Robert Joe Tipton

US Patent:

6730750, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Jan 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/047763

Inventors:

Gerald B. Eaton - Houston TX
Michael J. Monahan - Katy TX
Alan K. Ebert - Houston TX
Robert J. Tipton - Tulsa OK
Eduardo Baralt - Kingwood TX

Assignee:

Energy Environmental International, L.C. - Brookshire TX

International Classification:

C08F 202

US Classification:

526 90, 526 75, 526 76, 526159, 508591

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to improved drag reducing agents and methods of forming improved drag reducing agents comprising the steps of isomerizing olefin monomers to form isomerized olefin monomers, polymerizing the isomerized olefin monomers in the presence of at least one catalyst to form a polyolefin drag reducing agent having unexpectedly superior drag reduction properties when combined with liquid hydrocarbons, such as viscous crude oil. Therefore, the drag reducing agents of the present invention may be introduced into conduits, such as pipelines, to increase the flow of the hydrocarbons through the conduit.

US Patent:

6730752, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Jan 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/760544

Inventors:

Gerald B. Eaton - Houston TX
Michael J. Monahan - Katy TX
Robert J. Tipton - Tulsa OK

Assignee:

Energy Environmental International, L.C. - Brookshire TX

International Classification:

C08F 442

US Classification:

5261243, 526348, 526 97, 526 90, 502103, 502128

Abstract:

A composition including polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes contacting alpha olefin monomers with a catalyst system, which includes a catalyst and an activator (co-catalyst) in a reactant mixture. The catalyst is a transition metal catalyst, preferably titanium trichloride, and the co-catalyst may include an alkylaluminoxane, alone or in combination, with a dialkylaluminum halide or a halohydrocarbon. The polymerization of the alpha olefin monomers produces a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of at least 10 dL/g. The addition of the alkylaluminoxane during the polymerization process provides for a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin and a more uniform molecular weight distribution of the resulting polyalphaolefin, thereby creating a drag reducing agent superior to known drag reducing agents. A process for forming a drag reducing agent comprising a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of about at least 10 dL/g and a process for reducing drag in a conduit are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20040162400, Aug 19, 2004

Filed:

Feb 11, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/777285

Inventors:

Gerald Eaton - Houston TX, US
Michael Monahan - Katy TX, US
Alan Ebert - Houston TX, US
Robert Tipton - Tulsa OK, US
Eduardo Baralt - Kingwood TX, US

International Classification:

C08F004/44

US Classification:

526/090000, 526/075000, 526/076000, 526/159000, 508/591000, 526/348500

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to improved drag reducing agents and methods of forming improved drag reducing agents comprising the steps of isomerizing olefin monomers to form isomerized olefin monomers, polymerizing the isomerized olefin monomers in the presence of at least one catalyst to form a polyolefin drag reducing agent having unexpectedly superior drag reduction properties when combined with liquid hydrocarbons, such as viscous crude oil. Therefore, the drag reducing agents of the present invention may be introduced into conduits, such as pipelines, to increase the flow of the hydrocarbons through the conduit.

US Patent:

61627739, Dec 19, 2000

Filed:

Sep 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/396247

Inventors:

Gerald B. Eaton - Houston TX
Michael J. Monahan - Katy TX
Robert J. Tipton - Tulsa OK

Assignee:

Energy & Environmental International, L.C. - Brookshire TX

International Classification:

C10M14300
C08F 444

US Classification:

508591

Abstract:

A composition including polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes contacting alpha olefin monomers with a catalyst system, which includes a catalyst and an activator (co-catalyst) in a reactant mixture. The catalyst is a transition metal catalyst, preferably titanium trichloride, and the co-catalyst may include an alkylaluminoxane, alone or in combination, with a dialkylaluminum halide or a halohydrocarbon. The polymerization of the alpha olefin monomers produces a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of at least 10 dL/g. The addition of the alkylaluminoxane during the polymerization process provides for a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin and a more uniform molecular weight distribution of the resulting polyalphaolefin, thereby creating a drag reducing agent superior to known drag reducing agents. A process for forming a drag reducing agent comprising a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of about at least 10 dL/g and a process for reducing drag in a conduit are also disclosed.

