Incineration uses combustion and related temperatures to change the looks and characteristics of waste and eliminate the infectious organisms in waste. The STI system uses shredding technology to change the looks of the waste and steam treatment to eliminate the infectious organisms in waste.

High temperatures (1400-1800 degrees F.) associated with incineration cause some special problems. These temperatures cause the release of acid gas and particulate containing various harmful compounds. In order to capture or remove the harmful gases and particulate, modern incinerators are required to add “scrubbers” that cool the gases and collect the bi-products of incineration and the particulate in “bag houses” or in a wall of water in the case of a “wet scrubber”. The captured bi-products of incineration generally contain very high levels of heavy metals and various other carcinogenic materials that must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Scrubbers also require the use of CEMS (continuous emissions monitoring systems) to monitor the proper operation of the incinerator and scrubber. The costs associated with all of these controls and scrubbing devices is tremendous. The STI Series 2000 operates in the temperature range of boiling water. In most cases, these much lower temperatures achieve the same pathogen killing results as the incinerator, but does not release particulate or acid gases into the air.

 

The operating costs of the two systems are also quite different. The incinerator typically operates for costs ranging between $0.145 and $0.20 per pound if operated in the most efficient setting of a 24 hour per day operation at full capacity. The STI system when operated in the same manner, has operating costs of $0.005 to $0.020 per pound when operated at peak efficiencies.

 

Incinerators require highly trained individuals to operate. Their control systems are elaborate and difficult to understand. In almost every case, an engineer must be specially trained to operate an incinerator and be trained in reading opacity of the output of the incinerator. The STI system uses very simple controls that any person can be trained to use without difficulty due to its one button operation.

 

Incinerators are dangerous with their high temperatures. The risk of a fire in the same building as an incinerator is great. The STI Series 2000 is a non-burn technology and does not have this potential.

 

If users need to work on an incinerator, they must wait 1-2 days for the unit to cool down enough for the repairs to be made. During this time, what are you supposed to do with your waste? With a STI system, you simply turn off a switch and perform the maintenance. 

 

Incinerators melt glass. When this happens, the glass turns into slag. The slag covers the “under-fire air” which helps the waste to burn. These air passages must be re-opened by using jackhammers, chisels and people. This is dangerous work. Flying glass when broken away from the under-fire air passageways can take the sight away from the people doing the work. Also, the glass adheres to the refractory lining of the incinerator. When the glass is chipped away, the refractory lining breaks off and must be replaced because the refractory lining protects the steel skin on the incinerator. That same once molten glass will sieze the ram feeder and the ash hoe in the incinerator. I know this because I have personally worked to free up these items from the slag. The STI system simply loves glass!

 

Incinerators must be kept operating around the clock every day or the user must buy fuel like natural gas or oil to keep them hot. Natural Gas and oil are very expensive. The STI system is always ready, but can be turned on or off as needed. There is no need to buy fuel for the STI unit if it is not needed to process waste. When you stop loading the STI system, you turn off your expenses…period.

 

The world is walking away from incineration. It is just too difficult, expensive, and potentially physically and environmentally dangerous to use. This is why in the United States and in Europe, the STI Series 2000 systems are doing so well. The general public is anti-incineration. Regulators are anti-incineration because of public perception. Clean air regulations have made it very hard to comply with State and Federal limits on releases of particulate and acid gas.

 

For additional information visit the following website regarding the incineration issue of Regulated Waste at www.noharm.org