluid path extends upwardly through the perforated grid plate and is a conduit along which a fluid flows through the grid plate. The fluid will fluidize a particulate material, such as a catalyst, disposed above the grid plate in the inner vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP
    Inventors: John D. Hottovy, James E. Hein, Dale A. Zellers
  • Patent number: 7157283
    Abstract: A system is provided wherein a devolatilizing reactor is used to make combinatorial libraries of materials. Examples of suitable reactors include continuous high viscosity devolatilizers and continuous devolatilizing kneaders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James M. Nelson, Ryan E. Marx, Jeffrey J. Cernohous, James R. McNerney
  • Patent number: 7115235
    Abstract: A reactor including a rotatable disc (3) having first (5, 19) and second (20, 30) surfaces. Reactant (15) is supplied to the first surface (5, 19) by way of a feed (4), the disc (3) is rotated at high speed, and the reactant (15) forms a film (17) on the surface (5, 19). As the reactant (15) traverses the surface (5, 19) of the disc (3), it undergoes chemical or physical processes before being thrown from the periphery of the disc (3) into collector means (7). Means for supplying a heat transfer fluid (35) to the second surface (20, 30) are also provided so as to allow the first surface (5, 19) and hence the reactant (15) to be cooled or heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Protensive Limited
    Inventors: Colin Ramshaw, Roshan Jeet Jee Jachuck, Michael Jones, Ian Henderson
  • Patent number: 7104406
    Abstract: A micro-filter for filtering blood cells has a plurality of filtering channel structures, each having a first through hole and a first concave portion connecting to each other, and a plurality of through channel structures respectively connect to the filtering channel structures. Each defines a second through hole opposite the first concave portion, whereby the filtering channel structures are respectively attached to the through channel structures to provide more than two filtering effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wae-Honge Chen, Kai Cheng Chang, Guang-Chyeng Fan, Pei-Fang Liang
  • Patent number: 7087204
    Abstract: A reactor which is a reactor (4) in the form of a cylindrical vessel having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and elongated in a flowing direction, comprising, in the interior, a drive shaft (6) coaxial with the reactor, one or more stages of plate-shaped or round-bar-shaped agitating elements (1) extending in a direction perpendicular to the drive shaft, baffles composed of plates or round bars or combination thereof and/or coiled, tubular, plate-shaped or helical heat-exchangers (7) installed on the inner wall side of the reactor, wherein the natural frequency of the agitating elements is greater than the numerical value at which the agitating elements begin to vibrate, the value being calculated from the viscosity of the solution in the reactor, and the rotating speed and structure of the agitating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Toyo Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kawano, Kenichiro Matsuba, Katsunori Yagou
  • Patent number: 7045101
    Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer under predetermined temperature conditions comprises conducting the polymerization within a closed reaction chamber configured such that most or all of an inner surface has heat exchange capability. The chamber's dimensions are such that the polymerization mixture contacts the effective heat exchange surface sufficiently to ensure that the temperature throughout the polymerization mixture does not vary more than a few degrees from a desired temperature. In one embodiment the chamber is formed of two adjacent, parallel heat exchange plates, wherein at least one plate has a peripheral lip which, in contact with the opposing plate, forms the closed chamber. Multiple plates can be arrayed to form multiple chambers, and each chamber's polymerization temperature, as well as resident polymerization mixture, can be individually predetermined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nagesh Sri Kommareddi, George Gervin Ramsay, John Francis Motier
  • Patent number: 7034084
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the hydrogenation of a polymer under supercritical conditions. A reaction mixture of hydrogen, at least one polymer, at least one hydrogenation catalyst, and appropriate solvent(s) for the at least one polymer and catalyst is provided and is pressurized and heated to meet or exceed a determined critical pressure and determined critical temperature for the reaction mixture. The hydrogenation occurs under these supercritical conditions, thereby overcoming the hydrogen solubility and mass transfer problems typically encountered in hydrogenation methods at subcritical conditions, wherein hydrogen must be pressurized into solvent to reach the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: William Cole
  • Patent number: 7014820
    Abstract: A reactor including a rotatable disc (3) having a region (13) in an upper surface (5) thereof. Reactant (15) is supplied to the region (13) by way of a feed (4), the disc (3) is rotated at high speed, and the reactant (15) moves from the region (13) so as to form a film (17) on the surface (5). As the reactant (15) traverses the surface (5) of the disc (3), it undergoes chemical or physical processes before being thrown from the periphery of the disc (3) into collector means (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Protensive Limited
