Bio

Professor Mitchell's primary area of research is concerned with characterizing the physical and chemical processes that occur during the combustion and gasification of pulverized coal and biomass. Coals of interest range in rank from lignite to bituminous and biomass materials include yard waste, field and seed crop residues, lumber mill waste, fruit and nut crop residues, and municipal solid waste. Experimental and modeling studies are concerned with char reactivity to oxygen, carbon dioxide and steam, carbon deactivation during conversion, and char particle surface area evolution and mode of conversion during mass loss.

Mitchell’s most recent research has been focused on topics that will enable the development of coal and biomass conversion technologies that facilitate CO2 capture. Recent studies have involved characterizing coal and biomass conversion rates in supercritical water environments, acquiring the understanding needed to develop chemical looping combustion technology for applications to coals and biomass materials, and developing fuel cells that use coal or biomass as the fuel source. Studies concerned with characterizing coal/biomass blends during combustion and gasification processes are also underway.

Academic Appointments

Administrative Appointments

  • Director, High-Temperature Gasdynamics Laboratory (1995 - Present)

Honors & Awards

  • Tau Beta Pi Award For Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, Stanford University (1994)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Vice President, Stanford Faculty Club (2012 - Present)

Professional Education

  • DSci, MIT (1975)
  • ScD, MIT (1975)

Patents

  • Turgut Gur, Reginald Mitchell, Andrew Lee, Siwen Li. "United States Patent 8,563,183 Integrated Dry Gasification Fuel Cell System for Conversion of Solid Carbonaceous Fuels", Leland Stanford Junior University, Oct 22, 2013

Contact

2015-16 Courses

Stanford Advisees

All Publications

  • Modeling defect transport during Cu oxidation CORROSION SCIENCE Goldstein, E. A., Guer, T. M., Mitchell, R. E. 2015; 99: 53-65

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.corsci.2015.05.067

    View details for Web of Science ID 000362619900004

  • Coal and biomass char reactivities in gasification and combustion environments COMBUSTION AND FLAME Tilghman, M. B., Mitchell, R. E. 2015; 162 (9): 3220-3235

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.combustflame.2015.05.009

    View details for Web of Science ID 000360779100008

  • Modeling radiation in particle clouds: on the importance of inter-particle radiation for pulverized solid fuel combustion HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER Haugen, N. E., Mitchell, R. E. 2015; 51 (7): 991-999

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s00231-014-1472-4

    View details for Web of Science ID 000354618800010

  • A comprehensive model for char particle conversion in environments containing O-2 and CO2 COMBUSTION AND FLAME Haugen, N. E., Mitchell, R. E., Tilghman, M. B. 2015; 162 (4): 1455-1463

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.combustflame.2014.11.015

    View details for Web of Science ID 000351794100048

  • An experimental study of the reactivity of cellulosic-based chars from wastes FUEL Sorum, L., Campbell, P. A., Haugen, N. E., Mitchell, R. E. 2014; 130: 306-314

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.fuel.2014.04.033

    View details for Web of Science ID 000336035600040

  • The conversion mode of a porous carbon particle during oxidation and gasification COMBUSTION AND FLAME Haugen, N. E., Tilghman, M. B., Mitchell, R. E. 2014; 161 (2): 612-619

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.combustflame.2013.09.012

    View details for Web of Science ID 000330094800021

  • Modeling Power Production in a Tubular Carbon Fuel Cell IONIC AND MIXED CONDUCTING CERAMICS 9 Johnson, D. U., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2014; 61 (1): 235-243

    View details for DOI 10.1149/06101.0235ecst

    View details for Web of Science ID 000339378600023

  • Modeling of experimental results for carbon utilization in a carbon fuel cell JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES Alexander, B. R., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2013; 228: 132-140

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.11.073

    View details for Web of Science ID 000315318700017

  • Characterizing char particle fragmentation during pulverized coal combustion PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE Tilghman, M. B., Mitchell, R. E. 2013; 34: 2461-2469

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.proci.2012.07.065

    View details for Web of Science ID 000313131800066

  • Modeling Heat Transfer Effects In a Solid Oxide Carbon Fuel Cell BATTERIES AND ENERGY TECHNOLOGY (GENERAL SESSION) - 222ND ECS MEETING/PRIME 2012: IN HONOR OF JAMES MCBREEN ARMSTRONG, G. J., Alexander, B. R., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2013; 50 (45): 143-150

