Refuse-derived fuel gasification for energy production: a science mapping analysis and systematic literature review

Abstract

Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) gasification presents a promising pathway for sustainable municipal solid waste (MSW) management and renewable energy generation, while aligning with the principles of the circular economy. Despite its growing relevance, structured reviews of RDF gasification remain limited. This study is novel in its integration of bibliometric science mapping with systematic literature review (SLR) methodologies, providing both a quantitative mapping of research trends and a qualitative synthesis of thematic clusters—an approach not previously applied to RDF gasification. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) protocol, a bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer to examine citation patterns by documents and author keyword co-occurrence. A total of 257 peer-reviewed articles published from 1986 to 2025 were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection databases. Next, the SLR then narrowed this to 195 articles published from 2015 to 2025 (10-year period). In addition, five relevant peer-reviewed articles were independently retrieved from Google Scholar and incorporated into the SLR dataset to enrich the qualitative analysis. The bibliometric analysis identified the most influential publications, authors, journals, and five thematic research clusters in RDF gasification. The systematic analysis revealed that RDF gasification is both economically viable and environmentally beneficial, though its commercial success depends on factors such as plant scale and consistent feedstock supply, among others. Key technical drivers include feedstock optimization, catalyst–temperature interactions, contaminants abatement, and process integration. Future research should prioritize multi-criteria optimization of RDF gasification systems, including the integration of techno-economic and life cycle assessments to inform policy and investment decisions. This review advances understanding of RDF gasification and supports progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 13 (Climate Action), offering a strategic foundation for guiding future research, policy, and investment in sustainable energy solutions.