Article
Thermodynamics
Jinxiu Cao, Sui Boon Liaw, Yu Long, Yun Yu, Hongwei Wu
Summary: This study aims to understand the fundamental reaction mechanisms during fast pyrolysis of acid-impregnated cellulose, showing how different temperatures affect the formation of key compounds in the reaction intermediates and primary volatiles. The results indicate that acid impregnation reduces the onset reaction temperature of cellulose pyrolysis, leading to the production of different major products at varying temperatures. The study also suggests that condensation reactions play an important role during acid-catalysed cellulose pyrolysis, with char formation becoming the favored pathway at higher temperatures.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jun Zhang, Chengyu Li, Haoran Yuan, Yong Chen
Summary: In this study, Ru modified hierarchical zeolites were developed for cellulose fast pyrolysis, showing improved efficiency in aromatics production. The comprehensive characterization of the catalysts revealed their essential structural properties, and the presence of active Ru-0 centers facilitated key reactions. Among the screened catalysts, 2Ru-MZSM exhibited higher aromatics yield.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Stephen Niksa
Summary: The essential aspects of cellulose devolatilization involve depolymerization reactions, bond rupture probabilities, charring cascade, and Flash Distillation Analogy. Predictions from cel-FC accurately depict the impacts of temperature, heating rate, and pressure on the major products of primary cellulose devolatilization, explaining the variations in oil yields and molecular weight distributions under different conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinhong Zhang, Daniel T. Sekyere, Noah Niwamanya, Yansheng Huang, Andrew Barigye, Yuanyu Tian
Summary: This study used high heating rate thermogravimetry-Fourier transform infrared (TG-FTIR) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to investigate the fast pyrolysis kinetics and product evolution of waste pine sawdust. The apparent activation energy for fast pyrolysis was found to be much higher than that of slow pyrolysis, and the release of CO2 was the major deoxygenation route. Cracking mainly occurred at the 450 degrees C stage with phenols, ketones, aldehydes, and sugars as the main products. Furthermore, the selectivity of different compounds varied with pyrolysis temperature.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Stephen Niksa
Summary: This study extends the validation of a reaction mechanism for the devolatilization of mineral-free cellulose named cel-FC. The analysis reveals that random depolymerization and chain unzipping play key roles in cellulose devolatilization and oil production rates, with flash distillation mediating the process. The study also shows that ultimate oil yields remain consistent across a wide range of conditions, while oil molecular weight distributions shift towards heavier weights with faster heating rates, hotter temperatures, and lower pressures.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Xin Huang, Shinji Kudo, Shusaku Asano, Jun-ichiro Hayashi
Summary: This study found that using DMSO as a solvent in combination with Amberlyst 70 as a solid acid catalyst can significantly increase the yield of LGO, with further improvement achieved by in-situ removal of water. Additionally, experiments using bio-oil as feedstock showed that heavier saccharides can also serve as a source of LGO without inhibiting the conversion of LGA.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xueli Hou, Zhen Li, Zhijun Zhang
Summary: Boric acid has been proven to be an effective catalyst in the pyrolysis of woody biomass, leading to higher initial degradation temperatures and increased residual carbon contents, while decreasing the maximum weight loss rates. It also significantly alters the composition and distribution of volatile pyrolysis products, increasing small molecule compounds like acetic acid and furfural, while decreasing high molecular weight phenol derivatives. These effects are more pronounced at higher temperatures, with acetic acid content increasing up to 14 times higher than untreated wood flour when the boric acid to wood flour mass ratio is 2.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chengyu Li, Jun Zhang, Jing Gu, Haoran Yuan, Yong Chen
Summary: The research demonstrated that adjusting the acid-base value of metal oxides significantly affected the transformation pathway of cellulose pyrolysis, with higher acidity-to-basicity ratios accelerating deoxygenation and lower ratios promoting ketonization and aldol condensation. The acid-base sites played a promotional role in cellulose pyrolysis, while metal oxides with better porous structures contributed to the production of aromatics and aliphatic hydrocarbons.
