Processes, Biofuels, and
Bioproducts
Dr. Hanwu Lei's Group
Bioproducts, Science, and Engineering Laboratory
Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University
Outline
 Dr. Hanwu Lei’s research group
 Processes:
torrefaction, pyrolysis, catalysis, liquid-liquid
extraction, organosolv liquefaction, hot-water pretreatment,
organosolv fractionation, CO2 removal and absorption, and fuel
process kinetics
 Biofuels:
bio-oil, hydrocarbons, aromatics, hydrogen, biojet fuel, bio-gasoline, biodiesel, fuel ethanol
 Chemicals:
bio-phenols, bio-aromatics, bio-polyols
 Bioproducts:
biochar, carbon catalyst, activated carbon,
carbon catalyst, carbon absorber, polyurethane foam (PUF),
water resistant wood adhesive
Dr. Hanwu Lei’s Group
 Post-Doc Research Associate:
 Lu Wang, PhD. Working on catalysis for jet fuels
 Post-MS Research Associate:
 Di Yan, MS. Working on microwave pyrolysis
 Gayatri Yadavalli, MS. Working on microwave pyrolysis, CO2 removal, protein
extraction
 Current Graduate Students:
 Lei Zhu, PhD Research Assistant, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU;
PhD dissertation: Development of processes and catalysts for aviation biofuels production
(in progress)
 Xuesong Zhang, PhD Research Assistant, Department of Biological Systems
Engineering, WSU; PhD dissertation: Upgrading bio-oils from Douglas fir pellets with
packed-bed catalysis over catalysts coupled with microwave-assisted pyrolysis (in
progress)
 Charles Shaw, PhD Research Assistant, Environmental Science, WSU, PhD thesis:
Life-cycle-analysis of microwave pyrolysis of hybrid poplar for the production of
biofuels and biochar (in progress)
 Yupeng Liu, MS Research Assistant, Department of Biological Systems Engineering,
WSU; MS thesis: Torrefaction of Douglas fir pellets and its upgrading (in progress)
Dr. Hanwu Lei’s Group
 Graduated PhD Students (6):
 Yi Wei, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Assistant from
Aug. 2011-Aug. 2015); PhD dissertation: Advanced upgrading of pyrolysis oil via liquidliquid extraction and catalytically upgrading (Graduated Spring 2015)
 Quan Bu, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Assistant
from Aug. 2010-Aug. 2013; Now Associate Professor at Jiangsu University); PhD
dissertation: Catalytic microwave pyrolysis of biomass for renewable phenols and fuels
(Graduated Summer 2013).
 Lu Wang, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Assistant
from Aug. 2010-Aug. 2013; Now post-doc at Washington State University); PhD
dissertation: Aromatic hydrocarbons production from catalyst assisted microwave
pyrolysis of Douglas fir sawdust pellet (Graduated Summer 2013).
 Shoujie Ren, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research
Assistant from Jan. 2010-Dec. 2012; Now post-doc at University of Tennessee); PhD
dissertation: Catalytic microwave torrefaction and pyrolysis of Douglas fir pellet to
improve biofuel quality (Graduated Fall 2012).
 Iwona Cybulska, PhD, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, SDSU
(Research Assistant from Jan. 2008-May. 2012; Now post-doc at Masdar Institute of
Science and Technology); PhD dissertation: Pretreatment methods for lignocellulosic
materials employed to produce fuel ethanol and value-added products (Graduated Spring
2012).
 Rui Zhou, PhD, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, SDSU (Research
Assistant from Jan. 2008-Dec. 2014); PhD dissertation: Microwave pyrolysis of biomass
and kinetics (Graduated Spring 2015).
