Recycling Catalyst Patents (Class 526/69)
  • Patent number: 9162170
    Abstract: A synthesis reaction system is provided with: a reactor which synthesizes a hydrocarbon compound by a chemical reaction of a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide as main components, and a slurry having solid catalyst particles suspended in liquid; a separator which separates the hydrocarbon compound from the slurry; and a filtering device which filters the hydrocarbon compound extracted from the separator to trap powdered catalyst particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignees: JAPAN OIL, GAS AND METALS NATIONAL CORPORATION, INPEX CORPORATION, JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATION, JAPAN PETROLEUM EXPLORATION CO., LTD., COSMO OIL CO., LTD., NIPPON STEEL ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Onishi, Yuzuru Kato, Atsushi Murata, Eiichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9073030
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and risers for reacting a feedstock in the presence of a catalyst and methods for installing a baffle in such risers are provided. In one example, a riser comprises a sidewall that defines a cylindrical housing surrounding an interior. A plurality of baffle assemblies is releasably coupled to the sidewall and each comprises a baffle section. The baffle sections together define a segmented baffle ring extending inwardly in the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Robert Johnson
  • Patent number: 8952126
    Abstract: A method of making a pure block copolymer includes forming a crude block copolymer; heating a solution of the crude block copolymer and alcohol; and cooling the solution to promote precipitation of a purified block copolymer, wherein an amount of impurities remaining in the purified block copolymer is from about 0 to about 5 wt % based on a total weight of the purified block copolymer; a ratio of a polydispersity index of the crude block copolymer to a polydispersity index of the purified block copolymer is from about 1.02 to about 1.25; a ratio of a molecular weight of the crude block copolymer to a molecular weight of the purified block copolymer is from about 0.75 to about 1.0; and a ratio of a number average molecular weight of the crude block copolymer to a number average molecular weight of the purified block copolymer is from about 0.65 to about 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Xerox Corporation, National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Andrew J. Myles, Karen A. Moffat, Jordan H. Wosnick, Valerie M. Farrugia
  • Patent number: 8883918
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recycling product streams that have been separated from a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream comprising olefin monomer, olefin co-monomer, hydrocarbon diluent and components such as H2, N2, O2, CO, CO2, and formaldehyde. In accordance with the present process a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream is separated into a) a first side stream comprising hydrocarbon diluent and olefin monomer; b) a second side stream which is substantially hydrogen-free and comprises hydrocarbon diluent and olefin monomer, c) a bottom stream comprising substantially olefin-free hydrocarbon diluent, and d) an overhead vapor stream comprising olefin monomer, hydrocarbon diluent and components such as formaldehyde, H2, N2, O2, CO and CO2. The present process further includes recycling said first and said second side streams in a polymerization process for preparing bimodal polyolefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Denis Mignon, David Vandewiele, Bernard Van De Schrick, Camille Vercruysse
  • Patent number: 8791216
    Abstract: A catalyst system for heterogeneous catalysis of organic compound conversion reactions is disclosed. The system includes a reaction product of (i) a BF3/alcohol catalyst complex and (ii) an activated metal oxide support for the catalyst complex. The reaction product includes an amount of the catalyst complex effective for catalyzing the conversion reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Petrochemical Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Edward Baxter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8779015
    Abstract: Provided are a recycling method for industrially, simply and effectively recycling a phenolic body from a phenolic antioxidant which is masked by an organoaluminum compound and contained in an olefin polymer obtained by supplying the masked phenolic antioxidant upon polymerization; and an olefin polymer obtained by this method. In a method for recycling a phenolic antioxidant wherein a phenolic antioxidant which is masked by an organoaluminum compound and contained in an olefin polymer obtained by supplying the masked phenolic antioxidant upon polymerization is recycled to a phenolic body, a nitrogen gas comprising water and/or a proton donor at a volume ratio of 1.0×10?6 to 2.5×10?2 with respect to 1 volume of nitrogen is brought into contact with the olefin polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Adeka Corporation
    Inventors: Naoshi Kawamoto, Tsuyoshi Urushihara, Kohei Okamoto, Tetsuya Seguchi
  • Patent number: 8722818
