(2fq) Advancing PFAS Elimination through Catalytic Supercritical Water Reactors and AI-Enhanced Process Intensification

In my doctoral and postdoctoral research work, I have cultivated a keen interest in catalysis, supercritical fluid, and machine learning, focusing on sustainable chemical processes. These include the chemical upcycling of biomass and waste plastics, and decompose PFAS.

Doctoral Research: During my doctorate in Chemical Engineering at University of Utah, I applied knowledge of supercritical fluids, catalysis, soft matters, and machine learning to several areas. These included (1) developing thermochemical liquefaction method to convert low-rank resources such as coal, waste plastics, and biomass into value-added carbon materials like carbon fibers, (2) investigating the development behavior of anisotropic carbonaceous liquid crystals and their structure-properties relationships, and (3) the integration of data mining and machine learning in the creation of process simulation and prediction models. Through this work, I combined supercritical liquefaction methods, advanced characterization, and machine learning to develop a effective conversion process to generate value-added carbon materials from coal and waste plastics and reveral formation behaviors of soft matter liquid crystal mesophase pitch.

Postdoctoral Research: As a postdoctoral research associate at University of Wisconsin-Madison, my research centers on developing advanced catalytic processes to convert dairy industry byproducts and other waste materials into valuable chemicals, scaling up the developed processes, and assessing the economic viability and environmental impact of these innovative processes. I am also conducting various process intensification methods on separation and catalytic conversion processes. Additionally, I am conducting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) to understand these production processes' environmental implications and profitability.

Research Vision: My vision for our lab is to unlock innovative methods using supercritical fluids to repurpose biomass and waste plastics and tackle persistent organic pollutants. Our approach includes: (1)Utilizing supercritical/subcritical fluid in the catalytic decompositon/conversion of hydrocarbons, paired with effective process intensification methods; (2) Investigating catalytic mechanisms through in situ and ex-situ characterization of non-noble catalysts; (3) Merging experimental, simulation, and machine learning approaches for rigorous kinetic and mechanistic studies; (4) Incorporating life cycle assessments (LCA) and techno-economic analyses (TEA) in process analysis. Using supercritical fluid processes, we aim to create high-value carbon materials and fine chemicals from low-rank hydrocarbon resources. We also aim to develop supercritical fluid-based methods for eliminating "forever pollutants" Perfluorinated Alkylated Substances (PFAS). Our lab will merge supercritical fluid science, process intensification, heterogeneous catalysis, simulation, and data science to address significant renewable resource and environmental challenges.

Teaching Interests

Core Curriculum: I am ready and equipped to instruct in any fundamental chemical engineering course. My interest particularly lies in teaching kinetics, unit operations, and chemical engineering lab, as these areas align closely with my research pursuits. My experience as a graduate student instructor for graduate-level transport phenomena and undergraduate-level kinetics and chemical engineering lab courses, coupled with my work in developing new undergraduate unit operation and lab courses, is a testament to my dedication to delivering high-quality university instruction.

Innovative selective courses: Besides teaching the core curriculum, I am eager to design selective courses on renewable energy, environmental engineering, and sustainability. Leveraging my research and teaching experiences, along with my multidisciplinary background, I am well-positioned to offer elective courses that foster sustainability awareness and inspire students' academic and professional pursuits in sustainable economic development.

CURRENT POSITION

University of Wisconsin – Madison

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Jul. 2023 – Present

Mentor: Professor George Huber

Research:Fundamental and Engineering Insights into Catalytic Dairy-Byproduct Conversion Processes

EDUCATION

University of Utah

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering, May. 2023

Advisor: Professor Eric Eddings

Dissertation: Development of a Mild Solvolysis Liquefaction Method for Converting Low-rank Aromatic-rich Hydrocarbons into Mesophase Pitch for Value-added Carbon Products

Renmin University of China

MS in Environmental Science, Jul. 2018

Advisor: Professor Jinglai Zhang

Thesis: Study on catalytic liquefaction of microalgae over Ni-Nd/γ-Al2O3 catalysts

Beijing University of Chemical Technology

BS in Chemical Engineering, Jul. 2013

Advisor: Professor Wei Wu and Professor Jianfeng Chen

Thesis: Synthesis of Nano-Polyaniline/graphene Composite Electrodes in Super Gravity Fields

SELECTED SUCCESSFUL PROPOSALS

Contributed to or independently wrote 25 proposals submitted to NSF, DOE, University of Utah (U of U) Research Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), NSF of China (NSFC), and Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (MOE). The following were funded:

