Xiaoli Li

Dr. Xiaoli Li is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Kansas. Her research laboratory (PVT Lab) focuses on complex fluid behavior in energy systems, with particular emphasis on phase equilibria, gas transport phenomena, and enhanced hydrocarbon recovery techniques. She maintains active research programs in unconventional reservoirs, CO₂ geostorage, hydrate technology, and nanoscale fluid dynamics.

Her core research domains include:

• Confined phase behavior: Thermodynamics of fluids in nanoporous media
• Gas transport mechanisms: Rarefied flow and apparent permeability modeling
• Hydrate science: Structure stability and phase boundaries
• CO₂ utilization: Enhanced oil recovery and geological sequestration
• Asphaltene dynamics: Precipitation mechanisms in EOR processes

Dr. Li teaches across the petroleum engineering curriculum, including core courses: Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (C&PE 221), Reservoir Engineering (C&PE 327), Well Logging (C&PE 528), and Petroleum Engineering Design (C&PE 628). Her instructional portfolio emphasizes fundamental thermodynamics, reservoir characterization, and practical field applications.

Her publication record (35+ articles) demonstrates consistent focus on reservoir thermodynamics and transport phenomena, with recent emphasis on: CO₂-oil interactions (2020-2023), gas hydrate stability (2020-2022), shale gas transport (2019-2021), and equation of state modifications for confined fluids (2018-2020). Research methodologies combine molecular simulations, experimental studies, and novel thermodynamic modeling approaches.