WTE: Gasification and Pyrolysis in Japan

Glossary

Gasification:

Thermal process that involves the reaction of carbonaceous feedstocks with oxygen-containing reagents, usually air, oxygen, steam, or carbon dioxide, generally at temperatures in excess of 800 °C

MSW:

Municipal solid waste

PET:

Polyethylene terephthalate

PVC:

Polyvinylchloride

Pyrolysis:

Thermal process that implies the degradation of the organic materials at temperatures in the range of 400–800 °C and in the absence of oxygen or other reagents

RDF:

Refuse derived fuel

Slag:

Molten ash

SR:

Shedder residue

Definition of the Subject and Its Importance

The major technologies used in Japan for energy recovery from municipal solid waste (MSW) are moving grate waste-to-energy (WTE) plants, some combined with ash vitrification and disposing of ash in monofills. However, shortage of landfill space and the Japanese Containers and Packaging Recycling Law have stimulated active R&D and commercialization of relatively novel thermal treatment processes based on gasification...