Dr. Hanwu Lei’s Group
 Graduated MS Students (2):
 Gayatri Yadavalli, MS student, Environmental Engineering, WSU (Aug. 2013-Dec. 2014);
MS dissertation: activated carbon surface modification for carbon dioxide adsorption
(Graduated Fall 2014)
 Jing Liang, MS, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Assistant
from Aug. 2011-Aug. 2013; Now PhD student at University of California, Riverside); MS
project title: Tech-economic analysis of microwave pyrolysis of Douglas fir pellet
(Graduated Summer 2013)
Biomass Pyrolysis
Conventional Pyrolysis:
Biomass has to be dried
before fast/flash pyrolysis
Biomass
Bio-gas
Size reduction
required <1mm
Drying
Fast/Flash Pyrolysis
Bio-oil
Bio-char
Microwave Pyrolysis:
Biomass
Wet biomass can be used
Bio-gas
Size reduction
Not Required
Microwave Pyrolysis
Bio-oil
Bio-char
Energy Consumed in Size Reduction
Microwave: No energy required as size not important.
 Demonstrated on 4 mm pellets, 7x15mm2 wood blocks, and
1x0.6x0.6m3 stover bales (Lei et al, 2009; Moen et al., 2009; Zhao et al.,
2011)
Conventional: > 1600 kJ/kg biomass for <1mm particles
 Demonstrated on fluidized bed pyrolysis on particles <0.5 mm
(Yi et al., 2008; Boateng et al., 2007; Luo et al., 2005)
Miao et al., 2011
Energy Consumed in Drying
Microwave: No energy required before pyrolysis!
 Do NOT require biomass (8-20%MC) drying before pyrolysis
stage
Conventional: 2940 to 5538 kJ/kg of water
 Requires biomass (8-20% MC) drying before pyrolysis
 Energy required to evaporate water and increase temperature
of both water and biomass.
• Moreno et al., 2007; Hailer 1993; Snezhkin et al., 1997; Vanecek et al 1996; Moreno and
Rios 2002; Renstrom and Berghel 2002
Microwave vs Conventional: Energy Comparison
Microwave pyrolysis
Conventional pyrolysis
Biomass size
reduction
0
kJ/kg
Biomass size
reduction (1mm)
1600
kJ/kg
Drying and raising
temp to 177°C
55.56+666.67
=722.23
kJ/kg
(wet)
Drying required to
provide energy at 80%
efficiency raising to
140°C
561.53
kJ/kg
(wet)
Raising temp of dried
biomass to 500°C
777.78
kJ/ 0.92
kg (dry)
Raising temp of dry
biomass to 500°C
at 90% efficiency
1116.78
kJ/ 0.92
kg (dry)
Maintaining temp and
pyrolysis
311.11
kJ/ 0.92
kg (dry)
Maintaining temp
and pyrolysis
Up to 3064 kJ/kg
(literature)
kJ/ 0.92
kg (dry)
Total (1 kg wet
biomass with 8%
water content)
1811.11
kJ/kg
(wet)
Total (1 kg wet
biomass with 8%
water content)
3278.31
kJ/kg
(wet)
Conclusion:
1. Microwave pyrolysis consumes 504 kwh per ton of wet biomass
2. Conventional pyrolysis estimated to consume >910 kwh per ton of wet biomass
Microwave pyrolysis does not require energy for size reduction and uses less in pyrolysis.
***Larger scale microwave pyrolysis requires less energy: University of Nottingham
microwave pyrolysis pilot scale (250kg/hr) energy requirement: 230 kWh per tonne.
Mass / energy balances of microwave pyrolysis for Douglas fir pellets
Mass In
Douglas fir pellets
(kg)
1,000
Mass Out
Syngas (scf)
Bio oil (kg)
Bio Char (kg)
4,073
550
300
Bio-oil yield is about 60% based on dry Douglas fir pellets
Energy In
Unit Btu
Sub-total
Btu
Douglas fir
pellets
17,621
(Btu/kg)
Electricity
Energy Out
Syngas
3340
335 (Btu/scf)
(Btu/kwh)
540*3340kwh
17,621,000
1,364,589
=1,804,012
Bio oil
Bio Char
17,061
(Btu/kg)
28,435
(Btu/kg)
9,383,388
8,530,353
Supply biochar for a coal-firing plant: 35% efficiency to electricity and 90% transmission
efficiency to microwave pyrolysis plant =8,530,353*35%*90%=2,687,061 BTU
More than 150% electricity can be supplied from biochar firing
Microwave Pyrolysis
 S. Ren, H. Lei*, L. Wang, Q. Bu, S. Chen, J. Wu, J. Julson, and R. Ruan. 2012. Biofuel production and kinetics analysis of microwave pyrolysis for
Douglas fir sawdust pellet. Journal of Analytic and Applied Pyrolysis, 94: 163-169. doi: 10.1016/j.jaap.2011.12.004.
