a b s t r a c t
In this study, conversion of wastes from poultry farming and industry into biochar and bio-oil via
thermochemical processes was investigated. Fuel characteristics and chemical structure of biochars
and bio-oils have been investigated using standard fuel analysis and spectroscopic methods. Biochars
were produced from poultry litter through both hydrothermal carbonization (sub-critical water,
175–250 C) and pyrolysis over a temperature range between 250 and 500 C. In comparison to
hydrothermal carbonization, pyrolysis at lower temperatures produced biochar with greater energy yield
due to the higher mass yield. Biochars obtained by both processes were comparable to coal.
Hydrothermal liquefaction of poultry meal at different temperatures (200–325 C) was conducted and
compared to optimize its process conditions. Higher temperatures favored the formation of bio-crude
oil, with a maximum yield of 35 wt.% at 300 C. The higher heating values of bio-oils showed that
bio-oil could be a potential source of synthetic fuels. However, elemental analysis demonstrated the high
nitrogen content of bio-oils. Therefore, bio-oils obtained from hydrothermal liquefaction of poultry meal
should be upgraded for utilization as a transport and heating fuel.
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