Analysis of Medical Waste Incinerator Performance Based on Fuel Consumption and Cycle Times

A detailed assessment of an incinerator based on fuel consumption and cycle time data is presented in this paper. The study was conducted at Temeke district hospital for 22 months consecutively covering 654 days of daily data collection on fuel consumption and cycle times. The composition for the medical waste incinerated varied between 15% and 35% for sharps waste and between 65% and 85% for other waste, with mean values of 25% and 75%, respectively. The results revealed poor performance of the incinerator due to higher fuel consumption (above 30 L/cycle). The incineration cycle times were observed to range between 2 and 4 hours, all of which were too high for the loading rates observed (55 - 214 kg). A strong dependency of diesel oil consumption on cycle time was observed due to lack of temperature control leading to continuous fuel flow into the burners. The incineration capacity was very low compared to other incinerators in terms of tons per year. This paper gives an insight on the factors affecting incinerator performance assessed based on diesel oil consumption and cycle times. It can be generalized that the incinerator performance was poor due to several factors ranging from poor incinerator design, operator skills, waste management practices, waste storage practices, etc. The hospital was advised to install a new incinerator with short incineration cycle time (30 - 40 minutes) and lower fuel consumption (10 L/cycle) at a loading rate of 200 kg/cycle.

A Burning Experiment Study of an Integral Medical Waste Incinerator

Mass burning of the medical waste is becoming attractive in China because Chinese government has banned landfilling of medical waste. Many advantages can be found in this method, such as reduction in waste volume, destruction of pathogens and transformation of waste into the form of ash. However, the medical waste with high moisture in China is not suitable to be treated in the present direct mass burning incinerators. In this paper, a novel integral incinerator is developed with combining a feeder, a rotary grate, a primary combustion chamber (PCC) and a “coaxial” secondary combustion chamber (SCC) into a unique unit. Its capability is 10 ton/day. As the air excess level in the PCC was only 40% stoichiometric ratio, the PCC acted as a gasifier. The 1.0 excess air ratios in the SCC preserved the purpose of full combustion of flue gas. Temperature and pollutants concentration in the SCC were measured to understand the combustion behavior of volatile organics. Emission concentrations of pollutants before stack were also tested and compared with the China National Incineration Emission Standard.

Performance of a Large-Scale Medical Waste Incinerator in a Referral Hospital

The aim of the study was to analyze the performance of large scale incinerator installed in a referral hospital. The study involved weighing and loading infectious waste of different composition (sharps and other waste), recording temperatures in the primary and secondary chamber with time, fuel used and collecting and weighing the bottom ash for 65 days. The analysis shows that the incinerator on average uses 362 L/day (45 L/h) to incinerate 945 kg of medical waste (40.8 kg/day of sharps waste and 904 kg/day of other waste), generating 51.2 kg of ash daily. The observed fuel consumption rate was too high necessitating corrective action. The average weight reduction was 94.6%. The study shows that the average sharps waste composition for medical waste incinerated was 4.3% and other waste was 95.7%. The incinerator capacity ranged between 100 and 130 kg/h. The fuel effectiveness ranged between 2.0 and 3.0 liters of diesel per kg of waste incinerated. The fuel effectiveness increased linearly with total waste incinerated and incinerator capacity, respectively, depending on the fuel consumption rate.

Analysis of Temperature Profiles and Cycle Time in a Large-Scale Medical Waste Incinerator

Temperature profiles and cycle times in a large-scale medical waste incinerator installed in a referral hospital were used to assess the performance and functionality of incinerator. The study was conducted using data collected from 8 cycles per days for 67 days. For proper combustion and destruction of toxic components in the primary chamber and destruction of pollutants and toxic components in the flue gas, it is desired to reach the maximum temperature in the chambers faster and maintain this maximum temperature for an extended time interval. The primary and secondary temperatures T1 and T2, respectively, were recorded at an interval of one minute for different cycles. Different amounts of wastes with varying proportions of sharps and other wastes were loaded into the incinerator and temperature profiles recorded. The analysis shows that the incinerator works at primary temperature less than the required recommended by manufacturer while the secondary chamber operates between 600 and above 950℃, although higher temperatures up to 1020℃ were observed. The average load preparation time was observed to be 14.6 minutes, while the chamber preheating time before daily initial loading was 25.45 minutes. Both temperature profiles were observed to have similar shapes for all combustion cycles studied, except when incinerator malfunctioning occurred. The average cycle time was established to be 32.7 minutes and 28.97 minutes based on time to drop to 550℃ after the maximum temperature and loading time intervals, respectively, although longer cycle times were observed. Temperature drop in both combustion chambers as a result of waste charging was observed in the interval of 5 minutes. The chamber heating rate was observed to decrease exponentially with time during both preheating and incineration operation.

