PNNL

Dr. Paul Humble is a chemical engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) who specializes in process intensification, chemical separations, and renewable energy systems. His work spans a range of applied research and development efforts, including solar steam reforming, temperature and pressure swing adsorption, microchannel and mesoscale heat exchange, and electrochemical energy systems. He has led the development of both correlation-based tools and finite element models for designing heat exchangers, reactors, and separation equipment. Dr. Humble’s recent projects include modeling advanced separation processes such as microchannel distillation and methane steam reforming as well as contributing to novel reactor assemblies and cryogenic microchannel distillation systems through additive manufacturing.

• Process intensification
• Chemical separations
• Electrochemical engineering

• Chemical engineering
• Heat and mass transfer
• Thermal system design
• Adsorption and absorption systems
• Additive manufacturing for energy systems
• Finite element modeling

• PhD in chemical engineering, Brigham Young University, 2002
• BS in applied physics, Brigham Young University, 1995

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

• Dagle, Robert A., Paul H. Humble, Shankar Krishnan, Steven D. Leith, Daniel R. Palo, and Robert S. Wegeng. Solar Thermochemical Processing System and Method. U.S. Patent No. AU2019204168B2, filed 14 June 2019, and issued 10 June 2021. https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2019204168B2/en.
• Bearden, Mark D., and Paul H. Humble. Carbon Dioxide Capture from Power or Process Plant Gases. U.S. Patent No. US8747520B2, filed 3 May 2011, and issued 10 June 2014. https://patents.google.com/patent/US8747520B2/en.
• Tegrotenhuis, Ward E., Paul H. Humble, Curt A. Lavender, and Dustin D. Caldwell. Enhanced Two Phase Flow in Heat Transfer Systems. U.S. Patent No. US8596341B2, filed 5 June 2008, and issued 3 December 2013. https://patents.google.com/patent/US8596341B2/en.
• Hayes, James C., Paul H. Humble, Mark E. Panisko, Warren W. Harper, and Timothy L. Stewart. Xenon Collection Method and System. U.S. Patent No. US10226731B2, filed 19 June 2018, and issued 12 March 2019. https://patents.google.com/patent/US10226731B2/en.
• Heldebrant, David J., Ward E. Tegrotenhuis, Charles J. Freeman, Michael L. Elliott, Phillip K. Koech, Paul H. Humble, Feng Zheng, and Jian Zhang. System and Process for Polarity Swing Assisted Regeneration of Gas Selective Capture Liquids. U.S. Patent No. US9707508B2, filed 2 September 2011, and issued 18 July 2017. https://patents.google.com/patent/US9707508B2/en.
• Zheng, Richard F., Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Dustin D. Caldwell, and Richard B. Diver. Reactor Assemblies and Methods of Performing Reactions. U.S. Patent No. US2022305453A1, filed 7 June 2022, and issued 29 September 2022. 2022. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20220305453A1/en.
• Tegrotenhuis, Ward E., Christopher K. Clayton, Paul H. Humble, Timothy G. Veldman, Robert S. Wegeng, Richard F. Zheng. Enhanced Microchannel or Mesochannel Devices And Methods of Additively Manufacturing the Same. Patent No. WO2019246586A1, filed 21 June 2019, and issued 26 December 2019. https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2019246586A1/en.
• Tegrotenhuis, Ward E., Paul H. Humble, and Dustin D. Caldwell. Methods for Separating a Fluid, and Devices Capable of Separating a Fluid. Patent No. WO2009124155A1, filed 1 April 2009, and issued 8 October 2009. https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2009124155A1/en.
• Tegrotenhuis, Ward E., Karim M. Ayman, Paul H. Humble, and Yong Wang. Suspended-Slurry Reactor. U.S. Patent No. US9289741B2, filed 30 January 2013, and issued 22 March 2016. https://patents.google.com/patent/US9289741B2/en.
• Zheng, Richard F., Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Dustin D. Caldwell, Richard B. Diver, Ward E. Tegrotenhuis, Christopher K. Clayton, and Timothy G. Veldman. Reactor Assemblies and Methods of Performing Reactions. U.S. Patent No. US2023226513A1, filed 6 March 2023, and issued 20 July 2023. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230226513A1/en.
• Brown, Daryl, Paul H. Humble, Ward E. Tegrotenhuis, Timothy G. Veldman, Dennis Walters, Robert S. Wegeng, and Richard F. Zheng. Process Intensive Reactors with Reduced Thermal Stress. Patent No. AU2022348508A1, filed 16 September 2022, and issued 11 April 2024. https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2022348508A1/en.
• Humble, Paul H., Dan R. Bottenus, Timothy G. Veldman, Mike D. Ripplinger, and Warren W. Harper. Microchannel Distillation Device Fabricated Using Additive Manufacture. U.S. Patent No. US2025003678A1, filed 1 July 2023, and issued 2 January 2025. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20250003678A1/en.
• Dagle, Robert A., Johnny Saavedra Lopez, Ward E. Tegrotenhuis, Richard F. Zheng, Dan R. Bottenus, Paul H. Humble, and Stephen D. Davidson. Method of Combined Separation and Conversion of an Oxygenate and Microchannel Reactive Distillation Apparatus. U.S. Patent No. US2025066269A1, filed 21 August 2023, and issued 27 February 2025. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20250066269A1/en.

2024

• Saavedra-Lopez, J., S.D. Davidson, P.H. Humble, D.R. Bottenus, V. Dagle, Y. Jiang, and C.J. Freeman, et al. 2024. "Microchannel Reactive Distillation for the Conversion of Aqueous Ethanol to Ethylene." Journal of Energy Chemistry 98, no.:481-493. PNNL-SA-190122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jechem.2024.07.005.

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. https://doi.org/10.1002/amp2.10139.

2022

• TeGrotenhuis, W.E., D.R. Bottenus, P.H. Humble, P.S. McNeff, T.G. Veldman, and R.F. Zheng. 2022. Manufacturing Supply Chain Development for Modular Solar-Thermochemical Conversion Platform - CRADA 387 (Final Report). PNNL-33015. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Manufacturing Supply Chain Development for Modular Solar-Thermochemical Conversion Platform - CRADA 387 (Final Report)

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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/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. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1057850.

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. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/967218.

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. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/917581.
• 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. https://doi.org/10.1088/0960-1317/17/9/S07.