Microwave-assisted Technologies for Municipal Solid Waste Conversion to Value-added Chemicals and Fuels

Microwave-assisted Municipal Solid food waste conversion represents an innovative and promising approach to address both waste management and resource utilization sustainably. By harnessing the power of microwave irradiation, this method offers an effective and efficient means of converting Municipal food waste into valuable products, contributing to environmental protection and circular economy initiatives. Municipal Food waste presents a significant global issue, with its production anticipated to rise substantially in the coming years. The management of post-consumption Municipal food waste is explored as an avenue for bio-fuel and biochar production. Pyrolysis-gasification processes are identified as promising routes for producing high-value products like bio-fuel, biochar/ash, and water with minimal environmental impact. Issues related to proper post-consumption Municipal food waste technological processing mechanisms at both industrial and community levels, along with limited research on sustainability and life cycle assessments are addressed in this chapter. Recent studies have demonstrated the viability of microwave-assisted hydrothermal conversion for food waste, showcasing its potential to produce reducing sugars and versatile chemical blocks. The optimization of the technologies to strike a balance between resources, energy consumption, and environmental considerations remains a challenge. Through diverse microwave-assisted technologies, including anaerobic digestion, extraction of bio-fuel and biochar production, and integrated pyrolysis-gasification processes, the potential for resource recovery, environmental improvement, and sustainable agriculture is substantial.