Institute for the Development of Energy for African Sustainability (IDEAS)

Prof Y Yao

College of Science, Engineering and Technology
School of Engineering
Department: Research
Associate Professor
Tel: 011 670 9030
E-mail: Yaoy@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • PhD in Chemical Engineering (2011), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Master in Chemical Engineering (2006), East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, China
  • Bachelor in Biological Engineering (2003), Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China 

Currently teaching

Prof Yao is an associate professor in the Institute for the Development of Energy for African Sustainability (IDEAS) at University of South Africa (UNISA). She is co-leader of the research group on alternative fuel production via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (XTL/FTS); The leader of the desulfurization research group.

Fields of academic interests

My research work focuses on production of alternative fuels and purification of crude oil by means of ‘green’ technology. Since 2006, I have spent my time on laboratory research and the design of contract projects in this field. Some of my research results have been applied successfully in our group’s industry projects.

The most important projects I have been working on are:

  • Converting CO2 into fuels and chemicals.
  • An investigation of the effect of co-feeding CO2/N2/olefin/paraffin/water on FTS;
  • The study of FT catalyst performance (catalyst reduction and regeneration procedures, catalyst’s activity, selectivity and stability), and kinetics and thermodynamics of FT reaction;
  • Commercial XTL (Coal/Biomass/NaturalGas/Waste to Liquid Fuels) process development;
  • The design of syngas/natural-gas clean-up systems; and
  • Oxidative desulphurization followed by catalytic adsorption method for desulphurization of fuels derived from fossil crude oil / waste / biomass.

Field of Specialisation

  • The application, design and development of XTL (CTL, BTL and GTL etc.)
  • The development of alternative energy solutions
  • FT catalyst design and fundamental research
  • The application, design and development of the Fine Gas Clean-up Process
  • The application, design and development of a small-scale clean diesel process
  • Mass, Energy and entropy balances
  • Chemical process modeling

Journal articles

  1. Liberty L Mguni, Yali Yao, Xinying Liu, Zhongyong Yuana, Diane Hildebrandt, Ultra-deep desulphurization of both model and commercial diesel fuels by adsorption method, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2019, 7, 102957.
  2. Yue-Jun Song, Jin-Tao Ren, Gege Yuan, Yali Yao, Xinying Liu, Zhong-Yong Yuan, Facile synthesis of Mo 2 C nanoparticles on N-doped carbon nanotubes with enhanced electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions, Journal of Energy Chemistry, 2019, 38, 68-77.
  3. Liberty L Mguni, Yali Yao, Thulisile Nkomzwayo, Liu Xinying, Diane Hildebrandt, and David Glasser, Desulphurization of diesel fuels using intermediate Lewis acids loaded on activated charcoal and alumina, Chemical Engineering Communication, 2019, 206 (5), 572–580.
  4. Baraka Celestin Sempuga, Yali Yao, CO2 Hydrogenation from a Process Synthesis Perspective: Setting up Process Targets, Journal of CO2 Utilization, 2017, 20, 34–42.
  5. Joshua Gorimbo, Adolph Muleja, Xiaojun Lu, Yali Yao, Xinying Liu, Diane Hildebrandt, David Glasser, Lu Plot and Yao Plot: Models to Analyze Product Distribution of Long Tern Gas Phase FT Experimental Data on Iron Catalyst, Energy & Fuels, 2017, 31 (5), pp 5682–5690.
  6. Joshua Gorimbo, Xiaojun Lu, Xinying Liu, Yali Yao, Diane Hildebrandt, David Glasser, Low pressure Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: In-situ oxidative regeneration of iron catalysts, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2017, 56 (15), 4267–4274.
  7. Adolph Anga Muleja, Y Yao, D Glasser， D Hildebrandt，The variation of short chain paraffin and olefin formation rates with time in a cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2017, 56, 469–478.
  8. Adolph Anga Muleja, Yali Yao, David Glasser, Diane Hildebrandt, Effect of feeding nitrogen to a fixed bed Fischer–Tropsch reactor while keeping the partial pressures of reactants the same, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2016, 293, 151–160.
  9. Adolph Anga Muleja, Yali Yao, David Glasser, Diane Hildebrandt, A study of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: Product distribution of the light hydrocarbons, Applied Catalysis A: General, 2016, 517, 217–226.
  10. Yali Yao, Xinying Liu, Diane Hildebrandt, David Glasser, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using H2/CO/CO2 syngas mixtures: A comparison of paraffin to olefin ratios for iron- and cobalt-based catalysts, Applied Catalysis A, General, 2012, 433–434, 58-68.
  11. Yali Yao, Xinying Liu, Diane Hildebrandt, David Glasser, The effect of CO2 on a cobalt-based catalyst for low temperature Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2012,193–194, 318-327.
  12. Yali Yao, Xinying Liu, Diane Hildebrandt, David Glasser, Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Using H2/CO/CO2 Syngas Mixtures over an Iron Catalyst, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 2011, 50, 11002–11012.
  13. Yali Yao, Diane Hildebrandt, David Glasser, Xinying Liu, Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Using H2/CO/CO2 Syngas Mixtures over a Cobalt Catalyst, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 2010, 49, 11061–11066.
  14. Dan Li, Zuoxiang Zeng, Weilan Xue, Yali Yao, The model of the action mechanism of SP-C in the lung surfactant monolayers，Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 57 (2007): 22–28.
  15. Yali Yao, Zuoxiang Zeng, Weilan Xue and Shunde Huang, Generalization of the Surface State Equation for Phospholipids Monolayer, Acta Chimica Sinica, 2005 (63): 1939–1943.
  16. Wei Liu, Zuoxiang Zeng, Weilan Xue and Yali Yao, A Filtration Model for Membrane Fouling during Cross Flow Ultra Filtration, Journal of East China University of Science& Technology, 2005, 31: 589–592.

