Introduction to Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC)
4. Creating Energy from “Waste” Organic Material
Separating and Concentrating 100% of Remaining Carbon
Where conventional technology had required energy-intensive and high-cost drying or draining of water from feedstock, HTC offers a comparatively low-energy, high efficiency solution to extract the carbon and therefore the energy left in materials that had previously been considered easier and cheaper to dispose of. This in turn helps close the carbon and resource cycle by limiting waste and contributing to a carbon neutral or even negative local energy cycle.
Biocokes can be used in boilers and other conventional electricity and heat generation equipment, but under 2MW, a gasification and cogeneration setup is most efficient and cost effective.
Harnessing the heat produced is also key to any successful bioenergy project. Biocokes can be produced on-site or near collection points through a stationary or mobile HTC solution and this may be stored or transported to areas where the power would be most needed, such as public and medical facilities. Heat could also be used to dry wood chips and agricultural produce, but the more robust and holistic the planning is for heat and electricity use, the more economic and sustainable the bioenergy project will be.
