Green coal and lubricant via hydrogen-free hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass

Maojiong Cao; Reaihan E; Changbin Yuan; Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl; Yuanhui Zhang; Charles Chunbao Xu; Yulong Wu; Deliang Kong; Yingxian Wang; Jiaming Li; Zhidan Liu

doi:10.1038/s41467-025-56037-z

Nature Communications (Jan 2025)

Green coal and lubricant via hydrogen-free hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass

Maojiong Cao,
Reaihan E,
Changbin Yuan,
Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl,
Yuanhui Zhang,
Charles Chunbao Xu,
Yulong Wu,
Deliang Kong,
Yingxian Wang,
Jiaming Li,
Zhidan Liu

Affiliations

Maojiong Cao: Laboratory of Environment-Enhancing Energy (E2E), College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University
Reaihan E: Laboratory of Environment-Enhancing Energy (E2E), College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University
Changbin Yuan: Laboratory of Environment-Enhancing Energy (E2E), College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University
Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl: Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University
Yuanhui Zhang: Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Charles Chunbao Xu: School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong
Yulong Wu: Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University
Deliang Kong: Laboratory of Environment-Enhancing Energy (E2E), College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University
Yingxian Wang: College of Agricultural Equipment Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology
Jiaming Li: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering
Zhidan Liu: Laboratory of Environment-Enhancing Energy (E2E), College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56037-z
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 16, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract Biocrude derived from biomass via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a sustainable substitute for petroleum to obtain energy and biochemicals. Upgrading biocrude inevitably faces the trade-off between consuming large amounts of hydrogen via hydrotreating and high yield of solid residue without additional hydrogen. In this work, we report a non-hydrogenated refinery paradigm for nearly complete valorization (~90%), via co-generating green coal and bio-lubricant. The obtained green coal has higher heating values comparable to commercial coals, with a lower fuel ratio and reduced ash content. Viscosity of upgraded vacuum distillate is comparable to that of a lubricant oil. A life cycle assessment confirms 28% reduction in greenhouse gas emission and 35% reduction in energy input of this paradigm compared with conventional hydrotreating biorefinery. This approach presents an environmentally friendly, safe and convenient paradigm for biocrude refining from huge biowaste towards carbon-neutral society.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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