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Shan G, Li W, Liu J, Bao S, Li Z, Wang S, Zhu L, Xi B, Tan W. Co-hydrothermal carbonization of municipal sludge and agricultural waste to reduce plant growth inhibition by aqueous phase products: Molecular level analysis of organic matter. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 932:173073. [PMID: 38734103 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The organic matter molecular mechanism by which combined hydrothermal carbonization (co-HTC) of municipal sludge (MS) and agricultural wastes (rice husk, spent mushroom substrate, and wheat straw) reduces the inhibitory effects of aqueous phase (AP) products on pak choi (Brassica campestris L.) growth compared to HTC of MS alone is not clear. Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry was used to characterize the differences in organic matter at the molecular level between AP from MS HTC alone (AP-MS) and AP from co-HTC of MS and agricultural waste (co-Aps). The results showed that N-bearing molecules of AP-MS and co-Aps account for 70.6 % and 54.2 %-64.1 % of all molecules, respectively. Lignins were present in the highest proportion (56.3 %-78.5 %) in all APs, followed by proteins and lipids. The dry weight of co-APs hydroponically grown pak choi was 31.6 %-47.6 % higher than that of the AP-MS. Molecules that were poorly saturated and with low aromaticity were preferentially consumed during hydroponic treatment. Molecules present before and after hydroponics were defined as resistant molecules; molecules present before hydroponics but absent after hydroponics were defined as removed molecules; and molecules absent before hydroponics but present after hydroponics were defined as produced molecules. Large lignin molecules were broken down into more unsaturated molecules, but lignins were the most commonly resistant, removed, and produced molecules. Correlation analysis revealed that N- or S-bearing molecules were phytotoxic in the AP. Tannins positively influenced the growth of pak choi. These results provide new insights into potential implementation strategies for liquid fertilizers produced from AP arising from HTC of MS and agricultural wastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangchun Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Weiguang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Shanshan Bao
- Key Laboratory of Water Management and Water Security for Yellow River Basin, Ministry of Water Resources, Yellow River Engineering Consulting Co. Ltd., Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Zhenling Li
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, Ministry of Education, School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
| | - Shuncai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Beidou Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Wenbing Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
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Alexis Parra-Orobio B, Soto-Paz J, Ricardo Oviedo-Ocaña E, Vali SA, Sánchez A. Advances, trends and challenges in the use of biochar as an improvement strategy in the anaerobic digestion of organic waste: a systematic analysis. Bioengineered 2023; 14:2252191. [PMID: 37712696 PMCID: PMC10506435 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2023.2252191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A recently strategy applied to anaerobic digestion (AD) is the use of biochar (BC) obtained from the pyrolysis of different organic waste. The PRISMA protocol-based review of the most recent literature data from 2011-2022 was used in this study. The review focuses on research papers from Scopus® and Web of Knowledge®. The review protocol used permits to identify 169 articles. The review indicated a need for further research in the following challenges on the application of BC in AD: i) to increase the use of BC in developing countries, which produce large and diverse amounts of waste that are the source of production of this additive; ii) to determine the effect of BC on the AD of organic waste under psychrophilic conditions; iii) to apply tools of machine learning or robust models that allow the process optimization; iv) to perform studies that include life cycle and technical-economic analysis that allow identifying the potential of applying BC in AD in large-scale systems; v) to study the effects of BC on the agronomic characteristics of the digestate once it is applied to the soil and vi) finally, it is necessary to deepen in the effect of BC on the dynamics of nitrogen and microbial consortia that affect AD, considering the type of BC used. In the future, it is necessary to search for new solutions in terms of the transport phenomena that occurs in AD with the use of BC using robust and precise mathematical models at full-scale conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brayan Alexis Parra-Orobio
- Facultad de Ingenierías Fisicomecánicas, Grupo de Investigación En Recursos Hídricos Y Saneamiento Ambiental – GPH, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Jonathan Soto-Paz
- Facultad de Ingenierías Fisicomecánicas, Grupo de Investigación En Recursos Hídricos Y Saneamiento Ambiental – GPH, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Grupo de Investigación En Amenazas, Vulnerabilidad Y Riesgos a Fenómenos Naturales, Universidad de Investigación y Desarrollo, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Edgar Ricardo Oviedo-Ocaña
- Facultad de Ingenierías Fisicomecánicas, Grupo de Investigación En Recursos Hídricos Y Saneamiento Ambiental – GPH, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Seyed Alireza Vali
- Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Composting Research Group, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Sánchez
- Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Composting Research Group, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Wang W, Chang JS, Lee DJ. Digestate-derived carbonized char and activated carbon: Application perspective. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 381:129135. [PMID: 37164231 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The flourishment of anaerobic digestion (AD) on waste treatment emphasizes the importance of digestate valorization, which plays an essential role in determining the benefits provided by the AD process. The perception of digestate gradually shifts from waste to products to realize the concept of circular economy and maximize the benefits of digestate valorization. This review first outlined the current status of digestate valorization, focusing on thermal-chemical methods. The novel valorization methods were then summarized from the recent research, illustrating prospects for digestate valorization. Limits and perspectives are finally addressed. Methods for preparing digestate-derived activated carbon and impurity effects were elucidated. Inherent mineral content/inorganic impurity could be a niche for downstream use. High surface area and well-developed pore structure are essential for satisfying downstream use performance, but they are not the only factors. Digestate char applications other than use as an energy fuel are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan
| | - Duu-Jong Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan; Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong.
