Dr. LIU Huacai is currently serving as the Deputy Director of the Research Center for High-value Utilization of Biomass at the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His main research focuses on applied fundamental studies, technology development, and demonstration promotion of biomass gasification and its high-value utilization, as well as thermodynamic analysis, techno-economic assessment, and environmental evaluation of renewable energy systems. He has led multiple key technology R&D and demonstration projects for biomass gasification in power generation, boilers, and kilns, making significant contributions to the development and global application of technologies such as low-tar biomass gasification, in-situ catalytic tar removal, self-digestion of tar-containing wastewater, and efficient and clean combustion of biomass gas. He has published over 40 SCI/EI-indexed papers and filed more than 20 patents.

Selected Publications

1. Bin Xu, Fengchao Wang, Huacai Liu*, Wenshen Yang, Xiuli Yin*, Chuangzhi Wu. Plasma-enabled partial oxidative reforming of toluene as a biomass tar surrogate: The role of H2O addition. Fuel, 2026, 415: 138420.

2. Wu XY, Huang CC, Li ZQ, Liu HC*,Yuan HY, Li WZ, Yang WS, Xu B, Yin XL**. Optimization of a swirl burner with universal low-load stable combustion technology: Investigating flow characteristics, combustion performance, and fuel adaptability. Energy, 2025, 330: 136888.

3. Wu XY, Xia GK, Liu HC*, Li ZQ, Huang CC, Yin XL, Guo X, Cheng J, Guo XM. Gas-particle flow and combustion performance of prototype and enhanced burners under minimum stable load: From laboratory to industrial scale. Applied Thermal Engineering. 2025, 269: 126141.

4. Xia GK, Wu XY, Huang CC, Liu HC*, Yin XL. Numerical simulation of a 660 MWe wall-fired boiler using biomass-derived fuel gas co-fired with coal. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects . 2025, 47(1): 11351-11370.

5. Jie Cui, Huacai Liu*, Bin Xu, Fengchao Wang, Xiuli Yin, Chuangzhi Wu. Influence of H2O and O2 on the homogeneous conversion of toluene and the underlying reaction mechanisms. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2024, 63: 5678−5688.

6. Yao Jiagui, LIU Huacai *, HUANG Yanqin *, WU Xiuyi, Cui Jie, LI Weizhen, Yin Xiuli, WU Chuangzhi. Study on Co-pyrolysis and Cl Release Characteristics of PVC and Lignocellulose, Journal of Fuel Chemistry, 2023, 51(7): 939-948.

7. Dang Le, TONG Min, CUI Yaru, LIU Huacai *, QIU Zejing, HU Wenbo. Life Cycle Evaluation of agricultural biogas projects in China, Renewable energy, 2023,41(4)：442-451.

8. Hao Bi, zhi wei Wang, Hao Zhan*, Lijian Leng, Zhiyong Zeng, Xinming Wang, Huacai Liu*, Xiuli Yin, Chuangzhi Wu. Acid-promoted hydrothermal on Chinese herbal residue toward upgradation and denitrogenation capabilities, Fuel Processing Technology, 2022, 238: 107518.

9. Dang Le, TONG Min, CUI Yaru, LIU Huacai *, QIU Zejing, HU Wenbo. Analysis of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of 12MW biomass direct combustion power generation system, Renewable Energy, 202, 40(5) : 586-592.

10. Liu Huacai, WU Chuangzhi, XIE Jianjun, Huang Yanqin, Lang Lin, Yang Wenshen, Yin Xiuli. Analysis of biomass gasification technology and industry development. New Energy Progress, 2019, 7 (1): 1-12.

11. Huacai Liu, Yanqin Huang, HongyouYuan, Xiuli Yin*, Chuangzhi Wu. Life cycle assessment of biofuels in China: Status and challenges, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2018, 97: 301-322.

Basic research, technology development and demonstration promotion of biomass gasification and its high-value utilization

1. Feb. 2022 – Dec. 2024, Task of the CAS Category A Strategic Priority Program in Science and Technology: "Technology and Demonstration of Biomass Gasification Coupled with Pulverized Coal Boilers for Stable Combustion at Low Loads" (Grant No. XDA29010400). Funding: 18.1653 million RMB.

2. Nov. 2020 – Oct. 2022, Technical Service Project for State Grid Electric Power Research Institute Wuhan Energy Efficiency Evaluation Co., Ltd.: "Life Cycle Assessment of Biomass Power Generation". Funding: 198,000 RMB.

3. Jan. 2020 – Dec. 2022, Sub-task of the National Key R&D Program of China: "Technology for Synthesis of Mixed Alcohol Fuels via Low-Quality Biomass Gasification" (Grant No. YS2019YFB150040). Funding: 512,100 RMB.

4. Apr. 2019 – Mar. 2022, Guangzhou Science and Technology Plan Project: "Mechanism Study on In-situ Catalytic Deep Removal of Tar from Urban Biomass Waste Char" (Grant No. 201904010098). Funding: 200,000 RMB.

5. Jan. 2018 – Dec. 2020, Task of the State Grid Corporation of China Science and Technology Project: "Research on Efficient Cooling and Heating Technologies Supporting Energy Services and Implementation Pathways for Scaled Application" (Grant No. JNX-2018-052). Funding: 500,000 RMB.

6. Jan. 2014 – Dec. 2016, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Young Scientists Fund: "Mechanism of CO2/H2O Gasification of Primary Char from Rice Straw Pyrolysis under Coupled Multi-Factor Conditions" (Grant No. 51306193). Funding: 240,000 RMB.

7. Jan. 2012 – Dec. 2014, Sub-task of the National High-Tech R&D Program (863 Program): "New Technologies for Stable Preparation and Upgrading of Bio-oil via Biomass Pyrolysis" (Grant No. 2012AA051803). Funding: 460,000 RMB.

8. Oct. 2012 – Oct. 2014, Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation Project: "Study on Gasification Reaction Mechanism of High-Ash Biomass Char under Multi-Factor Conditions" (Grant No. S2012040006915). Funding: 30,000 RMB.