Process integration and intensification for efficient catalytic conversion of biomass

<p indent="0mm">Biomass is known as a unique carbon-containing renewable material in nature with huge annual production, its efficient conversion and sustainable utilization thus become one of primary options, which is well in line with the “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” strategic objectives. However, the chemical conversion of biomass is currently facing some bottlenecks such as harsh reaction conditions, wide product distribution, and low selectivity for conversion to high-value products. Herein, this review summarizes recent research developments of Li’s group on the integration and intensification technology of innovative catalytic biomass efficiency directional conversion process. In particular, these studies are not only focusing on the biomass intrinsic structural characteristics and the design of efficient catalytic depolymerization processes, but multiple perspectives, such as dissolution, catalysis, reaction, and product separation, developing a series of process integration and intensification models for efficient biomass conversion, have been addressed as well. Meanwhile, studies in pathways of biomass high-value transformation and mechanisms of transformation process integration and intensification are also elucidated and clarified in details for better understanding the whole catalytic process. Finally, authors give their outlook in a practical vision for expanding the oriented conversion and utilization of biomass through novel catalytic processes coupled with multi-field interaction mechanisms. Therefore, this article is believed to indeed provide theoretical foundations and technical supports for the whole process of biomass high-value transformation.