    Inventors: Colin Ramshaw, Roshan Jeet Jee Jachuck, Michael Jones, Ian Henderson
  • Patent number: 7015290
    Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer under predetermined temperature conditions comprises conducting the polymerization within a closed reaction chamber configured such that most or all of an inner surface has heat exchange capability. The chamber's dimensions are such that the polymerization mixture contacts the effective heat exchange surface sufficiently to ensure that the temperature throughout the polymerization mixture does not vary more than a few degrees from a desired temperature. In one embodiment the chamber is formed of two adjacent, parallel heat exchange plates, wherein at least one plate has a peripheral lip which, in contact with the opposing plate, forms the closed chamber. Multiple plates can be arrayed to form multiple chambers, and each chamber's polymerization temperature, as well as resident polymerization mixture, can be individually predetermined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nagesh Sri Kommareddi, George Gervin Ramsay, John Francis Motier
  • Patent number: 6977063
    Abstract: A reactor including a rotatable disc (3) having a surface (5) onto which reactant (15) is supplied by way of a feed (4). The disc (3) is rotated at high speed, and the reactant (15) spills over the surface (5) so as to form a film (17). A shear member (18, 20) is mounted close to the surface (5) so as to contact the film (17) during operation of the reactor, thereby applying a shearing force to the reactant (15) so as to aid mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Protensive Limited
    Inventors: Colin Ramshaw, Roshan Jeet Jee Jachuck, Michael Jones, Ian Henderson
  • Patent number: 6972113
    Abstract: A reactor including a rotatable disc (3) having a surface (5) onto which reactant (15) is supplied by way of a feed (4). The disc (3) is rotated at high speed, and the reactant (15) spills over the surface (5) so as to form a film (17). The surface (5) is provided with features to enhance its surface area, such as a metal mesh (60), thereby helping to increase the residence time of the reactant (15) on the surface (5) and to help mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Protensive Limited
    Inventors: Colin Ramshaw, Roshan Jeet Jee Jachuck
  • Patent number: 6921838
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide with the application of a synthesis reactor, a condenser, a scrubber and a stripper, wherein an outlet of the stripper, through which a gas stream is discharged during operation, is functionally connected to the inlet of the condenser and to the inlet of the reactor and wherein an outlet of the condenser is functionally connected to an inlet of the scrubber and wherein the obtained reaction mixture is stripped in the stripper in countercurrent with one of the starting materials, wherein the division of the gas stream from the stripper to the condenser and the reactor is completely or partly controlled by one or more controlling elements present in the non-common part of the functional connection between the outlet of the stripper and the inlet of the condenser and/or the inlet of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Kees Jonckers, Jozef Hubert Meessen
  • Patent number: 6906150
    Abstract: Temperature control and efficient heat transfer are important to producing high quality polymer drag reducing agents from alpha-olefin and/or other monomers. Many polymerization reactions are exothermic, and controlling or minimizing the exotherm combined with low reaction temperatures yields high molecular weight and, for poly(alpha-olefins), high quality drag reducing agent polymers. It has been found that a shell and tube heat exchanger-type reactor, with the inner tubes hosting the reaction mixture and a coolant circulating through the shell side gives good temperature control. The use of appropriate release agents helps to keep the inner reaction chambers from building up any polymer residue. These reactors can be operated in a continuous filling and harvesting mode to facilitate the continuous production of polymer drag reducing agent and related formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nagesh S. Kommareddi, Thomas Mathew, Jeffrey R. Harris, John F. Motier
  • Patent number: 6890492
    Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Turner, G. Cameron Dales, Lynn VanErden, Johannes A. M. Van Beek, Damian A. Hajduk, Ralph B. Nielsen, Paul Mansky, Leonid Matsiev, Pei Wang, Eric McFarland
  • Patent number: 6858188
    Abstract: Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes a plurality of shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus also includes an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals, LP
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Daniel Herndon, James G. Wakeland, Russel E. Reid, Sr., Gilbert Valdez
  • Patent number: 6831139
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) in a polymerization solution in a vessel. The polymerization solution includes ethylene, vinyl acetate, methanol and a polymerization initiator. This method includes: cooling a gas including a vapor evaporated from the polymerization solution whereby to produce a condensate of at least a portion of said gas, and introducing said condensate into the polymerization solution whereby to evaporate at least one component in said condensate. Said vapor includes said at least one component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaharu Kawahara, Masato Takai
  • Patent number: 6818186