Article
Thermodynamics
Tan Li, Kai Miao, Zhigang Zhao, Yuqing Li, Huiyuan Wang, Atsushi Watanabe, Norio Teramae, Kaige Wang
Summary: The distribution of cellulose pyrolysis products under different conditions was investigated using a high-pressure micropyrolyzer. The results showed that hydrogen pressure had an effect on the duration and composition of cellulose pyrolysis products. The formation mechanisms of various compounds under hydrogen atmosphere were discussed.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Zhenzhong Hu, Xian Li, Yiming Sun, Omar Donovan Dacres, Yuxian Wang, Hongyun Hu, Huan Liu, Guangqian Luo, Hong Yao
Summary: The study confirmed the three distinct stages and main reaction mechanisms involved in the Thermal-dissolution based carbon enrichment (TDCE) process for biomass deoxygenation. The intramolecular deoxygenation and rearrangement stage, taking place in a highly-dispersed and inert medium, was identified as the major pathway for oxygen removal, leading to the formation of small molecular aromatics.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Xin Huang, Jie Ren, Jing-Yu Ran, Chang-Lei Qin, Zhong-Qing Yang, Jing-Pei Cao
Summary: This translation summarizes the latest research progress on the depolymerization of cellulose into specific chemicals through non-catalytic and catalytic pyrolysis, and analyzes and summarizes the optimal conditions for these value-added chemicals, providing feasible directions for future industrialization.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Bin Hu, An-shuai Cheng, Wen-luan Xie, Ji Liu, Yao-bing Huang, Ling-jun Zhu, Bing Zhang, Ming-xiao Li, Li Zhao, Ti-peng Wang, Qiang Lu
Summary: Pyrolysis is a promising technique to convert biomass into energy and fuels. This study developed a new and green approach to selectively produce furfural (FF) through oxalic acid-assisted fast pyrolysis of corncob. The method achieved high FF yield and selectivity at high temperatures, offering potential applications in the energy and fuel industry.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Li Liu
Summary: The rapid development of shell biorefining in the past decade has seen an increasing application of ionic liquids (ILs) for catalyzing the conversion of marine biomass. However, due to the greater structural complexity of marine biomass, the methodological developments of ILs in this area have been limited. This study reviews the conversion of marine biomass using acidic ILs as catalysts, comparing their characteristics with lignocellulosic biomass and showing the structural effect of marine biomass on their conversion.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shihao Su, Fan-shu Cao, Shuizhong Wang, Qingru Shen, Gen Luo, Qiang Lu, Guoyong Song
Summary: This study demonstrates for the first time that tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane can efficiently catalyze the depolymerization of C-lignins containing benzodioxane structures, resulting in high yields of catechol derivatives at room temperature and ambient pressure. This method provides an economic and environmentally-friendly approach for the production of catechols from biomass waste.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Feixiang Xu, Jiangchen Luo, Liqun Jiang, Zengli Zhao
Summary: This study improved the production of levoglucosan and levoglucosenone from acid-impregnated cellulose through fast pyrolysis. The impregnation of acid reduced the activation energy and reaction temperature, significantly increasing the yield of levoglucosan. The study demonstrated the potential for industrial production of levoglucosan and levoglucosenone from cellulose at low temperatures.
