incinerators

An incinerator is a facility that combusts waste at high temperatures to rapidly reduce its volume and mass, stabilize remaining residues, and, in many cases, recover energy. Most systems heat a boiler with the heat of combustion to produce steam for electricity generation or district heating. Flue gases are treated through pollution-control equipment before being released to the atmosphere.

There are several designs and operating modes. Mass burn incinerators burn unsegregated municipal solid waste, while refuse-derived fuel (RDF) incinerators burn a processed fuel prepared from waste fractions. Rotary kiln incinerators are used for certain hazardous or medical wastes and can operate with continuous control of temperature and residence time. Waste-to-energy plants typically emphasize energy recovery, whereas some older or smaller units may operate with limited or no energy recovery.

Environmental controls and byproducts are central to modern incineration. Flue gas treatment usually includes acid-gas scrubbers, fabric filters or electrostatic precipitators to remove particulates and acid gases, and often selective catalytic reduction to lower nitrogen oxides. Bottom ash is the noncombustible residue left after combustion, while fly ash is collected higher in the exhaust stream; both may require stabilization and proper disposal, and fly ash can be classified as hazardous waste in some jurisdictions.

Regulatory and public policy contexts vary by region. Europe and parts of Asia have many operating plants with strict emission standards, while the United States relies on state-level permits and federal limits for certain pollutants. Incineration offers advantages such as substantial volume reduction and potential energy recovery, but it also raises concerns about emissions, ash management, and long-term environmental impacts. Ongoing decisions about incineration are often tied to broader waste management strategies, recycling goals, and energy policies.