An operator checking out one of the incinerators.

Fire in the incinerator. The temperatures here can reach up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prior to disposal in local sanitary landfills, the dewatered belt filter press sludge is burned to an ash within multiple hearth incinerators. Burning the sludge cake reduces the weight and volume, resulting in cheaper landfill hauling fees. Heat energy released during combustion can be recovered, and utilized.

Incineration at GBMSD takes place on a nearly continuous basis. Typically, one incinerator (often referred to as "furnace") operates for a three-month period, while the other unit receives any required maintenance. Then it sits idle until the rotation occurs once again. Control and monitoring of the incineration systems takes place from within the solids building control room.