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Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a thermochemical pretreatment process where biomass is treated under hot compressed water to produce hydrochar. Hydrochar is a stable, hydrophobic, friable solid product, which has a fuel value similar to that of lignite coal. Among its other advantages, its capability to handle wet feed makes the HTC process most attractive. The complex reaction chemistry of HTC offers a huge potential for producing a variety of products, from fuel to supercapacitors, from carbon nanospheres to low cost adsorbents, from fertilizers to soil amenders. Hydrochar opens possibilities for replacing coal in existing coal-power plants. Its high surface area and adsorption characteristics make it compatible for use in supercapacitors. Hydrochar also contains high amounts of stable carbon and other nutrients, which are essential for soil amendment. Moreover, the HTC process liquid, especially if a short retention time is used, contains potentially toxic substances like phenols, furfurals, and their derivatives, which open opportunities for anaerobic digestion to produce biogas. This review paper gives an overview of the HTC process parameters, reactions, and the use of hydrochar for energy and crop production.

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