Zhenyu Li
Professor , College of Food Science and Engineering,
Northwest A&F University Office Tel: (+86) 29 87092827
Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100 China Email: lizhenyu@nwafu.edu.cn
Currently, Dr. Zhenyu Li holds a full professorship in the College of Food Science and Engineering at Northwest A&F University, China. He is also a guest professor in The Research Center of Membrane Science and Technology at Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
1） Membrane based water treatment technology
2） Novel membrane technology for the separation and purification processes in agro-industry, food engineering and biotechnology
3） Innovative membrane materials and modules
4） Sustainability in water-energy-food nexus
WORKING AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
1） September, 2016 – till now
Professor
College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, China
2） September, 2016 – August, 2018
Research Associate
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, U.S.A.
3） September, 2015 – August, 2016
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Supervisor: Prof. Venkatesh Narayanamurti)
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, U.S.A.
Research Area: Sustainability in water-energy nexus
4） September, 2012 – August, 2015
Research Scientist (Supervisor: Prof. Gary Amy)
Head of Forward Osmosis Research Team
Water Desalination and Reuse Center,
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia
Research Areas:
1) Innovative membrane technologies for desalination and wastewater treatment
2) Design and optimization of membrane process
3) Characterization of membrane fouling propensity
4) Application of renewable energy in water industry
5) Integrated processes for a sustainable solution of water–energy-food nexus
1） September, 2009 – September, 2012
Postdoctoral Fellow (Supervisor: Prof. Gary Amy, Prof. Neal Tai-Shung Chung)
Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , National University of Singapore, Singapore
(Special Academic Partnership Program between King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and National University of Singapore)
Research Project: Seawater desalination and water reuse by a hybrid forward osmosis process
Preparation of forward osmosis membrane and fabrication of membrane modules
2） April, 2008 – January, 2009
Research Fellow, (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Wirote Youravong)
Membrane Science and Technology Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
Research Project: Application of membrane technologies in the downstream processing of agro-industry
3） July, 1999 - September, 2002
Project Coordinator, Office of Research Services, Anhui Polytechnic University, China
EDUCATION
1） 2004 – 2008 PhD, Biotechnology
Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
Thesis: Development of a multi-stage membrane filtration process for separation and purification of protease from the wastes of fishery industry
Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Aran H-Kittikun and Assoc. Prof. Wirote Youravong
2） 2002 – 2004 MSc, Biotechnology
Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
Thesis: Separation of proteases from viscera extract of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) by ultrafiltration
Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Aran H-Kittikun and Assoc. Prof. Wirote Youravong
3） 1995 – 1999 B.E., Food Engineering
Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, China
HONORS AND AWARDS
1) ‘Science, Technology & Public Policy (STPP) Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015-2016)’ from John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, U.S.A
2) ‘KAUST Seed Fund Award 2012’ from KAUST, Saudi Arabia
3) ‘KAUST Global Collaborative Research (GCR) Fellowship (2009-2011)’ from KAUST, Saudi Arabia
4) ‘The Best PhD Thesis Award’ from Agro-Industry Academic Council Association (AIAC) of Thailand, June, 2009, Bangkok, Thailand
5) ‘The Outstanding PhD Thesis Award (2008)’ from Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
6) ‘Student Travel Award (2007)’ from the European Membrane Society (EMS) for The 6th International Membrane Science and Technology Conference (IMSTEC07)
7) ‘Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad (2006)’ from Ministry of Education, China
8) ‘Development of Excellence in Agro-Industry Fellowship (2004-2007)’ for PhD Candidate from Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
9) ‘Development of Excellence in Agro-Industry Fellowship (2002-2004)’ for MSc Candidate from Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
10) ‘Provincial Award for Outstanding Manager of Scientific Research Services (2001)’ from Education Bureau of Anhui Province Government, China
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
1) Board member of Youth Committee of Chinese Society of Seawater Desalination and Water Reuse
2) Editoral board member of Elsevier Journal “Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering”
PUBLICATIONS
Refereed Journal Publications (* as the corresponding author)
1) Pei, J.F., Wang, W.J., Wang, Y.F., Wang, H.H., Bucs, S.S., Vrouwenvelder, J.S., Li, Z.Y.* 2021. Fate of polyphenols in forward osmosis. Journal of Membrane Science, 621, 118993.
