Chapter 11
Pyrolytic Conversion of Heterogenic
Natural Waste Biomass from Rural
Communities with Concomitant
Valorization
M. Anil Kumar, Pareshkumar G. Moradeeya, K. Manikanda Bharath,
P. Jakulin Divya Mary, and K. S. Giridharan
Abstract The challenge of waste disposal and management has become more promi-
nent with increasing awareness. In rural areas, natural waste management is carried
out within available space constraints. The conventional methods used for solid
waste disposal include burning, landfilling, and composting, often regarded as the
most effective and widely used practices. There is a significant concern over the
adverse environmental consequences of implementing non-sustainable practices in
solid waste management. This chapter aims to comprehensively analyse the many
sources of solid waste, focusing on lignocellulosic biomasses originating from rural
areas, mainly within the Indian sub-continent. Pyrolytic conversion is a thermal
process that transforms waste materials into three distinct forms: solid residue known
as char, liquid fuel, and gaseous emissions. Recent research has concentrated on
using food waste as an energy source (e.g. for the manufacture of bioethanol and
biodiesel) rather than disposing of and decomposing it. Utilizing a biorefinery or
biotechnology, organic waste can also be used to produce valuable organic chemi-
cals, such as succinic acid and/or bioplastics. The chapter further provides a detailed
explanation of mapping secondary data from different departments and contrasts it
with previously conducted research studies. This chapter is intended to summarise
the facts on the efficient use of biochar for pollution control and environmental
management.
Keywords Biochar · Pyrolysis · Rural · Solid wastes · Thermo-chemical ·
Valorization
M. Anil Kumar (B) · K. Manikanda Bharath · P. Jakulin Divya Mary · K. S. Giridharan
Centre for Rural and Entrepreneurship Development, National Institute of Technical Teachers
Training and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600113, India
e-mail: anilkumar@nitttrc.edu.in
P. G. Moradeeya
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Marwadi University, Rajkot,
Gujarat 360003, India
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024
G. Baskar et al. (eds.), Circular Bioeconomy Perspectives in Sustainable Bioenergy
Production, Energy, Environment, and Sustainability,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-2523-6_11
259