Postcombustion Cleanup

Abstract

Postcombustion cleanup refers to processes occuring downstream of the combustion chamber that reduce pollutant emissions. Postcombustion cleanup for medical waste incinerators typically consists of air pollution control (APC) equipment, which removes pollutants from the exhaust stream. Increased state regulations for the incineration of medical wastes require new and existing medical waste incinerators to meet strict pollutant emission limitations. These regulations do not favor pollution prevention as a method of reducing pollutant emissions. In most cases, expensive APC equipment is required to meet these new regulations. Separation of chlorine-and metal-bearing wastes from the incinerator waste stream prior to incineration, or material substitution for these wastes, could result in environmentally acceptable pollutant emissions without the need for APC equipment in some cases. This approach would also negate the problem of having to dispose of a potentially toxic fly ash or scrubber effluent that results from removing toxic pollutants from the exhaust gas.