 H. Lei*, S. Ren, L. Wang, Q. Bu, J. Julson, J. Holladay, and R. Ruan. 2011. Microwave pyrolysis of distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) for
biofuel production. Bioresource Technology, 102 (10) 6208-6213, doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.02.050
 H. Lei*, S. Ren, and J. Julson. 2009. The effects of reaction temperature and time and particle size of corn stover on microwave pyrolysis. Energy
and Fuels, 23, 3254-3261.
Biomass Torrefaction to Torrefied Biomass
Torrefaction: 200–300℃
in absence of oxygen
70-90% yield
torrefied biomass
Yang H. et al., Characteristics of hemicellulose, cellulose and
lignin pyrolysis. Fuel, 2007, 86: 1781–1788
 Water is reduced
 Hemicellulose is decomposed, cellulose
and lignin are partial decomposed
 O/C ratio is decreased
 Heating value is increased
Tumuluru J.S. et al., A review on biomass torrefaction process and product
properties for energy applications. Industrial Biotechnology, 2011, 7: 384-401.
Microwave Torrefaction
shoulder
  H. Lei* and S. Ren. 2010. Filed patent (US 61404560), Method and apparatus for biomass torrefaction and pyrolysis.
  S. Ren, H. Lei*, L. Wang, Q. Bu, S. Chen, J. Wu. 2013. Thermal behavior and kinetic study for woody biomass torrefaction and
torrefied biomass pyrolysis by TGA. Biosystems Engineering, 116, 4, 420-426. doi: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2013.10.003.
  S. Ren, H. Lei*, L. Wang, Q. Bu, S. Chen, J. Wu, J. Julson, and R. Ruan. 2013. The effects of torrefaction on compositions of biooil and syngas from biomass pyrolysis by microwave heating. Bioresource Technology, 135, 659-994. doi:
10.1016/j.biortech.2012.06.091.
  S. Ren, H. Lei*, L. Wang, Q. Bu, Y. Wei, J. Liang, Y. Liu, J. Julson, S. Chen, J. Wu, and R. Ruan. 2012. Microwave torrefaction of
Douglas fir sawdust pellet. Energy & Fuels, 26, 5936-5943. doi: 10.1021/ef300633c.
Torrefied Biomass Pyrolysis
Cellulose
+
furans
Torrefied
biomass
Char
+
gases
+
char
gases
Lignin
O-CH3 homolysis
hydrogenation
+
Phenol, 2-methoxy-4-methyl-
1,2-Benzenediol
catalysis
CH4
Overview Processes in Dr. Lei’s Group
Organosolv fractionation
Lignocellulosic
biomass
Torrefaction
Hydrothermal/hot water pretreatment
Syngas
Microwave pyrolysis
Activated carbon
Char
Carbon catalysts
Pyrolysis bio-oil
Purification/separation
Substitute of petroleum-based
phenols as for chemical industry
(i.e. phenol formaldehyde resin, bio-plastics)
Catalysis/Catalytic upgrading
Biofuels
(i.e. gasoline, jet fuel)
Chemical feedstocks
(i.e. aromatics, phenols)
Aromatics
Cellulose
Hemicelluloses
Dehydration
Depolymerization
DF
Catalyst assisted
dehydration
Ethers, Alcohols,
Ketones, Aldehydes
Decarboxylation
Decarbonylation
Oligimerization
Lignin
Depolymerization
Zeolite assisted
demethoxylation
Zeolite
Catalysis
Aromatics from Biomass
 H. Lei* and L. Wang. 2014. Filed patent (USPTO 61938416). Aromatic hydrocarbons from lignocellulose biomass.
 L. Wang, H. Lei*, Q. Bu, L. Zhu, Y. Wei, X. Zhang, Y. Liu, G. Yadavalli, J. Lee, S. Chen, and J. Tang. 2014. Aromatic hydrocarbons production from
ex-situ catalysis of pyrolysis vapor over Zinc modified ZSM-5 in a packed-bed catalysis coupled with microwave pyrolysis reactor. Fuel. Under
review.
