Removal and utilization of organic acids in bio-oil

Bio-oil，produced by fast pyrolysis of biomass，is an important source of fuel and chemicals. The organic acids in bio-oil are not only the main materials resulting in corrosion in the process of its fuel usage，but also a class of chemicals that can be utilized. The existence form，formation mechanism and the removal and usage of the organic acids in bio-oil are reviewed，and the advantages and disadvantages of different methods，as well as the present status of technologies are analyzed. Overall，it is proposed that development of efficient and stable catalysts for catalytic esterification should be the research focus of removal of organic acids in bio-oil，while direct conversion of organic acids in bio-oil to high value-added chemicals is a preferable way for their utilization.