Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from waste and biomass to energy plants

Waste Manag Res. 2005 Apr;23(2):133-47. doi: 10.1177/0734242X05052803.

Abstract

Following the Kyoto protocol with respect to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases emissions, and EU energy policy and sustainability in waste management, there has been an increased interest in the reduction of emissions from waste disposal operations. From the point of view of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, waste incineration and waste co-combustion are very acceptable methods for waste disposal. In order to achieve very low N2O emissions from waste incineration, particularly for waste with higher nitrogen content (e.g. sewage sludge), two factors are important: temperature of incineration over 900 degrees C and avoiding the selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) de-NO(X) method based on urea or ammonia treatments. The more modern selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems for de-NO(X) give rise to negligible sources of N2O.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollution / prevention & control
  • Biomass*
  • Crops, Agricultural
  • Incineration / methods*
  • Nitrogen
  • Nitrous Oxide*
  • Plants
  • Refuse Disposal*
  • Sewage*
  • Trees

Substances

  • Sewage
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Nitrogen