Applications of Thermal Plasmas for the Environment
G. Van Oost
Abstract
Thermal processing such as incineration is most commonly used for the treatment of waste streams, whereby often-incomplete combustion of organic waste can lead to dangerous products in the exhaust gases. Thermal plasma technology with its wide temperature range is suitable to treat almost any chemical composition of wastes. It enables the efficient and environmentally friendly conversion of organic waste into energy or chemicals, as well as the pyrolysis of hazardous organic compounds The limitations of conventional technologies and stricter environmental legislation on the processing of wastes make plasma technologies increasingly attractive. Priority is given to environmental quality at affordable costs and to the use of innovative thermochemical conversion technologies (gasification and pyrolysis) to contribute to sustainable development and circular economy in which waste is managed as a resource.