One stage olive mill waste streams valorisation via hydrothermal carbonisation

An olive waste stream mixture, coming from a three phase-continuous centrifugation olive oil mill industry, with a typical wet basis mass composition of olive pulp 39 wt%, kernels 5 wt% and olive mill waste water 56 wt%, was subjected to hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) at 180, 220 and 250 °C for a 3-hour residence time in a 2-litre stainless steel electrically heated batch reactor. The raw feedstock and corresponding hydrochars were characterised in terms of proximate and ultimate analyses, higher heating values and energy properties. Results showed an increase in carbonisation of samples with increasing HTC severity and an energy densification ratio up to 142% (at 250 °C). Hydrochar obtained at 250 °C was successfully pelletised using a lab scale pelletiser without binders or expensive drying procedures. Energy characterisation (HHV, TGA), ATR-FTIR analysis, fouling index evaluation and pelletisation results suggested that olive mill waste hydrochars could be used as energy dense and mechanical stable bio-fuels. Characterisation of HTC residues in terms of mineral content via induced coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) as well as Total and Dissolved Organic Carbon enabled to evaluate their potential use as soil improvers. Nutrients and polyphenolic compounds in HTC liquid fractions were evaluated for the estimation of their potential use as liquid fertilisers. Results showed that HTC could represent a viable route for the valorisation of olive mill industry waste streams.