Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a thermal conversion process that can be applied to convert faecal sludge into carbonaceous solids, called hydrochar. In this study, the technical feasibility of hydrochar production by HTC of faecal sludge was investigated. Experimental results showed energy contents of the produced hydrochar to be about 19–20 MJ/kg, comparable to natural coals and therefore usable as a solid fuel. The produced hydrochar contained a carbon content of approximately 40%wt, which could be processed further to make it suitable as an anode in batteries. The produced hydrochar also had adsorption characteristics for removing heavy metals and micropollutants in wastewater. Liquid by-products obtained from the HTC process were found to contain high concentrations of organic matter, while the amount of gas produced was 10 L-gas/kg-FS with CO₂ is the main component. The bio-methane potential tests of this liquid product suggested the methane production of about 2.0 L-CH₄ per kg-faecal sludge could be obtained.

水热碳化（HTC）是一种热转化过程，可用于将粪便污泥转化为碳质固体，称为水炭。在这项研究中，研究了粪便污泥通过HTC生产水炭的技术可行性。实验结果表明，所生产的碳氢化合物的能量含量约为19-20 MJ / kg，与天然煤相当，因此可用作固体燃料。所产生的碳氢化合物含碳量约为40％wt，可以进一步加工使其适合用作电池中的阳极。所产生的碳氢化合物还具有去除废水中重金属和微量污染物的吸附特性。从HTC工艺获得的液体副产物被发现含有高浓度的有机物，₂是主要组成部分。该液体产品的生物甲烷潜力测试表明，每千克粪便污泥可产生约2.0 L-CH ₄的甲烷。