Recent advances in co-thermochemical conversions of biomass with fossil fuels focusing on the synergistic effects.

Abstract Biomass is vital for future energy use, but several disadvantages obstruct its commercial applications. Co-thermochemical conversions of biomass and fossil fuels are alternative methods for offsetting the disadvantages of biomass and improving the quality of bio-oil. This paper overviewed the state-of-the-art research and development of co-thermochemical conversions of biomass and fossil fuels (i.e., coal, oil sand and oil shale). Emphasis was placed on different types of feedstocks, three thermochemical conversion methods (i.e., co-pyrolysis, co-gasification and co-liquefaction) and the synergistic effects. Furthermore, the influencing factors, advantages and disadvantages, and the possible mechanisms related to these co-thermochemical conversion technologies are discussed. The current developments and prospects for co-thermochemical conversions of biomass and fossil fuels are also proposed. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • The co-thermochemical conversions of biomass and fossil fuels were discussed. • Synergistic effects regarding products compositions and yields were overviewed. • The possible mechanisms of synergistic effects studied before were summarized. • The prospects of co-thermochemical methods of biomass and fossil fuels are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]