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Review of the Current State of Pyrolysis and Biochar Utilization in Europe: A Scientific Perspective

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  • Maria P. C. Volpi

    (School of Agricultural Engineering, University of Campinas (FEAGRI/Unicamp). Av. Cândido Rondon, 501-Cidade Universitária, Campinas 13083-875, SP, Brazil)

  • Jean C. G. Silva

    (School of Agricultural Engineering, University of Campinas (FEAGRI/Unicamp). Av. Cândido Rondon, 501-Cidade Universitária, Campinas 13083-875, SP, Brazil)

  • Andreas Hornung

    (Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology, An der Maxhütte 1, 92237 Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany)

  • Miloud Ouadi

    (School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

Abstract

This scientific paper provides an overview of the current state of pyrolysis in Europe, with a focus on mapping the key research areas and technologies employed. This research relied on search equations that centered on the utilization of biomass and plastics as primary feedstocks in pyrolysis, with a particular emphasis on biochar generation and different technologies applied. The results showed that both plastic and biomass pyrolysis can contribute to reducing waste and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. However, plastic pyrolysis can release harmful pollutants due to the presence of chlorine and other additives in plastics, which requires sophisticated emission control systems to be implemented. The production of biochar from sewage sludge is identified as a promising approach for phosphorus recovery, which can subsequently be utilized as a valuable fertilizer in agricultural applications. The data from this study contribute to exploring future applications at pilot and industrial scales for pyrolysis, with a critical assessment of the use of feedstocks. Moreover, this work provides information about current companies that are already operating on a large scale with pyrolysis and a map of the principal countries in Europe engaged in pyrolysis research, correlating the characteristics of the pyrolysis processes investigated.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria P. C. Volpi & Jean C. G. Silva & Andreas Hornung & Miloud Ouadi, 2024. "Review of the Current State of Pyrolysis and Biochar Utilization in Europe: A Scientific Perspective," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-24, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jcltec:v:6:y:2024:i:1:p:10-175:d:1332937
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shi, Ziyi & Jin, Yanghao & Svanberg, Rikard & Han, Tong & Minidis, Alexander B.E. & Ann-Sofi, Kindstedt Danielsson & Kjeldsen, Christian & Jönsson, Pär G. & Yang, Weihong, 2023. "Continuous catalytic pyrolysis of biomass using a fluidized bed with commercial-ready catalysts for scale-up," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    2. Jorge Paz-Ferreiro & Aurora Nieto & Ana Méndez & Matthew Peter James Askeland & Gabriel Gascó, 2018. "Biochar from Biosolids Pyrolysis: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-16, May.
    3. Laghezza, Maddalena & Papari, Sadegh & Fiore, Silvia & Berruti, Franco, 2023. "Techno-economic assessment of the pyrolysis of rubber waste," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PA).
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