https://doi.org/10.65770/TFTF6973
ABSTRACT
Plastic waste accumulation and energy insecurity remain critical challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, necessitating the development of decentralized waste-to-energy technologies that are adaptable to local socioeconomic and infrastructural conditions. Among the emerging thermochemical conversion technologies, plastic pyrolysis has gained attention because of its potential to convert nonbiodegradable plastic waste into valuable liquid fuels, gases, and char. However, the efficiency and scalability of pyrolysis systems are highly dependent on reactor design, feedstock compatibility, and the operational conditions. This systematic review evaluated the suitability of pyrolysis reactor configurations for decentralized waste-to-energy systems in sub-Saharan Africa. This review followed the PRISMA 2020 framework and synthesized data from 16 eligible experimental and pilot-scale studies published between 2017 and 2026. The findings indicate that batch and fixed-bed reactors dominate pyrolysis research in the region because of their low cost, operational simplicity, and adaptability to infrastructure-constrained environments. Batch reactors commonly operate at 203-500°C with longer residence times, whereas fixed-bed reactors exhibit improved thermal efficiency and reduced reaction times at 300-550°C. Polyolefin plastics, particularly LDPE and HDPE, are the predominant feedstocks owing to their abundance and high liquid-fuel-yield potential. Catalytic materials, such as zeolite-Y, bentonite clay, and silica-alumina, enhance hydrocarbon selectivity and reduce degradation temperatures, thereby improving process efficiency. Nevertheless, this review reveals major limitations, including weak processing capacity for heterogeneous plastic streams, dependence on unstable energy systems, and the absence of standardized reactor frameworks suitable for decentralized deployment. The study concludes that effective pyrolysis implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa requires integrated reactor systems that combine low-cost designs, adaptive energy sources, and catalytic optimization to improve scalability, thermal efficiency, and operational sustainability of the process.
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