    Abstract: A recycling and recovery system and process comprising a flash gas separator that receives a slurry comprising liquid medium and solid polymer particles. The flash gas separator separates the diluent from the solid polymer particles as a vapor stream comprising at least diluent and heavies. A line receives the vapor stream from the flash gas separator. The line leads to a heavies removal system that yields a liquid that is relatively concentrated in heavies and a diluent vapor that is relatively free of heavies. The liquid is passed to a heavies column, while the diluent vapor is passed to a diluent recycle chamber and then recycled to a slurry polymerization reactor without additional treatment to remove heavies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP
    Inventors: David H. Burns, Donald W. Verser
  • Publication number: 20040225087
    Abstract: Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes a plurality of shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus also includes an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Daniel Herndon, James G. Wakeland, Russel E. Reid, Gilbert Valdez
  • Patent number: 6814939
    Abstract: The present invention relates to industrial high relative viscosity (RV) filaments, such as, for use in papermaking machine felts and other staple fiber applications. The invention is further directed to apparatus and processes for solid phase polymerization (SPP) of polyamide flake suitable for use, such as, in remelting and then spinning the industrial high RV filaments. The invention is also directed to processes for melt phase polymerization (MPP) of molten polymer for making the filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Inuisia North America S.á.r.l.
    Inventors: Glenn Alan Schwinn, Gary Raymond West
  • Patent number: 6787112
    Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Turner, G. Cameron Dales, Lynn VanErden, Johannes A. M. VanBeek, Damian A. Hajduk, Ralph B. Nielsen, William C. Rust
  • Publication number: 20040167297
    Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer under predetermined temperature conditions comprises conducting the polymerization within a closed reaction chamber configured such that most or all of an inner surface has heat exchange capability. The chamber's dimensions are such that the polymerization mixture contacts the effective heat exchange surface sufficiently to ensure that the temperature throughout the polymerization mixture does not vary more than a few degrees from a desired temperature. In one embodiment the chamber is formed of two adjacent, parallel heat exchange plates, wherein at least one plate has a peripheral lip which, in contact with the opposing plate, forms the closed chamber. Multiple plates can be arrayed to form multiple chambers, and each chamber's polymerization temperature, as well as resident polymerization mixture, can be individually predetermined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nagesh Sri Kommareddi, George Gervin Ramsay, John Francis Motier
  • Publication number: 20040167300
    Abstract: Temperature control and efficient heat transfer are important to producing high quality polymer drag reducing agents from alpha-olefin and/or other monomers. Many polymerization reactions are exothermic, and controlling or minimizing the exotherm combined with low reaction temperatures yields high molecular weight and, for poly(alpha-olefins), high quality drag reducing agent polymers. It has been found that a shell and tube heat exchanger-type reactor, with the inner tubes hosting the reaction mixture and a coolant circulating through the shell side gives good temperature control. The use of appropriate release agents helps to keep the inner reaction chambers from building up any polymer residue. These reactors can be operated in a continuous filling and harvesting mode to facilitate the continuous production of polymer drag reducing agent and related formulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Nagesh S. Kommareddi, Thomas Mathew, Jeffery r. Harris, John F. Motier
  • Patent number: 6723826
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously producing polybutylene terephthalate, which comprises a first reactor for reacting an aromatic dicarboxylic acid with a glycol, thereby producing an oligomer, a second reactor for polycondensating the oligomer, thereby preparing a low polymerization product, and a third reactor for further polycondensating the low polymerization product, thereby producing a high molecular weight polyester, where the second reactor is a vertical, cylindrical polymerization vessel having a plurality of concentrical partitioned reaction compartments therein, each of the reaction compartments being provided with stirring blades and a heater, and an outlet for volatile matters being provided at the upper part of the vessel. The second reactor contributes to efficient and continuous production of polybutylene terephthalate having a good quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Yamaguchi, Hidekazu Nakamoto, Susumu Harada, Norifumi Maeda
  • Patent number: 6720393
    Abstract: Closed-loop feedback control of (continuous) catalytic polymerisation, by regulating the introduction of a Chain Transfer Agent (CTA) to a reactor, and so polymer chain length formation; through responsive (on-line) MFI determination, of a reactor polymer sample, using an MFI measurement viscometer (70) with dual measurement dies (91, 93), for extended measurement range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Porpoise Viscometers Limited
    Inventors: Alan George, Peter Harper
  • Patent number: 6716934
