【Haichuan. Pioneers in the Chemical Industry】Academician Lu Wanzen: A pioneer in the field of petroleum analysis

Lu Wanzhen (September 29, 1924 – November 17, 2015) was originally from Chuansha County, Shanghai; she was born in Tianjin on September 29, 1924. He graduated from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Central University in Chongqing in 1946, obtained a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Illinois in the United States in 1949, and received a doctorate in chemistry from Ohio State University in the same country in 1951. He conducted postdoctoral research at Northwestern University from 1952 to 1953, and later worked as a researcher at the Corn Products Refining Company in the United States in late 1953. After returning to the country in 1955, he held various positions including director of the Analysis Research Laboratory at the Petroleum and Chemical Science Research Institute, deputy chief engineer of the institute, chief engineer, and chairman of the Degree Evaluation Committee ； She served as a member of the 5th Executive Committee of the All-China Women’s Federation, director of the Water Treatment Technology Service Center of Sinopec, and member and advisor to the Science and Technology Committee of Sinopec Group. In 1983, she was awarded the title of National \"March 8th Red-Banner Pacesetter.\" In 1991, she was approved by the State Council to receive a **special allowance**, and in the same year she was elected an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 　　A lady of noble origin, Lu Wanzhen was born on September 29, 1924, in Tianjin; her ancestral home is Shanghai (formerly Chuansha County, Jiangsu Province). Lu Wanzhen’s father, Lu Shaoyun, was a textile industrialist who returned from studying abroad; he was also a renowned expert in textile technology and management in our country. Father’s words and actions had a profound influence on the young Lu Wanzen, such as the idea of saving the nation through science and a people-centered approach to business management. Lu Wanzhen’s mother came from a prominent family in Changzhou; she had received a good education in high school teacher training, was well-educated and sensible. Not only was she not bound in foot bindings, but she also had excellent handwriting in brush script. Lu Wanzhen spent most of her childhood under the care of her grandmother, who was kind by nature and gentle in temperament. Although she had not received any education, she was a woman of great wisdom. She is very affectionate toward her child and hardly gets angry. My grandmother was very frugal throughout her life, and she never asked for help with any of her daily tasks. From her grandmother, Lu Wanzen learned the wisdom and philosophy passed down through generations within the Chinese nation. Her grandmother’s stance against extreme positions, and her advocacy for a moderate approach that involved neither outright rejection nor complete acceptance of any viewpoint, left a deeply profound impact on the young Lu Wanzen. The excellent virtues of traditional Chinese women, as embodied by her grandmother and mother, remained in Lu Wanzhen’s mind, benefiting her throughout her life. Lu Wanzhen led a simple life throughout her existence; she was indifferent to fame and wealth, gentle and refined, and her honest character was largely shaped through such personal examples and teachings. 　　Lu Wanzhen completed her junior high and senior high school education at Chongqing Nankai Middle School, where she received a systematic and comprehensive quality education that played a vital role in her healthy physical and mental development during her adolescence. Her excellent qualities, strong learning and working abilities, as well as her unwavering commitment to the idea of loving and strengthening the country, are all rooted in the comprehensive quality education she received during her time at Nankai. Whenever Lu Wanzhen recalls the happy times she spent at Nankai Middle School, she always says that the middle school years are a very important phase in one’s educational journey, serving as a link between earlier and later stages of learning. 　　In the summer of 1942, Lu Wanzhen was admitted to the Department of Chemical Engineering at Chongqing Central University with excellent grades. At the Department of Chemical Engineering at National Central University, Lu Wanzen was fortunate to meet top scholars in the field such as Du Changming, Zhang Jiangshu, Ni Zexun, Zhao Tingbing, and Gao Jiyu. She also met the young scholar Shi Jun, who had returned from abroad. The guidance and instruction of these distinguished teachers enabled Lu Wanzen to build a solid foundation in chemistry and chemical engineering; they also exposed her to cutting-edge research topics, sparking her early interest in scientific research in chemistry. During the War of Resistance against Japan, at Central University in Chongqing, despite the difficult living conditions, the students in the 1942 class of the chemical engineering program acquired an exceptionally solid foundation in scientific knowledge through the guidance of many distinguished teachers; they also received very rigorous training in engineering techniques. Thanks to their individual intelligence and hard work, the students in this class performed exceptionally well in their subsequent studies and careers; four of them became academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences: Min Enze, Lou Nanquan, Lu Wanzhen, and Liang Xiaotian. 　　