Hydrothermal Carbonization for Sustainable Energy and Resource Recovery from Organic Waste
A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "B: Energy and Environment".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026
Special Issue Editor
Interests: hydrothermal carbonization; sewage sludge; organic waste; hydrochar; post-processing liquid
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The growing global demand for sustainable energy and effective waste management has brought increasing attention to hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). This innovative thermochemical process converts diverse organic wastes into valuable solid, liquid, and gaseous products. HTC offers a sustainable pathway for converting biomass residues, sewage sludge, food waste, and other organic materials into hydrochar and nutrient-rich byproducts, thereby contributing to renewable energy production, resource recovery, and greenhouse gas reduction.
As societies move toward a circular and low-carbon economy, HTC is emerging as a key technology that bridges waste valorization with energy and material recovery. Its versatility, scalability, and ability to process wet feedstocks make it a promising solution for both urban and industrial applications. Recent developments in reactor design, process optimization, product utilization, and system integration have further expanded its role in sustainable development and environmental protection.
This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the latest research, technological innovations, and practical applications of hydrothermal carbonization in the context of sustainable energy transition and resource efficiency. Submissions addressing experimental, theoretical, environmental, and techno-economic aspects of HTC are particularly encouraged.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Fundamentals and mechanisms of hydrothermal carbonization;
- Process optimization and modeling;
- Characterization and utilization of hydrochar;
- Nutrient and resource recovery from HTC process liquids;
- Integration of HTC with other renewable technologies;
- Environmental and life cycle assessment;
- Pilot and full-scale applications;
- Policy and economic perspectives for HTC implementation.
Dr. Klaudia Szkadłubowicz
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- hydrothermal carbonization
- organic waste valorization
- sustainable energy
- circular economy
- resource recovery
- waste-to-energy
- hydrochar
- post- processing liquid
- environmental sustainability
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