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Upgradation of chemical, fuel, thermal, and structural properties of rice husk through microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization

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Abstract

The process parameters of microwave hydrothermal carbonization (MHTC) have significant effect on yield of hydrochar. This study discusses the effect of process parameters on hydrochar yield produced from MHTC of rice husk. Results revealed that, over the ranges tested, a lower temperature, lower reaction time, lower biomass to water ratio, and higher particle size produce more hydrochar. Maximum hydrochar yield of 62.8% was obtained at 1000 W, 220 °C, and 5 min. The higher heating value (HHV) was improved significantly from 6.80 MJ/kg of rice husk to 16.10 MJ/kg of hydrochar. Elemental analysis results showed that the carbon content increased and oxygen content decreased in hydrochar from 25.9 to 47.2% and 68.5 to 47.0%, respectively, improving the energy and combustion properties. SEM analysis exhibited modification in structure of rice husk and improvement in porosity after MHTC, which was further confirmed from BET surface analysis. The BET surface area increased from 25.0656 m2/g (rice husk) to 92.6832 m2/g (hydrochar). Thermal stability of hydrochar was improved from 340 °C for rice husk to 370 °C for hydrochar.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, 3000, Australia

    Sabzoi Nizamuddin, Muhammad Tahir Hussain Siddiqui, Humair Ahmed Baloch, Gregory Griffin & Srinivasan Madapusi

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, 98009, Sarawak, Malaysia

    Nabisab Mujawar Mubarak

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia

    Akshat Tanksale

Authors
  1. Sabzoi Nizamuddin
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  2. Muhammad Tahir Hussain Siddiqui
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  3. Humair Ahmed Baloch
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  4. Nabisab Mujawar Mubarak
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  5. Gregory Griffin
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  6. Srinivasan Madapusi
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  7. Akshat Tanksale
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Sabzoi Nizamuddin or Nabisab Mujawar Mubarak.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Highlights

• Rice husk was effectively converted into high energy hydrochar after microwave HTC.

• Lower temperature, lower time, lower biomass to water ratio, and higher particle size produce higher hydrochar yield.

• The HHV of the hydrochar is comparable to brown coal.

• The pores were formed on the surface of the hydrochar.

• The hydrochar can be potentially utilized for energy, adsorption, and agriculture applications.

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Nizamuddin, S., Siddiqui, M.T.H., Baloch, H.A. et al. Upgradation of chemical, fuel, thermal, and structural properties of rice husk through microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 17529–17539 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1876-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1876-7

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