This study presents a challenging approach that addresses the efficient management of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) for the development of novel sustainable low-CO2 building materials. Mild HTC treatment at 180 °C for 2 h transformed low-grade OFMSW into a renewable carbonaceous solid (hydrochar), which displays promising properties for application in particleboards. Taking advantage of the presence of extractives acting as natural binders, the hydrochar particles with sizes of <0.3 mm, 0.3–1 mm, and 1–2 mm agglomerate successfully by simple pressing at 3 MPa for 7 min at room temperature (∼ 25 °C). The resulting binderless monolithic probes display a density of 838 and 883 kg/m3 for the finest and coarsest grain sizes, respectively, and approximately 30% porosity. The mechanical resistance is enhanced by the use of larger particle sizes, and values of modulus of rupture and tensile strength of 21.64 MPa and 18.99 MPa are reached, respectively. The thermal conductivity of the probes in the range of 0.091–0.132 W/(m∙K) suggests the potential of OFMSW-derived hydrochar for thermal insulation panels.Funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
through project CEMOWAS2 (SOE2/P5/F0505)-INTERREG V SUDOE
2017 is acknowledged. Michael M. Santos thanks the University of Beira
Interior and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) for the award
of an Erasmus+ internship.
This study would not have been possible without the help of Loreto
Suarez ´ (INCAR-CSIC) and Dr. Luis Antonio Díaz (CINN-CSIC) for the
hydrochar preparation and the mechanical strength tests, respectively.
The support from COGERSA SAU (company for solid waste management in Asturias, Spain) is highly appreciated.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
