PNNL

Johnny Saavedra is a chemical engineer in the Advanced Energy Systems group. Saavedra joined the Hydrocarbon Processing group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, in 2015 after a postdoctoral position in San Antonio, TX, bringing with him 10+ years of experience in catalyst and process development. His research focuses on the development of materials used as adsorbents and catalysts used in chemical processes. His doctoral work was related to the development of catalysts for the desulphurization of natural gas, naphtha, and diesel-type process streams.

Saavedra combines skills in the fundamental applications of materials, surface chemistry, kinetics, and catalysis with strong mechanical abilities and hands-on work attitude to support projects. His areas of expertise are:

• synthesis and physicochemical characterization of materials
• experimental design and data analysis
• kinetic and mechanistic studies in catalysis
• desulfurization and reforming to produce synthesis gas and gas processing reactions
• production of fuels from biomass derived feedstocks
• molecular control of fuel synthesis targeting improved physicochemical properties
• solar thermochemical and microchannels-based catalytic reactors
• catalytic distillation.

• Use of natural gas as a chemical feedstock.
• Catalytic transformations for the conversion of biomass derivatives to improved fuels.
• Solar thermochemical and microchannel reactors for catalytic and catalytic distillation applications. 

• Catalysis Science
• Materials Discovery
• Materials Engineering
• Materials Science

• Postdoc, Trinity University 
• PhD Kinetics and Catalysis, Instituto de Tecnología Química, UPV-CSIC 
• MSc in Materials Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de València 
• BS in Chemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Colombia 

• Organic Reactions Catalysis Society
• Southwest Catalysis Society

• Outstanding Performance Award, PNNL (2016-2022)
• Best Fundamental Paper, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Texas Division (2015)
• Outstanding Presentation Award, Organic Reaction Catalysis Society (2014)
• Best Poster Presentation Award, Southwest Catalysis Society (2012, 2013)
• Summa cum laude doctoral thesis, Universitat Politècnica de València (2012)

2022

• Dagle V., M. Affandy, J. Saavedra Lopez, L. Cosimbescu, D.J. Gaspar, S. Goldsborough, and T. Rockstroh, et al. 2022. "Production, Fuel Properties and Combustion Testing of an Iso-Olefins Blendstock for Modern Vehicles." Fuel 310, no. Part A:Article No. 122314. PNNL-SA-165422. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2021.122314

2021

• Kothandaraman J., J. Saavedra Lopez, Y. Jiang, E.D. Walter, S.D. Burton, R.A. Dagle, and D.J. Heldebrant. 2021. "Integrated Capture and Conversion of CO2 to Methane using a Water-lean, Post Combustion CO2 Capture Solvent." ChemSusChem 14, no. 21:4812-4819. PNNL-SA-162553. doi:10.1002/cssc.202101590

2020

• Dagle V., A.D. Winkelman, N.R. Jaegers, J. Saavedra Lopez, J.Z. Hu, M.H. Engelhard, and S. Habas, et al. 2020. "Single-Step Conversion of Ethanol to n-Butene over Ag-ZrO2/SiO2 Catalysts." ACS Catalysis 10, no. 18:10602-10613. PNNL-SA-151691. doi:10.1021/acscatal.0c02235
• Dagle V., J. Saavedra Lopez, A.R. Cooper, J. Luecke, M.S. Swita, R.A. Dagle, and D.J. Gaspar. 2020. "Production and Fuel properties of Iso-Olefins with Controlled Molecular Structure and Obtained from Butene Oligomerization." Fuel 277. PNNL-SA-152680. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118147

2019

• Saavedra Lopez J., R.A. Dagle, V. Dagle, C.D. Smith, and K.O. Albrecht. 2019. "Oligomerization of ethanol-derived propene and isobutene mixtures to transportation fuels: catalyst and process considerations." Catalysis Science & Technology 9, no. 5:1117-1131. PNNL-SA-135575. doi:10.1039/C8CY02297F
• Saavedra Lopez J., V. Dagle, C.A. Deshmane, L. Kovarik, R.S. Wegeng, and R.A. Dagle. 2019. "Methane and Ethane Steam Reforming over MgAl2O4-Supported Rh and Ir Catalysts: Catalytic Implications for Natural Gas Reforming Application." Catalysts 9, no. 10:Article No. 801. PNNL-SA-146376. doi:10.3390/catal9100801

2018

• Dagle V., M.D. Flake, T.L. Lemmon, J. Saavedra Lopez, L. Kovarik, and R.A. Dagle. 2018. "Effect of the SiO2 Support on the Catalytic Performance of Ag/ZrO2/SiO2 Catalysts for the Single-Bed Production of Butadiene from Ethanol." Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 236. PNNL-SA-128543. doi:10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.05.055