The speaker:

Professor Raymond J. Gorte
Russell Pearce and Elizabeth Crimian Heuer Professor of
Chemical Engineering
B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1976
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1981
email: gorte@seas.upenn.edu

Anodes for Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells
Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) offer an attractive alternative to gas turbines for generating electricity. In SOFCs, oxygen anions are transported through an oxide membrane and react with the fuel at the anode. A major problem is that typical anode materials are only active enough to work with hydrogen, so that practical fuels, like methane, must first be steam reformed to hydrogen. This imposes severe limitations on the operating conditions. We are using concepts developed from our program in automotive catalysis to synthesize anodes, which are active for the direct oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels. This work involves building model SOFCs and performing spectroscopic studies of the anodes.
Honors & Awards:
North American Catalysis Society's Paul H. Emmett Award in Fundamental Catalysis, 1999
Catalysis Club of Philadelphia Award, 1998
Giuseppe Parravano Memorial Award of the Michigan Catalysis Society, 1997
Carl V.S. Patterson Professor of Chemical Engineering, 1996
Russell Pearce and Elizabeth Crimian Heuer Professor, 2001
Selected Publications:
"The Direct Oxidation of Hydrocarbons in a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell", S. Park, J. M. Vohs, and R. J. Gorte, Nature, 404 (2000) 265.

The talk:

One of the major hurdles preventing the implementation of fuel cells for a wide variety of applications is the fact that, until recently, only H2 could be used as the fuel. The present talk will describe recent developments on SOFCs that use Cu-based cermets as the anode for direct oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels, including liquids, to generate electrical power without the need for first reforming that fuel to H2. Cu-YSZ cermets were found to be stable but inactive for direct oxidation. Reasonable power densities could only be achieved with the addition of a catalytic oxide with the Cu cermet. Electrochemical oxidation studies demonstrate that the initial products for reaction depend on the catalytic oxide. Finally, the effect of impurities in the fuel will be discussed.

The November meeting will be held at the Howard Johnson Hotel and Bombay Cuisine, 2389 Rt 70 W, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002. Phone 856-317-1900 & 856- 596-1200. These two places are next to each other.

Directions to the meeting place are listed below.
From South Jersey: Take 295 N, exit at 34 B towards 70W. Go on 70 W for about 4.5 miles. Stay on the right lane once you pass Hilton on your left. Pass Howard Johnson Express Inn on your left and take the jug handle immediately after the light to get onto 70 E. Stay on the right. Howard Johnson Inn/ Bombay Cuisine is on your right in between Lexington and Donahue Ave.

From Central City PA: Follow 676 E towards Ben Franklin bridge. Follow the sign to Rt 30 and 70 E. Stay on 70 E for about 2.5 miles. The restaurant is on your right after Lexington Ave.

Your favorite driving direction can be found on MapQuest.com by using the above address.

Social Hour: 5:30-6:30 PM at Banquet Hall, Howard Johnson
Dinner: 6:30 PM at Bombay Cuisine
Talk 7:30 PM at Banquet Hall, Howard Johnson

Dinner is a special Indian buffet including Salad; Appetizer (Sheesh Kabob/ Tandori Chicken); Main food (Chicken Tikka Masala & Lamb Rogen Ghosh & 2 vegie dishes); Rice; Nan (will provide fresh on the table upon request); Sodas/ Coffee - Tea (need to order at the table); Dessert.

Cost: $15 members and guests, $10 students
Reservations by Monday November 12, 2001
Lori Stephans (856) 256-4500 ext. 3551
Michael Casner (856) 384-7048
Thomas Colacot (856) 384-7185
Cathy Yang (856) 256-4500 ext. 3569