Hydrothermal liquefaction of mixed household waste into bio crude effect of operational parameters feedstock composition hydrothermal solvents and catalysts

Abstract

A comprehensive review of the energy crisis, emphasizes the urgent need for alternative energy sources to mitigate environmental degradation and reduce dependence on finite fossil fuels. Also, the escalating issue of solid waste generation from households, underscores the pressing demand for efficient waste management strategies to alleviate environmental pollution and resource depletion. The global energy crisis coupled with burgeoning challenges in solid waste management necessitates innovative solution - based approaches towards sustainable waste-to-energy technologies. newlineAdditionally, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a huge untapped source of energy, primarily constituted of mixed House Hold Waste (HHW), which contains both organic and inorganic materials such as food wastes, plastics, and paper. Despite its significant energy potential, HHW is frequently mismanaged and disposed off in open landfills due to inadequate solid waste management practices. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) emerges as a transformative technology capable of addressing both energy and waste management challenges. It stands out as a viable conversion process due to its ability to efficiently convert diverse organic materials, including mixed household waste, into energy-dense products. Through the application of heat, pressure, and water in a subcritical or supercritical state, HTL facilitates the conversion of complex feedstock such as mixed HHW into a liquid hydrocarbon-rich product known as bio crude. newline newline