A paper was published in Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews

28 1 月, 2019

Levoglucosan and Its Hydrolysates via Fast Pyrolysis of Lignocellulose for Microbial Biofuels.

Recently, Dr. LQ Jiang (Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, CAS) and Prof. Zhen Fang, collaborated with Prof.  ZL Zhao (Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion), published a review paper in Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews about Fast Pyrolysis for Microbial Biofuels. Fast pyrolysis, which is comparable with the enzyme or acid hydrolysis, should be considered for further development for fermentable levoglucosan (LG) production. This manuscript offers a broad review of the current status and future research perspectives of LG and its hydrolysates production from lignocellulosic biomass by fast pyrolysis for fermentation. The utilization, distribution and formation paths of LG from cellulose are presented.In consideration of the complexity of cellulose structure and lignocellulosic components, the influence of the major individual components (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash) and the structural properties (particle size,degree of polymerization and crystallinity) on the LG formation are reviewed. Aiming to further improve the yield of LG and the fermentability of pyrolysate, a number of pretreatment methods (e.g. hot-water pretreatment,acid pretreatment, acid impregnation) prior to fast pyrolysis, hydrolysis of LG and detoxification before fermentation, and microbial production of valuable products are also discussed in detail. At last, a brief conclusion for the challenge in this topic is provided. The low content of LG and the presentence of inhibitors to biocatalysts in the pyrolysate of lignocelluloses hamper the fermentable utilization of pyrolytic sugars, which need further investigation and improvement to make this process feasible.

Related results were published:

LQ Jiang, Zhen Fang*, ZL Zhao*, AQ Zheng, XB Wang, HB Li, Levoglucosan and Its Hydrolysates via Fast Pyrolysis of Lignocellulose for Microbial Biofuels: A State-of-the-Art Review, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 105, 215-229 (2019).

Microbial Biofuels and Chemicals Production via Fast Pyrolysis Routes (通过快速热解途径生产微生物生物燃料和化学品)

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快速热解木质纤维素生产左旋葡聚糖及其水解产物

最近,蒋丽群博士(中科院广州能源研究所副研究员)为第一作者,方真教授和Zhao ZL研究员(广州能源研究所)共同通讯作者,在期刊《Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews》(IF9.2)上发表了一篇有关于快速热解和发酵生产微生物生物燃料的综述。快速热解,相比较与酶解和酸水解,应考虑热解产物左旋葡聚糖(LG)用于可发酵生产的进一步开发。本论文以广泛的视角对于木质纤维素生物质快速热解,进一步发酵生产左旋葡聚糖及其水解产物的现状和未来研究前景进行了探讨。纤维素的热解产物左旋葡聚糖的应用、分布和形成途径将被说明。考虑到纤维素结构和木质纤维素组分的复杂性,综述了主要组分(纤维素,半纤维素,木质素和灰分)对左旋葡聚糖热解形成的结构性质(粒度,聚合度和结晶度)的影响。为了进一步提高左旋葡聚糖的产量和热解产物的发酵能力,快速热解前会有一些预处理方法(如热水预处理,酸预处理,酸浸渍),左旋葡聚糖水解和发酵前的解毒,以及微生物生产的有价值产品也会详细讨论。最后,提出了关于这个主题挑战的简要结论。左旋葡聚糖的低含量和木质纤维素的热解产物中生物催化剂的抑制剂的存在阻碍了热解糖的可发酵利用的问题,需要进一步研究和改进以使该方法可行。

相关结果发表于:

LQ Jiang, Zhen Fang*, ZL Zhao*, AQ Zheng, XB Wang, HB Li, Levoglucosan and Its Hydrolysates via Fast Pyrolysis of Lignocellulose for Microbial Biofuels: A State-of-the-Art Review, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 105, 215-229 (2019).

Prof. Fang was appointed as the Member of the National Teaching Steering Committee

24 1 月, 2019

Prof. Fang was appointed as the Member of the National Teaching Steering Committee

In Oct. 2018, Prof. Fang was appointed as the Member of the National Teaching Steering Committee for Agricultural Engineering of Higher Learning in Colleges and Universities, Ministry of Education of China (2018-2022), aiming to guide and set rules for undergraduate education.

方老师担任国家教育部高等学校农业工程教学指导委员会委员(2018-2022),并出席在北京中国农大的新一届指委会的成立大会(2018.12.21-23)。

Prof. Fang attended 3 Int’l meetings and gave invited talks in 2018

24 1 月, 2019

Prof. Fang attended 3 Int’l meetings and gave invited talks in 2018

In 2018, Prof. Fang gave three invited talks in meetings:
1) Zhen Fang*, Hydrolysis of Lignocellulose for Biofuels and Chemicals, i-BioN 2018, The Symposium on Biorefinery and Bioprocess Topics – Innovative Bio-production of Fuels and Chemicals, 1st Synthetic Biology World Forum, 10-13th Nov., 2018, Nanjing, China.
2) Zhen Fang*, Green Production of Biodiesel and Biofuels with Solid- and Nano-catalysts, NoAW & AgroCycle Joint Stakeholders Event, Agricultural waste & residue management for a circular bio-economy: an impacts-oriented Euro-Chinese vision, 22nd and 23rd October 2018, Beijing, China.
3) Zhen Fang*, Green Production of Biofuels and Chemicals from Renewable Resources, US–China EE-FEWS Workshop 2018, 5th Environment-Enhancing Energy (E2-Energy) Forum, June 13 – 15, 2018 Beijing, China.

