579 - Increasing Biocrude Yield of Food Waste HTL via Combined Feedstocks

This research seeks to improve the biocrude yield of food waste via HTL (Hydrothermal Liquefaction) by adding high and low water content food waste until the combined mixture has an 80% water content. The six single feedstocks were reacted individually to determine unadulterated biocrude yield. The three low water content feedstocks (spent coffee grounds, spent tea leaves, and spent grain) had water added until they were at 80% water content in order for HTL to occur, while the three high water content feedstocks (spent yeast, spent hops, and raspberry puree) were run as received. After the single feedstock HTL reactions were complete, 9 combinations at 80% water content were created, each consisting of one high water content feedstock and one low water content feedstock. All reactions were run in triplicate to avoid any statistical anomalies. All HTL reactions had the biochar, ACP, and biocrude separated and measured, in order to determine the yield of each. Of the single feedstock reactions, spent yeast, raspberry puree, and spent tea leaves had the highest oil yield. Of the nine combined feedstocks, one (spent yeast and spent tea leaves) produced more biocrude than expected, six produced less biocrude than expected, and two produced approximately the same amount that was calculated. All but one of the combined feedstocks produced significantly less ACP (Aqueous Co-Products) than expected, helping lessen the strain placed on a wastewater treatment plant by a theoretical HTL facility on an industrial scale.