WeonJae Kim | Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Prof. Dr. WeonJae Kim | Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage | Best Researcher Award

Senior Research Fellow at Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology | China

Prof. Dr. WeonJae Kim is a distinguished environmental engineer whose pioneering research has significantly advanced sustainable water and wastewater treatment technologies. His work focuses on the regeneration and recovery of environmental resources through innovative approaches such as crystallization, mineral carbonation, and advanced oxidation processes, aiming to create practical and scalable solutions that contribute to global carbon neutrality and climate change mitigation. A key highlight of his research is the development of “water-based CCUS” technology, an original concept utilizing water to safely, permanently, and eco-friendly dispose of carbon dioxide, offering a breakthrough approach to achieving large-scale carbon reduction. Over his extensive career, Dr. Kim has authored numerous influential publications in international and domestic journals, covering subjects like nutrient recovery, greywater treatment, biogas purification, and aquatic environment enhancement. His prolific patent portfolio demonstrates his strong commitment to transforming scientific knowledge into applied innovations that enhance sustainability and industrial efficiency. Through collaborative, interdisciplinary projects, he has developed novel methods for phosphorus and nitrogen recovery, non-powered water circulation systems, and next-generation environmental purification processes. A respected academic and research leader, Prof. Dr. WeonJae Kim has presented his work at major international conferences and contributed to advancing the discourse on environmental protection and resource recovery. His excellence has been recognized with multiple national and institutional awards honoring his achievements in technological innovation, environmental research, and academic mentorship. Guided by a vision of integrating engineering principles with ecological balance, Prof. Dr. WeonJae Kim continues to drive research that safeguards water systems, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports a sustainable future. His lifelong dedication to environmental technology, combined with his leadership in bridging research and practical application, has positioned him as a leading figure in global environmental science and an enduring contributor to the pursuit of cleaner and more resilient ecosystems.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Akter, J., Kim, W., Kim, I., & Lee, J. (2023). Real-time organic compound monitoring in advanced oxidation process (AOP) of anaerobic digestion effluent: Introduction of UV-VIS spectrum representative index by discrete Fourier transform.

Maghfiroh, M., Park, N., Chang, H., Lim, H., & Kim, W.* (2023). Ammonium removal and recovery from greywater using the combination of ion exchange and air stripping: The utilization of NaOH for the regeneration of natural zeolites.

Maghfiroh, M., Park, N. R., Chang, H. Y., Jung, J. H., Ahn, K. H., Lim, H. M., & Kim, W. J.* (2023). Ammonium removal and recovery using natural zeolites and air stripping technique for greywater treatment.

Ji, S.*, Kim, W., Han, S., Jeong, S., & Park, T. (2023). Stability enhancement of reformate-fueled, low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell with nickel thin-film anode by water bubbling.

Kang, J.-H., Kim, J., Namgung, H.-K., Kim, W., Yun, S.-L., & Song, J.* (2023). Effects of electric potential and organic loading on the removal of hydrogen sulfide emitted from wastewater sediments using a submerged electrochemical oxidation system.

Pietro Falciglia | Environmental Engineering | Best Review Paper Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pietro Falciglia | Environmental Engineering | Best Review Paper Award

Associate Professor at University of Catania, Italy

Dr. Pietro Paolo Falciglia is an Associate Professor of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering at the University of Catania, Italy. His expertise lies in environmental remediation technologies, particularly microwave-based treatments for contaminated soils, sediments, and groundwater. Over the last two decades, Dr. Falciglia has contributed extensively to advancing sustainable solutions for hazardous waste management. He is also a researcher at the National Institute of Nuclear Physics, focusing on the remediation of radionuclide-contaminated environments. His academic and research activities span experimental innovation, field-scale applications, and scientific dissemination, making him a respected figure in environmental engineering and sustainable environmental practices.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Falciglia received his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Salerno. He previously completed a five-year Laurea degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on hydraulics at the University of Catania , followed by a second-level MSc in Solid Waste Management and Remediation of Polluted Sites at the Superior School of the University of Catania. His academic training integrates classical engineering fundamentals with emerging environmental technologies, forming the basis for his innovative research and teaching in remediation processes and waste treatment systems.

Experience

Dr. Falciglia has served as an Associate Professor at the University of Catania. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor and Researcher in Sanitary and Environmental Engineering and held various academic roles between 2004 and 2018, including research fellow and contract professor. He also collaborated with international institutions, including the University of Cambridge, where he conducted advanced research on permeable reactive barriers for soil remediation. His consultancy experience as a professional engineer further enhances his ability to bridge academic knowledge with practical environmental challenges.

Research Interest

Dr. Falciglia’s research focuses on advanced remediation technologies for polluted environments. He specializes in the use of microwave and UV treatments for hydrocarbon- and radionuclide-contaminated soils and sediments. He has explored innovative permeable reactive barriers (PRBs), electrokinetic decontamination, and surfactant-enhanced techniques. His work also includes the application of drones for monitoring radioactive contaminants and modeling radiation shielding materials. Dr. Falciglia’s projects frequently address emerging pollutants and sustainability, including PFAS removal and the reuse of volcanic ash for environmental engineering purposes, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and practical solutions to real-world contamination problems.

