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Energy and Environment Directorate

Paul Humble

Paul Humble

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
PO Box 999
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 372-4053

Biography

Dr. Humble 's recent work has focused on solar steam reforming, chemical separations, temperature and pressure swing adsorption, microchannel heat exchange, miniature absorption and vapor compression heat pumps, and fuel cell auxiliary power units. Dr. Humble has a great deal of experience developing and using correlation based tool for the design of heat exchangers, reactors and separation equipment. He also has developed finite element models of separation and heat exchange equipment and processes including pressure swing adsorption, chromatography, microchannel distillation , and methane steam reforming.

Research Interests

  • Process Intensification
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Chemical Separations
  • Renewable Energy
  • Electrochemical Engineering

Education and Credentials

  • Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 2002
  • B.S., Applied Physics, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 1995

Awards and Recognitions

  • Electrochemical Society General-Society Student Poster Session Award in Electrochemical Science and Technology, Poster titled “Ni/Zn and Li-ion Rechargeable Microbatteries for use with MEMS Devices.” Seattle, WA, May 5, 1999

PNNL Patents

PNNL Publications

2023

  • Bottenus D.R., P.H. Humble, R.I. Burnett, W.W. Harper, T.G. Veldman, M.R. Powell, and J.A. Barclay, et al. 2023. "Additively Manufactured Cryogenic Microchannel Distillation Device for Air Separation." Journal of Advanced Manufacturing and Processing 5, no. 1:Art. No. e10139. PNNL-SA-170400. doi:10.1002/amp2.10139

2022

2020

  • Aalseth C.E., S. Abdelhakim, F. Acerbi, P. Agnes, R. Ajaj, I. Albuquerque, and T.R. Alexander, et al. 2020. "Design and construction of a new detector to measure ultra-low radioactive-isotope contamination of argon." Journal of Instrumentation 15, no. 2:Article No. P02024. PNNL-SA-157079. doi:10.1088/1748-0221/15/02/P02024
  • Agnes P., I. Albuquerque, T.R. Alexander, A.K. Alton, M. Ave, H.O. Back, and G. Batignani, et al. 2020. "Effective field theory interactions for liquid argon target in DarkSide-50 experiment." Physical Review D 101, no. 6:Article No. 062002. PNNL-SA-161358. doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.101.062002
  • Chakraborty D., S. Nandi, R. Maity, R.K. Motkuri, K. Han, S. Collins, and P.H. Humble, et al. 2020. "An Ultra-microporous Metal-Organic Framework with Exceptional Xe Capacity." Chemistry - A European Journal 26, no. 55:Article No.12544. PNNL-SA-151859. doi:10.1002/chem.202002331
  • Hayes J.C., C.E. Aalseth, T.R. Alexander, H.O. Back, E.D. Church, M.P. Foxe, and T.W. Hossbach, et al. 2020. "High Throughput Argon-37 Field System." Pure and Applied Geophysics. PNNL-SA-149601. doi:10.1007/s00024-020-02584-z

2019

  • Agnes P., I. Albuquerque, T.R. Alexander, A. Alton, M. Ave, H.O. Back, and G. Batignani, et al. 2019. "Measurement of the ion fraction and mobility of 218Po produced in 222Rn decays in liquid argon." Journal of Instrumentation 14, no. 11:Article No.P11018. PNNL-SA-160911. doi:10.1088/1748-0221/14/11/P11018
  • Johnson C.M., C.E. Aalseth, T.R. Alexander, T.W. Bowyer, V. Chipman, A.R. Day, and S. Drellack, et al. 2019. "Migration of noble gas tracers at the site of an underground nuclear explosion at the Nevada National Security Site." Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 208-209. PNNL-SA-143881. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106047

2018

  • Aalseth C.E., F. Acerbi, P. Agnes, I. Albuquerque, T.R. Alexander, A. Alici, and A. Alton, et al. 2018. "DarkSide-20k: A 20 tonne two-phase LAr TPC for direct dark matter detection at LNGS." European Physical Journal Plus 133, no. 3:Article No. 131. PNNL-SA-134133. doi:10.1140/epjp/i2018-11973-4
  • Agnes P., I. Albuquerque, T.R. Alexander, A. Alton, J.R. Araujo, D.M. Asner, and M. Ave, et al. 2018. "Constraints on Sub-GeV Dark Matter-Electron Scattering from the DarkSide-50 Experiment." Physical Review Letters 121, no. 11:Article number 111303. PNNL-SA-132745. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.111303
  • Agnes P., I. Albuquerque, T.R. Alexander, A. Alton, J.R. Araujo, D.M. Asner, and M. Ave, et al. 2018. "Low-mass Dark Matter Search with the DarkSide-50 Experiment." Physical Review Letters 121, no. 8:081307. PNNL-SA-132892. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.081307
  • Bottenus D.R., D.D. Caldwell, C.M. Fischer, P.H. Humble, M.D. Powell, R.B. Lucke, and W.E. TeGrotenhuis. 2018. "Process Intensification of Distillation using a Microwick Technology to Demonstrate Separation of Propane and Propylene." AIChE Journal 64, no. 10:3690-3699. PNNL-SA-132161. doi:10.1002/aic.16325
  • Fritz B.G., C.E. Aalseth, H.O. Back, J.C. Hayes, P.H. Humble, P. Ivanusa, and E.K. Mace. 2018. "Prediction of sub-surface 37Ar concentrations at locations in the Northwestern United States." Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 181. PNNL-SA-124417. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.10.005