In early 1947, 23-year-old Lu Wanzhen made a decision that shocked her family greatly. Ignoring the earnest advice of her family and friends, she insisted on going to the United States to study on her own. Fortunately, my father was broad-minded and didn’t stop her. What worries her the most is her grandmother, who has always loved Lu Wanzen; in the old woman’s eyes, the United States seems so far away. Before she left, her grandmother gave her a gold ring and said, “You are going on a long journey; you might not see me again. This little thing might be useful to you when you feel helpless out at sea.” ”More than fifty years later, Lu Wanzhen mentioned this incident and said with emotion, \"Thinking about it, I was quite brave back then.\" If you just want to study, then head to the United States. ”That year, Lu Wanzhen passed the exams and qualified for a government-funded study abroad program, and received an admission letter from the University of Illinois in the United States. After more than a month at sea, in September 1947, Lu Wanzhen arrived at the University of Illinois, located on the outskirts of Chicago in the United States. 　　In the United States, Lu Wanzhen obtained a master’s degree from the University of Illinois and a doctorate from Ohio State University. She conducted postdoctoral research at Northwestern University from 1952 to 1953, and later worked as a researcher at Corn Products Refining Company. During her time in the United States, Lu Wanzhen had the privilege of listening to a lecture given by Professor A.J.P. Martin, the founder of gas chromatography and a Nobel Prize winner. Martin’s account of the development process from liquid-liquid chromatography to gas-liquid chromatography made Lu Wanzhen fully aware that scientific research is a long and arduous task, and it often takes a long time before the economic and social benefits of a particular research finding become apparent. At the United States Corn Products Refining Company, Lu Wanzhen gained an in-depth understanding of corporate research and development. To achieve high economic benefits, enterprises must continuously develop new products through advanced technological methods. The products developed not only need to meet market demands but also emphasis should be placed on the creation of personalized products. American companies’ emphasis on product brands and intellectual property rights during the research and development process also left a deep impression on Lu Wanzhen. Such concepts are difficult to learn in American schools, but they played a very important role in her work after she returned to China. Lu Wanzhen has always considered this to be the greatest gain from her eight years of studying in the United States.

Pioneer of petroleum analysis in our country: Lu Wanzhen loved her homeland. In October 1955, she and her husband Min Enze resolutely gave up the comfortable life and excellent research conditions in the United States, overcame numerous difficulties, and made their way back to their motherland. At the end of 1955, Lu Wanzhen was assigned to the preparatory office of the Petroleum Refining Research Institute under the Ministry of Petroleum, where she was responsible for setting up the laboratory for oil product analysis. For over half a century since then, Lu Wanzhen has been engaged in analysis work related to oil refining and the chemical industry. As the preparatory work progressed, Lu Wanzhen gradually realized that her task was to establish a platform capable of ensuring quality control and quality assurance for petrochemical products as well as various catalysts and additives. This required recruiting highly qualified personnel and acquiring advanced instrumentation, as well as developing efficient analysis methods tailored to specific needs. Therefore, Lu Wanzhen made every effort to address various aspects such as personnel training, equipment acquisition, and project planning, and within just a few years managed to establish an analysis research laboratory with a fairly comprehensive range of facilities and a well-equipped team. 　　