Small industrial waste incinerator

Types of Small Industrial Waste Incinerator

A small industrial waste incinerator burns waste in controlled air pollution and combustion environments. The types of small industrial waste incinerators include:

• Controlled Air Incinerators: A controlled air incinerator uses a controlled air combustion technique that satisfies environmental standards. It employs a secondary chamber/sub-chamber where remaining organic materials are further decomposed with the help of a prescribed amount of air. A managed quantity of air is allowed into the combustion chamber in a controlled-air incinerator, enhancing combustion and minimizing smoke release. Ordinarily, the ashy residue makes up 15 percent of the incinerated waste. Because of its efficient design, a controlled-air incinerator can minimize this leftovers volume considerably.
• Modular Incinerators: Modular small industrial waste incinerators are relatively portable. They are designed to ease assembly, disassembly, and movement. Modular incinerators can be integrated into existing waste management systems or used independently. Their flexibility makes them ideal for temporary waste treatment in remote locations with limited access to infrastructure. These units usually have self-contained energy recovery facilities that can produce energy from burnt waste. The energy can be recycled into the system or sold as an additional source of income for a company. Thanks to their rapid setup and operational capabilities, modular small industrial waste incinerators offer a practical solution to urgent waste management problems.
• Small Industrial Incinerators with Energy Recovery: Some small-scale industrial waste incinerators have methods for capturing energy during combustion. This energy recovery might take the form of heat exchangers that produce steam or electricity, which can be used for on-site activities or sold back to the grid. Small industrial waste incinerators are equipped with energy recovery technologies; thus, they not only minimize waste volumes but also convert waste to a valuable energy source. Furthermore, waste-to-energy technologies cut the need for landfills and fossil fuel use, making them significant options for sustainable waste management.

Specification & maintenance of small industrial waste incinerators

Small waste incinerator, such as the 50 kg hospital waste incinerator, has some distinct features to look out for.

• Dimension:

  Usually, the small industrial waste incinerator will be less than 2 m in height and width.

• Heat Yield:

  It is based on the size and capacity of the incinerator. For a 50 kg incinerator, the heat yield is between 30 and 50 kw.

• Fuel Source:

  Most small industrial waste incinerators use diesel or kerosene. However, some may have a dual burn option; they can burn medical waste and fuel simultaneously.

• Operating Temperature:

  Every small incinerator has a specific operating temperature. It will be between 800 and 1,200 degrees Celsius. Some metal ones can even go up to 1,500 degrees Celsius or higher.

• Charging Mechanism:

  Small waste incinerators have top loading or front loading. Top-loading means putting the waste from the top, and front-loading means putting it in from the front like a furnace.

• Emission Control:

  Small waste incinerators may have different ways to control emissions. Some of them have filters or scrubbers to stop harmful gasses and particles from going into the air.

General maintenance of small industrial incinerators:

• Daily inspections: In this, the operator looks at the entire parts of the incinerator. They check for any signs of damage, wear or loose components. They also see if there is any kind of blockage in the air ducts or flue gas paths. The burning chambers get checked for any build-up of ash or residue.
• Cleaning: Each day, after the waste gets burnt, the operator has to do cleaning. They remove the ash and residue from the burning chamber, grates and air supply ports. If there is any build-up in the air ducts or flue gas path, operators have to remove it. They have to clean the outside parts of the incinerator with water and soap.
• Lubrication: The moving parts like doors, dampers and fans get lubricated. A small waste incinerator has very few moving parts. It reduces wear and tear, increases efficiency, and produces less noise.
• Annual maintenance: It is better to call a qualified technician once a year. The person has to check the working and efficiency of the small waste incinerator. The areas they have to check include the combustion chamber, air supply system, emission control system, cooling system, and electrical and control system.

Small waste incinerators are easy to maintain. Following a planned and routine procedure helps them stay functional for many years.

Usage of small industrial waste incinerators

Industrial incinerators are used in various industries for waste disposal to provide a hygienic and environmentally friendly option for industrial waste management.

Industries such as hospitals, healthcare centers, diagnostic laboratories, blood banks, nursing homes, and veterinary centers produce biomedical waste, including infectious sharps, body parts, contaminated materials, and chemical and pharmaceutical wastes. These industries utilize small incinerators to manage their biomedical waste safely and in compliance with regulations.

Hazardous and toxic industrial wastes such as those produced by the manufacturing, automotive, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries, may include contaminated machinery or industrial chemicals. Small industrial incinerators can help control these wastes geographically and safely.

Laboratories conducting research in various fields such as biology, chemistry, or pharmaceuticals may generate laboratory waste, including contaminated materials, chemicals, or biological samples that an industrial-scale incinerator can safely eliminate.

Small-scale industrial incinerators that burn only waste oil are often used by industries that use a lot of oils, such as the automotive and motorcycle industries. These oil waste burn incinerators are specially made to burn waste engine oil, gear oil, and hydraulic oil.

Small industrial waste incinerators can be used at remote sites where other waste disposal methods are impractical, such as in off-grid locations, construction sites, mining camps, military bases, agro-based industries, or emergency response situations.

How to choose small industrial waste incinerator

Several factors should be considered when selecting an industrial incinerator for waste disposal. Key among them are the type of waste to be disposed of and how much of it will be disposed of per day.

Industrial waste comes in different forms. Some materials are made of organic matter, while others are made of metallic and plastic components. Energy content varies from one waste matter to the other. For instance, chemical or medical waste typically has a high calorific value compared to typical municipal waste. Some may also need additional treatment before being incinerated, for example, hazardous waste like heavy metals. Thus, businesses must carefully consider the waste type before selecting an incinerator that can accommodate such a waste material.

The amount of waste that an incinerator can handle per day will also affect its design and features. Businesses that typically only handle small quantities of industrial waste may be better off with an on-site waste disposal facility rather than an off-site one. Choosing a small industrial waste disposal facility located on-site would help minimize costs. Off-site facilities require more time and increased transportation costs (both time and fees).

Availability of resources to operate the facility is critical. Industrial waste incinerators typically use energy derived from electrical power, natural gas, or diesel fuel. Facilities relying heavily on electrical power may be better off selecting an incinerator that runs on electrical power rather than other forms of energy. Otherwise, they may incur high costs associated with adapting to a particular type of energy source.

Regulatory compliance is important regardless of waste type. Different communities have differing rules governing waste disposal practices. Some communities strictly refrain from incineration practices due to air pollution concerns. In such communities, choosing an incinerator would not be a priority but rather considering alternative waste disposal practices to comply with local regulations.

Businesses typically consider the operating and maintenance costs of waste disposal facilities. This includes the initial cost of installing a facility and any subsequent costs associated with maintaining it. Off-site waste disposal facilities are typically more affordable than industrial small-scale ones because the cost of service is usually spread across many businesses. On the other hand, the convenience of having the facility nearby may warrant some additional costs in terms of maintenance and installation charges.

Q&A

Q1: How big are small-scale incinerators?

A1: Typically, a small incinerator will have a size that is comparable to that of a shipping container.

Q2: Is there a threat to environmental safety from small incinerators?

A2: The air pollution brought on by incinerators is a global crisis. Waste incinerators are known to release toxic substances into the air, like dioxins and furans. Moreover, they produce a considerable amount of carbon dioxide, which is a major greenhouse gas responsible for climate change.

Q3: What kind of waste can be burned in small industrial incinerators?

A3: Small industrial incinerators are typically designed to process specific types of waste. Common wastes include pathological waste, chemicals, sharps, and pharmaceutical waste, to name a few.