Are waste incinerators the same as pyrolysis equipment?

Waste incinerators and pyrolysis equipment serve different purposes and operate under different principles, despite both being used in waste management processes. Here’s a comparison to clarify the differences of waste incineration and pyrolysis technology:

Waste incinerator and pyrolysis equipment

1. Waste Incineration Process

•Incineration: This process involves burning waste materials at high temperatures (typically 850°C to 1,100°C) in the presence of oxygen.

2. Waste Incineration Purpose

•Primarily aimed at reducing the volume of waste by converting it into ash, flue gas, and heat. The incinerator can process a variety of organic and inorganic solid wastes, including domestic waste, medical waste that requires high-temperature disinfection, industrial waste and hazardous waste, etc., and has a wide range of applications.

Vairous solid waste for incineration

3. Waste Incineration Products

•Ash: A solid residue that may contain hazardous substances.

•Flue Gas: Contains various pollutants, which require treatment

•Heat: Can be harnessed for energy generation, though efficiency varies.

4. Environmental Impact

•Incineration requires effective emission control systems to manage air pollution, which is often lacking in incinerators. If not properly controlled, harmful pollutants such as dioxins and furans may be released.

1. Waste Pyrolysis Process

•Pyrolysis: Involves thermally decomposing organic materials at elevated temperatures (typically 300°C to 600°C) in the absence or limited supply of oxygen.

2. Pyrolysis Technology Purpose

•Aimed at converting waste into valuable products such as oils, gases, and char, rather than simply reducing volume.

The pyrolysis equipment is mainly for organic solid waste, such as scrap plastics, rubber, waste tires, oil sludge, coal tar, aluminum plastic composite materials, etc., and cannot process inorganic solid waste. Besides, pyrolysis equipment is designed to maximize energy efficiency. The waste pyrolysis process generates oil and gas that can be used as fuels, creating a self-sustaining energy cycle. This reduces the need for external energy sources and lowers operational costs.

Waste pyrolysis raw materials and final products

3. Waste Pyrolysis Products

•Oil and Gas: Can be used as fuels in heating boilers and industries like steel/brick/cement factories that consumes a lot of fuel energy, or further refined into other products.

•Char: A solid carbon-rich material that can have various applications, including soil amendment or fuel.

Applications of solid waste pyrolysis final products

4. Environmental Impact

•Generally produces fewer direct emissions compared to incineration because it operates in an oxygen-limited environment, potentially offering a more environmentally friendly alternative.

Environmental control of pyrolysis equipment

All above the differences between incinerators and pyrolysis equipment in waste treatment. It's suggested to choose suitable equipment based on your waste raw materials composition, final purpose and the local requirements.

If you need more detailed information on either waste process or their applications, feel free to ask! At Henan Doing Company, we specialize in providing advanced pyrolysis equipment that combines efficiency, ease of use, and safety. Our pyrolysis technology transforms waste management into a profitable and environmentally friendly process.