 L. Wang, H. Lei*, J. Lee, S. Chen, J. Tang, B. Ahring. 2013. Aromatic hydrocarbons from packed-bed catalysis coupled with microwave pyrolysis of
Douglas fir sawdust pellets. RSC Advances, 34, 3, 14609 – 14615. doi: 10.1039/C3RA23104F.
 Z. Du, X. Ma, Y. Li, P. Chen, Y. Liu, X. Lin, H. Lei, R. Ruan. 2013. Production of aromatic hydrocarbons by catalytic pyrolysis of microalgae with
zeolites: Catalyst screening in a pyroprobe. Bioresource Technology, 139, 397-401 doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.04.053
 L. Wang, H. Lei*, S. Ren, Q. Bu, J. Liang, Y. Wei, Y. Liu, G. J. Lee, S. Chen, J. Tang, Q. Zhang, and R. Ruan. 2012. Aromatics and phenols from
catalytic pyrolysis of Douglas fir pellets in microwave with ZSM-5 as a catalyst. Journal of Analytic and Applied Pyrolysis, 98, 194-200. doi:
10.1016/j.jaap.2012.08.002.
Aromatics from Waste Plastics
R2
R2
n H 2C
CH
A
n H 2C
CH2
CH
n H 2C
CH2
R1
R1
HC CH2
CH
CH
CH
CH2
R1 + R2
n
R
LDPE
n
HC
n H2C CH R
CH2
R
R
R
R
H2C
H2
CH
CH
R
CH2 +
H2
X. Zhang, H. Lei**, G. Yadavalli, L. Zhu, Y. Wei, Y. Liu. 2015. Gasoline-range Hydrocarbons produced from Microwave-induced Pyrolysis of
Low-Density Polyethylene over ZSM-5. Fuel, 144: 33-42. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2014.12.013.
Aromatics
 Aromatic hydrocarbons are the most desired products to
increase fuel octane number and decrease the tendency of
engine knock and damage.
 Aromatics cause elastomeric seals swell and increase the
fuel density to meet the minimum requirement in jet
fuels.
 Jet fuels without aromatics will cause some of these
elastomers to shrink, which may lead to fuel leaks.
Aromatics in chemical refined petroleum fuels
Component
(v %)
Crude
oil
Fuel Oil
#6
Saturates
Aromatics
58-61
33-36
21.1
78.9
Diesel Fuel
Marine
(DFM)
12
88
Jet fuels
75%
25%
Naval
Distillate
Fuels, F-76
45.8-69.0
29.0-53.8
Brazil
US
Gasoline Gasoline
38
62
28.7
71.3
Kuwait
Gasoline
Russia
Gasoline
14.4
85.6
34.5
65.5
Data derived from NIPER Report 1989 by National Institute for Petroleum and Energy Research (NIPER-428);
DFM and F-76 data derived from National Academy of Sciences.
US gas data from CA based Guided Wave, Inc.; other countries' data from Faruq et al., 2012.
Jet fuels
X. Zhang, H. Lei**, L. Wang, L. Zhu, Y. Wei, Y. Liu, G. Yadavalli, D Yan, J. Wu, S. Chen. 2015. Insight in the
integrated catalytic processes of intact biomass for production of renewable jet fuel range paraffins and aromatics.
Bioresource Technology. Under review
Project: Hydrogen saving process for cycloalkanes (naphthenes) in jet fuels from diverse Washington state forest
biomasses. Joint Center for Aerospace Technology and Innovation, Joint Industry-University Research Program.
