Hydrothermal Carbonisation of Biomass Wastes as a Tool for Carbon Capture

Abstract Replacing fossil resources with bioresources is one of the promising directions for more environmentally friendly energy production, but the production and processing of biomass generates a large amount of waste with limited use and recycling possibilities. In this respect Hydrothermal Carbonisation (HTC) offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for disposal and creation of new products from biomass through resource recovery and through climate-neutral process. In this study the impact of biomass type and HTC conditions on the yield and properties of artificial humic substances and hydrochar to achieve carbon capture aim has investigated. A major impact on the yield of HTC products do have the duration and temperature of the treatment, as well as catalyst used (pH of the reaction) and changing the carbonisation conditions it is possible to design the desirable composition of obtained products. During HTC process significant changes of the biomass composition happens resulting in the removal of most labile components. Although the carbon dioxide sorption capacity of hydrochar is relatively low, after activation efficient sorbent (activated carbon) can be obtained, prospective for carbon capture aims.