Patents by Inventor DALE A. HITCHCOCK

DALE A. HITCHCOCK has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240136081
    Abstract: Disclosed are galvanic cells and methods for treating a molten salt by use of the galvanic cells. The galvanic cell can provide anti-corrosion treatment and improved corrosion resistance via electrochemical and chemical reactions involving a corrosive impurity in a molten salt. Reaction products of the chemical and electrochemical reactions include hydrogen gas that can carry hydrogen isotopes evolved in the molten salt. The system can also include removal of the hydrogen gas from the molten salt and separation and recovery of tritium contained therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: BRENDA L. GARCIA-DIAZ, CHRISTOPHER S. DANDENEAU, DALE A. HITCHCOCK, DAVE BABINEAU, ROBERT SINDELAR, HECTOR COLON-MERCADO, GEORGE K. LARSEN
  • Publication number: 20230235477
    Abstract: Methods and systems for use in targeted removal of metals from a substrate via electrorefining are described. A self-propagating reaction is initiated by use of a thermite to reach high temperatures sufficient to induce localized melting of a salt situated on a metal or alloy substrate. Using a power supply connected to an electrode assembly, an electrorefining reaction capable of generating significant localized corrosion of the substrate is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: BRENDA L. GARCIA-DIAZ, CHRISTOPHER S. DANDENEAU, DALE A. HITCHCOCK
  • Publication number: 20230017076
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the separation of hydrogen isotopes from one another are described. Methods include utilization of a hydrogen isotope selective separation membrane that includes a hydrogen isotope selective layer (e.g., graphene) and a hydrogen ion conductive supporting layer. An electronic driving force encourages passage of isotopes selectively across the membrane at an elevated separation temperature to enrich the product in a selected hydrogen isotope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: DALE A. HITCHCOCK, STEVEN M. SERKIZ, TIMOTHY M. KRENTZ, JOSEF A. VELTEN, KYLE S. BRINKMAN, ERIC M. VOLGEL, KATHERINE T. YOUNG
  • Patent number: 11433353
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the separation of hydrogen isotopes from one another are described. Methods include utilization of a hydrogen isotope selective separation membrane that includes a hydrogen isotope selective layer (e.g., graphene) and a hydrogen ion conductive supporting layer. An electronic driving force encourages passage of isotopes selectively across the membrane at an elevated separation temperature to enrich the product in a selected hydrogen isotope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignees: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, Clemson University Research Foundation, Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Dale A. Hitchcock, Steven M. Serkiz, Timothy M. Krentz, Josef A. Velten, Kyle S. Brinkman, Eric M. Vogel, Katherine T. Young
  • Publication number: 20200384411
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the separation of hydrogen isotopes from one another are described. Methods include utilization of a hydrogen isotope selective separation membrane that includes a hydrogen isotope selective layer (e.g., graphene) and a hydrogen ion conductive supporting layer. An electronic driving force encourages passage of isotopes selectively across the membrane at an elevated separation temperature to enrich the product in a selected hydrogen isotope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: DALE A. HITCHCOCK, STEVEN M. SERKIZ, TIMOTHY M. KRENTZ, JOSEF A. VELTEN, KYLE S. BRINKMAN, ERIC M. VOGEL, KATHERINE T. YOUNG