Article
Thermodynamics
Jingchun Huang, Zhenqi Wang, Yu Qiao, Bo Wang, Yun Yu, Minghou Xu
Summary: Temperature significantly affects the transformation of nitrogen during sludge hydrothermal carbonization, with different distributions of nitrogen in different products at different temperatures. The transformation pathways of protein-N and amino acid species are also influenced by temperature and the addition of CaAc and NaAc.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Energy & Fuels
Shurong Wang, Qiang Lu, Huiyan Zhang, Haoran Yuan, Haiping Yang, Chenguang Wang, Yun Yu, Kaige Wang
Review
Energy & Fuels
Jun Xu, Qichen He, Zhe Xiong, Yun Yu, Shu Zhang, Xun Hu, Long Jiang, Sheng Su, Song Hu, Yi Wang, Jun Xiang
Summary: Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for analyzing various samples, covering the entire thermochemical processing of coal, biomass, and wastes. It can be used for characterizing and diagnosing feedstock and products, providing important support for studying thermochemical processes.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Bing Song, Richen Lin, Chun Ho Lam, Hao Wu, To-Hung Tsui, Yun Yu
Summary: This paper provides an overview of the opportunities for biomass valorization through the combination of hydrothermal and biological techniques, reviews recent advances in treatment conditions and optimal performances, compares energy balance and economic feasibility of different integrated options, and concludes the challenges and perspectives for advancing complete biomass valorization using integrated hydrothermal and biological techniques.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Geyi Wang, Huan Liu, Tongzhou Chen, Xiuju Zhang, Haiyan Li, Yun Yu, Hong Yao
Summary: The study quantified the corrosion resistance of coatings prepared by different technologies under high temperature conditions through thermal corrosion and ash adhesion tests. Results showed that TWAS coatings had poor corrosion resistance, while PTA and HVOF coatings performed well at higher temperatures. Furthermore, the study on HVOF-NiCr coatings revealed a linear enhancement in corrosion resistance with the increase of Cr content.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Rashedul Hasan Khondakar, Yun Yu, Hongwei Wu
Summary: This study systematically investigated the fundamental reaction mechanism of GF hydrothermal decomposition for the first time, revealing that hydrolysis, isomerization, and retro-aldol condensation are the primary reactions during GF decomposition. Hydrolysis plays a key role in GF decomposition, while the resulting primary products further decompose into various secondary products.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jinxiu Cao, Yun Yu, Hongwei Wu
Summary: This study proposes a new method using tracers to determine the true yields of ejected aerosols and evaporated vapors in condensable volatiles produced from cellulose pyrolysis. The results show the key role of thermal ejection in the formation of condensable volatiles, significantly influencing the yield and composition of tar generated from cellulose pyrolysis.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jingchun Huang, Chao Feng, Yun Yu, Di Xie, Zhenqi Wang, Wei Hu, Yu Qiao
Summary: Steam gasification of leftover rice involves pyrolysis, volatile reforming, and char gasification stages. Experiments conducted at temperatures ranging from 600 to 1000 degrees C show that raw leftover rice can be cracked into volatile products at 600 degrees C, generating high yields of tar and gas. The study also demonstrates that torrefied leftover rice generates lower gas yields at all pyrolysis temperatures. This research provides valuable data for designing suitable gasification reactors for food waste.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Erwei Leng, Yilin Guo, Yanshan Yin, Yun Yu, Xun Gong, Jingwei Chen, Yuan Xue, E. Jiaqiang
Summary: In this study, a combination of spectroscopic techniques was used to reveal the catalytic mechanism of KCl and CaCl2 on cellulose char evolution during slow pyrolysis, providing insights into the evolution of functional groups in pyrolysis char. The results of this research are significant for understanding biomass pyrolysis mechanism and industrial production of biochar.
