Effects of process parameters on the distribution characteristics of inorganic nutrients from hydrothermal carbonization of cattle manure

In this study, dairy manure was converted into solid and liquid products via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) to determine optimal reaction conditions to retain the greatest amounts of inorganic nutrients. The influence of three parameters, reaction temperature (150–270 °C), residence time (0.5–6 h) and manure/water ratio (5/200–25/200 g/mL), on the total nutrient content (TNC) in the solid and liquid products were investigated using a 5-level, 3-factor orthogonal test and principal components analysis (PCA). Also, the distribution characteristics of inorganic nutrients were determined using single factor tests. The maximum TNC of the solid product was 22.92 mg/g, obtained at manure/water ratio of 20/200 g/mL and performed at 240 °C for 6 h. For obtaining the maximum TNC of liquid product, the most optimal conditions were 150 °C, 1 h and 20/200 g/mL which produced TNC of 1619.55 mg/L. The proportion of ammonium (NH4+-N) and orthophosphate (PO43−) were also analyzed in the liquid product. The amount of NH4+-N increased with reaction temperature increasing and manure/water ratio decreasing, the main form of phosphorus (P) was PO43− in the liquid product, and most of the potassium (K) were also dissolved in the liquid product. These results indicate that the HTC could be a promising approach for the utilization of dairy manure as inorganic fertilizer in the future. •The total nutrients content are normalized by the principal component analysis.•The effect of reaction conditions on the total nutrients content are investigated.•The content of ammonium in liquid product increases with the temperature increasing.•The main form of phosphorus in the liquid product is orthophosphate.•Most of potassium are extracted into the liquid product.