Skip to Main Content U.S. Department of Energy
Energy and Environment Directorate

Richard Hallen

Richard Hallen

(509) 375-6919

Biography

Rich Hallen has been at the lab for 30 years working as a research chemist in the area of chemical reactions and separation of components in complex mixtures. Areas of past research have included synthetic fuel production, gas separations, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, industrial chemical synthesis, and waste treatment. More recent research has focused on the development and deployment of new chemical synthesis processes based upon alternate feedstocks. The research efforts are developing new materials from bio-based renewable resources and new processes for production of fuels and chemicals from renewable resources, primarily agricultural based feedstocks. One key area of research has involved catalytic transformation of fermentation derived compounds. Current efforts are focused on the conversion of biomass resources to high volume industrial chemicals and production of renewable jet and diesel fuels. Currently, serving as Team Lead for the Fuel Conversion Area of the NAABB consortium and is the PNNL project manager for the NABC consortium.

Research Interests

  • Developing new materials from bio-based renewable resources.
  • Developing new processes for production of fuels and chemicals from renewable resources (primarily agricultural based feedstocks).
  • Catalytic transformation of fermentation-derived compounds.
  • Conversion of biomass resources to high volume industrial chemicals and production of renewable jet and diesel fuels.

Education and Credentials

  • M.S., Chemistry, Oregon State UniversityB.S., Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Lewis-Clark State College

Awards and Recognitions

  • R & D 100 Award. "Carbohydrate Conversion Process." Walkup, P. C., C. A. Rohrmann, D.E. Eakin, R. T. Hallen, and G. L. Roberts. 1991.
  • Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer. "Conversion of Fermentable Carbohydrates to Acrylate Esters." Walkup, P. C., C. A. Rohrmann, D.E. Eakin, and R. T. Hallen. 1990.

PNNL Patents

PNNL Publications

2022

  • Santosa D.M., L. Wendt, B.D. Wahlen, A.J. Schmidt, J.M. Billing, I.V. Kutnyakov, and R.T. Hallen, et al. 2022. "Impact of storage and blending of algae and forest product residue on fuel blendstock production." Algal Research 62. PNNL-SA-169550. doi:10.1016/j.algal.2021.102622
  • Snowden-Swan L.J., S. Li, Y. Jiang, M.R. Thorson, A.J. Schmidt, T.E. Seiple, and J.M. Billing, et al. 2022. Wet Waste Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Biocrude Upgrading to Hydrocarbon Fuels: 2021 State of Technology. PNNL-32731. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. doi:10.2172/1863608.Wet Waste Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Biocrude Upgrading to Hydrocarbon Fuels: 2021 State of Technology

2021

  • Snowden-Swan L.J., J.M. Billing, M.R. Thorson, A.J. Schmidt, Y. Jiang, D.M. Santosa, and T.E. Seiple, et al. 2021. Wet Waste Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Biocrude Upgrading to Hydrocarbon Fuels: 2020 State of Technology. PNNL-30982. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Wet Waste Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Biocrude Upgrading to Hydrocarbon Fuels: 2020 State of Technology
  • Thorson M.R., D.M. Santosa, R.T. Hallen, I.V. Kutnyakov, M.V. Olarte, M.D. Flake, and G.G. Neuenschwander, et al. 2021. "SCALEABLE HYDROTREATING OF HTL BIOCRUDE TO PRODUCE FUEL BLENDSTOCKS." Energy and Fuels 35, no. 14:11346-11352. PNNL-SA-160510. doi:10.1021/acs.energyfuels.1c00956

2020

2019

  • Collett J.R., J.M. Billing, P.A. Meyer, A.J. Schmidt, A.B. Remington, E. Hawley, and B.A. Hofstad, et al. 2019. "Renewable diesel via hydrothermal liquefaction of oleaginous yeast and residual lignin from bioconversion of corn stover." Applied Energy 233. PNNL-SA-133222. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.09.115

2018

  • Butcher M.G., P.A. Meyer, R.T. Hallen, K.O. Albrecht, C.K. Clayton, E. Polikarpov, and K.G. Rappe, et al. 2018. "Fungal Metabolites as Precursors to Renewable Transportation Fuels." Fuel 215. PNNL-SA-126614. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2017.10.052
  • Jarvis J.M., J.M. Billing, Y.E. Corilo, A.J. Schmidt, R.T. Hallen, and T. Schaub. 2018. "FT-ICR MS Analysis of Pine-Algal HTL Biocrude Blends." Fuel 216. PNNL-SA-128145. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2017.12.016
  • Marrone P.A., D.C. Elliott, J.M. Billing, R.T. Hallen, T.R. Hart, P. Kadota, and J.C. Moeller, et al. 2018. "Bench-Scale Evaluation of Hydrothermal Processing Technology for Conversion of Wastewater Solids to Fuels." Water Environment Research 90, no. 4:329-342. PNNL-SA-131515. doi:10.2175/106143017X15131012152861

