Modern waste incineration facilities make use of various combustion technology systems. A well controllable incineration efficiency chiefly depends on a coordination of grate system, furnace chamber, reburning zone and steam generator type.
 
A high degree of decomposition of all hydrocarbon compounds is achieved if good flue gas turbulence is achieved by the incineration air and gas feed-through.

This is not the case for nitrogen oxide compounds (NOx), i.e. the gaseous oxides of nitrogen. These are produced in the course of every combustion process. In combination with solar irradiation, harmful ozone can be formed when these compounds enter the environment. Nitrogen oxides are also responsible for the development of smog and acid rain.
 
Two steps prevent the discharge of harmful nitrogen oxide compounds to the atmosphere during waste incineration. The first step involves incineration temperature optimisation: this reduces NOx production by up to 30%.
 
The second step involves two processes which achieve a reduction of up to 90%. E.ON Energy from Waste plants use the SNCR process for this.