Researchers from Universidad del Valle (Colombia) and the University of Saskatchewan have discovered a sustainable method for converting sugarcane green harvesting residues (GHR) into efficient solid biofuels. Published in BioEnergy Research (2025), the study analyzes the thermal and combustion behavior of hydrochars obtained through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC).
The team produced hydrochars at 200 °C and 300 °C using different water-to-residue ratios. Using thermogravimetric analysis and the Coats–Redfern model, they determined key kinetic parameters like activation energy and combustion indices. Results showed that higher HTC temperatures (300 °C) led to more carbon-rich, thermally stable hydrochars with increased activation energy (40.9 kJ/mol) compared to raw residues (21 kJ/mol). These materials exhibited reduced reactivity but improved stability—ideal characteristics for solid biofuels.
Hydrochars processed at 300 °C exhibited peak decomposition temperatures of up to 465 °C, indicating a significant improvement in energy density and resistance to combustion. The findings indicate that sugarcane residues, often discarded post-harvest, can serve as valuable renewable energy sources, contributing to cleaner energy strategies in agricultural economies like Colombia.
Reference
Portilla-Amaguaña, A., Barraza-Burgos, J., Guerrero-Pérez, J., Borugadda, V. B., & Dalai, A. K. (2025). Combustion Reactivity of Hydrochars Derived from Sugarcane Green Harvesting Residues via Hydrothermal Carbonization. BioEnergy Research, 18(1), 97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-025-10884-2
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