Skip to main content
Log in

Hydrothermal Carbonization of Biomass: A Review

  • Published:
Solid Fuel Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The review surveys the structure and properties of plant biomass and the processes of its thermal conversion into biocoal (pyrolysis, torrefaction, and hydrothermal carbonization). Attention is focused on the hydrothermal carbonization: the mechanism of reaction, the conversion of the individual components of biomass and the material as a whole, the properties of the resulting biocoal, and current trends in the application of this process are described (the use as fuel and in the production of adsorbents, catalysts, etc.).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kosivtsov, Yu.Yu. and Sul’man, E.M., Tekhnologii piroliza organicheskikh materialov (Technologies for the Pyrolysis of Organic Materials), Tver: TGTU, 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Rustamov, N.A., Zaitsev, S.I., and Chernova, N.I., Energiya, 2005, no. 6, p. 20.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Smirnov, P.M. and Muravin, E.L., Agrokhimiya (Agrochemistry), Moscow: Kolos, 1977, p. 15.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Smirnov, P.M. and Muravin, E.L., Agrokhimiya (Agrochemistry), Moscow: Kolos, 1977, p. 13.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Terent’eva, E.P., Udovenko, N.K., and Pavlova, E.A., Khimiya drevesiny, tsellyulozy i sinteticheskikh polimerov: uchebnoe posobie (Chemistry of Wood, Cellulose, and Synthetic Polymers: A Tutorial), St. Petersburg: SPbGTURP, 2015, part 2.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Biocoal. http://www.biouhli.com/ru/tekhnologija/process-nts/

  7. Pal’chenok, G.I., Khutskaya, N.G., and Leichenok, N.S., Equilibrium Composition of the Thermochemical Conversion Products of Plant Biomass and Carbon-Containing Wastes. http://pandia.ru/text/79/565/55070.php

  8. Method of Coal Production from Biowaste. http://www.ecotoc.ru/traditional/ugol/d742/

  9. Bergius, F., Die Anwendung hoher Drucke bei chemischen Vorgangen und eine Nachbildung des Entstehungsprozesses der Steinkohle, Knapp W., Ed., 1913, p. 41.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Leibniz, E.J., Prakt. Chem., 1958, vol. 4, no. 6, p. 18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Lu, X., Yamauchi, K., and Phaiboonsilpa, N., J. Wood Sci., 2009, vol. 55, p. 367.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Funke, A. and Ziegler, F., Biofuel. Bioprod. Biorefining, 2010, vol. 4, p. 4160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Brown, R.C., Biorenewable Resources: Engineering New Products from Agriculture, Ames, Iowa: Iowa State Press, 2003, p. 30.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Sevilla, M. and Fuertes, A.B., Carbon, 2009, vol. 47, p. 2281.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Reza, M.T., Yan, W., Uddin, M.H., Lynam, J.G., Hoekman, S.K., Charles, J., Coronella, C.J., and Vasque, V.R., Bioresour. Technol., 2013, vol. 139, p. 161.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Zhang, B., Huang, H.J., and Ramaswamy, S., Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol., 2008, vol. 147, nos. 1–3, p. 119.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Hatate, Y., Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2009, vol. 39, p. 3688.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Yu, Y., Lou, X., and Wu, H., Energy Fuels, 2008, vol. 22, p. 46.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Funke, A. and Ziegler, F., Biofuel. Bioprod. Biorefining, 2010, vol. 4, no. 2, p. 160.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Loppinet-Serani, A., Aymonier, C., and Cansell, F., J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol., 2010, vol. 85, p. 583.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Sun, X. and Li, Y., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl., 2004, vol. 43, no. 5, p. 597.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Reza, M.T., Andert, J., Wirth, B., Busch, D., Pielert, J., Lynam, J.G., and Mumme, J., Appl. Bioenergy, 2014, vol. 1, p. 11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Falco, C., Baccile, N., and Titirici, M.M., Green Chem., 2011, vol. 13, no. 11, p. 3273.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Ballesteros, I., Oliva, J.M., Negro, M.J., Manzanares, P., and Ballesteros, M., Proc. Biochem. Soc., 2002, vol. 38, p. 187.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Karao, S., Bhaskar, T., Muto, A., Sakata, Y., and Uddin, M.A., Energy Fuels, 2004, vol. 18, p. 234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Brownell, H.H., Yu, E.K.C., and Saddler, J.N., Biotechnol. Bioeng., 1986, vol. 28, p. 792.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Mosier, N., Wyman, C., Dale, B., Elander, R., Lee, Y.Y., Holtzapple, M., and Ladisch, M., Bioresour. Technol., 2005, vol. 96, p. 673.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Cullis, I.F., Saddler, J.N., and Mansfield, S.D., Biotechnol. Bioeng., 2004, vol. 85, p. 413.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Rodriguez, A., Moral, A., Sanchez, R., Requejo, A., and Jimenez, L., Bioresour. Technol., 2009, vol. 100, p. 4863.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Yan, W., Hastings, J.T., Acharjee, T.C., Coronella, C.J., and Vasquez, V.R., Energy Fuels, 2010, vol. 24, no. 9, p. 4738.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Funke, A. and Ziegler, F., Bioresour. Technol., 2011, vol. 102, no. 16, p. 7595.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Beneman, J.R., EPRI Report ER-746-SR, Palo Alto: Electric Power Research Institute, 1978, p. 88.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Methane Generation from Human, Animal, and Agricultural Wastes, Washington, D.C.: Natl. Acad. Sci., 1977, p. 131.

