A technology in which solid waste is heated in an oxygen-starved atmosphere to break down the solids into a gas is called?

A technology in which solid waste is heated in an oxygen-starved atmosphere to break down the solids into a gas is called?

• A. Pyrolysis
• B. Gasification
• C. Incineration
• D. Fermentation

Answer: (A)

The process described is pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of materials at high temperatures in the absence or near absence of oxygen, so the solid waste breaks down into gases, vapors, and a solid char rather than burning. This is different from incineration, which relies on plenty of oxygen to combust the material into ash, CO2, and water. It’s also distinct from gasification, which does produce gas but uses a controlled amount of oxygen or steam to partially oxidize the material and create synthesis gas. Fermentation is a biological process and doesn’t involve heating solids to produce a gas.