Pyrolysis is an environmentally friendly and efficient method for converting biomass into a wide range of products, including fuels, chemicals, fertilizers, catalysts, and sorption materials. This review confirms that scientific research on biomass pyrolysis has remained strong over the past 10 years. The authors examine the operating conditions of different types of pyrolysis, including slow, intermediate, fast, and flash, highlighting the distinct heating rates for each. Furthermore, biomass pyrolysis reactors are categorized into four groups, pneumatic bed reactors, gravity reactors, stationary bed reactors, and mechanical reactors, with a discussion on each type. The review then focuses on recent advancements in pyrolysis technologies that have improved efficiency, yield, and product quality, which, in turn, support sustainable energy production and effective waste management. The composition and yields of products from the different types of pyrolysis have been also reviewed. Finally, a techno-economic analysis has been conducted for both the pyrolysis of biomass alone and the co-pyrolysis of biomass with other raw materials.

Biomass waste contains an abundant source of energy that can be transformed into high-calorific fuel during intermediate pyrolysis, consequently reducing the use of fossil fuel resources. In the present study, medium density fibreboard (MDF), brewery spent grains (BSG) and post-extraction soybean meal (SM) were used to pyrolysis. Valorisation of these wastes via intermediate pyrolysis was carried out at a temperature of 773 K in a fixed-bed reactor under nitrogen atmosphere. The ultimate analysis showed that MDF char has offered the highest carbon content. Generally, chars obtained from these feedstocks were characterized by different internal microstructures. On the one hand, the surface of MDF char has exhibited pores with a regular pattern of small perpendicular blocks. On the other hand, irregular open spaces were detected in BSG and SM chars. The results of this investigation of the microstructure proved that the studied biomass wastes are perspective feedstocks to obtain high-value bioenergy products. Based on the enthalpy balance, it was concluded that the heating value of the pyrolysis gas was higher, the more endothermic pyrolysis process. The research hypothesis confirms that the higher the K₂O/CaO ratio in the ash, the better biomass pyrolysis process was catalysed and as a result, less additional heat was required for pyrolysis. To carry out the pyrolysis of MDF, SM and BSG, additional heat input was required in the amount of 2016.8, 1467.9 and 881.1 kJ, respectively. It was found that 4–10% of the higher heating value of the raw materials was missing to achieve the self-sustaining energy of intermediate pyrolysis. Graphical abstract

There is currently a growing demand for more effective thermal insulation materials with the best performance properties. This research paper presents the investigation results on the influence of two types of filler on the structure and properties of rigid polyurethane foam composites. Fly ash as a product of coal combustion in power plants and microspheres of 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%, were used as rigid polyurethane foams modifiers. The results of thermal analysis, mechanical properties testing, and cellular structure investigation performed for polyurethane composites show that the addition of fly ash, up to 10 wt.%, significantly improved the majority of the tested parameters. The use of up to 20 wt.% of microspheres improves the mechanical and thermal properties and thermal stability of rigid polyurethane foams.