    Abstract: Described herein are methods for monitoring and restoring electrical properties of polymerization reactor wall films. The method may comprise using a reactor wall monitor to monitor and determine an electrical property, such as the bed voltage or breakdown voltage, of the wall film. The method may further comprise adding continuity additive to the reactor and/or adjusting the feed rate of continuity additive being added to the reactor in response to the measured electrical property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric J. Markel, William A. Lamberti, Harry W. Deckman
  • Patent number: 8669334
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the gas phase polymerization of one or more olefin monomers in a fluidized bed reactor in a dry mode or in a (super) condensed mode with a gas stream comprising an inert gas characterized in that the inert gas comprises a mixture of inert components: (1) nitrogen; (2) a gas heat capacity increasing agent (3) a sorption promoting agent and (4) a polymer swelling agent. The inert gas may comprise (1) 5-60% by mol nitrogen (2) 10-90% by mol ethane (3) 1-50% by mol % n-butane and (4) 0.1-10% by mol % n-pentane or iso-pentane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Yahya Banat, Fahad Al-Obaidi, Abdul Kader Malek
  • Patent number: 8603933
    Abstract: The present application aims to provide a process for producing a solid polymerization catalyst component, including the steps of (A) producing a solution with a transition metal compound and a solvent; (B) solidifying a component with the transition metal compound to produce the solid polymerization catalyst component in a solidification stage; (C) recovering from the solidification stage a liquid stream containing a minor amount of the transition metal compound dissolved therein and a solid catalyst stream; and (D) recovering the transition metal component from the liquid stream, characterized in that step (D) may include concentrating the solution to produce a first product stream including the solvent and being essentially free of the transition metal compound and a second product stream including the solvent and the transition metal compound, characterized in that the concentration is conducted within a temperature range of from 0 to 100 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Borealis AG
    Inventors: Pertti Elo, Sameer Vijay, Kimmo Hakala, Soile Rautio, Ismo Lehtiniemi
  • Patent number: 8569433
    Abstract: A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Ralph W. Romig, Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John H. Tait, Richard Peacock, James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld, Carl W. Fenderson, Anurag Gupta, Dale A. Zellers
  • Patent number: 8303899
    Abstract: A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Ralph W. Romig, Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John H. Tait, Richard Peacock, James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld, Carl W. Fenderson, Anurag Gupta, Dale A. Zellers, Penny A. Zellers, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8242231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for recycling a coupling catalyst, preferably an amine catalyst in an interfacial polycarbonate manufacturing process. Specifically, the amine catalyst is recycled in an acidic wash water solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Styron Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter A. Jueptner
  • Patent number: 8198384
    Abstract: A method for preventing or reducing clogging of a fines ejector in a gas-phase olefin polymerization process is disclosed. The process involves injecting a liquid into the motive gas stream entering the fines ejector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Westlake Longview Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn Edward Moore, Jeremy Bruce Mann
  • Patent number: 8128877
    Abstract: A manufacturing process for producing polyolefin, having a feed system, a reactor system including at least one polymerization reactor, a diluent/monomer recovery system, a fractionation system, and an extrusion/loadout system having an extruder. The manufacturing process is configured to consume less than 325 kilowatt-hours of electricity per metric ton of polyolefin produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Ralph W. Romig, Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John H. Tait, Richard Peacock, James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld, Carl W. Fenderson, Anurag Gupta, Dale A. Zellers, Penny A. Zellers, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8128878
    Abstract: A method for preparing polyolefin from alpha-olefin with high productivity using an internal circulating fluidized bed polymerization reactor is disclosed. The method for gas-phase polymerization of alpha-olefin comprising the steps of: supplying circulation gas including one or more alpha-olefins and inert gas into a polymerization reactor; polymerizing the alpha-olefin to polyolefin in two separated polymerization areas in the polymerization reactor; and discharging produced polyolefin from the polymerization reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Sung Woo Kang, Nam Kyu Kim, Young Jae Jun, Man Jung Kim, Kil Su Kim
  • Patent number: 8114945
