How is plasma gasification different than incineration?
Incineration is the burning of carbon based (organic) material in an oxygen-rich environment, much the same as burning wood in a wood stove. Organic matter contains energy. The burning process requires a large amount of oxygen (O2). The carbon contained in the organic matter reacts with the oxygen to form carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The combustion is highly exothermic and releases the energy in the organic material in the form of heat. The combustion of the carbon-based material is incomplete, leaving ash, tar and char that contains heavy metals and toxic substances requiring it to be sent to a special landfill. Non carbon based (inorganic) materials such as metal, glass, soil, concrete, silica, etc. are not affected by the burning process and become part of the ash. The total unburned material left over can be as high as 30% by weight. Incineration results in high levels of tars, furans, NOx, dioxins and sulfur dioxide, which are expensive to clean from the exhaust. Plasma G
