[Pharmwaste] FW: Pharmwaste Digest, Vol 53, Issue 19

Thu Apr 1 14:12:43 EDT 2010

On Fri, Mar 26, 2010 at 1:41 PM, Ronald Ney <randsney at gmail.com<mailto:randsney at gmail.com>> wrote:

Plasma pyrolysis should breakdown all pharmwaste to nonhazardous chemicals.
As an appointee and Subcommittee Chairman in Lake County Florida, I was asked to investigate Plasma Pyrolysis Systems by The Solid Waste Advisory Committee. I held the first plasma Subcommittee meeting on October 20, 2003. There are minutes on this meeting.

I later visited a plasma system that was operational at Waterman Hospital (no longer there) and was highly impressed. This system appeared to be far better than Startech system and what I had reviewed while Science Advisor for Solid Waste at the USEPA around 1983.

Below is a report from India.

Dr. Ron Ney

Plasma Pyrolysis

________________________________
Pyrolysis System<http://www.plasmaindia.com/#pyro_sys>| Features<http://www.plasmaindia.com/#pyro_fea> | Plasma Torch<http://www.plasmaindia.com/#pyro_tor> | Process Details<http://www.plasmaindia.com/#pyro_det> | Emission Details<http://www.plasmaindia.com/#pyro_emi> | Pyrolysis Technology<http://www.plasmaindia.com/#pyro_tec>| Energy Recovery<http://www.plasmaindia.com/#pyro_rec>
Safe Remediation of Medical, Chemical and Hazardous Waste

Pyrolysis is the thermal disintegration of carbonaceous material into fragments of compounds in an oxygen-starved environment. Plasma pyrolysis (also called plasma gasification) exploits the thermochemical properties of plasma. The particle kinetic energy in the form of heat is used for decomposing chemicals. In addition, the presence of charged and excited species renders the plasma environment highly reactive which can catalyses homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical reactions.

When the process is optimised, the most likely compounds to form from carbonaceous matter are methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and water molecules. The high temperature and high enthalpy inhibits the formation of hydrocarbons. Plasma process has option of selecting the gas medium, which helps in changing the by-products. High temperature reduces the required residence time for pyrolysis.

Plasma Pyrolysis technology has been developed by FCIPT in collaboration with TIFAC.

Pyrolysis System

Technical Description of the FCIPT System
·         The system consists of feeder, primary and secondary chambers, scrubber and induced draft fan mounted on a common movable platform of size 5’x 8’.
·         The double port feeding mechanism is easy to operate, leak proof and is charged with inert gas to prevent air venting into the hot zone. Fish mouth door has been provided with a cover of heat resistant material, which do not allow heat to enter the hopper.
·         A plasma torch is mounted on the circular end wall. The torch is aligned in such a way that waste material falls into the hot zone of the plasma arc. The torch cathode and anode are cooled by forced water flow. In addition, auxiliary cooling of anode with air has been incorporated in the plasma torch.

The pyrolysis product gas enters the secondary chamber through a burner, which is mounted vertically enabling easy flow of the product gas into the combustion chamber ensuring extended flame length. The treated secondary off gas is scrubbed in a shower and ejected into the atmosphere
Plasma Pyrolysis System

Features

Technical, operational and Commercial Data
·         Waste feed mechanism with inert gas lock to prevent puffing
·         Arrangement for the removal of solid residues.
·         Positioning of plasma torch for efficient heat transfer.
·         Shielding of plasma torch after shutdown.
·         Controlled injection of sub-stoichiometric air during pyrolysis.
·         Metal shell in the primary chamber for proper heat distribution.
·         Low impedance for pyrolysis product gas flow.