    Abstract: Process for controlling the (co)polymerization of olefins in a continuous polymerization reactor wherein the olefin (co)polymerization is performed in an industrial plant reactor in the presence of a polymerization catalyst characterized in that at least one operating parameter of the plant is controlled by means of a measurement of the chain branching level (CBL) of the produced polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ineos Europe Limited
    Inventors: David Heslop, Eric Osmont
  • Patent number: 8075943
    Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide a purification process that enables Pd contained in an organic electronics material to be removed effectively, to provide an electroluminescent device middle layer material purified by the process, and to provide an electroluminescent device employing the middle layer material. The present invention relates to a process for purifying an organic electronics material, the process involving treating, with a phosphorus-containing material, an organic electronics material that contains Pd as an impurity so as to remove the Pd.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignees: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd., Maxdem Incorporated
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Tsuda, Yoshii Morishita, Satoyuki Nomura, Yousuke Hoshi, Shigeaki Funyuu, Farshad J. Motamedi, Li-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 8058368
    Abstract: A method for preparing polyolefin from alpha-olefin with high productivity using an internal circulating fluidized bed polymerization reactor is disclosed. The method for gas-phase polymerization of alpha-olefin comprising the steps of: supplying circulation gas including one or more alpha-olefins and inert gas into a polymerization reactor; polymerizing the alpha-olefin to polyolefin in two separated polymerization areas in the polymerization reactor; and discharging produced polyolefin from the polymerization reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Daelim Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Woo Kang, Nam Kyu Kim, Young Jae Jun, Man Jung Kim, Kil Su Kim
  • Patent number: 8030422
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel polymer-tethered ligands, metal complexes comprising these ligands, and the use of these complexes as chain transfer catalysts to control the molecular weight of oligomeric and polymeric materials produced in a radical polymerization process. The materials made by the processes disclosed herein have significantly reduced color, making them suitable for a wide range of color-critical end-uses, including automotive coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Henry Edward Brynzda, Michael Charles Grady, Sigridur Soley Kristjansdottir, Christina M. Older, Matthew Arthur Page, Joachim C. Ritter, Wilson Tam
  • Publication number: 20110224389
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for recycling a coupling catalyst, preferably an amine catalyst in an interfacial polycarbonate manufacturing process. Specifically, the amine catalyst is recycled in an acidic wash water solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Styron Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter A. Jueptner
  • Patent number: 8017706
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel iron complex having a cyclic amine compound as a ligand and a method for producing polymers by polymerizing a radical polymerizable monomer in the presence of the iron complex and a radical generator. The problem for the present invention is providing a method capable of producing a polymer or block copolymer having a chemically convertible functional group at the end from a radical polymerizable monomer and providing a method for recovering the iron complex in a solvent with a high recovery rate after the polymerization reaction. This problem is solved by providing a novel iron complex, a method for producing a polymer in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator that uses the iron complex as a polymerization catalyst and a method for simply and easily recovering the iron complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: DIC Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetomo Kai, Akane Sasamoto, Hitoshi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8017701
    Abstract: A manufacturing process for producing polyolefin, having a feed system, a reactor system including at least one polymerization reactor, a diluent/monomer recovery system, a fractionation system, and an extrusion/loadout system having an extruder. The manufacturing process is configured to consume less than 325 kilowatt-hours of electricity per metric ton of polyolefin produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Robert R. McElvain, John D. Hottovy, Ralph W. Romig, Donald W. Verser, David H. Burns, John H. Tait, Richard Peacock, James E. Hein, Scott E. Kufeld, Carl W. Fenderson, Anurag Gupta, Dale A. Zellers, Penny A. Zellers, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7977436
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for gas phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor are disclosed. The process and apparatus employ a vertically oriented fines ejector in order to reduce fouling and reactor downtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Westlake Longview Corp.
