Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass: A summary and discussion of chemical mechanisms for process engineering

Axel Funke; Felix Ziegler

doi:10.1002/bbb.198

journal article Mar 01, 2010

Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass: A summary and discussion of chemical mechanisms for process engineering

Axel Funke

Felix Ziegler

Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining Vol. 4 No. 2 pp. 160-177 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/bbb.198

Abstract

AbstractHydrothermal carbonization can be defined as combined dehydration and decarboxy lation of a fuel to raise its carbon content with the aim of achieving a higher calorific value. It is realized by applying elevated temperatures (180–220°C) to biomass in a suspension with water under saturated pressure for several hours. With this conversion process, a lignite‐like, easy to handle fuel with well‐defined properties can be created from biomass residues, even with high moisture content. Thus it may contribute to a wider application of biomass for energetic purposes. Although hydrothermal carbonization has been known for nearly a century, it has received little attention in current biomass conversion research. This review summarizes knowledge about the chemical nature of this process from a process design point of view. Reaction mechanisms of hydrolysis, dehydration, decarboxylation, aromatization, and condensation polymerization are discussed and evaluated to describe important operational parameters qualitatively. The results are used to derive fundamental process design improvements. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

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Published: Mar 01, 2010
Vol/Issue: 4(2)
Pages: 160-177
License: View

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Cite This Article

Axel Funke, Felix Ziegler (2010). Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass: A summary and discussion of chemical mechanisms for process engineering. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 4(2), 160-177. https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.198

Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass: A summary and discussion of chemical mechanisms for process engineering

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