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Bona D, Lucian M, Feretti D, Silvestri S, Zerbini I, Merzari F, Messineo A, Volpe M. Phytotoxicity and genotoxicity of agro-industrial digested sludge hydrochar: The role of heavy metals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:162138. [PMID: 36773912 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Hydrochar is a new carbonaceous product obtained via hydrothermal carbonization of wet biomass, such as sludges or digested sludges, which often have disposal problems, also due to the presence of contaminants such as heavy metals. The properties of the hydrochar led to an interest in using it as an amendment, but the agro-environmental properties must be considered for its safe use. Raw hydrochar produced by agro-industrial digestate and relative three acidic post-treated hydrochars (for heavy metals removal) have been assessed considering their effect on phytotoxicity, soil, plant growth, mutagenicity, and genotoxicity. The chemical characterization showed the effect of post-treatment on heavy metals contents reduction, except for Cu content (hydrochar, 650 mg/kg; post-treated hydrochars, 940 mg/kg, 287 mg/kg, and 420 mg/kg). The acidic post-treatment also reduces the phytotoxicity compared to raw hydrochar (the germination index at 16 % of hydrochar concentration was: hydrochar, 61.48 %; post-treated hydrochars, 82.27 %, 58.28 %, and 82.26 %), but the low pH and the impact on N-cycle probably have caused the detrimental effect on plant growth of post-treated hydrochar. No mutagenic activity was observed in bacteria using Ames test, while all the samples induced chromosomal aberrations in plant cells (Allium cepa test). The approach adopted, which considers phytotoxicity, plant growth-soil effects, and mutagenicity/genotoxicity bioassays has been proven effective for a proper evaluation of organic products derived from waste to promote a sustainable and circular recovery of materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bona
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010 San Michele a/A, Italy.
| | - Michela Lucian
- Carborem srl, Piazza Manifattura 1, 38060 Rovereto, TN, Italy
| | - Donatella Feretti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Silvestri
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010 San Michele a/A, Italy
| | - Ilaria Zerbini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Fabio Merzari
- Carborem srl, Piazza Manifattura 1, 38060 Rovereto, TN, Italy
| | - Antonio Messineo
- University of Enna Kore, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Viale delle Olimpiadi snc, 94100 Enna, Italy
| | - Maurizio Volpe
- Carborem srl, Piazza Manifattura 1, 38060 Rovereto, TN, Italy; University of Enna Kore, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Viale delle Olimpiadi snc, 94100 Enna, Italy
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Bona D, Bertoldi D, Borgonovo G, Mazzini S, Ravasi S, Silvestri S, Zaccone C, Giannetta B, Tambone F. Evaluating the potential of hydrochar as a soil amendment. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 159:75-83. [PMID: 36738588 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In this study, hydrochar (HC), a carbon-rich product originated from hydrothermal conversion treatment (HTC), was obtained from wastes of the wine and dairy industries. The effect of mixing secondary char and compost was tested, before and after the aerobic mixing of compost (COM) and HC at increasing doses (from 15 to 75 Mg ha-1 DM), in an effort to lower the HC phytotoxicity due to potential phytotoxic compounds of secondary char. The results indicated that, after the aerobic stabilization, the mix HC/COM was able to double the plant growth in comparison to COM alone. The presence of easily degradable organic compounds probably led to poor stability of HC, increased microbial activity and, consequently, root anoxia when used at high doses. Chemical, spectroscopic and thermal investigation confirmed this hypothesis. In particular, HC shows a high content of dissolved organic matter, characterized by the presence of small molecules, which is negatively correlated with the growth index of lettuce. Furthermore, thermal characterization suggests a higher proportion of less complex and thermally stable molecular compounds in HC in comparison to COM. Therefore, co-composting of HC allows obtaining a useful amendment to support soil organic matter and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bona
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, San Michele a/A, 38098, Italy.
| | - Daniela Bertoldi
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, San Michele a/A, 38098, Italy
| | - Gigliola Borgonovo
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milano, Via Celoria 2, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Stefania Mazzini
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), University of Milano, Via Celoria 2, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Stefano Ravasi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia - University of Milano, Via Celoria 2, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Silvia Silvestri
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, San Michele a/A, 38098, Italy
| | - Claudio Zaccone
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Beatrice Giannetta
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Fulvia Tambone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia - University of Milano, Via Celoria 2, Milan 20133, Italy.
