Waste incineration systems

More than 700 plants with controlled air and/or rotary kiln applications designed

Last updated Apr 2026

Waste incineration is the thermal destruction of waste materials, in a responsible manner. Many types of waste are incinerated including hazardous, industrial, chemical, pharmaceutical medical waste and many others. Waste oils, solvents or other materials that contaminate soil can also be destroyed by thermal treatment of the soil.

Proven performance

Over 40 years of experience
and track record of 700 plants

Reliability

Save thermal destruction
of wastes including heat recovery

Customization

Tailored solutions for specific
project requirements

Innovation

Own R&D and test facilities,
extensive portfolio

Features

Metso has over thirty-five years experience is designing waste incineration systems, has designed more than 700 plants with controlled air and/or rotary kiln applications:

Hazardous
Industrial
Chemical
Pharmaceutical
Contaminated solids
PCB’s
Medical

Our expertise in engineering and manufacturing ensures that each system is tailored to meet specific waste treatment needs, providing optimal performance and reliability.

Benefits

This product provides several important benefits, including:

Thermal destruction of waste
Heat recovery boiler to recover heat and convert to usable steam
Engineering and design of complete plants
Integrated control system for safe and reliable operation and recording

Basic waste incineration process

Incineration in a rotary kiln is a three step process including drying, combustion and burnout (complete thermal destruction). Oxygen addition and temperature is controlled to specified temperatures to ensure complete burnout and destruction. The waste is fed to a kiln where it is dried and combusted and the solids will burnout. Volatiles will be released in the kiln that will be burned out in the kiln or in a secondary combustion chamber.

Rotary Kiln

The waste is fed to the kiln by chutes with lock hoppers, or a ram loader and/or lances. The solids are burned in the kiln and the ash will discharge from the kiln for removal and disposal.

Rotary Kiln

The waste is fed to the kiln by chutes with lock hoppers, or a ram loader and/or lances. The solids are burned in the kiln and the ash will discharge from the kiln for removal and disposal.

Secondary Combustion Chamber

In the secondary combustion chamber, air addition and fuel, if required, will be injected to maintain an oxygen content and temperature that will ensure complete thermal destruction (burnout).

Boiler – Air Quality Control System

The secondary combustion chamber exhaust gas will be cooled in a waste heat recovery boiler or an evaporative cooling tower. If a boiler is used, steam will be produced that can be used in the plant or power generation. The complexity of the air quality control system will depend upon the analysis of the waste and resulting acid and metals contained in the secondary combustion chamber exhaust gas. Generally the air quality control system will contain a baghouse and a wet scrubbing system for acid removal. An induced draft fan will be used to induce the kiln exhaust gas from the kiln, through the secondary combustion chamber, boiler and air quality control system for venting to atmosphere through a stack on the outlet side of the fan.