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17 pages, 1016 KB  
Article
A Life Cycle Assessment of Snack Bar Prototypes Created with Ingredients Compatible with the Mediterranean Diet
by Gökhan Ekrem Üstün and Metin Güldaş
Sustainability 2025, 17(18), 8195; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17188195 - 11 Sep 2025
Viewed by 516
Abstract
Healthy nutrition is of great importance to maintain the physical and mental health of individuals. In recent years, products such as snack bars have become widely used to encourage healthy eating habits. This study compared the environmental footprints of four snack bar prototypes [...] Read more.
Healthy nutrition is of great importance to maintain the physical and mental health of individuals. In recent years, products such as snack bars have become widely used to encourage healthy eating habits. This study compared the environmental footprints of four snack bar prototypes that adhere to the Mediterranean diet (MD) through a life cycle assessment (LCA). LCA is used to calculate an environmental footprint, encompassing six impact categories: Global Warming Potential (GWP), Abiotic Depletion (AD), Human Toxicity (Cancer (HTC) and Non-Cancer Effects (HTNC)), land use (LU), and water use (WU). The total impacts were as follows (prototypes 1–4, respectively): GWP 0.221/0.224/0.234/0.194 kg CO2-eq; AD 2.35/2.87/2.63/2.01 MJ; HTC 9.13 × 10−10/7.69 × 10−10/9.82 × 10−10/9.88 × 10−10 CTUh; HTNC 1.03 × 10−8/1.51 × 10−9/4.16 × 10−9/3.03 × 10−9 CTUh; LU 14.8/21.6/21.8/10.8; WU 0.132/0.287/0.198/0.068 m3. Prototype 4, which yielded the lowest value across four indicators (GWP, AD, LU, and WU), is the most environmentally favorable. A range of 89–91% of the GWP originates from raw material production, while the share attributed to transportation is 3–4%. Nuts and dried fruit contents are decisive for WU and LU. The findings suggest that environmental impacts are highly sensitive to ingredient composition and agricultural inputs, and that selecting raw materials and optimizing the supply chain is critical for mitigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)
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17 pages, 3901 KB  
Article
Hydrothermal Carbonization Treatment as a Pathway for Energy Utilization of Municipal Sludge and Agricultural Residues Through Co-Gasification
by Georgia Altiparmaki, Dimitrios Liakos, Andreas Artikopoulos and Stergios Vakalis
Processes 2025, 13(9), 2713; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092713 - 26 Aug 2025
Viewed by 702
Abstract
Municipal sewage sludge (S.S.) and abundant olive-tree pruning on Lesvos Island present both a disposal challenge and an untapped energy resource. This study proposes and evaluates on a preliminary level an integrated system that utilizes both sewage sludge and pruning. The integrated system [...] Read more.
Municipal sewage sludge (S.S.) and abundant olive-tree pruning on Lesvos Island present both a disposal challenge and an untapped energy resource. This study proposes and evaluates on a preliminary level an integrated system that utilizes both sewage sludge and pruning. The integrated system converts sewage sludge into Hydrochar (HC) via Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC), removes the aqueous phase using passive solar distillation, and co-gasifies the dried HC with olive pruning in an autothermal downdraft gasifier. HTC experiments on anaerobically digested sludge produced HC with higher heating values exceeding 20 MJ kg−1 while reducing the chemical oxygen demand of the process liquor. Gasification modelling, using the MAGSY equilibrium model, demonstrated that replacing up to 50% of lignocellulosic biomass with HC increased hydrogen content and the Lower Heating Value (LHV) of syngas. Mass and energy balances suggest that the system could provide approximately 590 kW of continuous power, contributing around 4720 MWh to the island’s annual electricity generation. These results indicate that combining HTC, solar distillation, and co-gasification offers a viable pathway to close waste loops, reduce landfill needs, and deliver renewable energy. Future work will focus on Aspen Plus design and optimization, along with a life-cycle assessment in order to assess the environmental benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Pretreatment for Thermochemical Conversion)
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21 pages, 1562 KB  
Article
Synergistic Valorization of Refuse-Derived Fuel and Animal Fat Waste Through Dry and Hydrothermal Co-Carbonization
by Andrei Longo, Paulo Brito, Margarida Gonçalves and Catarina Nobre
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(17), 9315; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15179315 - 25 Aug 2025
Viewed by 625
Abstract
The demand for clean energy to improve waste valorization and enhance resource utilization efficiency has been increasingly recognized in the last few years. In this context, the co-carbonization of different waste streams, aiming at solid fuel production, appears as a potential strategy to [...] Read more.