1. Wang, W., Mohanty, S (P.I.), Modular microreactor for rapid studies in direct subcritical/supercritical water liquefaction of municipal sewage sludge, U of U Research Incentive Seed Grant FY 22, May 2022 – April 2023, $50,000.
2. Wang, W., Eddings, E (Co-PI), Fan, M (P.I.), Environmentally friendly production of high-quality and multifunctional carbon quantum dots from coal, US DOE, Jan 2021 – Dec 2022, $219,618.
3. Wang, W., Eddings, E (PI), et al. Sub-pilot-scale Production of High-value Products from U.S. Coals, US DOE, June 2020 – May 2023, $1,932,495.
4. Wang, W., Zhang, G. (P.I.), Zhang, J. (Co-PI), Degradation of preliminary chemicals in municipal sewage in Fenton-like system with rare earth elements/iron solid solution composite, BMNSF, Award No. 8172028, Jan 2017 – Dec 2019, RMB ¥200,000.
5. Wang, W., Zhang, J. (P.I.), Development of a continuous biomass liquefaction reactor for biocrude production, MOE, Jan 2016 – Dec 2018, RMB ¥1,000,000.
6. Wang, W., Zhang, J. (P.I.), Wang, H. (Co-PI), development of human feces liquefaction plants for the preparation of bio-oil, BMGF, Reinvent the Toilet Challenge – China, Award No. OPP 1051913, Jun 2014 – Jun 2018, $400,000.
7. Wang, W., Wu, W (P.I.), Application of super gravity field to intensify the preparation of graphene dispersion, NSFC, Award No.21376025, Jan 2014 – Dec 2017, RMB ¥800, 000.
8. Wang, W. (P.I.), Gao, D., Wu, W (Mentor), preparation of ferroferric oxide Imprinting molecule for the adsorption and monitoring of mercuric ion in municipal wastewater, MOE, National University Student Innovation Program, Jun 2011 – Jun 2012, RMB ¥12,000.
9. Wang, W., Wu, W (P.I.), Controllable preparation and synthesis mechanism of PAN-graphene nanocomposites via super gravity field, NSFC, Award No.21076021, Jan 2011 – Dec 2013, RMB ¥350,000.
10. Wang, W. (P.I.), Li, K., Wu, W (Mentor), Synthesis of graphene/TiO2 nano-film in super gravity field for photoelectric-catalytic degradation of pollutants, MOE, National University Student Innovation Program, Jun 2010 – Jun 2011, RMB ¥12,000.

PUBLICATION

Selected Publications in 2021 – 2023

1. Wenjia, Wang*, Mitchell G Nelson, Karissa Jolley, Ignacio Preciado, Eric Eddings. "Efficient Mesophase Pitch Precursor Production from Low-Rank Utah Sufco Coal via Mild Solvolysis Liquefaction," Submitted.
2. Wenjia Wang*, Adam Gallacher, Karissa Jolley, Mitchell G Nelson, Eric Eddings. "Harnessing Waste HDPE-Derived Liquid for Co-Liquefaction of Low-Rank Coals: A Sustainable Route to Mesophase Pitch for Making High-Quality Carbon Fibers," Submitted.
3. Wenjia Wang*, Karissa Jolley, Adam Gallacher, Mitchell G Nelson, Eric Eddings. "Determination of the Effects of Stacking Levels of Parallel Molecules on the Development of Anisotropic Optical Texture and the Spinnability of Anisotropic Carbons," Submitted.
4. Wenjia Wang*±, Madison Cooley±, Adam Gallacher, Shandian Zhe*, Robert M. Kirby*, Eric Eddings. "Machine-learning-aided Mesophase Pitch Production via Thermal Ppgrading of Heavy Coal Tar with Experimental Verification: 1 Development of Models from Experimental Data,", Submitted.
5. Wenjia Wang*, Eric Eddings, Swomitra Mohanty*. "Catalytic Degradation of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Supercritical Water".
6. Wang, W., Du, H., Huang, Y., Wang, S., Liu, C., Li, J., Zhang, J., Lu, S., Wang, H. Meng, H., 2022. Enhanced Biocrude Production from Hydrothermal Conversion of Municipal Sewage Sludge via Co-Liquefaction with Various Model Feedstocks. RSC Advances, 12(31), pp.20379-20386.
7. Du, H., Yu, Q., Liu, G., Li, J., Zhang, J., Wang, W., Duan, G., Meng, Y. Xie, H., 2022. Catalytic Deoxygenation of Carboxyl Compounds in the Hydrothermal Liquefaction Crude Bio-oil via In-situ Hydrogen Supply by CuO-CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ Catalyst. Fuel, 317, p.123367.
8. Wang, S., Zeng, F., Liu, Y., Meng, Y., Wang, W., Liu, C., Zhang, J., Du, H. and Li, J., 2022. Preparation and Application of ZrO₂–SiO₂ Complex Oxide for Efficient Biocrude Generation by Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Spirulina. Fuel, 317, p.123325.
9. Liu, G., Du, H., Sailikebuli, X., Meng, Y., Liu, Y., Wang, H., Zhang, J., Wang, B., Sadd, M., Li, J., Wang, W*. 2021. Evaluation of Storage Stability for Biocrude Derived from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Microalgae. Energy & Fuels, 35(13), 10623-10629.

MENTORSHIP AND SERVICE

Research Mentor, 2016 – 2023

Mentored 11 undergraduate students and 8 MS students at RUC and U of U through independent research projects focusing on sustainable heterogeneous catalysis, supercritical fluids, and process intensification.

Session Co-chair of Department graduate student seminars, 2016 – 2018

Planned, led volunteering, outreached speakers, and hosted 2-4 seminars each semester at RUC.

Student Chair: Internal Department Research Symposium, 2016 – 2018

Planned an internal department research symposium of 12 faculty and 40 graduate students at RUC.

Peer-reviewer, 2018 – present

Invited in reviews for Bioresource Technology, Chemosphere, Energy Conversion and Management, Fuel, Fuel Processing Technology, Heliyon, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, Energy & Fuels, and RSC Advances.