Engineering and Physical Bases of Development and Creation of Plasmochemical Reactors for Mobile Facilities for Medical Waste Disposal

This paper presents the results of the development and creation of plasma-chemical reactors for mobile and stationary installations for the destruction and disposal of solid, liquid, gaseous and mixed medical waste based on the domestic plasma generator PUN-1, with air as the plasma-forming gas. The design and principle of operation of plasma-chemical reactors installed on mobile experimental and industrial plants “Plazmon-1,2,3”, as well as the main features of the plasma waste disposal process are described.

Detoxifying PCDD/Fs and heavy metals in fly ash from medical waste incinerators with a DCdouble arc plasma torch

Medical waste incinerator （MWI） fly ash is regarded as a highly toxic waste because it contains high concentrations of heavy metals anddioxins, including polychlorinateddibenzo-p-dioxins （PCDDs） and polychlorinateddibenzofurans （PCDFs）. Therefore fly ash from MWI must be appropriately treated before beingdischarged into the environment. A melting process based on adirect current thermal plasma torch has beendeveloped to convert MWI fly ash into harmless slag. The leaching characteristics of heavy metals in fly ash and vitrified slag were investigated using the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure, while the content of PCDD/Fs in the fly ashes and slags was measured using method 1613 of the US EPA. The experimental results show that thedecomposition rate of PCDD/Fs is over 99% in toxic equivalent quantity value and the leaching of heavy metals in the slag significantlydecreases after the plasma melting process. The produced slag has a compact and homogeneous microstructure withdensity of up to2.8 g/cm3 .

Incineration experiment of medical waste of novel coronavirus pneumonia(COVID-19)in a mobile animal carcass incinerator

Incineration experiment of medical waste was carried out in a mobile animal carcass incinerator.Simulated medical waste(69%cotton,1.5%wood product,4.5%mask and 25%moisture)was used as raw material.The temperature trend of first and second combustion chamber,the operating conditions and the emission characteristics of gaseous pollutants were studied.The results indicated that the temperature of first combustion chamber can be maintained at 550-650℃ without external heating,while in the final stage a burner was used to realize the burnout of material.The temperature of the second combustion chamber was always lower than that of the first combustion after the burner stopped working.The concentration of CO emission in flue gas was high due to the low disposal efficiency of the mobile incinerator,while NOX and SO2 emission concentrations were far below the standard limit value(GB 18484-2001).

Assessment of Incineration Process Performance in a District Hospital Using Statistical Analysis

The objective of this study was to assess the performance of an old existing medical waste incinerator in a district (Temeke) hospital. The medical waste incinerated was grouped into two categories: sharps waste and other waste. The parameters assessed included amounts of sharps and other waste incinerated, amount of fuel used and the incineration cycle time. One incineration cycle was conducted per day and data was collected for 22 months (N = 653). It was established that the total waste incinerated per day ranged from 70 to 120 kg, completing the process between 2 and 4 hrs and consuming 20 to 40 L of fuel per day. The analysis showed further that sharps waste incinerated were 25% of the total waste while other waste incinerated were about 75% on average. The average diesel oil used was 30 L/day and average cycle time was observed to be 3 hrs, both being excessively high indicating that the performance of the incin-erator was poor. The statistical analysis was used to reveal stronger variations in other waste than sharps waste. The PDF plots, skewness and kurtosis values indicated that there were weak variations in the daily diesel oil consumed and incineration cycle time while stronger variations were observed in the other waste compared to sharps waste data. Normalization of the incinerator performance data allowed comparison between different data types also indicating poor performance of the incinerator. Proper segregation at point of generation and proper storage of medical waste was recommended. It was further recommended for the hospital to install a new and efficient incinerator with short incineration cycle time and less fuel consumption.