The demand for clean energy to improve waste valorization and enhance resource utilization efficiency has been increasingly recognized in the last few years. In this context, the co-carbonization of different waste streams, aiming at solid fuel production, appears as a potential strategy to address the challenges of the energy transition and divert waste from landfills. In this work, refuse-derived fuel (RDF) samples were subjected to the co-carbonization process with low-quality animal fat waste in different proportions to assess the synergistic effect of the mixture on producing chars with enhanced fuel properties. Dry (DC) and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) tests were conducted at 425 °C and 300 °C, respectively, with a residence time of 30 min. The RDF sample and produced chars with different animal fat incorporation were analyzed for their physical, chemical, and fuel properties. The results demonstrated that increasing the fat proportion in the samples leads to an increase in mass yield and apparent density of the produced chars. Furthermore, char samples with higher fat addition presented a proportional increase in high heating value (HHV). The highest values for the HHV corresponded to the char samples produced with 30% fat incorporation for both carbonization techniques (27.9 MJ/kg and 32.9 MJ/kg for dry and hydrothermal carbonization, respectively). Fat addition also reduced ash content, improved hydrophobicity in hydrochars, and lowered ignition temperature, although additional washing was necessary to reduce chlorine to acceptable levels. Furthermore, fat incorporation reduced concentrations of elements linked to slagging and fouling. Overall, the results demonstrate that incorporating 30% fat into RDF during DC or HTC is the most effective condition for producing chars with improved physical, chemical, and fuel properties, enhancing their potential as alternative solid fuels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioenergy from Biomass and Waste)
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19 pages, 2451 KB  
Article
The Hydrochar Pre-Coupled Butyrate-Degrading Microbiome Assists the Bioenergy Production from Brewing Wastewater
by Xiaoyong Li, Zhi Wang, Xi Wang, Caihong Shen, Yun He, Shiru Li, Jinmeng Chen, Shilei Wang, Wei Zhuang, Xingyao Meng, Yafan Cai, Jingliang Xu and Hanjie Ying
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2634; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082634 - 20 Aug 2025
Viewed by 448
Abstract
Butyric acid is one of the main volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in Maotai-flavor liquor wastewater (MFLW), and its degradation process exhibits a positive Gibbs free energy, making it prone to accumulation during high-load anaerobic digestion (AD), which can lead to system instability or [...] Read more.
Butyric acid is one of the main volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in Maotai-flavor liquor wastewater (MFLW), and its degradation process exhibits a positive Gibbs free energy, making it prone to accumulation during high-load anaerobic digestion (AD), which can lead to system instability or even failure. In this study, hydrochar (HTC) was prepared from rice husk obtained from distiller’s grains, and butyrate-degrading microbiomes were selectively enriched under acidic conditions with butyric acid as the sole carbon source. Through co-incubation, the butyrate-degrading microbiomes were successfully pre-coupled with HTC, forming a “hydrochar–microbe” composite, which was then applied to the AD of MFLW. The experimental results demonstrated that this composite enhanced system performance. The hydrochar–butyrate pre-coupling group (HBA-C) showed a 15.48% increase in methane yield compared to the control group (CK), with a soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) removal rate of 75.02%, effectively mitigating VFA accumulation. Microbial community analysis indicated higher bacterial and archaeal diversity indices in the HBA-C group. qPCR results showed that the bacterial and archaeal copy numbers in the HBA-C group were 22.06-times and 13.80-times higher than those in the CK group, respectively. Moreover, the relative abundance of the genes for the key enzymes methylmalonyl-CoA carboxyltransferase (EC: 2.1.3.1) and succinate dehydrogenase (EC: 1.3.5.1) was significantly increased, indicating that the “hydrochar–microbe” coupling enhanced carbon flow distribution efficiency and energy metabolism by optimizing metabolic pathways. This study provides an innovative strategy for MFLW treatment and offers practical value for anaerobic digestion optimization and high-strength wastewater management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Energy Systems)
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16 pages, 528 KB  
Article
Optimized Biochar from Chicken Manure via Hydrothermal Activation and Catalytic HTC: Properties and CO2 Reduction Potential
by Seong-Yeun Yoo, Thi. Thu-Trang Ho, Ahmad Nadeem, Seong-Su Kim, Kangil Choe and Jai-Young Lee
Fuels 2025, 6(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels6020041 - 1 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1077
Abstract
Chicken manure (CM) is a nutrient-rich but environmentally problematic biomass that requires sustainable management. This study applied a three-step process consisting of hydrothermal activation (ZnCl2 or H3PO4), catalytic hydrothermal carbonization (HCl or FeCl3), and low-temperature pyrolysis [...] Read more.