2017

  • Agnes P., I. Albuquerque, T.R. Alexander, A. Alton, D.M. Asner, H.O. Back, and B. Baldin, et al. 2017. "CALIS - a Calibration Insertion System for the DarkSide-50 Dark Matter Search Experiment." Journal of Instrumentation 12, no. 12:Article No. T12004. PNNL-SA-131491. doi:10.1088/1748-0221/12/12/T12004
  • Agnes P., I. Albuquerque, T.R. Alexander, A. Alton, D.M. Asner, H.O. Back, and B. Baldin, et al. 2017. "Effect of low electric fields on alpha scintillation light yield in liquid argon." Journal of Instrumentation 12, no. 1:Article No. P01021. PNNL-SA-127592. doi:10.1088/1748-0221/12/01/P01021
  • Agnes P., I. Albuquerque, T.R. Alexander, A. Alton, D.M. Asner, H.O. Back, and K. Biery, et al. 2017. "Simulation of argon response and light detection in the DarkSide-50 dual phase TPC." Journal of Instrumentation 12, no. 10:Article No. P10015. PNNL-SA-131300. doi:10.1088/1748-0221/12/10/P10015
  • Agnes P., I. Albuquerque, T.R. Alexander, A. Alton, K. Arisaka, D.M. Asner, and M. Ave, et al. 2017. "The Electronics, Trigger and Data Acquisition System for the Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber of the DarkSide-50 Search for Dark Matter." Journal of Instrumentation 12, no. 12:P1201. PNNL-SA-131302. doi:10.1088/1748-0221/12/12/P12011
  • Mace E.K., C.E. Aalseth, J.M. Brandenberger, A.R. Day, E.W. Hoppe, P.H. Humble, and M.E. Keillor, et al. 2017. "Methods for Using Argon-39 to Age-Date Groundwater using Ultra-Low-Background Proportional Counting." Applied Radiation and Isotopes 126. PNNL-SA-121026. doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2016.12.037
  • McIntyre J.I., C.E. Aalseth, T.R. Alexander, H.O. Back, B.J. Bellgraph, T.W. Bowyer, and V.D. Chipman, et al. 2017. "Measurements of Argon-39 at theU20az Underground Nuclear Explosion Site." Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 178-179. PNNL-26326. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.07.013
  • Williams R.M., C.E. Aalseth, J.M. Brandenberger, A.R. Day, E.C. Finn, E.S. Fuller, and E.W. Hoppe, et al. 2017. "Development of a Low-Level 39Ar Calibration Standard - Analysis by Absolute Gas Counting Measurements Augmented with Simulation." Applied Radiation and Isotopes 126. PNNL-SA-120659. doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.02.018

2016

  • Aalseth C.E., P.H. Humble, E.K. Mace, J.L. Orrell, A. Seifert, and R.M. Williams. 2016. "Shielding concepts for low-background proportional counter arrays in surface laboratories." Applied Radiation and Isotopes 108. PNNL-SA-106350. doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.12.033
  • Agnes P., L. Agostino, I. Albuquerque, T. Alexander, A. Alton, K. Arisaka, and H.O. Back, et al. 2016. "Results from the first use of low radioactivity argon in a dark matter search." Physical Review D 93, no. 8:Article No. 081101(R). PNNL-SA-131329. doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.93.081101
  • Hall J.C., C.E. Aalseth, R. Bonicalzi, J.M. Brandenberger, A.R. Day, P.H. Humble, and E.K. Mace, et al. 2016. "39Ar/Ar measurements using ultra-low background proportional counters." Applied Radiation and Isotopes 107. PNNL-SA-98510. doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.10.006
  • Marini L., I. Pagani, P. Agnes, T. Alexander, A. Alton, K. Arisaka, and H.O. Back, et al. 2016. "Current Status of the dark matter experiment DarkSide-50." Il Nuovo Cimento C: Colloquia and Communications in Physics 39, no. 1:Article No. 247. PNNL-SA-131376. doi:10.1393/ncc/i2016-16247-4
  • Olsen K.B., R.R. Kirkham, V.T. Woods, D.A. Haas, J.C. Hayes, T.W. Bowyer, and D.P. Mendoza, et al. 2016. "Noble Gas Migration Experiment to Support the Detection of Underground Nuclear Explosions." Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 307, no. 3:2603-2610. PNNL-SA-109064. doi:10.1007/s10967-015-4639-7
  • Williams R.M., C.E. Aalseth, T.W. Bowyer, A.R. Day, E.S. Fuller, D.A. Haas, and J.C. Hayes, et al. 2016. "Development of a Low-Level Ar-37 Calibration Standard." Applied Radiation and Isotopes 109. PNNL-SA-109332. doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.12.027