(awarded 07/01/2014-06/30/2015)
Opportunity for Utilizing Lignin
 General near-term opportunities (power, fuel and syngas)
 Generally medium-term opportunities (macromolecules such as phenols
(more than 95% of phenol used is derived from petroleum based benzene by
cumene process))
 Long-term opportunities (aromatics and other monomers)
Possible lignin transformation technologies
Holladay et al., 2007
Lignin-to-phenols Mechanism
C + H2O CH4 + H2O CO + H2O
CH3
H 3C
γ OH
lignin
β
2
5
3
4
Hydrogenolysis,HDO
Decarboxylation, DME, DMO
CH3
α SH
1
6
H3C
OH3C
CO + H2
>400°C
Low temperature
Intermediate(Polyaromatics)
Volatile + Char
β-O-4 ,C-C cleavage
H (or lignin)
OH
The high concentrations of bio-phenols were probably generated by the free radical
reaction of O–CH homolysis where cellulose-derived volatiles and lignin-derived
products function as H-donations and H acceptors, respectively.
GC/MS Analysis of Phenols Enriched Bio-oils
Chemical composition by GC/MS
analysis(%)
100
90
Acids
80
Sugars
70
Ketones/aldehy
des
Guaiacols
60
Phenols
50
Hydrocarbons
40
Alcohols
30
Furans
20
Ester
10
Others
0
MRX
DARCO- 1240PLUS GAC830
830
PLUS
No AC
 The phenols content of bio-oils was 74.61%, 73.88% for MRX and DARCO 830,
respectively vs. 2.5% of control.
 The guaiacols content was 1.5% and 0% for MRX and DARCO 830, respectively vs.
52% of control.
Bio-phenols
OH
OH
OCH3
OCH3
decarbonylation
dealkylation
DME
DMO
alkylation
R
R: H, CH3, CHO, C2H5
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
 H. Lei*, Q. Bu, S. Ren, and L. Wang. 2011. Filed patent (USPTO 61483132). Microwave Assisted Pyrolysis and Phenol Recovery.
 Q. Bu, H. Lei*, L. Wang, Y. Wei, L. Zhu, L. Zhu, X. Zhang, Y. Liu, G. Yadavalli and J. Tang. 2014. Bio-based phenols and fuel production from
catalytic microwave pyrolysis of lignin by activated carbons. Bioresource Technology. Under review
 Q. Bu, H. Lei*, L. Wang, Y. Liu, J. Liang, Y. Wei, L. Zhu, and J. Tang. 2013. Renewable phenols production by catalytic microwave pyrolysis of
Douglas fir sawdust pellets with activated carbon catalysts. Bioresource Technology, 142: 546-552. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.05.073.
 Q. Bu, H. Lei*, A. H. Zacher, L. Wang, S. Ren, J. Liang, Y. Wei, Y. Liu, J. Tang, Q. Zhang, and R. Ruan. 2012. A review of catalytic
hydrodeoxygenation of lignin-derived phenols from biomass pyrolysis. Bioresource Technology, 124, 470-477. doi:
10.1016/j.biortech.2012.08.089. 07.10.12
 Q. Bu, H. Lei*, S. Ren, L. Wang, Q. Zhang, J. Tang, and R. Ruan. 2012. Production of phenols and biofuels by catalytic microwave pyrolysis of
lignocellulosic biomass. Bioresource Technology, 108: 274-279. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.12.125.
 Q. Bu, H. Lei*, S. Ren, L. Wang, J. Holladay, Q. Zhang, J. Tang, and R. Ruan. 2011. Phenol and phenolics from lignocellulosic biomass by
catalytic microwave pyrolysis. Bioresource Technology, 102: 7004-7007. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.04.025
Phenols
Phenolic Resins
• Phenol and its derivatives are vital industrial chemical compounds
found in myriad industrial products mainly produced from
petroleum.
• The phenol price is $1,609-1,649/ton CFR (cost and freight)
according to ICIS Pricing Report (Feb. 2014).
• Current phenol production volumes amount to 8 million tonnes per
year and the phenol market is expected to grow at a compound
annual growth rate of 3.9% over the next 10 years.
• The phenol and its derivatives are currently used for chemical
industry, and its main applications—phenolic resins, plastics, and
caprolactam—achieve costs in the region of $1,870 to $3,120 per
N. Smolarski. 2012
tonne.
