An Overview of Pyrolysis as Waste Treatment to Produce Eco-Energy

Abstract

The aim of this review is to understand the progress in waste material management through pyrolysis to produce eco-energy. The growing demand for energy, combined with the depletion of traditional fossil fuels and their contribution to environmental problems, has led to the search for waste-to-energy technologies in pursuit of carbon neutrality. While municipal residues are only part of the waste management problem, the impact of discarded plastics on the environment and landfills is significant. Plastics not only take centuries to decompose, but also seriously pollute the oceans. Pyrolysis is a thermochemical process that allows for the thermal decomposition of waste in the absence of oxygen. There are several types of pyrolytic reactors, including batch and continuous ones. Batch reactors are preferred to process polymeric waste, with studies highlighting the importance of optimizing parameters, i.e., type of feedstock, heating rate, and pyrolysis temperature. Moreover, the choice of reactor type can influence the yield and structure of the final compounds. Furthermore, various studies have highlighted the gas heating value obtained through waste pyrolysis and how the composition of the liquid fraction is influenced by the type of polyethylene used. Though scientific interest in pyrolysis is remarkable, as publications have increased in recent years, kinetics studies are scarce. Overall, pyrolysis is a promising technique for managing waste materials to produce energy. Ongoing research and development in this area offer significant potential for improving the sustainability of waste management systems.