US Patent:

62423959, Jun 5, 2001

Filed:

Sep 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/396285

Inventors:

Gerald B. Eaton - Houston TX
Michael J. Monahan - Katy TX
Robert J. Tipton - Tulsa OK

Assignee:

Energy & Environmental International, L.C. - Brookshire TX

International Classification:

C10M14306
C10M14300
C08F 452
C08F 1010

US Classification:

508591

Abstract:

A composition including polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes contacting alpha olefin monomers with a catalyst system, which includes a catalyst and an activator (co-catalyst) in a reactant mixture. The catalyst is a transition metal catalyst, preferably titanium trichloride, and the co-catalyst may include an alkylaluminoxane, alone or in combination, with a dialkylaluminum halide or a halohydrocarbon. The polymerization of the alpha olefin monomers produces a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of at least 10 dL/g. The addition of the alkylaluminoxane during the polymerization process provides for a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin and a more uniform molecular weight distribution of the resulting polyalphaolefin, thereby creating a drag reducing agent superior to known drag reducing agents. A process for forming a drag reducing agent comprising a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of about at least 10 dL/g and a process for reducing drag in a conduit are also disclosed.

US Patent:

60157798, Jan 18, 2000

Filed:

May 20, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/081964

Inventors:

Gerald B. Eaton - Houston TX
Michael J. Monahan - Katy TX
Robert J. Tipton - Tulsa OK

Assignee:

Energy & Environmental International, L.C. - Houston TX

International Classification:

C10M14300
C08F 444

US Classification:

508591

Abstract:

A composition including polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes contacting alpha olefin monomers with a catalyst system, which includes a catalyst and an activator (co-catalyst) in a reactant mixture. The catalyst is a transition metal catalyst, preferably titanium trichloride, and the co-catalyst may include an alkylaluminoxane, alone or in combination, with a dialkylaluminum halide or a halohydrocarbon. The polymerization of the alpha olefin monomers produces a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of at least 10 dL/g. The addition of the alkylaluminoxane during the polymerization process provides for a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin and a more uniform molecular weight distribution of the resulting polyalphaolefin, thereby creating a drag reducing agent superior to known drag reducing agents. A process for forming a drag reducing agent comprising a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of about at least 10 dL/g and a process for reducing drag in a conduit are also disclosed.

US Patent:

57339538, Mar 31, 1998

Filed:

Jun 29, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/496489

Inventors:

Keith Fairchild - Sand Springs OK
Robert Tipton - Tulsa OK
John F. Motier - Broken Arrow OK
Nagesh S. Kommareddi - Tulsa OK

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

C08J 300
C08K 524
C08L 536
C08L 548

US Classification:

523336

Abstract:

Low viscosity, high concentration drag reducing agents may be prepared by slowly adding a liquid, non-solvent (e. g. isopropyl alcohol) for a drag reducing polymer (e. g. a polyalphaolefin) to a mixture of the polymer and the solvent (e. g. kerosene) in which the polymer is dissolved. When enough non-solvent is added, the polymer precipitates into fine particles. The supernatant mixture of solvent and non-solvent is then removed from the precipitated polymer slurry concentrate. Further solvent contained in the slurry concentrate may be removed by evaporation or further extraction with the liquid, non-solvent. The resulting slurry concentrate dissolves rapidly in flowing hydrocarbon streams to reduce the drag therein, and gives exceptionally good drag reducing results at low concentrations. Additionally, no injection probes or other special equipment is required to introduce the drag reducing slurry into the hydrocarbon stream, nor is grinding of the polymer necessary to form a suitable DRA slurry.