Life cycle insights into the pyrolytic conversion of waste ship oil sludge in a circular economy framework

• WSOS pyrolysis as a resource for sustainable marine waste treatment. • Sensitivity analysis confirms economic viability under variable conditions. • Global warming Potential of pyrolysis to be 1.35 kg CO₂-eq with a mean value from a Monte Carlo simulation of 1.35144 kg CO₂-eq . • Open-source LCA databases used to ensure uniformity and replicability. Waste ship oil sludge (WSOS) still exists as a predominant contaminant in marine ecosystem, meanwhile it also evidently indicates itself to be a feedstock for resource recovery through processing. In lieu of MARPOL annex V regulations that limit the discharge of oil wastes at sea, managing waste ship oil sludge (WSOS) through pyrolysis offers an adherent and sustainable way to valorize this regulated marine residue. Recent studies revealed that CO 2 accounted for around 79.3% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States as of 2021. In comparison, India’s emissions increased by 6.52% in 2022, illustrating a significant growing global concern for efficient and greener waste solutions. This study aims to provide detailed insights and comprehensive information in support of a new pathway for energy production from waste by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) entailing the carbon footprint of the pyrolytic conversion of WSOS, meanwhile reducing pyrolysis emissions, which have a global warming potential of 1.3 kg CO₂-eq. The economic sensitivity analysis conducted as part of this research shows that system viability stays within typical market price ranges but is highly sensitive to changes in feedstock costs, product prices, and operating expenses. The analysis used a standard variation of 20 percent as a sensitivity measure. Results from variations in feedstock, product pricing, and operational costs support the system's economic feasibility within median price ranges. This research addresses a gap in specific reaction assessment by outlining a gate-to-gate LCA with a Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis of the pyrolysis process, considering environmental impacts and techno-economic viability, and proposing WSOS pyrolysis as a circular strategy for the utilization of marine waste for alternative fuel technologies.