Hydrogen and High Quality Syngas
 Y. Wei, H. Lei*, Y. Liu, L. Wang, L. Zhu, X. Zhang, G. Yadavalli, B. Ahring, S. Chen. 2014.
Renewable hydrogen produced from different renewable feedstocks by aqueous-phase reforming
process. Journal of Sustainable Bioenergy Systems. In press.
 S. Ren, H. Lei*, L. Wang, Q. Bu, S. Chen, J. Wu. 2014. Hydrocarbons and hydrogen-rich syngas
production by biomass catalytic pyrolysis and bio-oil upgrading over biochar catalysts. RSC
Advances, 4 (21), 10731 – 10737. doi: 10.1039/c4ra00122b.
Catalysis: Zeolite Catalysts
 L. Wang, H. Lei*, Q. Bu, L. Zhu, Y. Wei, X. Zhang, Y. Liu, G. Yadavalli, J. Lee, S. Chen, and J. Tang. 2014. Aromatic hydrocarbons production from ex-situ catalysis of
pyrolysis vapor over Zinc modified ZSM-5 in a packed-bed catalysis coupled with microwave pyrolysis reactor. Fuel. Under review.
 L. Wang, H. Lei*, J. Lee, S. Chen, J. Tang, B. Ahring. 2013. Aromatic hydrocarbons from packed-bed catalysis coupled with microwave pyrolysis of Douglas fir
sawdust pellets. RSC Advances, 34, 3, 14609 – 14615. doi: 10.1039/C3RA23104F.
 Z. Du, X. Ma, Y. Li, P. Chen, Y. Liu, X. Lin, H. Lei, R. Ruan. 2013. Production of aromatic hydrocarbons by catalytic pyrolysis of microalgae with zeolites: Catalyst
screening in a pyroprobe. Bioresource Technology, 139, 397-401 doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.04.053
 L. Wang, H. Lei*, S. Ren, Q. Bu, J. Liang, Y. Wei, Y. Liu, G. J. Lee, S. Chen, J. Tang, Q. Zhang, and R. Ruan. 2012. Aromatics and phenols from catalytic pyrolysis of
Douglas fir pellets in microwave with ZSM-5 as a catalyst. Journal of Analytic and Applied Pyrolysis, 98, 194-200. doi: 10.1016/j.jaap.2012.08.002.
 Z. Du, B. Hu, X. Ma, Y. Cheng, Y. Liu, X. Lin, Y. Wan, H. Lei, P. Chen, and R. Ruan*. 2013. Catalytic pyrolysis of microalgae and their three major components:
carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Bioresource Technology, 130: 777–782. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.12.115
Catalysis: Biochar Catalysts and Biomass
Derived Carbon Catalysts
 S. Ren, H. Lei**, L. Wang, Q. Bu, S. Chen, J. Wu. 2014. Hydrocarbons and hydrogen-rich syngas production by biomass catalytic pyrolysis and bio-oil
upgrading over biochar catalysts. RSC Advances, 4 (21), 10731 – 10737. doi: 10.1039/c4ra00122b.
 L. Zhu, H. Lei*, L. Wang, X. Zhang, Y. Wei, Y Liu, G. Yadavalli. Characterization of surface functional groups in corn stover biochar derived from microwaveassisted pyrolysis. 2014 ASABE International Meeting, Jul 13-16, 2014, Montreal, QC, Canada.
 L. Zhu, H. Lei*, L. Wang, Q. Bu, Y. Wei, Y. Liu, and J. Liang. 2013. Carbon catalyst from corn stover and its application to catalytic microwave pyrolysis.
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) 2013 Annual International Meeting, 2013(3): 1854-1860. doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/aim.20131594788.
 L. Zhu, H. Lei*, L. Wang, Q. Bu, J. Liang, Y. Wei, Y. Liu. Catalytic Microwave Pyrolysis of Douglas Fir Pellets With Carbon Catalysts Derived From Corn Stover.
