Xiaolong Zhou

This study introduces an innovative “energy–structure–performance” framework to quantify mixing intensity in stirred crude oil desalting, moving beyond traditional metrics such as stirring speed and duration. By analyzing droplet size distribution and estimating input energy via a Reynolds number–Power number approach, we identified a critical input-energy window centered around 50 J. Within this range, desalting efficiency exhibits a characteristic rise–fall trend that closely mirrors the evolution of the Sauter mean diameter (D₃₂) along the energy axis, emphasizing the pivotal role of droplet structure in translating energy input into performance. Mechanistically, operating within this optimal energy window promotes droplet coalescence while minimizing shear-induced overemulsification. These results provide a physically grounded methodology for refining engineering operations, allowing precise control of mixing valves and optimization of energy input to achieve enhanced salt removal and improved phase separation efficiency.

Elemental mercury (Hg⁰) in coal-fired flue gas has become a focal yet challenging issue in mercury pollution control due to its high toxicity, bioaccumulation potential, and high volatility. There is an urgent need to develop a technology of Hg⁰ catalytic oxidation that is both low-cost and highly efficient. On the other hand, waste fluid catalytic cracking (WFCC) catalysts generated from the petroleum refining industry are classified as hazardous solid waste, necessitating effective harmless disposal and resource recovery. Herein, a composite support (A-P) was constructed by combining an activated WFCC catalyst (AFCC) with the natural mineral palygorskite, followed by the loading of VO_x active species to prepare a Vx/A-P catalyst for Hg⁰ removal from flue gas. Moreover, the effects of the preparation process and conditions of the Vx/A-P catalyst on the Hg⁰ removal performance were systematically studied. This work aims to provide a theoretical basis and technical support for the development of low-cost, high-performance mercury removal catalysts, while also promoting the green recycling and value-added utilization of waste catalysts.

The present work systematically compares the performance differences between two novel homologous materials employed as co‐carbonization agents in the synthesis of mesophase pitch. Low‐cost FCC slurry was used as the raw material, with bio‐tar (BT) and bio‐tar pitch (BTP) as co‐carbonization agents. The mesophase pitch was prepared by the co‐carbonization method. The products and formation mechanism of the mesophase pitch were analyzed. The properties and structures of the mesophase pitch were characterized and analyzed using a polarizing microscope, softening point, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed the optimal reaction conditions for systems FCC‐BT‐MMP and FCC‐BTP‐MMP, such as temperature, time, pressure, and reactant ratio. By introducing aliphatic components and other groups through the addition of BT or BTP in the reaction system, the fluidity, optical texture, ordering, and molecular preferential orientation of the product are improved. The results indicate that in the FCC‐BT‐MMP system, the optimal conditions are a temperature of 410°C, a reaction time of 6 h, a pressure of 0.6 MPa, and a BT ratio of 15%, under which the corresponding product exhibits the best comprehensive performance. In the FCC‐BTP‐MMP system, the optimal conditions are a reaction temperature of 420°C, a reaction time of 7 h, a pressure of 0.6 MPa, and a BTP content of 20%, under which the corresponding product also shows the best comprehensive performance.

The pressing demand for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels coupled with environmental risks associated with inappropriate sewage sludge (SS) disposal calls for innovative valorization strategies that transform waste into value-added products. This study introduces a novel approach by directly incorporating zeolite catalysts (HZSM-5 and USY) into the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of SS, followed by pyrolysis (Py) of the derived hydrochar (HC). Insights into derived HC are explored through comprehensive characterization, such as morphology, crystallinity, functionality, and thermal analysis. HZSM-5 significantly reduced the activation energy of HC from 27 to 5.5 kJ mol⁻¹, while increasing the structural disorder (ID/IG0.73). The selective production of CO and H₂ was achieved through temperature-dependent pyrolysis between 500 and 900 °C. HZSM-5 facilitated an increase in CO production to 54.18%, whereas USY boosted CO yield up to 35.6%. The optimal product distribution was achieved by strategically incorporating zeolite catalysts, allowing for precise control of N and O functionality and promoting selective syngas and chemical precursors yield. This innovative catalyst-mediated HTC-Py cascade offers unique control over pyrolytic products by introducing an efficient pathway for transforming problematic SS into green energy carriers, thus bridging the gap between environmental sustainability and feasible industrial utilization.

This paper provides a comparative evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of each process step for the preparation of pitch-based carbon fibers, discusses strategies for process optimization, highlights critical operational considerations, and examines improvements in experimental equipment.

Using low-cost FCC oil slurry as the raw material, coal tar (CT) and coal tar pitch (CTP) as cocarbonization agents, mesophase pitch was prepared through a

FCC slurry oil, with its high aromatic content, has great potential for producing advanced carbon materials but suffers from low thermal stability and poor graphitic ordering. In this work, we systematically investigated the oxidative modification of FCC slurry oil using two approaches: direct asphaltene addition and mesitylene-assisted dispersion. XRD, Raman, FTIR, and NMR analyses reveal that asphaltene incorporation promotes both aromatic condensation and graphitic ordering, resulting in reduced interlayer spacing (d ₀₀₂ from 0.3597 to 0.3445 nm) and increased crystallite height (L _c from 0.7503 to 0.8743 nm). Simultaneously, the softening point rose from 96 to 213 °C and the quinoline-insoluble (QI) content increased from 0.74 to 4.21%, indicating enhanced molecular rigidity, cross-linking density, and thermal stability. FCC-R-20 exhibited the highest specific capacity (404.8 mA·h·g^–1) and capacity retention (84.63% after 100 cycles), attributed to controlled defect formation (I _D/I _G 1.997 to 2.091) and structural refinement enabled by mesitylene-assisted dispersion. These findings demonstrate that solvent-assisted oxidative modification not only regulates asphaltene aggregation behavior but also improves stacking order and electrochemical durability, making it a promising strategy for tailoring FCC-derived carbon materials for high-performance energy storage applications.