Article
Agricultural Engineering
Giulia Ischia, Jillian L. Goldfarb, Antonio Miotello, Luca Fiori
Summary: This study investigates the enhancement of hydrochars through solvent extraction to improve their potential applications. The results show that solvent washing effectively removes highly volatile species adsorbed on the hydrochar surface.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Benjamin G. Keiller, Matthew Potter, Rachel A. Burton, Philip J. van Eyk
Summary: The study found that in hydrothermal carbonisation, hemicellulose in hemp degrades rapidly while lignin degrades slowly. Under HTC conditions, lignin in hemp hull degrades rapidly to a constant level, while models were built to describe the degradation of lignin in hemp stem.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Eunhye Song, Seyong Park, Seongkuk Han, Eusil Lee, Ho Kim
Summary: The characteristics of hydrochar derived from cattle manure and lignocellulosic biomass through hydrothermal carbonization were analyzed. The effects of hydrothermal carbonization at different temperatures were evaluated. The results showed that the fractions of fixed carbon, carbon elements, and higher heating values of hydrochar increased with the increase of reaction temperature.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Rene A. Garrido, Camila Lagos, Carolina Luna, Jaime Sanchez, Georgina Diaz
Summary: This study aims to explore the potential of using grape pomace and walnut shells treated with hydrothermal carbonization as an alternative low-cost and efficient carbonous matrix. By developing multifunctional carbon materials through thermal decomposition processes, it contributes to increasing the sustainability of biomass applications and has a positive economic impact.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrew Caratenuto, Abdulrahman Aljwirah, Yanpei Tian, Xiaojie Liu, Yinsheng Wan, Yi Zheng
Summary: The study introduced a solar desalination device made of fallen leaves and guar, showcasing its efficient performance in producing drinkable water under various environmental conditions.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kyoung S. Ro, Michael A. Jackson, Ariel A. Szogi, David L. Compton, Bryan R. Moser, Nicole D. Berge
Summary: This study compared the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of hen and swine manures at different temperatures and found that higher temperatures resulted in less volatile matter, more fixed carbon, and increased stability of the produced hydrochar. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of carbonization temperatures on plant growth and soil emissions.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yutong Gong, Lei Xie, Chunhong Chen, Jinrong Liu, Markus Antonietti, Yong Wang
Summary: Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a sustainable and green technique for producing novel carbon materials. The advances in precise engineering of carbonaceous materials through modified HTC processes are summarized in this review. The control of HTC set screws for shaping and/or pore-creation within targeted nanostructured carbonaceous materials is elucidated, along with the discussed benefits for applications. This review could inspire further insight into the HTC process and broader application of carbon nanostructures made from renewable resources.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lu Yang, Jie Jin, Yichu Wang, Weiqi An, Yunao Zhao, Chao Cui, Lanfang Han, Xiangke Wang
Summary: HT-AD sludge can be used as an efficient uranium (VI) adsorbent with good reusability and environmental safety, with primary mechanisms of adsorption being surface complexation and electric attraction.
Article
Thermodynamics
Matteo Pecchi, Jillian L. Goldfarb, Marco Baratieri
Summary: High pressure differential scanning calorimetry is suitable for studying hydrothermal carbonization. A method using an already reacted sample as the blank assumes equilibrium in the blank system throughout the run. However, this assumption affects the final enthalpy results, as shown in our study.
THERMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
S. Sobek, Q-K Tran, R. Junga, S. Werle
Summary: This study investigates the impact of HTC on the properties of waste straw fuel and the combustion kinetics of waste straw hydrochars. The results show that temperature has a greater influence on the yields of hydrochars than residence time, with different decomposition patterns observed at different temperatures. The study of the transient HTC period determines the exothermal activity of the waste straw with a heat release of 254.9 kJ/kg. The lower heating values of the hydrochars increase with higher HTC temperatures. The combustion kinetics of the hydrochars are modeled using Fraser-Suzuki deconvolution and nth-order Arrhenius equation fitting, with high R2 values.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Matteo Pecchi, Marco Baratieri, Jillian L. Goldfarb, Alex R. Maag
Summary: Hydrothermal carbonization is a thermochemical process that converts wet waste biomass into hydrochar, a renewable solid fuel. The nature of the feedstock and choice of solvent can affect the amount and composition of primary and secondary char phases. Ethanol can extract liquid fuel precursors from lipid-rich feedstocks, while acetone and dichloromethane can remove oily secondary char and maximize primary char yield for substrates rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and lignocellulose.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiaqian Fu, Li Bai, Mingshu Chi, Xiuling Xu, Zhao Chen, Kecheng Yu
Summary: Fenton pretreatment enhances the hydrothermal carbonization of lignin, leading to increased calorific value and stability of the resulting hydrochar. This study provides a sustainable and green strategy for the preparation of high calorific value hydrochar and the all-round utilization of lignin.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tianchi Shen, Yayong Yang, Ekkachai Kanchanatip, Dwi Hantoko, Feng Chen, Cheng Chen, Mi Yan
Summary: Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an efficient method to convert wet food waste into hydrochar. However, the by-product of this process, HTC wastewater, contains highly polluting chemicals. In this study, hydrochar was produced through HTC process and further processed into activated carbon (AC) using KOH activation. The obtained AC was used to catalyze the degradation of HTC wastewater. The optimal condition for the catalytic process was determined, achieving a COD removal efficiency of 78.94%.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ying Gong, Lijuan Fu, Chunyun Wang, Tingting Deng, Na Chen, Jiping Chen
Summary: This study found that wheat bran can be used to make leather tanning agents, expanding its industrial applications. The bran-based CM, after hydrothermal carbonization treatment, was directly applied to tan pigskins, resulting in good effects and proving the effectiveness and environmental-friendliness of the bran-based CM as a tanning agent.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qianqian Lang, Zhengang Liu, Yufei Li, Junxiang Xu, Jijin Li, Bensheng Liu, Qinping Sun
Summary: The physicochemical properties and combustion behavior of hydrochar derived from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of cattle manure were investigated. The results showed that HTC increased the carbon content, fixed carbon content, and higher heating value of the hydrochar. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that hydrochars had higher ignition temperature, lower burnout temperature, and lower comprehensive combustion index compared to cattle manure. Kinetic and thermodynamic analyses showed that hydrochar prepared at 200°C had the highest combustion reactivity.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dennis Jung, Paul Koerner, Andrea Kruse
Summary: This study evaluates the impact of acidity on the kinetic parameters of fructose hydrothermal conversion, revealing a non-linear relationship between the dehydration of fructose to HMF and the rehydration of HMF to LA with proton concentration. The formation rate of humins, on the other hand, shows a linear dependence on proton concentration with low sensitivity.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Katrin Stoekle, Benedikt Huelsemann, David Steinbach, Zebin Cao, Hans Oechsner, Andrea Kruse
Summary: Forced chicory roots can be utilized in a cascaded manner by extracting sugars, hydrothermal carbonization, and anaerobic digestion, achieving a complete utilization of the biomass. This cascaded utilization can elongate the value chain of chicory and enhance the efficiency of biomass usage, with a carbon efficiency of 96%.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2021)
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)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zebin Cao, Benedikt Huelsemann, Dominik Wuest, Hans Oechsner, Armin Lautenbach, Andrea Kruse
Summary: The study shows that HTC treatment of biogas digestate can improve the slagging and fouling indices of hydrochar, with the specific methane yield of process water minimally affected by varying HTC residence time. Energy assessment reveals that HTC for 0.5 hours achieves the highest process efficiency and net energy gain, suggesting the use of 210 degrees C, 0.5 hours HTC condition for energy production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ekaterina Ovsyannikova, Andrea Kruse, Gero C. Becker
Summary: HTL technology is a promising method to recover energy from sewage sludge and manure, producing bio-crude oil. This study focuses on recovering phosphate and ammoniacal nitrogen by producing struvite from the byproducts of HTL. The air-agitated system tested in the laboratory showed potential for enhancing the quality of the product, making it suitable for fertilizer use.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stefan Wild, Bruno Lacerda de Oliveira Campos, Thomas A. Zevaco, David Guse, Matthias Kind, Stephan Pitter, Karla Herrera Delgado, Joerg Sauer
Summary: Experimental kinetics studies and model-based optimization were conducted to investigate the direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) under a wide range of process conditions. The study proposed an optimized ratio of CuO/ZnO/ZrO2 : H-FER 20 for improved DME productivity.
