Abstract
The Paulownia leaves (PL) was used for the first time as feedstock for the potential production of novel carbon-rich materials applying hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technology. The HTC is one of the suitable methods for converting biomass into high-value carbonaceous products that could replace existing fossil fuels or be used for some other application. In this study, hydrochars of PL were obtained at five different temperatures (180, 200, 220, 240, and 260 °C), and the influence of temperature on hydrochar structures was analyzed. Physicochemical composition, structural, and combustion properties were estimated for hydrochar efficient characterization. The results showed that tested hydrochars had lower moisture, volatiles, oxygen, and sulfur content compared to PL biomass. Also, the HTC process increases carbon content and created high-energy C–C bond structures in hydrochars which improved fuel ratio (FR), energy density (ED), higher heat value (HHV), and lower heating value (LHV). However, hydrochar mass yields were significantly low, which affected the lower heating value (EY). The spectroscopic and thermal analysis confirmed the formation of new aromatic structures in hydrochars and enhancement of their thermal stability and combustion ability, respectively. Before hydrochar practice, in order to enhance their mass yields, it is necessary to further analyze the influence of the HTC parameters or hydrothermal co-carbonization with other biomass should be taken into concern. The results showed that HTC could be an efficient method to improve the combustion properties of PL biomass.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akbari M, Oyedun AO, Kumar A (2019) Comparative energy and techno-economic analysis of two different configurations for hydrothermal carbonization of yard waste. Bioresour Technol Rep 7:100210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2019.100210
Petrović J, Mihajlović M, Petrović M, Kojić M, Koprivica M, Šoštarić T, Filipović-Petrović L (2019) Fuel potential and properties of grape pomace hydrochar. Acta Periodica Technologica 50:204–209. https://doi.org/10.2298/APT1950204P
Saqib NU, Oh M, Jo W, Park S-K, Lee J-Y (2017) Conversion of dry leaves into hydrochar through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 19:111–117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-015-0371-1
Sharma HB, Sarmah AK, Dubey B (2020) Hydrothermal carbonization of renewable waste biomass for solid biofuel production: a discussion on process mechanism, the influence of process parameters, environmental performance and fuel properties of hydrochar. Renew Sust Energ Rev 123:109761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109761
Yihunu EW, Minale M, Abebe S, Limin M (2019) Preparation, characterization and cost analysis of activated biochar and hydrochar derived from agricultural waste: a comparative study. SN Appl Sci 1:873. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-019-0936-z
Cuevas M, Cartas MLM, Sánchez S (2019) Effect of short-time hydrothermal carbonization on the properties of hydrochars prepared from olive-fruit endocarps. Energy Fuels 33:313–322. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.8b03335
Hoekman SK, Broch A, Robbins C (2011) Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of lignocellulosic biomass. Energy Fuels 25:1802–1810. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef101745n
Liu Z, Quek A, Hoekman SK, Balasubramanian R (2013) Production of solid biochar fuel from waste biomass by hydrothermal carbonization. Fuel 103:943–949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2012.07.069
Nakason K, Panyapinyopol B, Kanokkantapong V, Viriya-empikul N, Kraithong W, Pavasant P (2018) Hydrothermal carbonization of unwanted biomass materials: effect of process temperature and retention time on hydrochar and liquid fraction. J Energy Inst 91:786–796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joei.2017.05.002
Kojić M, Petrović J, Petrović M, Stanković S, Porobić S, Marinović-Cincović M, Mihajlović M (2021) Hydrothermal carbonization of spent mushroom substrate: physicochemical characterization, combustion behavior, kinetic and thermodynamic study. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 155:105028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2021.105028
