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Hydrochar as an Alternative to Coal: A Comparative Study of Lignocellulosic and Nonlignocellulosic Biomass

Author

Listed:
  • Numan Luthfi

    (Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu 514-8507, Japan)

  • Takashi Fukushima

    (Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu 514-8507, Japan)

  • Xiulun Wang

    (Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu 514-8507, Japan)

  • Kenji Takisawa

    (Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu 514-8507, Japan)

Abstract

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a widely used process for converting biomass with a wide range of moisture. Biomass selection poses challenges in producing hydrochar with desired properties because of their different constituents. In this study, we investigated the fuel properties of hydrochar of sorghum bagasse (SB) and microalgae (MA) at different severity factors (SFs = 4.08, 4.43, 5.56, 5.90, and 6.63) and their potential as alternatives to coal. The results show that during HTC, both biomasses underwent dehydration, in addition to the noticeable decarboxylation of MA. Fixed carbon increasingly developed in the SB hydrochar, in contrast to the MA hydrochar, which formed volatile hydrocarbon; thus, the MA hydrochar released heat values of 26.7–36.2 MJ·kg −1 , which was higher than that of SB at 19.7–28.0 MJ·kg −1 . However, owing to the stable hydrocarbons, SB hydrochar is assumed to combust more stably and ignite more decently, as indicated by its fuel ratio (0.83), approaching 0.9–1.5. Moreover, the greater number of solids recovered in SB after carbonization makes its conversion more techno-commercially viable, retaining 1.8 times more of the original energy. Conflating these fuel properties reveals that SB hydrochar (SF = 6.63) is a promising alternative to steam coal, and MA hydrochar is an attractive alternative to both steam (SF = 4.08–5.90) and coking coals (SF = 6.63). Concisely, both biomasses are practically promising as value-added hydrochars, but only SB can be developed beyond the current HTC severity owing to the thermal stability of its hydrocarbons.

Suggested Citation

  • Numan Luthfi & Takashi Fukushima & Xiulun Wang & Kenji Takisawa, 2024. "Hydrochar as an Alternative to Coal: A Comparative Study of Lignocellulosic and Nonlignocellulosic Biomass," Resources, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:13:y:2024:i:4:p:49-:d:1368170
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lange, Ian, 2010. "Steam versus coking coal and the acid rain program," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 1251-1254, March.
    2. Swarna Saha & Md Tahmid Islam & Joshua Calhoun & Toufiq Reza, 2023. "Effect of Hydrothermal Carbonization on Fuel and Combustion Properties of Shrimp Shell Waste," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Eunhye Song & Ho Kim & Kyung Woo Kim & Young-Man Yoon, 2023. "Characteristic Evaluation of Different Carbonization Processes for Hydrochar, Torrefied Char, and Biochar Produced from Cattle Manure," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-14, April.
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