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Hydrothermal Carbonization of Peat Moss and Herbaceous Biomass (Miscanthus): A Potential Route for Bioenergy

Author

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  • Poritosh Roy

    (School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada)

  • Animesh Dutta

    (School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada)

  • Jim Gallant

    (REMASCO, 3811 Middle Side Road, Amherstburg, ON N9V 2Y9, Canada)

Abstract

Peat moss and miscanthus were hydrothermally carbonized (HTC) either individually or co-processed in a different ratio to produce hydrochar. The hydrochar and pelletized hydrochar were then characterized to determine if hydrochar can be used as an alternative to coal to produce bioenergy from existing coal-fired power plants in Ontario that have already been shut down. The properties of carbonized biomass (either hydrochar or pellets) reveal that fuel grade hydrochar can be produced from peat moss or from the blend of peat moss and miscanthus (agricultural biomass/energy crops). Hydrochar either produced from peat moss or from the blend of peat moss and miscanthus was observed to be hydrophobic and porous compared to raw peat moss or raw miscanthus. The combustion indices of carbonized biomass confirmed that it can be combusted or co-combusted to produce bioenergy and can avoid slagging, fouling, and agglomeration problems of the bioenergy industry. The results of this study revealed that HTC is a promising option for producing solid biofuel from undervalued biomass, especially from high moisture biomass. Co-processing of peat moss with rural biomass, a relatively novel idea which can be a potential solution to heat and power for the rural communities/agri-industry that are not connected with national grids and alleviate their waste management problems. In addition, the hydrochar can also be used to run some of the existing coal-fired power plants that have already been shut down in Ontario without interrupting investment and employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Poritosh Roy & Animesh Dutta & Jim Gallant, 2018. "Hydrothermal Carbonization of Peat Moss and Herbaceous Biomass (Miscanthus): A Potential Route for Bioenergy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:10:p:2794-:d:176347
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Adrian Knapczyk & Sławomir Francik & Marcin Jewiarz & Agnieszka Zawiślak & Renata Francik, 2020. "Thermal Treatment of Biomass: A Bibliometric Analysis—The Torrefaction Case," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-31, December.
    2. Jongkeun Lee & Sungwan Cho & Daegi Kim & JunHee Ryu & Kwanyong Lee & Haegeun Chung & Ki Young Park, 2021. "Conversion of Slaughterhouse Wastes to Solid Fuel Using Hydrothermal Carbonization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-10, March.
    3. Manfredi Picciotto Maniscalco & Maurizio Volpe & Antonio Messineo, 2020. "Hydrothermal Carbonization as a Valuable Tool for Energy and Environmental Applications: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-26, August.
    4. Yuchiao Lu & Hanmin Yang & Andrey V. Karasev & Chuan Wang & Pär G. Jönsson, 2022. "Applications of Hydrochar and Charcoal in the Iron and Steelmaking Industry—Part 1: Characterization of Carbonaceous Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-27, August.
    5. Roy, Poritosh & Dutta, Animesh & Gallant, Jim, 2020. "Evaluation of the life cycle of hydrothermally carbonized biomass for energy and horticulture application," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).

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