The hydrothermal conversion (HTC) process decomposes wet biomass feedstock into a solid fraction (hydrochar), a liquid fraction, and gas (primarily CO2) at temperatures ranging from 180 to 250 ℃ using autogenous pressures. HTC is performed in semi-batch reactors where the feedstock slurry is heated to operating temperatures. The resulting increase in pressure within the H2O sub-critical region causes the dissociation of water into acidic hydronium ions and basic hydroxide ions, creating a medium for the acid-catalyzed reaction of organic compounds. CCL research activities related to wet waste conversion studies span from lab scale studies to pilot-scale investigations, capable of handling 3 dry tons per day feedstock. The hydrochar thus developed could have an active application in water treatment, soil amendments, solid fuel, and function as absorbents for organic and inorganic contaminants. These initial wet-waste conversion test results were fundamental for the waste producers and waste disposing agencies, who are currently grappling to address disposal-related environmental problems.
Related publications:
- Valorization of wastes from the food production industry: A review towards an integrated agri-food processing biorefinery. Jacopo Paini, Vittoria Benedetti, Snehesh Shivananda Ail, Marco J. Castaldi, Marco Baratieri, and Francesco Patuzzi.
Waste and Biomass Valorization (2021): 1-20. - Operation and Thermodynamic Modeling of a Novel Advanced Hydrothermal Reactor: Introduction of the Novel 3-Step Evolution Model. Stergios Vakalis, Snehesh Shivananda Ail, Konstantinos Moustakas, and Marco J. Castaldi. Energies (2023): 16.