Research on new thermal treatment processes for domestic refuse in the Netherlands

Decisions must be made soon in the Netherlands in regard to the new Waste Disposal Act with respect to future waste treatment methods. For this reason, there is a need for data related to the specific waste composition in the Netherlands. Three research projects in the field of thermal treatment have been started recently: fluid-bed combustion, cocurrent gasification, and spouted-fluid-bed pyrolysis. A brief description of the basic research program and the processes involved is presented. The final evaluation of the three processes is expected to be completed in about two years.