Based on the requirements of different disciplines and tasks, Lu Wanzhen established research groups for crude oil evaluation, heavy oil composition, light oil composition, gas composition, spectral analysis, and elemental analysis within the Petroleum Analysis Laboratory, thereby creating a relatively comprehensive technical platform for oil product analysis. Since the early 1960s, guided by the principles of analyzing and researching matters related to economic development as well as by the need to support processes and production, this platform has played a vital role in major scientific research projects such as the efforts to develop jet fuel, the research and development associated with the \"Five Golden Flowers\" oil refining technologies, and the formulation of crude oil processing plans. It has made significant contributions to ensuring the successful completion and implementation of these technologies. In the 1960s, Lu Wanzhen personally participated in the commissioning of China’s first set of catalytic reforming industrial units designed domestically in Daqing, as well as China’s first set of fluidized catalytic cracking industrial units in Fushun, overseeing the analysis work. By using gas chromatography technology, she identified and resolved the major product quality issues that arose during the commissioning of China’s first catalytic reforming industrial plant, playing a key role in ensuring its successful operation. On this basis, she supervised the compilation of works such as \"Applications of Modern Instrumental Analysis in the Petroleum Industry\", \"Compilation of Reforming Analysis Methods\", and \"Compilation of Analytical Methods for Petrochemicals\". 　　Due to the characteristics of petrochemical samples, gas chromatography has been closely linked to the petroleum industry since its inception. In 1979, a report published abroad on the fabrication of quartz capillary columns caught Lu Wanzhen’s intense attention. Compared to traditional glass chromatography columns, quartz chromatography columns have incomparable advantages. Years of experience in chromatography research and development have made Lu Wanzhen realize that this is a technology with great potential and practical value, one that will bring about a significant technological advancement in the field of chromatography. In May 1979, Researcher Yu Weile from the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, went to West Germany to attend the Third International Conference on Capillary Chromatography, and brought back a quartz capillary chromatography column for Lu Wanzhen to see. This tangible small column sample made Lu Wanzhen realize that the era of quartz capillary columns had arrived, and it was necessary to urge China’s researchers to develop such chromatography columns based on their own technical capabilities. In 1980, Lu Wanzhen led a team of researchers to develop elastic quartz capillary chromatography columns in China for the first time, which marked a milestone in the development of gas chromatography technology in the country. Subsequently, in response to the varying hydrocarbon compositions in complex refinery gases and gasoline, she guided her graduate students in developing porous-layer capillary columns and packed capillary columns, providing timely and accurate analytical data for the development of major new oil refining processes in China. In the mid-to-late 1980s, she led a team of researchers in solving the problem of quantitative analysis in liquid chromatography, enabling direct quantitative assessment of various hydrocarbons obtained through separation. Subsequently, she carried out extensive innovative research and practical work on the development of liquid chromatography columns. 　　Crude oil evaluation is the cornerstone of research on the petroleum refining process and forms the basis for refinery-related scientific research; therefore, its significance and role are extremely important. Lu Wanzhen has been in charge of crude oil evaluation work in China for a long time; she gradually established a comprehensive system for evaluating crude oil, conducted scientific and systematic evaluations of various types of crude oil discovered in the country, and organized the compilation of 8 volumes titled \"Evaluation of Crude Oil in China\". These systems and comprehensive evaluation data have played an important role in the rational utilization of China’s crude oil resources, and have been listed as **significant scientific and technological achievements**. Taking into account the new issues encountered in the evaluation of crude oil, she guided researchers and graduate students in carrying out forward-looking and practically significant basic research. Regarding the quantitative analysis of non-hydrocarbon elements in crude oil and its distillates, analytical techniques based on electrical methods have been successfully developed for the determination of sulfur, nitrogen, chlorine, water, salts, and trace amounts of arsenic. These techniques have made significant contributions to the control of industrial processes; they have been adopted in various refineries across the country, filling a technical gap in China. Many of these methods are innovative and represent the international advanced level at that time.