Operational advantages:
·         compactness.
·         can be fully automated.
·         can be located inside the hospital building.
·         heat recovery for hospital utilities.
·         no segregation required.
·         above 95% volume reduction

Plasma Torch

High Temperature Plasma Generation
·         The non transferred plasma torch is based on arc ignition between a thermionic tungsten cathode and a co-axial copper anode, both water-cooled Anode and cathode are immersed in an axial magnetic field.
·         Nitrogen is the plasma gas. Air or steam can be injected into the plasma to increase the enthalpy and to produce sub-stoichiometric incineration.
·         The torch is powered by a thyristor-controlled rectifier, which has controls to match the torch impedance.
·         Spectroscopy diagnostics reveal that the temperature near the cathode is around 20,000ºK and is around 1,500ºK close to the material under treatment.

The magnetised non-transferred plasma torches developed at FCIPT have been adapted for pyrolysis technology. These torches are characterised by extended hot flame. Air plasma torches are also being developed to mitigate the logistic problems associated with nitrogen usage.
Plasma Torch

Process Details

Gasification and Combustion
·         The waste introduced into the extended hot zone of the primary chamber is pyrolysed. The pyrolysis product gas contains CO and Hydrogen along with hydrocarbons and is combustible.
·         This is ignited in a burner inside the secondary chamber.
·         2 ft. flame ensures 2sec residence time flame temperature is more than 1200• C CPCB requirement of 1050+-50• C gas temperature in the secondary chamber achieved without extra fuel
·         The exhaust gas is scrubbed and released into the atmosphere is almost colorless.

Emission details

Gases

Before treatment

After treatment

CO

>20,000

40-85

NO x

450

3-35

SO2

50

1-20

HCl

83-395

2-15

Hydrocarbons

> 20,000

20-95

Pyrolysis Technology

Technology extension to chemical and toxic wastes

Technology up gradation includes IGBT based torch power systems and development of air plasma torches. A bootstrap system, which uses the combustion heat to reduce the electrical energy for pyrolysis, has been tested.

Pyrolysis technology is being adapted for safe disposal of plastic carry bags in ecologically sensitive locations around the country. These include Andamans and Nicobar Islands, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Goa under a DST sponsored project.

The FCIPT Medical Waste Remediation Technology has been transferred to Bhagwati Pyrotech Private Ltd., a division of Bhagwati Spherocast Ltd., Ahmedabad. They are installing six commercial units for the propagation of the technology in major hospitals around the country. This project is being financed by the Department of Science and technology.

Energy Recovery

Improving the economic viability of waste destruction
·         Pyrolysis converts waste into CO, methane and Hydrogen. Product gases will be processed in an atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium plasma reformer to improve the energy recovery potential of the product gas.
·         Energy recovery options explored include heat and chemical energy recovery. The feasibility of using the product gas for direct fueling of IC engines is being explored.
Gases

Contribution

N2

45.03%

H2

22.63%

CO

26.65%

CH4

1.50%

CO2

4.20%

Hydrocarbons

0.45%

With successful development of these technologies, waste destruction using plasma systems will acquire economic viability in addition to meeting statutory requirements. The FCIPT technology also finds a niche in small and medium size waste destruction market.

________________________________
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On Fri, Mar 26, 2010 at 1:19 PM, <pharmwaste-request at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste-request at lists.dep.state.fl.us>> wrote:
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Today's Topics:

  1. RE: RE: Covanta Offers Free,      Safe Destruction of Residents'
     Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10 (Sue Dayton)
  2. RE: RE: Covanta Offers Free,      Safe Destruction of     Residents'
     Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10 (Gilliam, Allen)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Sue Dayton" <sdayton at swcp.com<mailto:sdayton at swcp.com>>
To: "'Barry Fernandez'" <Barry at clean-fuels.net<mailto:Barry at clean-fuels.net>>, "'Pete Pasterz'" <PAPasterz at cabarruscounty.us<mailto:PAPasterz at cabarruscounty.us>>, <pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>>
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:24:34 -0400
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free, Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10
To be honest with you, I am not sure, Barry. I also work on spreading of sewage sludge (free fertilizer!) on farmland here in NC, and I know too well about sludge runoff to surface waters as well as effluent discharges that carry, in addition to pharmaceuticals, everything under the sun that is not regulated, tested for or removed in any way.

