Modelling of thermochemical processes of waste recycling: A review

Thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis and gasification are excellent platforms for recycling and valorisation of agriculture, municipal and mining waste. The advancement of these processes involves successfully navigating and resolving intricate challenges, and saving significant effort and time. Considerable efforts have been made to formulate methodologies for computer-assisted modelling of thermochemical conversion processes. These efforts aim to pinpoint optimal operational parameters that enhance performance, reduce costs, and promote environmental sustainability. This study provides a comprehensive review of the contemporary advancements in modelling the thermochemical conversion of waste materials. Special attention is directed towards the recent progressions in chemical process modelling, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Machine Learning (ML) models. The merits of each modelling technique are individually underscored, while certain limitations and bottlenecks within existing models are pinpointed as areas warranting further investigation. Through the integration of advanced modelling approaches, the future outlook of waste recycling targets achieving high efficiency and sustainability, addressing the escalating challenges posed by burgeoning global waste streams.