Air pollution control systems in WtE units: An overview

• The paper describes in brief terms the development of gas cleaning in waste incineration.
• The main technologies for pollutant removal are described including their basic mechanisms.
• Their respective efficiencies and their application are discussed.
• A cautious outlook regarding future developments is made.

All WtE (waste-to-energy) plants, based on combustion or other thermal processes, need an efficient gas cleaning for compliance with legislative air emission standards. The development of gas cleaning technologies started along with environment protection regulations in the late 1960s. Modern APC (air pollution control) systems comprise multiple stages for the removal of fly ashes, inorganic and organic gases, heavy metals, and dioxins from the flue gas. The main technologies and devices used for abatement of the various pollutants are described and their basic principles, their peculiarities, and their application are discussed. Few systems for cleaning of synthesis gas from waste gasification plants are included. Examples of APC designs in full scale plants are shown and cautious prospects for the future development of APC systems are made.