Article
Agricultural Engineering
Douglas Hungwe, Saleem Ullah, Petri Kilpelainen, Sarut Theppitak, Lu Ding, Fumitake Takahashi
Summary: The study found that consecutive hydrothermal treatment and water washing of coconut fibers can effectively remove water-soluble and exchangeable potassium. This pretreatment approach can produce bio-oils that are inorganic-free, thermally stable, and chemically stable.
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiantao Yang, Zhiming Zhang, Junyao Wang, Xuelei Zhao, Yong Zhao, Jianqiang Qian, Tengfei Wang
Summary: Pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization are important thermal techniques for dealing with biowaste. Understanding the formation pathways and properties of biochar and hydrochar is crucial for their applications in renewable energy and the environment.
SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY
(2023)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Wei Wang, Jo-Shu Chang, Duu-Jong Lee
Summary: The flourishing of anaerobic digestion (AD) in waste treatment highlights the importance of valorization of digestate, which determines the benefits of the AD process. The perception of digestate has shifted from waste to products to realize the concept of circular economy and maximize its benefits. This review provides an overview of the current status of digestate valorization, focusing on thermal-chemical methods, and summarizes novel valorization methods from recent research, highlighting prospects for digestate valorization.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sawat Poomsawat, Wijittra Poomsawat
Summary: This study investigated the treatment of turfgrass using the hydrothermal carbonization process, which improved its properties and heating value. The average activation energies for turfgrass and its hydrochar were calculated using experimental data.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lais G. Fregolente, Maria T. Rodrigues, Naiara C. Oliveira, Bruno Sousa Araujo, Icaro Nascimento, Antonio G. Souza Filho, Amauri J. Paula, Mirian C. G. Costa, Jaedson C. A. Mota, Odair P. Ferreira
Summary: Through aging treatments and research on hydrochar and biochar, it was found that chemical aging could increase the amount of oxygen functional groups, improving the colloidal stability of biochar, while the stability of hydrochar showed minimal changes. The interactions between oxidized carbonaceous material colloids and natural-soil clay enhanced the stability of clay, reducing the likelihood of aggregation. Therefore, the aging of carbonaceous materials has significant implications for the interaction and dynamics of soil small particles.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ruikun Wang, Senyang Liu, Qiao Xue, Kai Lin, Qianqian Yin, Zhenghui Zhao
Summary: In this study, model biomass samples prepared from five representative components were carbonized hydrothermally under a typical condition of 220 degrees C, and mathematical models were developed to predict the properties of the hydrochar. The results showed synergistic effects between different components and high accuracy of the prediction models.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhaohua Lin, Ruikun Wang, Shiteng Tan, Kai Zhang, Qianqian Yin, Zhenghui Zhao, Peng Gao
Summary: Dye wastewater is a major source of environmental pollution due to its high toxicity and difficulty in degradation. Hydrochar prepared through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of biomass is an effective adsorbent for water pollutants. Nitrogen-doping (N-doping) can improve the surface characteristics of hydrochar and enhance its adsorption performance. This study investigated the use of nitrogen-rich wastewater as a nitrogen source for N-doped hydrochar production. The N-doped hydrochar exhibited significant adsorption capacity for methylene blue (MB) and congo red (CR) through multiple interaction mechanisms. The adsorption efficiency of N-doped hydrochar can be adjusted by controlling the nitrogen source and pH of the wastewater.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Malgorzata Wilk, Maciej Sliz, Boguslaw Lubieniecki
Summary: Hydrothermal co-carbonization of sewage sludge and fuel additives can improve the dewaterability of hydrochar for energy production. The addition of biomass during the process significantly enhances the properties of hydrochar and combustion process.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sen Lang, Shouyu Zhang, Zhongyao Cao, Jifan Yang, Yi Zhou, Simeng Liu, Jiaqing Xu, Chuke Yang
Summary: This paper investigates the effect of hydrothermal pretreatment on cotton stalk and its resulting biofuel pellets. The results show that hydrothermal pretreatment significantly improves the quality of the biomass, increasing carbon content and energy density while decreasing oxygen content. The process promotes the decomposition and aromatization of the main components, and crystalline cellulose plays a crucial role in the mechanical properties of the pellets. However, the combustion characteristics of the hydrochar are negatively affected by the decreasing cellulose content. Hydrothermal pretreatment also significantly increases the higher heating value (HHV) of the hydrochar, while the HHV of the biochar shows a slowly downward trend with increasing hydrothermal temperature.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jianping Fan, Fangfang Li, Dexin Fang, Quanzhou Chen, Qingkong Chen, Huan Wang, Bo Pan
