Kadlimatti, H.M.Raj Mohan, B.Saidutta, M.B.2026-02-052021Biofuels, 2021, 12, 9, pp. 1051-105817597269https://doi.org/10.1080/17597269.2019.1573609https://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/23536Pyrolysis of food waste using microwave irradiation was carried out in this study to produce quality biochar for heating applications. Optimum conditions for microwave-assisted pyrolysis of food waste particles were determined using response surface methodology (RSM). Combined effects of the operating variables, namely pyrolysis temperature (°C), residence time (min) and nitrogen flow rate (mL min?1), were analyzed by conducting 20 experiments. Microwave-assisted pyrolysis results were correlated by applying RSM with the regressions coefficients of 92.90% for biochar and 90.305% for fixed carbon content. Microwave power of 450 W yielded 60.03 wt. % of biochar with a fixed carbon content of 48.71 wt. % under the optimum pyrolysis conditions of 400 °C temperature, 30 min residence time and 50 mL min?1 of nitrogen flow rate. The higher heating value of the biochar was 33.35 MJ kg?1. © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Calorific valueCarbonFood wasteIrradiationNitrogenPyrolysisSurface propertiesThermal processing (foods)Bio charsFixed carbonsHeating applicationsHigher heating valueMicrowave-assisted pyrolysisNitrogen flow ratesPyrolysis temperatureResponse surface methodologyMicrowave irradiation