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conference cpote2026 logo
CPOTE2026 | 9th International Conference on
Contemporary Problems of Thermal Engineering
23-25 September 2026 | Kraków, Poland | In-person

Abstract CPOTE2026-5023-A

The potential of using hydrothermal carbonization process to convert agricultural digestate into biofuel

Joanna MIKUSIŃSKA, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
Klaudia SZKADŁUBOWICZ, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
Monika KUŹNIA, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
Marcin GAJEK, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
Małgorzata WILK, AGH University of Krakow, Poland

The hydrothermal carbonization process (HTC) is commonly used as a method for the thermal conversion of feedstock characterized by a high moisture level. The most popular materials are biomass, sewage sludge and food waste. One of the product of the HTC process is hydrochar, which might serve as a substitute for non-renewable fossil fuels. It is a solid material characterized by a high content of carbon. The properties of hydrochar depends mainly on the parameters of the HTC process: temperature and residence time. In this research the feedstock used in the HTC process was agricultural digestate obtained from biogas plant. Digestate is a by-product of the fermentation process which occurs during biogas production. In this study digestate was mixed with water and subjected to the HTC process at 190 and 200°C and residence time 0.5 – 2 h. Then the physical and chemical properties of hydrochar were analysed to assess its fuel properties. Based on the results, it was determined that higher temperature and longer residence time affect higher carbon content and calorific value in hydrochars.

Keywords: Biomass, Hydrothermal carbonization, Hydrochar, Process water, Biofuels
Acknowledgment: This research was funded by the National Science Centre, Poland, under project no. 2024/55/B/ST8/01847 [OPUS28].