2018年,方老师出席3个国际会议并应邀在会议上作了三次演讲:
1) 2018国际生物精练与生物工艺研讨会
Zhen Fang*, Hydrolysis of Lignocellulose for Biofuels and Chemicals, i-BioN 2018, The Symposium on Biorefinery and Bioprocess Topics – Innovative Bio-production of Fuels and Chemicals, 10-13th Nov., 2018, Nanjing, China.
2) 2018中欧农业废弃物循环会议
Zhen Fang*, Green Production of Biodiesel and Biofuels with Solid- and Nano-catalysts, NoAW & AgroCycle Joint Stakeholders Event, Agricultural waste & residue management for a circular bio-economy: an impacts-oriented Euro-Chinese vision, 22nd and 23rd October 2018, Beijing, China.
3) 2018中美第五届环境增值能源论坛
Zhen Fang*, Green Production of Biofuels and Chemicals from Renewable Resources, US–China EE-FEWS Workshop 2018, 5th Environment-Enhancing Energy (E2-Energy) Forum, June 13 – 15, 2018 Beijing, China.

Professor Richard L. Smith Jr. from Tohoku University visited our lab

29 12 月, 2018

Professor Richard L. Smith Jr. from Tohoku University visited our lab

In the morning of November 27th, 2018, Professor Richard L. Smith Jr. and assistant Professor Haixin Guo from the Supercritical Fluid Center of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Tohoku University (Japan), visited our group. Professor Smith is the editor for Asia-Pacific region of the Journal of Supercritical Fluids (JSF, Elsevier, Chemical Engineering Q1) (Professor Fang is the associate editor of JSF). Professor Smith made an in-depth discussion with Professor Fang on the problems as follows: (i) editorial points and development of JSF (ii) research cooperation and (iii) International Symposium on Aqua Science and Water Resources hosted by Biomass group at Nanjing Agricultural University in 2019 in Nanjing and so on. This discussion will facilitate the development of JSF and attraction of high quality articles. At the same time, some preliminary points for the International Symposium were decided.

In the afternoon, Professor Smith and Dr. Guo visited our Lab, and Professor Fang gave a detailed introduction about the current research directions and research progress of the lab. Moreover, Dr. Hu Li, Dr. Lujiang Xu and Ph.D. students Miss Wenjie Cong and Mr. Song Tang et al. demonstrated how to use the relevant instruments and equipment to Professor Smith. Professor Smith has provided valuable opinions and suggestions for collaboration in supercritical fluid gasification, biodiesel preparation, pyrolysis, microwave synthesis and microbial oils, and had a cordial discussion with the students and faculty members of our Lab. The visit of Professor Smith brought many valuable suggestions that could promote our collaboration, increase our excellence in research and improve our international impact in the field. The teachers and students thank Professor Smith for his presence and valuable advices, and look forward to the next visit of Professor Smith.

日本东北大学Richard L. Smith Jr.教授一行访问生物能源组

2018年11月27日上午,日本东北大学化工系超临界流体中心Richard L. Smith Jr.教授和其助理郭海心助理教授应邀来生物能源组访问和交流。Smith教授为Journal of Supercritical Fluids国际期刊(Elsevier, 化工Q1区)亚太地区主编(方教授为该刊副主编),他就该期刊的编辑要点和发展,课题合作以及由生物能源组主办2019水科学和环境国际会议等问题与方老师进行了深入的交流和讨论。此次讨论交流有利于Journal of Supercritical Fluids的发展和高质量文章的录用,同时还初步商定了水科学和环境国际会议的一些事宜。此外,课题合作不仅能加深两组成员之间的联系与交流,还能扩大课题的研究价值,带来更大的创新性。

27日下午,Smith教授一行在方真教授带领下参观了生物能源实验室,方老师为其详细地介绍了目前实验室相关研究方向和研究进展。生物能源组博士后李虎博士,讲师徐禄江博士,博士生丛文杰小姐和唐松先生等向Smith教授一行演示了相关仪器和设备的使用方法和功能。Smith教授就超临界流体气化、生物柴油制备,热解,微波合成和微生物油脂等研究提出了宝贵的意见和合作建议,并与生物能源组的各位同学展开了亲切地讨论。Smith教授此次拜访交流给生物能源组师生带来了许多宝贵建议。生物能源组各位师生真挚感谢Smith教授的到来和所给予的宝贵建议,并期待Smith教授下次来访。

Springer book “Production of Materials from Sustainable Biomass Resources”

17 11 月, 2018

Springer book “Production of Materials from Sustainable Biomass Resources” 

Recently, Springer has published (in press) a book entitled “Production of Materials from Sustainable Biomass Resources” edited by Profs. Zhen Fang, RL Smith Jr. and Dr. XF Tian, Springer, Hardcover ISBN978-981-13-3767-3, 500 pages, 2019 (https://www.springer.com/cn/book/9789811337673) .

