Southeast University and Korea University study map sustainable biomass-to-energy pathways

As global efforts to reduce dependence on fossil resources continue to intensify, biomass has emerged as a promising renewable feedstock for producing low-carbon fuels and chemicals. However, conventional biomass conversion technologies often face significant challenges, including complex product distribution, high separation costs, tar formation, and limited process efficiency.

To address these challenges, a research team led by Professor Yong Sik Ok from the Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering at Korea University, Republic of Korea, and Professor Xiangzhou Yuan, from the School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, China, conducted a comprehensive review and analyzed biomass chemical looping (BCL) as a sustainable pathway for energy and chemical production. Their study, titled “Biomass chemical looping: A sustainable pathway for energy and chemicals,” was published in the Journal of Energy Chemistry on June 1, 2026.

BCL employs solid oxygen carriers to transfer oxygen between reactors, enabling controlled reduction–oxidation reactions without direct contact between air and fuel. This distinctive process configuration improves energy efficiency, facilitates carbon management, and reduces the need for energy-intensive gas separation. The researchers examined a broad range of BCL routes, including chemical looping gasification, chemical looping combustion, chemical looping reforming, chemical looping hydrogen production, and syngas tailoring for downstream chemical synthesis. Together, these approaches demonstrate the versatility of BCL as a platform for generating renewable energy and value-added products.

A major focus of the review is the potential of BCL for producing hydrogen and methanol. BCL hydrogen production offers a promising pathway for generating renewable hydrogen while improving carbon conversion and process integration. When coupled with methanol synthesis, this route could provide low-carbon feedstocks for the chemical industry and support the transition toward more sustainable energy systems. The review highlights BCL-to-hydrogen pathways for green methanol production as particularly attractive because of their environmental and economic advantages.

The researchers also identify oxygen carrier design as a critical factor determining the success of BCL technologies. Effective oxygen carriers must possess high oxygen transfer capacity, strong redox stability, resistance to carbon deposition, mechanical durability, and cost-effectiveness. Traditional development approaches often rely on time-consuming trial-and-error experimentation. To overcome these limitations, the review highlights machine learning as a powerful tool for accelerating oxygen carrier discovery and optimization.

“Machine learning can significantly reduce the time required to identify efficient oxygen carriers and optimize complex chemical looping systems,” says Prof. Yuan. “By combining data-driven tools with mechanistic understanding, we can develop more efficient and scalable routes for renewable energy and chemical production.”

Beyond materials development, machine learning can assist reactor design, process control, and system-level optimization. The researchers further emphasize the importance of lifecycle assessment and techno-economic analysis for evaluating the real-world feasibility of BCL systems. Their analysis indicates that properly integrated BCL pathways can deliver both environmental and economic benefits, particularly when linked to downstream chemical production.

“BCL should not be viewed as a single conversion technology, but as an integrated platform that connects renewable feedstocks, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, and sustainable chemical manufacturing,” says Prof. Ok. “Its greatest promise lies in combining environmental benefits with economic viability.”

Looking ahead, the researchers stress the need for continued advances in low-cost oxygen carriers, long-term stability testing, real biomass feedstock adaptability, continuous reactor operation, machine learning-assisted optimization, and pilot-scale validation. These efforts will be essential for translating biomass chemical looping from a promising research concept into a deployable solution for renewable electricity, syngas, hydrogen, methanol, and other chemicals.

Reference
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jechem.2026.05.039

About Professor Xiangzhou Yuan from Southeast University, China
Professor Xiangzhou Yuan is a Youth Chair Professor at the School of Energy and Environment in Southeast University, China. He received the National Natural Science Fund for Outstanding Young Scholars in 2022 and has been listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists since 2023. His research focuses on AI-driven design and performance enhancement of carbon materials for sustainable energy and environmental applications. Prof. Yuan has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, including several highly cited and cover-featured papers. He also serves in editorial and leadership roles in multiple scientific journals and professional organizations related to energy and environmental engineering.

About Professor Yong Sik Ok from Korea University, Korea
Professor Yong Sik is affiliated with the Korea Biochar Research Center and the Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering at Korea University. He is President of the International ESG Association and the International Society of Trace Element Biogeochemistry. He has been repeatedly named a Highly Cited Researcher from 2018 to 2022, mainly in Environment and Ecology, with additional recognition in Engineering, Cross-Field, and Biology and Biochemistry. His research focuses on ESG principles, biochar, and climate technologies supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As reported in Google Scholar, Prof. Ok has an h-index of 196 and more than 143,760 citations, reflecting the significant global impact of his research. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of CleanMat and teaches business and environment courses at Korea University.