Picture of  Lifeng Zhang

Lifeng Zhang PhD, P.Eng. Associate Professor and Graduate Chair of Chemical Engineering Chemical and Biological Engineering

Address
Room 1C122 Engineering Building
57 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, SK
S7N 5A9

Research Area(s)

  • Fluidization and Multiphase Flow Systems
  • Clean Energy and Sustainability
  • Biomass and Bioenergy
  • Reaction Engineering
  • Electrostatics in Particulate System Handling
  • Process Intensification
  • PEM Fuel Cells
  • Green Polymers
  • Particle Technology

Biography

Education and Experience

B.Eng.(Zhejiang University)

MSc.(Zhejiang University)

MSc.(Singapore-MIT Alliance)

Ph.D.(Waterloo)

Research Projects

  • Enhanced fluidized bed drying processes;
  • Biomass and bioenergy; 
  • Air pollution control;
  • Advanced understanding of multiphase flow in porous media;
  • Eelectrostatics and electrospray

Publications

Refereed Journal Publications

  • V. Hirpara, V. Patel, Y. Zhang, R. Anderson, N. Zhu, L.F. Zhang, Investigating the effect of operating temperature on dynamic behavior of droplets for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2020, 45(27), 14145-14155.
  • Li, N. Zhu, H.N. Emady, L.F. Zhang, Synchrotron-based X-ray in-situ imaging techniques for advancing the understanding of pharmaceutical granulation, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2019, 572, 118797.
  • V. Patel, L. Battrell, N. Zhu,  R. Anderson, L.F. Zhang, Investigating Effect of Different Gas Diffusion Layers on Water Droplet Characteristics for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2019,44(33), 18340-18350.
  • L. Battrell, V. Patel, N. Zhu, L.F. Zhang,  R. Anderson, Imaging of the desaturation of gas diffusion layers by synchrotron computed tomography, Journal of Power Sources, 2019, 416, 155-162.
  • P. Chen, W. Du, M.H. Zhang, F.Y. Duan, L.F. Zhang, Numerical studies on heat coupling and configuration optimization in an industrial hydrogen production reformer, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2019, 44(30), 15704-15720.
  • L. Battrell, N. Zhu, L.F. Zhang,  R. Anderson,  Transient, Spatially Resolved Desaturation of Gas Diffusion Layers Measured via Synchrotron Visualization, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2018, 43, 24, 11234-11243.
  • P. Rahimian, L. Battrell, R. Anderson, N. Zhu, E. Johnson, L.F. Zhang, Investigation of time dependent water droplet dynamics on porous fuel cell material via synchrotron based X-ray imaging technique, Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 2018, 97, 237-245.
  • L. Battrell, A. Trunkle, E. Eggleton, L.F. Zhang, R. Anderson, Quantifying Cathode Water Transport via Anode Relative Humidity Measurements in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell, Energies, 2017, 10,1222.
  • W. Du, J.Z. Zhang, P. Lu, J. Xu, W.S. Wei, G.X. He, L.F. Zhang, Advanced understanding of local wetting behavior in gas-liquid-solid packed beds using CFD with a volume of fluid (VOF) method, Chemical Engineering Science, 2017, 170, 378-392.
  • P.E Rahimian, R. Anderson, L.F. Zhang, Predictions of flow regimes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells: an analytical approach, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42(7), 4679-4689.
  • M. Taghavivand, K.S. Choi, , L.F. Zhang, Investigation on drying kinetics and tribocharging behaviour of pharmaceutical granules in a fluidized bed dryer, Powder Technology, 2017, 316,171-180.
  • K.S. Choi, M. Taghavivand, L.F. Zhang, Experimental studies on the effect of moisture content and volume resistivity on electrostatic behaviour of pharmaceutical powders, Internal Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2017, 519, 98-103.
  • Du W., J.Z. Zhang, S. Bao, J. Xu, L.F. Zhang, Numerical investigation of particle mixing and segregation in spouted beds with binary mixtures of particles, Powder Technology, 2016, 301, 1159-1171.
  • Du, W., Quan, N., Lu, P.P., Xu, J., Wei, W.S., L.F. Zhang,., Experimental and statistical analysis of the void size distribution and pressure drop validations in packed beds, Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 2016, 106, 115-125.
  • Du,W., L.F. Zhang, S. Lv, P.P. Lu, J. Xu, W.S. Wei, Numerical study of liquid coverage in a gas-liquid-solid packed bed, Particuology, 2015, 23, 90-99.
  • L.F. Zhang, Q.M. Pan, G.L. Rempel, Bifurcation analysis and multiplicity of steady states in a multistage agitated contactor for gas liquid processes, Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2015, 93, 1891-1901.
  • R. Anderson, E. Eggleton, L.F. Zhang, Development of two-phase flow regime specific pressure drop models for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2015, 40(2), 1173-1185.
  • W. Du, L.F. Zhang, B. Zhang, S.H. Bao, J. Xu, W.S. Wei, Pressure drop and pressure fluctuations in spouted beds with binary mixtures, Powder Technology, 2015, 276, 134-143.
