The process, which involves waste for the production of energy, is named as waste-to-energy and Energy-from-waste. WtE is a process, which recovers energy from the waste materials. It is required to mention here that WtE is a process in which energy is gained through the process of combustion directly or sometimes fuel is produced from waste, which is the source for energy.
The most common source for WtE is “incineration” which means to burn organic waste to get energy. Incineration is not just conducted to recover energy rather it is most of time conducted to get rid off waste. An incinerator can be understood more precisely as a furnace where waste is burnt.
Incineration coupled with high temperature waste treatments are recognized as thermal treatments. During the process of incineration, the waste material that is treated is converted in to IBM, gases, particles and heat. These products are later used for generation of electricity. The gases, flue gases are first treated for eradication of pollutants before going in to atmosphere.
Among waste-to-energy technologies, incineration stands taller. Other technologies are gasification, PDG, anaerobic digestion and Pyrolysis. Some times Incineration is conducted with out the reason for recovering energy.
In past, incineration was conducted with out separating materials thus causing harm to environment. This unseparated waste was not free from bulky and recyclable materials, even. This resulted in risk for plant workers health and environment. Most of such plants and incinerations never generate electricity.
Incineration reduces the mass of the waste from 95 to 96 percent. This reduction depends upon the recovery degree and composition of materials. This means that incineration however, does not replace the need for landfilling but it reduced the amount to be thrown in it.
Incineration comes with a number of benefits in specific areas like medical wastes and other life risking waste. In this process, toxins are destroyed when waste is treated with high temperature.
Incineration or thermal treatment of waste is much popular in countries like Japan where there is scarcity of land. The energy generated by incineration is highly demanded in countries like Denmark and Sweden. In year, 2005 it was estimated that 4.8 percent of the electricity as is consumed by Danish nation was produced by incineration and the amount of heat was some 13.7 percent out of total. Other then Denmark and Sweden many European countries are recovering heat and electricity from waste.
Energy from Waste (EfW) is recognised across the World as a key process in sustainable waste management strategies. It has the additional benefits of heat and power generation. The material that is left is a stable, low volume, high-density ash. The EfW process occurs entirely indoors in a controlled environment, thus minimising issues of odour, dust, and litter often associated with other waste management operations.