Afvalgassen

Afvalgassen is a Dutch term for gases produced as by-products of industrial processes, combustion, waste treatment, or chemical synthesis that are typically treated as waste streams. They are often mixtures of reactive and inert gases, and may carry traces of particulates, vapors, or acids. Common constituents include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, hydrogen sulfide, methane, ammonia, chlorine- and fluorine-containing species, and moisture. The exact composition depends on the process and fuel used.

Sources of afvalgassen include power and heat plants, cement and metallurgical production, waste incineration, biogas upgrading, chemical manufacture, and various industrial dryers or reactors. In many cases the gases are hot and under pressure, requiring cooling or preliminary cleaning before further treatment or release.

Environmental and health considerations drive the regulation and control of afvalgassen. Emissions can contribute to climate change, acid rain, smog formation, and toxicity risks. Jurisdictions set limits on pollutants and require monitoring, reporting, and permitting for emission streams from industrial facilities.

Treatment and abatement technologies aim to reduce pollutant loads and, in some cases, recover valuable components. Common methods include wet or dry scrubbers for acid gases, selective catalytic or non-catalytic reduction for nitrogen oxides, activated carbon adsorption for volatile compounds, thermal or catalytic oxidizers, membrane or cryogenic separations for gas purification, and energy recovery through heat exchangers or combined heat and power systems. In some contexts afvalgassen can be treated for carbon capture and utilization or storage.