Bruce A Moyer

US Patent:

6448299, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Jan 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/491242

Inventors:

Gilbert M. Brown - Knoxville TN
Baohua Gu - Oak Ridge TN
Bruce A. Moyer - Oak Ridge TN
Peter V. Bonnesen - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

U.T. Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

B01J 4900

US Classification:

521 26, 521 28, 521 32, 525370

Abstract:

A method for regenerating strong-base anion exchange resins utilizing a sequential chemical displacement technique with new regenerant formulation. The new first regenerant solution is composed of a mixture of ferric chloride, a water-miscible organic solvent, hydrochloric acid, and water in which tetrachloroferrate anion is formed and used to displace the target anions on the resin. The second regenerant is composed of a dilute hydrochloric acid and is used to decompose tetrachloroferrate and elute ferric ions, thereby regenerating the resin. Alternative chemical displacement methods include: (1) displacement of target anions with fluoroborate followed by nitrate or salicylate and (2) displacement of target anions with salicylate followed by dilute hydrochloric acid. The methodology offers an improved regeneration efficiency, recovery, and waste minimization over the conventional displacement technique using sodium chloride (or a brine) or alkali metal hydroxide.

US Patent:

6566561, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Nov 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/703899

Inventors:

Peter V. Bonnesen - Knoxville TN
Bruce A. Moyer - Oak Ridge TN
Richard A. Sachleben - Westford MA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

C07C 3138

US Classification:

568812, 570127, 423181, 423182, 210634, 210681, 568842

Abstract:

The invention relates to a class of phenoxy fluoro-alcohols, their preparation, and their use as phase modifiers and solvating agents in a solvent composition for the extraction of cesium from alkaline solutions. These phenoxy fluoro-alcohols comply with the formula: in which n=2 to 4; X represents a hydrogen or a fluorine atom, and R -R are hydrogen or alkyl substituents. These phenoxy fluoro-alcohol phase modifiers are a necessary component to a robust solvent composition and process useful for the removal of radioactive cesium from alkaline nuclear waste streams. The fluoro-alcohols can also be used in solvents designed to extract other cesium from acidic or neutral solutions.

US Patent:

8158088, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Nov 10, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/268189

Inventors:

Dean R. Peterman - Idaho Falls ID, US
David H. Meikrantz - Idaho Falls ID, US
Jack D. Law - Pocatello ID, US
Catherine L. Riddle - Idaho Falls ID, US
Terry A. Todd - Firth ID, US
Mitchell R. Greenhalgh - Iona ID, US
Richard D. Tillotson - Moore ID, US
Richard A. Bartsch - Lubbock TX, US
Bruce A. Moyer - Oak Ridge TN, US
Laetitia H. Delmau - Oak Ridge TN, US
Peter V. Bonnesen - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC - Idaho Falls ID

International Classification:

B01D 11/00

US Classification:

423 8, 252184, 252364, 423 2, 423181, 210634, 588 20

Abstract:

A mixed extractant solvent that includes at least one dialkyloxycalix[4]arenebenzocrown-6 compound, 4′,4′,(5′)-di-(t-butyldicyclohexano)-18-crown-6, at least one modifier, and, optionally, a diluent. The dialkyloxycalix[4]arenebenzocrown-6 compound is 1,3-alternate-25,27-di(octyloxy)calix[4]arenebenzocrown-6, 1,3-alternate-25,27-di(decyloxy)calix[4]arenebenzocrown-6, 1,3-alternate-25,27-di(dodecyloxy)calix[4]arenebenzocrown-6, 1,3-alternate-25,27-di(2-ethylhexyl-1-oxy)calix[4]arenebenzocrown-6, 1,3-alternate-25,27-di(3,7-dimethyloctyl-1-oxy)calix[4]arenebenzocrown-6, 1,3-alternate-25,27-di(4-butyloctyl-1-oxy)calix[4]arenebenzocrown-6, or combinations thereof. The modifier is a primary alcohol. A method of separating cesium and strontium from an aqueous feed is also disclosed, as are dialkyloxycalix[4]arenebenzocrown-6 compounds and an alcohol modifier.

