报告题目：Nanocatalysts and nanosecond plasma discharges for controlling hydrocarbon chemistry

报告人： Prof. Richard A. Yetter

报告人单位：The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802

报告时间：Nov. 1 (Thursday)3:00pm-5:00pm

报告地点：B-518, Lee Shau Kee Building of Science and Technology

邀请人： Prof. Yu Cheng Liu

Abstract：

The ability to enhance hydrocarbon pyrolysis and oxidation at low temperatures is beneficial to the development of new engine concepts and fuel reforming technologies. Of interest is methods to achieve low emissions, high efficiency, and reaction control. Towards this end, we have been studying the use of dispersible nanocatalysts in fuels and nanosecond plasma discharges for promoting low temperature chemistry of hydrocarbons. Functionalized graphene sheets are used as supports for stabilizing nanoparticle catalysts preventing coarsening and sintering and enabling colloid formation. The high surface area nanoparticles induce proton transfer mechanisms to readily form alkyl radicals leading to accelerated pyrolysis and oxidation. Nonequilibrium volumetric nanosecond discharges are used to create highly excited transient species that also result in the production of alkyl radicals and enhanced reaction from ambient conditions to the self-ignition limit. This presentation gives a brief overview of our experimental and modeling research conducted in these areas to further our understanding of the responsible mechanisms.

Bio:

RICHARD A. YETTER is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. He received his PhD from Princeton University. His research interests are in power and propulsion systems with particular emphasis on high-pressure combustion, heterogeneous combustion, and energetic materials. He was previously a Research Engineer at the Scientific Research Laboratories of Ford Motor Company, a Senior Research Scientist and Lecturer at Princeton University, and a Research Collaborator at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. He is editor of Combustion Science and Technology, associate editor of Energetic Materials and Chemical Propulsion, and currently serves on the editorial board of Progress in Energy and Combustion Science and Journal of Propulsion and Power. He is a fellow of the Combustion Institute and ASME and a member of the AIAA, SAE, MRS, and ACS. Dr Yetter is an author of over two hundred scientific publications, two books, and two US patents. He is the recipient of the Silver Medal from the Combustion Institute and the Propellants and Combustion Award from the AIAA.