Types of Waste Materials for Thermochemical Conversion into Bioproducts

Due to their potential applicability of supporting waste management worldwide, thermochemical waste conversion technologies such as pyrolysis, combustion, and hydrothermal processing are currently reported as the most promising routes for sustainable green fuels, bioenergy, and biochemicals production. Extensive diversity of carbonaceous waste materials such as municipal solid wastes (MSW), industrial hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, and agricultural residues (e.g., lignocellulosic biomass) are excellent sources of raw materials for cost-efficient production of biochemicals, biofuels, heat, and electricity through thermochemical conversion technologies whereby the wastes are combusted instantaneously at specific process conditions. The types of biomass wastes and other potential waste materials are characterized predominantly by their physicochemical properties which eventually determine the quality, calorific value, and quantity of bioproducts generated via thermochemical conversion pathway. Thus, the conversion of waste materials would be efficient when the suitable type of waste is converted via the appropriate thermochemical conversion technology. This chapter discusses the major potential carbonaceous feedstocks/waste that are outstanding for thermochemical conversion into bioproducts.