US Patent:

20130319950, Dec 5, 2013

Filed:

May 31, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/485118

Inventors:

Radu Custelcean - Knoxville TN, US
Bruce A. Moyer - Oak Ridge TN, US
Arbin Rajbanshi - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

UT-BATTELLE, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

C07D 401/12
C02F 1/58
C02F 1/52

US Classification:

210711, 546265, 210729

Abstract:

The present invention relates to urea-functionalized crystalline capsules self-assembled by sodium or potassium cation coordination and by hydrogen-bonding water bridges to selectively encapsulate tetrahedral divalent oxoanions from highly competitive aqueous alkaline solutions and methods using this system for selective anion separations from industrial solutions. The method involves competitive crystallizations using a tripodal tris(urea) functionalized ligand and, in particular, provides a viable approach to sulfate separation from nuclear wastes.

US Patent:

49276107, May 22, 1990

Filed:

Jul 1, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/214814

Inventors:

Bruce A. Moyer - Oak Ridge TN
W. J. McDowell - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

B01D 1100

US Classification:

423 24

Abstract:

A process for selectively extracting precious metals such as silver and gold concurrent with copper extraction from aqueous solutions containing the same. The process utilizes tetrathiamacrocycles and high molecular weight organic acids that exhibit a synergistic relationship when complexing with certain metal ions thereby removing them from ore leach solutions.

US Patent:

60867698, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

Sep 15, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/929078

Inventors:

Srinivas Kilambi - Marietta GA
Bruce A. Moyer - Oak Ridge TN
R. Bruce Robinson - Knoxville TN
Peter V. Bonnesen - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

Commodore Separation Technologies, Inc. - Kennesaw GA
Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation - Oak Ridge TN
The University of Tennessee Research Corporation - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

B01D 6138

US Classification:

210638

Abstract:

The present invention comprises a supported liquid membrane carrier liquid with a dielectric constant between approximately 20 and 32, more particularly between 22 and 28, and preferably about 24, and the use of that carrier liquid in a supported liquid membrane device to extract one or more chemical species from a feed liquid. The invention further comprises such a device where a temperature gradient is maintained between any of the feed, carrier, or strip liquids. In another embodiment of the invention, any of the feed, carrier, or strip liquids are conditioned, for example, by passing the liquids through a purifier, or replacing lost carrier liquid. In another embodiment of the invention, two or more devices are connected in series or parallel.

US Patent:

54437318, Aug 22, 1995

Filed:

Jul 21, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/278211

Inventors:

Bruce A. Moyer - Oak Ridge TN
Richard A. Sachleben - Knoxville TN
Peter V. Bonnesen - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

B01D 1100

US Classification:

210634

Abstract:

A process for extracting technetium values from an aqueous alkaline solution containing at least one alkali metal hydroxide and at least one alkali metal nitrate, the at least one alkali metal nitrate having a concentration of from about 0. 1 to 6 molar. The solution is contacted with a solvent consisting of a crown ether in a diluent for a period of time sufficient to selectively extract the technetium values from the aqueous alkaline solution. The solvent containing the technetium values is separated from the aqueous alkaline solution and the technetium values are stripped from the solvent.

US Patent:

61745030, Jan 16, 2001

Filed:

Sep 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/146800

Inventors:

Bruce A. Moyer - Oak Ridge TN
Richard A. Sachleben - Knoxville TN
Peter V. Bonnesen - Knoxville TN
Derek J. Presley - Ooltewah TN

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

C22B 2610
C01B 3100
C09K 300

US Classification:

423181

Abstract:

A solvent composition and corresponding method for extracting cesium (Cs) from aqueous neutral and alkaline solutions containing Cs and perhaps other competing metal ions is described. The method entails contacting an aqueous Cs-containing solution with a solvent consisting of a specific class of lipophilic calix[4]arene-crown ether extractants dissolved in a hydrocarbon-based diluent containing a specific class of alkyl-aromatic ether alcohols as modifiers. The cesium values are subsequently recovered from the extractant, and the solvent subsequently recycled, by contacting the Cs-containing organic solution with an aqueous stripping solution. This combined extraction and stripping method is especially useful as a process for removal of the radionuclide cesium-137 from highly alkaline waste solutions which are also very concentrated in sodium and potassium. No pre-treatment of the waste solution is necessary, and the cesium can be recovered using a safe and inexpensive stripping process using water, dilute (millimolar) acid solutions, or dilute (millimolar) salt solutions. An important application for this invention would be treatment of alkaline nuclear tank wastes.