Xiaolin Chen is a postdoctoral researcher at NREL. Her research focuses on hydroprocessing catalytic fast pyrolysis oil into various renewable transportation fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel and second-generation renewable diesel. She graduated from Iowa State University with a doctorate degree in mechanical engineering. She has over seven years of experience in multidisciplinary projects involving thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass, coconversion of biomass and plastics, and upcycling commingled municipal solid waste, namely waste to energy, into valuable chemicals, renewable fuels, and versatile materials.

For additional information, visit Xiaolin Chen’s LinkedIn profile.

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed on LinkedIn are the author’s own, made in the author's individual capacity, and do not necessarily reflect the views of NREL.

Research Interests

Production of transportation fuels, such as jet fuel and diesel, through hydroprocessing catalytic fast pyrolysis oil

Cohydroprocessing bio-oil with petroleum-derived feeds, such as straight run diesel and light cycle oil

Upcycling commingled municipal solid waste into valuable chemicals, high-quality fuels, and functional materials

Education

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University

M.S., Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics, Northeast Electric Power University

B.S., Thermal Energy and Power Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University

Professional Experience

Postdoctoral Researcher, NREL (2022–present)

Research Assistant, Iowa State University (2018–2022)

Teaching Assistant, Iowa State University (2018–2021)

Associations and Memberships

Postdoc Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineers

Member, Society of Women Engineers

Featured Work

Renewable Diesel Production Through Stand-Alone and Cohydrotreating of Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis Oil, 2023 Spring Meeting and 19th Global Congress On Process Safety (2023)

Coconversion of Wood and Polyvinyl Chloride to Valuable Chemicals and High-Quality Solid Fuel, Waste Management (2022)

Upcycling Polyamide Containing Post-Consumer Tetra Pak Carton Packaging To Valuable Chemicals and Recyclable Polymer, Waste Management (2021)

Study of Breakage of Main Covalent Bonds During Copyrolysis of Oil Shale and Alkaline Lignin By TG-FTIR Integrated Analysis, Journal of the Energy Institute (2019)

Awards and Honors

Third Place in Student Poster Challenge at tcbiomass (2022)

Teaching Excellence Award, Iowa State University (2021)

Innovation Funding Award, Northeast Electric Power University (2018)