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Shan G, Li W, Bao S, Li Y, Tan W. Co-hydrothermal carbonization of agricultural waste and sewage sludge for product quality improvement: Fuel properties of hydrochar and fertilizer quality of aqueous phase. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 326:116781. [PMID: 36395640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising carbon-neutral technology for converting sewage sludge (SS) and agricultural waste into energy. However, HTC-generated aqueous phase (AP) impedes the development of the former. This study investigated the potential of SS with rice husk (RH) and wheat straw (WS) co-HTC to form hydrochar and AP as substitutes for fuel and chemical fertilizer, respectively. Compared with single SS hydrochar, the yield of co-HTC-based hydrochar and higher heating value significantly increased by 10.9%-21.6% and 4.2%-182.7%, reaching a maximum of 72.6% and 14.7 MJ/kg, respectively. Co-HTC improves the safe handling, storage and transportation, and combustion performance of hydrochar. The total nitrogen concentration in AP-SS was 2575 mg/L, accounting for 67.7% of that found in SS. Co-HTC decreased and increased the amine and phenolic components of AP, respectively. AP-SS-RH and AP-SS-WS significantly increased pakchoi dry weight by 45.5% and 49.4%, respectively, compared with AP-SS. The results of the hydroponic experiments with AP instead of chemical fertilizers revealed that AP-SS did not reduce pakchoi dry weight by replacing <20% chemical fertilizers. However, AP-SS-RH or AP-SS-WS replaced 60% chemical fertilizers. Therefore, the co-HTC of SS and agricultural waste increased the AP substitution of chemical fertilizer from 20% to 60%. These findings suggest that the co-HTC of agricultural waste with SS is a promising technology for converting SS into renewable resource products for fuels and N-rich liquid fertilizer while significantly improving fuel and fertilizer quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangchun Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Weiguang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Shanshan Bao
- Key Laboratory of Water Management and Water Security for Yellow River Basin, Ministry of Water Resources, Yellow River Engineering Consulting Co. Ltd., Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Yangyang Li
- Shenergy Environmental Technologies Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 311100, China
| | - Wenbing Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
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Al-Naqeb G, Sidarovich V, Scrinzi D, Mazzeo I, Robbiati S, Pancher M, Fiori L, Adami V. Hydrochar and hydrochar co-compost from OFMSW digestate for soil application: 3. Toxicological evaluation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 320:115910. [PMID: 35947910 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Modern societies produce ever-increasing amounts of waste, e.g. organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). According to the best available techniques, OFMSW should be treated through anaerobic digestion to recover biogas and subsequently composted. An innovative scheme is under investigation, where anaerobic digestion is combined with hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and composting. The final product, referred to as hydrochar co-compost (HCO), is under study to be used as an unconventional soil improver/fertilizer. Recent studies showed that HCO is not phytotoxic. However, nothing is known about the toxicity of HCO on cells as part and organisms as a whole. This study aims to investigate in vitro genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the HCO and its precursors in the production process. In particular, we tested water and methanolic extracts of HCO (WEHCO and MEHCO) from one side and methanolic extracts of hydrochar (MEH) and OFMSW digestate (MED) as well as liquor produced downstream HTC (HTCL) from the other side. Genotoxicity was investigated using cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in Chinese Hamster Ovarian K1 (CHO-K1) cells. Cytotoxicity was tested in vitro against a panel of human cells line. Zebrafish embryo toxicity upon MEH treatment was also investigated. Results show that incubation of CHO-K1 cells with all the tested samples at different concentrations did not cause any induction of micronucleus formation compared to the vehicle-treated control. Treatment of cells with MEH, MED, HTCL and MEHCO, but not WEHCO, induced some degree of cytotoxicity and MEH showed to be more cytotoxic against tested cells compared to the MEHCO. Toxicity effect at the highest tested concentrations of MEH on zebrafish embryos resulted in coagulation, induction of pericardial edema and death. In conclusion, the hydrochar co-compost cytotoxicity is similar to standard compost cytotoxicity. Hence composting the hydrochar from OFMSW digestate is a good step to eliminate the cytotoxicity of hydrochar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghanya Al-Naqeb
- Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, Trento, Italy; Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Sana'a, Sana'a, Yemen.
