Biomass Group, Nanjing Agricultural University, PO Box 68, 40 Dianjiangtai Road, Nanjing 210031

Stainless steel catalyzed pyrolysis of waste oil: Biofuel production, catalyst regeneration and environmental assessment

Recently, Master graduate student Mr. Guo-qiang Zhu (currently a PhD student at City University of Hong Kong) supervised by Associate Prof. Lu-jiang Xu and Prof. Zhen Fang published a research article in Chemical Engineering Journal about stainless steel catalyzed pyrolysis of waste cooking oil.

Valorizing waste cooking oil into biofuels not only achieves renewable green fuels but mitigates waste disposal. Here, we demonstrate a catalytic pyrolysis process using novel regenerable austenitic stainless steel catalysts containing Fe (II) and Fe (III) active phases. Firstly, an activated SS catalyst with austenite Fe and metal oxides showed outstanding deoxygenation performance, directionally promoting the enrichment of alkene. And then, optimal pyrolysis conditions were investigated via response surface methodology and determined as temperature 550 °C, single catalyst layer and feeding rate 3 mL/h. Besides, catalyst exhibited exceptional cyclic stability over 10 consecutive cycles, attributed to its unique coke-mediated regeneration mechanism. Distinguished with active surface sites, the regenerated catalyst recovered the catalytic activity and made coke deposits form carbon nanotube structure where the regeneration mechanism was proposed in terms of experimental results and characteristics of coke and catalyst. Eventually, life cycle assessment was conducted stressing on the reduction of global warming potential and environment impact for whole process and sensitivity of key parameters. Overall, this work provides fundamental insights into coke-catalyst interactions while establishing an industrially viable pathway for sustainable biofuel production.

Related results were accepted in Chemical Engineering Journal：

Stainless steel catalyzed pyrolysis of waste oil to Biofuels

不锈钢催化废弃油脂热解：生物燃料生产、催化剂再生和环境评估

最近，硕士毕业生祝国强，现为香港城市大学在读博士研究生，在徐禄江副教授和方真教授的指导下，在国际学术期刊Chemical Engineering Journal (Q1, IF=13.2) 发表了一篇关于不锈钢催化废弃油脂热解的研究性论文。

将废弃食用油转化为生物燃料，不仅可以获得可再生的绿色燃料，还可以减少废物处理。本文展示了一种采用新型可再生奥氏体不锈钢催化剂的催化热解工艺，该催化剂含有 Fe(II) 和 Fe(III) 活性相。首先，含有奥氏体和金属氧化物的不锈钢催化剂表现出优异的脱氧性能，定向促进了烯烃的富集。然后，通过响应面法优化了最佳热解条件，确定了最优条件为温度 550 ℃、单层催化剂和进料速率 3 mL/h。此外，由于其独特的积炭介导再生机制，催化剂在连续 10 次循环中表现出优异的循环稳定性。由于活性表面位点的存在，再生催化剂恢复了催化活性，并使积炭沉积形成碳纳米管结构，并根据实验结果以及积炭和催化剂的表征结果提出了再生机理。最后，对整个工艺进行了生命周期评估，重点关注降低全流程的全球变暖潜能值和环境影响，以及关键参数的敏感性。这项研究为焦炭-催化剂相互作用提供了基础性见解，同时也为可持续生物燃料生产提供了重要途径。

结果发表在Chemical Engineering Journal：

G Zhu, H. Xu, J. Zhang, G. Xie, Z. Fang, L. Xu*. Stainless steel catalyzed pyrolysis of waste oil: Biofuel production, catalyst regeneration and environmental assessment. Chemical Engineering Journal（IF=13.2）(2025) 167020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.167020

BDE-Driven Sustainable Synthesis of Lignin-derived Hydroxybenzonitriles via Tandem Green Cyanation and Gas-phase Hydrodeoxygenation

Recently, PhD student Ge-liang Xie supervised by Dr. Lujiang Xu and Profs. Zhen Fang published a research paper on the sustainable synthesis of hydroxybenzonitrile from lignin-derived vanillin in the international academic journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.