    View details for DOI 10.1149/05045.0143ecst

    View details for Web of Science ID 000338129100014

  • DEVELOPMENT OF A SYSTEM FOR THE STUDY OF SOLID FUEL CONVERSION UNDER SUPERCRITICAL WATER CONDITIONS INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CONGRESS AND EXPOSITION - 2012, VOL 6, PTS A AND B Kim, B., Mitchell, R. E. 2013: 993-1003

    View details for Web of Science ID 000350070400112

  • Oxy-combustion of solid fuels in a carbon fuel cell PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE Alexander, B. R., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2013; 34: 3445-3452

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.proci.2012.07.059

    View details for Web of Science ID 000313131800178

  • Experimental and Modeling Study of Biomass Conversion in a Solid Carbon Fuel Cell JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY Alexander, B. R., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2012; 159 (3): B347-B354

    View details for DOI 10.1149/2.096203jes

    View details for Web of Science ID 000299292100037

  • Coal and Biomass Utilization in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ELECTROCHEMICAL UTILIZATION OF SOLID FUELS Mitchell, R. E. 2012; 41 (12): 3-28

    View details for DOI 10.1149/1.3697425

    View details for Web of Science ID 000354618600001

  • Model of Carbon Utilization in a Carbon Fuel Cell ELECTROCHEMICAL UTILIZATION OF SOLID FUELS Alexander, B. R., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2012; 41 (12): 45-55

    View details for DOI 10.1149/1.3697428

    View details for Web of Science ID 000354618600004

  • Hydrogen and Electricity from Carbon in a Coupled Steam-Carbon-Air Fuel Cell ELECTROCHEMICAL UTILIZATION OF SOLID FUELS Alexander, B. R., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2012; 41 (12): 69-80

    View details for DOI 10.1149/1.3697430

    View details for Web of Science ID 000354618600006

  • Viability of Coupled Steam-Carbon-Air Fuel Cell Concept for Spontaneous Co-Production of Hydrogen and Electrical Power JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY Alexander, B. R., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2012; 159 (12): F810-F818

    View details for DOI 10.1149/2.032212jes

    View details for Web of Science ID 000312233500063

  • Feasibility of hydrogen production in a steam-carbon electrochemical cell Lee, A. C., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. 2011: 607-610

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ssi.2010.05.034

    View details for Web of Science ID 000292848800128

  • Steam-Carbon Fuel Cell Concept for Cogeneration of Hydrogen and Electrical Power JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY Alexander, B. R., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2011; 158 (5): B505-B513

    View details for DOI 10.1149/1.3560475

    View details for Web of Science ID 000288867700035

  • Biomass Conversion in a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS 12 (SOFC XII) Alexander, B. R., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2011; 35 (1): 2685-2692

    View details for DOI 10.1149/1.3570267

    View details for Web of Science ID 000300770105020

  • Chemical kinetics of copper oxide reduction with carbon monoxide PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE Goldstein, E. A., Mitchell, R. E. 2011; 33: 2803-2810

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.proci.2010.06.080

    View details for Web of Science ID 000285629000133

  • Carbon-Free Hydrogen Production in a Steam-Carbon Electrochemical Cell ELECTROCHEMICAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION Alexander, B. R., Lee, A. C., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2010; 28 (26): 67-76

    View details for DOI 10.1149/1.3501096

    View details for Web of Science ID 000315446500006

  • Thermodynamic analysis of gasification-driven direct carbon fuel cells JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES Lee, A. C., Mitchell, R. E., Gur, T. M. 2009; 194 (2): 774-785

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.05.039

    View details for Web of Science ID 000270620500024

  • Modeling of CO2 Gasification of Carbon for Integration with Solid Oxide Fuel Cells AICHE JOURNAL Lee, A. C., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2009; 55 (4): 983-992

    View details for DOI 10.1002/aic.11713

    View details for Web of Science ID 000264710100011

  • Modeling char oxidation behavior under Zone II burning conditions at elevated pressures COMBUSTION AND FLAME Ma, L., Mitchell, R. 2009; 156 (1): 37-50

