How does waste incineration work?

How does waste incineration work? Waste incineration involves controlled thermal oxidation of waste—burning it in a furnace—to reduce its volume and mass, destroy hazardous materials, and, in some waste-to-energy plants, use the heat to generate electricity. The process involves feeding waste into a high-temperature incinerator, where organic matter burns in the presence of oxygen, producing heat, flue gas, and ash. Advanced flue gas cleaning systems then remove pollutants from the gases, preventing their release into the atmosphere. Key Aspects of the Process: Thermal Treatment: Waste is subjected to high temperatures (850-1000°C) in an incinerator (a specially designed furnace). Combustion: Organic matter in the waste reacts with oxygen, completely oxidizing it and producing heat and gaseous byproducts. Energy Recovery: The heat generated during the combustion process can be recovered to produce steam, which in turn drives turbines to generate electricity. Reducing Waste Volume and Hazards: Incineration significantly reduces waste volume and mass and destroys many hazardous organic pollutants, converting them into less hazardous substances or concentrating ash. Flue Gas Cleaning: A multi-step process removes pollutants such as dust, heavy metals, acid gases (such as hydrogen chloride and sulfur dioxide), and dioxins from the hot gases before they are released. How it works (simplified): Waste Feed: Waste is fed into the incinerator. Combustion Chamber: The waste is burned in a controlled environment, releasing heat. Heat Transfer: The heat generated by combustion is used to generate steam. Power Generation: The steam drives a turbine to generate electricity. Flue Gas Treatment: The hot gases pass through a series of devices to remove contaminants. Ashes and Residues: Treatment leaves inert ash and other solid residues, which are then properly managed.