Patents Assigned to Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation
  • Patent number: 12094619
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and devices for storing and/or disposing of hazardous waste material. In some embodiments, the waste material includes nuclear waste such as calcined material. In certain embodiments, the device includes a container having a container body, a filling port configured to couple with a filling nozzle and a filling plug, and an evacuation port having a filter. The evacuation port is configured to couple with an evacuation nozzle and an evacuation plug. In certain embodiments, the method includes (a) adding hazardous waste material via a filling nozzle coupled to a filling port of a container, the container including an evacuation port, (b) evacuating the container during adding of the hazardous waste material via an evacuation nozzle coupled to an evacuation port of the container, (c) sealing the filling port, (d) heating the container, and (e) sealing the evacuation port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
    Inventors: Walter Guillermo Bermudez, Salvatore Moricca, Allan Grant Murray
  • Patent number: 12000013
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to processes for extracting lithium from an uncalcined lithium-bearing silicate and recovering a lithium salt therefrom. A slurry of the uncalcined lithium-bearing silicate and a caustic solution is heated in an autoclave to provide a Li-rich sodalite phase. The Li-rich sodalite phase is leached with a dilute acid to produce a lithium-rich pregnant liquor. Various subsequent processes to treat the lithium-rich pregnant liquor to recover a lithium salt, such as lithium phosphate, lithium carbonate, lithium sulphate or lithium hydroxide, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignees: Australian Nuclear Science And Technology Organisation, Lithium Australia Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Napier, Christopher Griffith
  • Publication number: 20240127980
    Abstract: A UO2 target for use in the manufacture of 99Mo, the target comprising: a porous matrix; wherein the matrix comprises particles of UO2 or of UO2 and CeO2 with a size of less than 7.15 ?m; and a molar ratio of 235U to Ce and 238U is less than 3%. The particles may comprise UO2 and the UO2 comprise uranium with a 235U to 238U ratio of less than 3% 235U enrichment. Also, a method of producing 99Mo, comprising: (a) irradiating such a UO2 target with thermal neutrons, with an irradiation time of between 3 and 7 days; then (b) extracting 99Mo from the target. The method includes performing steps (a) and (b) 2 or more times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventors: Gordon James THOROGOOD, Robert RAPOSIO
  • Patent number: 11850449
    Abstract: An irradiation method and system for irradiating a target volume, the method comprising: providing thermal neutron absorbing nuclides (such as in the form of a high neutron cross-section agent) at the target volume; and producing neutrons by irradiating nuclei in or adjacent to the target volume with a beam of particles consisting of any one or more of protons, deuterons, tritons and heavy ions, thereby prompting production of the neutrons through non-elastic collisions between the atoms in the path of the beam (including the target) and the particles. The neutron absorbing nuclides absorb neutrons produced in the non-elastic collisions, thereby producing capture products or fragments that irradiate the target volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, University of Wollongong
    Inventors: Mitra Safavi-Naeini, Andrew Stephen Chacon
  • Patent number: 11754731
    Abstract: A coded mask apparatus is provided for gamma rays. The apparatus uses nested masks, at least one of which rotates relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventors: David Boardman, Adam Sarbutt, Alison Flynn, Dale Prokopovich
  • Patent number: 11555935
    Abstract: A mask for use in compressed sensing of incoming radiation includes a material that modulates an intensity of incoming radiation, a plurality of mask aperture regions, and one or more axes of rotational symmetry with respect to the mask aperture regions. Each mask aperture region includes at least one mask aperture that allows a higher transmission of the incoming radiation relative to other portions of the mask aperture region. The relative transmission sufficient to allow a reconstruction of compressed sensing measurements and has a shape that provides a symmetry under rotation about the one or more axes of rotational symmetry. A mutual coherence of a sensing matrix generated by a rotation of the plurality of mask aperture regions is less than one. An imaging system for compressed sensing of incoming radiation including such a mask is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventors: David Boardman, Mathew Guenette, Alison Flynn, Adam Sarbutt, Lachlan Chartier, Jayden Ilter, Dale Prokopovich, Geoff Watt
  • Patent number: 11542267
