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Co-Processing Lignocellulosic Biomass and Sewage Digestate by Hydrothermal Carbonisation: Influence of Blending on Product Quality

Author

Listed:
  • Kiran R. Parmar

    (School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • Aaron E. Brown

    (School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • James M. Hammerton

    (School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • Miller Alonso Camargo-Valero

    (BioResource Systems Research Group, School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
    Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Campus La Nubia, Manizales 170001, Columbia)

  • Louise A. Fletcher

    (BioResource Systems Research Group, School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • Andrew B. Ross

    (School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

Abstract

Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) can be integrated with anaerobic digestion (AD) for the treatment of digestate, resulting in a solid hydrochar or bio-coal and a process water, which can be recirculated back into AD to produce biogas. The properties of digestate-derived hydrochars do not lend themselves to producing high quality bio-coal and blending with lignocellulosic feedstocks can improve its properties. This study investigates the co-processing of sewage sludge (SS) digestate with three lignocellulosic biomass (grass, privet hedge, and woodchip). The calorific value of the resulting bio-coal is increased following co-processing, although feedstock interactions result in non-additive behaviour. The largest increase in calorific value was observed for co-processing with woodchip. There is evidence for non-additive partitioning of metals during co-processing resulting in only moderate improvements in ash chemistry during combustion. Co-processing also effects the composition of process waters, influencing the potential for biogas production. Experimental biomethane potential (BMP) tests indicate that grass clippings are the most suitable co-feedstock for maintaining both calorific value and biogas production. However, above 200 °C, BMP yields appear to decrease, suggesting the process water may become more inhibitory. Co-processing with wood waste and privet hedge produce the higher CV bio-coal but significantly reduced BMP.

Suggested Citation

  • Kiran R. Parmar & Aaron E. Brown & James M. Hammerton & Miller Alonso Camargo-Valero & Louise A. Fletcher & Andrew B. Ross, 2022. "Co-Processing Lignocellulosic Biomass and Sewage Digestate by Hydrothermal Carbonisation: Influence of Blending on Product Quality," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:4:p:1418-:d:750031
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alba Dieguez-Alonso & Axel Funke & Andrés Anca-Couce & Alessandro Girolamo Rombolà & Gerardo Ojeda & Jörg Bachmann & Frank Behrendt, 2018. "Towards Biochar and Hydrochar Engineering—Influence of Process Conditions on Surface Physical and Chemical Properties, Thermal Stability, Nutrient Availability, Toxicity and Wettability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-26, February.
    2. Zhai, Yunbo & Peng, Chuan & Xu, Bibo & Wang, Tengfei & Li, Caiting & Zeng, Guangming & Zhu, Yun, 2017. "Hydrothermal carbonisation of sewage sludge for char production with different waste biomass: Effects of reaction temperature and energy recycling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 167-174.
    3. Aidan Mark Smith & Ugochinyere Ekpo & Andrew Barry Ross, 2020. "The Influence of pH on the Combustion Properties of Bio-Coal Following Hydrothermal Treatment of Swine Manure," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, January.
    4. Kiran R. Parmar & Andrew B. Ross, 2019. "Integration of Hydrothermal Carbonisation with Anaerobic Digestion; Opportunities for Valorisation of Digestate," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-17, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Giovanni Esposito & Silvio Matassa & Stefano Papirio, 2022. "Biovalorization of Lignocellulosic Waste," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-3, November.
    2. Aaron E. Brown & James M. Hammerton & Miller Alonso Camargo-Valero & Andrew B. Ross, 2022. "Integration of Hydrothermal Carbonisation and Anaerobic Digestion for the Energy Valorisation of Grass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-21, May.

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