2) Pei, J.F., Gao, S.S., Sarp, S., Wang, H.H., Chen, X.N., Yu, J., Yue, T.L., Youravong, W., Li, Z.Y.* 2021. Emerging forward osmosis and membrane distillation for liquid food concentration: a review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 20, 1910-1936.
3) Zhang, J.Y., Li, S.H., Wang, W.J., Pei, J.F., Zhang, J.W., Yue, T.L., Youravong, W., Li, Z.Y.* 2021. Bacteriocin assisted food functional membrane for simultaneous exclusion and inactivation of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in apple juice. Journal of Membrane Science, 618, 118741.
4) Pei, J.F., Pei, S.Y., Wang, W.J., Li, S.H., Youravong, W., Li, Z.Y.* 2020. Athermal forward osmosisprocess for the concentration of liquid egg white: Process performance and improved physicochemical property of protein. Food Chemistry 312,126032.
5) Kim, Y., Li, S., Francis, L., Li, Z.Y., Linares, R.V., Alsaadi, A.S., Abu-Ghdaib, M., Son, H.S., Amy, G., Ghaffour, N. 2019. Osmotically and thermally isolated forward osmosis–membrane distillation (FO–MD) integrated module, Environmental Science & Technology, 53, 3488-3498.
6) Li, Z.Y.*, Siddiqi, A., Diaz Anadon, L., and Narayanamurti, V. 2018. Towards sustainability in water-energy nexus: ocean energy for seawater desalination. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Review 82, 3833-3847.
7) Li, Z.Y.*, Valladares, R., Bucs, S.S., Fortunato, L., Helix-Nielsen, C., Vrouwenvelder, J.S., Ghaffour, N., Leiknes, T., and Amy, G. 2017. Aquaporin based biomimetic membrane in forward osmosis: chemical cleaning resistance and practical operation. Desalination 420, 208-215.
8) Amy, G., Ghaffour, N., Li, Z.Y., Francis, L., Valladares Linares, R., Missimer, T., and Lattemann, S. 2017. Membrane-based seawater desalination: Present and future prospects. Desalination 401, 16-21.
9) Valladares Linares, R., Li, Z.Y.*, Yangali-Quintanilla, V. Li, Q.Y., Vrouwenvelder, J.S., Ghaffour, N. and Amy, G. 2016. Hybrid SBR-FO system for wastewater treatment and reuse: Operation, fouling and cleaning. Desalination 393, 31-38.
10) Sarp, S., Li, Z.Y., Saththasivam, J. 2016. Pressure retarded osmosis: past experiences, current developments and future prospects. Desalination 389, 2-14.
11) Phuntsho, S., Kim, J.E., Johir, M.A.H., Hong, S., Li, Z.Y., Ghaffour, G., Leiknes, T. and Shon, H.K. 2016. Fertiliser drawn forward osmosis process: pilot-scale desalination of mine impaired water for fertigation. Journal of Membrane Science 508, 22-31.
12) Valladares, R., Li, Z.Y., Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Ghaffour, N., Amy, G., Leiknes, T., Vrouwenvelder, J.S. 2016. Life cycle cost of a hybrid forward osmosis-low pressure reverse osmosis system for seawater desalination and wastewater recovery. Water Research 88, 225-234.
13) Livazovica, S., Li, Z.Y., Behzad, A.R., Peinemann, K.V., Nunes, S.P. 2015. Cellulose multilayer membranes manufacture with ionic liquid. Journal of Membrane Science 490, 282-293.
14) Li, Z.Y.*, Valladares, R., Bucs, S.S., Aubry, C., Ghaffour, N., Amy, G., Vrouwenvelder, J.S. 2015. Calcium carbonate scaling in ammonia-carbon dioxide forward osmosis desalination. Journal of Membrane Science 481, 36-43.
15) Valladares, R, Li, Z.Y.*, Sarp, S., Bucs, S.S., Amy, G., Vrouwenvelder, J.S. 2014. Forward osmosis niches in seawater desalination and wastewater reuse. Water Research 66, 122-139.