Achieving high-value utilization of lignin through catalytic upgrading to produce nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds represents a key route for sustainable chemical production. Among these compounds, hydroxybenzonitriles (HBNs) are important fine chemicals widely used in pesticides, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and materials. Currently, they are primarily synthesized industrially via fossil fuel refining processes, which involve multiple steps, complex operations, and are unsustainable. Therefore, developing a method to synthesize HBNs from inexpensive and renewable raw materials is crucial.

Vanillin is the most industrially produced aromatic compound derived from the oxidative depolymerization of lignin. Studies using bond dissociation energy (BDE) analysis have determined that the cyano functional group can be selectively retained during the synthesis of hydroxybenzonitrile from vanillin (C≡N: 136.21 kcal/mol vs. C-O: 62.44–116.17 kcal/mol). Thus, HBNs can be sustainably prepared through a two-step process involving vanillin nitrilation and vapor-phase hydrodeoxygenation (HDO).

In the first step, vanillin was converted to vanillonitrile under a green H₂O/HCOOH system and mild conditions (85 °C, 12 hours), achieving a high yield of 99.2 mol%—superior to that obtained using the traditional DMF system. In the second step, during the continuous vapor-phase HDO of vanillonitrile, a modified Mo/TiO₂ catalyst with triple functionalities (oxygen vacancies, appropriate Mo⁵⁺ content, and strong metal–support interactions) achieved a 57.6% HBN yield, outperforming Mo/ZrO₂. Owing to the enhanced metal–support interactions, this catalyst retained 90% of its initial activity after eight cycles. This study establishes a sustainable route for converting lignin into chemicals and advances the development of catalyst design principles for biomass upgrading.Publication:

GL Xie, Y Cao, SR Li, QQ Lu, W Chen, S Gao, W Qiu, C He, Z Fang, LJ Xu, BDE-Driven Sustainable Synthesis of Lignin-Derived Hydroxybenzonitriles via Tandem Green Cyanation and Gas-Phase Hydrodeoxygenation. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2025, 13 (32), 13030-13041. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c04554

基于BDE的木质素衍生羟基苯甲腈的可持续合成：通过串联绿色氰化和气相加氢脱氧

最近，博士生谢葛亮在徐禄江副教授和方真教授的指导下，在国际学术期刊ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (Q1; Impact factor: 7.3)上发表了一篇关于木质素衍生物香草醛可持续合成羟基苯甲腈的研究性论文。

Synthesis of Lignin-derived Hydroxybenzonitriles via Tandem Green Cyanation and Gas-phase Hydrodeoxygenation木质素基香草醛串联腈化与气相加氢脱氧合成羟基苯甲腈

通过催化升级木质素生成含氮芳香化合物的途径，实现木质素的高值化利用，是可持续化学品生产的关键途径。其中，羟基苯甲腈（HBNs）是广泛应用于农药、医药、染料和材料等的重要精细化学品，目前工业上主要通过化石冶炼合成，该过程步骤多、操作复杂且不可持续。因此，开发一种使用廉价且可再生原料合成HBNs的方法至关重要。

香草醛是目前通过木质素的氧化解聚在工业规模上生产最多的芳香族化合物，研究通过键解离能（BDE）分析确定了香草醛到羟基苯甲腈的合成过程中氰基官能团可以被选择性保留（C≡N: 136.21 kcal/mol vs C-O: 62.44-116.17 kcal/mol），因此通过香草醛的腈化和气相加氢脱氧（HDO）两步实现羟基苯甲腈的可持续制备。

在第一步香草醛合成香草腈的实验中，研究在绿色的H₂O/HCOOH体系和温和条件下（85°C，12小时）获得了高产率香草腈（99.2 mol%），优于传统的DMF体系方法。在第二步香草腈的连续气相HDO中，经过改造的Mo/TiO₂催化剂具有三重功能（氧空位、适量的Mo⁵⁺、强金属-载体相互作用），实现了57.6%的HBN产率，性能优于Mo/ZrO₂。由于增强的金属-载体相互作用，该催化剂在8个循环后仍保持90%的初始活性。本研究建立了可持续的木质素转化为化学品的路线，推动了生物质催化剂设计原则的发展。

