TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The refuse contains water and before supply to the gasification stage is subject to compression to achieve removal of air to bring the water contained in it to a superheated state. The compression phase is performed with simultaneous generation of heat by friction in the mass of refuse and with steam injection. Immediately before the commencement of gasification the mass of compressed refuse is deaerated and subjected to a decompression phase to transform superheated water contained in the refuse to steam. The decompression and expansion of the refuse is obtained by extrusion of the mass of compressed and deaerated refuse in a low pressure conveyor. The refuse, following decompression and rapid expansion, is directly introduced into contact with the electric arc. The refuse for gasification has a calculated and controlled quantity of water added. The quantity of water added is determined by sampling and elementary analysis of the refuse to determine its composition and the content of water necessary for the gasification reaction. The combustible gases are utilized as fuel for the production of electrical and thermal energy.The combustible gases are subjected to (1) supply to a heat recovery device for heating water, (2) cooling, drying and washing, (3) supply to a gasometer via a system of gravel filters having the function of preventing flame flashback and completing drying, and (4) supply to internal combustion engine and to a steam generator for recovery, before discharge into the atmosphere of heat energy of exhaust gas from the engines.Preferred Apparatus: The compression device comprises extrusion means having a casing and a rotary screw with a frusto-conical head cooperating with the casing to cause the progressive compression and extrusion of the refuse. The casing comprises a steam jacket and a nozzle for injection of steam into the interior of the casing and the mass of refuse present. The extraction means associated with the hopper are auger type and the screw of the extrusion means constitute an extension to the auger. The decompression means comprise a duct communicating with a casing of the compression means and having a shaft with blades able to convey the refuse within the chamber of the gasification device with a rapid drop in pressure. The gasification device is provided with means for mechanically moving the electrodes controlled by an adjuster, operable to maintain the separation between the tips of the electrodes constant in such a way as to maintain power of electric discharge constant. The gasification device is constituted by a casing of refractory material in the shape of an hourglass having a vertical axis, and electrodes for producing the electric arc discharge are positioned in correspondence with the constricted section of the casing.