This interesting patented technology is apparently now available for licensing worldwide to convert medical waste into fuel. Pelleted fuel can be used in cement kilns and other large users of industrial fuels.

The proponents claim that this trade-marked “Waste Conversion Process™ (WCP) provides a stringent method that renders the origin of the product indistinguishable while removing associated hazards from the medical (clinical) waste. The WCP processes medical waste that is traditionally incinerated or autoclaved and sent to landfills, and repurposes it into a resource used to make new products applicable to a wide range of energy intensive industries including cement kilns.”

It seems surprising firstly that the operators, Sharps Compliance, Inc., claim a trademark on the term Waste Conversion Process, but hey ho! And surprising also that they assume that all of the solid treatment residues from ATT processing is sent to landfill. With a substantial proportion finding its way to cement kilns or the newer W2E plants that are springing up across the country, then need to process this floc as pellets seems rather superfluous.

The processing of sharps is interesting, but relies more on the prevailing regulatory framework and as a process is surly nothing new, except to grind the solid residues from treatment smaller than at present. It certainly adds nothing to the energy conversion process with a zero calorific value and a little bit more clinker after incineration.

How far it will penetrate the rather sedentary clinical waste processing sector is uncertain, but it looks interesting. I wonder what the overall energy balance is for this process?

http://gcisolutions.com/gcitn0113.html?goback=%2Egde_3922020_member_212298303