详情可见：

GL Xie, Y Cao, SR Li, QQ Lu, W Chen, S Gao, W Qiu, C He, Z Fang, LJ Xu, BDE-Driven Sustainable Synthesis of Lignin-Derived Hydroxybenzonitriles via Tandem Green Cyanation and Gas-Phase Hydrodeoxygenation. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2025, 13 (32), 13030-13041. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c04554

One-step valorization of cellulose acetate plastic waste into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Recently, Dr. Chunxiao Gong (Associate Professor), together with Prof. Shuai Li (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) and Dr Qixuan Lin (South China University of Technology) proposed a one-step method to convert cellulose acetate (CA) plastic waste into the high-value chemical 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The research, titled “One-step valorization of cellulose acetate plastic waste into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural”, was published in Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy (IF:21.1). Dr. Chunxiao Gong is the first author, while Profs. Zhen Fang, Shuai Li and Dr Qixuan Lin are the corresponding authors.

Cellulose acetate (CA) is a widely used cellulose derivative, commonly applied in cigarette filters, textiles, and plastics. The extensive use of CA-based products generates large amounts of plastic waste. Due to its low biodegradability, CA has become a “hidden source of pollution,” persisting in the environment for more than 10 years, with degradation rates decreasing sharply as the degree of acetylation increases. This poses severe environmental challenges.

In this study, using AlCl₃ as the sole catalyst in an acetone–water solvent system at 160 °C for 50 minutes, CA was converted into HMF with a yield of 53.7%, which is three times that of untreated cellulose. When real waste materials (cigarette filters and CA fabrics) were used as feedstocks, the HMF yield also exceeded 50%. This technique provides a feasible route for the upcycling of CA plastic waste.

The in-situ generated acetic acid synergistically interacted with AlCl₃, where acetic acid coordinated with Al(III) to regulate Lewis acidity, suppressing side reactions and promoting the fructose dehydration pathway. Meanwhile, the acetyl groups in the CA structure enhanced interactions with acetone solvent, further improving reaction selectivity. The process was equally effective for real CA waste (e.g., cigarette filters, fabrics), demonstrating strong application potential. Compared to previous studies on cellulose conversion to HMF, this system achieved high efficiency under milder conditions and with lower catalyst loading, offering a new pathway for the valorization of CA plastic waste.

Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that CA’s acetyl groups form noncovalent interactions with acetone molecules. Acetone preferentially surrounds the C1 and C4 positions of CA, preventing unnecessary protonation at these sites and thereby reducing byproduct formation (e.g., humins). The interaction energy (ΔE) between a CA monomer and acetone reached 15.04 kcal/mol, while that between a cellulose disaccharide monomer and acetone was only 7.76 kcal/mol, showing a significant difference. During the reaction, acetic acid released from deacetylation further participated in catalysis, working synergistically with AlCl₃ to promote HMF formation.

Results published in Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy:

C Gong, Z Ju, Q Lin, X Lv, RL Smith Jr, L Xu, Y Cao, L Shuai, Zhen Fang, Z, One-step valorization of cellulose acetate plastic waste into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy, 2026, 381, 125880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.125880

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醋酸纤维素塑料废弃物一步法转化为5-羟甲基糠醛

近期，团队成员龚春晓副教授联合福建农林大学帅李教授、华南理工大学博士林琦璇提出一步法将CA塑料废物转化为高价值化学品5-羟甲基糠醛（HMF）。研究以“One-step valorization of cellulose acetate plastic waste into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural”为题发表于Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy (IF:21.1)。龚春晓副教授为第一作者，方真教授、福建农林大学帅李教授、华南理工大学博士林琦璇为通讯作者。

Production of HMF from CA plastic waste醋酸纤维素塑料废弃物一步法转化为5-羟甲基糠醛

醋酸纤维素(CA)是一种用途广泛的纤维素衍生物，广泛应用于香烟滤嘴、纺织品和塑料等消费品。醋酸纤维素类产品的广泛使用产生了大量塑料废弃物，CA的低生物降解性使其成为一种“隐性污染源”，可在环境中可能存留超过10年，且降解速度随着乙酰化程度的升高而大幅下降，带来严峻的环境挑战。

本研究使用AlCl₃作为单一催化剂，在丙酮-水溶剂系统中160°C、50分钟条件下，CA转化为HMF产率达53.7%，是未处理纤维素的3倍；当以真实废弃物（香烟滤嘴、CA织物）作为原料时，HMF产率均超过50%。这项技术为CA塑料废物的升级回收提供了可行途径。