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) containing 5 mol % to 60 mol % of ethylene, by copolymerizing ethylene and vinyl acetate with a polymerization initiator, in which an aliphatic alcohol having not more than four carbon atoms is used as the polymerization solvent, the contents of acetaldehyde and a saturated acetic ester with respect to vinyl acetate are not more than 200 ppm, and 10 ppm to 1500 ppm, respectively, and polymerization is carried out at a temperature of 30° C. to 150° C. EVA obtained by the foregoing method may be saponified to obtain a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVOH). According to the present invention, at least one of (i) improved melt-extrusion stability, (ii) improved melt-moldability, (iii) reduced discoloration, and (iv) reduced gelation is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyori Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 6670431
    Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of said first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Kendrick, Thomas W. Towles, Scott Thomas Roger
  • Publication number: 20030198578
    Abstract: A multi-stage transport polymerization (“TP”) reactor useful for making a thin film for the fabrication of integrated circuits. One TP reactor has two distinct heating zones that facilitate the cracking of specific precursor materials. The multi-stage reactor comprises a first low temperature heating zone that heats incoming precursor materials to a temperature that is lower than the “cracking” temperature of the precursor. The second heating zone is maintained at a temperature useful for breaking the chemical bonds of a desired leaving groups in the selected precursor. Specialized heating bodies, which transfer heat to the precursor material in the low and high temperature zones, are used as elements of the invention that can simultaneously decrease the total volume and increase the inside surface area of the TP reactor. Chemistries of precursors used in the multi-stage reactor are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: DIELECTRIC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Chung J. Lee, Oanh Nguyen, Atul Kumar, Jeff Wu, Michael Solomensky, James Yu Chung Chang, Binh Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030164310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a reactor having a heater, a passage for transporting a reactant, and a chamber containing a gas sample and being coupled to the passage for receiving the reactant and mixing the reactant with the gas sample. The reactor further includes a connector leading from the chamber to the heater for transporting a mixture of the reactant and gas sample, and wherein the heater heats the mixture of the reactant and gas sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Otto J. Prohaska, Avinash Dalmia, David Clark
  • Patent number: 6599484
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing radionuclides which generally includes a reaction vessel and a block. The reaction vessel includes a test tube and a cover secured to a top portion of the test tube. The cover defines at least one opening for receiving an input tube therethrough such that raw materials, reagents, gases and products can be introduced into or removed from the test tube. The block defines a vessel receptacle, an upper temperature changing means and a lower temperature changing means. The vessel receptacle defines an upper zone and a lower zone and is configured to receive the reaction vessel therein in a manner such that an upper zone space is defined between an exterior of the reaction vessel and an inner wall of the vessel receptacle in the upper zone. Likewise, a lower zone space is defined between an exterior of the reaction vessel and inner wall of the vessel receptacle in the lower zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: CTI, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven S. Zigler, Thomas Mangner, Joseph C. Matteo
  • Patent number: 6599981
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for manufacturing an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer composition, characterized by disposing specific kneading segment at least at one place of the screw on the occasion of manufacturing an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a polyolefin resin and a crosslinked rubber by dynamic crosslinking with a twin screw extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuichi Itoh, Akira Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 6590062
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously producing polybutylene terephthalate, which comprises a first reactor for reacting an aromatic dicarboxylic acid with a glycol, thereby producing an oligomer, a second reactor for polycondensating the oligomer, thereby preparing a low polymerization product, and a third reactor for further polycondensating the low polymerization product, thereby producing a high molecular weight polyester, where the second reactor is a vertical, cylindrical polymerization vessel having a plurality of concentrical partitioned reaction compartments therein, each of the reaction compartments being provided with stirring blades and a heater, and an outlet for volatile matters being provided at the upper part of the vessel. The second reactor contributes to efficient and continuous production of polybutylene terephthalate having a good quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Yamaguchi, Hidekazu Nakamoto, Susumu Harada, Norifumi Maeda
  • Patent number: 6548026
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for carrying out and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions is disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Cameron Dales, Johannes A. M. van Beek, Damian A. Hajduk, Ralph B. Nielsen, Paul Mansky