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.combustflame.2008.06.015

    View details for Web of Science ID 000262455500007

  • Direct carbon conversion in a helium fluidized bed fuel cell Li, S., Lee, A. C., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. 2008: 1549-1552

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ssi.2007.11.006

    View details for Web of Science ID 000259276200060

  • The impact of the distributions of surface oxides and their migration on characterization of the heterogeneous carbon-oxygen reaction COMBUSTION AND FLAME Campbell, P. A., Mitchell, R. E. 2008; 154 (1-2): 47-66

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.combustflame.2007.11.002

    View details for Web of Science ID 000257174900004

  • Conversion of solid carbonaceous fuels in a fluidized bed fuel cell ELECTROCHEMICAL AND SOLID STATE LETTERS Lee, A. C., Li, S., Mitchell, R. E., Guer, T. M. 2008; 11 (2): B20-B23

    View details for DOI 10.1149/1.2821136

    View details for Web of Science ID 000251907400004

  • On the burning behavior of pulverized coal chars COMBUSTION AND FLAME Mitchell, R. E., Ma, L., Kim, B. 2007; 151 (3): 426-436

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.combustflame.2007.07.014

    View details for Web of Science ID 000250361800003

  • Characterization of coal char and biomass char reactivities to oxygen Campbell, P. A., Mitchell, R. E., Ma, L. Q. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2002: 519-526

    View details for Web of Science ID 000182866100063

  • An intrinsic kinetics-based, particle-population balance model for char oxidation during pulverized coal combustion Mitchell, R. E. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2000: 2261-2270

    View details for Web of Science ID 000169870400095

  • Release of inorganic material during coal devolatilization COMBUSTION AND FLAME Baxter, L. L., Mitchell, R. E., Fletcher, T. H. 1997; 108 (4): 494-502

    View details for Web of Science ID A1997WK66200008

  • Nitrogen release during coal combustion ENERGY & FUELS Baxter, L. L., Mitchell, R. E., Fletcher, T. H., Hurt, R. H. 1996; 10 (1): 188-196

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996TR49500024

  • The impact of fragmentation on char conversion during pulverized coal combustion TWENTY-SIXTH SYMPOSIUM (INTERNATIONAL) ON COMBUSTION, VOLS 1 AND 2 Mitchell, R. E., Akanetuk, A. E. 1996: 3137-3144

    View details for Web of Science ID 000083308500370

  • The temperature, burning rates and char character of pulverised coal particles prepared from maceral concentrates Twenty-Fourth Symposium on Combustion Wall, T. F., Tate, A. G., Bailey, J. G., Jeness, L. G., Mitchell, R. E., Hurt, R. H. 1992: 1207–1215

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(06)80142-6

  • Unified high-temperature char combustion kinetics for a suite of coals of various rank Twenty-Fourth Symposium on Combustion Hurt, R. H., Mitchell, R. E. 1992: 1243–1250

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(06)80146-3

  • On the combustion kinetics of heterogeneous char particle populations Twenty-Fourth Symposium on Combustion Hurt, R. H., Mitchell, R. E. 1992: 1233-1241

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(06)80145-1

  • The release of iron during the combustion of Illinois No. 6 coal Combustion and Flame Baxter, L. L., Mitchell, R. E. 1992; 88 (1): 1-14

    View details for DOI 10.1016/0010-2180(92)90002-7

  • ON THE COMBUSTION KINETICS OF HETEROGENEOUS CHAR PARTICLE-POPULATIONS ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY Hurt, R. H., Mitchell, R. E. 1991; 202: 26-FUEL

    View details for Web of Science ID A1991HG08001809

  • The effect of CO conversion in the boundary layers surrounding pulverized-coal char particles Twenty-Third Symposium (International) on Combustion Mitchell, R. E., Kee, R. J., Glarborg, P., Coltrin, M. E. 1991: 1169–1176

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(06)80377-2

  • Variations in the temperatures of coal-char particles during combustion: A consequence of particle-to-particle variations in ASH-content Twenty-Third Symposium (International) on Combustion Mitchell, R. E. 1991: 297–1304

