Green Energy and Resources (Jun 2024)

Hydrothermal co-carbonization of rice straw and acid whey for enhanced hydrochar properties and nutrient recovery

  • Yuxiang Zhao,
  • Taotao Lu,
  • Guochen Xu,
  • Yilun Luo,
  • Xianlong Zhang,
  • Xueping Wu,
  • Xiaozhao Han,
  • Jefferson W. Tester,
  • Kui Wang

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 2
p. 100077

Abstract

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This study investigated rice straw hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) in water, optimizing operating conditions to enhance solid carbon content and nitrogen content in hydrochar. Additionally, we conducted hydrothermal co-carbonization (co-HTC) of rice straw and acid whey, achieving significant improvements in hydrochar properties. Co-HTC resulted in a 53.6% increase in HHVs, 20.0% higher yield, and a 42.7% rise in carbon content, accompanied by notable reductions in ash content. Nitrogen content increased by 26.0%, P content by 12.7 times, and K content by 27.6%. Analytical techniques revealed promising modifications, indicating potential applications of hydrochar in solid fuel or organic fertilizers, thus contributing to a circular bioeconomy in agricultural waste management.

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