  • W. Du, L.F. Zhang, B.Zhang, S.H. Bao, J.Xu, W.S.Wei, X.J. Bao, Flow regime transition and hydrodynamics of spouted beds with binary mixtures, Powder Technology, 2015, 281,138-150.
  • H.J. Kim, D.K. Choi, S. Ahn, H. Kwok, H-W Lim, D. Denholm, T. Park, L.F. Zhang, GTL FPSO-An Alternative Solution to Offshore Stranded Gas, Oil and Gas Facilities, 2014, 3(3), 41-52.
  • L.F. Zhang, J.T. Hou, X.T. Bi, Triboeletric Charging Behavior of Wood Particles during Pellet Handling Processes, Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 2013, 26(6), 1328-1334.
  • Y.L. Ding, R. Anderson, L.F. Zhang, X.T. Bi, D.P. Wilkinson, Simulation of Two-phase Flow Distribution in Communicating Parallel Channels for a PEM Fuel Cell, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 2013,52,35- 45.
  • L.F. Zhang, J.T. Hou, X.T. Bi, J.R. Grace, T. Janke, C. Arator, Electrostatic Beneficiation of Fly Ash in a Free-falling System, Particuology, 2012, 10,154-160.
  • L.F. Zhang, J.T. Hou, X.T. Bi, J.R. Grace, T. Janke, C. Arator, Fluidization Characterization and Charging Behavior of Fly Ash in a Vibrated Fluidized Bed, Powder Technology, 2012,215 ,235-241.
  • L.F. Zhang, X.T. Bi, D.P. Wilkinson, R. Anderson, J. Stumper, H.J. Wang, Gas-liquid Two-phase Flow Behaviour in Minichannels Bounded with a Permeable Wall, Chemical Engineering Science, 2011, 66, 3377- 3385.
  • R. Anderson, D.P. Wilkinson, X.T. Bi, L.F. Zhang, Two-phase Flow Pressure Drop Hysteresis in an Operating Proton Membrane Exchange Fuel Cell, Journal of Power Sources, 2011,196,8031-8040.
  • R. Anderson, L.F. Zhang, Y. Ding, M. Blanco, H.T. Bi, D.P. Wilkinson, A Critical Review of Two-phase Flow in Gas Flow Channels of PEM Fuel Cells, Journal of Power Sources, 2010, 195, 4531-4553
  • R. Anderson, D.P. Wilkinson, H.T. Bi, L.F. Zhang, Two-phase Flow Pressure Drop Hysteresis under Typical Operating Conditions for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell, ECS Transaction, 2010,261.
  • R. Anderson, D.P. Wilkinson, H.T. Bi, L.F. Zhang, Two-phase Flow Pressure Drop Hysteresis in Parallel Channels of PEM Fuel Cell Flow Fields, Journal of Power Sources, 2010, 195, 4168-4176.
  • L.F. Zhang, Q.M. Pan, G.L. Rempel, Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Polymers in a Multistage Agitated Contactor: Experiments and Numerical Simulation, Chemical Engineering Science, 2010, 65, 6, 2027-2036.
  • W. Du, L.F. Zhang, H.T. Bi, D.P. Wilkinson, J. Stumper, H.J. Wang, Gas-liquid two-phase flow in mini- channels with liquid side introduction, Industrial Engineering Chemistry Research, 2010, 49(15), 6709-6721.
  • W. Du, L.F. Zhang, H.T. Bi, D.P. Wilkinson, J. Stumper, H.J. Wang, Two-dimensional Simulations of Gas- liquid Two-phase Flow in Minichannels of PEM Fuel Cell Flow Field, International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering, 2010, 8, A15.
  • L.F. Zhang, H.T. Bi, D.P. Wilkinson, J. Stumper, H.J. Wang, Gas Flow Rate Distributions in Parallel Mini- channels For PEM Fuel Cells: Experiments and Theoretical Analysis, Journal of Power Sources, 2010, 195, 10, 3121-3129.
  • L.F. Zhang, W. Du, H.T. Bi, D.P. Wilkinson, J. Stumper, H.J. Wang, Gas Liquid Flow Distributions in Parallel Channels for Fuel Cells, Journal of Power Sources, 2009, 189(2), 1023-1031.
  • L.F. Zhang, H.T. Bi, D.P. Wilkinson, J. Stumper, H.J. Wang, Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow Patterns in Parallel Channels for Fuel Cells, Journal of Power Sources, 2008, 183(2), 643-650.
  • L.F. Zhang, Q.M. Pan, G.L. Rempel, Residence Time Distribution in a Multistage Agitated Contactor: CFD Prediction and Experimental Validation, Industrial Engineering Chemistry Research, 2007, 46(11), 3538- 3546.
  • L.F. Zhang, Q.M. Pan, G.L. Rempel, Liquid Phase Mixing and Gas Hold-up in a Multistage Agitated Contactor with Cocurrent Upflow: Air/Viscous Fluids, Chemical Engineering Science, 2006, 61, 6189-6198.
  • L.F. Zhang, Q.M. Pan, G.L. Rempel, Liquid Phase Mixing and Gas Hold-up in a Multistage Agitated Contactor with Cocurrent Upflow, Industrial Engineering Chemistry Research, 2005, 44(14), 5304-5311.
  • L.F. Zhang, Q.M. Pan, G.L. Rempel, Modeling and Simulation of a Multistage Agitated Contactor for Hydrogenation of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering, 2005, A9.
  • Y.Z. Bao, L.F. Zhang, Z.M. Huang, Z.X. Weng, Absorption of Vinyl Chloride on Calcium Carbonate and Pressure/Temperature/Conversion Relationship for Vinyl Chloride Suspension Polymerization in the Presence of Calcium Carbonate, Eur. Polym. J., 2003, 39, 1001.
  • L.F. Zhang, Z.M. Huang, Y.Z. Bao, Z.X. Weng, Preparation of Nano-CaCO3/PVC Composites via In-situ Polymerization, Polyvinyl Chloride, 2001, 2, 10-13.(in Chinese)
  • Q.S. Ma, L.F. Feng, L.F. Zhang, K. Wang, Y.Q. Zhang, L.X. Feng, A Study of Olefin Polymer Alloy Based on Propylene, Petrochemical Technology, 1999, 28(10),666-670. (in Chinese)

