Lance L. Lobban

Research Interests

My research focuses on catalysis and reaction engineering. My group combines experimental measurement with theoretical analyses of reaction mechanisms in order to better understand and improve catalytic processes. The operating conditions of the reacting systems we have studied include gas phase reactions at temperatures up to 800°C, liquid phase reactions at room temperature and below, and reactions in presence of a strong electric field. The experimental techniques include steady and unsteady (transient) state kinetics measurements, adsorbed species identification using diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and measurement of isotopic species using mass spectrometry.

One of our current research projects is an investigation of methane oxidative coupling under a variety of conditions including cold plasma conditions and on different catalysts. A second project involves the synthesis and use of novel TiO2 aerogels and binary SiO2-TiO2 aerogels as photocatalysts.

The unique properties of these aerogels are hypothesized to allow more efficient use of UV light to activate the photocatalysts for the complete oxidation of air and water contaminants. A third active project examines the fundamentals and applications of catalysis by adsorbed surfactant aggregates. Potential applications include selective production of valuable chemicals and hazardous waste detoxification.

Selected Publications

"Production of Organic Oxygenates in the Partial Oxidation of Methane in a Silent Electric Discharge Reactor" (with D. Larkin and R. Mallinson), Ind. and Eng. Chem. Res., 40, 1594 (2001).

"Oxygen Pathways and Carbon Dioxide Utilization in Methane Partial Oxidation in Ambient Temperature Electric Discharges," (with D.W. Larkin, T.A. Caldwell, and R.G. Mallinson), Energy and Fuels (accepted).

"Selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene during the conversion of methane in a catalytic DC plasma reactor," (with C.L. Gordon, and R. Mallinson), Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis, J.J. Spivey, E. Iglesia and T.H. Fleisch (editors), 271-276, Elsevier Science B.V., (2001).

"Partial Oxidation of Methane to Form Synthesis Gas in a Tubular AC Plasma Reactor," (with T.A. Caldwell, H. Le, and R. Mallinson), Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis, J.J. Spivey, E. Iglesia and T.H. Fleisch (editors), 265-270, Elsevier Science B.V., (2001).

"The Production of hydrogen from methane using tubular plasma reactors," (with C.L. Gordon and R. Mallinson), Advances in Hydrogen Energy, Kluver Academic/Plenum Publishing, p. 57 (2000).