Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of biomass for bioenergy production

Abstract

Microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) has emerged as a promising thermochemical conversion route for sustainable bioenergy production from different biomass. MAP has recently seen widespread applications in the pyrolysis industry due to its fast-heating rate and ease of handling. However, the potential of MAP to convert various biomasses into biofuel remains largely underexplored. Besides that, new strategies to increase the overall efficiency and scalability of MAP technology are still being identified. This review critically analyses recent advancements in MAP for biomass conversion to biofuels. It summarizes the fundamentals of MAP, including microwave heating, pyrolysis pathways of different biomasses, and the influence of operating parameters on product distribution. Major limitations, such as high equipment cost, scalability challenges, and safety concerns, are highlighted. The review further identifies key research gaps in catalyst development, reactor design, and process optimization, while also incorporating techno-economic assessments from lab- and pilot-scale studies to evaluate the commercial potential of MAP technology. In the future, Techno-economic analysis (TEA), Life cycle assessment (LCA) of MAP, and machine learning need to be employed to improve process performance and commercial viability. More research is required to understand heat transfer mechanisms and overall energy efficiencies of MAP. Addressing these areas can improve process performance and facilitate its commercial implementation. The review provides the most modern and advanced level of development of MAP and would help to understand the fundamentals and bottlenecks of this technology.