Refereed Conference Proceedings

  • Battrell, L.,  Trunkle, A.,  Eggleton E.,  Zhang L.F.,  Anderson R.(2016). Investigation of water transport within a proton exchange membrane fuel cell by diffusion layers saturation analysis, the ASME 2016 Power and Energy Conference, June 26-30, Charlotte, North Carolina , USA.
  • Zhang, L.F., Anderson, R. (2015). An Updated Two-Phase Flow Regime Map in Active PEM Fuel Cells Based on a Force Balance Approach, ASME 2015 13th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels, San Francisco, California, USA, July 6-9.
  • Zhang L.F., Bi X.T., Grace J.R. (2014). Measurements of Electrostatic Charging of Powder Mixtures in a Free-fall Test Device. Procedia Engineering. 7th World Congress on Particle Technology, Beijing, China, May 19th- 22nd.
  • Anderson R., Zhang L.F., Wilkinson D.P. (2014). An Analysis of Two-Phase Flow Pressure Drop in Operating Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Channels With the Lockhart-Martinelli Approach, 12th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels, August 3-7, Chicago, Illinois, FEDSM2014-21288.
  • Zhang, L.F., Bi, X.T., Grace, J.R. (2014). Measurements of Electrostatic Charging of Powder Mixtures in a Free-Fall Test Device, 7th World Congress on Particle Technology, May 19-22, Beijing, China.
  • Zhang, L., Bi, H.T., Wilkinson, D.P., Stumper, J. and Wang, H.J. (2009). Pressure Drop of Two-Phase Flow in Minichannels Bounded with Permeable Walls, The 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering, Montreal, August 24027, Paper No. 145, (6 pages).
  • Zhang, L., Pan, Q.M. and Rempel, G.L. (2005). A Hydrodynamic Study and Mass Transfer Coefficient on a Multistage Agitated Contactor with Cocurrent Gas Liquid Upflow, The 7th World Congress of Chemical Engineering, Glasgow, Scotland, July 10-14, Paper No. 05-003, (10 pages) (CD Rom).

