Isn Pyrolysis just incineration by another name?
A common misconception. In Clean Pyrolysis by separating pyrolysis, gasification and thermal oxidation it is possible to control all aspects of the conversion process to optimise each stage. This is not possible with incineration or any other conventional combustion system. Pyrolysis reduces the volatile components of waste to short chained hydrocarbon species. Combined with the products of gasification, these gases can be cleanly oxidised within the process, which uses a controlled and uniform high temperature. Even if the incinerator operates at a high temperature this degree of separation does not occur in the grate and therefore more complex hydrocarbon combustion gives a wide range of combustion species, some of which are the pollutants that are of concern. Furthermore, Clean Pyrolysis is actually driven by superheated steam or energy from within the material itself to derive a fuel gas so in reality it is probably more akin to a chemical plant.