Chicken manure (CM) is a nutrient-rich but environmentally problematic biomass that requires sustainable management. This study applied a three-step process consisting of hydrothermal activation (ZnCl2 or H3PO4), catalytic hydrothermal carbonization (HCl or FeCl3), and low-temperature pyrolysis (250 °C) to develop an energy-efficient method for producing biochar. The resulting biochars were systematically analyzed for their physicochemical properties, heavy metal content, and carbon sequestration potential, and compared with conventional pyrolysis-based biochars. Among the tested samples, the biochar produced via H3PO4 activation and HCl-catalyzed HTC [P-HTC(HCl)] exhibited the most favorable characteristics, including the highest carbon content (59.5 wt.%) and the lowest H/C ratio (0.65). As a result, it achieved the highest total potential carbon (TPC, 158.8 gcarbon/kgbiochar) and CO2 reduction potential (CRP, 465.9 gCO2-eq/kgbiochar), attributed to the strong dehydration and decarboxylation reactions and effective inorganic removal induced by Brønsted acid action. In contrast, conventional pyrolysis biochars showed significantly higher concentrations of heavy metals—up to 633 mg/kg of Cu and 2331 mg/kg of Zn—due to thermal concentration effects, whereas P-HTC(HCl) biochar presented a more balanced and environmentally acceptable heavy metal profile. In conclusion, the proposed low-temperature hydrothermal-assisted process demonstrates great potential for producing high-performance biochar from chicken manure with enhanced environmental safety and carbon storage efficiency. Full article
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18 pages, 1151 KB  
Article
Co-Hydrothermal Carbonization of Swine Manure and Soybean Hulls: Synergistic Effects on the Potential Use of Hydrochar as a Biofuel and Soil Improver
by Bryan Chiguano-Tapia, Elena Diaz, M. Angeles de la Rubia and Angel F. Mohedano
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 5022; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17115022 - 30 May 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1178
Abstract
The management through co-hydrothermal carbonization (co-HTC) of swine manure (SM) and soybean hulls (SH), a by-product of animal feeding, is established as a strategy for their material and/or energy recovery. The effect of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) temperature (210–240 °C) and mass ratio (1:0, [...] Read more.
The management through co-hydrothermal carbonization (co-HTC) of swine manure (SM) and soybean hulls (SH), a by-product of animal feeding, is established as a strategy for their material and/or energy recovery. The effect of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) temperature (210–240 °C) and mass ratio (1:0, 1:1, 1:3, 0:1) on hydrochar characteristics revealed that an improved hydrochar (C (51–59%), HHV (21–24 MJ/kg), N (~2%), S (~0.3%), and ash (<9%)) is produced with respect to hydrochar obtained from individually treated wastes. Regarding biofuel characteristics, hydrochar obtained from the SM/SH mass ratio (1:3) at 240 °C complied with the requirements of the ISO/TS 17225-8:2023 (N < 2.5%; S < 0.3%; HHV > 17 MJ/kg; ash < 12%) and showed high energy content (23.2 MJ/kg) and a greater thermal stability than the hydrochar obtained from individual wastes. Hydrochar retained relatively high amounts of nutrients such as phosphorus (6.5–9.7 g/kg), potassium (2.0–3.5 g/kg), and calcium (9–20 g/kg), which supports their use as soil improvers. Moreover, all hydrochar fulfill the standards (Spanish Royal Decrees 1051/2022, 824/2024 and EU Regulation 2019/1009) for sustainable nutrition in agriculture soils in terms of heavy metals concentration. The co-HTC of swine manure and soybean hulls demonstrated a promising transformation of waste materials into biofuel and/or soil improvers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Waste and Recycling)
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18 pages, 4764 KB  
Article
Hydrothermal Carbonization of Biomass Waste for Solid Biofuel Production: Hydrochar Characterization and Its Application in Blast Furnace Injection
by Guangwei Wang, Junyi Wu, Haibo Li, Andrey Karasev, Xiaojun Ning and Chuan Wang
Recycling 2025, 10(3), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10030089 - 4 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1366
Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technology converts biomass into a carbon-rich, oxygen-containing solid fuel. Most studies have focused on hydrochar produced under laboratory conditions, leaving a gap in understanding the performance of industrially produced hydrochar. This study comprehensively analyzes three types of industrially produced hydrochar [...] Read more.
