Catalytic Pyrolysis of Biomass Using Industrial Solid Waste: A Review and Outlook

Traditional disposal methods for industrial solid waste, such as landfilling and incineration, pose serious environmental risks, creating an urgent need to develop green and efficient pathways for resource recovery. Biomass pyrolysis technology can convert biomass into high-value-added energy products. Meanwhile, industrial solid waste, owing to its high metal oxide content and porous structure, can serve as a low-cost catalytic material in this process, thereby achieving synergistic disposal and value-added conversion through the principle of using waste to treat waste. This paper reviews the current state of research on the use of industrial solid waste for catalytic biomass pyrolysis, focusing on the following aspects. First, it categorizes industrial solid waste types and their physicochemical properties, elucidating their feasibility as catalysts or support materials. Second, it outlines in situ and ex situ catalytic pyrolysis processes, as well as the main reactor types. Subsequently, it delves into the catalytic mechanisms of typical metal oxides in solid waste and their supported systems. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the regulatory role of industrial solid waste on the distribution and quality of pyrolysis products, highlighting the efficiency and practicality of response surface methodology in process optimization. Simultaneously, this paper provides an objective analysis of the environmental and operational risks that may arise during the reuse of industrial solid waste. Finally, it identifies current technical bottlenecks and future key research directions. By systematically reviewing research progress in this interdisciplinary field, this paper aims to provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for the copyrolysis of industrial solid waste and biomass, thereby promoting the utilization of waste resources.