The expression refers to methods and technologies aimed at significantly reducing or eliminating particulate matter and gaseous emissions resulting from combustion processes. This encompasses diverse applications, ranging from industrial emissions control to the reduction of harmful exhaust from engines and furnaces. For instance, implementing advanced filtration systems in power plants aims to achieve this outcome, lowering the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere.
Achieving minimal or no emissions offers numerous advantages, including improved air quality and public health, mitigation of climate change impacts, and compliance with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Historically, efforts to minimize smoke have evolved alongside technological advancements, from early smoke stacks designed to disperse pollutants to modern techniques like catalytic converters and flue gas desulfurization.
