CPOTE2026
|
9th
International Conference on
Contemporary Problems of Thermal Engineering
23-25 September 2026 | Kraków, Poland | In-person
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
Joanna MIKUSIŃSKA, AGH University of Krakow, PolandMarcin GAJEK, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
Klaudia SZKADŁUBOWICZ, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
Monika KUŹNIA, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
Małgorzata WILK, AGH University of Kraków, Poland
The hydrothermal carbonization 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 hydrolysis, condensation, decarboxylation, and dehydration reactions. A solid hydrothermal product known as hydrochar can be easily filtered from the hydrothermal slurry and usually exhibits an increased carbon content and a higher calorific value in comparison to feedstock. From the other hand, a separated process water might be successfully used as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion and expresses biomethane potential. In the present study, five types of biomass, agriculture digestate, corn and tomato silage, brewer's spent grain and sewage sludge, were investigated under a similar hydrothermal conditions: temperature 210 oC, pressure < 2,0 MPa and residence time 2 h. The process was conducted in a stainless steel, Zipperclave Stirred Reactor, 1000 ml of volume, equipped with a MagneDrive Agitator. The distribution of hydrothermal products was examined. The mass and energy yields of hydrochar was determined. To assess the combustion properties of hydrochar the following analyses were performed: the ultimate and proximate, higher heating values and thermal analysis. Moreover, on the basis of the thermal analysis, the key combustion temperature and indexes were determined. Moreover, the biomethane potential tests of process waters were conducted. The results confirmed that the hydrothermal carbonization process effectively converted wet biomass into biofuels.
Keywords: Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), Biomethane potential, Hydrochar, Process water, Thermal analysis
Acknowledgment: This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education [AGH University of Krakow grant no. 16.16.110.663/501.00-1110000-10000].