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Use of Hydrochar Produced by Hydrothermal Carbonization of Lignocellulosic Biomass for Thermal Power Plants in Chile: A Techno-Economic and Environmental Study

Author

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  • Samuel Carrasco

    (Escuela de Ingeniería Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile)

  • Ernesto Pino-Cortés

    (Escuela de Ingeniería Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile)

  • Andrés Barra-Marín

    (Escuela de Ingeniería Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile)

  • Alejandro Fierro-Gallegos

    (Escuela de Ingeniería Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile)

  • Marcelo León

    (Escuela de Ingeniería Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile)

Abstract

Hydrothermal carbonization makes it possible to transform lignocellulosic biomass into hydrochar, a carbon-rich material that can be used as fuel. Hydrochar has less calorific value than standard coal but generates less ashes during combustion. This study is a pre-feasibility analysis carried out to evaluate technically-economically and environmentally the use of hydrochar as fuel or co-fuel in thermal power plants in Chile. Until now there are no reports about it. The proposal of this work was to study the replacement of coal with a fuel that uses the same equipment and processes in power generation but with less air emission and with an economically profitable change. The results suggest that a plant with a supply of 104 t/h of bituminous coal could be replaced between 18 and 37 t/h of hydrochar, with a reduction of 8 and 27% in NO x and SO 2 emissions, a reduction in 7 to 24% in ashes and a marginal increase in CO 2 emission. The proposed use of hydrochar was economically profitable, with internal rates of return of up to 40% and with cash flows that reached USD 22 million.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel Carrasco & Ernesto Pino-Cortés & Andrés Barra-Marín & Alejandro Fierro-Gallegos & Marcelo León, 2022. "Use of Hydrochar Produced by Hydrothermal Carbonization of Lignocellulosic Biomass for Thermal Power Plants in Chile: A Techno-Economic and Environmental Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:8041-:d:853468
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Gao, Pin & Zhou, Yiyuan & Meng, Fang & Zhang, Yihui & Liu, Zhenhong & Zhang, Wenqi & Xue, Gang, 2016. "Preparation and characterization of hydrochar from waste eucalyptus bark by hydrothermal carbonization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 238-245.
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