    Inventors: Matthew Howard Scott, Kenneth Alan Dooley, Bailey James Salmon, Mark Dewayne Lorenz, Paul Keith Scherrer, Robert Lin, David Lynn Meade, Wayne Scott Strasser, Dwayne Ray Leonard
  • Patent number: 7858715
    Abstract: Method of emulsion polymerization wherein a reactor comprising a closed reactor loop is continuously charged with fresh monomers and water phase at substantially the same rate as the rate of an overflow of reactor charge discharged into a secondary line section. The reactor charge is continuously recirculated within the reactor loop. The discharge rate and the circulation rate in the loop are balanced such as to result in a monomer content in the loop of less than 12 wt. %. The secondary line section has a volume of less than twice the volume of the reactor loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Crown Brands Limited
    Inventor: David Charles Adams
  • Patent number: 7838605
    Abstract: Embodiments of our invention relate generally to methods of monitoring and controlling polymerization reactions including reactions producing multimodal polymer products using multiple catalysts in a single reactor. Embodiments of the invention provide methods of rapidly monitoring and controlling polymerization reactions without the need to sample and test the polymer properties. The method uses reactor control data and material inventory data in a mathematical leading indicator function to control the reactor conditions, and thereby the products produced under those conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Jack Sandell, Marjorie E. King, Fred David Ehrman
  • Publication number: 20100292416
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for olefin polymerization are provided. A fluidized bed reactor may include a cylindrical section, a dome, a transition section between the cylindrical section and the dome, at least three outlet nozzles disposed on the dome, and a recycle line in fluid communication with the at least three outlet nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marc L. DE CHELLIS, Mark B. DAVIS, Brian R. BERG
  • Patent number: 7718139
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for gas phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor are disclosed. The process and apparatus employ a vertically oriented fines ejector in order to reduce fouling and reactor downtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Westlake Longview Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Howard Scott, Kenneth Alan Dooley, Bailey James Salmon, Mark Dewayne Lorenz, Paul Keith Scherrer, Robert Lin, David Lynn Meade, Wayne Scott Strasser, Dwayne Ray Leonard
  • Patent number: 7714083
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating unreacted monomer from a polymerization process effluent stream, wherein the effluent stream comprises unreacted monomer and polymer particles. The method comprises passing the effluent stream of a fluidized-bed reactor into at least one container, feeding a high-pressure olefin through an ejector, and vacuuming at least a portion of the effluent stream from the at least one container through the ejector. The apparatus comprises a fluidized-bed reactor having a first conduit connected to a first tank, an ejector having a second conduit connected to the first tank, and a third conduit connected to the fluidized-bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Diwaker Singh
  • Patent number: 7655192
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus of discharging polymer from a continuously operated gas phase reactor, wherein at least one monomer is polymerized in a bed containing active catalyst formed by catalyst and polymer particles suspended in a fluid, the bed defining a fluidized bed level in said reactor. The invention includes continuously withdrawing polymer powder from the reactor; and adjusting the discharge rate of the polymer powder so as to maintain a constant bed level during polymerization. By means of the invention the discharge of the polymer can be made truly continuous without any disturbance of the polymerization. The rate of withdrawn polymer can be flexibly adjusted depending on the progress of the polymerization and it can also easily be scaled up if the capacity of the reactor is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Borealis Technology Oy
    Inventors: Jouni Kivelä, Klaus Nyfors
  • Patent number: 7645847
    Abstract: A novel liquid phase polymerization process for preparing a polyolefin product having preselected properties is disclosed. The process includes the steps of providing a liquid feedstock which contains an olefinic component and a catalyst composition consisting of a stable complex of BF3 and a complexing agent therefor. The feedstock may comprise any one or more of a number of olefins including branched olefins such as isobutylene, C3 to C15 linear alpha olefins and C4 to C15 reactive non-alpha olefins. The feedstock and the catalyst composition are introduced into a residual reaction mixture recirculating in a loop reactor reaction zone provided in the tube side of a shell and tube heat exchanger at a recirculation rate sufficient to cause intimate intermixing of the residual reaction mixture, the added feedstock and the added catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Petrochemicals LLC