2017

  • Jarvis J.M., J.M. Billing, R.T. Hallen, A.J. Schmidt, and T. Schaub. 2017. "Hydrothermal Liquefaction Biocrude Compositions Compared to Petroleum Crude and Shale Oil." Energy and Fuels 31, no. 3:2896-2906. PNNL-SA-127214. doi:10.1021/acs.energyfuels.6b03022
  • Marrone P.A., D.C. Elliott, J.M. Billing, R.T. Hallen, T.R. Hart, P. Kadota, and J.C. Moeller, et al. 2017. "Bench-Scale Evaluation of the Genifuel Hydrothermal Processing Technology for Wastewater Solids." In Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, (WEFTEC 2017), September 30 - October 4, 2017, Chicago, Illinois, 3032-3061. Alexandria, Virginia:Water Environment Federation. PNNL-SA-127937. doi:10.2175/193864717822157702
  • Olarte M.V., A.B. Padmaperuma, J. Ferrell, E.D. Christensen, R.T. Hallen, R.B. Lucke, and S.D. Burton, et al. 2017. "Characterization of Upgraded Fast Pyrolysis Oak Oil Distillate Fractions from Sulfided and Non-Sulfided Catalytic Hydrotreating." Fuel 202. PNNL-SA-119855. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2017.03.051
  • Snowden-Swan L.J., Y. Zhu, M.D. Bearden, T.E. Seiple, S.B. Jones, A.J. Schmidt, and J.M. Billing, et al. 2017. Conceptual Biorefinery Design and Research Targeted for 2022: Hydrothermal Liquefacation Processing of Wet Waste to Fuels. PNNL-27186. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Conceptual Biorefinery Design and Research Targeted for 2022: Hydrothermal Liquefacation Processing of Wet Waste to Fuels

2016

  • Albrecht K.O., Y. Zhu, A.J. Schmidt, J.M. Billing, T.R. Hart, S.B. Jones, and G.D. Maupin, et al. 2016. "Impact of Heterotrophically Stressed Algae for Biofuel Production via Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Catalytic Hydrotreating in Continuous-Flow Reactors." Algal Research 14. PNNL-SA-112594. doi:10.1016/j.algal.2015.12.008
  • Jarvis J.M., N. Sudasinghe, K.O. Albrecht, A.J. Schmidt, R.T. Hallen, D.B. Anderson, and J.M. Billing, et al. 2016. "Impact of Iron Porphyrin Complexes when Hydroprocessing Algal HTL Biocrude." Fuel 182. PNNL-SA-116699. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2016.05.107
  • Snowden-Swan L.J., Y. Zhu, S.B. Jones, D.C. Elliott, A.J. Schmidt, R.T. Hallen, and J.M. Billing, et al. 2016. Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Upgrading of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge: A Preliminary Techno-Economic Analysis. PNNL-25464. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Upgrading of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge: A Preliminary Techno-Economic Analysis
  • Snowden-Swan L.J., Y. Zhu, S.B. Jones, D.C. Elliott, A.J. Schmidt, R.T. Hallen, and J.M. Billing, et al. 2016. Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Upgrading of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge: A Preliminary Techno-Economic Analysis Rev.1. PNNL-25464 Rev. 1. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Upgrading of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge: A Preliminary Techno-Economic Analysis Rev.1

2014

  • Andersen A., S.M. Kathmann, M.A. Lilga, K.O. Albrecht, R.T. Hallen, and D. Mei. 2014. "Effects of Potassium Doping on CO Hydrogenation Over MoS2 Catalysts: A First-Principles Investigation." Catalysis Communications 52. PNNL-SA-93304. doi:10.1016/j.catcom.2014.02.011
  • Jones S.B., Y. Zhu, D.B. Anderson, R.T. Hallen, D.C. Elliott, A.J. Schmidt, and K.O. Albrecht, et al. 2014. Process Design and Economics for the Conversion of Algal Biomass to Hydrocarbons: Whole Algae Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Upgrading. PNNL-23227. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Process Design and Economics for the Conversion of Algal Biomass to Hydrocarbons: Whole Algae Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Upgrading
  • Jones S.B., Y. Zhu, L.J. Snowden-Swan, D. Anderson, R.T. Hallen, A.J. Schmidt, and K.O. Albrecht, et al. 2014. Whole Algae Hydrothermal Liquefaction: 2014 State of Technology. PNNL-23867. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Whole Algae Hydrothermal Liquefaction: 2014 State of Technology
  • Sudasinghe N., B. Dungan, P. Lammers, K.O. Albrecht, D.C. Elliott, R.T. Hallen, and T. Schaub. 2014. "High resolution FT-ICR mass spectral analysis of bio-oil and residual water soluble organics produced by hydrothermal liquefaction of the marine microalga Nannochloropsis salina." Fuel 119. PNNL-SA-101159. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2013.11.019
  • Sudasinghe N., J.R. Cort, R.T. Hallen, M.V. Olarte, A.J. Schmidt, and T. Schaub. 2014. "Hydrothermal Liquefaction Oil and Hydrotreated Product from Pine Feedstock Characterized by Heteronuclear Two-Dimensional NMR Spectroscopy and FT-ICR Mass Spectrometry." Fuel 137. PNNL-SA-102800. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2014.07.069