This post was last edited by Desert Fish on 2017-9-23 at 13:37 by Mr. Lu Wanzhen in Springfield, Illinois in 1948

On September 11, 1991, the International Conference and Exhibition on Petroleum Refining and Petrochemicals (Interpec China 91) was held in Beijing. This was the first large-scale international academic conference held since the establishment of Sinopec. More than 500 renowned scholars and experts from home and abroad attended the event. Lu Wanzhen was invited to deliver a presentation titled “Evaluation of Chinese Crudes,” in which she provided a comprehensive review of the nearly half-century history and achievements in the evaluation of Chinese crude oils. She also discussed the crude oil resources in Xinjiang and their characteristics, which was well received by the attendees. At this conference, Lu Wanzhen proudly told foreign guests that China, relying on its own technical capabilities, has developed a complete set of methods for analyzing the composition and properties of materials ranging from natural gas to residue, many of which are innovative in nature. At the end of that year, Lu Wanzhen was elected as a member of the Academy of Sciences of China (Chemical Sciences Division). 　　From the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, in light of the demands for various additives and auxiliaries in the petrochemical industry, Lu Wanzhen utilized a range of analytical instruments to study the impact of their composition on performance. To address the problem of catalyst poisoning caused by heavy metals in residue catalytic cracking, she served as the coordinator of the metal passivator matrix group. Starting from the composition and structure, she coordinated the development, evaluation, industrial production, quality control, promotion of industrial application, and after-sales service of these passivators, achieving significant social and economic benefits. To address issues such as scaling, corrosion, and algal growth in the circulating water systems of refineries, she organized research on the relationship between the composition and performance of various water treatment agents. She led the development of several such agents, including RP-51, which contributed to improving the standards of industrial water treatment and ensuring the safe, stable, efficient, and optimal operation of refining and petrochemical facilities. 　　A pioneer in near-infrared spectroscopy technology in our country: In 1994, at the age of 71, Lu Wanzhen showed great foresight by deciding to form a new research team to work on a new type of analytical technique – namely near-infrared spectroscopy analysis, a technology that was not favored by many people at that time. Leveraging her knowledge of petroleum products, the demand for analytical techniques in the refining industry, and her mastery of spectroscopy combined with statistical theory, she believes that near-infrared spectroscopy is a technology with great potential for development and application, especially in the field of petrochemical analysis, where it is likely to trigger a technological revolution in terms of analytical efficiency. 　　Although relatively mature near-infrared spectroscopy instruments already existed abroad at that time, due to the particularities of this technology, Lu Wanzhen, after careful consideration, decided to develop a complete set of near-infrared spectroscopy analysis technologies based on domestic R&D capabilities. Based on the domestic level of instrument development at that time and the actual application requirements, she determined a development plan for an instrument that combined a fixed optical path with a CCD detector. She established a R&D team and, by integrating industry, academia, research, and practical application, carried out research on and commercialized the hardware, software, and oil analysis models required for this technology. She developed complete sets of laboratory-based and online near-infrared spectrometers, which have been put into practical use in industrial processes such as steam cracking, catalytic reforming, and gasoline blending. These instruments provide timely and accurate analysis data for advanced control and optimization systems in refineries, delivering significant benefits to the companies. Today, under her guidance, a relatively comprehensive near-infrared model database for oil products, including crude oil, has been developed; it is used not only by refineries but also in national defense efforts. To date, the team has filed over 50 invention patents, published nearly 100 academic papers at home and abroad, authored 6 monographs, and won more than a dozen provincial and ministerial-level science and technology awards. 　　Lu Wanzhen is one of the nationally recognized founders of the near-infrared spectroscopy field in China, as well as a pioneer in this area of technology in our country. To promote the development of near-infrared spectroscopy in China, she trained postgraduate students in this field, wrote review articles, organized the compilation of specialized books on near-infrared spectroscopy, advocated for the holding of national academic conferences, led the establishment of a society for near-infrared spectroscopy, coordinated the preparations for the Xiangshan Science Conference, and established awards related to near-infrared spectroscopy – all of which demonstrate the vision and wisdom of a scientist. Lu Wanzhen has a broad mind; she is willing to recommend any research projects, awards, publication funds, and academic activities that contribute to the development of near-infrared spectroscopy in our country. Through her practical actions, she influences and unites the many professionals working in the field of near-infrared technology. Lu Wanzhen also carried out a great deal of technical consulting and advisory work. She has a far-reaching vision; she shares her knowledge without being conservative, and is highly respected and admired by her peers in the near-infrared field. 　　In the field of near-infrared spectroscopy research, Lu Wanzhen advocates the principle of \"using research for practical applications and using those applications to drive further research.\" She always reminds those who come to consult her that studying fundamental theories is not the goal; the aim of research is to develop new technologies and products that can be used in actual production, thereby facilitating greater improvements in productivity. Lu Wanzhen had a deep affection for domestic analytical instruments and admired the \"spirit of craftsmanship.\" During her lifetime, she expressed on multiple occasions her willingness to fund awards aimed at promoting the development of analytical instruments, in order to encourage more talented individuals to strive for excellence in creating the key components of such instruments. Today’s thriving development of near-infrared spectroscopy technology in our country is closely linked to Lu Wanzhen’s diligent efforts and dedication.