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for coupling a first compound having the formula (I) with a second compound that contains a carbonyl group. Also disclosed herein are compounds that can be formed by this method, and uses for such compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignees: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, The Australian National University
    Inventors: Suzanne Virginia Smith, Eskender Mume, Gary James Perkins
  • Patent number: 11535623
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for coupling a first compound having the formula (I) with a second compound that contains a carbonyl group. Also disclosed herein are compounds that can be formed by this method, and uses for such compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignees: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, The Australian National University
    Inventors: Suzanne Virginia Smith, Eskender Mume, Gary James Perkins
  • Publication number: 20220308244
    Abstract: A coded mask apparatus is provided for gamma rays. The apparatus uses nested masks, at least one of which rotates relative to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventors: David Boardman, Adam Sarbutt, Alison Flynn, Dale Prokopovich
  • Patent number: 11355256
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and devices for storing and/or disposing of hazardous waste material such as calcined material. In certain embodiments, the system comprises a filling nozzle having a valve body having a distal end and an outer surface, the outer surface proximate the distal end being configured to sealingly and removeably couple to an inner surface of a filling port of the container. In certain embodiments, the method comprises (a) coupling an outer surface of a filling nozzle with an inner surface of a filling port of a container to form a first seal (b) adding hazardous waste material into the container (c) decoupling the filling port from the filling nozzle and (d) inserting a fill plug into the filling port, the fill plug forming a second seal with the inner surface of the filling port, the second seal being distally spaced from at least a portion of the first seal with respect to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventors: Salvatore Moricca, Walter Guillermo Bermudez, Allan Grant Murray
  • Patent number: 11346964
    Abstract: A coded mask apparatus is provided for gamma rays. The apparatus uses nested masks, at least one of which rotates relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventors: David Boardman, Adam Sarbutt, Alison Flynn, Dale Prokopovich
  • Publication number: 20210222270
    Abstract: A process for recovering lithium phosphate and lithium sulfate from a lithium-bearing silicate is described. The process includes adding from 800 kg/t to 1600 kg/t of sulfuric acid to a slurry of the lithium-bearing silicate and from 40 kg/t to 600 kg/t of a source of fluoride to produce a leach mixture and heating said leach mixture. A lithium-bearing solution is then separated from the leach mixture and its pH is increased sequentially to pH 3.5 to 4, pH 5.5 to 6 then pH 10.5 to 11 to precipitate, respectively, a first, second and third set of impurities therefrom. The first, second and third sets of impurities are separated from the lithium-bearing solution and lime is added to maintain a soluble Ca concentration of at least 30 mg/L. The lithium-bearing solution is then softened by adding a two sequential amounts of phosphate to precipitate fluorapatite and apatite, respectively. A third amount of phosphate is added to produce a lithium phosphate precipitate which is then separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicants: LITHIUM AUSTRALIA NL, AUSTRALIAN NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION
    Inventors: Andrew NAPIER, Christopher GRIFFITH
  • Publication number: 20210206651
    Abstract: A process for recovering lithium phosphate and lithium sulfate from a lithium-bearing solution, such as a brine or pregnant process liquor is described. The process includes adding phosphate to the lithium-bearing solution to precipitate lithium phosphate and then separating the resulting lithium phosphate precipitate from the solution. The separated lithium phosphate precipitate is then digested in sulphuric acid to produce a digestion mixture from which a lithium sulfate precipitate is separated. An alkali metal hydroxide is added to the separated solution to produce an alkali metal phosphate solution and this is recycled for use as phosphate in the first step of the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicants: LITHIUM AUSTRALIA NL, AUSTRALIAN NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION
    Inventors: Andrew NAPIER, Christopher GRIFFITH
  • Publication number: 20210199819
    Abstract: A mask for use in compressed sensing of incoming radiation, the mask comprising: a body formed of a material that modulates an intensity of incoming radiation of interest. The body has a plurality of mask aperture regions, each comprising at least one mask aperture that allows a higher transmission of the radiation relative to other portions of the respective mask aperture region, the relative transmission being sufficient to allow reconstruction of the compressed sensing measurements; the mask has one or more axes of rotational symmetry with respect to the mask aperture regions; the mask apertures have a shape that provides symmetry after a rotation about the one or more axes of rotational symmetry; and mutual coherence of a sensing matrix generated by the rotation of the respective mask aperture regions is less than one. An imaging system for compressed sensing of incoming radiation comprising such a mask is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventors: David Boardman, Mathew Guenette, Alison Flynn, Adam Sarbutt, Lachlan Chartier, Jayden IIter, Dale Prokopovich, Geoff Watt
