Is plasma gasification different than traditional incineration?
Yes. Unlike incineration, plasma gasification produces no potentially hazardous bottom ash and minimal quantities of fly ash or particulate matter, which needs to be landfilled or placed in special facilities with engineered retaining walls. Plasma gasification of MSW to generate electricity produces substantially less carbon dioxide and other emissions per megawatt-hour of electricity produced than traditional mass-burn incineration, and is cleaner, higher in energy conversion, and better for the environment. Lastly, up to 50% more electricity can be produced per ton with gasification as compared with incineration.