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(06)80393-0

  • NUMERICAL-SOLUTION OF CONFINED AXISYMMETRIC LAMINAR DIFFUSION FLAMES ADAPTIVE METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS Smooke, M. D., Mitchell, R. E., Keyes, D. E. 1989: 125-150

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989BP76R00010

  • THE INFLUENCE OF THE MINERAL MATTER CONTENT OF COAL ON THE TEMPERATURES AND BURNING RATES OF CHAR PARTICLES DURING PULVERIZED COAL COMBUSTION SIXTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL PITTSBURGH COAL CONFERENCE, VOLS 1 & 2 Mitchell, R. E. 1989: 32-41

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989BQ62Y00003

  • THE RELEASE OF IRON DURING THE COMBUSTION OF ILLINOIS =6 COAL SIXTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL PITTSBURGH COAL CONFERENCE, VOLS 1 & 2 Baxter, L. L., Mitchell, R. E. 1989: 64-73

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989BQ62Y00006

  • NUMERICAL-SOLUTION OF 2-DIMENSIONAL AXISYMMETRIC LAMINAR DIFFUSION FLAMES COMBUSTION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Smooke, M. D., Mitchell, R. E., Keyes, D. E. 1989; 67 (4-6): 85-122

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989CL66900002

  • On the products of the heterogeneous oxidation reaction at the surfaces of burning coal char particles Mitchell, R. E. 1989: 69-78

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(89)80012-8

  • RATES AND MECHANISMS OF COMBUSTION OF PULVERIZED COAL CHARS PROCEEDINGS OF THE ADVANCED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT DIRECT UTILIZATION, INSTRUMENTATION AND DIAGNOSTICS CONTRACTORS REVIEW MEETING, VOLS 1 AND 2 Mitchell, R. E., HARDESTY, D. R. 1989: 33-42

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989BQ68T00003

  • Overall kinetic parameters for combustion of a highly non-spherical carbon char Walters, B. J., Mitchell, R. E., Squires, R. G., Laurendeau, N. M. 1989: 17–27

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(89)80007-4

  • Experimentally determined overall burning rates of pulverized-coal chars in specified O2 and CO2 environments Twenty-First Symposuim (International on Combustion) Mitchell, R. E. 1988: 173–181

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(88)80244-3

  • EXPERIMENTALLY DETERMINED OVERALL BURNING RATES OF COAL CHARS COMBUSTION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Mitchell, R. E. 1987; 53 (2-3): 165-186

    View details for Web of Science ID A1987J306200005

  • DETERMINATION OF OVERALL KINETIC RATES AND OXYGEN REACTION ORDER FOR SARAN CHAR COMBUSTION ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY Mitchell, R. E., WATERS, B. J., Squires, R. G., Laurendeau, N. M. 1986; 191: 2-FUEL

    View details for Web of Science ID A1986A474101226

  • Simultaneous in situ measurement of the size, temperature and velocity of particles in a combustion environment Twentieth Symposium (International) on Combustion Tichenor, D. A., Mitchell, R. E., Hencken, K. R., Niksa, S. 1985: 1213-1221

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(85)80610-X

  • TEMPERATURE-MEASUREMENTS OF SINGLE PULVERIZED-FUEL PARTICLES BY 2-COLOR PYROMETRY JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY Mitchell, R. E., Niksa, S., McLean, W. J. 1983; 130 (3): C106-C106

    View details for Web of Science ID A1983QF82600523

  • Toward a comprehensive chemical kinetic mechanism for the oxidation of acetylene: Comparison of model predictions with results from flame and shock tube experiments Nineteenth Symposium (International) on Combustion Miller, J. A., Mitchell, R. E., Smooke, M. D., Kee, R. J. 1982

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(82)80189-6

  • On the temperature and reaction rate of burning pulverized fuels Nineteenth Symposium (International) on Combustion Mitchell, R. E., McLean, W. J. 1982: 1113–1122

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(82)80287-7

  • NITRIC-OXIDE AND HYDROGEN-CYANIDE FORMATION IN LAMINAR METHANE-AIR DIFFUSION FLAMES COMBUSTION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Mitchell, R. E., SAROFIM, A. F., Yu, R. 1980; 21 (3-4): 157-167

    View details for Web of Science ID A1980JK75900008