2015

  • Aalseth C.E., P. Agnes, A. Alton, K. Arisaka, D.M. Asner, H.O. Back, and B. Baldin, et al. 2015. "The DarkSide Multiton Detector for the Direct Dark Matter Search." Advances in High Energy Physics Volume 2015. PNNL-SA-102086. doi:10.1155/2015/541362
  • Zheng F., R. Diver, D.D. Caldwell, B.G. Fritz, R.J. Cameron, P.H. Humble, and W.E. TeGrotenhuis, et al. 2015. "Integrated solar thermochemical reaction system for steam methane reforming." Energy Procedia 69. PNNL-SA-104155. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2015.03.204

2013

  • Seifert A., C.E. Aalseth, R. Bonicalzi, T.W. Bowyer, A.R. Day, E.S. Fuller, and D.A. Haas, et al. 2013. "Calibration of an Ultra-Low-Background Proportional Counter for Measuring 37Ar." In Low Radioactivity Techniques 2013 (LRT 2013): Proceedings of the IV International Workshop in Low Radioactivity Techniques, April 10-12, 2013, Assergi, Italy. AIP Conference Proceedings, edited by L Miramonti and LPandola, 1549, 26-29. Melville, New York:AIP Publishing. PNNL-SA-96364. doi:10.1063/1.4818068

2012

  • TeGrotenhuis W.E., P.H. Humble, and J.B. Sweeney. 2012. "Simulation of a High Efficiency Multi-bed Adsorption Heat Pump." Applied Thermal Engineering 37, no. 1:176-182. PNNL-SA-82113. doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2011.11.012

2011

  • Harper W.W., J.C. Hayes, P.H. Humble, L.S. Lidey, and R.M. Williams. 2011. "LIMITATIONS USING SMALL VOLUME CRYOTRAPS." In Proceedings of the 33rd Monitoring Research Review: Ground-Based Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Technologies, September 13-15, 2011, Tucson, Arizona, LA-UR-11-04823, 689-694. Washington Dc, District Of Columbia:National Nuclear Security Administration. PNNL-SA-81135.

2009

  • Humble P.H., R.M. Williams, and J.C. Hayes. 2009. "Finite Element Modeling of Adsorption Processes for Gas Separation and Purification." In Monitoring Research Review (MRR 2009): Ground-Based Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Technologies, September 21-23, Tucson, Arizona, 659-666. Los Alamos, New Mexico:Los Alamos National Laboratory. PNNL-SA-67474.

2008

  • Holladay J.D., K.P. Brooks, P.H. Humble, J. Hu, and T. Simon. 2008. "Compact Reverse Water-Gas-Shift Reactor for Extra-Terrestrial In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)." Journal of Propulsion and power 24, no. 3:578-582. PNWD-SA-8043.

2007

  • Palo D.R., V.S. Stenkamp, J.D. Holladay, P.H. Humble, R.A. Dagle, and K.P. Brooks. 2007. "Non-Reactor Micro-Component Development." In Micro-Instrumentation for High Throughput Experimentation and Process Intensification, edited by MV Koch, KM VandenBussche, R Chrisman. 131-180. Weinheim:Wiley-VHC. PNNL-SA-47051.
  • Peterson R.B., B. Paul, T. Palmer, Q. Wu, W. Jost, C.T. Tseng, and S. Tiwari, et al. 2007. "Microscale Power Generation based on Radiolytic Processes." In The Sixth International Workshop on Micro and Nanotechnology for Power Generation and Energy Conversion Applications (PowerMEMS 2006), November 29-December 1, 2006, Berkeley, California, 235-238. Bristol:IOPScience. PNWD-SA-7665.
  • Peterson R.B., B. Paul, T. Palmer, Q. Wu, W. Jost, C.T. Tseng, and S. Tiwari, et al. 2007. "Radiolytic microscale power generation based on single chamber fuel cell operation." Journal of Micromechanics and microengineering: structures, devices & systems 17. PNWD-SA-8045. doi:10.1088/0960-1317/17/9/S07

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