Paper presentations

  1. Yali Yao, Thulisile Nkomzwayo, Xinying Liu and Diane Hildebrandt, Desulphurization of diesel fuels using activated carbon loaded with different metal oxides, Advanced Nano and Energy Materials (ANEM) 2018, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, 12-14 December 2018. (Accepted for an oral presentation)
  2. Liberty L Mguni,  Yali Yao, Xinying Liu and Diane Hildebrandt. Effect of support on NiO activity on adsorption desulphurisation of model diesel. Catalysis Society of South Africa (CATSA), Waterberg, Limpopo, 11-14 Nov. 2018. (Poster Presentation)
  3. Nothando C. Shiba, Yali Yao, Liu Xinying and Diane Hildebrandt, the effect of reducing agents on a cobalt commercial catalyst for Fischer Tropsch synthesis, the 10th International Conference on Environmental Catalysis & the 3rd International Symposium on Catalytic Science and Technology in Sustainable Energy and Environment 2018 (ICEC&EECAT2018), Tianjin, China, September 22-26, 2018. (Oral presentation) 
  4. Nothando C. Shiba, Yali Yao, Liu Xinying and Diane Hildebrandt, the effect of reducing agents on cobalt-based catalysts for Fischer Tropsch synthesis, Advanced Energy Materials 2018 (AEM 2018), University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, 10-12 September 2018. (Oral presentation)
  5. Y Yao, T Nkomzwayo, L L Mguni, B Sempuga and Z Mthethwa, Gasification Char as a Potential Substitute of Activated Carbon in Adsorptive Desulphurization of Diesel Fuel, Advanced Energy Materials 2018 (AEM 2018), University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, 10-12 September 2018. (Oral presentation)
  6. Y Zhang, X Liu, X Lu, Y Yao and D Hildebrandt, Reaction of C2H4 under Typical Fischer-Tropsch Conditions on a TiO2 Supported Cobalt Catalyst with Co-feeding of H2 and Syngas, Syngas Convention, Cape Town, South Africa, 25-28 March 2018. (Oral presentation)
  7. L L Mguni, T Nkomzwayo, Y Yao, D Hildebrandt and D Glasser, Desulphurization of diesel fuels using metal oxide loaded activated charcoal and alumina, NULISTICE_2018 Conference and Expo, Maseru, Lesotho, 23-27 January, 2018. (Oral presentation)
  8. Y Zhang, X Liu, X Lu, Y Yao and D Hildebrandt, Reaction of C2H4 under Low Temperature Fischer-Tropsch Conditions on a TiO2 Supported Cobalt Catalyst with Co-feeding of H2 and Syngas, the Catalysis Society of South Africa (CATSA) conference 2017, Rustenburg, North West Province, South Africa,19-22 November 2017. (Oral presentation)
  9. T Nkomzwayo, Y Yao, X Liu and D Hildebrandt, Desulphurization of model diesel via Zn and Cu oxides supported on activated carbon, the Catalysis Society of South Africa (CATSA) conference 2017, Rustenburg, North West Province, South Africa,19-22 November 2017. (Poster presentation)
  10. T Kabi, Y Yao, D Hildebrandt, X Liu, L Mguni, Deep desulphurization of diesel fuel by adsorption on activated carbon from Amarula waste, a biomass of Africa, the Catalysis Society of South Africa (CATSA) conference 2017, Rustenburg, North West Province, South Africa,19-22 November 2017. (Oral presentation)
  11. L Mguni, Y Yao, X Liu, D Hildebrandt, and D Glasser, Effect of loading Cr2O3 on alumina on low sulphur conventional diesel desulphurization, the Catalysis Society of South Africa (CATSA) conference 2017, Rustenburg, North West Province, South Africa,19-22 November 2017. (Poster presentation)