原位生成的乙酸与AlCl₃协同催化作用，乙酸通过与Al(III)形成配位络合物调节路易斯酸性，抑制副反应并促进果糖脱水路径；CA结构的乙酰基则通过增强与丙酮溶剂的相互作用进一步提高反应选择性。该工艺对真实CA废弃物（香烟滤嘴、织物等）同样有效，展现出良好的应用潜力。与前期纤维素制备HMF研究相比，该体系在更低催化剂用量、更温和条件下实现了高效制备HMF，为CA塑料废弃物的高值化利用提供了新途径。

通过分子动力学模拟发现：CA的乙酰基与丙酮分子发生更强的非共价相互作用，丙酮优先围绕在CA的C1和C4位置，阻止了这些部位发生不必要的质子化，从而减少了副产物（如腐殖质）的生成；CA单体与丙酮之间的相互作用能量（ΔE）达15.04 kcal/mol，而纤维素单体纤维二糖与丙酮仅为7.76 kcal/mol，显示出显著差异；反应过程中，乙酰基脱落生成的醋酸进一步参与催化，和AlCl₃形成协同作用，促进HMF生成。

结果发表在Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy:

C Gong, Z Ju, Q Lin, X Lv, RL Smith Jr, L Xu, Y Cao, L Shuai, Zhen Fang, Z, One-step valorization of cellulose acetate plastic waste into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy, 2026, 381, 125880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.125880

Profs. Richard Smith and Janusz Kozinski （Smith教授和 Kozinski院士）

NJAU – International Virtual Conference on Sustainable Processing of Biomass and Biogenic Matter

Sustainable processing of biomass is one of the driving forces in the 21st century for generating carbon-neutral biofuels and multi-functional bioproducts. The International Virtual Conference dedicated to this field provides crucial platforms for exchanging ideas and disseminating knowledge regarding innovative technologies. These technologies focus on converting various biomass resources into biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials, while simultaneously fostering positive socio-economic impacts. The Conference served as a forum to present, discuss, and debate global and local challenges, opportunities, and future novel processes in this rapidly evolving sector.

Organization Committee

Chair: Professor & Dean Janusz A. Kozinski (Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, FCAE), Lakehead University, Canada

Co-chair: Professor Zhen Fang (FCAE), Nanjing Agricultural University, China

Secretaries:  Nanjing Agricultural University Associate Prof. Yang Cao and Dr. Lin Chen

Online Meeting Screenshot

Prof. Zhen Fang and other experts (方老师和专家们)

Experts and Guests （专家和嘉宾）

Questioning （提问）

Details can be seen:

Video link:

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV17Cb8zqEJN/?vd_source=4434644631de05400f9175161d843d8b

Lectures:

1. Hydrothermal technology for sustainable food-energy-water nexus

Prof. Zhi-dan Liu (China Agricultural University, Beijing)

2. Fundamentals of Solvothermal and Hydrothermal Fluids for Biomass Valorization

Prof. Richard Smith (Tohoku University, Japan)

3. Sugar-platform biorefinery: catalytic conversion of carbohydrates into platform chemicals

Prof. Charles Xu (City University of Hong Kong)

4. Hydrothermal carbonization of highly wet organic waste streams: a sustainable circular economy approach from sewage sludge to SAF

Prof. Iskender Gokalp (Middle East University, Turkey)

5. Lignin-Based Micro/Nano Systems for Pesticide Encapsulation and Controlled Release

Prof. Hongliang Wang (China Agricultural University)

6. Comprehensive investigation of hydrogen generation from agricultural residues by supercritical water gasification process

Prof. Ajay Dalai (USAK, Canada) together with Dr. Kapil Khandelwal

7. Focused Perspectives on Waste Valorization, Net Zero Targets and Decarbonization

Dr. Sonil Nanda (Canada research Chair, tier 2, Dalhousie, Canada)

8. SCW gasification of organic wastes: batch versus continuous processing (a multi-university journey from lab world to real world)

Dr. Richard Newbold (Supercritical-H₂O, USA)

