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 and Zhidan Liu ()
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Maojiong Cao: China Agricultural University
Reaihan E: China Agricultural University
Changbin Yuan: China Agricultural University
Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl: Aalborg University
Yuanhui Zhang: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Charles Chunbao Xu: City University of Hong Kong
Yulong Wu: Tsinghua University
Deliang Kong: China Agricultural University
Yingxian Wang: Henan University of Science and Technology
Jiaming Li: Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering
Zhidan Liu: China Agricultural University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56037-z

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