  12. N Shiba, Y Yao, X Liu and D Hildebrandt, The effect of reducing agents on cobalt catalysts for Fischer Tropsch synthesis, the Catalysis Society of South Africa (CATSA) conference 2017, Rustenburg, North West Province, South Africa,19-22 November 2017. (Poster presentation)
  13. A Muleja, J Gorimbo, Y Yao, X Lu, D Hildebrandt, D Glasser, Short Chain Hydrocarbons Growth Probability in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis over Cobalt Catalyst, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) annual conference 2016, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 29 Oct.- 03 Nov., 2017. (Oral Presentation)
  14. Y Yao, Y Zhang, X Liu, D Hildebrandt, D Glasser, A study of paraffin product distribution in Fischer Tropsch synthesis, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) annual conference 2016, San Francisco, 13–18 November 2016. (Oral presentation)
  15. A A Muleja, Y Yao, D Glasser, D Hildebrandt, Effect of co-feeding nitrogen in Fischer Tropsch synthesis: selectivity to light hydrocarbons, International Conference on Gas, Oil and Petroleum Engineering, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, November 14–16, 2016 (Oral Presentation).
  16. Y Yao, X Liu, Y Xia, D Hildebrandt, D Glasser, Development of Iron Carbide-Based Fischer–Tropsch Catalyst for the Conversion of Biomass to Renewable Fuels, Africa-EU Symposium on Renewable Energy Research and Innovation, Tlemcen, Algeria, March 8–10, 2016 (Oral Presentation).
  17. Y Yao, X Liu, D Hildebrandt, D. Glasser, A Study of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis: Does the Product Distribution Approach Quasi-Thermodynamic Equilibrium? American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2015 Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, November 6–9, 2015 (Oral Presentation).
  18. A A Muleja, D Glasser, D Hildebrandt, Y Yao, X Liu, A Study on the Deactivation of Titania Based Cobalt Catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2015 Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, November 6-9, 2015 (Poster Presentation).
  19. J Gorimbo, D Glasser, D Hildebrandt, Y Yao, Pretreatment Studies with a Precipitated Iron Catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Under Different Reaction Conditions, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2015 Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, November 6–9, 2015 (Poster Presentation).
  20. Yao, Y., Liu, X., Hildebrandt, D. and Glasser, D., Stability, Activity and Selectivity Study of a Precipitated Iron Catalyst for Biomass to Liquid Fuels Via Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2014 Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, USA November 16–21, 2014 (Oral Presentation).
  21. Muleja, A., Glasser, D., Hildebrandt, D., Mulopo, J., Lu, X. and Yao, Y., Nitrogen Co-Feeding in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis: The Effect on the Reaction Rate and Product Selectivity at Higher Reaction Rates, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2014 Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, USA November 16–21, 2014 (Oral Presentation).
  22. Y Yao, X Liu, D Hildebrandt, and D Glasser, Effect of CO2 on Iron and Cobalt based catalysts for low temperature Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis, the International Conference on Chemical Thermodynamics (ICCT) and the SAIChE National Conference (ICCT/SAICHE), Durban, South Africa, July 27–August 01, 2014 (Oral Presentation).
