Solid waste utilization

Cement integrity

Anti-corrosion cement additives

Geological CO2 storage 

Geothermal

CO2-water-rock interaction

Reactive transport modeling

Risk assessment

Ph.D.    Carnegie Mellon University, 2013

M.S.      Duke University, 2010

B.E.      Harbin Institute of Technology, 2008

Chief Scientist (Contract-based), JXH Environmental Technology Co. Ltd., June 2022 to present

Professor, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, August 2017 to present

Postdoctoral research associate, National Energy Technology Laboratory, June 2013 to July 2017

Prof. Liwei Zhang's research has been focused on experimental and numerical studies on reactive transport of fluid in porous media and mineral dissolution/precipitation processes. Specific research areas include CO2 uptake by solid waste, CO2-induced wellbore cement degradation, subsurface mineral dissolution and precipitation under geologic carbon storage conditions, leaching behavior of metal ions from ores and fly ash under high concentration CO2, and evolution of pore structure of wellbore cement under corrosive environment. In July 2017, he was recruited by Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics (IRSM), Chinese Academy of Sciences as a full professor and was awarded a seed research funding of 5 million RMB (equivalent to $752,000 USD) to build his own laboratory. In June 2022, he took a contract-based position of Chief Scientist at JXH Environmental Technology Co. Ltd. His research activities have resulted in 3 books, 4 book chapters, 18 patents and more than 140 journal articles and conference proceedings.

   

Books

1. Zhang, L. and Li, Q. (editors), 2020. Risk Management of Geologic Carbon Utilization and Storage [text in Chinese]. Science Press, Beijing.

2. Liwei Zhang (Editor). Corrosion in CO2 Capture, Transportation, Geological Utilization and Storage. Springer, 2023.

3. Huijin Xu, Chen Yang and Liwei Zhang (Co-editor). Transport Perspectives for Porous Medium Applications. IntechOpen, 2024. URL: https://www.intechopen.com/books/1003035. 

Book chapters

1. Zhang, L., 2018. "CO₂-enhanced geothermal system" [in Chinese]. In: Environmental Risk Assessment of Geologic Carbon Storage in China, Cai, B. and Li, Q. (ed.), Chemical Engineering Press, Beijing.

2. Dilmore, R. and Zhang, L., 2017. “Greenhouse Gases and Their Role in Climate Change”. In: Greenhouse Gases and Clay Minerals, Romanov, V. (ed.). United States of America: Springer International Publishing AG.  

3. Zhang, L., Dzombak, D. A. and Kutchko B. G., 2015. “Wellbore cement integrity under geologic carbon sequestration conditions”. In: Novel Materials for CO₂ Mitigation Technology, Shi F. and Morreale B. (ed.), United States of America: Elsevier.

4. VanBriesen, J.M., Dzombak, D.A., and Zhang, L., 2013. “Sustainable Urban Water Supply Infrastructure”. In: Comprehensive Water Quality and Purification, vol. 4, pp. 427-449, Ahuja S. (ed.), United States of America: Elsevier.

 

Selected journal publications

Yin, Y., Zhang, L.*, Cao, X., Qi, L., Gan, M., & Wang, Y., 2025. Progress, challenges, and prospects of CO2 mineral sequestration in basalt: A critical review. Applied Energy, 381: 125127.

Gan, M., Zhang, L.*, Wang, Y., Hakuzweyezu, T., Sun, Q., Qin, Q., 2025. Discovery of a surge in alteration depth of wellbore cement exposed to high concentration CO2 from 28 days to 56 days. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 253: 213970.

Zhang, L., Gan, M.*, Zhang, L., Zhang, C., Wang, Y., Hakuzweyezu, T., 2025. Evolution of the micromechanical properties of reaction layers in wellbore cement under geologic CO2 storage conditions. Geomechanics for the Energy and the Environment, 43: 100728.

Hakuzweyezu, T., Gan, M., Zhang, L.*, Wang, Y., Onyekwena, C., 2025. Supercritical CO2-modified biochar as a novel additive for enhancing CO2 corrosion resistance in wellbore cement: characterization and mechanisms. Energy & Fuels, 39: 7409−7419.

