Small, low-cost hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) units have been developed to produce hydrochar from wet biomass streams, such as typha, manure and cashew apple waste. The first pilot scale HTC unit was constructed at UASZ in Senegal, following adaptation and optimisation at IHE Delft. A second unit is scheduled for installation at KRC in Uganda.

Like biochar, hydrochar is suitable for use as a clean household fuel and in soil improvement, water and gas filtration and anaerobic digestion for biogas production.

Due to the high pressure involved, the units must undergo safety certification before use.

A number of BIO4Africa studies on hydrochar have been published in international journals. Find them on our research publications page.