Sub-stoichiometric conditions (no combustion).
Oxygen is introduced in controlled amounts to promote formation of CO in Syngas.

Oxygen is required for incineration (burning process), usually in excess of 50-80% of stoichiometric requirements.

Furnace type.
Burning at 700 to 1,000 ºC.

All Organic Materials are Gasified into a H2 & CO Fuel gas ("Syngas").
Chemical energy from Syngas is recovered as electrical energy.
All Inorganic Materials are Vitrified into Inert "slag".

Produces Bottom Ash and Fly Ash which need to be treated as well as toxic gases.
Heat produced in exhaust gases can be used to generate electricity.
Note: Plasma technology is used to vitrify Ash from incinerators.

Highly efficient conversion process.
Waste Chemical Energy converted to Syngas. Energy and some thermal energy in hot syngas and molten slag.
If required, thermal energy can be recovered for drying process or generation of steam.
Syngas is combusted in gas turbine operating in combined cycle or cogeneration plant for improved efficiency.

Less efficient conversion process.
Fuel and heat energy introduced to burn waste and converts to Thermal Energy.
Thermal energy is recovered in hot exhaust gases to operate a boiler and steam turbine, which is a less efficient process.

Clean and environment friendly.
More effective pre-combustion gas conditioning done prior to combustion of Syngas in gas turbine.
Emissions of gas turbine from Syngas combustion equivalent to natural gas power stations.

Requires extensive post combustion air pollution control as the incineration process produces flyash in addition to toxic compounds such as Dioxins, Furans etc.
Large volumes of flue gas is produced due to excess air requirements for incineration leading to large air pollution control equipment.

Due to higher efficiency of the process, greenhouse gas emissions per KW is lower.

Due to lower efficiency and use of supplementary fuel, greenhouse gas emissions per KW is substancially higher.

No ash generated thus do not require landfill.
Non leeching, inert vitrified slag can be resold and used as construction material, aggregates.

Toxic Land Fill matters such as bottom ash and fly ash.

Requires electrical supply “from the grid” for initial start-up and operation. When the power plant starts generating electricity with combustion of Syngas, Plasma Gasification plant becomes self-sustaining (depending on the type and composition of wastes being treated)
Surplus GREEN electricity available for sale to the grid.
Does not require additional or supplementary fuel for gasification.
In cases of poor calorific value feedstock, other biomass can be added to boost calorific value of Syngas.

Incineration of waste initiated by combustion of hydrocarbon fuel or fuel gas to start the “burning” of waste.
In situations of hard-to-burn waste, more fuel is added to support the incineration process.