Khoo CG, Lam MK, Mohamed AR, Lee KT (2020) Hydrochar production from high-ash low-lipid microalgal biomass via hydrothermal carbonization: effects of operational parameters and products characterization. Environ Res 188:109828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109828
Wang T, Zhai Y, Zhu Y, Gan X, Zheng L, Peng C, Wang B, Li C, Zeng G (2018) Evaluation of the clean characteristics and combustion behavior of hydrochar derived from food waste towards solid biofuel production. Bioresour Technol 266:275–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2018.06.093
Zhuang X, Zhan H, Huang Y, Song Y, Yin X, Wu C (2018) Conversion of industrial biowastes to clean solid fuels via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC): upgrading mechanism in relation to coalification process and combustion behavior. Bioresour Technol 267:17–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2018.07.002
Xu J, Zhang J, Huang J, He W, Li G (2020) Conversion of phoenix tree leaves into hydro-char by microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization. Bioresour Technol Rep 9:100353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2019.100353
Sharma HB, Panigrahi S, Dubey B (2019) Hydrothermal carbonization of yard waste for solid bio-fuel production: study on combustion kinetic, energy properties, grindability and flowability of hydrochar. Waste Manage 91:108–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2019.04.056
Dong X, Guo S, Wang H, Wang Z, Gao X (2019) Physicochemical characteristics and FTIR-derived structural parameters of hydrochar produced by hydrothermal carbonisation of pea pod (Pisum sativum Linn.) waste. Biomass Conv Bioref 9:53–540. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-018-0363-1
Su H, Zou X, Zheng R, Zhou Z, Zhang Y, Zhu G, Yu C, Hantoko D, Yan M (2021) Hydrothermal carbonization of food waste after oil extraction pre-treatment: study on hydrochar fuel characteristics, combustion behavior, and removal behavior of sodium and potassium. Sci Total Environ 754:142192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142192
Liu H, Chen Y, Yang H, Gentili FG, Söderlind U, Wang X, Zhang W, Chen H (2020) Hydrothermal treatment of high ash microalgae: focusing on the physicochemical and combustion properties of hydrochars. Energy Fuels 34:1929–1939. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.9b04093
Poomsawat S, Poomsawat W (2021) Analysis of hydrochar fuel characterization and combustion behavior derived from aquatic biomass via hydrothermal carbonization process. Case Stud Therm Eng 27:101255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2021.101255
Yi W, Nadeem F, Xu G, Zhang Q, Joshee N, Tahir N (2020) Modifying crystallinity, and thermo-optical characteristics of Paulownia biomass through ultrafine grinding and evaluation of biohydrogen production potential. J Clean Prod 269:122386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122386
Huang H, Szumacher-Strabel M, Patra AK, Ślusarczyk S, Lechniak D, Vazirigohar M, Varadyova Z, Kozłowska M, Cieślak A (2021) Chemical and phytochemical composition, in vitro ruminal fermentation, methane production, and nutrient degradability of fresh and ensiled Paulownia hybrid leaves. Anim Feed Sci Technol 279:115038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2021.115038
Rodríguez-Seoane P, Díaz-Reinoso B, Moure A, Domínguez H (2020) Potential of Paulownia sp for biorefinery. Ind Crops Prod. 155:112739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.112739
Qi Y, Yang C, Hidayat W, Jang J-H, Kim N-H (2016) Solid bioenergy properties of Paulownia tomentosa grown in Korea. J Korean Wood Sci Technol 44(6):890–896. https://doi.org/10.5658/WOOD.2016.44.6.890
Mihajlović M, Petrović J, Maletić S, Kragulj Isakovski M, Stojanović M, Lopičić Z, Trifunović S (2018) Hydrothermal carbonization of Miscanthus × giganteus: structural and fuel properties of hydrochars and organic profile with the ecotoxicological assessment of the liquid phase. Energ Convers Manage 159:254–263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2018.01.003
Petrović J, Perišić N, DragišićMaksimović J, Maksimović V, Kragović M, Stojanović M, Laušević M, Mihajlović M (2016) Hydrothermal conversion of grape pomace: detailed characterization of obtained hydrochar and liquid phase. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 118:267–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2016.02.010
Shultz JI, Bell RK, Rains TC, Menis O (1972) Methods of analysis of NBS clay standards. Nat Bur Stand, Spec Publ. 260–37, Washington, DC, US, pp 3–6
