The influence of manure feedstock, slow pyrolysis, and hydrothermal temperature on manure thermochemical and combustion properties.

• Different manures were carbonated by slow pyrolysis and HTC at different temperatures. • Hydrochar had higher heating value, energy yield, and lower ash content. • HTC narrowed the weight loss temperature range of manures. • Dairy and beef manures showed higher energy yield and better combustion property. Slow pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of organic wastes for char preparation has been proved as an effective way for livestock manure management. Livestock manure chars were prepared by slow pyrolysis (400, 500, 600 °C) and hydrothermal carbonization (180, 210, 240 °C) at different reaction temperatures. The influences of manure type and reaction condition to element content, calorific value, char yield, energy yield, and combustion characteristic were investigated. The results illustrate that thermochemical process can strongly affect the properties of pyrolytic char and hydrochar. Compared to pyrolytic char, the hydrochar had higher heating value, higher energy yield, and lower ash content with respect to the same feedstock. The livestock manure type could also influence the properties of biochars/hydrochars. Hydrochars from swine manure, broiler litter, and layer chicken litter achieved the highest energy yield of 65.5%, 56.9%, and 64.4% at 210 °C. Dairy cattle manure and beef cattle manure displayed higher energy yield and higher comprehensive combustibility index than other manures. Furthermore, HTC can narrow the weight loss temperature range in differential thermogravimetric curve of manures. Therefore, HTC is considered as a more effective approach in carbonizing animal manure for solid biofuel compared to slow pyrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]