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Enhancing the Fuel Properties of Spent Coffee Grounds through Hydrothermal Carbonization: Output Prediction and Post-Treatment Approaches

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  • Chau Huyen Dang

    (Department of System Process Engineering, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
    Institute of Waste Management and Circular Economy, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Technische Universität Dresden, Pratzschwitzer 15, 01796 Pirna, Germany)

  • Gianluigi Farru

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Claudia Glaser

    (Department of Process and Plant Technology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Burger Chaussee 2, 03046 Cottbus, Germany)

  • Marcus G. Fischer

    (Department of System Process Engineering, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany)

  • Judy A. Libra

    (Department of System Process Engineering, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany)

Abstract

The reuse potential for the large annual production of spent coffee grounds (SCGs) is underexploited in most world regions. Hydrochars from SCGs produced via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) have been recognized as a promising solid fuel alternative. To increase demand, optimization of the HTC and two post-treatment processes, washing and agglomeration, were studied to improve hydrochar in terms of energetic properties, minimizing unwanted substances, and better handling. HTC experiments at three scales (1–18.75 L) and varying process conditions (temperature T (160–250 °C), reaction time t (1–5 h), and solid content % S o (6–20%) showed that the higher heating value (HHV) can be improved by up to 46%, and most potential emissions of trace elements from combustion reduced (up to 90%). The HTC outputs (solid yield—SY, HHV, energy yield—EY) were modeled and compared to published genetic programming (GP) models. Both model types predicted the three outputs with low error (<15%) and can be used for process optimization. The efficiency of water washing depended on the HTC process temperature and type of aromatics produced. The furanic compounds were removed (69–100%; 160 °C), while only 34% of the phenolic compounds (240 °C) were washed out. Agglomeration of both wet SCG and its hydrochar is feasible; however, the finer particles of washed hydrochar (240 °C) resulted in larger-sized spherical pellets (85% > 2000–4000 µm) compared to SCGs (only 4%).

Suggested Citation

  • Chau Huyen Dang & Gianluigi Farru & Claudia Glaser & Marcus G. Fischer & Judy A. Libra, 2023. "Enhancing the Fuel Properties of Spent Coffee Grounds through Hydrothermal Carbonization: Output Prediction and Post-Treatment Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-24, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2023:i:1:p:338-:d:1310371
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Turek, Maria Eliza & Freitas, Karllas Stival & Armindo, Robson André, 2019. "Spent coffee grounds as organic amendment modify hydraulic properties in a sandy loam Brazilian soil," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 313-321.
    2. Afolabi, Oluwasola O.D. & Sohail, M. & Cheng, Yu-Ling, 2020. "Optimisation and characterisation of hydrochar production from spent coffee grounds by hydrothermal carbonisation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 1380-1391.
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