Advantages of Waste Incineration
Waste incineration is a treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials by means of high temperatures. Waste Incineration technology can be installed in several sectors to treat hazardous waste, refining residues, chemical waste, pharmaceutical waste, hospital & medical waste, waste water plant sludge, NORM (natural radioactive) waste, etc. Incineration and other high-temperature waste treatment systems are also called thermal treatment.
Waste incineration transforms waste into a small amount of ashes, flue gas and heat, which can be further used as energy for other processes.
Let’s see some of the advantages of waste incineration as a waste management system.
1. Production of Energy = Waste-to Energy
Incineration plants generate energy from waste – that’s called Waste-to-Energy. This energy can be used to generate electricity or heat and it can be used to power the needs of people living in the surroundings of the plant. For example, in European cold weather countries, they use the heat from the incinerators for warming homes and workplaces in areas near the plant.
2. Efficient Waste Management
The major advantage of incineration is that makes waste management easier and more efficient, because incineration can burn up to 90% of the total waste generated and sometimes even more. As a comparison, landfills only allow organic decomposition, so nonorganic waste keeps accumulating.
3. Savings on Transportation of Waste
Waste Incineration plants can be in the proximity of cities or districts, so the waste doesn’t have to be driven very far away, which means that the cost of transport is relevant.
4. Incinerators have emissions treatment systems to eliminate pollutants from exhaust air
Research has shown that solid waste incinerators are less likely to pollute the environment than landfills do. Landfills usually release higher quantities of greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides, dioxin, hydrocarbons, and non-methane organic compounds, as well as generate leachate. Leachate is the hazardous water coming out of all the waste accumulated, which poisons the underground water systems.
Regarding waste incineration systems, the main concern was the release of hazardous compounds, particularly dioxin. However, up-to-date waste incineration plants use filters and systems to eliminate hazardous gases. The current incineration plants operate within the required pollution limits recommended by the national and international environmental legislation.
5. Prevents the production of methane gas
In landfills, methane gas is generated, and if it is not correctly managed and controlled, this gas may explode causing further global warming. Waste Incineration plants do not produce methane.
6. Provides better control of odour and noise
Waste Incineration plants do not generate bad smells because waste gets burnt in a controlled way and there are systems such as a activated carbon equipment to eliminate acid gases and odours.
7. Eliminates harmful germs and hazardous components
Incineration plants work at 850ºC or even higher temperatures, thus destroying germs, hazardous materials and chemicals, and other elements that are harmful for people and the environment.
8. It has a computerized monitoring system
Governments, cities, institutions, or private waste management companies can acquire an incineration plant that is equipped with a computer to allow the solution of most problems in a rapid and secure manner. This enables operators to discover a problem before it becomes more serious and much more expensive to repair. The computer system also makes the operators’ work easy and efficient, since they are able to track the operational efficiency of the plant.
9. Occupies relatively small space
Incineration systems occupy relatively small space, thus making them a convenient and practical solution.
10. Incinerators can operate in any weather
Another advantage of incinerators is that they can function in any type of weather. Incinerators are not limited to weather changes, such as rainy season or windy days, since they burn waste without leakages. Incineration plants can work 24 hours a day non-stop and are more efficient in managing waste compared to landfills.
Waste incineration plants present several advantages to solve the growing need of waste management, while generating energy that can be used for the plant internal processes and for the people living nearby.
At Tecam Group we are specialists in thermal processes to eliminate all types of waste, specifically hazardous waste produced int he chemical and petrochemical sectors.
Customer comments
No comments were found for Advantages of Waste Incineration. Be the first to comment!