Conversion of Slaughterhouse Wastes to Solid Fuel Using Hydrothermal Carbonization

Abstract

In this study, cattle and pig slaughterhouse wastes (SHWs) were hydrothermally carbonized at 150–300 °C, and the properties of SHW-derived hydrochar were evaluated for its use as a solid fuel. The results demonstrated that increasing the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) treatment temperature improved the energy-related properties (i.e., fuel ratio, higher heating value, and coalification degree) of both the cattle and pig SHW-derived hydrochars. However, the improvements of cattle SHW-derived hydrochars were not as dramatic as that of pig SHW-derived hydrochars, due to the lipid-rich components that do not participate in the HTC reaction. In this regard, there was no merit of using HTC treatment on cattle SHW for the production of hydrochar or using the hydrochar as a solid fuel in terms of energy retention efficiency. On the other hand, a mild HTC treatment at approximately 200 °C was deemed suitable for converting pig SHW to value-added solid fuel. The findings of this study suggest that the conversion of SHWs to hydrochar using HTC can provide an environmentally benign method for waste treatment and energy recovery from abandoned biomass. However, the efficiency of energy recovery varies depending on the chemical composition of the raw feedstock.

Slaughterhouse and poultry wastes: management practices, feedstocks for renewable energy production, and recovery of value added products

“…The energy potential of raw feedstock was 4.541 MJ/kg and the total gross energy recovery of the biochar was decreased (81.2 to 75.6%) with an increase in the temperature whereas the total gross energy recovery of 4.318 MJ/kg was obtained at 180 °C which maximized gross energy recovery efficiency by 95.1%. Lee et al [146] performed the HTC of cattle and pig slaughterhouse waste in a batch scale type laboratory reactor at different temperatures (150, 200, 250, and 300 °C). It is known that the carbon content is closely associated with the energy capacity of combustible material and it is observed that the carbon content of hydrochar is increased with an increase in the hydrothermal carbonization temperature.…”

A Circular Economy Investigation Into Treatment Technologies Available for the Disposal of Slaughterhouse Derivatives

“…The red meat and poultry industry is probably one of the fastest-growing meat industries [3]. The increased consumption of meat and meat-related products has contributed to the expansion of the red meat and poultry slaughterhouse industry, and thus to an increase in the number of slaughtering derivatives generated through slaughterhouses [4].…”

“…'Slaughterhouse waste' refers to the products that remain after the production of the principal commodity in slaughterhouses (the meat), and essentially comprises inedible offal and fats [4]. However, terms such as 'slaughterhouse waste' and related terms such as 'offal', 'by-products', and 'co-products' are sometimes used interchangeably [5].…”

Elucidating Synergetic Effects of Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Slaughterhouse Waste with Livestock Manures

“…These approaches either require a significant amount of energy and produce air pollutants or necessitate a large land area for implementation. Given its high organic content, SHW poses challenges for conventional treatment, necessitating careful planning to manage animal-derived diseases, safeguard public health, and minimize its environmental impact [4].…”