Hydrothermal liquefaction of OCC screen rejects to produce boiler liquid fuel
Transform OCC screen rejects into high-quality boiler liquid fuel using optimized hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) with alkaline metal hydroxides. Achieve consistent fuel quality and energy density while reducing waste and emissions.
Overview
The proposed research focuses on converting Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) screen rejects into high-quality boiler liquid fuel using an optimized hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process. By utilizing aqueous solutions of alkaline metal hydroxides for hydrothermal dechlorination and denitrogenation, the process ensures consistent fuel quality despite the compositional variations inherent in OCC screen rejects. This innovative approach addresses the environmental concerns associated with plastic waste by transforming it into energy-dense fuels without harmful emissions.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Utilizes hydrothermal liquefaction to convert OCC screen rejects, primarily composed of plastics and polymers, into liquid fuel.
- The process involves hydrothermal dechlorination and denitrogenation using alkaline metal hydroxides to reduce heteroatom content.
- Reaction parameters such as temperature (350°C-400°C) and time (15-60 minutes) are optimized to achieve oil yields greater than 90%.
- Experiments conducted in a 300 mL Parr stainless steel reactor on a 10 g scale of feedstock.
- Gas chromatography methods used for analyzing chemical components; elemental analysis performed to determine H/C and O/C ratios and heating values.
- Final product assessed for thermal stability and viscosity to ensure compatibility with existing boiler systems.
Technology readiness level
The current stage of development for this technology is at Technology Readiness Level 2 (TRL 2), indicating that the concept and application have been formulated, and the feasibility is being tested through laboratory research and experimentation.
About Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university with a large graduate and professional footprint and a major clinical enterprise. Its medical campus is integrated with a leading hospital system, enabling joint clinical research, secure data access, and large-scale trial recruitment. An adjacent innovation district and partner incubators provide flexible lab space, prototyping resources, and corporate co-location, while shared core facilities welcome external users under service agreements. Research is supported by NIH, NSF, DOE, and other competitive federal funding alongside industry sponsorship. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, startup formation, and streamlined sponsored research and clinical trial agreements.
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