Slide 1

Hydrochar: Catalysts forEfficient Waste-to-Fuel ConversionMarcus Wright and Abdou LachgarCenter for Energy, Environment, and SustainabilityWake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC

RationalIt is all about carbonImage from Ruddiman, 2001 used by permission of W. H. Freeman & Co.

2Not the same as straight vegetable oils, oils are converted to methyl estersBXX = volume XX% biodiesel

RationalImage from Ruddiman, 2001 used by permission of W. H. Freeman & Co.http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solar/venusenv.html

3Not the same as straight vegetable oils, oils are converted to methyl estersBXX = volume XX% biodiesel

RationalThe needs of an exponential population growth

4There is an urgent need for investment in the development and generation of alternative fuels that are renewable, affordable and carbon efficient. Congested traffic powered by traditional fuels has led to life-threatening air quality in many of the worlds developing regions. The global population has now topped 7 billion and according to the UN, is set to grow to 9 billion by 2040, with the number of middle-class consumers rising by 3 billion. Consumer demand for energy and fuel will undoubtedly increase exponentially the UN predicts a 45% increase by 2040 and the provision of practical alternatives is critical.

Too much waste

Human Behavior!!!!!5Not the same as straight vegetable oils, oils are converted to methyl estersBXX = volume XX% biodiesel

Use biomass waste to produce a solid acid catalyst Convert biomass waste to advanced biofuelsFunctionalized Hydrothermal Carbon(Hydrochar)How about using waste to produce inexpensive fuels?A small contribution to solving the problem-triangleof energy, resources and climate.6Not the same as straight vegetable oils, oils are converted to methyl estersBXX = volume XX% biodiesel

What is Hydrochar (HTC)?

Hydrothermal carbonization is a highly efficient process which replicates the natural process of coal generation.A combination of heat and pressure transforms biowaste into a carbon dense material with properties similar to biochar.In this process, sugars and polysaccharides are converted into polymers

http://www.antaco.co.uk7Not the same as straight vegetable oils, oils are converted to methyl estersBXX = volume XX% biodiesel

History of Hydrochar (HTCs)In 1913, Frierich Bergius (Nobel prize laureate 1931 for development of chemical high-pressure methods) converted biomass to carbon products by using steam at high pressure. In 1932, Berl and Schmidt developed a new method by treating different biomass samples in the presence of water at temperatures between 150C and 350C. In 2006, Markus Antonietti detected its significance for biomass treatment and reduction of CO2 emission.Titirici M, (2013), Sustainable Carbon Materials from Hydrothermal Processes.8Not the same as straight vegetable oils, oils are converted to methyl estersBXX = volume XX% biodiesel

-3H2OHydroxymethyl furfural (HMF)

General process

Uniform spherical particlesFunctional surfaces (e.g. OH, -COOH, -C(=O)

HTC is an exothermic process that lowers both the oxygen and hydrogen content.Dehydration leading to the formation of hydroxy methyl furfural (HMF)Funke and Ziegler. Biofuels Bioprod. Biorefin. 2010, 4, 4160-41779Not the same as straight vegetable oils, oils are converted to methyl estersBXX = volume XX% biodiesel

Why HTCs?Lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to biochar and the only by-product is water.Wet process Biomass can be used without expensive pre-dryingAccepts numerous biomass typesHTCs can also be used for soil improvementHigh carbon efficiencyAntonietti et al. Applied Soil Ecology 45 (2010) 238242ProcessCarbon EfficiencyHydrothermal Carbonization (HTC)90 %Alcoholic fermentation70 %Anaerobic digestion / biogas50 %Other biomass conversion processes30 %Composting10 %http://www.antaco.co.uk/technology/hydrothermal-carbonisation-htc10Not the same as straight vegetable oils, oils are converted to methyl estersBXX = volume XX% biodiesel

HTCs for Waste-to-Fuel ConversionA diesel fuel replacement produced from vegetable oils or animal fats wasteBiodiesel is made through a conventional chemical process known as transesterification.

Biodiesel can be used in any diesel motor in any percent from 0-100% with no modifications to the engine

http://www.youtube.com/user/NationalBiodiesel#p/a/u/2/RSQ8UwCT4i0http://www.youtube.com/user/NationalBiodiesel#p/a/6C80F9C60E55E5DA/0/XEovn5Pni20http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oCC6EHCoMU&feature=relatedWhat is Biodiesel?11Not the same as straight vegetable oils, oils are converted to methyl estersBXX = volume XX% biodiesel

History of biodieselAugust 10, 1893, Augsburg, Germany, Rudolf Diesel demonstrated a single 10 ft (3 m) iron cylinder that ran on peanut oil.received the Grand Prix (highest prize) at the World Fair in Paris, France in 1900.

August 31, 1937, G. Chavanne of the University of Brussels was granted a patent for a "Procedure for the transformation of vegetable oils for their uses as fuels" (Belgian Patent 422,877).http://lipidlibrary.aocs.org/history/Diesel/index.htmThe use of vegetable oils as engine fuels may seem insignificant today but such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum and coal tar products of the present time.-Rudolph Diesel, 1912

12World Biodiesel Production Sources: IEA and National Board of Biodiesel

In 2005, about 75 million gallons of biodiesel were produced, tripling the 25 million gallons produced in 2004.Only a tiny fraction of roughly 40 billion gallons of diesel used each year for on-road transportation.

There are presently 173 companies that have invested millions in biodiesel facilitiesThe annual production capacity from these plants is 2.69 billion gallons per yearB100 contains 11% oxygen by weight fuel burns more completely.

From: http://www.duqlawblogs.org/energy/2015/04/19/biodiesel/The Standard Biodiesel Cycle

Industrial ProcessCurrently homogeneous alkaline catalysts, namely sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are commonly used.

Homogeneous acid catalysts are used to lesser extent.

Why?Low catalyst cost and easy availabilityGood conversions Short reaction times at moderate temperaturesWhy?Acid catalyzed transestericiation is extremely slowRequires harsher temperature and pressure conditionsSignificantly more effective in esterification of FFAsMAJOR LIMITATIONSHigh purity feedstock required in case of alkaline catalysts (FFA