2010 Spring Symposium
Raymond J. Gorte
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
gorte@seas.upenn.edu
Abstract — SOFC and SOE are based on electrolytes that are oxygen-ion conductors. SOFC can therefore operate on a wide range of fuels, including methane and other hydrocarbons. Likewise, electrolysis of CO2 is feasible in an SOE. However, to allow stable operation with a wider range of feeds to the electrodes, new electrode materials must be developed. This talk will describe the methods being developed at Penn that allow the electrode composition and structure to be varied easily. Results for both fuel- and air-side electrodes will be discussed.
Speaker’s Biography — Dr. Raymond J. Gorte joined the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania in 1981 after receiving his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is currently the Russell Pearce and Elizabeth Crimian Heuer Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, with a secondary appointment in Materials Science & Engineering. Since joining Penn, Dr. Gorte has served as Chairman of Chemical Engineering from 1995 to 2000 and was the Carl V. S. Patterson Professor of Chemical Engineering from 1996 through 2001. He received the 1997 Parravano Award of the Michigan Catalysis Society, the 1998 Philadelphia Catalysis Club Award, the 1999 Paul Emmett Award of the North American Catalysis Society, the 2001 Penn Engineering Distinguished Research Award, and the 2009 AIChE Wilhelm Award. He has served as Chairman of the Gordon Conference on Catalysis (1998) and Program Chairman of the 12th International Zeolite Conference (1998). His present research interests are focused on electrodes for solid-oxide fuel cells and on thermodynamic studies of redox properties with oxidation catalysts. He is also known for his research on zeolite acidity and for metal-support effects, especially with ceria-supported precious metals, used in automotive emissions control.