What important process is required after the combustion of waste materials in incineration?

After the combustion of waste materials in incineration, one of the critical processes that must occur is the cleaning of pollutants from flue gases. When waste is burned, it generates various gases, including harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, heavy metals, dioxins, and furans. If left untreated, these substances can be released into the atmosphere, posing significant risks to human health and the environment.

To mitigate these risks, incinerators are equipped with air pollution control systems that capture and treat these flue gases before they are emitted. This often involves processes such as filtering, scrubbing, or chemical treatment to remove or neutralize harmful components, ensuring that emissions comply with environmental regulations. This step is essential not only for protecting public health but also for reducing the environmental impact of waste incineration.

The other considerations post-incineration, such as storage for reuse, volume reduction for landfill, and dispersal in the atmosphere, do not adequately address the necessity of managing the byproducts of combustion—particularly the gaseous pollutants that must be properly treated to prevent air quality issues. Thus, the removal of pollutants from flue gases serves as a fundamental process in the overall operation of incineration facilities.