Hakuzweyezu, T., Zhang, L.*, Gan, M., Wang, Y., Alvi, I.H., Onyekwena, C.C., 2025. Cement additives to mitigate wellbore cement degradation in CO2 corrosive environment: A review. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 249: 213785.

Gan, M., Hakuzweyezu, T., Zhang, L.*, Wang, Y., Qin, Q., Mei, K., Cheng, X., 2025. Performance characterization of wellbore cement containing different CO2-resisting additives under geologic CO2 storage conditions. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 245: 213510.

Gong, P., Mei, K., Zhang, L.*, Xue, Q., Wang, X., Wei, T., Zhang, C., Cheng, X.*, 2024. Hydration and carbonation reaction dynamics in CO2-rich environment for tricalcium silicate (C3S) and dicalcium silicate (C2S). Powder Technology, 120535.

Yin, Y., Zhang, L.*, Deng, H., Wang, Y., Wang, H., 2024. A perspective on fluid dynamics and geochemistry coupling in geologic CO2 storage: Key reactions, reactive transport modeling, and upscaling methods. Gas Science and Engineering, 130: 205421.

Gan, M., Zhang, L.*, Wang, Y., Qin, Q., Xiao, T., Yin, Y., Wang, H., 2024. Experimental study on the corrosion behavior of wellbore cement with a leaking channel under different acidic environments. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 139, 104267.

Kaiyuan Mei, Liwei Zhang*, Yuna Cai, Ting Xiao, Quan Xue, Yan Wang, Qiang Sun, Brian McPherson, 2024. Investigation of chemical processes in cement exposed to wet ScCO2 and CO2-saturated brine in geological CO2 storage conditions. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 135, 104143.

Chenyang Deng, Liwei Zhang*, Manguang Gan, Yan Wang, Xiaochun Li, 2024. Economic and environmental feasibility of coupled wind power-subsurface compressed CO2 energy storage system in China: A LCA analysis. Gas Science and Engineering, 128, 205399.

Yue Yin, Liwei Zhang*, Kaiyuan Mei, Xiaowei Cheng, Yan Wang, Hanwen Wang, 2024. Experimental investigation on H2S-induced oilwell cement degradation under high-temperature conditions for geothermal applications. Geothermics, 121, 103023.

Liwei Zhang, Quan Xue*, Kaiyuan Mei, Xiaochun Li, Yan Wang, Xiaowei Cheng, Xiaojuan Fu, 2024. Bonding strength evolution of the steel-concrete interface exposed to high concentration CO2 up to 1000 kPa partial pressure. Construction and Building Materials, 417, 135127.

Hanwen Wang, Liwei Zhang*, Manguang Gan,Xuebin Su,Yan Wang,Quan Xue,Kaiyuan Mei and Xiaojuan Fu, 2024. Temperature and Reaction Time’s Effects on N80 Steel Corrosion Behavior in Supercritical CO2 and Formation Water Environments. Applied Sciences, 14(2), 728. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14020728

Hanwen Wang, Liwei Zhang*, Kaiyuan Mei, Xiaowei Cheng, Quan Xue, Yan Wang, Xiaojuan Fu, 2024. Recent progress on the research of steel corrosion behavior and corrosion control in the context of CO2 geological utilization and storage: a review. Corrosion Reviews.  https://doi.org/10.1515/corrrev-2023-0101.

Qingqian Wu, Lu Shi*, Liwei Zhang, Xiaochun Li, 2024. Effect of pore-bearing fluids on the mechanical behavior of siliceous cemented sandstones containing different clay contents and types. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 240, 213058.

Chao Gu, Qiang Sun*, Lei Zhang, Liwei Zhang, Duoxing Yang, Boxing Yang,  Zhenlong Ge, 2024. Effect of temperature on the radon release characteristics of red clay. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 280, 107565.

Hao Huang, Qiang Sun*, Duoxing Yang, Jishi Geng, Liwei Zhang and Yanning Pan, 2024. Effects of CO2-water-rock cycling cycles on sandstone pore structure. Frontiers in Energy Research,1485241.

