Hydrothermal Liquefaction Enhanced by Various Chemicals as a Means of Sustainable Dairy Manure Treatment

Junying Chen, Lijun Wang, Bo Zhang, Rui Li and Abolghasem Shahbazi
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Junying Chen: School of Chemical Engineering and Energy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Lijun Wang: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
Bo Zhang: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
Rui Li: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
Abolghasem Shahbazi: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Because of the increase in concentrated animal feeding operations, there is a growing interest in sustainable manure management. In this study, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of dairy manure enhanced by various chemicals (NH 3 ·H 2 O, H 3 PO 4 , and glycerol) was proposed as a sustainable alternative for the dairy manure management. The applications of NH 3 ·H 2 O and H 3 PO 4 during HTL could significantly enhance the production of liquid chemicals. The addition of NH 3 ·H 2 O or glycerol increased the amounts of non-polar toluene, xylene, and other benzene-contained compounds, while the use of H 3 PO 4 produced high amounts of acids, pyridine, 3-methyl-pyridine, 2,6-dimethyl-pyrazine, 2-cyclopenten-1-ones, and phenols. The biochars produced via HTL showed a significant increase in the surface area/pore volume and relatively higher N, P, C, and other minerals, and may serve as a good soil amendment and nutrient source. The preliminary energy analyses showed that the energy consumption of this process might be reduced to 50% of the original energy content of the feedstock, and the energy payback period was about 3.5 years. Combining all advantages, HTL of dairy manure might increase the sustainability of the farming operation via producing energy products, fine chemicals, and biochars.

Keywords: sustainable manure management; hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL); dairy manure; liquid chemicals; biochar (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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