Using model compounds to study the aquathermolysis reaction mechanism has been a cornerstone in understanding the complex chemistry underlying in-reservoir upgrading of unconventional oil resources, including oil shale, bitumen, and heavy and extra-heavy crude oils. These compounds, often selected to represent key structural features such as alkyl or polyaromatic hydrocarbons and heteroatom-containing molecules, act as simplified analogs of the chemically complex constituents present in real oil systems. Their use in controlled experimental setups enables the isolation and analysis of specific reaction pathways, providing mechanistic insights that are difficult to extract from real oil resou... More >

Propylene oxide (PO) is a crucial intermediate in the chemical industry, serving as a precursor for polyether polyols, propylene glycol, and various polymers. Traditional industrial PO production methods, such as the chlorohydrin and hydroperoxide routes, are hampered by significant environmental concerns and the generation of undesirable by-products. This study explores the direct transformation of propylene to PO using titanium silicate (TS-1) catalyst. The catalyst (TS-1) was synthesized and characterized by BET surface analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These analyses confirmed the format... More >

The depletion of conventional hydrocarbons has forced researchers to focus on unconventional petroleum, i.e., heavy crude oils. However, the typical methods to recover the former are not suitable for the latter. Therefore, new technologies, such as supercritical water (SCW) upgrading, commercial and novel catalytic compounds have been proposed individually and in combination to solve the difficulties in recovering these reserves. In this work, the advantages and disadvantages, mechanisms, reactions, and challenges when using SCW and catalysts for heavy oil upgrading are discussed, giving a perspective for new synergetic approaches. More >

Chemical engineering, like other engineering disciplines, has evolved from manual calculations to advanced process simulators and artificial intelligence tools. This perspective piece reflects on how such technological shifts have transformed both professional practice and engineering education. Drawing from historical perspectives and current teaching experiences, it examines the balance between leveraging modern tools and fostering deep conceptual understanding. The discussion invites educators to critically assess how and when to integrate digital resources into the chemical engineering curriculum. More >

Integrating biomass-derived oils into existing petroleum refineries is one of the fastest routes toward large-scale deployment of renewable liquid fuels. Yet co-processing bio-oils with refractory fossil streams, such as vacuum gas oil, cycle oils or coker gas oils, poses persistent hurdles: their high oxygen content, thermal instability and heteroatom-rich matrices accelerate catalyst fouling and drive hydrogen consumption. This Perspective argues that a modular hydrotreating strategy, in which tailored pretreatment, grading and active catalyst beds are arranged as interchangeable cartridges, offers a pragmatic path to bridge refinery and biorefinery operations. Drawing from recent continuo... More >

This article presents core-flooding experiments on a Bazhenov Formation core sample designed to evaluate whether post-water methanol treatment can restore permeability. At reservoir conditions (110 °C, 23.5 MPa), the core was first water-flooded and then subjected to oil injection into the water-saturated rock, which caused severe, progressive permeability loss. NMR T1-T2 mapping captured fluid redistribution and the growth of bound/high-viscosity components. Gas chromatography indicated C36+-rich precipitates. A subsequent methanol flush stabilized the pressure drop and restored $\sim$87% of the pre-damage water permeability. These findings elucidate a water-oil-rock interaction pathway fo... More >

The ebulled bed hydrocracking technology of petroleum residues, called H-Oil, was invented in the 1950s. The first patent was issued in 1961. A demonstration unit was started up in 1963, and the first large-scale commercial unit was started up in 1968. There are currently 21 vacuum residue hydrocracking units operating worldwide using the ebulled bed reactor technology. Since 2015, the ebulated bed vacuum residue (VR) hydrocracking has been operated at the LUKOIL Neftohim Burgas (LNB) refinery. Performance of LNB ebullated bed vacuum residue H-Oil hydrocracker for a period of 10 years during processing 39 different vacuum residues at reactor temperatures between 408 and 434°C, and liquid ho... More >

This article explores the emerging concept of in situ hydrogen generation (ISHG) within oil reservoirs as a transformative pathway toward clean energy and hydrocarbon upgrading. With the global energy sector facing decarbonization pressures and limitations of conventional hydrogen production, ISHG offers a promising alternative by turning mature or depleted oil fields into subsurface reactors for hydrogen and upgraded oil co-production. Through thermochemical processes such as in situ combustion (ISC), steam methane reforming (SMR), coke gasification and water-gas shift reactions (WGSR), hydrogen is produced underground while carbon dioxide and by-products remain trapped, minimizing surface... More >

This perspective outlines technical strategies for upgrading wastewater into fuels and value-added chemicals, emphasizing a shift toward circular economy and resource recovery through advanced processes like photocatalysis, electrolysis, and microbial technologies. More >

As the Editor-in-Chief of this pioneering journal, it is with immense enthusiasm that a journey is embarked upon to explore the confluence of chemical engineering and renewable fuels. This journal aims to serve as a nexus for groundbreaking research, innovative methodologies, and transformative discussions that address the world's pressing energy challenges. Our focus on renewable fuels underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions that mitigate climate change while fostering economic and technological growth. More >