Design and Performance Evaluation of Batch Reactor for Biomass Valorization: LHW Valorization of Coffee and Peapod Waste

This study presents the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a batch reactor for the hydrothermal valorization of coffee and peapod waste biomass. The reactor, designed using Inventor 2023 and analyzed using ANSYS 2023, is capable of operating at elevated temperatures to facilitate the breakdown of lignocellulosic structures and promote the extraction of valuable platform chemicals. Based on the design, the reactor was manufactured, and a set of experiments was performed to test it at different temperatures ranging from 120 to 180 °C, at different times (1–4 h) and with different types of biomass (peapods and coffee cherry waste). The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the reactor in optimizing the conversion of agricultural waste into key compounds such as hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural. For peapod biomass, optimal conditions were identified at temperatures between 150 °C and 180 °C, with a reaction time of approximately 1 h yielding up to 72.17%wt total platform chemicals. Coffee cherry biomass showed a different yield profile, with total platform chemical yields reaching 23.56%wt at 180 °C after 4 h of treatment, highlighting the importance of feedstock-specific optimization. The reactor’s performance indicates its potential for broader applications in the conversion of various lignocellulosic feedstocks into high-value chemicals, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy. The presented design and analysis demonstrate the reactor’s compliance with necessary characteristics such as temperature, deformation, and stress, ensuring its suitability for the experiments. This study showcases the importance of innovative reactor design in advancing sustainable chemical production from biomass waste, making it a valuable contribution to the field of waste-to-value conversion technologies.