Previous Year Question

An Incinerator is a specialized device or facility used to burn waste at high temperatures under controlled conditions. This process is called Incineration. During incineration, combustible organic materials in waste undergo Oxidation, producing heat, gases, and Ash. The primary objectives of incineration are to reduce the quantity and volume of waste and, under suitable conditions, destroy harmful microorganisms.

During the Incineration Process, waste is burned inside a specialized Combustion Chamber at a prescribed temperature with sufficient oxygen. Modern Medical Waste Incinerators use high temperatures and Gas-cleaning Equipment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), modern incinerators equipped with appropriate gas-cleaning systems can operate at temperatures of approximately 850–1100°C and comply with international emission standards for dioxins and furans.

Incinerators are used to treat Municipal Solid Waste, certain categories of Biomedical Waste, and specified Hazardous Industrial Waste. Some Waste-to-Energy Plants also generate electricity by using heat from waste combustion to produce steam. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), incineration in such facilities can reduce waste volume by approximately 87%, although the actual reduction depends on waste composition and treatment conditions.

Incineration and Composting are different waste-management processes. In Composting, microorganisms decompose organic waste to produce compost manure, whereas Incineration involves burning suitable combustible waste. Incineration can release Particulate Matter, acidic gases, and, under improper operating conditions, pollutants such as Dioxins and Furans. Therefore, Waste Segregation, emission control, and safe disposal of the remaining ash are essential.