Conference Presentations / Poster Presentations

  • Battrell, P.Milner, M. English, L.F. Zhang, R. Anderson, Experimental Investigation and Synchrotron Visualization of Water Transport of Thin Porous Media in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells, InterPore 2018, May 14-17, 2018, New Orleans, USA.
  • K.S. Choi, M.Taghavivand, L.F. Zhang, Experimental Studies on the Effect of Moisture Content and Volume Resistivity on Electrostatic Behaviour of Pharmaceutical Powders, 8th World Congress on Particle Technology, April 22-26, 2018, Orlando, FL, USA.
  • Du, P. Chen, F. Duan, M. Zhang, L.F. Zhang, Numerical studies on heat coupling and structure optimization in an industrial methane-steam reforming furnace, The 15th International Conference on Clean Energy (ICCE-2017), December 8-11, 2017, Xi’an, China.
  • Li, F. Jalalinejad, K.S. Choi, L.F.Zhang, Tribocharging Behaviour of Pharmaceutical Particles Using Turbulent Flow Tribocharger, Asia Pacific Symposium on Safety, November 30- December 1, 2017, Kitakyushu, Japan.
  • Emiola-Sadiq Z. Elgalad. L.F. Zhang, A.K. Dalai, Bubbling and Fluidization Behaviour of Binary Mixtures Involving Biomass Particles in Bubbling Fluidized Beds, 67th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, October 22-25, 2017, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
  • Li, Z.R. Yu, L.F. Zhang, K.S. Choi, Characterization of Tribocharging Behaviour of Polymer Particles in a Turbulent Flow Tribocharger, 67th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, October 22-25, 2017, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
  • Rahimian, L.F. Zhang, L. Battrel, R. Anderson, N. Zhu, Using X-ray radiographic imaging techniques for investigation of water droplet dynamics in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, 66th Canadian Conference for Chemical Engineering, October 16-19, 2016, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
  • K.S Choi, M. Taghavivand, L.F. Zhang, Investigation on effect of moisture content on tribocharging behaviour and volume resistivity of pharmaceutical granules, 66th Canadian Conference for Chemical Engineering, October 16-19, 2016, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
  • Jalalinejad, L.F. Zhang, R.J. Spiteri., The effect biomass volume fraction on bubbles in sand-biomass fluidized beds, 66th Canadian Conference for Chemical Engineering, October 16-19, 2016, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
  • Taghavivand M., Choi, K.S., Zhang, L.F. (2016). Investigations on tribocharing behavior of pharmaceutical powders in a fluidized bed dryer, Fluidization XV, May 22-27, Montebello, Quebec, Canada
  • Taghavivand M, Zhang L.F. (2015). Investigation of tribocharging behavior of pharmaceutical powders from a vibrating device. 65th Canadian Conference for Chemical Engineering, Calgary, Canada
  • Han C, Akamatsu C.M., Taghavivand M.,  Zhang L.F. (2015). Investigation of fluidization and bubbling behavior in a fluidized bed of binary mixtures with biomass particles. 65th Canadian Conference for Chemical Engineering, October 4-7, Calgary, Canada
  • Zhang, L.F., Anderson R., Du W. (2015). An advanced understanding of gas-liquid two phase flows in flow channels of PEM fuel cells: Pressure drop and flow regimes, 65th Canadian Conference for Chemical Engineering, October 4-7, Calgary, Canada.
  • Zhang, L., Anderson, R., Bi, X.T., Wilkinson, D.P., Stumper, J. and Wang, H.J. (2009). Investigations on Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow in Minichannels for PEM Fuel Cells, Hydrogen + Fuel Cells, Vancouver, BC, Canada, May 31- June 3rd.

Invited Lecture/Talk

  • Zhang L.F., 2014. Innovative Multiphase Flow Research toward Sustainability, Zhejiang University, May 17, Hangzhou, China.
  • Zhang L.F., 2014. Two-phase Flow in PEM Fuel Cells: Instability, Maldistribution and Flow Hysteresis, Soochow University, May 16th, Suzhou, China.