Applied Sciences (Nov 2021)

Hydrothermal Carbonization as Sustainable Process for the Complete Upgrading of Orange Peel Waste into Value-Added Chemicals and Bio-Carbon Materials

  • Antonella Satira,
  • Emilia Paone,
  • Viviana Bressi,
  • Daniela Iannazzo,
  • Federica Marra,
  • Paolo Salvatore Calabrò,
  • Francesco Mauriello,
  • Claudia Espro

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210983
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 22
p. 10983

Abstract

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In this study, a simple and green protocol to obtain hydrochar and high-added value products, mainly 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), furfural (FU), levulinic acid (LA) and alkyl levulinates, by using the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of orange peel waste (OPW) is presented. Process variables, such as reaction temperature (180–300 °C), reaction time (60–300 min), biomass:water ratio and initial pH were investigated in order to find the optimum conditions that maximize both the yields of solid hydrochar and 5-HMF and levulinates in the bio-oil. Data obtained evidence that the highest yield of hydrochar is obtained at a 210 °C reaction temperature, 180 min residence time, 6/1 w/w orange peel waste to water ratio and a 3.6 initial pH. The bio-products distribution strongly depends on the applied reaction conditions. Overall, 180 °C was found to be the best reaction temperature that maximizes the production of furfural and 5-HMF in the presence of pure water as a reaction medium.

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