2013 AIChE Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California, November 3 – 8, 2013.
Catalysis: Activated Carbon Catalysts
 Q. Bu, H. Lei**, L. Wang, Y. Liu, J. Liang, Y. Wei, L. Zhu, and J. Tang. 2013. Renewable phenols production by catalytic microwave
pyrolysis of Douglas fir sawdust pellets with activated carbon catalysts. Bioresource Technology, 142: 546-552. doi:
10.1016/j.biortech.2013.05.073.
 Q. Bu, H. Lei**, L. Wang, Y. Liu, J. Liang, Y. Wei, L. Zhu, and J. Tang. 2013. Renewable phenols production by catalytic microwave
pyrolysis of Douglas fir sawdust pellets with activated carbon catalysts. Bioresource Technology, 142: 546-552. doi:
10.1016/j.biortech.2013.05.073.
 Q. Bu, H. Lei**, L. Wang, Y. Wei, L. Zhu, L. Zhu, X. Zhang, Y. Liu, G. Yadavalli and J. Tang. 2014. Bio-based phenols and fuel production
from catalytic microwave pyrolysis of lignin by activated carbons. Bioresource Technology. Under review.
CO2 Removal
1
0.8
0.6
C/C0
CM1
CM2
0.4
CM3
0.2
0
0
2
4
6
8
10
Minutes
12
14
16
18
Dr. Lei’s group developed a carbon which selectively removed >97 %
carbon dioxide from a mixed gas stream containing methane, carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and hydrogen.
Biochar for Crop Management, Herbicide
Absorbents, and Control of Weeds
 D. D. Malo, S. A. Clay*, T.E. Schumacher, H. J. Woodard, D. E. Clay, R. H. Gelderman, H. Lei and J. L. Julson. Interactions of
biochar source/properties impacts on soil properties, c sequestration potential, and crop management. In 2010 SunGrant
Annual Meeting, Reno, NV.
 Dr. Lei's biochar was used by Drs. Clay and Malo for herbicide sorption studies: Clay, S.A. and D.D. Malo. 2012. The
Influence of Biochar Production on Herbicide Sorption Characteristics, Herbicides - Properties, Synthesis and Control of
Weeds, M. N. A. E. Hasaneen (Ed.), InTech, ISBN: 978-953-307-803-8. http://www.intechopen.com/articles/show/title/theinfluence-of-biochar-production-on-herbicide-sorption-characteristics.
Liquid-Liquid Extraction
Liquid-liquid extraction was used to extract the phenols and
guaiacols from water phase:
 Chloroform solvent has a better results than the other
two solvents on liquid-liquid extraction for selecting
phenols and guaiacols.
 When under 1:1 solvent to water-phase ratio, using
chloroform as extraction solvent, the organic concentration
reached to 85% of total phenol and guaiacols compounds in
water-phase of bio-oil.
 Through liquid-liquid extraction, sugar and acid can be
completely removed from mixture and stayed in the water
phase.
 Y. Wei, H. Lei*, L. Wang, L. Zhu, X. Zhang, Y. Liu, S. Chen, B. Ahring. 2014. Liquid-liquid extraction of
biomass pyrolysis bio-oil. Energy and Fuels, 28(2), 1207-1212. doi: 10.1021/ef402490s.
 C. Yang, B. Zhang, J. Moen, K. Hennessy, Y. Liu, X. Lin, Y. Wan, H. Lei*, P. Chen, and R. Ruan*. 2010.
Fractionation and characterization of bio-oil from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of corn stover.
International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 3(3): 54-61.
Organosolv Liquefaction
Bio-Polyurethane Foam (PUF) and Bio-Adhesives
  L. Gao, Y. Liu, H. Lei*, H. Peng, R. Ruan*. 2010. Preparation of semirigid polyurethane foam
with liquefied bamboo residues. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 116, 1694-1699.
  Y. Wang, J. Wu, Y. Wan, H. Lei*, F. Yu, P. Chen, X. Lin, and R. Ruan*. 2009. Liquefaction of corn
stover using industrial biodiesel glycerol. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Engineering, 2(2): 32-40.
Polyurethane foam
Adhesive
Hydrothermal/Hot Water Pretreatment
  I. Cybulska, G. Brudecki, H. Lei*. 2013. Hydrothermal pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass.
In Green Biomass Pretreatment and Processing Methods for Bioenergy Production. Ed. T. Gu.
