Technical evaluation of steam sterilisation coupled with gasification to improve circularity of Australian hospital waste management: A case study
Article
Article Title | Technical evaluation of steam sterilisation coupled with gasification to improve circularity of Australian hospital waste management: A case study |
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ERA Journal ID | 5889 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Harris, Peter and McCabe, Bernadette K. |
Journal Title | Resources, Conservation and Recycling |
Journal Citation | 207 |
Article Number | 107680 |
Number of Pages | 11 |
Year | 2024 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Place of Publication | Netherlands |
ISSN | 0921-3449 |
1879-0658 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107680 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092134492400274X |
Abstract | This paper reports on an alternate approach to hospital waste management by technically evaluating onsite steam sterilisation coupled with gasification to treat general and clinical waste. A literature review revealed a dearth of information on compositional breakdown of Australian hospital waste which may limit the application of more circular waste management practices. Three Australian hospital waste profiles were assessed; general and clinical wastes contributed on average 84.8 % and 6.9 % by weight respectively. Australian hospital general waste composition, reported here for the first time, was categorised into its major components with plastic and paper & cardboard representing 74.5 % and 13.4 % respectively. Technical assessment combining waste composition with theoretical values revealed that Australian hospital waste was well suited to processing through gasification and provided significant benefits. Environmental benefits included 95.9 % reduction in landfilling and associated emissions from landfill, transport and incineration, improved landfill lifespan and recycling. National hospital waste production was estimated at 230,717 tonnes per annum for 2019/2020. |
Keywords | RecyclingThermal treatmentMedical wasteWaste reductionEnergyClinical waste |
Article Publishing Charge (APC) Amount Paid | 0.0 |
Article Publishing Charge (APC) Funding | Other |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 401102. Environmentally sustainable engineering |
Byline Affiliations | Centre for Agricultural Engineering |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/z7xvz/technical-evaluation-of-steam-sterilisation-coupled-with-gasification-to-improve-circularity-of-australian-hospital-waste-management-a-case-study
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