Sue Dayton
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
North Carolina Healthy Communities Program
PO BOX 44
Saxapahaw, NC 27340
(336) 525-2003
sdayton at swcp.com<mailto:sdayton at swcp.com>

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.   -  Martin Luther King Jr.

________________________________
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us> [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us>] On Behalf Of Barry Fernandez
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 2:18 PM
To: Sue Dayton; Pete Pasterz; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>
Cc: Bell, Derrick; Mike Ewall; Emily Foeller; wasteq1 at aol.com<mailto:wasteq1 at aol.com>; Mike Schade
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free,Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10

Error! Filename not specified.
Sue,

To answer you question with a question:  What's the alternative?

Clean Fuels of Florida, Inc.
D. Barry Fernandez, President
2635 NE 4th Avenue
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
Tel: 954-791-9588
Fax: 954-791-9366
Cell: 305-216-4941
Toll Free: 800-725-8711
barry at clean-fuels.net<mailto:barry at clean-fuels.net>
www.clean-fuels.net<http://www.clean-fuels.net/>

________________________________
From: Sue Dayton [mailto:sdayton at swcp.com<mailto:sdayton at swcp.com>]
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 1:00 PM
To: 'Pete Pasterz'; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>
Cc: 'Bell, Derrick'; 'Mike Ewall'; 'Emily Foeller'; wasteq1 at aol.com<mailto:wasteq1 at aol.com>; 'Mike Schade'
Subject: [Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free,Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10
Is this really “safe” destruction of pharms? Thoughts, anyone?

Sue Dayton
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
North Carolina Healthy Communities Program
PO BOX 44
Saxapahaw, NC 27340
(336) 525-2003
sdayton at swcp.com<mailto:sdayton at swcp.com>

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.   -  Martin Luther King Jr.

________________________________
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us> [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us>] On Behalf Of Pete Pasterz
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 11:49 AM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>
Cc: Bell, Derrick; Emily Foeller; wasteq1 at aol.com<mailto:wasteq1 at aol.com>
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Covanta Offers Free, Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - Press Release - 3/25/10

Covanta Offers Free, Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs

Program Aims to Protect Nation's Waterways from Pharmaceutical Contamination

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/covanta-offers-free-safe-destruction-of-residents-unwanted-drugs-89144047.html

FAIRFIELD, N.J., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- To reduce pharmaceutical pollutants being discharged into the nation's waterways, Covanta Energy is launching an important collaboration with municipalities.  As more and more communities establish collection centers for unwanted medications, Covanta will offer, for 2010, a free disposal and destruction service designed to keep these products out of the nation's waterways.

Covanta Energy, a world leader in the development, ownership and operation of Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facilities and other renewable energy projects, is rolling out a national program to process pharmaceuticals collected by local governments in drug take-back programs. These programs provide residents with a safe and proper way to dispose of unwanted medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter and veterinary medications and nutritional supplements. When flushed down the drain, or disposed of in landfills, such products contaminate surface waters and have an adverse effect on the environment.

"Studies have shown that pharmaceuticals are present in our nation's streams and rivers. We want to help prevent the discharge of these drugs into the waters that we drink, the waters where we fish and the waters where we swim," said John G. Waffenschmidt, Vice President, Environmental Science and Community Affairs. "Our facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art combustion controls and air pollution control equipment to ensure the destruction of these drugs in an environmentally sound manner, one that protects the water we depend upon day in and day out. Our facilities ensure that any pharmaceuticals processed in them do not end up in surface waters."

Covanta is a Sustaining Partner of the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), a non-profit group which has been spearheading national efforts to define steps for appropriately handling unwanted drugs. Covanta has worked with PSI, various regulatory agencies, and with municipalities to reduce the potential for contamination of waterways by discharged pharmaceuticals.

