A serious global energy crisis and the increase in atmospheric CO2 linked to global warming are the result of an imbalance between the slow formation of fossil fuels and its rapid consumption by human activities. To diminish the imbalance, we can learn from the geologic formation of fossil fuels. The term �hydrothermal� has purely geological origins. A hydrothermal reaction is generally defined as a reaction occurring in the presence of an aqueous solvent at high temperature and pressure. Geochemists have found that hydrothermal reactions, which can be recognized as another pathway in the carbon cycle, played an important role in the origin of life and forming petroleum, natural gas and coal from organic wastes. Thus, if humans could simulate the natural phenomena of the formation of fossils, then, it should quickly turn biomass and CO2 into fuels and chemicals.         This paper gives an overview of some recent studies of hydrothermal conversion of biomass and CO2into value-added chemicals. Biomass conversion mainly involves the conversion of cellulosic and lignocellulosic biomasses into carboxylic acids. For the reduction of CO2, it is presented that a strategy of highly efficient dissociation of H2O for the reduction of CO2 by solar/renewable energy-driven two-step process. Conversion products of CO2 mainly include formic acid, methane and methanol which are with high yields, e.g., about 70% for formic acid, about 95% for methane and about 30% for methanol, respectively. The proposed hydrothermal reduction of CO2 is efficient, because the hydrogen derived from water is reacted with CO2 in situ and high conversions are achieved at mild conditions. Although challenges remain, it is hopeful that the hydrothermal conversion CO2 will stimulate research on new ways for circulating carbon while producing chemical products.

Rapid and highly effective conversion of biomass and co<sub>2 </sub>into chemicals and fuels under hydrothermal conditions

248th National Meeting (2014)

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Rapid and highly effective conversion of biomass and co2 into chemicals and fuels under hydrothermal conditions

Rapid and highly effective conversion of biomass and co₂into chemicals and fuels under hydrothermal conditions