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technology converts biomass into a carbon-rich, oxygen-containing solid fuel. Most studies have focused on hydrochar produced under laboratory conditions, leaving a gap in understanding the performance of industrially produced hydrochar. This study comprehensively analyzes three types of industrially produced hydrochar for blast furnace (BF) injection. The results indicate that hydrochar has a higher volatile and lower fixed carbon content. It has a lower high heating value (HHV) than coal and contains more alkali matter. Nevertheless, hydrochar exhibits a better grindability and combustion performance than coal. Blending hydrochar with anthracite significantly enhances the combustion reactivity of the mixture. The theoretical conversion rate calculations reveal a synergistic effect between hydrochar and anthracite during co-combustion. Environmental benefit calculations show that replacing 40% of bituminous coal with hydrochar can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 145 kg/tHM, which is equivalent to an annual reduction of 528 kton of CO2 and 208 kton of coal in BF operations. While industrially produced hydrochar meets BF injection requirements, its low ignition point and high explosivity necessitate the careful control of the blending ratio. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Revival: Rethinking Waste Recycling for a Greener Future)
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20 pages, 4321 KB  
Article
Transforming Biomass Waste into Hydrochars and Porous Activated Carbon: A Characterization Study
by Suhas, Monika Chaudhary, Shubham Chaudhary, Shivangi Chaubey, Isabel Pestana da Paixão Cansado, Mohammad Hadi Dehghani, Inderjeet Tyagi and Rama Gaur
Resources 2025, 14(3), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources14030034 - 20 Feb 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1866
Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an environmentally friendly process for transforming biomass into sustainable hydrochar, which is a carbon-rich material with a variety of potential applications. Herein, Tectona grandis seeds (TGs) were transformed into hydrochars using HTC at low temperatures (180–250 °C) and autogenous [...] Read more.
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an environmentally friendly process for transforming biomass into sustainable hydrochar, which is a carbon-rich material with a variety of potential applications. Herein, Tectona grandis seeds (TGs) were transformed into hydrochars using HTC at low temperatures (180–250 °C) and autogenous pressure. The prepared hydrochars were rich in oxygenated functional groups. The optimized hydrochar, HC-230-4 (prepared at 230 °C, for 4 h), presented a ratio of H/C = 0.95 and O/C = 0.29, an improved degree of coalification, and a high heating value (26.53 MJ kg−1), which can replace bituminous coals in the power sector. The prepared hydrochar was further activated in the presence of CO2 to prepare activated carbon (AC). XRD, TGA, FTIR, FE-SEM, and BET techniques were used to characterize raw biomass (TGs), hydrochar, and ACs, to identify the potential applications for the developed materials. BET studies revealed that the hydrochar has limited porosity, with a low surface area (14.41 m2g−1) and porous volume. On the other hand, the derived AC (AC-850-5) has a high surface area (729.70 m2g−1) and appreciable total and microporous volumes (0.392 cm3g−1 and 0.286 cm3g−1). The use of biomass, mainly waste biomass, for the production of carbon-rich materials is an effective strategy for managing and valorizing waste biomass resources, reducing environmental pollution, and improving sustainability, being in line with the principles of circularity. Full article
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44 pages, 7836 KB  
Review
Biomass Hydrochar: A Critical Review of Process Chemistry, Synthesis Methodology, and Applications
by Joshua O. Ighalo, Florence C. Akaeme, Jordana Georgin, Jivago Schumacher de Oliveira and Dison S. P. Franco
Sustainability 2025, 17(4), 1660; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041660 - 17 Feb 2025
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5613
Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a novel thermochemical process that turns biomass into hydrochar, a substance rich in carbon that has potential uses in advanced material synthesis, energy production, and environmental remediation. With an emphasis on important chemical pathways, such as dehydration, decarboxylation, and [...] Read more.
