15. Incineration

Incineration is the oldest technique and is based on the combustion of soil waste (figure 15 ). High temperatures destroy or volatilize pollutants. Metals, however, remain in the ashes or vapors.

• Principle

  By raising the temperature of the polluted soil, pollutants are converted into carbon dioxide and water vapor, as well as various combustion residues. The transformation of pollutants into simple, harmless molecules makes this method one of the most effective.

• Type of pollution treated

  Incineration applies to soil contaminated by any incinerable substance, i.e. mainly organic pollutants.

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