Carrier M, Loppinet-Serani A, Denux D, Lasnier J-M, Ham-Pichavant F, Cansell F, Aymonier C (2011) Thermogravimetric analysis as a new method to determine the lignocellulosic composition of biomass. Biomass Bioenergy 35:298–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2010.08.067
Peng C, Zhai Y, Zhu Y, Xu B, Wang T, Li C, Zeng G (2016) Production of char from sewage sludge employing hydrothermal carbonization: char properties, combustion behavior and thermal characteristics. Fuel 176:110–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2016.02.068
Lee J, Lee K, Sohn D, Kim YM, Park KY (2018) Hydrothermal carbonization of lipid extracted algae for hydrochar production and feasibility of using hydrochar as a solid fuel. Energy 153:913–920. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.04.112
Liang M, Zhang K, Lei P, Wang B, Shu C-M, Li B (2020) Fuel properties and combustion kinetics of hydrochar derived from co-hydrothermal carbonization of tobacco residues and graphene oxide. Biomass Conv Bioref 10:189–201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-019-00408-2
Kim D, Lee K, Park KY (2016) Upgrading the characteristics of biochar from cellulose, lignin, and xylan for solid biofuel production from biomass by hydrothermal carbonization. J Ind Eng Chem 42:95–100
Han X, Wang W, Ma X (2011) Adsorption characteristics of methylene blue onto low cost biomass material lotus leaf. Chem Eng J 171:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2011.02.067
Petrović M, Šoštarić T, Stojanović M, Milojković J, Mihajlović M, Stanojević M, Stanković S (2016) Removal of Pb2+ ions by raw corn silk (Zea mays L.) as a novel biosorbent. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 58:407–416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2015.06.025
Goswami M, Phukan P (2017) Enhanced adsorption of cationic dyes using sulfonic acid modified activated carbon. J Environ Chem Eng 5(4):3508–3517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2017.07.016
Sadeek S, Negm N, Hefni H, Wahab MA (2015) Metal adsorption by agricultural biosorbents: adsorption isotherm, kinetic and biosorbents chemical structures. Int J Biol Macromol 81:400–409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2015.08.031
Yorgun S, Yildiz D (2015) Slow pyrolysis of paulownia wood: effects of pyrolysis parameters on product yields and bio-oil characterization. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 114:68–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2015.05.003
Jawad A, Mamat NH, Abdullah MF, Ismail K (2017) Adsorption of methylene blue onto acid-treated mango peels: kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic study. Desalin Water Treat 59:210–219. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2016.0097
Ezechi EH, Kutty SRM, Malakahmad A, Isa MH (2015) Characterization and optimization of effluent dye removal using a new low cost adsorbent: equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic study. Process Saf Environ Prot 98:16–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2015.06.006
Tzvetkov G, Mihaylova S, Stoitchkova K, Tzvetkov P, Spassov T (2016) Mechanochemical and chemical activation of lignocellulosic material to prepare powdered activated carbons for adsorption applications. Powder Technol 299:41–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2016.05.033
Zhou R, Zhou R, Zhang X, Tu S, Yin Y, Yang S, Ye L (2016) An efficient bio-adsorbent for the removal of dye: adsorption studies and cold atmospheric plasma regeneration. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 68:372–378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2016.09.030
Funding
This work has been supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia, Contract number: 451–03-68/2022–14/200023.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval
This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects.
Conflict of interest
The authors declared no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
We confirm that this work is original and has not been published elsewhere, nor is it currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Koprivica, M., Petrović, J., Ercegović, M. et al. Improvement of combustible characteristics of Paulownia leaves via hydrothermal carbonization. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 14, 3975–3985 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-02619-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-02619-6