Exploring Options for Nutrient and Energy Recovery from Aqueous Phase of HTL – a Techno-Economic Analysis
Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) is a strong candidate for dealing with wastes, including those from agriculture (e.g. chicken/ cattle manure, food waste, and other lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks) by separating waste into various reusable components. A hinderance for separation on a larger scale is fouling that can occur early in the HTL process. In this research we plan to explore pretreatment options as a step to nanofiltration via membrane separation and related processes. To this end we will explore the option of wet air oxidation in relation to existing technologies that employ activated carbon filtration. Wet air oxidation may allow for the capture of additional nutrients and energy during the aqueous phase (AP) enhancing the sustainability and the development of products of additional value and marketability from HTL of agricultural waste.
