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The Secret from Pig Manure to Oil: How does Professor Zhang convert pig manure into oil at 275°C?
As global demand for renewable energy increases, scientists are constantly looking for innovative ways to process waste and convert it into available fuels.Recently, Professor Zhang's research has attracted the attention of Yan An. He successfully converted pig manure into oil at a high temperature of 275°C. This process not only effectively reduces waste, but also provides a supplementary source of renewable energy. .
This technology utilizes the combination of hot water and carbon oxides to get rid of the biomass conversion process that traditionally requires drying.
What is hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL)?
Hydrothermal liquefaction is a thermodepolymerization process that converts wet biomass and other macromolecules into petroleum-like products at medium temperatures and high pressures.This process has extremely high energy density, with a calorific value ranging from 33.8 to 36.9 MJ/kg and contains 5 to 20% oxygen and renewable chemicals.Depending on the different processing conditions, the fuel produced can be used in heavy machinery (such as marine and railway engines) or upgraded to transport fuel such as diesel, gasoline or jet fuel.
Professor Zhang's Innovation
Professor Zhang's research focuses on the specific process of converting pig manure into oil.He heated pig manure and water to 275°C in a closed container and reacted in the presence of carbon oxides.Research shows that at this temperature, pig manure can be effectively converted into oil, and high temperatures above 335°C will reduce oil production.
"During the conversion process, carbon and hydrogen in pig manure are thermally chemically converted into hydrophobic compounds, which have low viscosity and high solubility."
Chemical reactions in the process
During hydrothermal liquefaction, the long carbon chain molecules in the biomass are thermally cracked, and the oxygen molecules are removed in the form of H2O (dehydration reaction) and CO2 (decarboxylation reaction).The result of these reactions is the production of hydrogen-rich bio-oils.
Environmental Impact
With increasing emphasis on sustainable development, a major advantage of the hydrothermal liquefaction process is its carbon neutrality, which means no net carbon emissions are generated when biofuels are burned.The plant materials used absorb carbon dioxide during growth, so the carbon dioxide released after combustion is almost completely offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed by the plants during growth, so that only 15-18 grams of carbon dioxide is released per kilowatt-hour of energy.
Future possibilities
Professor Zhang's research not only demonstrates the possibility of converting agricultural waste into useful fuels, but also raises attention to similar technologies.In the future, through further research and development, this technology may be able to be promoted and applied on a larger scale, further promoting the development of renewable energy.As the world faces an energy crisis, we can’t help but think about how to better utilize the resources in our hands to shape a more sustainable future?