    Inventors: C. Edward Baxter, Jr., Gilbert Valdez, Christopher Lobue, Timothy Lowry, Armen Abazajian
  • Patent number: 7544766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing polytetrahydrofuran, polytetrahydrofuran copolymer, diester or monoester by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in the presence of at least one telogen and/or comonomer and of an acidic heterogeneous catalyst based on activated sheet silicates or mixed metal oxides in a fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Stephan Schlitter, Martin Haubner, Peter Zehner, Michael Hesse, Alexander Weck, Rolf Pinkos, Thomas Graβler
  • Patent number: 7507351
    Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide a purification process that enables Pd to be removed effectively, and to provide an electroluminescent material and an electroluminescent device obtained by employing the process. The present invention relates to a process for purifying an electroluminescent material, the process involving treating, with a phosphorus-containing material, an electroluminescent material that contains Pd as an impurity so as to remove the Pd.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignees: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd., Maxdem Incorporated
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Tsuda, Yoshii Morishita, Satoyuki Nomura, Seiji Tai, Yousuke Hoshi, Shigeaki Funyuu, Farshad J. Motamedi, Li-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 7388059
    Abstract: A method for producing an ethylene polymer which comprises continuously polymerizing ethylene alone or copolymerizing ethylene and a C3-C8 ?-olefin by multistage polymerization in a plurality of polymerization reactors connected in series in the presence of a chromium catalyst having at least a part of chromium atoms converted to hexavalent chromium carried on an inorganic oxide carrier by calcination-activating in a non-reducing atmosphere, wherein an organoaluminum compound of the formula (1): (R1)xAl(OR2)y(OSiR3R4R5)z??(1) (in the above formula, R1 and R2 may be the same or different, each represents a C1-C18 alkyl group or a C6-C18 aryl group, R3, R4 and R5 may be the same or different, each represents a C1-C18 alkyl group or a C6-C18 aryl group, R1, OR2 and OSiR3R4R5 respectively may be the same or different when each has a plurality of kinds, and x, y and z are respectively 0?x?3, 0?y<3, 0?z<3, and x+y+z=3) is introduced at least one or all of the polymerization reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Japan Polyethylene Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Monoi, Hidenobu Torigoe
  • Patent number: 7157530
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the removal and recycle of a supported transition metal catalyst complex from a polymerization reaction medium comprising the steps separating the supported transition metal catalyst from the reaction medium and contacting the supported transition metal catalyst with a reducing agent. The reducing agent may be a transition metal and/or a source of radicals. Also disclosed is a process for the recovery of transition metal catalyst from a reaction medium, comprising changing the conditions of a medium comprising transition metal catalyst attached to a solid support, wherein changing the conditions causes desorption of the transition metal catalyst from solid support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, Sung Chul Hong
  • Patent number: 7105602
    Abstract: The present invention provides a processing aid for thermoplastic resin having a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 300,000, which is obtained by polymerizing an alkyl (meth)acrylate, or an alkyl (meth)acrylate and another vinyl monomer copolymerizable therewith, in the presence of a mercaptan having an alkyl ester group with C4-20 alkyl group as a chain transfer agent, and/or an organic peroxide having a tertiary-butyl peroxy group as a polymerization initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Takenobu Sunagawa, Riichi Nishimura, Toshiyuki Mori, Akira Takaki
  • Patent number: 7041750
    Abstract: A process to support a homogeneous catalyst on a porous solid support is performed in two separate zones. In the first zone the solid is contacted, under stirring, with an amount of a catalyst solution lower than the total pore volume of the solid. In the second zone the solid is dried from the solvent while flowing under pneumatic conveying. A loop circulation of solid is established between the two zones, so that the solid is subject to more contacting steps. The process is particularly suitable to support a metallocene-alumoxane polymerization catalyst on a porous prepolymer. The process can be advantageously performed in continuous, thus fitting the needs of an industrial scale production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Massimo Covezzi, Anna Fait
