Hydrothermal carbonization - a mathematical approach and its statistical application for the prediction of mass yields, energy content and degree of carbonization by process severity

In the recent years HTC has become subject to research again and therefore to numerous scientific publications. To date most of this research revolves around the chemical and technical optimization of the HTC process itself, HTC of different biomasses, and the entire spectrum of hydrochar application. A literature search reveals that only little work as been done to properly mathematically define mass and energy balances for HTC. However, well defined and complete mass and energy balances for different sorts of biomass under alternating reaction parameters are prerequisite for process optimization and proper technology assessments (Life-Cycle-Costing, Life-Cycle-Assessment). To be capable of a proper process design, we have developed a mathematical approach for statistical application to predict solid, liquid and gas yields from HTC with different sorts of biomass and at varying process parameters (such as temperature, retention time, catalyst addition).