Article
Thermodynamics
Samreen Hameed, Adhirath S. Wagh, Abhishek Sharma, Vishnu Pareek, Yun Yu, Jyeshtharaj B. Joshi
Summary: This study investigates the effect of salt on cellulose pyrolysis behavior using the chemical percolation devolatilization (CPD) model. The experimental results show that salt has a pronounced effect on the primary pyrolysis reactions of cellulose, accelerating its decomposition and favoring the formation of gases and char.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Md. Maksudur Rahman, Yun Yu, Hongwei Wu
Summary: This paper reviews the environmental concerns and waste management due to the increase in waste tyre globally and emphasizes the importance of pyrolysis as an attractive technical route for waste tyre valorization. The paper summarizes the pyrolysis reaction chemistry, discusses the key factors influencing the properties and distribution of pyrolysis products and impurity removal, and surveys the potential applications of pyrolysis products. It also covers the important role of impurities and their remediation strategies, the progress in process development and analysis, and identifies the remaining challenges and research gaps in the field of waste tyre pyrolysis.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhiliang Wu, Yun Yu, Hongwei Wu
Summary: This study investigates the reaction mechanisms of hydrothermal decomposition of glucose and fructose to understand the formation of 5-HMF. The results show that 5-HMF is not directly produced from glucose or fructose in water. However, in the presence of formic acid, dehydration to produce 5-HMF becomes a primary reaction. The selectivity of this reaction increases with reducing the initial pH.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Haiyan Li, Huan Liu, Mingwen Bai, Xiuju Zhang, Hetian Chi, Tongzhou Chen, Yun Yu, Hong Yao
Summary: The corrosion resistance of Ni40AA and Ni40AA-Mo coatings on 304SS substrate was evaluated in molten NaClNa2SO4-KCl-K2SO4 salts at 600 degrees C. Results showed that in the oxidizing-chloridizing environment, the addition of Mo significantly reduced the dissolved Cr in soluble corrosion products. Mo substituted Cr to react with molten salts, reducing the depletion of Cr and enhancing the accumulation of Cr-rich oxides. As a result, the corrosion resistance of Ni40AA was improved, with a reduction in corrosion weight gain by approximately 50% and thickness loss by 1/3.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xiuju Zhang, Huan Liu, Tongzhou Chen, Haiyan Li, Zifeng Huang, Yun Yu, Hong Yao
Summary: Municipal solid waste incineration technology has rapidly developed for waste disposal and energy conversion. However, the high content of alkali salts, especially chlorides, in the waste causes severe high-temperature corrosion. High-velocity oxy-fuel spray (HVOF) coating shows promise in mitigating this issue, but the corrosion process involving flue gas and deposits is not well understood. This study investigates the in-service performance and coupling corrosion mechanism. The results provide insights into the corrosion mechanism induced by deposits and flue gas and clarify the resistance of HVOF-NiCr coating through staged characterization.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ben He, Yun Yu, Xun Gong, Shuai Liu, Hong Tian, Erwei Leng
Summary: This study investigates the possible reaction mechanisms for the polymerization of levoglucosan to produce various anhydro-disaccharides and beta-D-glucose under H2SO4 catalysis using density functional theory calculation. Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis reveal that anhydro-disaccharides with beta linkages are most likely formed by direct polymerization of two levoglucosan molecules, while different anhydro-disaccharides with alpha linkages are formed by different reaction mechanisms. The addition of H2SO4 as a catalyst significantly reduces the activation energy for various reactions and promotes the production of anhydro-disaccharides and beta-D-glucose.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yingna Du, Chen Huang, Wei Jiang, Qiangwei Yan, Yongfei Li, Gang Chen
Summary: In this study, anionic surfactants modified hydrotalcite was used as a flow improver for crude oil under low-temperature conditions. The modified hydrotalcite showed a significant viscosity reduction effect on crude oil. The mechanism of the modified hydrotalcite on viscosity and pour point of crude oil was explored through characterization and analysis of the modified hydrotalcite and oil samples.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mohammad Saeid Rostami, Mohammad Mehdi Khodaei
