Analysis of Heating Value of Hydro-Char Produced by Hydrothermal Carbonization of Cigarette Butts

Hydrothermal carbonization is a thermal technique that offers numerous environmental benefits, particularly in managing solid waste streams by decomposing the raw materials of solid wastes and converting them into the renewable source of energy known as hydro-char. This study evaluates the heating value of hydro-char produced through the hydrothermal carbonization of cigarette butts, taking into account influential factors such as time, temperature, and pressure, as well as its benefits and economic implications, using a novel approach involving simulations aimed at reducing the number of required tests, saving time, and cutting costs.The range of 150 to 350 oC for temperature and 30 to 240 minutes for reaction time were considered and resulted in a thermal value range of 15.94 to 23.12 MJ/Kg for hydro-char, which makes its heat value greater than lignite coal and within the range of bituminous coal. The findings also indicated that temperature and time have a direct impact on the heat value, with time being the more influential factor, although high temperatures can expedite the reaction rate and should not be disregarded. Finally, the economic analysis of the project was conducted using the NPV method, which demonstrated that the viability of this method depends on the cost of coal, making it a promising alternative for accessing new and cost-effective fuel resources while considering environmental benefits. Besides, this study highlights the potential of hydrothermal carbonization as a viable and advantageous method for producing fuel resources from biomass and organic waste, and provides quantitative and comparable evidence of the applicability and benefits of the proposed hydrothermal carbonization methodology in comparison to conventional methods.