Thermal decomposition of medical wastes in a fixed-bed pyrolysis reactor

The pyrolysis of medical wastes is experimentally studies in a fixed-bed pyrolysis reactor. The typical mixture consisting of carbohydrates, polyolefins, and $\rm N$, $\rm Cl$-, or $\rm S$-containing polymers is selected as the raw material. The pyrolysis of the mixture components is also studied by thermogravimetric analysis methods. They yield the kinetic parameters of the component decomposition. The measurements taken in a fixedbed reactor agree closely with the results of the kinetic calculation. Analysis of the obtained data enabled us to propose the best environmentally friendly method for the thermal processing of medical waste minimizing the environmental emission of toxic chlorinated compounds.