07-03-2014, 11:21 AM
quote:
Originally posted by peteadams
Doesn't the plasma type of incinerator produce little or no pollution?
Actually, plasma gasification can be used to destroy pollutants like dioxins produced elsewhere and fed into it. The technology is "almost there" with several demonstration plants scattered throughout the world and everybody sort of pointing the finger waiting to see who is going to front the cash to build the first one that will truly replace landfills.
Since they produce more energy over time than what they take to construct and operate them, the thought is to build them near existing landfills so the old garbage can be mined and converted to energy and other useable components. Here's a good 'starter' article but for the real good stuff like actual operating plants, you need to use the google. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_gasification
It is important to note that plasma gasification is not the same technology as building an incinerator that produces energy. Incinerators basically burn things under high heat, plasma gasification breaks things down on the molecular level using temperatures much higher than the surface of the sun. While it sounds like science fiction, the basic component (a large plasma torch) has been used since WWII.