Springer. ISBN: 978-94-007-6052-3. pp 87-106. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-6052-3_4.
  I. Cybulska, G. Brudecki, H. Lei*, J. Julson. 2012. Optimization of combined clean fractionation
and hydrothermal post-treatment of prairie cord grass. Energy & Fuels, 26(4): 2303-2309. doi:
10.1021/ef300249m
  I. Cybulska, H. Lei*, J. Julson. 2010. Hydrothermal pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of
prairie cord grass. Energy & Fuels, 24 (1): 718-727.
Organosolv Fractionation/Separation of
Biomass:
Organic
phase
Organic
phase
Aqueous
phase
Aqueous
phase
Lignin precipitated
Cellulose after clean fractionation
 I. Cybulska*, G. P. Brudecki, B. R. Hankerson, J. L. Julson, H. Lei. 2013. Catalyzed modified clean fractionation of switchgrass.
Bioresource Technology, 127, 92-99. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.09.131. 03.08.12
 I. Cybulska*, G. Brudecki, K. Rosentrater, J. Julson, H. Lei. 2012. Comparative study of organosolv lignins extracted from prairie
cordgrass, switchgrass and corn stover. Bioresource Technology, 118C: 30-36. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.05.073.
 I. Cybulska*, G. Brudecki, K. Rosentrater, H. Lei, J. Julson. 2012. Catalyzed modified clean fractionation of prairie cordgrass
integrated with hydrothermal post-treatment. Biomass and Bioenergy, 46, 389-401. doi: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2012.08.002.
 I. Cybulska, H. Lei*, J. Julson, G. Brudecki. 2012. Optimization of Modified Clean Fractionation of Prairie Cord Grass. International
Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 5(2): 42-51. doi: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20120502.00?
Canola Oil/Protein Extraction
Pressing
Solvent
extraction/
Expeller pressing
K. Zhong (PI), H. Lei (Co-PI), L. Scudiero, T. Marsh, P. Tozer, Applying Abundant Plants
to Develop Battery Materials and Study the Benefits on Agricultural Economy. USDA,
$494,805, 12/11/2014-12/31/2017
Fuel Process Kinetics
S. Ren, H. Lei*, L. Wang, Q. Bu, S. Chen, J. Wu. 2013. Thermal behavior
and kinetic study for woody biomass torrefaction and torrefied biomass
pyrolysis by TGA. Biosystems Engineering, 116, 4, 420-426. doi:
10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2013.10.003.
H. Lei*, I. Cybulska, J. Julson. 2013. Hydrothermal pretreatment of
lignocellulosic biomass and kinetics. Journal of Sustainable Bioenergy
Systems, 3(4): 250-259. doi: 10.4236/jsbs.2013.34034.
R. Zhou, H. Lei*, J. Julson. 2013. Reaction temperature and time and
particle size on switchgrass microwave pyrolysis and reaction kinetics.
International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 6(1): 5361. dio: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20130601.005.
R. Zhou, H. Lei*, J. Julson. 2013. The Effects of pyrolytic conditions on
microwave pyrolysis of prairie cordgrass and kinetics. Journal of Analytic
and Applied Pyrolysis, 101, 172-176. doi: 10.1016/j.jaap.2013.01.013.
Acknowledgements
 My research group members: Dr. Quan Bu, Dr. Iwona Cybulska, Dr. Shoujie Ren, Dr. Lu
Wang, Dr. Yi Wei, Dr. Rui Zhou, and Ms. Jing Liang, Mr. Yupeng Liu, Ms. Gayatri
Yadavalli, Ms. Di Yan, Mr. Xuesong Zhang, Mr. Lei Zhu, Mr. Charles Shaw
Collaborators: Dr. John Holladay, Dr. Rick Orth, Mr. Doug Elliott, Mr. Alan Zacher, Dr.
Ayman Karim, Dr. John Lee, Dr. James Julson, Dr. Katie Zhong, Dr. Roger Ruan, Dr. Gary
Fulcher, and many others.
Thank you!
prairieecothrifter.com