A recent advancement on hydrothermal carbonization of biomass to produce hydrochar for pollution control

A thermochemical conversion method known as hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is appealing, because it may convert wet biomass directly into energy and chemicals without the need for pre-drying. The hydrochar solid product's capacity to prepare precursors of activated carbon has attracted attention. HTC has been utilized to solve practical issues and produce desired carbonaceous products on a variety of generated wastes, including municipal solid waste, algae, and sludge in addition to the typically lignocellulose biomass used as sustainable feedstock. This study aims to assess the in-depth description of hydrothermal carbonization, highlighting the most recent findings with regard to the technological mechanisms and practical advantages. The process parameters, which include temperature, water content, pH, and retention time, determine the characteristics of the final products. The right setting of parameters is crucial, since it significantly affects the characteristics of hydrothermal products and opens up a range of opportunities for their use in multiple sectors. Findings reveal that the type of precursor, retention time, and temperature at which the reaction is processed were discovered to be the main determinants of the HTC process. Lower solid products are produced at higher temperatures; the carbon concentration rises, while the hydrogen and oxygen content declines. Current knowledge gaps, fresh views, and associated recommendations were offered to fully use the HTC technique's enormous potential and to provide hydrochar with additional useful applications in the future.

Automated summary

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a thermochemical conversion method that can directly convert wet biomass into energy and chemicals without pre-drying. HTC has been used to solve practical issues and produce desired carbonaceous products from various waste materials. This study provides an in-depth description of HTC, highlighting the recent findings on its technical mechanisms and practical advantages. The process parameters, such as temperature, water content, pH, and retention time, play a crucial role in determining the characteristics of the final products. The study also offers recommendations to fully utilize the potential of HTC and explore additional applications for hydrochar in the future.