Hazardous waste incineration burns waste at high temperatures to reduce risk and simplify disposal. The process has three components: a rotary kiln, an afterburner, and an air pollution control system. Regulations ensure proper handling and disposal. Failure to comply can result in severe fines.
Hazardous waste incineration is a method of waste disposal and control in which hazardous waste is burned at high temperatures in order to reduce the risk it presents and simplify the final waste disposal process. A hazardous waste is any waste product, such as corrosive chemicals or medical waste, that can pose a significant threat to people or the environment if proper disposal methods are not used. Incineration of this waste at high temperatures can, in many cases, destroy or otherwise neutralize the harmful components while greatly reducing the final waste volume. Those who use hazardous waste incineration systems must, however, be careful not to release pollutants into the air, as many hazardous substances release gases that could harm people or the environment.
There are three major components to an average hazardous waste incineration system. The main combustion chamber where extremely high temperatures are maintained is called a rotary kiln. Both solid and liquid waste are fed into the rotary kiln which rotates slowly to ensure that all parts of the waste are completely burned. The next part, called the afterburner, is kept at even higher temperatures and is used to break chemical bonds in various atomized gases and liquids. Ideally, these will proceed to react with the oxygen in the chamber to form harmless compounds, such as carbon dioxide and water.
The third major component of a hazardous waste incineration system is called an air pollution control system, or APCS. Any remaining solid particles or other potentially hazardous materials that remain after the waste has passed through the afterburner are reduced to levels specified by a government agency or other regulatory body. After the hazardous waste incineration process, the solid residues remain at the bottom of the rotary kiln. This is collected and analyzed to ensure it does not contain any hazardous materials. It is further treated to neutralize its potential for harmful contamination as much as possible before being placed in a hazardous waste landfill.
As with many different disposal methods, incinerating hazardous waste can be a risky and sometimes ineffective process. There are many different regulations, usually set by a government or an organization that operates the incinerator, that ensure that hazardous waste is handled properly. If, for example, it is found that the solid residue contains substances that are still substantially dangerous, the residue will have to be disposed of in a different way. Failure to comply with regulations, especially those set by a government, can result in severe fines or worse.
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