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Waste-Derived Chars: A Comprehensive Review

Author

Listed:
  • Santa Margarida Santos

    (VALORIZA, Research Center for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Portalegre Polytechnic University, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
    MEtRICs, Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Campus Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal)

  • Margarida Gonçalves

    (VALORIZA, Research Center for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Portalegre Polytechnic University, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
    MEtRICs, Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Campus Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal)

  • Paulo Brito

    (VALORIZA, Research Center for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Portalegre Polytechnic University, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal)

  • Catarina Nobre

    (VALORIZA, Research Center for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Portalegre Polytechnic University, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal)

Abstract

The production of heterogeneous solid waste, such as municipal solid waste (MSW), construction and demolition waste (CDW), and industrial solid waste (ISW), has increased dramatically in recent decades, and its management is one of today’s biggest concerns. Using waste as a resource to produce value-added materials such as char is one of the most promising strategies for successful and sustainable waste management. Virtually any type of waste, through various thermochemical technologies, including torrefaction, pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, and gasification, can produce char with potential material and energy applications. Pyrolysis is the most widespread technology, and there are more studies on producing and applying waste-derived char using this technology. The properties of waste-derived char seem to be influenced by the conversion technology and conditions, as well as by the composition of the source waste. A literature search indicated that the properties of waste-derived char are highly variable with the composition of the raw material, with carbon content in the range 8–77%, a higher heating value of 2.5–28.4 MJ/kg and a specific surface area of 0.7–12 m 2 /g. Depending on the properties of char derived from waste, there are greater or minor difficulties in applying it, with ash content, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations being some of its limiting properties. Therefore, this review attempts to compile relevant knowledge on the production of waste-derived char, focusing on heterogeneous solid waste, applied technologies, and practical application routes in the real world to create a supply chain, marketing, and use of waste-derived char. Some challenges and prospects for waste-derived char are also highlighted in this study.

Suggested Citation

  • Santa Margarida Santos & Margarida Gonçalves & Paulo Brito & Catarina Nobre, 2024. "Waste-Derived Chars: A Comprehensive Review," Waste, MDPI, vol. 2(3), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jwaste:v:2:y:2024:i:3:p:13-239:d:1433276
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Afonso R. G. Azevedo & Alan Marinho Costa & Daiane Cecchin & Carlos Rodrigues Pereira & Markssuel Teixeira Marvila & Adeyemi Adesina, 2022. "Economic potential comparative of reusing different industrial solid wastes in cementitious composites: a case study in Brazil," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 5938-5961, April.
    2. Nobre, Catarina & Longo, Andrei & Vilarinho, Cândida & Gonçalves, Margarida, 2020. "Gasification of pellets produced from blends of biomass wastes and refuse derived fuel chars," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 1294-1303.
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