16) Valladares, R., Li, Z.Y.*, Sarp, S., Park, Y.G., Vrouwenvelder, J.S. and Amy, G. 2014. Boron rejection of a new generation forward osmosis membrane for seawater desalination. Desalination and Water Treatment 1-7.
17) Valladares R., Bucs, S. S., Li, Z.Y., AbuGhdeeb, M. Amy, G. and Vrouwenvelder, J.S. 2014. Impact of spacer thickness on biofouling in forward osmosis. Water Research 57, 223–233.
18) Li, Z.Y.*, Valladares, R., Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Muhannad, A.G., Zhan, T. and Amy, G. 2014. Osmotically driven membrane process for the management of urban runoff in coastal regions. Water Research 48, 200–209.
19) Amy, G., Ghaffour, N., Ng, K.C. and Li, Z.Y. 2013. Advances in low energy desalination. Water Environment Federation (WEF): Water Reuse and Desalination 4, 12–13.
20) Valladares, R., Li, Z.Y.*, Muhannad, A.G., Wei, C.H., Amy, G. and Vrouwenvelder, J.S. 2013. Water harvesting from municipal wastewater via osmotic gradient: an evaluation of process performance. Journal of Membrane Science 447, 50–56.
21) Valladares, R., Li, Z.Y. Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Li, Q. and Amy, G. 2013. Cleaning protocol for a FO membrane fouled in wastewater reuse. Desalination and Water Treatment 51, 4821–4824.
22) Valladares, R, Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Li, Z.Y. and Amy, G. 2012. NOM and TEP fouling of a forward osmosis (FO) membrane: foulant identification and cleaning. Journal of Membrane Science 421-422, 217–224.
23) Li, Z.Y., Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Valladares, R., Li, Q.Y. and Amy, G. 2012. Flux patterns and membrane fouling propensity during desalination of seawater by forward osmosis. Water Research 46, 195–204.
24) Valladares, R., Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Li, Z.Y. and Amy, G. 2011. Rejection of micropollutants by clean and fouled forward osmosis membrane. Water Research 45, 6737–6744.
25) Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Li, Z.Y., Valladares, R., Li, Q.Y. and Amy, G. 2011. Indirect desalination of Red Sea water with forward osmosis and low pressure reverse osmosis for water reuse. Desalination 280, 160–166.
26) Laorko, A., Li, Z.Y., Tongchitpakdee, S. and Youravong, W. 2011. Effect of gas sparging on flux enhancement and phytochemical properties of clarified pineapple juice by microfiltration. Separation and Purification Technology 80, 445–451.
27) Laorko, A., Li, Z.Y., Tongjitpakdee, S., Chantachum, S. and Youravong, W. 2010. Effect of membrane property and operating conditions on phytochemical properties and permeate flux during clarification of pineapple juice. Journal of Food Engineering 100, 514–521.
28) Youravong, W., Li, Z.Y. and Laorko, A. 2010. Influence of gas sparging on clarification of pineapple wine by microfiltration. Journal of Food Engineering 96, 427–432.
29) Li. Z.Y., Youravong, W. and H-Kittikun, A. 2010. Protein hydrolysis by protease isolated from tuna spleen by membrane filtration: a comparative study with commercial proteases. LWT-Food Science and Technology 43, 166–172.
30) Li. Z.Y., H-Kittikun, A. and Youravong, W. 2009. Purification of protease from pre-treated tuna spleen extract by ultrafiltration: an altered operational mode involving critical flux condition and diafiltration. Separation and Purification Technology 66, 368–374.
31) Laorko, A., Li, Z.Y., Youravong, W., Tongjitpakdee, S. and Chantachum, S. 2008. Cold sterilization of coconut water by membrane filtration: effects of membrane property and operation condition. Applied Membrane Science and Technology. 7, 23–31.
32) Li, Z.Y., Youravong, W. and H-Kittikun, A. 2008. Removal of suspended particles from extract of tuna spleen by microfiltration: experimental evaluation of a low fouling condition. Journal of Food Engineering 85, 309–315.
33) Li, Z.Y., H-Kittikun, A. and Youravong, W. 2008. Removal of suspended solids from tuna spleen extract by microfiltration: a batch process design and improvement. Biochemical Engineering Journal 38, 226–233.
