Temperature Monitoring in Waste-to-Energy: Why It’s Crucial for Incineration Efficiency

15/09/2025by Tempotech

In Waste-to-Energy (WtE) incineration plants, temperature control is very important. It affects combustion efficiency, emissions, and equipment life. Therefore, precise temperature monitoring is essential.

Technical Impact of Temperature Monitoring:

  • Complete Combustion: Thermocouples (Type K, S, or R) monitor high temperatures (850–1100 °C) continuously. This ensures the waste fully oxidizes. As a result, harmful gases like CO, VOCs, and dioxins are reduced.

  • Secondary Air Injection: Temperature data controls secondary air flow. This stabilizes the combustion zones. It also lowers NOx emissions.

  • Boiler Efficiency: Sensors at furnace inlets, outlets, and heat recovery areas help optimize heat transfer. This prevents cold spots and improves boiler efficiency.

  • Emission Reduction: Accurate temperature readings help operators maintain the required residence time (e.g., 2 seconds at ≥850 °C per EU directive). Thus, emission standards are met.

📊 By using Type K, S, and R thermocouples with real-time control, WtE plants reduce emissions, stabilize operations, and extend equipment life. This turns environmental compliance into operational excellence.