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.

Mingxuan Gu | Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage | Best Carbon Capture and Storage Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Dr. Mingxuan Gu | Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage | Best Carbon Capture and Storage Award

Assistant Research Fellow at Chengdu University of Technology | China

Dr. Mingxuan Gu is an accomplished Assistant Research Fellow specializing in the geological storage of carbon dioxide at Huairou National Laboratory, Beijing. He holds a Ph.D. in Geological Resources and Geological Engineering and a strong academic foundation in exploration technology and petroleum engineering. His research focuses on multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging, reservoir evaluation, and the integration of artificial intelligence with physical meaning constraints for advanced subsurface analysis. Dr. Gu’s innovative contributions have significantly advanced the understanding and quantitative evaluation of fluid components in complex geological formations, particularly through the use of 2D and multidimensional NMR spectra. His scholarly work has been featured in leading international journals such as Marine and Petroleum Geology, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Energy & Fuels, and Computers and Geosciences. He has also presented his findings at prestigious global conferences, reflecting his engagement with the international scientific community. Dr. Gu has authored 12 research documents, which have collectively received 84 citations across 55 citing documents, demonstrating the growing recognition and impact of his work. He holds an h-index of 6, reflecting the quality and influence of his scholarly contributions in the field. His research emphasizes practical applications in carbon storage and reservoir characterization, contributing to cleaner and more efficient energy solutions. Through his dedication to advancing NMR-based methodologies and his commitment to sustainable subsurface exploration, Dr. Gu continues to establish himself as a leading researcher in the intersection of artificial intelligence, petrophysics, and carbon sequestration.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Gu, M., Xie, R., & Jin, G. (2021). A machine-learning based quantitative evaluation of the fluid components on T2-D spectrum.

Gu, M., Xie, R., & Xiao, L. (2021). A novel method for NMR data denoising based on discrete cosine transform and variable length windows.

Gu, M., Xie, R., Jin, G., et al. (2021). A hybrid compression method for the NMR data based on Window Averaging and Discrete Cosine Transform.

Gu, M., Xie, R., Jin, G., et al. (2021). Quantitative evaluation for fluid components on 2D NMR spectrum using Blind Source Separation.

Gu, M., Xie, R., & Xiao, L. (2021). Two-step inversion method for NMR relaxometry data using norm smoothing and artificial fish swarm algorithm.

Yang Zhao | Intelligent Material Development for CCUS | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Prof. Dr. Yang Zhao | Intelligent Material Development for CCUS | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at China University of Petroleum-Beijing, China

Dr. Yang Zhao is an Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering at the China University of Petroleum–Beijing. A specialist in sustainable oil and gas development, CO₂-enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and geological sequestration, his work blends innovation in chemical materials with practical solutions for conformance control and carbon storage. With a career bridging the U.S. and China, Dr. Zhao contributes to both academia and industry through editorial roles, patents, and international project collaborations. His multi-disciplinary expertise positions him as a thought leader in carbon management technologies, especially for deep water and fractured reservoirs in complex field environments.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Zhao earned his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (USA) in 2021, where he gained deep expertise in CO₂ EOR and microgel-based reservoir treatment. Prior to that, he completed both his Master’s (2017) and Bachelor’s (2014) degrees in Petroleum Engineering at the China University of Petroleum Huadong. His educational journey combined rigorous laboratory research, numerical simulation, and field-scale applications, equipping him with strong theoretical foundations and practical skills in flow assurance, reservoir engineering, and environmental mitigation, particularly in low-permeability and offshore conditions.

Experience

Since 2022, Dr. Zhao has been serving as an Associate Professor at China University of Petroleum–Beijing. He leads national and ministerial projects on CO₂ channeling control, conformance enhancement, and the development of novel in situ gel systems for high-temperature offshore reservoirs. Previously, he worked with internationally recognized researchers in the U.S. and contributed to pioneering studies on microgel propagation and enhanced heavy oil recovery techniques. Dr. Zhao’s broad professional engagements also include editorial roles, symposium organization, and collaborative research with energy corporations, ensuring a practical orientation to his scientific endeavors.

Research Interest

Dr. Zhao’s research interests focus on carbon dioxide EOR, geological storage, chemical conformance control, and novel materials for flow assurance. His work explores CO₂-responsive gels, microgel behavior in super permeable channels, and hybrid chemical techniques that integrate stimulation, storage, and recovery processes. He has also made significant contributions to hydrate blockage prediction in subsea gas pipelines. His innovative thinking bridges laboratory experiments and field-scale applications, aiming to maximize oil recovery while ensuring environmental sustainability. Recent efforts target megaton-scale CCUS projects, particularly in large-pore-volume reservoirs and tight formations that present unique engineering challenges.

Awards

Dr. Zhao has received multiple accolades recognizing his research excellence and scientific impact. Notably, he was awarded Best Paper at URTeC 2020 and multiple international conferences, including the Offshore Technology Conference and the National Conference on Hydrodynamics. He was honored for Outstanding Review Contributions by the Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering and selected as Session Chairperson at the MIT A+B Energy Symposium and International CCUS Conference. His participation as a technical editor and guest editor for over ten leading journals further underscores his professional distinction and global academic influence.

Publications

Dr. Zhao has authored numerous impactful articles across top-tier journals. Below are seven selected publications with citation impact:

  1. Zhao, Y., Wen, X., Rui, Z.H. et al. “A novel dual-network CO₂-responsive particle gel…” Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024 – Cited by 35 articles.

  2. Zhao, Y. et al. “Importance of conformance control in reinforcing synergy of CO₂ EOR…” Petroleum Science, 2022 – Cited by 65 articles.

  3. Zhao, Y. et al. “Enhancing heavy oil recovery by combining low salinity water and polymer flooding.” SPE Journal, 2021 – Cited by 97 articles.

  4. Zhao, Y., Bai, B. “Transport behavior of swell able microgel particles…” SPE Journal, 2022 – Cited by 54 articles.

  5. Zhao, Y. et al. “Microgel conformance control treatment for polymer flooding reservoirs…” SPE Journal, 2021 – Cited by 46 articles.

  6. Zhao, Y. et al. “Hydrate-blockage assessment during deep water gas-well testing.” SPE Journal, 2018 – Cited by 88 articles.

  7. Ding, Y., Zhao, Y, Wen, X. et al. “Development and applications of CO₂-responsive gels…” Gels, 2023 – Cited by 22 articles.

These publications reflect a consistent record of innovation, technical depth, and field relevance.

Conclusion

Dr. Yang Zhao is a visionary petroleum engineer whose work advances the frontier of low-carbon energy production and reservoir sustainability. His pioneering contributions to CO₂-responsive gel systems, hydrate control, and EOR-geo-sequestration synergy have influenced global CCUS practices. Bridging fundamental research with industrial implementation, Dr. Zhao continues to shape academic discourse and engineering solutions for future energy systems. Through teaching, research leadership, and interdisciplinary collaborations, he cultivates the next generation of petroleum engineers committed to sustainability and innovation. His career trajectory reflects scientific rigor, practical relevance, and an unwavering dedication to addressing energy and environmental challenges.