Fate of biomass inorganic elements during hydrothermal carbonization: an experimental study on agro-food waste

Julie Michel, Maria Jose Rivas Arrieta, Eleonora Boren, Loïc Simonin, Maria Kennedy, Capucine Dupont

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The distribution of inorganic elements between solid and liquid phases during biomass hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a poorly investigated topic despite its importance for process optimization. To fill in this gap, the distribution of inorganic elements and their forms were determined for three agro-food waste feedstocks converted at HTC temperatures of 180, 220, and 260 °C in 12 h. Satisfactory balances were achieved, with values between 80 and 92% for C and N, and 80 and 110% for most inorganic elements. At 180 °C, over 90% of P, Mg, Ca, K, Na, and Mn were removed from hydrochars whatever feedstock. At higher temperatures, P, Mg, Ca, and Mn were partly reincorporated into hydrochars (between 7 and 53%), possibly due to the formation of insoluble precipitates, while K and Na remained in the liquid. On the opposite, some minor elements, Cu and Al, remained in the hydrochars, whatever temperature. Si showed different removal behaviors according to feedstock and temperature. These results show the possibility of optimizing the removal of inorganic elements from hydrochars using different temperatures.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBiomass Conversion and Biorefinery
ISSN2190-6815
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 23 Nov 2023

Keywords

  • Biochar
  • Biomass
  • Elemental balances
  • Hydrothermal carbonization
  • Inorganic elements
  • Waste

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fate of biomass inorganic elements during hydrothermal carbonization: an experimental study on agro-food waste'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this