Catalytic co‐pyrolysis of waste biomass is an emerging thermochemical technique for improving energy recovery and resource utilization by converting heterogeneous organic waste into valuable products such as bio‐oil, syngas, and biochar. This study investigates the catalytic co‐pyrolysis of mixed biomass feedstocks comprising agricultural residues, forestry waste, and municipal solid waste using various catalysts, including zeolites (HZSM‐5), metal oxides (CaO, MgO), and supported transition metals (Ni/Al 2 O 3 ). The process was optimized by varying feedstock ratios (1:1:1 and 2:1:1) and catalyst loadings (5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 15 wt%) to identify conditions that maximize product yield and quality. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) characterized the composition of the produced bio‐oil. Results indicate that under optimal conditions (2:1:1 feedstock ratio, 10 wt% HZSM‐5 catalyst at 500°C), the bio‐oil yield increased from 38% (noncatalytic) to 42.3%, with improved calorific value and lower oxygenated compound content. Gas yield increased by 15%, while biochar showed enhanced surface area and carbon content, making it suitable for further applications. The process was modeled and simulated using Python to analyze thermodynamic behavior and material flow. These findings demonstrate that catalytic co‐pyrolysis, when optimized, offers a technically viable and sustainable method for converting diverse biomass wastes into clean energy carriers, thereby addressing both energy security and waste management challenges.
Nivedita Patel (Thu,) studied this question.