  34. Korber, H. and Zimmermann, H., Angewandte Physik Consulting GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany, 2010. http://www.m2p.erdi.or.th/index.php?option=com_docman &task=cat_view&gid=47&Itemid=48&lang=en

    Google Scholar 

  35. Faaij, A., Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 2006, vol. 11, p. 343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Al-Mansour, F. and Zuwala, J., Biomass Bioenergy, 2010, vol. 34, p. 620.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Nelson, T.O., Green, D.A., Box, P., Gupta, R.P., Henningsen, G., and Turk, B.S., Carbon Capture and Sequestration Systems Analysis Guidelines. Final Report. US Department of Energy (DOE)–Office of Fossil Energy and National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), 2007. www.netl.doe.gov/File%20Library/Research/Coal/Carbon-Dioxide-Capture-from-Flue-Gas-Using-Dry-Regenerable-S.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  38. Spliethoff, H., Verbrennung fester Brennstoffe zur Stromund Warmeerzeugung: Verfahren und Stand der Technik, Dusseldorf: VDI Verlag, 2000, p. 3.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Yan, W., Acharjee, T.C., Coronella, C.J., and Vasquez, V.R., Environ. Prog. Sustain. Energy, 2009, vol. 28, no. 3, p. 435.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Hu, B., Wang, K., Wu, L., Yu, S.H., Antonietti, M., and Titirici, M.M., Adv. Mater., 2010, vol. 22, no. 7, p. 813.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Falco, C., Perez Caballero, F., Babonneau, F., Gervais, C., Laurent, G., and Titirici, M.M., Langmuir, 2011, vol. 27, no. 23, p. 14460.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Sagehashi, M., Miyasaka, N., Shishido, H., and Sakoda, A., Bioresour. Technol., 2006, vol. 97, p. 1272.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Zhang, F.Q., Meng, Y., Gu, D., Yan, Y., Yu, C.Z., Tu, B., and Zhao, D.Y., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, vol. 127, p. 13508.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Sevilla, M., Fuertes, A.B., and Mokaya, R., Energy Environ. Sci., 2011, vol. 4, no. 4, p. 1400.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Sevilla, M. and Fuertes, A.B., Energy Environ. Sci., 2011, vol. 4, no. 5, p. 1765.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Zhao, L., Bacsik, Z., Hedin, N., Wei, W., Sun, Y., Antonietti, M., and Titirici, M.M., Chem. Sus. Chem., 2010, vol. 3, no. 7, p. 840.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Demir-Cakan, R., Baccile, N., Antonietti, M., and Titirici, M.M., Chem. Mater., 2009, vol. 21, no. 3, p. 484.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Chen, Z., Ma, L., and Li, S., Appl. Surf. Sci., 2011, vol. 257, no. 20, p. 8686.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Pietrzak, R., Wachowska, H., and Nowicki, P., Energy Fuels, 2006, vol. 20, p. 1275.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Matter, P.H., Zhang, L., and Ozkan, U.S., J. Catal., 2006, vol. 239, no. 1, p. 83.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Li, L., Liu, E., Yang, Y., Shen, H., Huang, Z., and Xiang, X., Mater. Lett., 2010, vol. 64, p. 2115.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Hu, Y.S., Demir-Cakan, R., Titirici, M.M., Muller, J.O., Schlogl, R., Antonietti, M., and Maier, J., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl., 2008, vol. 47, no. 9, p. 1645.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Popovic, J., Demir-Cakan, R., and Tornow, J., Small, 2011, vol. 8, p. 1127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Yu, S.H., Cui, X.J., and Li, L.L., Adv. Mater., 2004, vol. 16, p. 1636.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Wei, L., Sevilla, M., and Fuertes, A.B., Adv. Energy Mater., 2011, p. 356.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Hang, Q., Li, H., Chen, L., and Huang, X., Carbon, 2001, vol. 39, no. 14, p. 2211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Tang, K., White, R.J., Mu, X., Titirici, M.M., van Aken, P.A., and Maier, J., Chem. Sus. Chem., 2012, vol. 5, no. 2, p. 400.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Yang, R., Qiu, X., and Zhang, H., Carbon, 2005, vol. 43, no. 1, p. 116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Zhao, L., Chen, X., and Wang, X., Adv. Mater., 2010, vol. 22, no. 30, p. 3317.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Yu. Krylova.

Additional information

Original Russian Text © A.Yu. Krylova, V.M. Zaitchenko, 2018, published in Khimiya Tverdogo Topliva, 2018, No. 2, pp. 36–50.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Krylova, A.Y., Zaitchenko, V.M. Hydrothermal Carbonization of Biomass: A Review. Solid Fuel Chem. 52, 91–103 (2018). https://doi.org/10.3103/S0361521918020076

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S0361521918020076

Navigation