Investigation of particle structural characteristics effects on coking behavior in cellulose hydrolysis

Continuous flow depolymerization offers a sustainable pathway for converting biomass into energy-dense fuels, addressing challenges such as coking and mass transfer inefficiencies that hinder biomass's viability as a renewable fuel feedstock. Here, a three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann model reveals how multiparticle lignocellulose configurations in fixed-bed reactors govern flow-structure evolution. By achieving equilibrium between intra- and extra-particle mass transfer, this approach enhances hydrogen ion diffusion—essential for catalytic biofuel synthesis—while reducing coking-induced energy losses. The lignin-first strategy further improves reactor performance by intensifying fluid-solid interactions, thereby advancing transport kinetics critical for scalable biofuel production. These structural engineering principles enable efficient biomass-to-fuel conversion with minimized humins formation, directly supporting cleaner energy outputs and circular economy goals in renewable fuel manufacturing.