Dr Xiaolei Zhang
Reader
Chemical and Process Engineering
Personal statement
The main stream of my research is solid waste valorization for the production of power, heat, fuel, and chemicals. I work on thermochemical conversion technologies (pyrolysis, gasification, liquefaction, combustion, co-firing), and further upgrading. The final products of interest include fossil compatible fuel (bio-gasoline, bio-diesel), fuel additives (ethanol, methanol, dimethyl ether, oxymethylene ethers), gaseous products (hydrogen, methane) and bio-chemicals (e.g. levoglucosan); to realize low carbon, low cost, and low GHG emission bio-fuel production. The research approaches include Quantum Mechanics modelling based on Density Functional Theory (DFT), Molecular Dynamic modelling, Process Modelling, Thermodynamic and Kinetic experimental investigation and Techno-economic Analysis. I have been awarded research projects from various funding bodies including EPSRC, Leverhulme Trust, and industry.
I received a Ph.D. degree from Royal Institute of Technology-KTH, Stockholm, Sweden, and worked as a Post-doc Research Fellow in University of Alberta, Canada. From January 2015 to June 2019, I worked at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) as a Lecturer and joined University of Strathclyde in July 2019 as a Senior Lecturer (Chancellor's Fellow) under Strathclyde Global Talent Programme. I am currently on the editorial board of two international journals and I am an academic member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), a member of the Energy Institute (EI) and a member of American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
I am a Fellow of Higher Education Academy in the UK, and have taught core Engineering courses include Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat Transfer.
Area of Expertise
- Quantum Mechanics (QM) modelling based on Density Functional Theory (DFT);
- Process design and optimization of energy systems;
- Thermodynamic, Energy and Exergy analysis;
- Techno-economic analysis, System design.
Publications
- An energy-efficient cyclic amine system developed for carbon capture from both flue gas and air
- Lu Guanchu, Yue Zongyang, Deng Yanan, Xue Yuxiang, Huang Yi, Zhang Xiaolei, Chen Xianfeng, Fan Xianfeng
- Chemical Engineering Journal Vol 496 (2024)
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.154085
- Catalytic pyrolysis of torrefied biomass with molecular sieve catalysts to produce hydrocarbon rich biocrude
- Singh Ranjita, Kakku Sivasankar, Shah Khushee, Zhang Xiaolei, Sharma Abhishek, Chakinala Nandana, Chakinala Anand G
- Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy Vol 43 (2024)
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.14446
- Theoretical insights into chemical recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- Conroy Stuart, Zhang Xiaolei
- Polymer Degradation and Stability Vol 223 (2024)
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2024.110729
- Synthesis of novel Mo-Ni@Al2O3 catalyst for converting fatty acid esters into diesel-range alkanes with enhanced hydrodeoxygenation selectivity
- Cao Xincheng, Wu Shiyu, Zhao Jiaping, Long Feng, Jia Shuya, Zhang Xiaolei, Xu Junming, Jiang Jianchun
- Applied Catalysis B: Environmental Vol 343 (2024)
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2023.123506
- Investigation into the effect of solvents on lignin hydrogenation for the production of phenolic compounds
- Liu Chao, Wu Yiqiang, Cai Tingting, Chen Yuwei, Jia Shuya, Zhang Xiaolei, Li Zhaoshuang, Wu Zhiping, Qing Yan, Jiang Jianchun, Wang Kui
- Green Chemistry Vol 26, pp. 3356-3367 (2024)
- https://doi.org/10.1039/d3gc04902g
- Electron transfer and microbial mechanism of synergistic degradation of lignocellulose by hydrochar and aerobic fermentation
- Yu Chengze, Li Mingxiao, Huang Haipeng, Yan Jie, Zhang Xiaolei, Luo Tao, Ye Meiying, Meng Fanhua, Sun Tiecheng, Hou Jiaqi, Xi Beidou
- Bioresource Technology Vol 394 (2024)
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129980
Research Interests
- Waste valorization for production of fuels and advanced materials;
- Bioenergy, biofuel, production of high value-added chemicals;
- Pyrolysis, gasification, combustion, carbonization;
- Process design and manufacturing of renewable energy systems.
Available PhD projects:
Atomic/molecular insights into the formation of valuable products from waste biomass
System design on co-production of transport fuel and value-added chemicals from waste biomass
Professional Activities
- 28th Annual SCI-CSCST Conference
- Organiser
- 9/9/2021
- Bio-SNG production via dual fluidised bed gasification: a modelling approach
- External Examiner
- 18/5/2021
- Valorisation of Solid Waste to Advanced Fuels and Materials
- Invited speaker
- 14/4/2021
- Fundamental studies of ethanol oxidation reaction in Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells using density functional theory (DFT) Calculations
- External Examiner
- 11/3/2021
- Biomass Waste to Advanced Fuels and Materials
- Speaker
- 15/9/2020
- 27th Annual CSCST-SCI Conference: Sustainable Energy and Manufacturing the Future (Event)
- Advisor
- 11/9/2020
Projects
- Catalyst advancement for the conversion of waste gas into low carbon aviation fuel (AKT with LEF)
- Neagu, Dragos (Principal Investigator) Zhang, Xiaolei (Co-investigator)
- 25-Mar-2024 - 23-Jul-2024
- From solar energy to fuel: A holistic artificial photosynthesis platform for the production of viable solar fuels (HORIZON-CL5-2022-D3-03)(REFINE)
- Neagu, Dragos (Principal Investigator) Somorin, Tosin (Co-investigator) Zhang, Xiaolei (Co-investigator)
- 01-Nov-2023 - 31-Oct-2027
- Sustainable plastics for bathroom products
- Zhang, Xiaolei (Principal Investigator) Johnston, Karen (Principal Investigator)
- 01-Apr-2022 - 30-Jun-2022
- System integration and module exploration on full valorization of main lignocellulosic constitutes based on self-providing acid pretreatment
- Zhang, Xiaolei (Principal Investigator)
- 31-Mar-2022 - 30-Mar-2024
- System Integration and Module Exploration on Full Valorisation of Main Lignocellulosic Constitutes based on Self-providing Acid Pretreatment
- Zhang, Xiaolei (Principal Investigator)
- Royal Society International Exchanges 2021 Cost Share (NSFC) (IEC\NSFC\211370)
- 01-Mar-2022 - 01-Mar-2024
- Efficient utilization of biochar for water remediation and soil amendment - towards a circular economy
- Zhang, Xiaolei (Principal Investigator) Davidson, Christine (Co-investigator) Fletcher, Ashleigh (Co-investigator)
- 01-Oct-2021 - 30-Sep-2025
Contact
Dr
Xiaolei
Zhang
Reader
Chemical and Process Engineering
Email: xiaolei.zhang@strath.ac.uk
Tel: 548 4131