Hu, J., Harandi, H., Chen, Y., Zhang, L.*, Yin, H., He, T.*, 2023. Anisotropic gypsum scaling of corrugated polyvinylidene fluoride hydrophobic membrane in direct contact membrane distillation. Water Research, 244: 120513. 

Harandi, H., Hu, J., Asadi, A., Sui, P., Zhang, L.*, He, T.*, 2023. Experimental and theoretical analysis of scaling mitigation for corrugated PVDF membranes in direct contact membrane distillation. Journal of Membrane Science, 686: 122001. 

Mei, K., Zhang, L.*, Wang, Y., Cheng, X., Xue, Q., Gan, M., Fu, X., Zhang, C., Li, X., 2022. Structural evolution in micro-calcite bearing Ca-montmorillonite reinforced oilwell cement during CO2 invasion. Construction and Building Materials, 315, 125744. 

Wang, Y.,Liu, S., Zhang, L., Gan, M., Miao, X., Wei, N., Cheng, X., Liu, H., Li, X., Li, J., 2021. Evidence of self-sealing in wellbore cement under geologic CO2 storage conditions by micro-computed tomography (CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman observations. Applied Geochemistry, 128, 104937.

Miao, X., Zhang L., Wang, Y., Wang, L., Fu, X., Gan, M., Li, X., 2020. Characterisation of wellbore cement microstructure alteration under geologic carbon storage using X-ray computed micro-tomography: A framework for fast CT image registration and carbonate shell morphology quantification. Cement and Concrete Composites, 108, 103524.

Qihuang Wang, Xiuxiu Miao, Yan Wang, Manguang Gan, Syed Mobasher Aftab, Xiaochun Li, Liwei Zhang and Zimeng Wang, 2020. Simulation of Uranium Mobilization Potential in a Deep Aquifer under Geological Carbon Storage Conditions. Applied Geochemistry, in press.

Gan, M., Zhang, L., Miao, X., Oladyshkin S., Cheng, X., Wang, Y., Shu, Y., Su, X. and Li, X., 2020. Application of computed tomography (CT) in geologic CO2 utilization and storage research: a critical review. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 83, 103591.

Gan, M., Zhang L. Miao, X., Wang, Y., Bai, M., Li, X. and Fu, X., 2019. Micro-CT characterization of wellbore cement degradation in SO42-–bearing brine under geological CO2 storage environment. Geofluids, 2019: 5164010. 

Zhang, L., Soong, Y., Dilmore, R. and Lopano, C., 2015. “Numerical simulation of porosity and permeability evolution of Mount Simon sandstone under geological carbon sequestration conditions”. Chemical Geology, 403: 1-12.

Zhang, L., Soong, Y. and Dilmore, R., 2016. “Investigation on porosity and permeability change of Mount Simon sandstone (Knox County, IN, USA) under geological CO₂ sequestration conditions: a numerical simulation approach”. Greenhouse Gases: Science & Technology, 6(4):574–587.

Zhang, L., Dilmore, R., Bromhal, G., 2016. “Effect of outer boundary condition, reservoir size, and CO₂ effective permeability on pressure and CO₂ saturation predictions under carbon sequestration conditions”. Greenhouse Gases: Science & Technology, 6(4): 546–560.

Zhang, L.,Dzombak, D. A., Nakles, D. V., Hawthorne, S. B., Miller, D. J., Kutchko, B. G., Lopano, C. L., Strazisar, B. R., 2014. “Rate of H₂S and CO₂attack on pozzolan-amended class H well cement under geologic sequestration conditions”. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 27:299–308.

Zhang, L., Dzombak, D. A.,Nakles, D. V., Hawthorne, S. B., Miller, D. J., Kutchko, B. G., Lopano, C. L., Strazisar, B. R., 2014. “Effect of exposure environment on the interactions between acid gas (H₂S and CO₂) and pozzolan-amended wellbore cement under acid gas co-sequestration conditions”. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 27: 309–318.

Zhang, L., Dzombak, D. A.,Nakles, D. V., Hawthorne, S. B., Miller, D. J., Kutchko, B. G., Lopano, C. L., Strazisar, B. R., 2013.“Characterization of pozzolan-amended wellbore cement exposed to CO₂ and H₂S gas mixtures under geologic carbon sequestration conditions”. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 19: 358–368.

