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New KZN manufacturing facility for environment-friendly incinerators

19th July 2013

  

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A significant investment of about R5.5-million in research and product development to establish the sophisticated manufacturing facility for incinerators and cremators in Stanger, KwaZulu-Natal has been made by Advanced Industrial Technology’s (Ai-Tec’s) manufacturing arm Macrotec.

The facility was established in Stanger, between Durban and Richards Bay, to service both these areas.

The plant has been awarded ISO 9001:2008 quality-management system certification by member of the South African Quality Institute, M-Theory Consulting.

“This internationally recognised quality-management system endorses standards and procedures that have been developed and entrenched throughout the Ai-Tec group. Quality is of paramount importance and the procedures and instructions that have been developed and entrenched in the company, ensure that the quality of our products and service meet local and global specifications and exceed customers’ expectations. Quality and safety go hand in hand and Ai-Tec takes pride that every installation conforms to a complete health and safety plan,” states Ai-Tec operational director Arnold Retief.

He adds that, although incinerators do not appear to have changed much over the years, many design developments and technical improvements have been introduced to Macrotec’s Macroburn range, while the number and sizes of available models have also been expanded.

He says increased environmental concern and a greater knowledge of the complexity of the combustion process has inspired Macrotec to constantly improve the technology and efficiency of Macroburn incinerators and cremator units.

“What sets Macrotec apart in the local market is that it conforms with stringent European Union emissions standards, as well as ISO 9001:2008 production specifications. In fact, emission tests have proved these units to be comparable with and often more advanced than incinerators manufactured abroad,” Retief states.

High-quality incinerators, with advanced combustion-control technology, have many benefits in diverse sectors.

The most widely used application is hospital incinerators that burn what used to be simply called medical waste, but is known today as health-care risk waste. This waste contains solids, pastes, liquids and gases, which are either dry or wet, each with its own calorific value.

Some of this waste is found in containers, loose or in mixtures of blood from bandages or amputations. The size, shape and density of the waste varies and the net result is unpleasant for a materials handling specialist.

In some instances of waste disposal, vast amounts of heat and fuel are required, in others, combustion is virtually spontaneous. All waste must be destroyed without polluting the atmosphere or the earth.

During combustion, the gases produced can be dangerous, with some being even more hazardous than the unburned waste. These emissions and the perceived dangers to the health of the public are contentious.

Acid gases, heavy metals and supposedly deadly poisonous compounds, such as dioxins, are discussed frequently. There is certainly enormous disagreement, says Retief, noting that dioxins are said by some to be the most deadly substances known to man.

He adds that mercury also raises concerns and is believed to cause severe damage to the atmosphere. Waste from modern hospitals rarely produces any detectable mercury in the flue gas. This is because there is always some polyvinyl chloride (PVC) present. PVC releases chlorine, which reacts violently with mercury.

“The result of this reaction is insoluble mercury chloride, a very stable salt. This material is not even soluble in weak acids that may be found in a refuse tip where the ash containing the mercury chloride is buried. It is doubtful whether a more satisfactory means of disposing of mercury could be found,” Retief says.

There are many other challenges regarding waste disposal that are currently being resolved. The health and prosperity of all South Africans will certainly benefit from this progress, he notes, highlighting that Macrotec continues its pledge to manufacture high-quality incinerators that eliminate emissions during use, using advanced combustion control technology to reduce the harmful effects it has on the environment.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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