How Medical Waste Disposal through Incineration Is More Energy Efficient Than You Realize
In waste treatment there are many methods that can be used for medical waste disposal. One such is incineration. This waste treatment technology involves combustion of waste using extremely high temperatures.
In the “old days”, incineration used to release dangerous toxins into the environment, making it unsuitable for medical waste disposal. However, with new methods of separating materials, the risk for the environment from incineration is greatly reduced.
Not only that, but incineration has become a very energy efficient treatment method as products generated by it are now used for electricity. Countries with scarcity of space like Japan, as well as some countries in Europe like Denmark today use incineration to create more electricity for their residents.
Types of Incinerators Used in Medical Waste Disposal
There are several types of incinerators in use today in waste treatment and some are used in medical waste disposal as well. These are:
- Rotary-kiln
This incineration method consists of two chambers (primary and secondary) and is mainly used by various municipal services and industries and rarely by health care facilities.
- Fixed Grate
An older and today rarely used method of incineration in developed countries. The grate was lined with brick and the ash pit was made of metal. The top was usually open to allow waste to be loaded from above. This method was used in households and perhaps some smaller medical practices before the invention of trash compactors.
- Moving Grate
Moving grate was a significant step forward when it comes to incineration. This type is similar to fixed grate, with the exception that the grate is now mobile rather than fixed. Just like in fixed grate incineration, the waste is deposited from above through an opening and into the grate, usually using a crane or similar equipment. The waste is then moved to the ash pit where it is burned.
- Fluidized Bed
Another type of incineration is called “fluidized bed incineration”. With this type the air is blown at high speed over a sand bed and passes through it until the point where the sand granules separate and the air can go between them. This creates a fluidized bed which is when the waste and the fuel for burning it can be introduced.
Next, the waste, fuel, and sand are all kept suspended and pumped through the air currents. The bed is then mixed, allowing waste, sand and fuel to circulate through the furnace.
Today, incinerators no longer generate the amount of pollution they used to. The emission of toxic gasses has been kept to a minimum thanks to new methods of controlling their emission. In addition, incineration plants are now capable of producing energy, making them very useful in countries where land is scarce. Finally, as incineration reduces the mass of waste by 95-96 percent, it also significantly lowers the need for landfills.
Contact Medical Waste Management MWM for a FREE QUOTE at https://medicalwastefl.com/contact-us/ or call 305-677-2343 for quick and professional medical waste disposal in Florida, U.S.