"Drugs that are disposed of down sinks and toilets, or simply thrown in the trash, can cause environmental harm," said Scott Cassel, Executive Director of the Product Stewardship Institute. "Take-back programs can lower the environmental and health risks associated with waste pharmaceuticals. Covanta's offer will reduce the cost of take-back programs in municipalities that choose this kind of destruction. Thermal destruction at Energy-from-Waste facilities, hazardous waste incinerators, or medical waste incinerators, provides for the ultimate destruction of these unwanted drugs."

Municipalities interested in participating in the program must obtain appropriate regulatory approvals in order to ensure that such wastes are not classified as hazardous waste from a federal, state, or local perspective. Each program would be subject to a due diligence review by Covanta Energy. Municipalities interested in participating should contact Larry DellaVecchia, Director, Covanta Secure Services at 973-882-7310.

About PSI
The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) is a national environmental institute with membership from 45 states, over 125 local governments, and more than 50 businesses, environmental groups, and organizations that establish cooperative agreements to reduce the health and environmental impacts from consumer products. PSI promotes producer responsibility in the context of shared responsibility for the lifecycle management of consumer products. For more information, visit www.productstewardship.us<http://www.productstewardship.us/>.

About Covanta
Covanta Energy is an internationally recognized owner and operator of large-scale Energy-from-Waste and renewable energy projects and a recipient of the Energy Innovator Award from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  Covanta's 45 Energy-from-Waste facilities provide communities with an environmentally sound solution to their solid waste disposal needs by using that municipal solid waste to generate clean, renewable energy. Annually, Covanta's modern Energy-from-Waste facilities safely and securely convert approximately 20 million tons of waste into more than 9 million megawatt hours of clean, renewable electricity and create more than 10 billion pounds of steam sold to a variety of industries. For more information, visit www.covantaholding.com<http://www.covantaholding.com/>.

________________________________
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Gilliam, Allen" <GILLIAM at adeq.state.ar.us<mailto:GILLIAM at adeq.state.ar.us>>
To: 'Barry Fernandez' <Barry at clean-fuels.net<mailto:Barry at clean-fuels.net>>, Sue Dayton <sdayton at swcp.com<mailto:sdayton at swcp.com>>, Pete Pasterz <PAPasterz at cabarruscounty.us<mailto:PAPasterz at cabarruscounty.us>>, "pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>" <pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>>
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:49:21 -0500
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free, Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10
While we're dreaming the new healthcare system dream, the most impossible solution would be source reduction techniques employed in the manufacturing process itself.  Eli's already turned over in his grave several times by now anyhoo...

long live pollution prevention...

allen g
-----Original Message-----
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us> [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us>] On Behalf Of Barry Fernandez
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 1:18 PM
To: Sue Dayton; Pete Pasterz; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>
Cc: Bell, Derrick; Mike Ewall; Emily Foeller; wasteq1 at aol.com<mailto:wasteq1 at aol.com>; Mike Schade
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free, Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10
Error! Filename not specified.
Sue,

To answer you question with a question:  What's the alternative?

Clean Fuels of Florida, Inc.
D. Barry Fernandez, President
2635 NE 4th Avenue
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
Tel: 954-791-9588
Fax: 954-791-9366
Cell: 305-216-4941
Toll Free: 800-725-8711
barry at clean-fuels.net<mailto:barry at clean-fuels.net>
www.clean-fuels.net<http://www.clean-fuels.net/>

________________________________
From: Sue Dayton [mailto:sdayton at swcp.com<mailto:sdayton at swcp.com>]
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 1:00 PM
To: 'Pete Pasterz'; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>
Cc: 'Bell, Derrick'; 'Mike Ewall'; 'Emily Foeller'; wasteq1 at aol.com<mailto:wasteq1 at aol.com>; 'Mike Schade'
Subject: [Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free,Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10
Is this really “safe” destruction of pharms? Thoughts, anyone?

Sue Dayton
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
North Carolina Healthy Communities Program
PO BOX 44
Saxapahaw, NC 27340
(336) 525-2003
sdayton at swcp.com<mailto:sdayton at swcp.com>

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