Disadvantages of Incineration of Waste
The high cost of incineration plant has been a turnoff of for municipal authorities and is only now being addressed with the introduction of WTE plants. The need for huge waste to incinerate has led to abandonment of other plans for recycling and reuse of waste. Dioxins are produced in the treatment and is a cancer forming chemical. These are produced in the smoke stack. The plants require skilled personnel for operation and continuous maintenance.
The Process of Incineration
In the process of incineration, incinerators reduce the waste by burning it after the incinerator is initially fired up with gas or other combustible material. The process is then sustained by the waste itself. Complete waste combustion requires a temperature of 850º C for at least two seconds but most plants raise it to higher temperatures to reduce organic substances containing chlorine. Flue gases are then sent to scrubbers which remove all dangerous chemicals from them. To reduce dioxin in the chimneys where they are normally formed, cooling systems are introduced in the chimneys. Chimneys are required to be at least 9 meters above existing structures.
The advantages and disadvantages of incinerators need to be weighed carefully by any civic authorities considering this as an alternative. WTE plants are gaining more favor and the designing of incinerators is being constantly evolved to increase efficiencies and reduce production of dioxins.