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DR. HANWU LEI Biofuels, Bioproducts & Thermochemical Catalysis Lab

Biofuels & Bioproducts

Jet Fuels:

  • X. Zhang, H. Lei*, L. Zhu, M. Qian, J. C. Chan, X. Zhu, Y. Liu, G. Yadavalli, D Yan, L. Wang, Q. Bu, Y. Wei, J. Wu, S. Chen.  2016. Development of a catalytically green route from diverse lignocellulosic biomasses to renewable cycloalkanes for jet fuels. Catalysis Science & Technology. doi:10.1039/C5CY01623A.
  • X. Zhang, H. Lei*, L. Zhu, M. Qian, X. Zhu J. Wu, S. Chen. 2016. Enhancement of jet fuel range alkanes from co-feeding of lignocellulosic biomass with plastics via tandem catalytic conversions. Applied Energy. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.04.071.
  • X. Zhang, H. Lei*, L. Zhu, Y. Liu, G. Yadavalli, D Yan, X. Zhu, J. Chin, M. Qian. 2016. Synthesis of high energy-density jet fuel from plastics via catalytically integral processes. RSC advances, 6: 6154-6163. doi: 10.1039/c5ra25327f.
  • X. Zhang, H. Lei*, L. Zhu, J. Wu, S. Chen. 2015. From intact biomass to renewable cycloalkanes for jet fuels. Green Chemistry, 17: 4736-4747. doi:10.1039/C5GC01583A.
  • X. Zhang, H. Lei*, L. Wang, L. Zhu, Y. Wei, Y. Liu, G. Yadavalli, D. Yan. 2015. Renewable gasoline-range aromatics and hydrogen-enriched fuel gas from biomass via catalytic microwave-induced pyrolysis. Green Chemistry. 17: 4029-4036. doi: 10.1039/C5GC00516G.
  • 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. Fuel,160:375-385. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2015.08.006.

Biofuels:

  • 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.
  • 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.

Algae and Algae Related Biofuels:

  • Hu, W. Zhou, M. Min, Z. Du, P. Chen, X. Ma, Y.  Liu, H. Lei, J. Shi, R.  Ruan. 2013. Development of an effective acidogenically digested swine manure-based algal system for improved wastewater treatment and biofuel and feed production. Applied Energy, 107, 255-263. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.02.033.
  • 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

Nanocellulose:

  • M. Qian, H. Lei*, Y. Zhao, C. Wang, E. Huo, Q. Zhang, W. Mateo, X. Lin, X. Kong, R. Zou. 2020. High yield production of nanocrystalline cellulose by microwave-assisted dilute-acid pretreatment combined with enzymatic hydrolysis. Chemical Engineering and Processing – Process Intensification, 160, 108292. doi: 10.1016/j.cep.2020.108292.
  • Y. Zhao, H. Lei*, Y. Liu, R. Ruan, M. Qian, E. Huo, Q. Zhang, Z. Huang, X. Lin, C. Wang, W. Mateo, E. M. Villota. 2020. Microwave-assisted Synthesis of Bifunctional Magnetic Solid Acid for Hydrolyzing Cellulose to Prepare Nanocellulose. Science of the Total Environment, 731, 138751. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138751.

Aromatics:

  • 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.

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

Hydrogen:

  • 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Bio-Polyurethane Foam (PUF) and Bio-Adhesives:

  • L. Gao, Y. Liu, H. Lei*, H. Peng, R. Ruan*. 2010. Preparation of semirigid polyurethane foam (PUF) with liquefied bamboo residues. J. Applied Polymer Sci. 116, 1694–1699.
  • J. Wu, Y. Wang, Y. Wan, H. Lei*, F. Yu, Y. Liu, P. Chen, L. Yang, R. Ruan*. 2009. Processing and properties of rigid polyurethane foams based on bio-oils from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of corn stover. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 2(1): 40-50.
  • Y. Liu, Y. Wan, H. Lei, R. Ruan*, C. Liu, X. Lin, M. Xie, H. Peng, D. Zheng. 2008. Starch based polyester type water resistant wood adhesive. Transactions of the CSAE 24(9): 309-312

Fuel ethanol:

  • 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.

Biodiesel:

  • Y. Gao, W. Chen, H. Lei*, Y. Liu, X. Lin, R. Ruan*. 2011. Optimization of transesterification conditions for the production of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) from Chinese tallow kernel oil with a nano magnetic catalyst. Trans. ASABE. 54(3): 1169-1174.
  • Y. Gao, W. Chen, H. Lei*, X. Lin, R. Ruan*, C. Chen. 2009. Optimization of esterification conditions for the production of biodiesel from Chinese tallow kernel oil with surfactant-coated lipase using surface response methodology.Biomass and Bioenergy 33(2): 277-282.