Chemical Separation Technologies

Chemical Separation Technologies

ORNL researchers are working with the US Department of Energy (DOE), industry, and academia to develop new fundamental knowledge of separations processes to drive promising chemical separation systems that can be easily adopted by industry. These new technologies draw upon the expertise of ORNL scientists who deliver innovations—from concept to implementation—through transformational broad-based research. ORNL-developed chemical separation systems offer economical, efficient separation agents that are stable and functional under real-world processing conditions. ORNL’s Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction process, which separates >99.99% of the cesium from tank waste, has been used in processing more than 6 million gallons of high-level waste at DOE’s Savannah River Site since 2008. These novel approaches involve efficient sorbents, highly selective receptors, polymer membranes, solvent extraction, and selective crystallization that can be applied to wide-ranging industrial needs, including industrial waste streams, industrial contaminate removal, and recovery of critical materials and other commodities. Individuals and organizations can partner with our researchers via Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, Strategic Partnership Projects, or user agreements. For a list of chemical separation technologies available for licensing, please visit chemicalseparationtechnologies.ornl.gov

ORNL capabilities and expertise provide world class research resulting in new approaches for chemical separations focused in areas such as:

Many of ORNL innovations are available for licensing, and opportunities exist for collaborative research and development.