  23. Y Yao, X Liu, D Hildebrandt, D Glasser, The influence of the reduction gas (H2 or Syngas) on the performance of a precipitated iron FT catalyst, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2013 Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, USA November 3–8, 2013 (Poster Presentation).
  24. Y Yao, D Hildebrandt, X Liu, D Glasser, Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis using H2/CO/CO2 Syngas Mixtures: a Comparison of Product Distribution for Iron and Cobalt Based catalysts, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2012 Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, USA October 28–November 2, 2012 (Oral Presentation).
  25. T Sango, C M Masuku, Y Yao, D Hildebrandt, D Glasser, A A Muleja, C T Lumu, K Jalama, Stripping Effects on the Fischer-Tropsch Reaction. South African Institution of Chemical Engineers Conference (SAICHE), Drakensberg, South Africa, September 16–19, 2012 (Poster Presentation).
  26. Y Yao, D Hildebrandt, X Liu, D Glasser, Low Temperature Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis by Switching between CO2/H2/N2 and CO/H2/N2 Syngases over a Cobalt based Catalyst, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2011 Spring Meeting, Chicago, USA, March 13-17, 2011 (Oral Presentation).
  27. Y Yao, D Hildebrandt, X Liu, D Glasser, Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis over a Cobalt based Catalyst: Switching between CO2/H2/N2 and CO/H2/N2 Syngases, 40th South African Chemical Institute (SACI) National Convention and Federation of African Chemical Societies (FACS) meeting, Johannesburg, South Africa, January 16–21, 2011 (Oral Presentation).
  28. Y Yao, D Hildebrandt, D Glasser, X Liu, Carbon Dioxide Fixation in Two Plug Flow Reactors in Series Over a Copper-Based Methanol Synthesis Catalyst in the First Reactor and a Cobalt-Based Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Catalyst in the Second Reactor, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2010 Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, USA, November 7–12, 2010 (Oral Presentation).
  29. Y Yao, D Hildebrandt, D Glasser, Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Using H2/CO/CO2 Syngas Mixtures over a Cobalt Catalyst, 21st International Symposium on Chemical Reaction Engineering (ISCRE), Philadelphia, USA, June 13–16, 2010 (Oral Presentation).
  30. Y Yao, D Hildebrandt, D Glasser, Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Using H2/CO/CO2 Syngas Mixtures over Iron and Cobalt Based Catalysts: Insight into Reaction Pathways, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2010 Spring Meeting, San Antonio, USA, March 21–25, 2010 (Oral Presentation).
  31. Yao, Y., Hildebrandt, D. and Glasser, D., Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Using H2/CO/CO2 Syngas Mixtures over an Iron Catalyst: Insights into Reaction Pathways, Catalysis Society of South Africa (CATSA) 2009 Conference, Rawsonville, South Africa, November 8-11, 2009 (Poster Presentation)
  32. Y Yao, D Hildebrandt, D Glasser, Comparison of CO and CO2 Hydrogenation on an Iron Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Catalyst, South Africa Chemical Engineering Conference (SACEC) 2009, Cape Town, South Africa, September 20–23, 2009 (Oral Presentation).
  33. Y Yao, D Hildebrandt, D Glasser, CO and CO2 Hydrogenation on an Iron Catalyst, 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering (WCCE), Montreal, Canada, August 23-27, 2009 (Poster Presentation).