Summary: The hydrophobic coating on hydrochar reduces its specific surface area and oxygen content. Different temperatures lead to different compositions of the hydrophobic coating on hydrochar.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Lian Ye, Jianliang Zhang, Guangwei Wang, Chen Wang, Xiaoming Mao, Xiaojun Ning, Nan Zhang, Haipeng Teng, Jinhua Li, Chuan Wang
Summary: Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technology can upgrade combustible waste to high-quality fuel called hydrochar. The study thoroughly analyzed the physical, chemical, and metallurgical properties of hydrochar and found that it has improved properties compared to waste feedstocks. The HTC process can also effectively remove harmful elements from feedstocks, reducing their negative effects in blast furnaces.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ukrit Samaksaman, Worarat Pattaraprakorn, Arthit Neramittagapong, Ekkachai Kanchanatip
Summary: Hydrothermal carbonization can effectively convert macadamia nut shell into solid fuel with higher heating value. The energy recovery can be improved by adjusting the hydrothermal conditions. Higher temperature during hydrothermal treatment can enhance the coalification and thermal stability of the hydrochar.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Srikanth Venkatesan, Humair Ahmed Baloch, Imtiaz Ali Jamro, Nasir Rafique
Summary: This study examined the hydrothermal carbonization of spent coffee grounds to produce high-quality hydrochar. The results showed improved energy and combustion properties, as well as enhanced surface area and thermal stability of the hydrochar.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Huier Jiang, Zhijie Xie, Yichao Chen, Pan Zhou, Xiaofeng Liu, Dong Li
Summary: This study investigated the hydrothermal carbonization of various agricultural and forestry waste with biogas slurry to recover nutrients. The results showed that green bamboo was the most suitable biomass material for nitrogen recovery, while peanut straw was the best for phosphorus recovery. However, potassium could not be recovered through hydrothermal carbonization. The study also found that the total cellulosic content of the biomass influenced nitrogen recovery, and increased metal salt concentration promoted phosphorus recovery. The hydrochars obtained from different biomass samples had varying pore sizes, which had implications for nutrient slow-release and plant growth.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Jiarui Wang, Xiaocheng Wei, Hao Kong, Xiangqun Zheng, Haixin Guo
Summary: It has been found that using toilet sewage in the hydrothermal carbonization process can significantly increase the yield of hydrochar, and N/P-doped rice straw hydrochar shows significantly higher adsorption capacity for Cd2+ and Zn2+.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Manuel C. Bauer, Philipp Konnerth, Andrea Kruse
Summary: Liquefied dimethyl ether (DME) is a promising, green solvent for biomass lipid extractions. This study examines its use with four microalgae and cyanobacteria species, and finds that cryo-milling increases oil yield and improves fatty acid composition.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Energy & Fuels
David Chiaramonti, Andrea Kruse, Marco Klemm
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Przemyslaw Maziarka, Christian Wurzer, Pablo J. Arauzo, Alba Dieguez-Alonso, Ondrej Masek, Frederik Ronsse
Summary: Biochar has a large specific surface area, making it suitable for applications in agriculture and environmental management. N-2 and CO2 characterization were used to evaluate the structural properties of different biochars, revealing that the peak in surface area reported around 650 degrees Celsius may be an artifact of N-2 measurements. The structural rigidity of biochar influences N-2 measurements, suggesting the use of a pore specific calculation model.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Bishir Musa, Pablo Jose Arauzo, Maciej Pawel Olszewski, Andrea Kruse
Summary: Steam activation of corncob pyrochar increases surface area, porosity, stability, and redox reversibility, leading to high power output in microbial fuel cells.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Rafal Janus, Piotr Natkanski, Mariusz Wadrzyk, Marek Lewandowski, Piotr Latka, Piotr Kustrowski
Summary: The polarity of the reaction medium was found to play a crucial role in the deposition of poly(furfuryl alcohol) on the surface of the silica matrix, resulting in different growth directions depending on whether water or toluene was used. Water adsorption hindered the formation of a homogeneous polymer layer, while toluene favored monomer adsorption and facilitated the formation of a high-quality CMK-5 structure.
MICROPOROUS AND MESOPOROUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wust Dominik, Arauzo Pablo, Habicht Sonja, Cazana Fernando, Fiori Luca, Kruse Andrea
Summary: Hydrothermal carbonization converts biogenic wastes into char-like solids with promising applications, but generates difficult to treat process water. A biorefinery approach with recirculation steps was used to improve solid characteristics. The study found that molecules in Brewer's spent grains decomposed into hundreds of organic compounds during HTC.
