Investigation of value-added charcoal production from full-scale hydrothermal carbonization of hazelnut husk and wood waste

Agricultural wastes have an important potential as an alternative to fossil fuels among renewable energy sources. In this study, solid fuel production from hazelnut husk was investigated by the hydrothermal carbonization method. Moreover, the use of hazelnut husks as an alternative biomass for solid fuel production was evaluated by considering solid fuel properties obtained from wood waste. Although there are studies on the energy value of hazelnut shells and their recovery to the economy, there are limited studies on hazelnut husks. A full-scale reactor was designed and constructed for the hydrothermal carbonization. The hydrothermal carbonization process was performed with a batch system in the reactor with an inner volume of 8 m(3). The flue gas formed during the carbonization process was transferred to the reactor. The ultimate analysis and calorific values of pellets and charcoals were examined. The results show that all wastes were not well pelletized. The briquets achieved acceptable values for their thermal uses. Hazelnut husk was transformed into a valuable product with a calorific value of 4792 kcal/kg. Although wood waste had better combustion properties, the product from hazelnut husks, which is an economically worthless product, had become a valuable product due to its easy burning and high calorific value.