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a novel thermochemical process that turns biomass into hydrochar, a substance rich in carbon that has potential uses in advanced material synthesis, energy production, and environmental remediation. With an emphasis on important chemical pathways, such as dehydration, decarboxylation, and polymerization, that control the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into useful hydrochar, this review critically investigates the fundamental chemistry of HTC. A detailed analysis is conducted on the effects of process variables on the physicochemical characteristics of hydrochar, including temperature, pressure, biomass composition, water ratio, and residence time. Particular focus is placed on new developments in HTC technology that improve sustainability and efficiency, like recirculating process water and microwave-assisted co-hydrothermal carbonization. Furthermore, the improvement of adsorption capacity for organic contaminants and heavy metals is explored in relation to the functionalization and chemical activation of hydrochar, namely through surface modification and KOH treatment. The performance of hydrochar and biochar in adsorption, catalysis, and energy storage is compared, emphasizing the unique benefits and difficulties of each substance. Although hydrochar has a comparatively high higher heating value (HHV) and can be a good substitute for coal, issues with reactor design, process scalability, and secondary waste management continue to limit its widespread use. In order to maximize HTC as a sustainable and profitable avenue for biomass valorization, this study addresses critical research gaps and future initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Chemical Engineering and Technology)
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18 pages, 3338 KB  
Article
Zero-Valent Iron-Supported Magnetic Hydrochar Derived from Kitchen Waste for Efficient Fenton-like Degradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride
by Xiaoman Wan, Ruipeng Liu and Ailing Cheng
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1295; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031295 - 5 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 972
Abstract
In this study, hydrochars loaded with iron species (Fe@HTC and Fe@HTC−T) were prepared by chemical co-precipitation and tubular furnace sintering treatment to develop efficient and sustainable catalysts for antibiotic wastewater treatment, addressing key challenges in sustainable environmental management. The characterization results indicated that [...] Read more.
In this study, hydrochars loaded with iron species (Fe@HTC and Fe@HTC−T) were prepared by chemical co-precipitation and tubular furnace sintering treatment to develop efficient and sustainable catalysts for antibiotic wastewater treatment, addressing key challenges in sustainable environmental management. The characterization results indicated that iron species loaded on the hydrochars changed from Fe3O4 to FeO and then to metallic Fe with the pyrolysis temperature increased from 400 °C to 800 °C. The results of the characterization revealed a phase transition of iron species, confirming the temperature-dependent evolution of catalytic activity. The catalytic performance of the hydrochar composites was evaluated for tetracycline hydrochloride (TC–HCl) degradation via a Fenton-like process. Under optimal conditions (0.2 g/L TC–HCl, 0.1 g/L catalyst, 0.1 mM H2O2, pH = 6.86), Fe@HTC−T demonstrated excellent catalytic activity with a removal efficiency of 91.2%. Moreover, Fe@HTC−T exhibited superior stability and low iron leaching rates, attributed to the protective role of the hydrochar matrix. Mechanism research suggested that hydroxyl radicals (•OH) played a dominant role in the degradation process. This study demonstrates the potential of utilizing low-cost and renewable hydrochar materials derived from biomass waste to address industrial challenges in treating high-concentration antibiotic wastewater, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution with broad applications in environmental remediation. Full article
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19 pages, 3162 KB  
Article
A Multi-Method Approach to Analyzing MOFs for Chemical Warfare Simulant Capture: Molecular Simulation, Machine Learning, and Molecular Fingerprints
by Zhongyuan Ming, Min Zhang, Shouxin Zhang, Xiaopeng Li, Xiaoshan Yan, Kexin Guan, Yu Li, Yufeng Peng, Jinfeng Li, Heguo Li, Yue Zhao and Zhiwei Qiao
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(3), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15030183 - 24 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1838
Abstract
Mustard gas (HD) is a well-known chemical warfare agent, recognized for its extreme toxicity and severe hazards. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with their unique structural properties, show significant potential for HD adsorption applications. Due to the extreme hazards of HD, most experimental studies focus [...] Read more.