Award

Throughout his career, Dr. Falciglia has received recognition for his academic and scientific contributions. He was selected as a visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge on a prestigious Soil Mix Remediation Technology (SMiRT) project funded and  His involvement in multiple PRIN (Progetti di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale) initiatives in Italy highlights his leadership in collaborative environmental research. Furthermore, he has led and contributed to nationally and internationally funded projects addressing microwave remediation, PFAS treatment, and sediment decontamination. His role as editor and reviewer for leading journals underscores the trust placed in him by the scientific community.

Publication Top Notes

Dr. Falciglia has authored over 100 scientific publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, and book chapters.

  1. Microwave regeneration of granular activated carbon saturated with PFAS, Water Research.

  2. Remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated marine sediments by thermal desorption, Chemosphere.

  3. MW-based regenerating permeable reactive barriers: Proof of concept, Chemosphere.

  4. Field technical applicability and cost analysis of MW-PRBs for Cs-contaminated groundwater, Journal of Environmental Management.

  5. Microwave heating coupled with UV-A for PAH removal in marine sediments, Chemical Engineering Journal.

  6. Environmental life cycle assessment of citric acid-enhanced MW heating, Science of the Total Environment.

  7. Review on microwave heating for remediation applications, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Review.

Conclusion

Dr. Pietro Paolo Falciglia exemplifies excellence in environmental engineering through his pioneering research, educational leadership, and commitment to sustainability. His scientific innovations have significantly influenced remediation technology development, particularly in microwave-based and integrated treatment systems. As an academic, mentor, and project leader, he continues to shape the future of sustainable waste and contamination management. Dr. Falciglia’s work directly impacts environmental restoration strategies, offering scalable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solutions. His nomination is a testament to his long-standing dedication to advancing environmental science and engineering for the benefit of both human health and the ecosystem.

Hadi Belhaj | CCUS & Hydrogen Energy | Excellence in Reservoir Engineering Award

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Prof. Hadi Belhaj | CCUS & Hydrogen Energy | Excellence in Reservoir Engineering Award

Energy Eng. Professor at Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates

Dr. Hadi A. Belhaj is a globally recognized petroleum engineering scholar and industry consultant with over four decades of combined academic, research, and field experience. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at Khalifa University, UAE, where he leads pioneering research in unconventional reservoir development, enhanced oil recovery, and carbon capture technologies. His professional journey includes extensive contributions to reservoir engineering, geomechanics, and hydrogen energy, making him a distinguished figure in both academia and the oil and gas sector.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Belhaj earned his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from Dalhousie University, Canada, focusing on matrix/fracture flow modeling in porous media. He holds an M.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, where he investigated geopressure detection and evaluation. His foundational B.Sc. was obtained from the University of Tripoli (formerly El-Fateh University) in Libya, with a final-year project on decline-curve analysis. These degrees collectively laid the foundation for his expertise in reservoir dynamics and simulation.

Experience

Dr. Belhaj’s career spans positions in academia, consulting, and the petroleum industry. His hands-on fieldwork began with Dowell Schlumberger, followed by progressive roles at Libya’s National Oil Corporation, where he contributed to pioneering EOR studies and reservoir management strategies. His academic appointments at Texas Tech University and Khalifa University have allowed him to supervise high-impact research, lead curriculum development, and serve on multiple technical and editorial boards. Additionally, he has served as principal investigator on several multimillion-dollar funded projects tackling challenges like asphaltene deposition, slim-tube modeling, and capillary transition zones.

Research Interest

His research interests include reservoir characterization, unconventional reservoir development, carbon capture and storage (CCUS), hydrogen energy storage, porous media flow, EOR mechanisms, and geomechanics. He actively integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance petroleum engineering decision-making. His recent work also explores caprock integrity and creep deformation for hydrogen underground storage, reflecting his focus on sustainable energy transitions.

Award

Dr. Belhaj has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the 2021 SPE International Distinguished Service Award, the 2020 and 2013 SPE Distinguished Achievement for Petroleum Engineering Faculty Awards, and the 2019 SPE Regional Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award. He has also received innovation recognitions such as the 2012 ADMA Innovation Award and various graduate scholarships during his academic tenure, underscoring both academic excellence and industry impact.

Publication

Among Dr. Belhaj’s notable publications are:

“Geoengineering of Hydrogen Energy” (Elsevier, in press, 2025) – cited in emerging CCUS reviews.
“Hydrogen underground storage potential in sandstone formation” (Fuel, 2025) – cited in U.S. DOE hydrogen repositories.
“Abiotic evaluation of geochemical reactions of sandstone minerals” (International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2025) – referenced in recent EU energy storage guidelines.
“Emerging advances in CO₂ storativity and trappability within shale reservoirs” (Energy Science and Engineering Journal, 2024).
“Workflow of the In Situ Combustion EOR Method in Venezuela” (ACS Omega, 2023).
“Standardization of Particle Size for Wettability Measurement” (ACS Omega, 2023).
“Hybrid Carbonated Engineered Water for Oil-Wet Carbonates” (Energies, 2022) – cited in SPE’s water-based EOR studies.

Conclusion

Dr. Hadi Belhaj exemplifies leadership, innovation, and service in petroleum engineering. His blend of industry acumen, academic rigor, and commitment to sustainable energy solutions makes him an outstanding nominee for this prestigious award. From mentoring future engineers to shaping global EOR practices, his legacy continues to drive transformative advancements in energy resource management.