9. In-situ hydrothermal gasification of waste towards circular economy

Prof. Mohan Reddy (IIT-Roorkee, India)

10. Supercritical carbon dioxide assisted dissolution/extraction and heat transfer characteristics of the mixture fluid flow

Prof. Lin Chen (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

11. Open Forum – Discussion

Chaired by Prof. Janusz A Kozinski and Prof. Zhen Fang

南京农业大学成功举办“生物质可持续利用国际在线会议”

生物质资源的可持续加工是21世纪推动碳中和生物燃料及多功能生物制品发展的核心驱动力之一。为促进该领域前沿成果交流，2025年8月12日，由南京农业大学主办的“生物质可持续资源利用国际在线会议”成功召开。本次会议聚焦“生物质和生物质特性物质的可持续处理”主题，旨在搭建国际交流平台，分享创新技术，探讨未来发展。

会议由加拿大湖首大学Janusz A. Kozinski院士和南京农业大学方真院士共同担任主席。会议汇聚了来自加拿大、美国、印度、日本、法国、中国香港及内地的顶尖学者，围绕如何高效转化各类生物质资源为生物燃料、生物化学品和生物材料，以及相关的全球性、区域性挑战、机遇和未来创新流程等议题，进行了深度研讨。南京农业大学曹阳副教授和陈林博士共同担任大会秘书。会上，十位国际知名专家带来了精彩纷呈的学术报告：中国农业大学刘志丹教授、日本东北大学Richard Smith教授、香港城市大学Charles Chunbao Xu院士、土耳其中东大学Iskender Gokalp教授（法国国家科学研究中心CNRS燃烧研究所前所长）、中国农业大学王洪亮教授、加拿大萨斯喀彻温大学Ajay Dalai院士、加拿大戴尔豪斯大学Sonil Nanda助理教授（加拿大国家青年讲席教授）、美国超临界水公司Richard Newbold博士、印度理工学院鲁基分校Mohan Reddy教授、中国科学院工程热物理研究所陈林教授等，各位报告人分享了他们在生物质处理领域的最新研究进展与突破。会议尾声，Janusz A. Kozinski院士和方真院士共同主持了开放研讨会，与会专家学者就热点问题展开了热烈讨论。

演讲录像：

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV17Cb8zqEJN/?vd_source=4434644631de05400f9175161d843d8b

NJAU – Virtual Conference – 12 August 2025 – Program Signatures

 Profs. Kozinski and Fang visiting bioenergy enterprises in Mingguang City

On July 22, 2025, in the morning at 7:50 am, the sky being clear with white clouds floating in the blue sky, Profs. Kozinski and Zhen Fang drove to Mingguang City close to Nanjing with great joy and arrived at the highway exit in 1 hour and 20 minutes, meeting Dr. Weiwei Liu of Bioenergy Team (Anhui Agricultural University, AAU) and leaders of the city. After 10 minutes, they arrived at Sanjie Town Bioenergy Industrial Park.

Accompanied by the Municipal leaders, Mr. Wei Shi (Vice Director of the Organization Department of Party Committee) and Mr. Daoju Jiang (Director of the Science and Technology Bureau), as well as Mr. Zhenguo Li (Secretary of the Party Committee of Town), all experts visited Anhui Yinxie Technology Co., Ltd. (Deep Green Energy), Anhui Charcoal High tech Group Co., Ltd., and Guohuan (Chuzhou) Biomass Energy Technology Co., Ltd. in the park, respectively, and had discussions with the enterprises to explore specific problems that the enterprises need to solve.

During a discussion with Mr. Yingmin Dong (owner of Yinxie Technology), Profs. Kozinski and Fang believed that the company’s main products, biomass pellet fuel and activated carbon, make significant contributions to the national low-carbon economy and local economy. They hope that the company can achieve profitability and sustainable development. During the discussion, Mr. Dong presented to everyone the packaging board made from biomass compression, which happened to be compatible with the adhesive free straw-board developed by the Biomass Group of Nanjing Agricultural University (NJAU). Both parties expressed a strong desire for cooperation.

During the visit to Charcoal High tech Group, everyone was very interested in their research and development of continuous feeding and discharging carbonization equipment, and hoped that another production line would be put into operation and profitable as soon as possible.

