The primary objective of the project is to demonstrate the technical and economical feasibility of recovering energy from mixed municipal waste using a gaseous pyrolysis process. Pyrolysis is the physical and chemical decomposition of organic matter brought about by the action of heat in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. In order to meet the objective, the City of Baltimore is building a full size 1,000 ton per day plant that will receive mixed municipal solid waste, including white goods (appliances), tires, and eventually sewage sludge. The plant will generate steam, recover ferrous metals, and produce char and a glassy aggregate product. The project includes the design, construction, operation and evaluation of a system that will convert most of the input waste into useable products. It will receive approximately one half of Baltimore's residential solid waste.

"An environmental protection publication (SW-75d.i) in the solid waste management series." Includes bibliographical references.