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
P. J. Arauzo, P. A. Maziarka, K. A. Schoder, J. Pfersich, F. Ronsse, A. Kruse
Summary: This study investigates the impact of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) pretreatment on wet food-industry bio-wastes before pyrolysis, and finds that HTC pretreatment at 180 degrees Celsius is beneficial for converting waste into efficient carbonaceous materials for energy storage system applications.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rafal Janus, Piotr Natkanski, Mariusz Wadrzyk, Marek Lewandowski, Marek Michalik, Piotr Kustrowski
Summary: This paper introduces a new synthetic method for preparing carbon mesostructures of different structures, which is simple and does not require pretreatment of silica and carbonization. Through systematic studies on materials, it is found that this method can achieve highly ordered carbon structures while maintaining the morphology of the mother silica.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kinga Jarosz, Rafal Janus, Mariusz Wadrzyk, Wanda Wilczynska-Michalik, Piotr Natkanski, Marek Michalik
Summary: Airborne microplastic is an emerging and widespread pollutant that is still not well understood. This study aimed to further characterize and develop methods for analyzing airborne microplastic. The methods used allowed for the identification and analysis of different types of synthetic polymers in the atmospheric fallout. Observations were made on the interactions between microplastic particles and the environment, as well as surface changes due to degradation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mariusz Wadrzyk, Lukasz Korzeniowski, Marek Plata, Rafal Janus, Marek Lewandowski, Grzegorz Borowka, Przemyslaw Maziarka
Summary: In this study, a new transformation route of blackcurrant pomace as a high-moisture industrial waste was tested through high-temperature and pressure solvothermal liquefaction experiments. The main product obtained was liquid biocrude, with the highest yield at 275 degrees C. The quality of biocrude was examined, and it was found to be a viscous heterogeneous mixture exhibiting energy densification. The proposed processing method is suitable for further development towards efficient valorization technology, with the co-solvent additive playing a beneficial role.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Rafal Janus, Mariusz Wadrzyk, Marek Lewandowski, Kamila Zaborowska, Lukasz Korzeniowski, Marek Plata
Summary: Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) is a commonly used IR sampling technique due to its simplicity and quick operation, as well as its ability to analyze small sample amounts. However, reliable ATR-FTIR analysis of volatile samples has been challenging because of changes in sample composition during measurement. The proposed capillary rise effect accessory allows for long-time measurements of volatile samples, improving spectrum quality with higher signal-to-noise levels.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mariusz Wadrzyk, Lukasz Korzeniowski, Marek Plata, Rafal Janus, Marek Lewandowski, Marek Michalik, Aneta Magdziarz
Summary: This study presents a two-stage conversion of blackcurrant pomace, an industrial wet-type waste. The pomace was processed hydrothermally in water and a binary solvent system (water mixed with isopropanol), followed by the upgrading of resultant hydrochars through fast pyrolysis. The results showed that this approach allowed for the production of alternative products with high energy density and the possibility of obtaining value-added chemicals for the chemical industry.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wojciech Jerzak, Mariusz W. Adrzyk, Izabela Kalemba-Rec, Artur Bieniek, Aneta Magdziarz
Summary: Chlorine is a problematic element in agricultural biomass during thermal conversion, even in low-temperature pyrolysis. The addition of ammonium chloride into oat straw increased the yield of char and promoted biochar carbonization. Increasing the pyrolysis temperature inhibited chlorine release and decreased its distribution into the gas phase. Doping oat straw with NH4Cl positively affected the share of furfural in the non-condensed gases.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Katrin Stoekle, Dennis Jung, Andrea Kruse
Summary: Chicory roots are a low-cost agricultural residue that can be used as a feedstock for producing 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). In this study, two methods were investigated to increase the fructose content in the extracted inulin and fructose from chicory roots. The first method involved acid-assisted extraction, while the second method involved aqueous extraction followed by nitric acid hydrolysis. It was found that separating extraction and hydrolysis was more suitable for integrating this process into a biorefinery concept for HMF production.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Guanshuai Zhang, Shanjian Liu, Dongmei Bi, Zhisen He, Jia Liu, Yinjiao Liu
Summary: Hydrogen peroxide pretreatment was applied for fast pyrolysis of corn stalks, and it was found that the pretreatment effectively promoted lignin depolymerization and decreased the reaction activation energy. The pretreatment also increased the cellulose content and removed alkali and alkaline earth metals from the biomass. The pH of the hydrogen peroxide solution affected the removal of lignin and ash by the pretreatment, and the composition of bio-oil changed significantly, with a significant increase in the relative content of levoglucosan after pretreatment.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2024)
