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Hydrothermal Carbonization as a Valuable Tool for Energy and Environmental Applications: A Review

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  • Manfredi Picciotto Maniscalco

    (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Kore University of Enna, Cittadella Universitaria, 94100 Enna, Italy)

  • Maurizio Volpe

    (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Kore University of Enna, Cittadella Universitaria, 94100 Enna, Italy)

  • Antonio Messineo

    (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Kore University of Enna, Cittadella Universitaria, 94100 Enna, Italy)

Abstract

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) represents an efficient and valuable pre-treatment technology to convert waste biomass into highly dense carbonaceous materials that could be used in a wide range of applications between energy, environment, soil improvement and nutrients recovery fields. HTC converts residual organic materials into a solid high energy dense material (hydrochar) and a liquid residue where the most volatile and oxygenated compounds (mainly furans and organic acids) concentrate during reaction. Pristine hydrochar is mainly used for direct combustion, to generate heat or electricity, but highly porous carbonaceous media for energy storage or for adsorption of pollutants applications can be also obtained through a further activation stage. HTC process can be used to enhance recovery of nutrients as nitrogen and phosphorous in particular and can be used as soil conditioner, to favor plant growth and mitigate desertification of soils. The present review proposes an outlook of the several possible applications of hydrochar produced from any sort of waste biomass sources. For each of the applications proposed, the main operative parameters that mostly affect the hydrochar properties and characteristics are highlighted, in order to match the needs for the specific application.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:16:p:4098-:d:396014
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    13. Stergios Vakalis & Snehesh Shivananda Ail & Konstantinos Moustakas & Marco J. Castaldi, 2023. "Operation and Thermodynamic Modeling of a Novel Advanced Hydrothermal Reactor: Introduction of the Novel 3-Step Evolution Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-14, February.
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    15. Maria A. Vasileiadou & Georgia Altiparmaki & Konstantinos Moustakas & Stergios Vakalis, 2022. "Quality of Hydrochar from Wine Sludge under Variable Conditions of Hydrothermal Carbonization: The Case of Lesvos Island," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-12, May.
    16. Wei, Yingyuan & Fakudze, Sandile & Zhang, Yiming & Ma, Ru & Shang, Qianqian & Chen, Jianqiang & Liu, Chengguo & Chu, Qiulu, 2022. "Co-hydrothermal carbonization of pomelo peel and PVC for production of hydrochar pellets with enhanced fuel properties and dechlorination," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PD).
    17. Richard Ochieng & Alemayehu Gebremedhin & Shiplu Sarker, 2022. "Integration of Waste to Bioenergy Conversion Systems: A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-22, April.
    18. Nourhen Hsini & Vahid Saadattalab & Xia Wang & Nawres Gharred & Hatem Dhaouadi & Sonia Dridi-Dhaouadi & Niklas Hedin, 2022. "Activated Carbons Produced from Hydrothermally Carbonized Prickly Pear Seed Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, November.
    19. Siti Zaharah Roslan & Siti Fairuz Zainudin & Alijah Mohd Aris & Khor Bee Chin & Mohibah Musa & Ahmad Rafizan Mohamad Daud & Syed Shatir A. Syed Hassan, 2023. "Hydrothermal Carbonization of Sewage Sludge into Solid Biofuel: Influences of Process Conditions on the Energetic Properties of Hydrochar," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-16, March.
    20. Raziye Kul & Ertan Yıldırım & Melek Ekinci & Metin Turan & Sezai Ercisli, 2022. "Effect of Biochar and Process Water Derived from the Co-Processed Sewage Sludge and Food Waste on Garden Cress’ Growth and Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-21, December.

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