Question

The burning of wastes at high temperature is :

• A. Deep burial
• B. Fumigation
• C. Incineration
• D. Sewage disposal

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Incineration

Incineration

• Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials.

• This process converts waste materials into ash, flue gas, and heat.

• It is widely used for treating municipal solid waste (MSW), hazardous waste, and medical/biomedical waste because it significantly reduces the volume of the original waste by up to 90-95%.

Key Characteristics and Process

• High Temperature: The process takes place in specialized furnaces known as incinerators, where temperatures typically range between 850°C and 1,100°C.

• Energy Recovery: Modern incineration plants are often Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facilities. The heat generated during combustion is used to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity.

• Environmental Controls: To prevent air pollution, flue gases are treated using scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, and baghouse filters to remove harmful pollutants like dioxins, furans, and heavy metals before being released into the atmosphere.

• Residue Management: The remaining solid residue (bottom ash and fly ash) must be managed carefully, as it may contain concentrated hazardous substances, often requiring disposal in secure landfills.