Incineration

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/incineration

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How heavy is Incineration?Incineration typically reduces the mass of waste by 80-85%
2. What is the key environmental control?Flue gases undergo rigorous cleaning to remove pollutants before atmospheric release
3. What is the specialized application?Effective for the thermal destruction of clinical and certain hazardous wastes
4. How does incineration turn trash into energy?The waste is burned at very high temperatures, producing heat that can make steam. The steam turns a turbine to generate electricity.
5. Why do incinerators use scrubbers and filters?Scrubbers and filters clean the gases, removing harmful particles, acids, and metals before the air is released.

Thermal Treatment: A process that uses heat to alter the physical or chemical properties of a substance.
Waste-to-Energy (WTE): Facilities that convert waste materials into usable forms of energy, such as electricity or heat.
Flue Gas Treatment: Systems designed to remove pollutants from the gases produced during combustion.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): Everyday garbage and trash generated by households and businesses.