Summary: In this study, a hybrid structure, MIL-53(Al)@MWCNT, was synthesized by combining MIL-53(Al) particles and -COOH functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). The hybrid structure was then embedded in a polyethersulfone (PES) polymer matrix to prepare a mixed matrix membrane (MMM) for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 separation. The addition of MWCNTs prevented MIL-53(Al) aggregation, improved membrane mechanical properties, and enhanced gas separation efficiency.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yunlong Li, Desheng Huang, Xiaomeng Dong, Daoyong Yang
Summary: This study develops theoretical and experimental techniques to determine the phase behavior and physical properties of DME/flue gas/water/heavy oil systems. Eight constant composition expansion (CCE) tests are conducted to obtain new experimental data. A thermodynamic model is used to accurately predict saturation pressure and swelling factors, as well as the phase boundaries of N2/heavy oil systems and DME/CO2/heavy oil systems, with high accuracy.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Morteza Afkhamipour, Ebad Seifi, Arash Esmaeili, Mohammad Shamsi, Tohid N. Borhani
Summary: Non-conventional amines are being researched worldwide to overcome the limitations of traditional amines like MEA and MDEA. Adequate process and thermodynamic models are crucial for understanding the applicability and performance of these amines in CO2 absorption, but studies on process modeling for these amines are limited. This study used rate-based modeling and Deshmukh-Mather method to model CO2 absorption by DETA solution in a packed column, validated the model with experimental data, and conducted a sensitivity analysis of mass transfer correlations. The study also compared the CO2 absorption efficiency of DETA solution with an ionic solvent [bmim]-[PF6] and highlighted the importance of finding optimum operational parameters for maximum absorption efficiency.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Arastoo Abdi, Mohamad Awarke, M. Reza Malayeri, Masoud Riazi
Summary: The utilization of smart water in EOR operations has gained attention, but more research is needed to understand the complex mechanisms involved. This study investigated the interfacial tension between smart water and crude oil, considering factors such as salt, pH, asphaltene type, and aged smart water. The results revealed that the hydration of ions in smart water plays a key role in its efficacy, with acidic and basic asphaltene acting as intrinsic surfactants. The pH also influenced the interfacial tension, and the aged smart water's interaction with crude oil depended on asphaltene type, salt, and salinity.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dongao Zhu, Kun Zhu, Lixian Xu, Haiyan Huang, Jing He, Wenshuai Zhu, Huaming Li, Wei Jiang
Summary: In this study, cobalt-based metal-organic frameworks (Co-based MOFs) were used as supports and co-catalysts to confine the NHPI catalyst, solving the leaching issue. The NHPI@Co-MOF with carboxyl groups exhibited stronger acidity and facilitated the generation of active oxygen radicals O2•, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity. This research provides valuable insights into the selection of suitable organic linkers and broadens the research horizon of MOF hybrids in efficient oxidative desulfurization (ODS) applications.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Edwin G. Hoyos, Gloria Amo-Duodu, U. Gulsum Kiral, Laura Vargas-Estrada, Raquel Lebrero, Rail Munoz
Summary: This study investigated the impact of carbon-coated zero-valent nanoparticle concentration on photosynthetic biogas upgrading. The addition of nanoparticles significantly increased microalgae productivity and enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus assimilation. The presence of nanoparticles also improved the quality of biomethane produced.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yao Xiao, Asma Leghari, Linfeng Liu, Fangchao Yu, Ming Gao, Lu Ding, Yu Yang, Xueli Chen, Xiaoyu Yan, Fuchen Wang
Summary: Iron is added as a flocculant in wastewater treatment and the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of sludge produces wastewater containing Fe. This study investigates the effect of aqueous phase (AP) recycling on hydrochar properties, iron evolution and environmental assessment during HTC of sludge. The results show that AP recycling process improves the dewatering performance of hydrochar and facilitates the recovery of Fe from the liquid phase.