| | - Viktoryia Sidarovich
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Donato Scrinzi
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Ilaria Mazzeo
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Sergio Robbiati
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Michael Pancher
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Luca Fiori
- Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, Trento, Italy; Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Valentina Adami
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Carbonisation of Waste Biomass: The Effect of Process Conditions on Hydrochar Properties. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10091756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrochars are an alternative form of biochar produced by hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC), a potentially cheaper and greener method. In this paper, the effect of multiple variables on hydrochar properties was investigated. Waste biomass was converted to hydrochar via microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonisation. The variables were temperature, solution ratio (water-biomass ratio), time, particle size, pH and acetone washing. The measured properties were yield, carbon, oxygen and ash content, higher heating value (HHV), carbon and energy recovery and dye and water adsorption. Feedstock significance was investigated using apple, wheat, barley, oat and pea straw. The investigation into this specific combination of variables and feedstock has not been done before. HTC increased carbon content (~60%), HHV (~24 MJ/kg) and water adsorption and reduced oxygen content and dye adsorption. Thermal analysis suggested hydrochars were not suitable for sequestration. Decreasing the solution ratio was the most significant factor in increasing yield, carbon recovery and energy yield. Increasing the temperature was the most significant factor in increasing carbon and decreasing oxygen content. This affected HHV, with higher temperatures producing a higher energy material, surpassing brown coal. Hydrochars produced at a high solution ratio, temperature and times showed the best carbonisation. Smaller particle size increased yield and carbonisation but increased ash content. Low solution pH increased carbon content, HHV and water adsorption but lowered yield, carbon recovery, energy yield, dye adsorption and oxygen and ash content. High pH increased ash content and dye adsorption but lowered yield, carbon recovery, energy yield and dye adsorption. Acetone decreased yield, carbon recovery, energy yield, carbon content and HHV but increased oxygen, ash content and dye and water adsorption. Barley biomass showed the highest yield and carbon recovery, and pea showed the highest energy yield and HHV. Apple showed the highest carbon content. All the hydrochars showed promise as solid fuels, a soil additive and a precursor for activated carbon but lacked high adsorption for pollutant adsorbents and stability for carbon sequestration.
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Bona D, Scrinzi D, Tonon G, Ventura M, Nardin T, Zottele F, Andreis D, Andreottola G, Fiori L, Silvestri S. Hydrochar and hydrochar co-compost from OFMSW digestate for soil application: 2. agro-environmental properties. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 312:114894. [PMID: 35334400 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The work concerns the study of the hydrochar from digestate and hydrochar co-compost characterization as amendments. The processes for hydrochar and co-compost production were described in Part 1 of this work (Scrinzi et al., 2022). The amendment properties of hydrochar (produced at 180-200-220 °C for 3 h) and co-composts (25%, 50%, and 75% hydrochar percentage of digestate substitution) were assessed by phytotoxicity, plant growth bioassay, and soil effect. Different seeds species (Lepidium sativum, Cucumis sativus, and Sorghum bicolor sp.) were dosed at increased concentrations using both wet raw amendments and their water extracts. The chemical characterization showed phytotoxic compounds content depending on both the initial feedstock (digestate) and the HTC process; at the same time, the analysis highlighted the reduction of these compounds by composting (organic acid, polyphenols, salt concentration). The dose-response was analyzed by the Cedergreen-Streibig-Ritz model and the half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) was calculated based on this equation. The soil properties and GHG emissions measurements (CH4, CO2, N2O, and NH3) highlighted the effect on N dynamics and on soil respiration induced by substrates. The HC200 soil application determined a significant impact on CO2 and N2O emission and NH3 volatilization (10.82 mol CO2/m2; 51.45 mmol N2O/m2; 112 mol NH3/m2) and a significant reduction of total N and TOC (46% of TKN and 49% of TOC). The co-compost (75%) showed specific effects after soil application compared to other samples an increase of available P (48%), a greater content of nitrogen (1626 mg/kg dry basis), and a reduction of organic carbon (17%). Our results demonstrate the good quality of co-compost and at the same time the validity of this post-treatment for addressing many issues related to hydrochar use in the soil as an amendment, confirming the suitability of HTC process integration for digestate treatment in anaerobic digestion plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bona
- Technology Transfer Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010, San Michele a/A, Italy
| | - Donato Scrinzi
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Giustino Tonon
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università, 5, 39100, Bozen-Bolzano, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ventura
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università, 5, 39100, Bozen-Bolzano, Italy
| | - Tiziana Nardin
- Technology Transfer Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010, San Michele a/A, Italy
| | - Fabio Zottele
- Technology Transfer Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010, San Michele a/A, Italy
| | - Daniele Andreis
- Technology Transfer Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010, San Michele a/A, Italy
| | - Gianni Andreottola
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Luca Fiori
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy; Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
| | - Silvia Silvestri
- Technology Transfer Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010, San Michele a/A, Italy
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