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Hydrothermal Carbonization of Chemical and Biological Pulp Mill Sludges

Author

Listed:
  • Clara Lisseth Mendoza Martinez

    (School of Energy Systems, LUT University, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

  • Ekaterina Sermyagina

    (School of Energy Systems, LUT University, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

  • Esa Vakkilainen

    (School of Energy Systems, LUT University, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

Abstract

A modern pulp mill generates a variety of different by-products and waste streams, some of these can be recycled, refined, sold, or used on-site for energy production. However, some, such as chemical and biological sludges produced in wastewater treatment cannot be reused or disposed of easily, mainly due to their high moisture content and poor drying characteristics. Tightening legislation regarding waste disposal as well as the growing need to increase the process efficiencies of pulp mills act as driving forces to find environmentally friendly and energy-efficient techniques for pulp mill sludge treatment. This study summarizes the current methods for pulp mill sludge handling and evaluates the potential of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), a conversion process through which wet organic substrates can be transformed into a carbonaceous material (hydrochar). Depending on the process parameters, the material’s structure is modified, enabling hydrochar use in energy, soil conditioning and adsorption applications. The sludges were hydrothermally carbonized at 180, 200, 220 and 240 °C for 3 h. The hydrochar and liquid products’ main properties were analyzed. Their potential applications were also evaluated. The effective treatment of sludges from the pulp industry with HTC could transform energy-demanding waste into a value-added source of materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Clara Lisseth Mendoza Martinez & Ekaterina Sermyagina & Esa Vakkilainen, 2021. "Hydrothermal Carbonization of Chemical and Biological Pulp Mill Sludges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:18:p:5693-:d:632678
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mäkelä, Mikko & Yoshikawa, Kunio, 2016. "Simulating hydrothermal treatment of sludge within a pulp and paper mill," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 177-183.
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    5. Mendoza Martinez, Clara Lisseth & Saari, Jussi & Melo, Yara & Cardoso, Marcelo & de Almeida, Gustavo Matheus & Vakkilainen, Esa, 2021. "Evaluation of thermochemical routes for the valorization of solid coffee residues to produce biofuels: A Brazilian case," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Lindomar Matias Gonçalves & Clara Mendoza-Martinez & Elém Patrícia Alves Rocha & Eduardo Coutinho de Paula & Marcelo Cardoso, 2023. "Solar Drying of Sludge from a Steel-Wire-Drawing Industry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Salah Jellali & Antonis A. Zorpas & Sulaiman Alhashmi & Mejdi Jeguirim, 2022. "Recent Advances in Hydrothermal Carbonization of Sewage Sludge," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-6, September.
    3. Jussi Saari & Ekaterina Sermyagina & Katja Kuparinen & Satu Lipiäinen & Juha Kaikko & Marcelo Hamaguchi & Clara Mendoza-Martinez, 2022. "Improving Kraft Pulp Mill Energy Efficiency through Low-Temperature Hydrothermal Carbonization of Biological Sludge," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-16, August.
    4. Tharaka Rama Krishna C. Doddapaneni & Linnar Pärn & Timo Kikas, 2022. "Torrefaction of Pulp Industry Sludge to Enhance Its Fuel Characteristics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-15, August.

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