Yuanjing (Jason) Zhao
Academic and research departments
Surrey Circular Economy Group, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sustainability and digital innovation.About
Mr. Yuanjing Zhao is a PhD student in the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Surrey. Prior to this academic pursuit, he held a Master of Science with Distinction in Advanced Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London in 2020. He served as a chemical engineer at the Research Institute of Tsinghua University, China, for 2 years. His research expertise encompasses sustainable energy systems, carbon capture/utilisation technologies, and process systems engineering, with particular emphasis on developing computational methodologies for complex system optimisation. Current investigations focus on implementing surrogate-based optimisation (SBO) frameworks and digitalisation strategies to address multi-physics challenges in renewable energy systems, particularly those involving multi-phase flow phenomena and multi-variable interactions. His methodological approach integrates techno-economic analysis with multi-objective optimisation techniques to evaluate system performance. The ultimate objective of his work lies in establishing systematic optimisation protocols for designing chemical processes that simultaneously achieve operational safety, economic viability, and environmental sustainability. This is pursued through the synergistic application of first-principles modelling, data-driven approaches, and advanced optimisation algorithms within integrated computational frameworks.
My qualifications
Affiliations and memberships
ResearchResearch interests
Research Interests:
Sustainable energy systems, CO₂ capture and utilisation, and process systems engineering. Current focus lies in surrogate-based optimisation (SBO), digitalisation strategies, and multi-objective optimisation of complex, multi-physics renewable energy processes. Methodologies integrate first-principles modelling, data-driven techniques, and techno-economic analysis to enable the design of safe, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable chemical systems.
Research collaborations
Our recent focus has been on collaborating with PSE to develop and refine dynamic CO₂ electrolyser models using gPROMS, with the aim of scaling them up to industrial production levels. In parallel, we are working on constructing a multiscale green methanol production model that integrates the electrolyser as a core component.
Research interests
Research Interests:
Sustainable energy systems, CO₂ capture and utilisation, and process systems engineering. Current focus lies in surrogate-based optimisation (SBO), digitalisation strategies, and multi-objective optimisation of complex, multi-physics renewable energy processes. Methodologies integrate first-principles modelling, data-driven techniques, and techno-economic analysis to enable the design of safe, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable chemical systems.
Research collaborations
Our recent focus has been on collaborating with PSE to develop and refine dynamic CO₂ electrolyser models using gPROMS, with the aim of scaling them up to industrial production levels. In parallel, we are working on constructing a multiscale green methanol production model that integrates the electrolyser as a core component.
Teaching
- Advanced Pharmaceutical Formulations (CHEM042) - Teaching Assistant, Semester 1 (2024/25)
- Process Modelling and Simulation (ENGM214) - Teaching Assistant, Semester 1 (2024/25)
- Drug Discovery & Medicinal Chemistry (CHEM043) - Teaching Assistant, Semester 2 (2024/25)
- Engineering Systems and Management (ENG2128) - Teaching Assistant, Semester 1 (2024/25)
- Advanced Chemical and Petrochemical Reaction Engineering (ENG3200) - Teaching Assistant, Semester 2 (2023/24)
- ADVANCED MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING (ENG0020) - Teaching Assistant, Semester 2 (2025/26)
- COMPUTER LABORATORY (ENGO018) - Teaching Assistant, Semester 1 (2025/26)
- FEPS Maths Support Framework 2025-26 - Maths Success Coach (2025/26)
Sustainable development goals
My research interests are related to the following:
Publications
Highlights
Zhao, Y.; Wang, S.; Leonzio, G.; Xuan, J.; Yin, H.; Xing, L. Electrified Carbon-Neutral Methanol Production Pathways: A Multiscale Techno-Economic-Environmental Assessment Based on the UK Energy System. Adv. Chem. Eng. 2026, e70009. DOI: 10.1002/ache.70009
Zhao, Y.; Wang, S.; Leonzio, G.; Fu, Q.; Wang, Y.; Xuan, J.; Xing, L. From Thermal to Electrochemical CO₂-to-Methanol Conversion: A Comprehensive Review of Process Technologies, Techno-Economics, and Life-Cycle Performance. Carbon Capture Sci. Technol. 2026. DOI:10.1016/j.ccst.2026.100603.
Zhao, Y.; Leonzio, G.; Xuan, J.; Zhang, W.; Xing, L. Multiscale Modelling and Techno-Economic Analysis of Green Methanol Synthesis from CO₂ and Renewable Hydrogen. In: ESCAPE-35: 35th European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering; Ghent, Belgium, 2025; pp. 247–248. Available at: https://escape35-belgium.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ESCAPE35_BookofShortPapers.pdf
Yang, N.; Hu, Y.; Zhao, Y.; Wei, Z.; Zhang, J.; Wang, B.; Zhang, Y.; Shang, Y.; Wang, G.; Xing, L. Sustainable Carbon-Based Composites for Hydrogen Evolution: Catalyst Engineering and Performance Enhancement Pathways. Renew. Energy 2026, 262, 125425. DOI:10.1016/j.renene.2026.125425.
Penga, Z.; Penga, J.; Zhao, Y.; Xing, L. Enhancing the Technical and Economic Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Through Three Critical Advancements. Syst. Control Trans. 2025, 4, 352–357. DOI:10.69997/sct.136136.
Zhu, P.; Huang, Y.; Wang, S.; Zhao, Y.; Wang, Y.; Xing, L.; Yang, F.; Zhang, Z.; Wu, Z.; Ni, M. Multi-Objective Topology Optimization of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Flow Channels for Superior Performance. Chem. Eng. J. 2026. DOI:10.1016/j.cej.2026.177814.
Wang, S.; Peng, Y.; Zhao, Y.; Wu, J.; Zhang, H.; et al. From Process Simulation to Circular Value: Environmental-Economic Assessment of Advanced Recycling for End-of-Life Photovoltaics. Sustain. Prod. Consum. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.spc.2026.06.004.
Tian, X.; Zhao, Y.; Shi, W.; Yu, E.; Cowan, A. J.; Xuan, J.; Zhang, G.; Xing, L. 3D Mechanical-Electrochemical Modelling and Optimisation of Anisotropic Transport-Reaction Processes in Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction Electrolysers. Joule, (under review).