Hydrothermal carbonization and slow pyrolysis as two thermal techniques for the production of carbon rich, added-value materials using olive milling byproduct: Quid optimus?

AbstractWhat differs biochar from charcoal? The simple answer is that biochar is a carbon-rich product obtained from the thermal decomposition of organic material, at the presence of no or only a bit of oxygen. In principle, the production of biochar is comparable to the production of charcoal, one of the oldest and most established processes developed by mankind. While charcoal is made traditionally from wood, biochar can be based on a wide range of biomass and biomass residues. However, a variety of technologies for the production of biochar has been developed in recent years. The technologies are based on pyrolysis, gasification, or hydrothermal carbonization and are ranging from simple units, like heated steel drums to full automated and controlled processes. Therefore, the obtained products have tremendous differences in its properties and resulting qualities. The quality defines the field of application. To obtain the required quality for each application, the right process must be applied. Consequently, it is not enough only to enrich the carbon content by thermal decomposition of organic material. The production of tailor-made biochar for specific high added–value application is much more complex. In addition, side products like liquid biofuels make business cases stronger. If it is done in the right way, biochar production combined with advanced biofuels can be an economic solution to overcome the problems of climate change. “So for the future of mankind, this black matter might give the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Download Full-text

Hydrothermal Carbonization as Sustainable Process for the Complete Upgrading of Orange Peel Waste into Value-Added Chemicals and Bio-Carbon Materials

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app112210983 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (22) ◽

pp. 10983

Author(s):

Antonella Satira ◽

Emilia Paone ◽

Viviana Bressi ◽

Daniela Iannazzo ◽

Federica Marra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reaction Temperature ◽

Pure Water ◽

Reaction Medium ◽

Value Added ◽

Orange Peel ◽

Hydrothermal Carbonization ◽

Added Value ◽

Green Protocol ◽

Initial Ph ◽

Orange Peel Waste

In this study, a simple and green protocol to obtain hydrochar and high-added value products, mainly 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), furfural (FU), levulinic acid (LA) and alkyl levulinates, by using the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of orange peel waste (OPW) is presented. Process variables, such as reaction temperature (180–300 °C), reaction time (60–300 min), biomass:water ratio and initial pH were investigated in order to find the optimum conditions that maximize both the yields of solid hydrochar and 5-HMF and levulinates in the bio-oil. Data obtained evidence that the highest yield of hydrochar is obtained at a 210 °C reaction temperature, 180 min residence time, 6/1 w/w orange peel waste to water ratio and a 3.6 initial pH. The bio-products distribution strongly depends on the applied reaction conditions. Overall, 180 °C was found to be the best reaction temperature that maximizes the production of furfural and 5-HMF in the presence of pure water as a reaction medium.

Download Full-text

Obtaining bioproducts by slow pyrolysis of coffee and cocoa husks as suitable candidates for being used as soil amendment and source of energy

Revista Colombiana de Química ◽

10.15446/rev.colomb.quim.v49n2.83231 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 23-29

Author(s):

Lorelis Milian-Luperón ◽

Mónica Hernández-Rodríguez ◽

José Falcón-Hernández ◽

Alexis Otero-Calvis

Keyword(s):

Soil Amendment ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Added Value ◽

Pyrolysis Process ◽

Lignocellulosic Waste ◽

Energy Potential ◽

Biomass Waste ◽

Suitable Candidate ◽

Slow Pyrolysis ◽

Bio Oil

The agricultural economic policy of Cuba pretends to triplicate the crops of coffee and cocoa by 2021, a measure which will bring about both an increase in biomass waste and the need to find a proper method for its disposal. Slow pyrolysis process can transform lignocellulosic waste into added value products as biochar, bio-oil and gas. The present research evaluated the yield and the theoretical potential energy of co-products (biochar, bio-oil, and gas) from coffee and cocoa seed husks using the pyrolysis process as a source of friendly and renewable energy. Results indicated that coffee husks are more suitable for the production of gas with a yield of 40.4%, while cocoa seed husks are better suited for the production of bio-oil, with a yield of 37.4%. For 2021 the theoretical energy potential estimated is 8291 MWh, equivalent to 716000 kg for the coffee husks, and 1384 MWh equivalent to 121000 kg for the cocoa seed husks. The bio-char characterization indicated high contents of carbon, calcium, potassium, nitrogen, and oxygen, which makes it a suitable candidate for being used as a soil amendment. The conversion of coffee and cocoa seed husks into added value products through slow pyrolysis process will help clean the environment, decrease the greenhouse effect, and will aid farmers in the rural populations by providing them with an additional source of income.

Download Full-text

Hydrothermal refining of biomass - an overview and future perspectives

TAPPI Journal ◽

10.32964/tj14.3.195 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 195-207 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

HANNE WIKBERG ◽

VIDAR GRÖNBERG ◽

JOHANNES JERMAKKA ◽

KATARIINA KEMPPAINEN ◽

MARJATTA KLEEN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Hydrothermal Carbonization ◽

Hot Water ◽

Water Extraction ◽

Added Value ◽

Promising Alternative ◽

Hot Water Extraction ◽

Hydrothermal Processes ◽

Wide Range

Biomass is a promising alternative for the production of energy, novel materials, chemicals, and other valuable products. A certain degree of processing is required to achieve those results. Hydrothermal processes offer a unique way to obtain a wide range of biorefinery products. They can be considered as environmentally friendly processes, using solely water at different temperatures as a process medium to convert abundant and inexpensive biomass into products. We provide a short overview on hydrothermal processes that use water in its liquid state, including hot water extraction, pressurized hot water extraction, liquid hot water pretreatment, hydrothermal carbonization, and hydrothermal liquefaction. We also provide examples of current research and realworld findings. We then present a novel hydrothermal biorefinery concept for sequencing these single processes, giving concrete examples of possible raw materials and products. Sequencing gives new possibilities for biorefineries to exploit all the biomass components as valuable products with zero losses. The added value comes from the increased efficiency of the bio-based products’ value chain, by reducing losses and generating higher-value products and services.

Download Full-text