Patents by Inventor James L. Krumhansl
James L. Krumhansl 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).
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Publication number: 20180162746Abstract: Dissolved silica is ubiquitous in impaired waters, a fouling agent in desalination membranes, resistant to existing antiscalants, and difficult to remove from power plant feed waters, thereby inhibiting long term reuse of industrial water. According to the present invention, an inorganic anion exchanger, hydrotalcite (HTC), can provide highly selective removal of silica from aqueous solutions. Calcined HTC effectively removes silicate anion from different waste waters and waters with high concentration of competing ions, such as SO42? and Cl?. For example, calcined Mg6Al2(OH)16(CO3).4H2O has a silica adsorption capacity of 45 mg SiO2/g HTC. Further, HTC can be easily regenerated and recycled.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2016Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Tina N. Nenoff, Koroush Sasan, Patrick V. Brady, James L. Krumhansl
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Patent number: 9518449Abstract: A method of recovering a liquid hydrocarbon using an injectate includes recovering the liquid hydrocarbon through primary extraction. Physico-chemical data representative of electrostatic interactions between the liquid hydrocarbon and the reservoir rock are measured. At least one additive of the injectate is selected based on the physico-chemical data. The method includes recovering the liquid hydrocarbon from the reservoir rock through secondary extraction using the injectate.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Patrick V. Brady, James L. Krumhansl
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Patent number: 9140145Abstract: A system including a vessel including a heat source and a flue; a turbine; a condenser; a fluid conduit circuit disposed between the vessel, the turbine and the condenser; and a diverter coupled to the flue to direct a portion of an exhaust from the flue to contact with a cooling medium for the condenser water. A method including diverting a portion of exhaust from a flue of a vessel; modifying the pH of a cooling medium for a condenser with the portion of exhaust; and condensing heated fluid from the vessel with the pH modified cooling medium.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Patrick V. Brady, James L. Krumhansl
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Patent number: 8926870Abstract: Materials and methods of synthesizing mixed-layered bismuth oxy-iodine materials, which can be synthesized in the presence of aqueous radioactive iodine species found in caustic solutions (e.g. NaOH or KOH). This technology provides a one-step process for both iodine sequestration and storage from nuclear fuel cycles. It results in materials that will be durable for repository conditions much like those found in Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and estimated for Yucca Mountain (YMP). By controlled reactant concentrations, optimized compositions of these mixed-layered bismuth oxy-iodine inorganic materials are produced that have both a high iodine weight percentage and a low solubility in groundwater environments.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: James L. Krumhansl, Tina M. Nenoff
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Patent number: 8812271Abstract: A method of designing an injectate to be used in a waterflooding operation is disclosed. One aspect includes specifying data representative of chemical characteristics of a liquid hydrocarbon, a connate, and a reservoir rock, of a subterranean reservoir. Charged species at an interface of the liquid hydrocarbon are determined based on the specified data by evaluating at least one chemical reaction. Charged species at an interface of the reservoir rock are determined based on the specified data by evaluating at least one chemical reaction. An extent of surface complexation between the charged species at the interfaces of the liquid hydrocarbon and the reservoir rock is determined by evaluating at least one surface complexation reaction. The injectate is designed and is operable to decrease the extent of surface complexation between the charged species at interfaces of the liquid hydrocarbon and the reservoir rock. Other methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Patrick V. Brady, James L. Krumhansl
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Patent number: 8708422Abstract: An in situ recovery of uranium operation involves circulating reactive fluids through an underground uranium deposit. These fluids contain chemicals that dissolve the uranium ore. Uranium is recovered from the fluids after they are pumped back to the surface. Chemicals used to accomplish this include complexing agents that are organic, readily degradable, and/or have a predictable lifetime in an aquifer. Efficiency is increased through development of organic agents targeted to complexing tetravalent uranium rather than hexavalent uranium. The operation provides for in situ immobilization of some oxy-anion pollutants under oxidizing conditions as well as reducing conditions. The operation also artificially reestablishes reducing conditions on the aquifer after uranium recovery is completed. With the ability to have the impacted aquifer reliably remediated, the uranium recovery operation can be considered inherently safe.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: James L. Krumhansl, Patrick V. Brady
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Patent number: 8663361Abstract: Approaches for alkali metal extraction, sequestration and recovery are described. For example, a method of recovering alkali metals includes providing a CST or CST-like (e.g., small pore zeolite) material. The alkali metal species is scavenged from the liquid mixture by the CST or CST-like material. The alkali metal species is extracted from the CST or CST-like material.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: James L. Krumhansl, Mark J. Rigali
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Patent number: 8383021Abstract: Materials and methods of synthesizing mixed-layered bismuth oxy-iodine materials, which can be synthesized in the presence of aqueous radioactive iodine species found in caustic solutions (e.g. NaOH or KOH). This technology provides a one-step process for both iodine sequestration and storage from nuclear fuel cycles. It results in materials that will be durable for repository conditions much like those found in Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and estimated for Yucca Mountain (YMP). By controlled reactant concentrations, optimized compositions of these mixed-layered bismuth oxy-iodine inorganic materials are produced that have both a high iodine weight percentage and a low solubility in groundwater environments.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: James L. Krumhansl, Tina M. Nenoff
