Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is identified as a promising thermochemical technique to recover biofuels and bioenergy from waste biomass containing low energy and high moisture content. The wastewater generated during the HTL process (HTWW) are rich in nutrients and organics. The release of the nutrients and organics enriched HTWW would not only contaminate the water bodies but also lead to the loss of valued bioenergy sources, especially in the present time of the energy crisis. Thus, biotechnological as well as physicochemical treatment of HTWW for simultaneous extraction of valuable resources along with reduction in polluting substances has gained significant attention in recent times. Therefore, the treatment of wastewater generated during the HTL of biomass for reduced environmental emission and possible bioenergy recovery is highlighted in this paper. Various technologies for treatment and valorisation of HTWW are reviewed, including anaerobic digestion, microbial fuel cells (MFC), microbial electrolysis cell (MEC), and supercritical water gasification (SCWG). This review paper illustrates that the characteristics of biomass play a pivotal role in the selection process of appropriate technology for the treatment of HTWW. Several HTWW treatment technologies are weighed in terms of their benefits and drawbacks and are thoroughly examined. The integration of these technologies is also discussed. Overall, this study suggests that integrating different methods, techno-economic analysis, and nutrient recovery approaches would be advantageous to researchers in finding way for maximising HTWW valorisation along with reduced environmental pollution.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120667 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Exploring the catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction of Namibian encroacher bush.
Sci Rep
January 2025
Process and Energy Department, University of Technology of Delft, Leeghwaterstraat 39, 2628 CB, Delft, The Netherlands.
An urgent ecological issue is the threat posed by invasive species, which are becoming more widespread especially in Africa. These encroachments damage ecosystems, pose a threat to biodiversity, and outcompete local plants and animals. This article focuses on converting Acacia Mellifera from Namibia, commonly known as encroacher bush (EB) into high-quality drop-in intermediates for the chemical and transport industry via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTechnoeconomic evaluation of integrating hydrothermal liquefaction in wastewater treatment plants.
Bioresour Technol
December 2024
Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Hangøvej 2, Aarhus 8200, Denmark; WATEC - Center for Water Technology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, Aarhus 8000, Denmark. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzes the economic feasibility of producing biocrude through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) at decentralized plants linked to wastewater treatment facilities.
- The base case is based on a Danish WWTP serving 150,000 population equivalents, with results showing operational expenses as the largest cost factor.
- Biocrude production is estimated at 94 kg/h with a minimum selling price ranging from 0.9 to 1.8 €/kg, depending on the plant size, while factors such as biocrude yield and labor costs significantly impact pricing.
Analysis on Degradation Mechanism and Product Recycle of Ex-service Wind Turbine Blades by Hydrothermal Liquefaction.
ACS Omega
November 2024
Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, P. R. China.
The recycling of ex-service wind turbine blades (EWTBs) presents a significant challenge for the future. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) has emerged as a promising approach for the recovery of resins and glass fibers (GFs) from EWTBs. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the separation mechanisms and product characteristics under the catalytic effect of an acidic medium during the HTL tests.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrganosolv-derived lipids from hemicellulose and cellulose, and pre-extracted tannins as additives upon hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of spruce bark lignins to bio-oil.
BMC Biotechnol
November 2024
Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, SE-971 87, Sweden.
Article Synopsis
- The study explores using spruce bark, a largely untapped resource, to produce bio-oil, a renewable energy source, as a response to rising global temperatures and petroleum waste issues.
- It utilizes a process called hydrothermal liquefaction, enhancing bio-oil quality by extracting polysaccharides and converting them into lipids with the help of specific microorganisms.
- Results showed that pre-extracting tannins and modifying the heating rates in the production process improved the energy content and yield of the bio-oil while reducing its oxygen content.
Renewable Fuels and Chemical Recycling of Plastics via Hydrothermal Liquefaction.
Acc Chem Res
December 2024
Penn State University, Chemical Engineering Department, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
Article Synopsis
- Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a process that converts various biomass types into renewable bio-oil through reactions in hot, compressed water, producing additional gas and solid products.
- The process retains a substantial amount of chemical energy, recovering around 70-80% of it in an oil that weighs only 20-50% of the original biomass, though the bio-oil often requires further upgrading to be usable as fuel.
- HTL can also convert different plastics into oil, achieving high yields with certain types while being less effective with others, indicating its potential for recycling and valorizing post-consumer plastic waste.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!