A Simple Guide to HTC
How does HTC work?
HTC is a chemical process in which:
-
-
- Any waste biomass (wet or dry) is collected, pre-processed and pumped to the HTC plant.
- The pressure inside the plant is built up to an operational pressure between 15-20 bar.
- The slurry is then gradually heated up to the required operational temperature of between 180-250°C.
- Over the course of 4 to 10 hours, the organic matter is broken down into its compounds with carbon forming into small particles, oxygen and hydrogen joining to create water. This results in two products – a carbon-rich product (biocoal) and water.
- Once the reaction is complete the slurry is cooled and the energy in the slurry is recycled back to the beginning of the plant to process the incoming biomass.
- The pressure is then reduced back to atmospheric pressure and our biocoal slurry exits the plant.
- Finally, the biocoal slurry is dewatered, dried and pelletised into the final product biocoal, ready to be used, for instance as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels.
-
Find out more about Antaco’s technology here.