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, bio-jet 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)

 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 liquid-liquid 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)
Dr. Hanwu Lei’s Group

Biomass Pyrolysis
Conventional Pyrolysis:
Microwave Pyrolysis:
Biomass
Size reduction
required <1mm
Drying Fast/Flash Pyrolysis Bio-oil
Bio-gas
Bio-char
Biomass
Size reduction
Not Required
Microwave Pyrolysis Bio-oil
Bio-gas
Bio-char
Biomass has to be dried
before fast/flash pyrolysis
Wet biomass can be used

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

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
Energy Consumed in Drying

Biomass size
reduction (1mm)
1600 kJ/kg
Drying required to
provide energy at 80%
efficiency raising to
140°C
561.53 kJ/kg
(wet)
Raising temp of dry
biomass to 500°C
at 90% efficiency
1116.78 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)
3278.31 kJ/kg
(wet)
Biomass size
reduction
0 kJ/kg
Drying and raising
temp to 177°C
55.56+666.67
=722.23
kJ/kg
(wet)
Raising temp of dried
biomass to 500°C
777.78 kJ/ 0.92
kg (dry)
Maintaining temp and
pyrolysis
311.11 kJ/ 0.92
kg (dry)
Total (1 kg wet
biomass with 8%
water content)
1811.11 kJ/kg
(wet)
Microwave pyrolysis Conventional pyrolysis
Microwave vs Conventional: Energy Comparison
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 In Mass Out
Douglas fir pellets
(kg)
Syngas (scf) Bio oil (kg) Bio Char (kg)
1,000 4,073 550 300
Energy In Energy Out
Douglas fir
pellets
Electricity Syngas Bio oil Bio Char
Unit Btu
17,621
(Btu/kg)
3340
(Btu/kwh)
335 (Btu/scf)
17,061
(Btu/kg)
28,435
(Btu/kg)
Sub-total
Btu
17,621,000
540*3340kwh
=1,804,012
1,364,589 9,383,388 8,530,353
Mass / energy balances of microwave pyrolysis for Douglas fir pellets
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
Bio-oil yield is about 60% based on dry Douglas fir pellets

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
 Water is reduced
 Hemicellulose is decomposed, cellulose
and lignin are partial decomposed
 O/C ratio is decreased
 Heating value is increased
Yang H. et al., Characteristics of hemicellulose, cellulose and
lignin pyrolysis. Fuel, 2007, 86: 1781–1788
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
  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 bio-oil 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.
shoulder

Torrefied Biomass Pyrolysis
Cellulose
Lignin
Torrefied
biomass
furans
Char + gases
+ CH4
catalysis
O-CH3 homolysis
hydrogenation
+ gases + char
Phenol, 2-methoxy-4-methyl- 1,2-Benzenediol

Overview Processes in Dr. Lei’s Group
Lignocellulosic
biomass
Microwave pyrolysis
Torrefaction
Pyrolysis bio-oil
Char
Syngas
Activated carbon
Biofuels
(i.e. gasoline, jet fuel)
Substitute of petroleum-based
phenols as for chemical industry
(i.e. phenol formaldehyde resin, bio-plastics)
Catalysis/Catalytic upgrading
Purification/separation
Chemical feedstocks
(i.e. aromatics, phenols)
Carbon catalysts
Organosolv fractionation Hydrothermal/hot water pretreatment

Aromatics
Cellulose
Hemicelluloses
Lignin
DF
Zeolite
Catalysis
Zeolite assisted
demethoxylation
Dehydration
Depolymerization
Catalyst assisted
dehydration
Depolymerization
Ethers, Alcohols,
Ketones, Aldehydes
Decarboxylation
Decarbonylation
Oligimerization

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
H2C CH A CH2
R1
H2C CH CH CH2
R1
H2C CH CH CH2
R2
R2
HC CH2 n
R
HC CH2
n
R
n
H2
+
n n
R2
R1 +
LDPE H2C CH R
R R
H2C CH CH CH2
R
R
H2
n
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.
Component
(v %)
Crude
oil
Fuel Oil
#6
Diesel Fuel
Marine
(DFM)
Jet fuels
Naval
Distillate
Fuels, F-76
US
Gasoline
Brazil
Gasoline
Kuwait
Gasoline
Russia
Gasoline
Saturates 58-61 21.1 12 75% 45.8-69.0 38 28.7 14.4 34.5
Aromatics 33-36 78.9 88 25% 29.0-53.8 62 71.3 85.6 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.
Aromatics in chemical refined petroleum fuels

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)

 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)
Opportunity for Utilizing Lignin
Holladay et al., 2007
Possible lignin transformation technologies

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.
Lignin-to-phenols Mechanism
CH3
H3C SH
CH3
lignin
OH
H3C
H (or lignin)
OH
OH3C
1
2
4
3 5
6
α
β
γ
Low temperature
Intermediate(Polyaromatics)
β-O-4 ,C-C cleavage
>400°C
Volatile + Char
C + H2O CH4 + H2O CO + H2O
CO + H2
Hydrogenolysis,HDO
Decarboxylation, DME, DMO

0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
MRX DARCO-
830
1240PLUS GAC830
PLUS
No AC
Chemical
composition
by
GC/MS
analysis(%)
Acids
Sugars
Ketones/aldehy
des
Guaiacols
Phenols
Hydrocarbons
Alcohols
Furans
Ester
Others
GC/MS Analysis of Phenols Enriched Bio-oils
 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
 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
OH
OCH3
R
decarbonylation
dealkylation
OH
OCH3
DME
DMO
alkylation
OH OH OH OH OH
R: H, CH3, CHO, C2H5

Phenols
• 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 tonne.
N. Smolarski. 2012
Phenolic Resins

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 microwave-assisted
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
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
C/C0
Minutes
CM1
CM2
CM3
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/the-influence-of-biochar-production-
on-herbicide-sorption-characteristics.

Liquid-Liquid Extraction
 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.
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.

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:
 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?
Organic
phase
Aqueous
phase
Lignin precipitated
Organic
phase
Aqueous
phase
Cellulose after clean fractionation

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): 53-61. 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!
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