From Landfill to Fuel via Hydrothermal Carbonization and Liquefaction

Finding alternatives to landfilling wet waste is paramount in fighting climate change and shifting towards a more sustainable future. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) mimic geological fossil fuel production and leverage the water content in biomass waste to convert it into hydrochar (bio-coal) and bio-oil. This talk explores the fundamentals of these processes, how to upgrade their products to increase their value, and how these processes can be employed as a simultaneous waste management and bio-fuel production strategy. Utilizing New York State as a case study, this discussion aims to explore the collective influence of technology and government policies on the environmental and economic feasibility of these processes.

Matteo Pecchi is a Postdoctoral Associate in Dr. Goldfarb’s Lab (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University) who specializes in hydrothermal processing and waste-to-energy technologies. Prior to his current position, he held a postdoctoral appointment in Dr. Tester’s Lab (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University) after obtaining a PhD from the Free University of Bolzano, Italy. His work primarily involves hydrothermal product analysis and valorization, alongside novel reactor design, focusing on hydrothermal conversion of agricultural and food wastes towards a circular economy. He also actively engages with the academic community as an Assistant Editor of Fuel.