Location
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Start Date
16-4-2011 12:30 PM
End Date
16-4-2011 2:00 PM
Description
A process called hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), also known as wet torrefaction involves treatment of raw biomass in hot, pressurized water. HTC of woody biomass has been shown to significantly increase the energy density of the feedstock, producing a biochar, similar to coal, having up to 40% higher calorific energy content. Feedstocks investigated include Tahoe chips, Pinion/Juniper chips, Rice hulls, and Corn Stover pellets pre-treated at 215 °C, 255 °C, and 295 °C. Chemical analyses were conducted on the gaseous, aqueous, and solid HTC products. Energy contents of the solid biochar products were measured by calorimetry, and mass balances were determined.
Keywords
Biomass energy – Technological innovations
Disciplines
Chemistry | Environmental Chemistry | Oil, Gas, and Energy | Organic Chemistry | Sustainability
Language
English
Included in
Environmental Chemistry Commons, Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons, Organic Chemistry Commons, Sustainability Commons
Energy densification via hydrothermal carbonization
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
A process called hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), also known as wet torrefaction involves treatment of raw biomass in hot, pressurized water. HTC of woody biomass has been shown to significantly increase the energy density of the feedstock, producing a biochar, similar to coal, having up to 40% higher calorific energy content. Feedstocks investigated include Tahoe chips, Pinion/Juniper chips, Rice hulls, and Corn Stover pellets pre-treated at 215 °C, 255 °C, and 295 °C. Chemical analyses were conducted on the gaseous, aqueous, and solid HTC products. Energy contents of the solid biochar products were measured by calorimetry, and mass balances were determined.
Comments
Mentors: Kent Hoekman and Amber Broch, Desert Research Institute
Research supported by NSF EPSCoR award # EPS-0814372, and DOE awards # EE0000272 and DE-FG36-01G011082