254
J. R. S. Selvan Christyraj et al.
to some extent. In this method the pits were lined or covered with impermeable
materials like plastic and special clays to avoid liquid spillage. Researchers reported
that the plastic liner was cracked due to the reaction with different solvents generated
from wastes. This method is costlier than the other two methods and the rate of decay
of waste is also comparatively better. This was due to the fact that there is existence
of less oxygen when the garbage is compressed very tightly. Another drawback is
the generation of methane gas, which happens when there is little amount of oxygen
during decomposition process. In some countries, the methane gas liberated from
the sanitary landfills was stored and retailed as fuel.
10.5.2 Incineration Method—Pros and Cons
Incineration, a treatment method which includes the burning/ignition of organic
substances found in waste at higher temperatures. Particularly, this incineration
process was employed in various regional zones to treat infectious waste from
pharmaceutical, chemical industries, hospitals and research institutes. Incineration
process transforms waste into flue gas, ashes and heat, which can be utilized as energy
for other processes, for example the generation of electricity [34]. Incineration plants
can lessen the quantity of waste in landfills as it produces lower mass of waste from 95
to 96%. Incineration process has plentiful profits, in terms of destruction of contaminant biomedical wastes. The energy production through this incineration plants is in
greater demand in Japan, Germany and Sweden as it requires a small area of land. The
beneficial advantages and disadvantages of this incineration process in the treatment
of biomedical and hazardous wastes will be discussed in the following section.
Pros of Incineration Method as a BMWM Systems
Efficient Waste Management
The key advantage of incineration was decrease in the quantity of waste generation
after the combustion process. Almost 90–95% of the solid waste was reduced during
organic decomposition process. Therefore this method is found to be in demand rather
than dumping of bio-wastes into the landfills. Further, this incineration system occupies a relatively smaller space which is convenient for construction and managing
waste. This method is more suited for Nations with shortage of lands like Japan. In
addition, these plants can be constructed in the permissible areas of nearby cities or
districts which are easily accessible there by ignoring transportation difficulties.
Production of thermal and power Energy
Incineration plants produce energy from waste and that energy can be utilized to
generate electricity or heat. In 1950s, due to the higher energy costs, lot of countries
(European) have utilized this thermal or power energy generated from the incinerators
for the production of electricity by steam turbines. It can be utilized to fulfil the power
J. R. S. Selvan Christyraj et al.
to some extent. In this method the pits were lined or covered with impermeable
materials like plastic and special clays to avoid liquid spillage. Researchers reported
that the plastic liner was cracked due to the reaction with different solvents generated
from wastes. This method is costlier than the other two methods and the rate of decay
of waste is also comparatively better. This was due to the fact that there is existence
of less oxygen when the garbage is compressed very tightly. Another drawback is
the generation of methane gas, which happens when there is little amount of oxygen
during decomposition process. In some countries, the methane gas liberated from
the sanitary landfills was stored and retailed as fuel.
10.5.2 Incineration Method—Pros and Cons
Incineration, a treatment method which includes the burning/ignition of organic
substances found in waste at higher temperatures. Particularly, this incineration
process was employed in various regional zones to treat infectious waste from
pharmaceutical, chemical industries, hospitals and research institutes. Incineration
process transforms waste into flue gas, ashes and heat, which can be utilized as energy
for other processes, for example the generation of electricity [34]. Incineration plants
can lessen the quantity of waste in landfills as it produces lower mass of waste from 95
to 96%. Incineration process has plentiful profits, in terms of destruction of contaminant biomedical wastes. The energy production through this incineration plants is in
greater demand in Japan, Germany and Sweden as it requires a small area of land. The
beneficial advantages and disadvantages of this incineration process in the treatment
of biomedical and hazardous wastes will be discussed in the following section.
Pros of Incineration Method as a BMWM Systems
Efficient Waste Management
The key advantage of incineration was decrease in the quantity of waste generation
after the combustion process. Almost 90–95% of the solid waste was reduced during
organic decomposition process. Therefore this method is found to be in demand rather
than dumping of bio-wastes into the landfills. Further, this incineration system occupies a relatively smaller space which is convenient for construction and managing
waste. This method is more suited for Nations with shortage of lands like Japan. In
addition, these plants can be constructed in the permissible areas of nearby cities or
districts which are easily accessible there by ignoring transportation difficulties.
Production of thermal and power Energy
Incineration plants produce energy from waste and that energy can be utilized to
generate electricity or heat. In 1950s, due to the higher energy costs, lot of countries
(European) have utilized this thermal or power energy generated from the incinerators
for the production of electricity by steam turbines. It can be utilized to fulfil the power