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A Closer Look at Rotary Kiln Incineration

rotary kiln incineration

The incineration of medical and hazardous waste in a rotary kiln is considered to be the Best Available Technology (BAT) for this specific type of waste. The reason being that the kiln can be operated continuously. This creates optimal steady state conditions which produce complete combustion. This means that all dioxins and furans are completely destroyed. These kilns operate at between 800 and 1400°C.

The rotating combustion chamber keeps waste moving, allowing for easier burning. Rotary kiln incinerators are made with a primary and secondary chamber. Inside the first, the waste is heated and desiccated. The secondary chamber completes combustion of the volatilized material. The primary chamber is slightly tilted, and it rotates, causing waste to move from the entry side to the ash discharge side. The rate at which the waste moves through is controlled by changing how fast the kiln rotates as well as its angle. Combustion air is pumped into the primary chamber and an auxiliary burner starts combustion. The burner also maintains the optimal combustion temperature.

The one drawback of rotary kiln incinerators is that there is more particulate matter in the flue gas due to the turbulent motion of the waste. To offset this, these incinerators normally have gas cleaning devices attached.