EFFECT OF HYDROTHERMAL TEMPERATURE ON SAWDUSTHYDROCHAR PRODUCTION PRODUCED THROUGHMICROWAVE-ASSISTED ARTIFICIAL COALIFICATIONP. KOMALABHARATHI, P. SUBRAMANIAN, D. RAMESH, S. KARTHIKEYAN AND M.R. DURAISAMYAbstract A microwave mode of heating was utilized to produce sawdust hydrochar through the artificial coalification process. Hydrochar was synthesized at temperatures 180, 200 and 220 °C with a 1:10 solid to water ratio and residence time of 40 minutes. Hydrochar was characterized for proximate properties and energy quality. With the increase in the temperature from 180 to 220 °C, hydrochar yield decreased from 76.69 to 58.35 %. The volatile matter and ash content depicted a decreasing trend and the energy content of hydrochar showed an increasing trend with the increase in the process temperature. The ratio of energy densification of hydrochar was in the range of 1.04 to 1.26. |