医疗废物焚烧工艺配套设计优化及焚烧系统性能测试分析

为了高效、安全、达标地焚烧医疗废物,对主焚烧工艺配套设备(一燃室、二燃室)设计核算并进行设计参数复核;选定锯末和木块作为标准测试废物的基体,对焚烧系统在焚烧过程中的氯化氢去除率、重金属汞去除率、燃烧效率、残渣热灼减率、烟尘去除率、二噁英排放浓度与性能评分的变化进行研究。采用热工程理论计算方法,对一燃室和二燃室体积进行计算;并测定焚烧过程中性能指标数的变化,用SPSS 22软件进行模型相关性分析。结果表明:反算一燃室、二燃室体积分别为1.20、3.30 m^(3),均小于实际炉膛内体积,满足要求。性能评分与氯化氢去除率、重金属汞去除率、烟尘去除率、燃烧效率呈极显著正相关关系(R分别为0.965、0.966、0.982、0.997),性能评分与热灼减率呈极显著负相关关系(R为−0.986),性能评分与二噁英排放浓度呈显著负相关关系(R为−0.957)。

医疗废物焚烧过程中的环境风险及防控措施研究

随着医疗废物的产生量日益增加,医疗废物集中处置中心在焚烧处置过程中释放出污染物,若处理不当,这些污染物会渗透到空气、土壤和水源中,从而引发一系列的环境风险。在此背景下,以广州市医疗废物处理中心为例,对焚烧处理医疗废物时产生的环境风险展开深入分析,并提出相应的环境风险控制措施,旨在降低医疗废物焚烧对环境的危害,确保焚烧烟气达标排放,避免烟气进入自然环境造成污染,进而保护公共健康和生态环境安全。

高原高寒地区应急保障垃圾处置实验

为促进我国高原高寒地区应急保障技术及装备高质量发展,实现高原高寒地区灾害现场垃圾及时无害化焚烧处置。依托于公司参与的“十三五”国家重点研发计划科研项目,通过中试实验方法,在海拔3540 m,环境温度-16℃条件下,以格尔木纳赤台为实验场地,验证在高原高寒应急条件下移动式垃圾处置系统对现场存在垃圾的焚烧处置效果。结果表明,该系统可满足高原高寒地区灾害现场200 kg/h垃圾应急保障处置工作,烟气排放符合GB 18484—2020《危险废物焚烧污染控制标准》要求,可有效为高原高寒地区垃圾处置提供技术及装备支撑。

医疗废物焚烧炉掺烧处置医药废物、废药物及药品的应用研究

为成功应用医疗废物焚烧设施掺烧处置医药废物、废药物及药品,利用某市医疗废物焚烧处置中心的立式热解焚烧炉进行掺烧试验,通过研究医药废物、废药物及药品的成分特性及其对医疗废物立式热解焚烧炉运行工况的影响,寻找合适的入炉掺烧配比。经过试验,在满足入炉掺烧配伍原则下,确定20%掺烧比对焚烧炉正常运行无影响,可为后续实际生产提供技术参考。

医疗废物绿色低碳与智慧焚烧关键技术研究与应用实践探索

以上海某医疗废物焚烧处理工程为例,详细介绍了焚烧系统的工艺流程和智慧焚烧以及绿色低碳的关键技术。以医废全流程数字化服务平台为手段,探讨了医疗废物处置过程中的智慧收运、AGV自动进料、清洁焚烧、烟气超净排放、减污降碳等关键技术,为医疗废物焚烧项目的建设提供借鉴与参考。

医疗废物低碳智慧焚烧处置示范项目设计研究

本文对上海市固体废物处置有限公司医疗废物低碳智慧焚烧处置示范工程作业设计的研发目的,以及从污染治理、节能降耗、资源回收、碳减排等方面的成果应用意义进行深度剖析,分析关键技术与应用进展,总结该技术的创新点、先进性和其适用的范围。