Mustard gas (HD) is a well-known chemical warfare agent, recognized for its extreme toxicity and severe hazards. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with their unique structural properties, show significant potential for HD adsorption applications. Due to the extreme hazards of HD, most experimental studies focus on its simulants, but molecular simulation research on these simulants remains limited. Simulation analyses of simulants can uncover structure–performance relationships and enable experimental validation, optimizing methods, and improving material design and performance predictions. This study integrates molecular simulations, machine learning (ML), and molecular fingerprinting (MFs) to identify MOFs with high adsorption performance for the HD simulant diethyl sulfide (DES), followed by in-depth structural analysis and comparison. First, MOFs are categorized into Top, Middle, and Bottom materials based on their adsorption efficiency. Univariate analysis, machine learning, and molecular fingerprinting are then used to identify and compare the distinguishing features and fingerprints of each category. Univariate analysis helps identify the optimal structural ranges of Top and Bottom materials, providing a reference for initial material screening. Machine learning feature importance analysis, combined with SHAP methods, identifies the key features that most significantly influence model predictions across categories, offering valuable insights for future material design. Molecular fingerprint analysis reveals critical fingerprint combinations, showing that adsorption performance is optimized when features such as metal oxides, nitrogen-containing heterocycles, six-membered rings, and C=C double bonds co-exist. The integrated analysis using HTCS, ML, and MFs provides new perspectives for designing high-performance MOFs and demonstrates significant potential for developing materials for the adsorption of CWAs and their simulants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Inorganic Materials and Metal-Organic Frameworks)
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21 pages, 2780 KB  
Article
Co-Hydrothermal Carbonization of Sawdust and Sewage Sludge: Assessing the Potential of the Hydrochar as an Adsorbent and the Ecotoxicity of the Process Water
by Matheus Cavali, Thuanne Braúlio Hennig, Nelson Libardi Junior, Boram Kim, Vincent Garnier, Hassen Benbelkacem, Rémy Bayard, Adenise Lorenci Woiciechowski, William Gerson Matias and Armando Borges de Castilhos Junior
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 1052; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031052 - 21 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1890
Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising thermochemical process to convert residues into hydrochar. While conventional HTC utilizes one type of residue as raw material only, Co-HTC generally combines two. By mixing dry and wet wastes, Co-HTC can advantageously avoid water addition. Therefore, this [...] Read more.
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising thermochemical process to convert residues into hydrochar. While conventional HTC utilizes one type of residue as raw material only, Co-HTC generally combines two. By mixing dry and wet wastes, Co-HTC can advantageously avoid water addition. Therefore, this work investigated the potential of hydrochar derived from the Co-HTC of sawdust and non-dewatered sewage sludge as a dye (methylene blue) adsorbent and evaluated the toxicity of the resulting Co-HTC process water (PW) on Daphnia magna. Three hydrochars were produced by Co-HTC at 180, 215, and 250 °C and named H-180, H-215, and H-250, respectively. For methylene blue adsorption, H-180 and H-215 had a better performance than H-250. Both H-180 and H-215 presented a maximum adsorption capacity of approximately 70 mg·g−1, which was superior compared with the adsorption of methylene blue by other hydrochars in the literature. Moreover, the removal percentage obtained with H-180 remained satisfactory even after five cycles. Regarding the toxicological assays of the PWs, raising the Co-HTC temperature increased the variety of substances in the PW composition, resulting in higher toxicity to D. magna. The EC50 values of PW-180, PW-215, and PW-250 were 1.13%, 0.97%, and 0.51%, respectively. This highlights the importance of searching for the treatment and valorization of the PW. Instead of viewing this by-product as an effluent to be treated and disposed of, it is imperative to assess the potential of PWs for obtaining other higher added-value products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resource Utilization of Solid Waste and Circular Economy)
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16 pages, 4720 KB  
Article
Co-Hydrothermal Carbonization of Goose Feather and Pine Sawdust: A Promising Strategy for Disposal of Sports Waste and the Robust Improvement of the Supercapacitor Characteristics of Pyrolytic Nanoporous Carbon
by Tingyu Ma, Jieni Wang, Xiaobo Han, Chuanbing Zhang, Yahui Xu, Leichang Cao, Shuguang Zhao, Jinglai Zhang and Shicheng Zhang
Molecules 2025, 30(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30010026 - 25 Dec 2024
Viewed by 969
Abstract
Discarded sports waste faces bottlenecks in application due to inadequate disposal measures, and there is often a neglect of enhancing resource utilization efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. In this study, nanoporous biochar was prepared through co-hydrothermal carbonization (co-HTC) and pyrolytic activation by using [...] Read more.
