Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Waste into Value-Added End Products Through Thermochemical Approach and End Product Characteristics

The agricultural sector produces huge quantities of waste, and most of it is not efficiently utilized posing threats to world health and the environment. Thus, substantial approaches are necessary for the sustainable utilization of agricultural waste. A fundamental transition is required to achieve the primary goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions. This transition must be made from conventional energy and products that are dependent on fossil fuels to those that are based on renewable and low-carbon alternatives. Agricultural waste stands out as a carbon-neutral resource with the potential to produce both energy and value-added products such as polyphenolic compounds, bio-oil, biopolymers syngas, biochar, and charcoal, whereas its sludge is a slurry waste reservoir rich in minerals and organic compounds. Thus, combining sludge and biomass waste through thermochemical co-processing appears as a promising route. This book chapter highlights the thermochemical conversion of agricultural waste through pyrolysis, solvent extraction, microwave, sonication, torrefaction, gasification, combustion, and hydrothermal liquefaction. Enhancing the process effectiveness and improving the properties of the produced products beyond what conventional could accomplish are potential benefits of the synergy. The derived product could be utilized in chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food processing industries.