A special issue published by the Journal of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (JNIR) to mourn Academician Lu Wanzhen

Indifferent to fame and fortune, living a carefree life. Throughout the ups and downs of her life, Lu Wanzhen gradually built up resilience and composure; an open-minded and calm attitude became the most fundamental and natural way for her to approach life and work, and smiling naturally became part of her daily routine. In 1971, Lu Wanzhen was sent to work at the 57th Labor School in Qianjiang, Hubei. Faced with both physical and mental hardships, she did not complain, always demonstrating a spirit of openness and composure. Open-mindedness is also a key to maintaining health and living a long life. In 1986, Lu Wanzhen was diagnosed with kidney cancer, but she did not back down; instead, she cooperated actively with the doctors in her treatment. She told the leaders and colleagues who came to visit her, “I had one kidney removed, but I still have the other one; it’s no big deal.” ”For a long time after that, despite often feeling discomfort in her waist, she maintained a calm and composed attitude in both her personal life and her research work. To avoid causing worry for her family and colleagues, Lu Wanzhen showed not the slightest sign of discomfort. Neither scientific research nor daily work has been affected, and many people find it \"incredible\". In 2001, Lu Wanzhen was diagnosed with lung cancer again, but she remained calm in the face of danger, showing her usual smile as before. After half a year of treatment, she once again succeeded in overcoming the illness. 　　Although her children were not around, Lu Wanzhen’s home was often filled with laughter and guests, surrounded by excellent company. Lu Wanzhen enjoys having relatives, friends, students, and colleagues come to her home as guests; she gets up to greet them, sits down beside them, serves a cup of tea, and they enjoy lively conversations. Talking freely with students and young people is the greatest joy for the two elders. From stocks to CPI, from Obama to Sarkozy, from Spring Festival galas to the Nobel Prize, from chromatography to spectroscopy, from petroleum products to catalysts… Young people like to hear their opinions. And some of the young people’s views often bring them reflection and joy, as if they had become much younger themselves. Lu Wanzhen understands today’s young people well; she says, “Each generation has its own living conditions, and it’s natural for their thoughts to differ. There’s no need to be overly critical – instead, people should communicate with each other on an equal footing.” ”In her heart, students are like her own children. It is through such equal exchanges that young people learn how to be human and how to pursue knowledge. She emphasized, “We should be willing to act as stepping stones, giving opportunities to the younger generation so that they can stand out.” ”For the welfare and future of young people, she also “fights” for them, even arguing with others over this. But she herself never fought for fame or profit; Lu Wanzhen received few high-level awards throughout her life, mostly second- and third-class science and technology progress awards at the ministry level, with the third-class awards being the most common. In response to this, Lu Wanzhen often adopts an indifferent and open-minded attitude. 　　She also often advises anxious young people: “Academic success is the result of years of effort, not sudden brilliance.” Young people should find their place in the broader world, and not spend too much energy pursuing things that are not worth it. ” “To succeed, one must abandon self-interest. Whether in academic pursuits or in life, one should not be too utilitarian or impetuous; instead, one should let things take their natural course and start with small steps. With enough effort, little by little, achievements will accumulate until they form something significant. ”“Young people should learn to be tolerant and understand the importance of cooperation when interacting with others, so as to unite others, integrate into the group, and work together. ”Tolerance, openness, principle, foresight, and indifference to fame and fortune – it is these excellent qualities of hers that have brought together a large number of like-minded colleagues and students, forming a highly competitive research team. 　　