34) Li, Z.Y., H-Kittikun, A. and Youravong, W. 2008. Separation of protease from yellowfin tuna spleen extract by ultrafiltration: effect of hydrodynamics and gas sparging on critical and limiting flux and selectivity. Journal of Membrane Science 311, 104–111.
35) Li, Z.Y., Youravong, W. and H-Kittikun, A. 2006. Separation of proteases from yellowfin tuna spleen by ultrafiltration. Bioresource Technology 97, 2364–2370.
36) Li, Z.Y., Youravong, W. and H-Kittikun, A. 2006. Analysis of fouling mechanism during dead-end microfiltration of tuna spleen extract. Journal of Anhui Polytechnic University. 21, 1–6.
Books and Book Chapters
1) Li, S.H., Li, Z.Y. Reverse osmosis and forward osmosis in integrated systems. In (Angelo, B., Alfredo, C., Navin, K.R. eds) Current Trends and Future Developments on (Bio-) Membranes. Elsevier Publishing, 2019.
2) Li, S., Li, Z.Y. Reverse osmosis and forward osmosis in desalination membrane systems. In (Angelo, B., Alfredo, C., Navin, K.R. eds) Current Trends and Future Developments on (Bio-) Membranes. Elsevier Publishing, 2019.
3) Li, Z.Y., Valladares, R, Sarp, S., and Amy, G. Chapter 9: Direct and indirect seawater desalination by forward osmosis. In (Hilal, N. and Sarp, S. eds.) Membrane Based Salinity Gradient Processes for Water Treatment and Power Generation. Elsevier Publishing, 2018.
4) Valladares, R, Li, Z.Y., Elimelech, M., Amy, G., and Vrouwenvelder, J.S. Recent Development in Forward Osmosis Processes. International Water Association (IWA) Publishing, 2017.
Conference Presentations (* as the presenter or corresponding author)
1) Li, Z.Y.*, Valladares, R., Ghaffour N., and Amy, G. Forward osmosis-low pressure reverse osmosis: Indirect desalination and engineered potable reuse in the coastal regions. DesalTech 2015, San Diego, USA, August 28-29, 2015 (platform presentation).
2) Li, Z.Y.*, Valladares, R., Ghaffour N., Vrouwenvelder J. S. and Amy, G. Draw side fouling in forward osmosis. 2nd International Conference on Desalination Using Membrane Technology, Singapore, July 26-29, 2015 (platform presentation).
3) Li, Z.Y.*, Valladares, R., Muhannad, A.G., Vrouwenvelder J. S. Ghaffour N. and Amy, G. Comparative assessment of water recovery from primary and secondary wastewater effluents using forward osmosis. International Forward Osmosis Association (IFOA) World Summit 2014, Lisbon, Protugal, September 18-19, 2014 (platform presentation).
4) Li, Z.Y.*, Valladares, R., Muhannad, A.G. and Amy, G. The process performance and fate of boron in a multi-stage forward osmosis process for integrated water management. European Desalination Society (EDS) Conference and Exhibition on Desalination for the Environment: Clean Water and Energy, Limassol, Cyprus. May 11–15, 2014 (platform presentation).
5) Li, Z.Y.*, Valladares, R., Muhannad, A.G. and Amy, G. Draw solution induced scaling during ammonia-carbon dioxide forward osmosis desalination. American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) Membrane Technology Conference and Exhibition, Las Vegas, Nevada, US. March 10–13, 2014 (platform presentation).
6) Li, Z.Y.*, Valladares, R., Muhannad, A.G. and Amy, G. Comparative assessment of forward osmosis (FO) niches in desalination. International Desalination Association (IDA) World Congress, Tianjin, China. October 20–25, 2013 (platform presentation).
7) Valladares, R., Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Li, Z.Y.*, and Amy, G. Immersed forward osmosis membranes for rejection of organic micropollutants in water reuse. The 8th International Water Association (IWA) Specialist Conference on Assessment and Control of Micropollutants/Hazardous Substances in Water, Zurich, Switzerland. June 16–20, 2013 (platform presentation).
