Publications

As the exploration of the carbonization of mixed feedstocks continues, there is a distinct need to understand how feedstock chemical composition and structural complexity influence the composition of generated products. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the carbonization of pure compounds, mixtures of the pure compounds, and complex feedstocks comprised of the pure compounds (e.g., paper, wood). Results indicate that feedstock properties do influence carbonization product properties. Carbonization product characteristics were predicted using results from the carbonization of the pure compounds and indicate that recovered solids energy contents are more accurately predicted than solid yields and the carbon mass in each phase, while predictions associated with solids surface functional groups are more difficult to predict using this linear approach. To more accurately predict carbonization products, it may be necessary to account for feedstock structure and/or additional feedstock properties.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a thermal conversion process that can be an environmentally beneficial approach for the conversion of municipal solid wastes to value-added products. The influence of using activated sludge and landfill leachate as initial moisture sources during the carbonization of paper, food waste and yard waste over time at 250°C was evaluated. Results from batch experiments indicate that the use of activated sludge and landfill leachate are acceptable alternative supplemental liquid sources, ultimately imparting minimal impact on carbonization product characteristics and yields. Regression results indicate that the initial carbon content of the feedstock is more influential than any of the characteristics of the initial liquid source and is statistically significant when describing the relationship associated with all evaluated carbonization products. Initial liquid-phase characteristics are only statistically significant when describing the solids energy content and the mass of carbon in the gas-phase. The use of these alternative liquid sources has the potential to greatly increase the sustainability of the carbonization process. A life cycle assessment is required to quantify the benefits associated with using these alternative liquid sources.

Summary Utilization of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) in environmentally relevant applications is fairly new, and there is much additional research required to fully explore the potential and subsequent use of the process in such applications. This chapter describes the current knowledge associated with environmentally relevant HTC applications. The use of HTC as a waste management tool is first examined. This isfollowed by an overview of char applications, with a focus on char as a soil amendment. In addition, the current commercial status and research needs required to implement carbonization at the field-scale are discussed.

Studies have demonstrated that hydrothermal carbonization of biomass and waste streams results in the formation of beneficial materials/resources with minimal greenhouse gas production. Data necessary to understand how critical process conditions influence carbonization mechanisms, product formation, and associated environmental implications are currently lacking. The purpose of this work is to hydrothermally carbonize cellulose at different temperatures and to systematically sample over a 96-h period to determine how changes in reaction temperature influence product evolution. Understanding cellulose carbonization will provide insight to carbonization of cellulosic biomass and waste materials. Results from batch experiments indicate that the majority of cellulose conversion occurs between the first 0.5–4h, and faster conversion occurs at higher temperatures. Data collected over time suggest cellulose solubilization occurs prior to conversion. The composition of solids recovered after 96h is similar at all temperatures, consisting primarily of sp2 carbons (furanic and aromatic groups) and alkyl groups.

Hydrothermal carbonization of simulated food waste was performed at 250°C for 20h using deionized water (DI) and 0.01N solutions of HCl, NaCl, and NaOH. The hydrochars produced were washed with acetone and the adsorptive capacity of the washed and unwashed hydrochars for atrazine were characterized. Using a generalized linear model, it was shown that the adsorptive capacity of the washed hydrochar was significantly higher than that of the unwashed hydrochars. The HCl processed unwashed hydrochar has a slightly higher adsorptive capacity compared to the DI processed hydrochar while both the NaOH processed washed and unwashed hydrochars were slightly lower than the corresponding DI processed hydrochars. 13C solid-state NMR results showed no discernible differences in surface functional groups among the washed hydrochars and among the unwashed hydrochars. A clear decrease in alkyl groups and an increase in aromatic/olefinic-C groups were observed after acetone washing. 1H liquid-phase NMR showed carbon alkyl chains were present in the acetone wash. Interaction energies calculated using dispersion corrected density functional theory show that atrazine is more strongly adsorbed to surfaces without weakly associated alkyl groups.