化工传质过程模拟强化、新型传质分离技术及节能，近年来涉及研究方向包括：分离过程节能技术和绿色能源应用、精馏过程工业软件开发、多相流界面对流传质计算与拓扑优化、精馏过程先进控制、人工智能与化工机理深度融合等。

长期从事化工过程传质分离工程领域的研究工作，在化工过程机理建模、数据驱动以及两者融合方面具有优良的积累和研究基础。开发了精馏系统计算软件，可以实现复杂精馏系统的稳态和动态模拟、设计优化和动态控制。主持或参与相关的国家自然科学基金、国家重点研发计划、工信部项目等，研发的节能技术已用于团队的中国石油、中国石化及海外等多家企业的分离工艺开发项目中，取得了显著的节能效果与经济效益。已在国内外专业期刊发表学术论文70余篇，发明专利多项。

1. 填充式浮选柱及新操作方法的研究，国家自然科学基金面上项目，主持；

2. 焦化粗苯萃取精馏新技术开发、环境友好型焦化苯精制新工艺，国家科技支撑计划，主持；

3. 抗生素现代分离工程技术与装备研发，国家科技支撑计划，主持；

4. 油制乙烯原料生产过程工艺仿真软件关键技术，重点研发子课题，主持；

5. 煤直接液化油制备高密度高热沉燃料和高值化学品技术，国家科技重大专项子课题，主持；

6. 从CO中提取13C的分离工艺研究，企业横向，主持；

7. 分隔壁塔用于原油稳定过程的技术研究，企业横向，主持；

8. 高黏系统节能分离工艺的开发，企业横向，主持；

9. 化工多相流体分离/纯化过程的强化及节能技术研发，企业横向，主持；

10. 酰化反应催化剂的研究与开发，企业横向，主持；

1. Zhang QJ., Ma YG, Yuan, X., Zeng AW. Box-Behnken experimental design for optimizing process parameters in carbonate-promoted direct thiophene carboxylation reaction with carbon dioxide. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. 2022. (通讯)

2. Hou, W., Zhang, Q., Zeng AW., Separation of n-heptane/isobutanol via eco-efficient vapor recompression-assisted distillation: process optimization and control strategy. FRONTIERS OF CHEMICAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. 2021. (通讯)

3. Yang, SJ., Zhang, Q., Ma, Y., Yuan, Y., Zeng AW., Novel eco-efficient vapor recompression-assisted arrangement for minimum-boiling side-stream pressure-swing distillation system: Preheating feed stream to dew or bubble point. Separation and Purification Technology. 2021. (通讯)

4. Zhang, Q., Hou, W., Zeng AW., Dynamic control analysis of eco-efficient double side-stream ternary extractive distillation process. COMPUTERS & CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. 2021. (通讯)

5. Zhang, Q., Zeng AW., Design and control of economically attractive side-stream extractive distillation process. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN. 2020. (通讯)

6. Yang SJ., Zhang, Q., Zeng AW., Eco-Efficient Self-Heat Recuperative Vapor Recompression-Assisted Side-Stream Pressure-Swing Distillation Arrangement for Separating a Minimum-Boiling Azeotrope. INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH. 2020. (通讯)

7. Zhang Q., Yang SJ., Zeng AW., Economically and thermodynamically efficient heat pump-assisted side-stream pressure-swing distillation arrangement for separating a maximum-boiling azeotrope. APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING. 2020. (通讯)

8. Zhang Q., Shi, P., Zeng AW., Dynamic control analysis of an eco-efficient side-stream extractive distillation configuration. SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY. 2020. (通讯)

9. Shi P., Zhang Q., Zeng AW., Eco-efficient vapor recompression-assisted pressure-swing distillation process for the separation of a maximum-boiling azeotrope. Energy. 2020. (通讯)

10. Zhang Q., Shi, P., Zeng AW., Dynamic control analysis of intensified extractive distillation process with vapor recompression. SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY. 2020. (通讯)

11. Zhang Q., Zeng AW., Control comparison of conventional and thermally coupled ternary extractive distillation processes with recycle splitting using a mixed entrainer as separating agent. EPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY. 2019. (通讯)

12. Zhang XY., Yu, J., Zeng AW., Optimization and modeling for the synthesis of sterol esters from deodorizer distillate by lipase-catalyzed esterification. BIOTECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY. 2017. (通讯)

13. Chen LJ., Zeng AW., A novel process for recovery and refining of L-lactic acid from fermentation broth. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY. 2012. (通讯)

14. Yu J., Zeng AW., Optimizing and Scale-Up Strategy of Molecular Distillation for the Purification of Lactic Acid from Fermentation Broth. SEPARATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. 2015. (通讯)

15.Zhang Q., Chen WQ., Zeng AW., Monte Carlo predictions for vapor-liquid equilibria of N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone plus benzene plus thiophene. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS. 2017. (通讯)