Discarded sports waste faces bottlenecks in application due to inadequate disposal measures, and there is often a neglect of enhancing resource utilization efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. In this study, nanoporous biochar was prepared through co-hydrothermal carbonization (co-HTC) and pyrolytic activation by using mixed goose feathers and heavy-metals-contaminated pine sawdust. Comprehensive characterization demonstrated that the prepared M-3-25 (Biochar derived from mixed feedstocks (25 mg/g Cu in pine sawdust) at 700 °C with activator ratios of 3) possesses a high specific surface area 2501.08 m2 g−1 and abundant heteroatomic (N, O, and Cu), exhibiting an outstanding physicochemical structure and ultrahigh electrochemical performance. Compared to nanocarbon from a single feedstock, M-3-25 showed an ultrahigh capacitance of 587.14 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, high energy density of 42.16 Wh kg−1, and only 8.61% capacitance loss after enduring 10,000 cycles at a current density of 10 A g−1, positioning M-3-25 at the forefront of previously known biomass-derived nanoporous carbon supercapacitors. This research not only introduces a promising countermeasure for the disposal of sports waste but also provides superior biochar electrode materials with robust supercapacitor characteristics. Full article
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23 pages, 3549 KB  
Article
Experimental Assessment of Green Waste HTC Pellets: Kinetics, Efficiency and Emissions
by Yaniel Garcia Lovella, Abhishek Goel, Louis Garin, Julien Blondeau and Svend Bram
Energies 2024, 17(24), 6474; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17246474 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 837
Abstract
The combustion of renewable solid fuels, such as biomass, is a reliable option for heat and power production. The availability of biomass resources within urban areas, such as tree leaves, small branches, grass, and other green city waste, creates an opportunity to valorize [...] Read more.
The combustion of renewable solid fuels, such as biomass, is a reliable option for heat and power production. The availability of biomass resources within urban areas, such as tree leaves, small branches, grass, and other green city waste, creates an opportunity to valorize such resources. The energy densification of such resources using hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and pelletization of the carbonized material could create a new generation of domestic boiler biofuel. However, combustion efficiency and emission assessments should be carried out for HTC pellets. The primary objective of this study is to assess HTC pellets, provided by a waste upgrade company, in terms of kinetics, combustion efficiency, and emissions, taking as reference base ENplus A1 certified softwood pellets. Therefore, thermogravimetric analysis and combustion tests were conducted for both fuels to achieve this. It was observed that a third peak of the burning rate during the solid carbon oxidation of HTC pellets indicated a high activation energy. Combustion tests showed a 7% increase in boiler efficiency for HTC pellets compared to softwood pellets. However, higher particulate matter (PM), NOx, and CO emissions were recorded during the HTC pellets test. The results suggest that optimizing the air/fuel ratio could further improve the performance of HTC pellets in domestic boilers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section B: Energy and Environment)
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14 pages, 6074 KB  
Article
Members of WRKY Group III Transcription Factors Are Important in Mite Infestation in Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)
by Peng Chen, Xianhong Zhou, Haiting Wang, Xiuxia Zhang, Lei Wang, Huanhuan Gao, Qianying Zhuang, Heqin Li and Ansheng Zhang
Plants 2024, 13(19), 2822; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13192822 - 9 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1391
Abstract
Strawberry is frequently attacked by mites, which directly affects the yield and quality of this fruit species. The WRKY Group III transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in plant tolerance to biotic sources of stress, such as pathogens and insect pests. In [...] Read more.
Strawberry is frequently attacked by mites, which directly affects the yield and quality of this fruit species. The WRKY Group III transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in plant tolerance to biotic sources of stress, such as pathogens and insect pests. In this study, six Group III WRKY TFs (FaWRKY25, FaWRKY31, FaWRKY32, FaWRKY43, FaWRKY44, and FaWRKY45) were identified in strawberry. A phylogenetic analysis showed that the six WRKY III TFs were divided into two clades and all had a conserved WRKYGQK domain and the C-X7-C-X23-H-T-C zinc finger motif. An interaction network analysis revealed that FaWRKY44 was co-expressing with FaWRKY25 and FaWRKY45. The expression patterns showed that the WRKY Group III genes responded to plant hormones and mite infestation in strawberry. To further verify the role of FaWRKY25 in plant resistance to mites, we cloned the FaWRKY25 gene and overexpressed it in transgenic plants. An in vivo subcellular localization analysis indicated that the FaWRKY25 protein was localized in the nucleus. Fewer mites were also detected on the wild-type plants than on FaWRKY25-overexpressing transgenic plants, suggesting that FaWRKY25 negatively regulates the resistance of strawberry to mites. The present study advances our understanding on a potential target that mites use to manipulate host plant defenses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Growth, Development, and Stress Response of Horticulture Plants)
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