Lignocellulosic biomass consists of the biopolymers (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) that form a natural structural matrix with structural similarities but uniqueness among its many forms. As one of the most abundant renewable resources, lignocellulosic biomass can be transformed into materials, chemicals and energy with sustainable chemistry and engineering. The substitution of traditional fossil resources by the three major biopolymers as sustainable feedstocks has been extensively investigated for the manufacture of high value-added products including biofuels, commodity chemicals, bio-based functional materials, and heterogeneous catalysts that could be directly applied for promoting the manufacturing processes. Aimed at developing innovative materials and fuels for practical application, this book was conceived for the collection of studies on state-of-art techniques developed specifically for lignocellulose component derivation, and producing functional materials, composite polymers, carbonaceous biocatalysts, and pellets from lignocellulosic biomass with emphasis on sustainable chemistry and engineering. Technological strategies in terms of physical processing or biological conversion of biomass for material production are also included. Each individual chapter was contributed by globally-selected experts or professionals in the field and externally reviewed to provide a broad perspective of applications on the frontier.

This book contains 12 chapters contributed by leading experts in the field. The text is arranged into five key areas:

Part I: Isolation and purification of lignocellulose components (Chapter 1)

Part II: Composite polymers derived from lignin and cellulose (Chapters 2 and 3)

Part III: Functional materials derived from cellulose and lignocelluloses (Chapters 4-8)

Part IV: Biomass pellets as fuels (Chapters 9-11)

Part V: Biosynthesis of polymers from renewable biomass (Chapter 12)

The text should be of interest to professionals in academia and industry who are working in the fields of natural renewable materials, biorefinery of lignocellulose, biofuels and environmental engineering. It can also be used as comprehensive references for university students with backgrounds of chemical engineering, material science and environmental engineering.

This book is the ninth book of the series entitled, “Biofuels and Biorefineries”, (Prof. Zhen Fang is serving as Editor-in-Chief), and the sixteenth English book edited/authored by Prof. Zhen Fang since 2009.

Biofuels and Biorefineries:

http://www.springer.com/series/11687?detailsPage=titles

 斯普林格新书《可持续生物资源生产材料》出版

由方真老师、日本东北大学RL Smith Jr.教授和华南理工大学田霄飞副教授主编的新书《可持续生物资源生产材料》,最近由斯普林格公司出版发行。(精装,500页, ISBN978-981-13-3767-3,2019)(https://www.springer.com/cn/book/9789811337673 )

木质纤维素生物质由生物聚合物组成(三大组分:纤维素、半纤维素和木质素),其组成的天然结构具有一定的相似性但又有其独特性。作为最丰富的可再生资源之一,木质纤维素可通过可持续化学工程转化为材料,化学品和能源。利用这三大主要生物聚合物为原料制备高附加值产品代替传统的化石资源已被广泛研究,包括生产生物燃料、商业化学品、生物基功能材料和能够直接应用促进生成过程的非均相催化剂。为了给实际应用开发新材料和燃料提供指导,本书旨在收集木质纤维素组分衍生物技术发展水平,及木质纤维素利用可持续化学工程生产功能性材料、复合聚合物、碳基生物催化剂和燃料颗粒。本书还包括物理加工生物质原料和生物质原料生物转化的技术策略。本书包含12个章节,每个章节由全球范围内挑选的该领域的专家或教授编写并通过严格的外审,为读者提供前沿应用的广泛视角。

本书分为五个主要部分:

第一部分:木质纤维素成分的分离和纯化(第1章)

第二部分:木质素和纤维素衍生的复合聚合物(第2章和第3章)

第三部分:纤维素和木质纤维素衍生的功能材料(第4-8章)

第四部分:生物质颗粒燃料(第9-11章)

第五部分:生物合成聚合物(第12章)

本书在材料、可再生能源、环境与化学科学、工程、资源开发、生物质加工、生物燃料和化学工业等领域提供了全面的信息。它为从事天然可再生材料、木质纤维素生物精炼、生物燃料和环境工程领域的学术界及工业界的专业人士提供了宝贵的学术资源。它还可以作为具有化学工程、材料科学和环境工程背景的大学生的综合参考文献。

该书是斯普林格系列丛书“生物燃料和生物炼制- Biofuels and Biorefineries”(方真老师担任该丛书总编辑,该丛书章节总下载量已超11万次)出版的第九本专著,也是方真老师自2009年以来,编著出版的第十六部英语专著

生物燃料和生物炼制丛书:

http://www.springer.com/series/11687?detailsPage=titles