Leichte Sprache
WG Thermochemical conversion
The objective of thermochemical conversion group activity is to explore and optimize the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), hydrothermal humification (HTH), and pyrolysis processes for the production of hydrochar, humic substances, and pyrochar. The focus will be on the application of these materials for soil amendment, including increasing water retention, cation and anion exchange capacity, and long-term carbon storage. Additionally, the group will investigate the adsorption of nutrients and pollutants from water, soil, and animal manure, as well as the purification of carbonous materials for advanced applications such as membrane and energy storage. The modeling and optimization help to scale up the processes and transition from batch to continuous processes.
Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) and Humification (HTH)
HTC is conducted at elevated temperatures typically ranging from 180 to 250 degrees Celsius, represents an environmentally friendly technology for converting wet residues into hydrochar. Hydrochar finds applications in soil improvement, environmental remediation, biofuel production, and energy storage.
HTH accelerates the production of humic compounds from biomass—a complex process that typically takes years in nature—and accomplishes it within a few hours, delivering significant advantages for soil enhancement. The products are primarily used in agriculture, soil enhancement, and various environmental applications.
Batch and Continuous Hydrothermal Reactors
Available hydrothermal equipment includes high pressure batch reactors (150 mL, 1 L, 18.75 L) as well as a continuous reactor from Artec. Further details on post-processing steps can be found in Biochar laboratory.
Pyrolysis Process
Pyrolysis is a thermal decomposition process that takes place in the absence of oxygen. It entails exposing carbon-rich materials, such as biomass or organic waste, to elevated temperatures, typically ranging from 300 to 800 degrees Celsius. One of the key outcomes of pyrolysis is the conversion of dry carbonaceous materials into stable forms of carbon known as pyrochar. This pyrochar has a wide range of applications, including its use in soil improvement, biofuel production, and various environmental applications. Furthermore, pyrochar can be engineered or activated to enhance its properties, making it suitable for catalysis, adsorption processes, and energy storage.
Pyrolysis Reactors
Pyrolysis (batch and contnious)
Available pyrolysis equipment includes batch pyrolysis muffle furnaces and continuous reactors, including a rotary kiln, a carbon twister, as well as a pyrolysis unit from BIOMACON. Further details on post-processing steps of pyrochar can be found in Biochar laboratory.
Group activities:
1- Process understanding and scale up (Modeling and optimization)
Development of empirical and thermo-chemical models that enable a deeper understanding of complex reactions is a crucial step to scale up the thermochemical conversion processes. This progress extends to kinetic modeling, particularly in the fields of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and hydrothermal humification (HTH), where predictive models are enhancing our ability to optimize these processes. Moreover, the integration of intelligent modeling techniques is transforming process optimization, allowing for more efficient and sustainable production methods. These models, helps to predict the system and transitions from traditional batch processes to continuous operations, promising increased efficiency, reduced waste.
- Development of empirical and thermo-chemical models.
- Kinetic modeling of HTC and HTH.
- Intelligent modeling for process optimization.
- Transitioning from batch to continuous processes.
2- Production of engineered pyrochar and hydrochar and artificial humic substances for different applications
a) Soil Amendment and Carbon Storage:
- Investigating the interaction of carbon-rich substances with soil and plants.
- Developing porous pyrochar particles for soil improvement.
- Producing engineered pyrochar with high carbon sequestration efficiency.
- Evaluating the potential for carbon-rich materials to act as carbon sinks.
b) Nutrient recovery and pollutant removal:
- Surface modification and functionalization of hydrochar and pyrochar.
- Engineering of pyrochar and hydrochar for selective nutrient and pollutant adsorption.
- Studying adsorption capacity for nutrients and pollutants in water, soil, and manure.
- Exploring applications for water and soil remediation.
c) Purification of carbonous materials and advanced applications:
- Purification and doping of carbonous materials for advanced applications like membrane technology and catalysis.
- Developing customized char particles for specific applications.
- Regeneration and reuse of spent carbon-based materials.
- Removal of pollutants, including PAHs and inorganic elements, from carbonous materials.
3- Integrated residue management:
Under integrated residue management program area, the group aims to use the organic waste and residues produced in other processes, and convert it to a more stable form of carbon. The resulted products, based on their characteristics, can be recycled back to the process they are originated from, to increase the yield, and or purification of the products. The products can be applied to other purposes, such as biofuel production, soil and environmental applications.
4- Collaboration with industry
Our group's activities extend beyond research as we actively engage in close collaboration with our industrial partners. We are dedicated to addressing their specific needs, offering support in areas such as process development, product characterization, process optimization, and scaling up. This collaborative approach ensures that our research not only advances scientific knowledge but also directly contributes to real-world applications and the success of our industry partners.
5- Characterization and analysis of thermochemical conversion products:
- Elemental analysis, ICP-OES, and nutrient content (P and N)
- Analysis of gaseous products of pyrolysis and HTC processes
- HPLC for organic acids, aromatics, and sugars in solid and liquid products
- Extraction and analysis of humic compounds
- Characterization through FTIR, BET surface area, pore size analysis, TGA, SEM-EDX
- Recalcitrance and soil carbon sequestration potential of biomass, hydrochar, artificial humic substances and biochar
- Water absorbing capacity of biomass, hydrochar, aritificial humic substances and biochar
News:
1- After the HTC Symposiums in London (2017), Berlin (2019), and Seoul (2023), ATB is once again a co-organizer for the upcoming 4th International Symposium on Hydrothermal Carbonization, which will be held from January 28-31, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
The symposium will focus on the following areas:
- Fundamentals of hydrothermal carbonization
- Feedstock selection and characterization
- Process optimization and reactor design
- Product characterization and applications
- Environmental impacts and sustainability assessments
- Economic viability and market perspectives
Integration with other processes (e.g., wastewater treatment, biorefinery
More information can be found at the 2025 HTC Meeting website: htc2025neworleans.netlify.app.
2- Dr. Opeyemi Ayodeji Akogun has joined the Thermochemical Conversion group as a Postdoctoral Researcher, funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, for two years. He will be working on the pyrolysis and hydrothermal conversion of biomass for soil and fuel applications.
3- On December 21, 2023, Nader Marzban successfully defended his thesis titled "From Hydrothermal Carbonization to Hydrothermal Humification of Biomass: The Role of Process Conditions," earning the highest distinction, Summa Cum Laude, from the Faculty of Process Engineering at Technische Universität Berlin. Starting January 1st, he will begin his new role as a Postdoctoral Researcher at ATB, working with the Thermochemical Conversion group. We wish him continued success in his future endeavors.
Mitarbeiter*innen der AG
Postdocs:
Dr. Nader Marzban
Dr. Opeyemi Ayodejl Akogun
PhD students:
Huyen Chau Dang
Daniela Moloeznik Paniagua
Saman Ghobadian
Guest Scientists:
Prof. Dr. Fabiano Bisinella Scheufele
Prof. Dr. Caroline Ribeiro
Technicians
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Marcus Fischer
Imke Handke