REACTION CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Matthias Betz, Constantin Fuchs, Thomas A. Zevaco, Ulrich Arnold, Jorg Sauer
Summary: In the field of gasoline synthesis from renewable resources, highly integrated procedures are crucial for efficient and sustainable production. Ethylene oligomerization can produce gasoline-type hydrocarbons. Temperature and pressure significantly affect the selectivity and intramolecular branching. The catalyst showed stable performance under the tested conditions.
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Lukas Perret, Bruno Lacerda de Oliveira Campos, Karla Herrera Delgado, Thomas A. Zevaco, Anke Neumann, Joerg Sauer
Summary: This review provides a comparison of different reaction paths, operating conditions, and product recovery between heterogeneous catalysis and anaerobic syngas fermentation for the conversion of synthesis gas. While the mass-specific productivity is similar for both technologies, the space-time yield of heterogeneous catalysis is significantly higher.
CHEMIE INGENIEUR TECHNIK
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yujie Fan, Alexander Hoffmann, Ursel Hornung, Klaus Raffelt, Thomas A. Zevaco, Nicolaus Dahmen
Summary: The formation of cyclic dipeptides from lysine in aqueous solution without the addition of catalyst was investigated at high temperature conditions. The main product, octahydrodipyrido[1,2-a:1 ',2 '-d]pyrazine-6,12(2H,6aH)-dione, was successfully isolated and identified. This technique provides a novel catalyst-free pathway for the synthesis of cyclic dipeptides.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kalim A. Sheikh, Ricki Drexler, Thomas A. Zevaco, Joerg Sauer, Michael Bender
Summary: Oxygenate fuels are a promising solution for reducing urban air pollution by significantly decreasing soot emissions. This study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and testing of ruthenium on alumina catalysts for the methanol-mediated CO hydrogenation towards oxygenates with the formaldehyde oxidation state. By varying the synthesis parameters, interesting correlations between synthesis parameters, final metal loading, crystallite sizes, and catalyst activity were observed. The catalysts were tested in a high-pressure reactor plant, and valuable insights into the relationships between catalyst synthesis, structure, and activity were obtained.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kalim A. Sheikh, Thomas A. Zevaco, Jelena Jelic, Felix Studt, Michael Bender
Summary: Here we present a cobalt catalysed one-pot synthesis of the dimethylacetal of acetaldehyde from synthesis gas and methanol. The resulting product can be used as a fuel additive directly or after transacetalisation with long-chain alcohols. The synthesis is achieved at moderate temperatures with high selectivities and CO-conversions. Variation of the promotor metal and support material in the catalyst reveals their significant impact on catalyst activity and structure. Additionally, temperature and pressure variations provide insight into the ongoing processes.
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, Multidisciplinary
Clarissa Baehr, Gavin J. Smith, Daniel Sleeman, Thomas A. Zevaco, Klaus Raffelt, Nicolaus Dahmen
Summary: A method for quantifying aldehyde concentration in pyrolysis oil using H-1-NMR was developed and applied to the aging process of hardwood pyrolysis oil. The results show a decline in aldehyde concentration within 24 hours, while the decline rate of ketone concentration is slower. The reactivity of aldehydes and ketones plays an important role in the instability of pyrolysis oil.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marius Drexler, Philipp Haltenort, Thomas A. Zevaco, Ulrich Arnold, Joerg Sauer
Summary: Oxymethylene ethers (OMEs) are intensively researched, especially those of the CH3O(CH2O)(n)CH3 type. Oxymethylene dialkyl ethers (OMDAEs) have been studied to a lesser extent but exhibit properties similar to conventional diesel fuels. Tools for predicting properties have been developed based on experimental data.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stefan Wild, Sabrina Polierer, Thomas A. Zevaco, David Guse, Matthias Kind, Stephan Pitter, Karla Herrera Delgado, Joerg Sauer
Summary: This study investigated the application of copper-based catalysts in direct dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis under different CO2/COx ratios and compared the performance of different catalysts. The results showed that, under specific conditions, the combination of Cu/ZnO/ZrO2 and H-FER 20 could provide the highest DME productivity.