2013

  • Dagle R.A., V.M. Lebarbier, J.A. Lizarazo Adarme, D.L. King, Y. Zhu, M.J. Gray, and S.B. Jones, et al. 2013. Single-Step Syngas-to-Distillates (S2D) Synthesis via Methanol and Dimethyl Ether Intermediates: Final Report. PNNL-22984. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Single-Step Syngas-to-Distillates (S2D) Synthesis via Methanol and Dimethyl Ether Intermediates: Final Report
  • Elliott D.C., T.R. Hart, A.J. Schmidt, G.G. Neuenschwander, L.J. Rotness, M.V. Olarte, and A.H. Zacher, et al. 2013. "Process Development for Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Feedstocks in a Continuous-Flow Reactor." Algal Research 2, no. 4:445-454. PNNL-SA-96121.
  • Zhu Y., K.O. Albrecht, D.C. Elliott, R.T. Hallen, and S.B. Jones. 2013. "Development of Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Upgrading Technologies for Lipid-Extracted Algae Conversion to Liquid Fuels." Algal Research 2, no. 4:455-464. PNNL-SA-93666. doi:10.1016/j.algal.2013.07.003

2012

2011

  • Albrecht K.O., and R.T. Hallen. 2011. A Brief Literature Overview of Various Routes to Biorenewable Fuels from Lipids for the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bio-products (NAABB) Consortium. PNNL-20279. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. A Brief Literature Overview of Various Routes to Biorenewable Fuels from Lipids for the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bio-products (NAABB) Consortium
  • Andersen A., S.M. Kathmann, M.A. Lilga, K.O. Albrecht, R.T. Hallen, and D. Mei. 2011. "Adsorption of Potassium on the MoS2(100) Surface: A First-Principles Investigation." Journal of Physical Chemistry C 115, no. 18:9025-9040. PNNL-SA-75323. doi:10.1021/jp110069r
  • Billing J.M., R.C. Daniel, R.T. Hallen, P.P. Schonewill, R.W. Shimskey, and R.A. Peterson. 2011. "Chemical cleaning of porous stainless steel cross-flow filter elements for nuclear waste applications." In American Filtration and Separations Society Annual Meeting, May 10-12, 2011, Lousiville, Kentucky. Kingwood, Texas:American Filtration & Separations Society. PNNL-SA-79432.

2010

  • Lilga M.A., R.T. Hallen, and M.J. Gray. 2010. "Production of Oxidized Derivatives of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)." Topics in Catalysis 53, no. 15-18:1264-1269. PNWD-SA-8796.

2006

  • Geeting J.G., R.T. Hallen, and R.A. Peterson. 2006. "Ultrafilter Conditions for High Level Waste Sludge Processing." Separation Science and Technology 41, no. 11:2313-2324. PNWD-SA-7098.

2005

  • Geeting J.G., and R.T. Hallen. 2005. "Filtration, Washing, and Caustic Leaching of Hanford Tank AZ-101 Sludge." Separation Science and Technology 40, no. 1-3:1-15. PNWD-SA-6207.
  • Geeting J.G., R.T. Hallen, and R.A. Peterson. 2005. "Optimization of Ultrafilter Feed Conditions Using Classical Filtration Models." Journal of Membrane Science 265, no. 1-2:137-141. PNWD-SA-6855. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2005.05.008
  • Hallen R.T., J.G. Geeting, M.A. Lilga, T.R. Hart, and F.V. Hoopes. 2005. "Assessment of the Mechanisms for Sr-90 and Tru Removal from Complexant-Containing Tank Wastes at Hanford." Separation Science and Technology 40, no. 1-3:171-183. PNWD-SA-6239.

2001

  • Gauger A.M., and R.T. Hallen. 2001. "Individual Reactions of Permanganate & Various Reductants." Journal of Undergraduate Research 1. PNWD-SA-4662.

1999

  • Fryxell G.E., J. Liu, T.A. Hauser, Z. Nie, K.F. Ferris, S.V. Mattigod, and M. Gong, et al. 1999. "Design and Synthesis of Selective Mesoporous Anion Types." Chemistry of Materials 11, no. 8:2148-2154. PNNL-SA-31159.
  • Rassat S.D., J.H. Sukamto, R.J. Orth, M.A. Lilga, and R.T. Hallen. 1999. "Development of Electrically Switched Ion Exchange Process for Selective Ion Separations." Separation and Purification Technology 15, no. 3:207-222. PNNL-SA-29955.

1998

  • Bowman L.E., N.H. Reade, R.T. Hallen, and A. Butenhoff. 1998. "Advances in Carbon Dioxide Based Sizing and Desizing." Textile Research Journal 68, no. 10:732-738. PNNL-SA-31632.

Energy and Environment

Core Research Areas

Contacts