Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC)

Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) is a thermochemical process that converts wet biomass into a carbon-rich solid material known as hydrochar. Unlike traditional pyrolysis, HTC operates in a water-rich environment, typically at temperatures between 180–250 °C and under self-generated pressure, allowing it to process high-moisture feedstocks without the need for drying. The process mimics natural coal formation but accelerates it to a timescale of hours. During HTC, biomass undergoes dehydration, decarboxylation, and polymerization reactions, resulting in a porous, energy-dense material with potential applications as a solid fuel, soil amendment, or precursor for activated carbon. Additionally, HTC can be used for waste management, carbon sequestration, and nutrient recovery, making it an attractive technology for sustainable biomass utilization.