  • Patent number: 7026433
    Abstract: A continuous process for the process for the enzyme-catalyzed preparation of cyclic ester oligomers from linear ester oligomers. The process may use a linear or recirculating reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Edward G. Brugel, Robert DiCosimo
  • Patent number: 6979752
    Abstract: A continuous process for converting by transesterification the diester of polytetramethylene ether (PTMEA) to the corresponding polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG). The process is characterized by the fact that the feed, consisting of PTMEA along with an alkanol (preferably methanol) and with an alkali metal oxide, hydroxide or alkoxide catalyst (preferably sodium methaoxide) is made to react in two multistaged reactions in series. In the first reactant, including stages of retention in association with distillation trays of high efficiency, the bulk of conversion is achieved by stripping the alkanol ester formed in the transesterification with vapors of hot alkanol having a reduced content of alkanol ester. The transesterification is completed in the second reaction by stripping the effluent from the first reactor with vapors of hot alkanol almost free of alkanol ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Aldo Bertola, Salvatore Cassarino, Myriam Hobe
  • Patent number: 6979720
    Abstract: Enzymes which are capable of catalyzing esterifications and/or transesterifications such as selected lipases and esterases can, under specified conditions, convert certain lower linear oligomers of polyesters to their cyclic ester oligomers in quantities greater than would be predicted by thermodynamic calculation or prior art methods. The cyclic ester oligomers are useful for the production of higher molecular weight linear polyesters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Edward G. Brugel, Robert Di Cosimo
  • Patent number: 6867267
    Abstract: Petroleum resins are produced using a supported BF3 cocatalyst complex. Preferably the cocatalyst is organic such as an alcohol or a carboxylic acid. Use of the catalyst in supported form together with the cocatalyst enables control over both Bronsted and Lewis acidity leading to better control of resin properties. Waste disposal and catalyst handling problems are also overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lewtas, Maria Leonor Garcia, James Hanley Clark, Karen Wilson
  • Publication number: 20040214968
    Abstract: A process for preparing polyethylene from “feed ethylene” comprises: a) a hydrogenation stage in which “feed ethylene” containing impurities or secondary components such as acetylene and ethane is reacted with hydrogen to remove the acetylene by catalytic hydrogenation to form ethylene and part of the ethylene is converted into ethane, and b) a polymerization stage in which the ethylene leaving stage a) is reacted in the gas phase in a fluidized-bed reactor to form polyethylene, where the fluidizing gas used comprises, on entering the reactor, ethene and from 20 to 70% by volume of ethane, based on the total volume of the fluidizing gas, possibly together with further components, where, in a), ethylene is converted in a targeted manner into ethane in addition to the ethane already present in the “feed ethylene” so that the concentration specified in b) results. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Klause Berhalter, Walter Schicketanz, Gerard Duc
  • Publication number: 20040213706
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus of discharging polymer from a continuously operated gas phase reactor, wherein at least one monomer is polymerized in a bed containing active catalyst formed by catalyst and polymer particles suspended in a fluid, the bed defining a fluidized bed level in said reactor. The invention comprises continuously withdrawing polymer powder from the reactor; and adjusting the discharge rate of the polymer powder so as to maintain a constant bed level during polymerization. By means of the invention the discharge of the polymer can be made truly continuous without any disturbance of the polymerization. The rate of withdrawn polymer can be flexibly adjusted depending on the progress of the polymerization and it can also easily be scaled up if the capacity of the reactor is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Jouni Kivela, Klaus Nyfors
  • Publication number: 20030162914
