Abstract
A key factor restricting the application of biochar in the steel industry is its high-quality upgrading. This paper evaluated the characteristics of hydrochar produced by HTC (hydrothermal carbonization) process of corncob to be used as a solid fuel. HTC temperatures (240–300 °C) and HTC water-reused times (1–3 times) were examined for their effects on hydrochar yield, physicochemical characteristics, and combustion properties. The results showed hydrochar yields, O/C, and H/C parameters decreased as HTC temperature and water-reused times increased, while its high heating value increased. Due to dehydration and decarboxylation, hydrochar showed similar characteristics to those in bituminous coal. The removal efficiency of alkali metal K reached 99% after HTC treatment. Carbonaceous hydrochar had become more compact, orderly, and stable with increasing amounts of aromatic functional groups, C = C, and C = O. Hydrochar, as a biofuel, has higher ignition energy and is more stable than corncob due to its high carbonaceous order degree. To calculate combustion kinetic parameters, the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) methods were applied. The results revealed that Eα (average activation energy) was quite similar between the two models. HC-300 had an Eα of 262 kJ/mol. HTC could be an efficient way to reutilize corncob biomass into clean biofuels with high calorific value.
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All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Methodology: [Qi An] and [Qi Wang]. Formal analysis and investigation: [Qi An] and [Qi Wang]. Material preparation, data collection and analysis: [Qi An]. Writing—review and editing: [Jinpeng Zhai]. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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An, Q., Wang, Q. & Zhai, J. Hydrothermal carbonization of corncob for hydrochar production and its combustion reactivity in a blast furnace. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 16653–16666 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32242-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32242-z