Characterization of Hydrochars Produced by Hydrothermal Carbonization of Lignin, Cellulose, d -Xylose, and Wood Meal

Hydrothermal carbonization of cellulose, lignin, d-xylose (substitute for hemicellulose), and wood meal (WM) was experimentally conducted between 225 and 265 °C, and the chemical and structural properties of the hydrochars were investigated. The hydrochar yield is between 45 and 60%, and the yield trend of the feedstock is lignin > WM > cellulose > d-xylose. The hydrochars seem stable below 300 °C, and aromatic structure is formed in all of these hydrochars. The C content, C recovery, energy recovery, ratio of C/O, and ratio of C/H in all of these hydrochars are among 63–75%, 80–87%, 78–89%, 2.3–4.1, and 12–15, respectively. The higher heating value (HHV) of the hydrochars is among 24–30 MJ/kg, with an…