Patents by Inventor Richard Thaddeus Kimura

Richard Thaddeus Kimura 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).

  • Patent number: 8329109
    Abstract: A dry conversion reactor for converting uranium hexafluoride to uranium dioxide, the dry conversion reactor including a gas-phase reaction segment and a fluidized bed segment, wherein at least one of the gas-phase reaction segment and the fluidized bed segment is a replaceable segment. A method for operating a dry conversion reactor utilizing a uranium hexafluoride to uranium dioxide conversion process, the method including replacing at least one conversion reactor segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Areva NP
    Inventors: Richard Thaddeus Kimura, Andrew Landon, Clifford Yeager
  • Publication number: 20110110837
    Abstract: A dry conversion reactor for converting uranium hexafluoride to uranium dioxide, the dry conversion reactor including a gas-phase reaction segment and a fluidized bed segment, wherein at least one of the gas-phase reaction segment and the fluidized bed segment is a replaceable segment. A method for operating a dry conversion reactor utilizing a uranium hexafluoride to uranium dioxide conversion process, the method including replacing at least one conversion reactor segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: AREVA NP INC.
    Inventors: Richard Thaddeus Kimura, Andrew Landon, Clifford Yeager
  • Patent number: 7780921
    Abstract: An apparatus for the removal of uranium from a body of material is provided. The apparatus has at least one ultrasonic extractor, having a bottom and a top. The at least one ultrasonic extractor is configured to accept solids at the bottom and acid at the top, and has a mixing screw and at least one source of ultrasonic energy. The mixing screw is configured to transport the solids in a direction countercurrent to the acid in the at least one ultrasonic extractor; and the source of ultrasonic energy is configured to impart ultrasonic energy into the solids and the acid, as the solids and the acid traverse the at least one ultrasonic extractor countercurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Areva NP Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Thaddeus Kimura
  • Publication number: 20090246093
    Abstract: An apparatus for the removal of uranium from a body of material is provided. The apparatus has at least one ultrasonic extractor, having a bottom and a top. The at least one ultrasonic extractor is configured to accept solids at the bottom and acid at the top, and has a mixing screw and at least one source of ultrasonic energy. The mixing screw is configured to transport the solids in a direction countercurrent to the acid in the at least one ultrasonic extractor; and the source of ultrasonic energy is configured to impart ultrasonic energy into the solids and the acid, as the solids and the acid traverse the at least one ultrasonic extractor countercurrently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Richard Thaddeus KIMURA
  • Patent number: 7527772
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to remove uranium from a body of material wherein the method includes the steps of depositing the body of solid material in an ultrasonic extractor and depositing an amount of acid in the ultrasonic extractor. The method also provides for the steps of heating a jacket of the ultrasonic extractor, transporting the body of solid material in the ultrasonic extractor and the amount of acid such that the body of solid material and the acid contact each other inside the heated ultrasonic extractor while the ultrasonic extractor provides ultrasonic energy to both the body of solid material and the amount of acid, wherein the amount of acid strips uranium from the body of solid material. The method further provides for collecting the amount of acid and the body of solid material in the ultrasonic extractor in different positions, transporting the amount of acid with the stripped uranium to an extraction mixer settler, and settling uranium product from the extraction mixer settler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: AREVA NP Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Thaddeus Kimura
  • Patent number: 7390934
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing uranium (IV) and uranium (VI) from sands and soils. The method and device assays a volume of soil and determines a presence and position of uranium enrichment. A concentration of uranium enrichment is determined, and compared to a threshold concentration. The volume of soil is processed and transported to a coarse screen, deck screen and classified in a classifier. In the classifier, the volume of soil is separated into a washed and fines fraction, assayed and transported to a uranium recovery facility, then transported to a silicon removal process and subsequent ammonia and metals removal processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Areva NP Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Thaddeus Kimura