Conversion of Slaughterhouse Wastes to Solid Fuel Using Hydrothermal Carbonization

Jongkeun Lee,Kwanyong Lee,Ki Young Park,Sungwan Cho,Haegeun Chung,Junhee Ryu,Daegi Kim

doi:10.3390/en14061768

Jongkeun Lee, Kwanyong Lee + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en14061768

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Journal: Energies	Publication Date: Mar 22, 2021
Citations: 10	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Jangan University, Konkuk University, Daegu University

Abstract

In this study, cattle and pig slaughterhouse wastes (SHWs) were hydrothermally carbonized at 150–300 °C, and the properties of SHW-derived hydrochar were evaluated for its use as a solid fuel. The results demonstrated that increasing the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) treatment temperature improved the energy-related properties (i.e., fuel ratio, higher heating value, and coalification degree) of both the cattle and pig SHW-derived hydrochars. However, the improvements of cattle SHW-derived hydrochars were not as dramatic as that of pig SHW-derived hydrochars, due to the lipid-rich components that do not participate in the HTC reaction. In this regard, there was no merit of using HTC treatment on cattle SHW for the production of hydrochar or using the hydrochar as a solid fuel in terms of energy retention efficiency. On the other hand, a mild HTC treatment at approximately 200 °C was deemed suitable for converting pig SHW to value-added solid fuel. The findings of this study suggest that the conversion of SHWs to hydrochar using HTC can provide an environmentally benign method for waste treatment and energy recovery from abandoned biomass. However, the efficiency of energy recovery varies depending on the chemical composition of the raw feedstock.

Highlights

The increase in the consumption of meat and meat products has led to the expansion of the slaughtering industry and the consequent increase in biological waste production [1]
The raw slaughterhouse wastes (SHWs) were converted into hydrochar during the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) reaction
This study focused on the hydrothermal treatment of cattle and pig SHWs and the potential use of SHW-derived hydrochars as a solid fuel to reduce the environmental and economic burden on the meat industry

Summary

Introduction

The increase in the consumption of meat and meat products has led to the expansion of the slaughtering industry and the consequent increase in biological waste production [1]. Slaughterhouse waste (SHW) is the animal product remaining after the manufacture of the principal commodity in slaughterhouses and formally consists of inedible offal and fats [2]. Most SHW is used as a raw material in the rendering industry for the production of pet and animal feed. Outbreaks of livestock infectious diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease, mad cow disease, and African swine fever, hinder the use of the SHW in pet and animal feed production, and even in application as fertilizers [3]. Significant amounts of SHW are underutilized and are discarded via incineration or landfills. The disposal methods have a negative impact on the environment by generating secondary pollutants (e.g., odor and leachate), and lead to an economic burden on the meat industry

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