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

Work Experience:

  1. Oct. 2017 – Present: Associate Professor, Institute for the Development of Energy for African Sustainability (IDEAS) at the University of South Africa (UNISA), Johannesburg, South Africa.
    1. Supervisor of Masters and PhD students of IDEAS (currently supervising around 10 post-graduate students);
    2. Provider of support and assessment of the research of senior students;
    3. Co-leader of the Sustainable Process Engineering Laboratory at the National Energy Corporation of South Africa (Necsa);
    4. Head of the Fuel Purification laboratory of IDEAS
    5. Contributor to research and industrial project development in the area of XTL and diesel purification processes;
    6. Participant in community engagement with the aim at empowering the community, especially women, in order to alleviate energy poverty and to create local energy economy and reduce unemployment in the community.
  2. May 2013 – Sep. 2017: Senior researcher, Material and Process Synthesis (MaPS) unit at the University of South Africa (UNISA), Johannesburg, South Africa.
    1. Supervisor of Masters and PhD students of MaPS;
    2. Provider of support and assessment of the research of senior students;
    3. Head of the Fuel Purification lab of MaPS
    4. Co-head of the XTL/FT lab of MaPS
  3. November 2011 – April 2013: Post-Doctoral Fellow, Centre of Material and Process Synthesis (COMPS) at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), Johannesburg, South Africa.
    1. Co-supervisor of Masters and PhD students at COMPS;
    2. In charge of the FT Lab construction, commissioning and operation;
    3. Contributor to research and industrial project development in the area of XTL processes.
  4. January 2008 – April 2009: Consultant and interpreter, Centre of Material and Process Synthesis (COMPS) in Shaanxi, CHINA, and in Johannesburg, South Africa.
    1. Consultation and interpretation work for GNFT Coal to Liquid pilot plant in Shaanxi, China.
  5.  November 2005 – August 2006: Manager’s Assistant, Shanghai Sanzheng Polymer Material Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China.                 

Project experience:

  1. March 2015 – Present: Manager of project titled: “The investigation of diesel desulfurization”, UNISA, South Africa
  2. May 2015 – Mar. 2017: Principal Partner investigator (South Africa side) of project titled: “Development of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts for the conversion of biomass to renewable fuel” for the CHINA/SOUTH AFRICA Research Cooperation programme, NRF, South Africa
  3. January 2014 – December 2016: Manager of project titled: “The effect of reducing agents on the catalytic performance of a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst” for the Women in Research Programme (WiR), UNISA, South Africa
    1. May 2013 – 2015: Consultant, SPII Project (Waste to Liquid Fuels), UNISA, South Africa
    2. May 2013 – Present: Co-Project Manager of the MaPS Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Laboratory at  Necsa, UNISA, South Africa
    3. May 2013 – Present: Consultant, Lenasia Project (Waste to Energy), UNISA, South Africa
    4. September 2012 – May 2013: Consultant, Feasibility study for a Natural Gas to Liquid plant in Houston (USA), WITS, South Africa
    5. November 2011 – January 2013: Consultant, BeauTifueL (Biomass to Liquid) Project, WITS, South Africa
    6. October 2009 – February 2010: Consultant, Conceptual design for a coal to liquid demonstration plant, WITS, South Africa
    7. January 2008 – April 2009: Consultant and interpreter, GNFT Coal to Liquid pilot plant, Shannxi, CHINA or Johannesburg, South Africa

 Funding:

  1. July 2018 – December 2018: Knowledge Interchange and Collaboration (KIC), NRF, South Africa
  2. May 2015 – March 2017: The CHINA/SOUTH AFRICA Research Cooperation programme, NRF, South Africa
  3. October 2014 – March 2015: Knowledge Interchange and Collaboration (KIC), NRF, South Africa
  4. January 2014 – December 2016: The Women in Research Programme (WiR), UNISA, South Africa  

Certificates:

  1. October 2015: Matlab for Data Processing and Visualisation, OPTI-NUM solutions, Johannesburg, South Africa
  2. April 2014: Fire Fighting, Action Training Academy, Johannesburg, South Africa
  3. April 2014: First Aid Level 1, Action Training Academy, Johannesburg, South Africa
  4. June 2014: MATLAB Fundamental Training, OPTI-NUM solutions, Johannesburg, South Africa
  5. February 2014: Workshop: Process Engineering: A Practical Perspective, Global Prospectus Training (PTY) LTD, Johannesburg, South Africa
  6. May 2009: Course on Gas Monitoring System, GFG (PTY) LTD, Johannesburg, South Africa
  7. February 2009: Course on Integrated Process Synthesis, WITS, Johannesburg, South Africa
  8. November 2008: Course on Gas & Gas Cylinder Safety Awareness, Occupational Health and Safety Consultants, Johannesburg, South Africa
  9. August 2008: Course on Design and Analysis of Experiments, WITS, Johannesburg, South Africa
  10. February 2007: Course on Reactor Network Design and Optimization, WITS, Johannesburg, South Africa