Zhang, L., Dzombak, D. A., Nakles, D. V., Brunet, P. L., Li, L., 2013. “Reactive transport modeling of CO₂ and H₂S penetrations in wellbore cement under simulated H₂S—CO₂ co-sequestration conditions”. Energy & Fuels, 27 (11): 6921–6937.

Carroll, S., Carey, W. J., Dzombak, D. A., Huerta, N. J., Li, L., Richard, T., Um, W., Walsh, S. D. C., Zhang, L., 2016. “Review: Role of Chemistry, Mechanics, and Transport on Well Integrity in CO₂ Storage Environments”. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 49: 149-160.

Zhang, L., Parthasarathy, H., & Karamalidis, A., 2017. Investigation on arsenopyrite dissolution and As (III) migration under geologic carbon storage conditions: A numerical simulation approach. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, 7(3): 460-473.

Zhang, L., Soong, Y. and Dilmore, R., 2017. “Numerical investigation on Lower Tuscaloosa sandstone and Selma Chalk caprock under geological CO₂ sequestration conditions: mineral precipitation and permeability evolution”. Greenhouse Gases: Science & Technology, 7(6): 988-1007

Zhang, L., Dilmore, R., Namhata, A. and Bromhal, G., 2018. Feasibility of CO₂ migration detection using pressure and CO₂ saturation monitoring above an imperfect primary seal of a geologic CO₂ storage formation: a numerical investigation. Computational Geosciences, 22(3): 909–923.

Zhang, L., Dilmore, R., Huerta, N., Soong, Y., Vasylkivska, V., Namhata, A., Wang Y. and Li X. Application of a new reduced-complexity assessment tool to estimate CO₂ and brine leakage from reservoir and above-zone monitoring interval (AZMI) through an abandoned well under geologic carbon storage conditions. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology. In press.

Namhata, A., Zhang, L., Dilmore, R. M., Oladyshkin, S., Nakles, D. V., 2017. “Modeling Changes in Pressure due to Migration of Fluids into the Above Zone Monitoring Interval of a Geologic Carbon Storage Site”. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 56: 30-42.

Soong, Y., Howard, B. H., Dilmore, R. M., Haljasmaa, I., Crandall, D. M., Zhang, L., Zhang, W., Lin, R., Irdi, G. A., Romanov V. N. & Mclendon, T. R., 2016. CO₂/brine/rock interactions in Lower Tuscaloosa formation. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology. 6 (6): 824-837. 

Kutchko, B. G., Lopano, C. L., Strazisar, B. R., Steven B. Hawthorne, S. B., David J. Miller, D. J., Thaulow, N., Zhang, L., Guthrie, G. D., 2015. “Impact of Oilwell Cement exposed to H₂S Saturated Fluid and Gas at High Temperatures and Pressures: Implications for Acid Gas Injection and Co-Sequestration”. Journal of Sustainable Energy Engineering, 3(1): 80–101.

Yee Soong, Dustin Crandall, Bret H. Howard, Igor Haljasmaa, Laura E. Dalton, Liwei Zhang, Ronghong Lin, Robert M. Dilmore, Wu Zhang, Fan Shi, and Thomas R. Mclendon, 2017. Permeability and mineral composition evolution of primary seal and reservoir rocks in geologic carbon storage conditions. Environmental Engineering Science, 35(5): 391-400.

Namhata, A., Oladyshkin, S., Dilmore, R. M., Zhang, L., & Nakles, D. V., 2016. Probabilistic Assessment of Above Zone Pressure Predictions at a Geologic Carbon Storage Site. Scientific reports, 6, 39536.

Prof. Liwei Zhang's research has been focused on experimental and numerical studies on reactive transport of fluid in porous media and mineral dissolution/precipitation processes. Specific research areas include subsurface mineral dissolution and precipitation under geologic carbon storage conditions, leaching behavior of metal ions from ores and fly ash under high concentration CO2, and evolution of pore structure of wellbore cement under corrosive environment.