Article
Energy & Fuels
He Liang, Tao Wang, Zhenmin Luo, Jianliang Yu, Weizhai Yi, Fangming Cheng, Jingyu Zhao, Xingqing Yan, Jun Deng, Jihao Shi
Summary: This study investigated the influence of inhibitors (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and heptafluoropropane) on the lower flammability limit of hydrogen and determined the critical inhibitory concentration needed for complete suppression. The impact of inhibitors on explosive characteristics was evaluated, and the inhibitory mechanism was analyzed with chemical kinetics. The results showed that with the increase of inhibitor quantity, the lower flammability limit of hydrogen also increased. The research findings can contribute to the safe utilization of hydrogen energy.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zonghui Liu, Zhongze Zhang, Yali Zhou, Ziling Wang, Mingyang Du, Zhe Wen, Bing Yan, Qingxiang Ma, Na Liu, Bing Xue
Summary: In this study, high-performance solid catalysts based on phosphotungstic acid (HPW) supported on Zr-SBA-15 were synthesized and evaluated for the one-pot conversion of furfural (FUR) to γ-valerolactone (GVL). The catalysts were characterized using various techniques, and the ratio of HPW and Zr was found to significantly affect the selectivity of GVL. The HPW/Zr-SBA-15 (2-4-15) catalyst exhibited the highest GVL yield (83%) under optimized reaction conditions, and it was determined that a balance between Bronsted acid sites (BAS) and Lewis acid sites (LAS) was crucial for achieving higher catalytic performance. The reaction parameters and catalyst stability were also investigated.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Michael Stoehr, Stephan Ruoff, Bastian Rauch, Wolfgang Meier, Patrick Le Clercq
Summary: As part of the global energy transition, an experimental study was conducted to understand the effects of different fuel properties on droplet vaporization for various conventional and alternative fuels. The study utilized a flow channel to measure the evolution of droplet diameters over time and distance. The results revealed the temperature-dependent effects of physical properties, such as boiling point, liquid density, and enthalpy of vaporization, and showed the complex interactions of preferential vaporization and temperature-dependent influences of physical properties for multi-component fuels.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yuan Zhuang, Ruikang Wu, Xinyan Wang, Rui Zhai, Changyong Gao
Summary: Through experimental validation and optimization of the chemical kinetic model, it was found that methanol can accelerate the oxidation reaction of ammonia, and methanol can be rapidly oxidized at high concentration. HO2 was found to generate a significant amount of OH radicals, facilitating the oxidation of methanol and ammonia. Rating: 7.5/10.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Radwan M. EL-Zohairy, Ahmed S. Attia, A. S. Huzayyin, Ahmed I. EL-Seesy
Summary: This paper presents a lab-scale experimental study on the impact of diethyl ether (DEE) as an additive to waste cooking oil biodiesel with Jet A-1 on combustion and emission features of a swirl-stabilized premixed flame. The addition of DEE to biodiesel significantly affects the flame temperature distribution and emissions. The W20D20 blend of DEE, biodiesel, and Jet A-1 shows similar flame temperature distribution to Jet A-1 and significantly reduces UHC, CO, and NOx emissions compared to Jet A-1.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jiang Bian, Ziyuan Zhao, Yang Liu, Ran Cheng, Xuerui Zang, Xuewen Cao
Summary: This study presents a novel method for ammonia separation using supersonic flow and develops a mathematical model to investigate the condensation phenomenon. The results demonstrate that the L-P nucleation model accurately characterizes the nucleation process of ammonia at low temperatures. Numerical simulations also show that increasing pressure and concentration can enhance ammonia condensation efficiency.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shiyuan Pan, Xiaodan Shi, Beibei Dong, Jan Skvaril, Haoran Zhang, Yongtu Liang, Hailong Li
Summary: Integrating CO2 capture with biomass-fired combined heat and power (bio-CHP) plants is a promising method for achieving negative emissions. This study develops a reliable data-driven model based on the Transformer architecture to predict the flowrate and CO2 concentration of flue gas in real time. The model validation shows high prediction accuracy, and the potential impact of meteorological parameters on model accuracy is assessed. The results demonstrate that the Transformer model outperforms other models and using near-infrared spectral data as input features improves the prediction accuracy.