    Abstract: A process for the continuous gas-phase (co)polymerization of one or more olefins for which a rising stream of a gas mixture, comprising at least one olefin to be (co)polymerized, maintains polymer particles in the course of formation in the fluidized state in a polymerization reactor, the said stream entraining fine particles above the fluidized bed outside the reactor, the said fine particles being substantially separated from the gas mixture using a separator, thus dividing the said stream into (i) one or more gas streams (A) substantially devoid of solid particles which is cooled and reintroduced below and/or into the bottom part of the fluidized bed, and (ii) one or more gas streams (B) comprising at least a portion of the said particles which is introduced into or above the fluidized bed, which process is characterized in that at least one of the gas streams (B) comprising the solid particles is introduced directly into the fluidized bed by a dilute-phase transport in a simple pipe, that is to say prefer
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Vincent Reiling
  • Publication number: 20030153695
    Abstract: A process for polymerizing monomers in the gas phase, in fluidized bed reactors is described, where unsaturated, gas phase monomers are fed into the reactors in the presence of a mixture of inert diluents having a composition that allows the dew point to be adjusted, this leading to high production rates under stable operation in a non condensed operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Antonio Luiz Duarte Braganca, Antonio Luiz Ribeirio de Castro Morschbacker, Enio Rubbo, Cid Neto Miro, Tamara Barlem, Arj Mukherjee
  • Publication number: 20030027946
    Abstract: The space time yield of a gas phase reactor, particularly a polyethylene reactor may be increased by replacing at least 80 weight % of the ballast gas with a gas having a higher heat capacity than the ballast gas. Preferably the gas replacing the ballast gas is a stream of dilute ethylene having a high concentration of ethane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventor: Fou Pon
  • Publication number: 20020182121
    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 (I) 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: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventor: James Austin Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20020173599
    Abstract: The present invention teaches the use of particular soluble metallocene catalysts to produce stereoregular polymers in gas phase polymerizations wherein the catalysts are fed into a particle lean zone in the reactor. The metallocenes catalysts are bridged bis-(substituted indenyl) compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Gregory Goode, Clark Curtis Williams, Timothy Roger Lynn, Robert Converse Brady, Jody Michael Moffett
  • Patent number: 6479598
    Abstract: Petroleum resins are produced using a supported BF3 cocatalyst complex. Preferably the cocatalyst is organic such as an alcohol or a carboxylic acid. Use of the catalyst in supported form together with the cocatalyst enables control over both Bronsted and Lewis acidity leading to better control of resin properties. Waste disposal and catalyst handling problems are also overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lewtas, Maria Leonor Garcia, James Hanley Clark, Karen Wilson
  • Patent number: 6476171
    Abstract: A polymer of ethylene and at least one alpha olefin having at least 5, carbon atoms obtainable by a continuous gas phase polymerization using supported catalyst of an activated molecularly discrete catalyst such as a metallocene in the substantial absence of an aluminum alkyl based scavenger which polymer has a Melt Index (MI) as herein defined of from 0.1 to 15; a Compositional Distribution Breadth Index (CDBI) as defined herein of at least 70%, a density of from 0.910 to 0.930 g/ml; a Haze value as herein defined of less than 20%; a Melt Index ratio (MIR) as herein defined of from 35 to 80; an averaged Modulus (M) as herein defined of from 20 000 to 60 000 psi (pounds per square inch) and a relation between M and the Dart Impact Strength in g/mil (DIS) complying with the formula: DIS≧0.8×[100+e(11.71-0.000268×M+2.183×10−9×M2)].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Tai Lue, Natalie A. Merrill, Michael E. Muhle, George Alan Vaughan
  • Patent number: 6462151
    Abstract: Boron trifluoride can be recovered in a reusable state by a method that is economical and does not cause environmental pollution, which method comprises the steps of bringing a fluid containing boron trifluoride or its complex into contact with metal fluoride so as to selectively adsorb and remove boron trifluoride in the complex and heating the resultant metal tetrafluoroborate at a temperature in the range of 100 to 600° C. to separate it into boron trifluoride and metal fluoride. By applying the method to a process for producing polybutene or olefin oligomer using boron trifluoride complex catalyst, the catalyst can be recovered with retaining its activity and reused effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Petrochemicals Company, Limited
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takashima, Yuichi Tokumoto, Koji Fujimura