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Humify - Continuous Hydrothermal Humification (HTH) Process Technology for Carbon Sequestration
The HTH-Technology by Humify represents an advanced approach to enhancing carbon capture and soil fertility through engineered mimicking of natural humification processes. This process is designed to transform a wide range of biomass, including agricultural by-products and sewage sludge, into sterilized and detoxified artificial humic substances. Key elements such as carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen are preserved, offering significant improvement in soil carbon sequestration. A notable feature of HTH is its ability to perform chemical conversions under mild conditions—around 200°C—while maintaining effective carbon preservation. With flexibility in biomass input, the process is rapid, taking about two hours. This efficient mechanism not only differentiates artificial humic substances from natural ones but can significantly impact biogas yields and sustainability. Compared to other technologies, HTH is cost-effective and scalable, reflecting potential for widespread implementation in climate mitigation strategies.
Inspired by nature. Powered by science
Essential topsoil is lost at rates far greater than it can be replaced naturally. To restore soil and its ability to capture and store carbon, organic matter (humus) must be replaced from an external source. Humify’s HTH-process provides the unique opportunity to replenish the amount of humus required for healthy soil -much faster than the natural process and on a global level.
The continuous hydrothermal humification (HTH)-process developed by Humify can convert a variety of biomass (organic residues, agricultural by-products, biogas digestate, sewage sludge, etc.) into artificial humic substances which are simultaneously sterilized and detoxified (e.g., antibiotics, hormones, prions, etc. are destroyed). At the same time carbon and key nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen are preserved.
Through the microbial activation of sterile humus, we achieve an amplification effect on carbon sequestration in the soil.
Hydrothermal humification (HTH) is an engineered chemical process that simulates natural humification, but with an acceleration factor of up to 10⁹.
This process involves the hydrothermal hydrolysis of wet biomass and condensation of its products under autogenous pressure in the absence of oxygen. HTH is a mild-temperature process performed at app. 200 °C. As an abiotic process, HTH avoids metabolization and typically achieves excellent carbon preservation.
All currently available CO2 sequestration and storage technologies are unable to sequester the quantities of CO2 required for effective climate mitigation, and most are also highly cost-intensive. Due to its low-cost structure and adaptable machinery Humify ultimately offers an easily scalable solution to the climate crisis.
There are no input restrictions as we can use any kind of biomass. Our production process takes approximately two hours from end to end.
When applying Humify Humus, CO2 capture and storage take effect immediately and reach the amplification effect after 28 days and no difference between natural humic substances and our artificial humic substance can be observed.
HTH offers several advantages over HTC, including yielding twice the amount of A-HAs, having a higher organic carbon concentration in process liquid, producing fewer aromatic compounds, and generating valuable byproducts that can enhance biogas production and overall sustainability.