Logo image
Hydrothermal Carbonization of Cattle Paunch Waste: Process Conditions and Product Characteristics
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Hydrothermal Carbonization of Cattle Paunch Waste: Process Conditions and Product Characteristics

G. Saverettiar, D. Li, A. Gross and G. Ho
Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Vol.8(6), Art. 104487
2020
url
Link to Published Version *Subscription may be requiredView

Abstract

In abattoir operation, paunch waste can present a major problem when flushed with water and discharged. Collected and processed separately, it provides a means of reusing organic carbon and nutrients. Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) is a means to process the waste that overcomes some problems of composting and anaerobic digestion. Experiments were conducted to investigate HTC of cattle paunch waste to hydrochar under different conditions. The fuel characteristics of hydrochar were tested for the potential in electricity generation and the nutrient concentrations of liquid were analysed for soil fertilization. The carbon content of paunch increased (∼15%) after HTC. It was also reflected in its increasing calorific value. The changes in the H/C and O/C ratios, analysed using the van Krevelen diagram, showed that the fuel properties of hydrochar improved noticeably after carbonisation. The TOC and TN concentrations in the liquid changed significantly with increasing temperature and time. With increasing moisture, the nutrient concentrations decreased, because of dilution effect. The liquid product contained significant levels of N, C and K; but may need suitable dilution before applying as a fertiliser. An energy balance showed that a fraction (<45%) of the hydrochar combustion energy was required to provide the input energy for HTC.

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#7 Affordable and Clean Energy
#12 Responsible Consumption & Production

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Citation topics
7 Engineering & Materials Science
7.139 Energy & Fuels
7.139.89 Gasification
Web Of Science research areas
Engineering, Chemical
Engineering, Environmental
ESI research areas
Engineering
Logo image