A thermochemical conversion method known as hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is appealing, because it may convert wet biomass directly into energy and chemicals without the need for pre-drying. The hydrochar solid product’s capacity to prepare precursors of activated carbon has attracted attention. HTC has been utilized to solve practical issues and produce desired carbonaceous products on a variety of generated wastes, including municipal solid waste, algae, and sludge in addition to the typically lignocellulose biomass used as sustainable feedstock. This study aims to assess the in-depth description of hydrothermal carbonization, highlighting the most recent findings with regard to the technological mechanisms and practical advantages. The process parameters, which include temperature, water content, pH, and retention time, determine the characteristics of the final products. The right setting of parameters is crucial, since it significantly affects the characteristics of hydrothermal products and opens up a range of opportunities for their use in multiple sectors. Findings reveal that the type of precursor, retention time, and temperature at which the reaction is processed were discovered to be the main determinants of the HTC process. Lower solid products are produced at higher temperatures; the carbon concentration rises, while the hydrogen and oxygen content declines. Current knowledge gaps, fresh views, and associated recommendations were offered to fully use the HTC technique's enormous potential and to provide hydrochar with additional useful applications in the future.

The ocean dumping of organic waste as food waste has been prohibited since 2012 and so it is necessary to find alternative methods for its treatment and disposal. The purpose of this study was to treat food waste via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) that has advantages such as no pre-treatment as drying feedstock and low energy consumption. Additionally, feasibility study for Bio-SRF (Solid Refused Fuel) was conducted to produce hydrochar via HTC. As results from quality standards experiments based on 「Solid Fuel Product Quality Testing Method in Korean」, the optimal condition of 220oC as reaction temperature and 4 hr as reaction time have been selected. Since 2012, the ocean dumping of organic waste as food waste has been prohibited, it is necessary to replace its treatment and disposal. This study applied to treat of food waste via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) which the method has advantages such as no pre-treatment as drying feedstock and low energy consumption. Moreover, feasibility study for Bio-SRF (Solid Refused Fuel) conducted to producted hydrochar via HTC. As a results from quality standards experiments based「Solid Fuel Product Quality Testing Method in Korean」, the optimal condition of 220oC as reaction temperature and 4 hr as reaction time has been selected.