Hydrochar, recognized as a green and sustainable soil amendment, has garnered significant attention. However, information on the aging process in soil and the temporal variability of hydrochar remains limited. This study delves deeper into the interaction between hydrochar and soil, focusing on primary factors influencing hydrochar aging during a 30-month rice-wheat rotation system. The results showed that the initial aging of hydrochar (0-16 months) is accompanied by the development of specific surface area and leaching of hydrochar-derived dissolved organic matter (HDOM), resulting in a smaller particle size and reduced carbon content. The initial aging also features a mineral shield, while the later aging (16 to 30 months) involves surface oxidation. These processes collectively alter the surface charge, hydrophilicity, and composition of aged hydrochar. Furthermore, this study reveals a dynamic interaction between the HDOM and DOM derived from soil, plants, and microbes at different aging stages. Initially, there is a preference for decomposing labile carbon, whereas later stages involve the formation of components with higher aromaticity and molecular weight. These insights are crucial for understanding the soil aging effects on hydrochar and HDOM as well as evaluating the interfacial behavior of hydrochar as a sustainable soil amendment.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c08044 | DOI Listing |
Environ Res
January 2025
Thermochemical Processes Group, Aragón Institute for Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50.018, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address:
This work explores the synergies between N-rich (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) microalgae and N-deficient (Undaria pinnatifida) macroalgae for the production of N-containing hydrochar and solid biofuels via co-hydrothermal carbonization (co-HTC). The impact of the feedstock (each alga alone and all possible binary mixtures) was comprehensively assessed under different temperatures (180-260 °C) and times (60-240 min). The synergies between micro and macroalgae governed product distribution, nitrogen transformation pathways, and hydrochar quality, with these effects varying by processing conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Pollut Res Int
January 2025
Biofuel Laboratory, Department of Energy, Tezpur University, Assam, 784028, India.
Agro-processing industries generate a substantial quantity of biomass wastes. Conversion of these wastes into valuable material could be profitable considering both environmental and economic aspects. Among various biomass conversion methods, hydrothermal conversion can be used for co-production of biofuel and other valuable materials like carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and activated carbons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWaste Manag
December 2024
Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain/Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Arable Land Conservation (Jiangsu), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China. Electronic address:
Water Sci Technol
December 2024
Water Research Commission, Lynnwood Bridge Office Park, 2nd Floor, Bloukrans Building, 4 Daventry Street, Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria 0081, South Africa; Water Utilisation and Environmental Engineering Division, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa E-mail:
The management of municipal wastewater sludge is a significant challenge for wastewater management, particularly the need to manage and dispose of the sludge in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. The emergence of stricter regulations regarding landfill disposal of wastewater sludge necessitates the need for alternative options for municipal wastewater sludge management, with thermochemical technologies potentially contributing towards achieving carbon neutrality goals and fostering sustainable development. This study sought to address these challenges through a technical and financial evaluation of a pilot-scale emerging thermochemical technology, the enhanced hydrothermal polymerization to provide adequate understanding of the technology's feasibility regarding its application for municipal wastewater sludge volarization into a multi-use hydrochar.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Hazard Mater
November 2024
Energy and Resources Institute, Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Purple 12.01.08, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia. Electronic address:
Contamination of chars with dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCB) significantly limits their use and hinders their deployment in the circular bioeconomy, specifically in applications that may lead to dietary exposure. Here, for the first time, we review the levels of contamination of chars produced from pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) with dl-PCB congeners. We conduct a detailed and critical examination of the role played by the processing parameters, such as temperature and residence time, and the reaction mechanisms, to detoxify the biomass under an oxygen-free atmosphere during its valorisation.
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