At Guohuan (Chuzhou) Biomass Energy Company, there is a strong interest in the largest traditional charcoal kilns in China. Prof. Fang strongly recommended building it as a patriotic education base and applying for intangible cultural heritage protection.

At noon, Profs. Kozinski and Fang met with Mr. Jianguo Dong, the director of Organization of Mingguang Party Committee, and Mr. Qihao Zhu, the Deputy Mayor. They suggested strengthening the practical cooperation among NJAU, AAU, and Mingguang City, especially the establishment of research groups in enterprises. At the same time, Vice Mayor Mr. Qihao Zhu strongly expressed that he would strengthen cooperation with sister city St Adele City in Canada, Prof. Kozinski stated that he hoped a close collaboration between the two cities and invited a visit to Lakehead University.

After lunch, without stopping, Profs. Kozinski and Fang, and their delegation were invited by Mr. Lu Liu, Director of AAU Mingguang Tech Transfer Center (Wandong Comprehensive Experimental Station) to visit and discuss at the experimental station. Everyone expressed that the facilities and space of the experimental station are very complete, and the AAU Bioenergy team and NJAU Biomass group can conduct some experiments at this experimental station. The AAU Bioenergy team will apply the biochar developed by them and the ash fertilizer from local biomass power plants in experimental fields. At 4:00 pm, Profs. Kozinski and Fang embarked on their return journey and arrived at the hotel and residence at 5:30 pm, while the AAU Bioenergy team continued their tour to explore ash treatment from a local bioenergy power plant after combustion.

In the scorching summer of nearly 40 degrees Celsius, there is a group of people working-hard silently. Prof. Fang completed the plan he had set for himself, and his heart was filled with immense joy. In order to reward himself, the excise under the red flag on the track in NJAU was suspended for one day. This time, Prof. Fang did not get tanned because he wore a face mask,  sunglasses and the LV Little Red Riding Hood gifted by Prof. Konzinski. Ms. Chen praised herself effort and the hood by Prof. Konzinski, and Prof. Fang finally felt at ease. It is so touching that Prof. Konzinski, despite the scorching heat, always wore suits and leather shoes without any sunscreen equipment to show respect for local businesses and officials. After returning to the hotel, he persisted in brisk walking and weightlifting exercises for decades. During the visit, Prof. Konzinski kept asking questions (Can I make comments?), and Prof. Fang deeply realized that UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMMUNICATION, INNOVATING FROM QUESTIONING.

A few days later, on a rainy afternoon at 7:00 pm, Prof. Fang was the only one running on the wet track. After the rain, in the oxygen-rich breeze, under the sound of cicadas and the moonlight transmitted through the faint clouds, Prof. Fang suddenly realized how colorful life is. He is always having a brave heart! As suggested by Prof. Kozinski,  always be prepared and look forward to next year’s Skywalker in Toronto CN Tower challenge. Prof. Fang‘s childhood favorite summer is coming to an end, and he is looking forward to the cool autumn harvest.

Prof. Janusz A Kozinski, Engineering Dean at Lakehead, a world well-known scientist in renewable energy, is Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Board member of the Academy, he severed as Associate Vice-principal of McGill, Founding President, Hereford University of Technology and Engineering (UK), Engineering Dean at U Saskatchewan and York.

Kozinski和方真教授访问安徽明光市生物能源企业寻求合作

2025年7月22日上午7：50 am，天空晴朗，蓝蓝的天空飘着白云，Kozinski和方真教授怀着无比喜悦的心晴驱车前往安徽明光市，1小时20分到达高速出口和安徽农大生物能源团队刘伟伟博士等4人以及市镇领导会合，10分后直达三界镇生物能源产业园。

在市委领导史卫组织部副部长、姜道巨科技局局长和李振国镇党委书记陪同下，分别走访园区安徽银蝎科技股份有限公司，安徽炭元高新科技集团有限公司和国环（滁州）生物质能源技术有限公司并和企业进座谈，探讨企业具体要解决的问题。

在和银蝎科技董应民董事长讨论中，Kozinski和方真老师认为公司主要产品生物质颗粒燃料和活性炭对国家低碳经济和当地经济很大贡献，希望企业能够盈利和持续发展。讨论中，董总向大家呈现了生物质压制的包装板材，刚好和南京农业大学生物能源组研制的无任何粘合剂的秸秆板材契合，双方表示强烈的合作愿望。

