Michael Patrick Monahan

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:

6815011, Nov 9, 2004

Filed:

Sep 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/962784

Inventors:

Gerald B. Eaton - Houston TX
Michael J. Monahan - Katy TX
Alan K. Ebert - Houston TX

Assignee:

Energy Environmental International, L.C. - Brookshire TX

International Classification:

B05D 722

US Classification:

427445, 508591

Abstract:

A composition including a polyalphaolefin and at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of the drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes the steps of contacting alpha olefin monomers with at least one catalyst in a reactant mixture to form a polyalphaolefin. The reactant mixture may include at least one alpha olefin partitioning agent or the at least one alpha olefin partitioning agent may be mixed with the polyalphaolefin after polymerization. The alpha olefin monomer partitioning agents are alpha olefin monomers that are solid at ambient temperatures. Preferably, the alpha olefin monomers are selected from the group consisting of C -C alpha olefin monomers. A process for reducing drag in a conduit is also disclosed.

US Patent:

20040116630, Jun 17, 2004

Filed:

Dec 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/726375

Inventors:

Gerald Eaton - Houston TX, US
Michael Monahan - Katy TX, US
Alan Ebert - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

C08F004/44

US Classification:

526/124300

Abstract:

A composition including a polyalphaolefin and at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of the drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes the steps of contacting alpha olefin monomers with at least one catalyst in a reactant mixture to form a polyalphaolefin. The reactant mixture may include at least one alpha olefin partitioning agent or the at least one alpha olefin partitioning agent may be mixed with the polyalphaolefin after polymerization. The alpha olefin monomer partitioning agents are alpha olefin monomers that are solid at ambient temperatures. Preferably, the alpha olefin monomers are selected from the group consisting of C—Calpha olefin monomers. A process for reducing drag in a conduit is 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:

20080139696, Jun 12, 2008

Filed:

Dec 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/951750

Inventors:

Brad A. Bucher - Houston TX, US
Michael J. Monahan - Katy TX, US
Steven B. Erikson - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

B05D 5/08

US Classification:

523175

Abstract:

A drag reducing composition containing a finely divided solid polyolefin friction-reducing agent formed from mono olefins containing from 2 to 3 carbon atoms, a fatty acid suspending medium and a modifier which is an oxygenated polar organic compound containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, water or mixtures thereof.

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.