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Patent number: 8262950Abstract: Materials and methods of making low-sintering-temperature glass waste forms that sequester radioactive iodine in a strong and durable structure. First, the iodine is captured by an adsorbant, which forms an iodine-loaded material, e.g., AgI, AgI-zeolite, AgI-mordenite, Ag-silica aerogel, ZnI2, CuI, or Bi5O7I. Next, particles of the iodine-loaded material are mixed with powdered frits of low-sintering-temperature glasses (comprising various oxides of Si, B, Bi, Pb, and Zn), and then sintered at a relatively low temperature, ranging from 425° C. to 550° C. The sintering converts the mixed powders into a solid block of a glassy waste form, having low iodine leaching rates. The vitrified glassy waste form can contain as much as 60 wt % AgI. A preferred glass, having a sintering temperature of 500° C. (below the silver iodide sublimation temperature of 500° C.) was identified that contains oxides of boron, bismuth, and zinc, while containing essentially no lead or silicon.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Tina M. Nenoff, James L. Krumhansl, Terry J. Garino, Nathan W. Ockwig
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Patent number: 7514004Abstract: A low-cost, water treatment system and method for reducing arsenic contamination in small community water storage tanks. Arsenic is removed by using a submersible pump, sitting at the bottom of the tank, which continuously recirculates (at a low flow rate) arsenic-contaminated water through an attached and enclosed filter bed containing arsenic-sorbing media. The pump and treatment column can be either placed inside the tank (In-Tank) by manually-lowering through an access hole, or attached to the outside of the tank (Out-of-Tank), for easy replacement of the sorption media.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Patrick V. Brady, Brian P. Dwyer, James L. Krumhansl, Joseph D. Chwirka
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Patent number: 7271310Abstract: A method (and concomitant kit) for treating a surface to reduce subsequent 137Cs nuclide desorption comprising contacting the surface with a first cation-containing solution, the cation being one or more of Cs+, Rb+, Ag+, Tl+, K+, and NH4+, and contacting the surface with a second cation-containing solution, the cation being one or more of Cs+, Rb+, Ag+, Tl+, K+, and NH4+, thereby reducing amounts of radioactive cesium embedded in clays found on the surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: James L. Krumhansl, Patrick V. Brady, David M. Teter, Paul McConnell
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Patent number: 7244359Abstract: A process and medium for decontamination of water containing anionic species including arsenic and chromium, wherein compounds comprising divalent and trivalent metal oxides and sulfides are used to form surface complexes with contaminants under pH conditions within the range of potable water. In one embodiment natural and synthetic spinels and spinel-like materials are used as the sorbent substance.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: David M. Teter, Patrick V. Brady, James L. Krumhansl
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Patent number: 7138063Abstract: An improved water decontamination process comprising contacting water containing anionic contaminants with an enhanced coagulant to form an enhanced floc, which more efficiently binds anionic species (e.g., arsenate, arsenite, chromate, fluoride, selenate, and borate, and combinations thereof) predominantly through the formation of surface complexes. The enhanced coagulant comprises a trivalent metal cation coagulant (e.g., ferric chloride or aluminum sulfate) mixed with a divalent metal cation modifier (e.g., copper sulfate or zinc sulfate).Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: David M. Teter, Patrick V. Brady, James L. Krumhansl, Nadim R. Khandaker
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Patent number: 7122502Abstract: A process and medium for decontamination of water containing anionic species including arsenic and chromium, wherein compounds comprising divalent and trivalent metal oxides and sulfides are used to form surface complexes with contaminants under pH conditions within the range of potable water. In one embodiment natural and synthetic spinels and spinel-like materials are used as the sorbent substance.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: David M. Teter, Patrick V. Brady, James L. Krumhansl
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Patent number: 7074336Abstract: A process and medium for decontamination of water containing anionic species including arsenic and chromium, wherein compounds comprising divalent and trivalent metal oxides and sulfides are used to form surface complexes with contaminants under pH conditions within the range of potable water. In one embodiment natural and synthetic spinels and spinel-like materials are used as the sorbent substance.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2001Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: David M. Teter, Patrick V. Brady, James L. Krumhansl
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Patent number: 6830695Abstract: An in situ process for treating ambient solid materials (e.g., soils, aquifer solids, sludges) by adding one or more divalent metal cations to the ambient solid material. The added divalent metal cations, such as Cu2+ or Zn2+, combine with metal oxide/hydroxides (e.g., ferric oxide/hydroxide or aluminum oxide/hydroxide) already present in the ambient solid material to form an effective sorbent material having a large number of positively-charged surface complexes that binds and immobilizes anionic contaminant species (e.g., arsenic or chromate). Divalent metal cations can be added, for example, by injecting an aqueous solution of CuSO4 into an aquifer contaminated with arsenic or chromate. Also, sludges can be stabilized against leaching of anionic contaminants through the addition of divalent metal cations. Also, an inexpensive sorbent material can be easily formed by mixing divalent metal cations with soil that has been removed from the ground.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Patrick V. Brady, Nadim R. Khandaker, James L. Krumhansl, David M. Teter
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Patent number: 6802980Abstract: A method for removing dissolved arsenic from an aqueous medium comprising adding lime to the aqueous medium, and adding one or more sources of divalent metal ions other than calcium and magnesium to the aqueous medium, whereby dissolved arsenic in the aqueous medium is reduced to a lower level than possible if only the step of adding lime were performed. Also a composition of matter for removing dissolved arsenic from an aqueous medium comprising lime and one or more sources of divalent copper and/or zinc metal ions.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Nadim R. Khandaker, Patrick V. Brady, David M. Teter, James L. Krumhansl