医疗废物焚烧处置中二恶英的过程控制安全技术

针对我国目前医疗废物焚烧处置中所存在的问题,根据二恶英生成机理和影响因素,对医疗废物焚烧处置各阶段的二恶英减排控制技术、工况参数设计、工艺设备选择等关键环节进行深入分析。结合分析结果,提出了在医疗废物焚烧前控制中,对医疗废物分类收集、分别处置进行氯源控制;讨论了医疗废物焚烧过程控制中焚烧温度、停留时间、湍流程度、过剩空气系数的最佳工艺参数;指明了医疗废物焚烧后控制中的急冷、脱酸、喷粉、除尘及灰渣处置的最优控制技术。

履约背景下医疗废物处置最佳可行技术和最佳环境实践思路探讨

该文基于POPs公约以及我国在医疗废物处置最佳可行技术和最佳环境实践(BAT/BEP)方面的探索,并结合我国目前医疗废物技术应用现状及处置技术发展趋势,提出了医疗废物最佳可行技术和最佳环境实践的选择方法,并分别针对焚烧技术和非焚烧处置技术提出了我国医疗废物领域最佳可行技术和最佳环境实践的基本思路和实施建议。

医疗废物焚烧处置过程中关键参数研究

针对我国相关标准和技术规范在医疗废物焚烧处置中的问题,以控制二英、燃烧效果、残渣处置为关键目标,从二英控制机理、工况设计、设备选择和残渣处置等焚烧的关键环节进行深入分析。提出:一燃室、二燃室的最佳温度分别为850～870和1000～1200℃;烟气停留时间大于2s,但可根据实际情况延长;湍流程度的雷诺数大于1×104,当雷诺数大于5×104时,焚烧效率更高;急冷装置在180～550℃时烟气停留时间应小于1 5s,布袋除尘器最佳工作温度为120～150℃;残渣、飞灰和底渣中的w(PCDD DFs)(以TEQ计,下同)应分别小于1 0,0 3和0 5ng g。当底渣中的w(PCDD DFs)高于0 3ng g时,则当作危险废物处理。

医疗废物焚烧中Cd/Cu/Pb/Zn的分布研究

以医疗垃圾中主要组分为研究对象,利用热力学平衡方法,研究在不同温度和气氛下Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn重金属元素的转化和迁移规律.研究结果表明,Cd、Pb较易挥发而Zn、Cu较难挥发,这主要与各元素的蒸汽压相关.随着温度的升高,在氧化性气氛下,各元素对应产物生成呈现从硫酸盐到氧化物再到气态单质(含氯时为硫酸盐到氧化物和氯化物)的趋势;在还原性气氛下,各元素对应产物呈现从硫化物到气态单质(含氯时为硫化物到单质和氯化物)的趋势;在相同温度下,还原性气氛更利于元素的挥发.从而根据在不同的焚烧温度下不同的产物形态进行重金属的污染控制.

广东省医疗废物焚烧厂周围土壤多环芳烃特性

以广东省某医疗垃圾焚烧厂为研究对象,通过采集分析处理厂及周边土壤和植物样品中的16种多环芳烃含量,了解焚烧厂多环芳烃分布特征、来源、污染程度.结果表明,医疗垃圾焚烧厂周边土壤受到一定程度的PAHs污染,16种多环芳烃有不同程度的检出,总PAHs含量为11.83~788.24ng/g,均值为236.681ng/g;研究区域盛行风下风向土壤中总PAHs含量明显高于盛行风上风向土壤中的含量,并且土壤中的总PAHs的浓度随着距离的增加呈现逐渐降低趋势;源解析结果表明,医疗垃圾焚烧厂焚烧和周边居民木材和煤的燃烧是土壤中PAHs的主要来源.

LFX-20型逆燃式医疗废物焚烧炉二恶英实测分析

概述我国目前医疗废物焚烧处置中的主要炉型,着重介绍LFX-20型逆燃式焚烧炉焚烧处置医疗废物的实际运行工况。在1燃室、2燃室平均温度分别为869.5℃和898.7℃条件下,对医疗废物焚烧烟气进行检测。各项常规指标均低于国标限值,二恶英检测中其质量浓度实测值为15ng/m3,相应毒性当量为0.46ngTEQ/m3,同时对医疗废物焚烧后产生烟气中二恶英和灰渣的检测结果进行了分析,焚烧后底渣体积约为焚烧前医疗废物体积的1/10,重量为原来的12%～18%,飞灰热灼减率为34.6%,并给出分析结果。