8) Li, Z.Y.*, Valladares, R., Muhannad, A.G., and Amy, G. Forward Osmosis for the Management of Urban Runoff in Coastal Regions. The 10th International Water Association (IWA) Leading Edge Conference on Water and Waste Water Technologies, Bordeaux, France. June 2–6, 2013 (platform presentation).
9) Valladares, R., Li, Z.Y., Muhannad, A.G., and Amy, G. Boron rejection of a new generation TFC FO membrane for seawater desalination: influence of flux, membrane structure and reverse draw solute. The 1st Conference on Desalination using Membrane Technology, Sitges, Spain. April 7–10, 2013 (platform presentation).
10) Li, Z.Y.*, Valladares, R., Muhannad, A.G., and Amy, G. Forward osmosis (FO): comparative assessment of water treatment applications. American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Quality and Technology Conference, Toronto, Canada. November 4–8, 2012 (platform presentation).
11) Li, Z.Y.*, Yangali-Quintanilla, V. and Amy, G. Seawater desalination by forward osmosis: investigation of flux pattern and membrane fouling. The International Water Association (IWA) World Congress and Exhibition, Busan, Korea. September 16–21, 2012 (platform presentation).
12) Li, Z.Y.*, Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Li, Q.Y., Valladares, R. and Amy, G. A sequential batch reactor–forward osmosis system for water reuse. American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) Membrane Technology Conference and Exhibition, Glendale, Arizona, US. February 27–March 1, 2012 (platform presentation).
13) Amy, G., Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Valladares, R. and Li, Z.Y. The fate of emerging organic contaminants in forward osmosis membranes. American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Quality Technology Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, US. November 13–17, 2011 (platform presentation).
14) Li, Z.Y.*, Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Amy, G. and Chung, T.S. Surface modification of membrane to reduce fouling during forward osmosis. The 6th International Water Association (IWA) Specialist Conference on Membrane Technology, Aachen, Germany. October 4–7, 2011 (platform presentation).
15) Amy, G., Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Li, Z.Y., Valladares, R. and Li, Q.Y. Wastewater reclamation with forward osmosis and Red Sea water. International Desalination Association (IDA) World Congress on Desalination and Water Reuse, Perth, Australia. September 4–9, 2011 (platform presentation).
16) Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Maenga, S.K., Fujiokaa, T., Kennedya, M., Li, Z.Y. and Amy, G. Nanofiltration vs. Reverse Osmosis for the removal of emerging organic contaminants in water reuse. The 6th Conference of the Aseanian Membrane Society in conjunction with the 7th International Membrane Science and Technology Conference (AMS2006/IMSTEC2010), Sydney, Australia. November 22–26, 2010 (platform presentation).
17) Li, Z.Y.*, Youravong, W. and H-Kittikun, A. A multi-stages membrane filtration process for separation and purification of protease from the wastes of fishery industry. The 6th Regional Symposium on Membrane Science and Technology (MST2008), Phuket, Thailand. August 13–15, 2008 (platform presentation).
18) Li, Z.Y.*, H-Kittikun, A. and Youravong, W. Effect of crossflow velocity on suspended solid removal, critical flux and limiting flux in microfiltration of tuna spleen extract. The 4th Regional Symposium & Workshop on membrane science and technology (MST2006), Singapore. April 27–28, 2006 (platform presentation).
19) Li, Z.Y.*, Youravong, W. and H-Kittikun, A. Isolation of protease from yellowfin tuna viscera by ultrafiltration. The 2nd Regional Symposium on Membrane Science and Technology (MST2004), Johor, Malaysia. April 21–25, 2004 (platform presentation).
PATENTS
1) Li, Z.Y., Pei, J.F. A method for non-thermal concentration of heat sensitive liquid food. Chinese patent application number 201910532161.8.
2) Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Li, Z.Y., Valladares, R., and Amy, G. Apparatus, System, and Method for Forwar Osmosis in Water Reuse. US Patent 20,130,001,162.
3) Ghaffour, N., Lijo, F., Li, Z.Y., Valladares, R., Ahmad, S., Muhannad, A.G. and Amy, G. Osmotically and Thermally Isolated Forward Osmosis-Membrane Distillation (FO-MD) Integrated Module for Water Treatment Applications. International Patent 2016/135701.
