Franklin (Lynn) M. Orr Jr. is an American chemical engineer and former Under Secretary for Science and Energy of the U.S. Department of Energy from 2014 to 2017. Prior to his government service, he was a professor of engineering at the Stanford Department of Energy Resources Engineering. He was elected a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering in 2000 for contributions to understanding of complex multicomponent flows in porous media and its applications to the design of enhanced oil recovery processes; and for superb academic leadership.[1] He is married to Susan Packard Orr.
Franklin (Lynn) Orr, Jr.
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|---|---|
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| Born | 1946 (age 77–78) |
| Alma mater | University of Minnesota Stanford University |
| Known for | Flow in Porous Media Enhanced Oil Recovery Geological CO2 Storage |
| Spouse | Susan Packard Orr |
| Awards | National Academy of Engineering (2002) Secretary's Exceptional Service Award, U.S. Dept. of Energy |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemical engineering |
| Institutions | Stanford University U.S. Department of Energy |
| Doctoral advisors | L. E. Scriven |
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 “Franklin Orr at Stanford's Climate and Energy Leadership” “Energy@Stanford with Franklin M. Orr” |
Orr grew up and attended high school in Houston, Texas.[2] He attended Stanford University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering in 1969.[3] While at Stanford, he studied abroad at Imperial College in London and was named Rotary Undergraduate Scholar.[4]
In 1969, he became a graduate student of chemical engineering at the University of Minnesota department of chemical engineering and materials science under doctoral advisor L. E. Scriven. He left for two years, 1970–1972, to serve in the U.S. Public Health Service.[5] His thesis was published in 1976 with the title, "Numerical Simulation of Viscous Flow with a Free Surface".[6] During his time in graduate school, Franklin also prepared journal publications with his advisor, including:
Franklin became an associate professor of petroleum engineering at Stanford University in 1985 followed by promotion to professor in 1987. In 1991 he became chair of the department of petroleum engineering; in 1994 he was selected as dean of the school of earth sciences. He was the founding director of two energy and conservation projects: the Global Climate and Energy Project in 2002 and the Precourt Institute for Energy in 2009. He became professor emeritus in 2014.[10]
Along with the previously mentioned time with the Public Health Service, Orr also joined the United States Department of Energy as Under Secretary for Science and Energy under President Barack Obama and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz in 2014, where he remained until January 2017.[11] In this role, he served as the principal advisor on energy and science initiatives and clean energy technologies in general. He was also tasked with integrating the basic science, applied research and technology development and deployment occurring across the various divisions of the U.S. Department of Energy. Part of this effort included oversight of the office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Nuclear Energy, and Science, which included 13 national laboratories.[12]
Orr has authored more than 100 journal articles describing significant advances in flow in porous media, enhanced oil recovery, and geological CO2 storage, including:
Orr's contributions to research, education and government service have received numerous awards, many of which highlight his passion for problems associated with energy, fuels and sustainability. In 2000, Orr was appointed to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering; his election citation stated:
"For contributions to understanding of complex multicomponent flows in porous media and its applications to the design of enhanced oil recovery processes; and for superb academic leadership.,"
— U.S. National Academy of Engineering[18]
Other awards and honors include:[19]
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