Fate of Nitrogen during Hydrothermal Carbonization

Carrot green, the algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa, and straw as representatives for different types of biomass are
converted by hydrothermal conversion. The amount of nitrogen remaining in the hydrochar as well as in the aqueous phase is
determined, and the amount of nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia in the process water is analyzed. The nitrogen content of hydrochar
has an significant impact on the properties of hydrochar; therefore, a control of the nitrogen content would be useful to design
hydrochar for different applications. With regard to the fate of nitrogen, the different biomass feedstocks show significant
differences as a result of the different chemical nature of nitrogen compounds in the feedstock. A complete removal of nitrogen
from the hydrochar could not be achieved. In contrast, wood incorporates nitrogen when impregnated with the amino acid
cysteine during hydrothermal carbonization.