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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 CPOTE2026-6033-A

Hydrothermal carbonization of wet biomass as an efficient method for generating biofuels

Małgorzata WILK, AGH University of Kraków, Poland
Monika KUŹNIA, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
Marcin GAJEK, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
Joanna MIKUSIŃSKA, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
Klaudia SZKADŁUBOWICZ, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
Grzegorz CEMA, Silesian University of Technology, Poland

The hydrothermal treatment process is an effective thermal conversion of wet biomass to solid and liquid biofuels that avoids the drying of raw feedstock. The process takes place under heat and pressure in the presence of water which initiates a series of reactions including hydrolysis. This treatment might be used to hardly decomposing lignocellulosic biomass characterized by high moisture content. To boost its hydrolysis a steam explosion might be also employed. In the present study, the hydrolysis of wheat straw was carried out at 175°C for 0.5 and 2h treated by a quick wave of steam explosion in pilot hydrothermal unit. The process facilitated the lighter and deeper decomposition of the organic matter into smaller compounds eager to produce biogas. Hydrolysates were separated into liquid and solid residues. Solid residues were also tested in terms of their physical and chemical properties using the following instrumental techniques: fibre, ultimate and proximate analyses, and higher heating value. The TGA and FTIR analyses were employed to identify the degradation of lignocellulosic materials. These pretreatment facilitated biomethane potential of wheat straw confirmed by biomethane potential tests performed for pilot reactor. The results confirmed that the hydrothermal treatment effectively converted wet biomass into biofuels.

Keywords: Hydrothermal treatment, Biomethane potential, Lignocellulosic biomass, Thermal analysis, Steam explosion
Acknowledgment: This research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Poland [AGH grant no. 16.16.110.663/501.00-110000-10000]. Research project was partly supported by program „Excellence initiative – research university” for the AGH University of Krakow, Action D21. The authors gratefully acknowledge EKOPROD Ltd., the proprietor of the HTC apparatus employed in the presented study.