This study presents the derivation of a kinetic model for the devolatilization of post-consumption food waste using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The derived model was implemented in an Eulerian-Eulerian Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) framework to simulate pyrolysis in a fluidized bed reactor operating at 550 °C. Due to the heterogeneity and complexity of food waste composition, the reaction function and devolatilization kinetics were identified using a staged decomposition approach. As determined by TGA, these stages correspond to the decomposition of protein, cellulose, and hemicellulose approximately between 270 and 300 °C, and the decomposition of lipids approximately between 350 and 400 °C. The activation energy, obtained using three different model-free iso-conversional methods, was consistent, with an average value of Ea = 219.23 kJ/mol. The pyrolysis reaction was found to follow an order-based model, with the master plot method yielding an average reaction order of n = 10.3 and an Arrhenius frequency factor of A = 1.16 × 1019 [(kmol/m3)1−n/s]. The predicted distribution of pyrolysis products, validated against experimental data, highlights the robustness of the proposed analysis and its computational implementation. This methodology provides a strong foundation for further development and adaptation to simulate the pyrolysis of food waste and other diverse feedstocks, broadening its applicability to various types of biomass.

The energy crisis, climate change, and insufficient waste management practices are compelling factors driving research into sustainable waste-to-resource technologies. Anaerobic digestion, aiming to recover energy and nutrients from organic waste, aligns with the circular economy's principles. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of utilizing biodiesel byproducts for biogas production, exploring techniques for enhancing biogas yield and addressing associated challenges. Assessing the potential of biodiesel byproducts highlights their environmental sustainability and economic viability for biogas production. Non-edible seed cake, rich in nutrients, shows promise for significant biogas yield. Additionally, crude glycerol, easily biodegradable, is identified as a promising co-digester, aiding in digesting recalcitrant substrates. Empirical data reveals remarkable methane yield boosts, ranging from 14 to 226% when co-digesting with crude glycerol. Moreover, the resulting digestate enhances soil fertility, promoting healthier plant growth and productivity. Challenges in anaerobic digestion, such as substrate C/N ratio imbalance and recalcitrance, necessitate strategies like substrate pretreatment and co-digestion with compatible materials to optimize biogas yield. Furthermore, advancements in anaerobic digestion technologies are crucial for effectively converting biodiesel wastes into biogas. Additionally, interdisciplinary investigations, including techno-economic analysis, lifecycle assessment, and sensitivity analysis, are vital to enhance and validate the feasibility of anaerobic digestion for biodiesel byproducts. This review serves as a valuable resource for future utilization of biodiesel byproducts for biogas production.