Lu Wanzhen is indifferent to fame and fortune and eager to help others. She fully supported her husband, Academician Min Enze, in using his savings to establish the \"Min Enze Award for Original Scientific Innovation\" at the Research Institute of Petrochemical Science, the \"Min Enze Scholarship\" at Sichuan Provincial Chengdu High School, and the \"Min Enze Award in Energy and Chemical Engineering\" in collaboration with Sinopec and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, in order to honor outstanding scientists and engineers who have made significant contributions in the field of energy and chemical engineering across the country. 　　Though the person is gone, their spirit lives on. At 2 a.m. on November 17, 2015, Lu Wanzhen passed away at home, having led a glorious life and leaving us in peace and serenity. Lu Wanzhen passed away suddenly, in a peaceful and natural manner. Yet the news of her death brought endless sorrow and indelible memories to everyone who knew her. On November 21, a farewell ceremony for Lu Wanzhen’s body was held at the Babaoshan Funeral Home in Beijing. Thousands of people from various sectors, including those in the fields of petrochemicals, analytical chemistry, and instrumentation, braved the rain and snow to go to Babaoshan in Beijing to pay their respects to this scientist who made outstanding contributions to the development of analytical chemistry and petrochemical industries in China. 　　Although Lu Wanzhen has left us, her spirit will live on, and her teachings will endure. Her passion for her career, her relentless pursuit of science, and her excellent qualities of dedication and commitment to her work will forever remain in our hearts. “Falling petals are not heartless; they turn into spring mud to nourish the flowers. ”Academician Lu Wanzhen’s final wish, “To see the next generation surpass the current one,” will always inspire us to move forward, and the legacy she left behind will endure forever. 　　(The author is a professor-level senior engineer at the Research Institute of Petrochemical Sciences)

In 1952, Mr. Lu Wanzhen and Mr. Min Enze were in the United States

On May 22, 2011, Mr. Lu Wanzhen and Mr. Min Enze visited their alma mater, Nanjing University of Technology. Student representatives presented the two academicians with a calligraphy piece designed by the students of the Shi Jun class, bearing the inscription \"Kindness comes from the heavens to benefit all corners of the world; grace is like a precious treasure in a magnificent palace, lasting through three lifetimes,\" as an expression of their high respect and deep blessings for the two academicians.

On May 22, 2011, Mr. Lu Wanzhen and Mr. Min Enze inscribed a message for their alma mater, Nanjing University of Technology

One should be a person with a scientific spirit. ■ Lu Wanzhen Once equipped with a scientific spirit, people will more consciously learn scientific knowledge, establish scientific concepts, and master scientific methods. Graduate training aims to enable students to engage in this continuous cycle of improvement, which is also the achievement of graduate education. The connotation of the scientific spirit is very rich, but in summary it falls into four aspects: morality, intelligence, physique, and aesthetics. A person armed with a scientific mindset will surely understand that human society has certain moral principles, namely integrity, honesty, and rationality. Only when everyone acts according to such standards can society progress in an orderly manner. A person equipped with a scientific mindset surely understands that we must build upon the achievements of our predecessors, continue to explore and innovate, and in the process of exploration must learn to seek truth through careful investigation. Explore different goals in a step-by-step and phased manner, and conduct timely summarization and reflection. A person equipped with a scientific mindset will surely understand that the body is the most fundamental condition for serving humanity. At the same time, everything is in constant motion, including our bodies; therefore we need to pay attention to maintaining balance in all aspects of this motion. Any disease is the result of imbalance in the human body. A person armed with a scientific mindset will naturally understand that the most perfect lines, sounds, and colors exist in space. These lines, sounds, and colors sometimes require us to create them, and sometimes we need to capture them. But as long as they are before our eyes, they bring us pleasure and help restore balance to both body and mind.