2025 Spring Meeting and 21st Global Congress on Process Safety
(131b) Conversion of Swine Manure and Other Biomass Feedstock to Biooil through Hydrothermal Liquefaction
Authors
Maurice Benard Mayo - Presenter, North Carolina A&T State University
Miyonnie Warmack, North Carolina A&T State University
Ayanah McCabe, North Carolina A&T State University
Rajaun Migel Carter, North Carolina A&T State University
Kaila Durden, North Carolina A&T State University
Liyah Wilson, North Carolina A&T State University
Tianjun Xie, North Carolina A&T University
Abolghasem Shahbazi, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Bio-oil is a renewable energy source produced through the thermochemical conversion of biodegradable organic materials, such as swine manure, wood chips, and straw. Relevant processes, including liquefaction, involve breaking down the complex organic compounds into simpler, energy-rich compounds that can be used as fuel. However, systematic examination of the reaction mechanisms, and how liquefaction would scale up remain scarce.
The study is designed to investigate the feasibility of combining swine mature with other biomass (e.g., Bermuda grass and saw dust) for bio-oil production via hydrothermal liquefaction. The effect of feedstock type and combination as well as total solids on the bio-oil yield and qualities are being investigated. The ratio of swine manure to other biomass (dry weight basis) is 1:1:1 at a total solid content of 5% and 10%. Fresh swine manure and biomass feedstock are hydrothermally converted at the same reaction conditions for comparison. Additionally, crude glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, was used as a co-substrate for bio-oil production, providing an economical and environmentally friendly solution for managing these waste materials. Experiments are being conducted at a reaction temperature of 340 °C and retention time of 15 min. Experiments are being conducted in a one-litter Parr reactor by a team of students in the Biological Engineering Program. We use ASPEN Plus to conduct process optimization, aiming to help identify the optimal conditions for temperature, retention time, and the ratio of reactants so that we can maximize bio-oil yield and ensure quality. Perspectives regarding process scaling up, as well as economic feasibility are also assessed by a team of students in the Chemical Engineering program. The effect of each biomass feedstock on the biooil yield and quality are being evaluated by testing them individually. Mixing ratios of swine manure with the other biomass feedstock are kept equal (1:1:1). We aim to arrive at a yield equal to or better than 68% on a dry matter basis.