Optimization and Characterization of Hydrochar Derived from Shrimp Waste

• Published in: Energy & fuels 2017-04, Vol.31 (4), p.4068-4077
• Main Authors: Kannan, Shrikalaa, Gariepy, Yvan, Raghavan, G. S. Vijaya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0887-0624; 1520-5029
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.7b00093

Shrimp, a most consumed seafood, when processed, results in an enormous generation of wastes. Current ways of shrimp waste utilization are uneconomical and far from being environmentally friendly. Alternative sustainable technologies to utilize shrimp wastes completely are essential. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) that converts moisture-rich biomass into hydrochar is mostly employed for pure lignocellulosic biowaste. However, the suitability of HTC to produce good quality hydrochar from pure non-lignocellulosic wastes such as shrimp waste is unknown. Here, for the first time, a response surface design guided optimization of microwave hydrothermal carbonization (MHTC) process parameters, holding temperature (150–210 °C) and time (60–120 min), showed that a temperature of ∼184 °C and a time of ∼112 min yielded maximal hydrochar (∼42%). The atomic carbon and ash content, and calorific value of hydrochar were ∼39–49%, ∼21–25%, and 18.26–23.22 MJ/kg, respectively, depending on the MHTC operating conditions. Taken together, these results confirm that MHTC produces hydrochar from shrimp waste of quality comparable to one produced from low-grade lignocellulosic, sewage, and municipal wastes.