Open Access

REVIEW

Hydrochar Pelletization towards Solid Biofuel from Biowaste Hydrothermal Carbonization

by Ao Li, Kai Jin, Jinrui Qin, Zhaowei Huang, Yu Liu, Rui Chen, Tengfei Wang^*, Junmin Chen^*

Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiao Tong University, Chengdu, 611756, China

* Corresponding Authors: Tengfei Wang. Email: ; Junmin Chen. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Biochar Based Materials for a Green Future)

Journal of Renewable Materials 2023, 11(1), 411-422. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2022.024889

Received 12 June 2022; Accepted 22 June 2022; Issue published 10 August 2022

Abstract

Hydrothermal carbonization is highly applicable to high moisture biomass upgrading due to fact that moisture involved can be directly used as reaction media under subcritical-water region. With this, value-added utilization of hydrochar as solid fuel with high carbon and energy density is one of the important pathways for biomass conversion. In this review, the dewatering properties of hydrochar after the hydrothermal carbonization of biowaste, coalification degree with elemental composition and evolution, pelletization of hydrochar to enhance the mechanical properties and density, coupled with the combustion properties of hydrochar biofuel were discussed with various biomass and carbonization parameters. Potential applications for the co-combustion with coal, cleaner properties and energy balance for biowaste hydrothermal carbonization were presented as well as the challenges.

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Graphic Abstract

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Keywords

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