Profile Picture

Robert Hoover

Research Scientist

Research Areas:
Chemical Engineering and Chemistry; Chemical Processing; Chemical Separations; Electrical engineering; Electrochemical Processes; Fuel Recycling; Ionic Liquids; Nuclear fuel cycle; Nuclear Fuel Separations

Biography:

​Rob is a research scientist in the Pyrochemistry and Molten Salt Systems department at INL with over ten years of both computational and experimental experience in the molten salt pyroprocessing field. He received bachelor's degrees in French, chemistry, and chemical engineering from University of Idaho in Moscow. Dr. Hoover then moved to Idaho Falls and earned a master's in nuclear engineering and Ph.D. in chemical engineering focusing on pyrochemical processing of used nuclear fuels. He is currently working at INL on many different aspects of separations in molten salt systems, focusing on the chemistry and electrochemistry of actinide bearing molten salts. Dr. Hoover has authored or co-authored 12 peer-reviewed publications and over 20 presentations at national and international conferences and workshops on topics relating to pyroprocessing technology and safeguards.

Education:

​Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, University of Idaho, 2014

M.S. Nuclear Engineering, University of Idaho, 2010

B.S. Chemical Engineering, B.S. Chemistry, B.A. French, University of Idaho, 2007

Affiliations:
  • Adjunct Faculty, University of Idaho, Department of Chemical and Materials Science Engineering​
Publications:
  • R.O. Hoover, D. Yoon, and S. Phongikaroon, "Effects of Temperature, Concentration, and Uranium Chloride Mixture on Zirconium Electrochemical Studies in LiCl-KCl Eutectic Salt," Journal of Nuclear Materials, 476, 179-187 (2016).
  • P.L. Lafreniere, D.S. Rappleye, R.O. Hoover, M.F. Simpson, and E.D. Blandford, "Demonstration of Signature-Based Safeguards for Pyroprocessing as Applied to Electrorefining and the Ingot Casting Process," Nuclear Technology, 189, 173-185 (2015).
  • R.O. Hoover, M.R. Shaltry, S. Martin, K. Sridharan, and S. Phongikaroon, "Electrochemical Studies and Analysis of 1-10 wt% UCl3 Concentrations in Molten LiCl-KCl Eutectic," Journal of Nuclear Materials, 452, 389-396 (2014).
  • S. Choi, J. Park, R.O. Hoover, S. Phongikaroon, M.F. Simpson, K.R. Kim, and I.S. Hwang, "Uncertainty Studies of Real Anode Surface Area in Computational Analysis for Molten Salt Electrorefining," Journal of Nuclear Materials, 416, 318-326 (2011).
  • R.O. Hoover, S. Phongikaroon, M.F. Simpson, T.S. Yoo, and S.X. Li, "Computational Model of the Mark-IV Electrorefiner: Two-Dimensional Potential and Current Distributions," Nuclear Technology, 173(2), 176-182 (2011).
Awards:
  • 2017 Distinguished Under 40 – Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce

  • 1st Place Chemical Separations Category - 2012 Fuel Cycle Innovations in Research, U.S. DOE

  • 2010 Outstanding Graduate Student - University of Idaho College of Engineering

Research Interests:

Pyroprocessing, focused on the electrorefining process

Version: 4.0
Created at 2/23/2018 2:17 PM by nora.imholte@inl.gov
Last modified at 4/19/2022 2:24 PM by Tiffany M. Adams