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Integration of Hydrothermal Carbonisation and Anaerobic Digestion for the Energy Valorisation of Grass

Author

Listed:
  • 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, Campus La Nubia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Manizales 170002, Colombia)

  • Andrew B. Ross

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

Abstract

The integration of hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) and anaerobic digestion (AD) can overcome some of the disadvantages of thermal or biological processing alone. This study aims to investigate integrated HTC-AD across a range of integration strategies and HTC processing temperatures (150 °C, 200 °C and 250 °C) to improve the energy conversion efficiency (ECE) of grass, compared to AD alone. The separation of hydrochars (HCs) for combustion and process waters (PWs) for digestion appears to be the most energetically feasible HTC-AD integration strategy, compared to HC or HTC-slurry AD. Hydrochars represent the greater energy carrier with between 81–85% of total energy output. The ECE of grass was improved from 51% to 97% (150 °C), 83% (200 °C) and 68% (250 °C) through integrated HTC-AD. Therefore, lower HTC processing temperatures yield more favourable energetics. However, higher HTC temperatures favour more desirable HC properties as a combustion fuel. The hydrochar produced at 250 °C (HC-250) displayed the highest HHV (25.8 MJ/kg) and fixed carbon: volatile matter ratio (0.47), as well as the greatest reduction in slagging and fouling potential (ash flow temperature > 1550 °C). Overall, integrated HTC-AD is an effective energy valorisation strategy for grass. A compromise exists between the quality of hydrochar and the energetic balance. However, at 250 °C the process remains energetically feasible (EROI = 2.63).

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:10:p:3495-:d:812455
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nizami, A.S. & Orozco, A. & Groom, E. & Dieterich, B. & Murphy, J.D., 2012. "How much gas can we get from grass?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 783-790.
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    5. 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.
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    8. Aaron E. Brown & Jessica M. M. Adams & Oliver R. Grasham & Miller Alonso Camargo-Valero & Andrew B. Ross, 2020. "An Assessment of Different Integration Strategies of Hydrothermal Carbonisation and Anaerobic Digestion of Water Hyacinth," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-26, November.
    9. Kambo, Harpreet Singh & Dutta, Animesh, 2015. "A comparative review of biochar and hydrochar in terms of production, physico-chemical properties and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 359-378.
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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.

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