In the late 1990s, problems related to dioxin motivated incinerator manufacturers to develop a pyrolysis (or gasification) system in addition to a melting system. Solid waste is heated at around 500°C in a scarce — or low-oxygen atmosphere, and the resulting combustible gas and solid residue is burned at between 1200 and 1500°C to melt ash. This process was expected to yield benefits such as low dioxin emission, high power generation efficiency, and recycling molten slag, and 77 facilities were in operation by 2005. However, recent studies have found that these facilities require high consumption of supplemental fuel and electricity, and produce a low slag recycling rate. To minimize these drawbacks, the first part of the pyrolysis-melting system is used as carbonization. The product, char, can be used as a charcoal alternative, soil conditioner, and powdered coal for blast furnaces. In contrast, in the European Union, pyrolysis is used as an alternative technology for energy from waste, but its target is pyrolysis gas.

Further information

R. Stegmann, “Landfill gas utilization: An overview” in Landfilling of waste: Biogas (ed. T.H. Christensen, R. Cossu, R. Stegmann), E&FN SPON (1996)

Tadashi Abe, “Beikoku ni-okeru Gomi-hatsuden no Hatten”, Waste Management Research7(4) „ 305-315(1996) (in Japanese)

Hideaki Fujiyoshi, “Toshi-gomi no Tanka-nenryo-ka Shisetsu”, ENERGY, 57-59 (2001-4) (in Japanese) Shigeo Shikura, Hideki Harada, “Toshi-haikibutsu no Kenkisei-shoka”, Waste Management Research 10(3b 241-250(1999) (in Japanese)

Website of Tokyo-to, http://www2.kankyo. metro. tokyo. jp/tyubou/ (in Japanese)

Toru Furuichi, Norio Nishi (ed), “Biocycle”, Kankyo-Shinbunsha (2006) (in Japanese)

Tsukasa Kagiya, “RDF Hokanji no Hatsunetsu to Kongo-no Taio”, Kankyo-Shisetsu 94, 48-55 (2003) (in Japanese)

“RDF Hatsuden-shisetsu o Kaku to-suru Gomi-shori Koiki-ka ni Kadai”, Kankyo-Shisetsu 94, 42-47

(2003) (in Japanese)

Hideaki Fujiyoshi, “Gasu-ka Yoyu-ro no Unten Kanri to Kaizen Jirei”, Kankyo-Gijutsu-Kaishi 129, 86-99 (2007) (in Japanese)