  • Publication number: 20210180155
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to processes for extracting lithium from an uncalcined lithium-bearing silicate and recovering a lithium salt therefrom. A slurry of the uncalcined lithium-bearing silicate and a caustic solution is heated in an autoclave to provide a Li-rich sodalite phase. The Li-rich sodalite phase is leached with a dilute acid to produce a lithium-rich pregnant liquor. Various subsequent processes to treat the lithium-rich pregnant liquor to recover a lithium salt, such as lithium phosphate, lithium carbonate, lithium sulphate or lithium hydroxide, are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicants: LITHIUM AUSTRALIA NL, AUSTRALIAN NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION
    Inventors: Andrew NAPIER, Christopher GRIFFITH
  • Publication number: 20210134473
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and devices for storing and/or disposing of hazardous waste material. In some embodiments, the waste material includes nuclear waste such as calcined material. In certain embodiments, the device includes a container having a container body, a filling port configured to couple with a filling nozzle and a filling plug, and an evacuation port having a filter. The evacuation port is configured to couple with an evacuation nozzle and an evacuation plug. In certain embodiments, the method includes (a) adding hazardous waste material via a filling nozzle coupled to a filling port of a container, the container including an evacuation port, (b) evacuating the container during adding of the hazardous waste material via an evacuation nozzle coupled to an evacuation port of the container, (c) sealing the filling port, (d) heating the container, and (e) sealing the evacuation port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventors: Walter Guillermo Bermudez, Salvatore Moricca, Allan Grant Murray
  • Patent number: 10910121
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and devices for storing and/or disposing of hazardous waste material. In some embodiments, the waste material includes nuclear waste such as calcined material. In certain embodiments, the device includes a container having a container body, a filling port configured to couple with a filling nozzle and a filling plug, and an evacuation port having a filter. The evacuation port is configured to couple with an evacuation nozzle and an evacuation plug. In certain embodiments, the method includes (a) adding hazardous waste material via a filling nozzle coupled to a filling port of a container, the container including an evacuation port, (b) evacuating the container during adding of the hazardous waste material via an evacuation nozzle coupled to an evacuation port of the container, (c) sealing the filling port, (d) heating the container, and (e) sealing the evacuation port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventors: Walter Guillermo Bermudez, Salvatore Moricca, Allan Grant Murray
  • Publication number: 20200408940
    Abstract: A coded mask apparatus is provided for gamma rays. The apparatus uses nested masks, at least one of which rotates relative to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventors: David Boardman, Adam Sarbutt, Alison Flynn, Dale Prokopovich
  • Publication number: 20200365291
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and devices for storing and/or disposing of hazardous waste material such as calcined material. In certain embodiments, the system comprises a filling nozzle having a valve body having a distal end and an outer surface, the outer surface proximate the distal end being configured to sealingly and removeably couple to an inner surface of a filling port of the container. In certain embodiments, the method comprises (a) coupling an outer surface of a filling nozzle with an inner surface of a filling port of a container to form a first seal (b) adding hazardous waste material into the container (c) decoupling the filling port from the filling nozzle and (d) inserting a fill plug into the filling port, the fill plug forming a second seal with the inner surface of the filling port, the second seal being distally spaced from at least a portion of the first seal with respect to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventors: Salvatore Moricca, Walter Guillermo Bermudez, Allan Grant Murray
  • Patent number: 10795036
    Abstract: A coded mask apparatus is provided for gamma rays. The apparatus uses nested masks, at least one of which rotates relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventors: David Boardman, Adam Sarbutt, Alison Flynn, Dale Prokopovich