在炭元高新科技集团参访中，大家对其研发的连续进出料的碳化设备很感兴趣，希望另一条生产线尽快投产盈利。在国环（滁州）生物质能源公司，大家对国内最大的传统烧炭窑炉表现出浓厚的兴趣，方真老师强烈建议将其建为爱国主义教育基地并申请非物质遗产保护。

中午会见了明光市组织部长董建国和副市长朱其昊，大家建议加强南京农大，安徽农大和明光市的实际合作，特别是研究组进驻企业。同时，朱其昊副市长强烈表示加强和加拿大姐妹城市圣.阿黛尔市合作，Kozinski院士表示将向圣.阿黛尔市转达并邀请顺访湖首大学。

午饭后，马不停蹄，Kozinski和方真老师一行，应安徽农大明光现推中心（皖东综合试验站）刘路主任邀请，到试验站参访和座谈。大家表示，试验站设施和空间很完善，安农生物能源团队和南农生物能源组可将部分实验在该试验站进行。安农生物能源团队将对对其研制的生物炭以及当地生物质电厂灰分肥在实验田的应用。下午4点，Kozinski和方真院士踏上返程，5：30 pm到达宾馆和住家，而安农生物能源团队继续前往生物能源电厂探讨燃烧后灰分处理。

在近40摄氏度的盛夏，有这样一群人在默默地辛勤工作。方老师完成了自己设定的计划，心中充满无比的欢乐。为了奖励自己，田径场红旗下的练习暂停一天。这次方老师没有晒黑，因为带上了面罩，墨镜和Konzinski院士送的LV猛龙队小红帽，陈老师自己表扬了自己以及Konzinski院士的红帽，方老师终于放心了。令人感动的是，Konzinski院士不畏酷热，为了表示对当地企业和官员的尊重，始终西装革履不带任何防晒设备。回宾馆饭后，他还坚持几十年如一日的快走和举重练习。参访中，Konzinski院士始终不断地提出问题（Can I make comments?），方老师深深体会到：UNDERSTANDING VIA COMMUNICATION, INNOVATION FROM QUESTIONING (在交流中理解，质疑中创新)。

几天后，某一雨后下午7 pm点，湿漉漉的田径场跑道就方老师一人练习。雨后富氧微风中，在知了声中和微暗云层透射的月光下，慢跑中的方老师突然发现生命是如此多彩, “I am always having a brave heart!”。如Kozinski院士的建议，时刻准备着，还看明年Skywalker in Toronto CN Tower挑战。方老师儿时最喜欢的盛夏即将过去，正期盼凉爽秋季的收获。

Janusz A. Kozinski院士是国际可再生能源领域权威学者，加拿大工程院院士和工程院主席团成员，注册工程师，现任湖首大学工学院院长和教授，历任加拿大麦吉尔大学研究副校长助理、英国赫里福德科技工程大学创建校长、约克大学理工学院院长和工学院创建院长、萨斯喀彻温大学工学院院长等。

银蝎科技生物质颗粒燃料和活性炭, Yinxie Technology biomass pellet fuel and activated carbon

银蝎科技生物质颗粒燃料和活性炭, Yinxie Technology for biomass pellet fuel and activated carbon

银蝎科技生物质颗粒燃料和活性炭, Yinxie Technology for biomass pellet fuel and activated carbon

炭元高新科技连续进出料的碳化设备, Charcoal High tech Group for Carbonization equipment for continuous feeding and discharging of Charcoal

国环（滁州）生物质能源公司传统烧炭窑炉, Guohuan (Chuzhou) Biomass Energy Company with largest traditional charcoal kilns in China

国环（滁州）生物质能源公司传统烧炭窑炉, Guohuan (Chuzhou) Biomass Energy Company with largest traditional charcoal kilns in China

安徽农大明光现推中心座谈，discussion in AAU Mingguang Tech Transfer Center

安徽农大明光现推中心试验地, field in AAU Mingguang Tech Transfer Center

安徽农大明光现推中心合影, group photo in AAU Mingguang Tech Transfer Center