life cycle assessment of hydrochar production from Pinus eldarica Medw tree leaves by hydrothermal carbonization method

Due to the changes in the natural environment and the intensification of human activities, the problems of environmental pollution have become extremely serious. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) as a promising thermochemical process can convert solid organic waste into valuable products. Carbon materials obtained from hydrochar have high potential in various applications such as solid fuel, supercapacitor, fuel cell and absorbent, water treatment, and soil amendment. The present study aimed to produce hydrochar from lignocellulosic biomass and also evaluate the environmental effects of this process both at the midpoint and at the endpoint levels, assuming ۱kg of hydrochar as a functional unit. In order to prepare the product, Pinus eldarica Medw pine leaves as a lignocellulosic precursor, were placed under hydrothermal conditions at a temperature of ۲۲۵ °C under pressure for ۱۲ hours. A weight ratio of ۱۰:۱ water to the precursor and also sodium hydroxide as a catalyst were considered. The environmental impacts of the process were evaluated through a life cycle assessment (LCA). LCA of the product during the HTC process showed that due to the use of fossil fuels in electricity production, the use of electricity shows the greatest environmental impact in all stages of hydrochar production.

Keywords:

Hydrochar , Hydrothermal , Carbonization , Life cycle assessment