Currently, medical waste management remains a challenging issue, with many difficulties and inadequacies that require attention. Waste generated from medical examinations, testing, surgeries, research, and other healthcare activities contains hazardous elements that can severely impact human health and the environment if not properly collected, sorted, and treated.
Based on extensive research and the adoption of advanced scientific and technological innovations worldwide, the Institute of Energy and Environmental Science and Technology has successfully developed and implemented the VHI-18B hazardous solid waste incinerator for use in various fields, with a primary focus on the medical sector.
Technology description
The VHI-18B medical solid waste treatment system is designed on the basis of applying the multi-zone combustion principle currently used in advanced countries around the world. This system is designed with two combustion chambers; Primary and secondary, the Xyclon complex treats exhaust gases using the wet absorption method.
Technology diagram of VHI-18B medical solid waste treatment system
Medical solid waste is put into the primary combustion chamber for burning and maintained at a temperature of 500°C-800°C. Air is continuously supplied for the waste incineration process. Smoke from the primary combustion chamber (incomplete combustion products, containing a lot of dust and toxic substances) is mixed with air according to the vortex principle and sent into the secondary combustion chamber.
In the secondary combustion chamber, incomplete combustion products (containing both dioxins and furans) continue to be decomposed and burned at high temperatures (900°C – 1200°C) with a sufficiently large retention time (2 seconds). Smoke from the secondary combustion chamber is guided through the heat reduction system and treated by absorption with alkaline solution, ensuring emissions meet QCVN 02:2012/BTNMT standards for medical solid waste incinerators.
Advantages of the VHI-18B Medical Solid Waste Incinerator
The VHI-18B incinerator features a multi-zone combustion system, ensuring high-temperature operation, strong turbulence, and extended combustion retention time. This results in high waste combustion efficiency and effective destruction of dioxins and furans. The incinerator chamber is constructed with high-quality Chamotte A bricks, insulated with high-temperature-resistant mineral wool, and enclosed with SUS 304 stainless steel. As a result, even when operating at high temperatures, the outer surface remains cool. The system maintains negative pressure within the chamber, allowing for the addition of new waste batches while the incinerator is in operation.
The incinerator’s flue gas treatment system integrates heat exchange technology to thoroughly eliminate dust, heavy metals, and harmful gases (NO, SO, HCl, HF, etc.). It also rapidly cools the exhaust gases to below 200°C to prevent dioxin regeneration while preheating the combustion air, reducing fuel consumption. The treated exhaust is colorless, odorless, and environmentally friendly, meeting the national technical standard QCVN 02:2012/BTNMT for medical waste incinerator emissions (certified by regulatory agencies). The remaining inert ash is minimal and can be safely disposed of as regular solid waste.
The system features an automated control mode for combustion cycles, temperature regulation, and auxiliary equipment, making operation simple and safe. Different incinerator capacities are available to match the waste output of various healthcare facilities.
With its efficient operation, the VHI-18B incinerator consumes less fuel, resulting in lower waste treatment costs. Compared to imported equipment, its price is significantly lower—only one-third to half the cost of foreign alternatives. The product comes with a 12-month free warranty after installation and offers long-term maintenance services as needed.
The VHI-18B incinerator has been evaluated by the Inter-Ministerial Council (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Health) to meet QCVN 02:2012/BTNMT standards for medical solid waste incinerators and has been granted 2 patents No. 4271 dated April 27, 2004 and 21503 dated July 9, 2019 from the Department of Intellectual Property – Ministry of Science and Technology and label registration certificate. Goods number 57634 in 2004
Deployment and Applications
The VHI-18B hazardous solid waste incinerator is widely applied across various sectors. It is particularly suitable for the treatment of medical solid waste, veterinary research and treatment center waste, and hazardous industrial waste from factories and industrial zones, such as paint sludge, printing ink, rubber, and leather waste.
Currently, the VHI-18B incinerator has been successfully transferred and installed in more than 50 facilities, including hospitals across Vietnam and internationally. Some notable installations include hospitals in provinces such as Bắc Kạn, Thái Nguyên, Bắc Ninh, Hưng Yên, Phú Thọ, Sơn La, Hòa Bình, Ninh Bình, Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Kon Tum, Ninh Thuận, and Đồng Tháp. It has also been implemented in industrial waste treatment at the National Currency Printing Plant, poultry incineration at Japfa Comfeed Vietnam Joint Stock Company, and medical waste incineration at the Friendship Hospital in Luang Prabang and the waste treatment site in Vientiane, Laos.
The Institute of Energy and Environmental Science and Technology has fully mastered the technology of medical solid waste incineration, achieving a high level of localization and significantly lower costs compared to imported equipment. The production and installation process takes only one month upon order placement.
With its notable achievements, the VHI-18B solid waste incinerator, developed by the Institute of Energy and Environmental Science and Technology under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, was awarded the Gold Cup at the Vietnam Environmental Exhibition in 2006. In 2019, the project received the Trần Đại Nghĩa Award, a prestigious prize from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology recognizing outstanding contributions in natural sciences and technology.
Some images of the VHI-18B Solid Waste Incinerator:
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam awarded the Tran Dai Nghia Award to the author group of the VHI-18B medical solid waste incinerator
VHI-18B medical solid waste incinerator installed at Luang Prabang Friendship Hospital and Yen Chau General Hospital, Son La
VHI-18B medical solid waste incinerator installed at Vientiane landfill site (Laos) and at Thai Nguyen, Nghe An
Installation of “VHI-18B medical solid waste incinerator” by the end of 2024
Source: Professor. Trinh Van Tuyen, Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment
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