What do waste to energy plants primarily capture during their operation?

Waste-to-energy plants primarily capture the heat of combustion during their operation. When solid waste material is burned, it undergoes a chemical reaction known as combustion, which generates a significant amount of heat. This heat is then utilized to convert water into steam, driving turbines that produce electricity.

The efficiency and effectiveness of waste-to-energy plants largely depend on this process, as capturing and using the heat of combustion maximizes energy recovery from the waste, reducing the volume of waste that ends up in landfills while simultaneously generating useful energy. Other aspects, such as managing carbon emissions and water vapor, are part of the operational considerations, but the primary focus and benefit of waste-to-energy technology revolves around harnessing the heat produced during the combustion process for energy generation.