Process Water Recirculation During Hydrothermal Carbonization as a Promising Process Step Towards the Production of Nitrogen-Doped Carbonaceous Materials

Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) refers to the conversion of biogenic wastes into char-like solids with promising perspectives for application, but a process water (PW) results which is difficult to dispose untreated. Thus, a biorefinery approach including one or two recirculation steps with the additional objective of improving the physico-chemical characteristics of the solid was performed in this study. During HTC, constitutive molecules such as saccharides, proteins and lignin of Brewer’s Spent Grains decompose into hundreds of organic compounds, following complex reactions. To get deeper insights a combination of proximate, ultimate and structural analysis for solid products as well as liquid chromatography for liquid products were the choice. The main reactions could be identified by key compounds of low and high molecular weight resulting from hydrolysis, dehydration, decarboxylation, deamination as well as amide formation and condensation reactions. Their intensity was influenced by the feedwater pH and reaction temperature. Via reactions of Maillard character up to around 90% of the dissolved nitrogen of the recirculated process water at 200, 220 and 240 °C result in the formation of nitrogen containing heterocycles or rather Quartnernary nitrogen incorporated into the hydrochar (HC). Thus, already one recirculation step during HTC at 240 °C promises the fabrication of high added-value materials, i.e. nitrogen doped carbonaceous materials. Graphic Abstract

Open-Pit Mine Dewatering Based on Water Recirculation—Case Study with Numerical Modelling

The layout of the dewatering system in open-cast mining must be adapted to mining assumptions and to the size of expected inflows, which, in turn, depend on natural conditions and the operation of other mines and groundwater intakes, affecting the arrangement of the hydrodynamic field. This case study analyses possible dewatering solutions related to a change in the mining drainage system: decommissioning by flooding of a depleted deposit and dewatering of a new one located in the vicinity. As part of numerical modelling, a solution was sought to minimise the environmental impact of drainage. Forecast calculations for two drainage alternatives were made. One of the solutions follows the classic approach: independent dewatering of the new excavation. The second solution assumes the recirculation of waters from dewatering of the new mine through their discharge into a closed and flooded pit located in the vicinity. The results of the forecasts for both variants point to the modification of the hydrodynamic field resulting from expected volumes of inflows and different environmental effects. The use of numerical simulations assisted the selection of the optimal dewatering solution.

PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF WATERMELON JUICE AND MILK SOLUTION ON DE-ADHESION, DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES AND HATCHING RATE OF EGGS AND SURVIVAL OF FRY OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS

Sticky layer of Clarias gariepinus eggs cause the clumping of eggs immediately after fertilization, this create low oxygen, and increase pathogenic infection, thereby reducing fertilization and hatching rate hence reduces in mass production of C. gariepinus seed. Although various substances are use in the removal of the sticky layer, no information is available about the use of watermelon. Therefore, the present study, aim in exploring the potential of using watermelon in removing the sticky layer of C. gariepinus to enhance production. Fertilized eggs were treated with watermelon juice (T1) for comparison with 14 g L-1 milk solution (T2 as de-adhesion reference) and water as control (T0 as adhesion reference). The treatments were agitated with aeration for 30 minutes, rinsed with water, and poured on respective netted hatching trough, with water recirculation for incubation at 27 0C for 24 h period. Except for T0, no clumping of eggs was observed in the remaining groups. Slight variation in attaining a developmental stage among eggs was observed in eggs treated with watermelon. Hatching and survival rate in T2 are higher than T1 and T0 (P<0.05). However, watermelon indicated the potential, as it removed the sticky layer while maintaining hatching and survival rate as in the control (T0) (P>0.05), more should be explored before adoption of watermelon for de-adhesion and incubation of C. gariepinus eggs.

Process Water Recirculation during Hydrothermal Carbonization of Waste Biomass: Current Knowledge and Challenges

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is considered as an efficient and constantly expanding eco-friendly methodology for thermochemical processing of high moisture waste biomass into solid biofuels and valuable carbonaceous materials. However, during HTC, a considerable amount of organics, initially present in the feedstock, are found in the process water (PW). PW recirculation is attracting an increasing interest in the hydrothermal process field as it offers the potential to increase the carbon recovery yield while increasing hydrochar energy density. PW recirculation can be considered as a viable method for the valorization and reuse of the HTC aqueous phase, both by reducing the amount of additional water used for the process and maximizing energy recovery from the HTC liquid residual fraction. In this work, the effects of PW recirculation, for different starting waste biomasses, on the properties of hydrochars and liquid phase products are reviewed. The mechanism of production and evolution of hydrochar during recirculation steps are discussed, highlighting the possible pathways which could enhance energy and carbon recovery. Challenges of PW recirculation are presented and research opportunities proposed, showing how PW recirculation could increase the economic viability of the process while contributing in mitigating environmental impacts.