Biomass is the fourth largest source of energy and conventional incineration will not only pollute the environment

but also is a waste of energy. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a novel biomass conversion technology

yielding carbonaceous products (HTC char) favorable for wider range of applications. The impact of temperature and reaction time on hydrothermal carbonization of microcrystalline cellulose and carbon distribution was studied

and physical

chemical

thermal and structural characteristics of HTC char also investigated. The results show that during hydrothermal carbonization of microcrystalline cellulose a significant fraction of initially present carbon

about 71%-75%

is stayed in HTC char

while only a small fraction of the carbon is transferred the liquid and gas-phases. As the temperature and reaction time increase

the HTC char yield and O/C atom ratio decrease

and its heat value increases. SEM images show that HTC char consists of aggregates of microspheres. FTIR spectra indicate that dehydration and aromatization processes take place during hydrothermal carbonization and HTC char possesses hydroxyl groups and carbonyl groups.