| Environmental Quality Branch CODES,
CRITERIA
AND
MORE
Emission
Criteria for Biomedical Waste Incinerators
Last
Updated: June 1991
Foreword
The Emission Criteria for Biomedical
Waste Incinerators were developed in consultation
with British Columbia stakeholders.The Executive
Committee of the Ministry of Environment approved
the release of these criteria
on June 17, 1991.
1. Definitions
"
Acid Gases" mean
those gaseous contaminants, as listed in Appendix
A, which contribute
towards the formation of acidic substances in the
atmosphere.
"Biomedical
Waste" means
a substance that is defined as biomedical waste
in the current edition of the Environmental
Management Act.
"Chlorobenzenes (CBs)" mean
those chlorinated benzene compounds listed in Appendix
A.
"Chlorophenols (CPs)" mean
those chlorinated phenolic compounds listed in
Appendix A.
"Incinerator" means
any device designed specifically for controlled
combustion of
wastes, alone or in conjunction with any auxiliary
fossil fuel, for the primary purpose of reduction
of the volume of the waste charged by destroying
the combustible portion therein and/or to recover
the available energy from the waste.
Note: Only those incinerators which
are designed to burn wastes in a controlled manner,
whether in a single chamber or a multiple-chamber
unit, and are capable of meeting the requirements
of these Emission Criteria, with or without any emission
control devices are to be considered.
"Polycyclicaromatic Hydrocarbons
(PAHs)" mean those polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbon
compounds listed in Appendix A.
"Polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins
(PCDDS) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs)" mean
those PCDD and PCDF compounds listed in Appendix
A.
"Regional
Manager" means
the "manager" as well as the "district
director" as interpreted in the current edition
of the Environmental Management Act.
"Standard cubic metre (m3) of
gas" means the volume of dry gas in cubic metres
measured at a pressure of 101.3 kPa and a temperature
of 20°C (293.15 K) .
"Toxicity Equivalency Factors
(TEFs)" means those factors for Congeners
of Concern in a Homologous Group for PCDDs and
PCDFS.
2. Applicability
2.1 New or Modified Incinerators
These Emission Criteria are effective
from the date of issuance and apply to all new incinerators
designed and installed for burning biomedical waste
or a mixture of biomedical waste and any general
refuse originating from any hospital or any other
sources of biomedical waste, with the exception of
any human and animal remains burned in crematoria
and any other Special Waste besides biomedical waste.
2.2 Existing Incinerators
Within five years or less after issuance
of these Emission Criteria, the Municipal Solid Waste
and Biomedical Waste Management Branch will identify
and implement measures for:
-
phasing out of all older, uncontrolled
single chamber incinerators used to burn biomedical
waste; and
-
modifications of all multiple-chamber,
modular and mass burn incinerators used to burn
biomedical waste which are not able to comply with
these Emission Criteria.
2.3 Ambient Air Quality Impact Analysis and Site
Specific Emission Limits
Notwithstanding the provisions of these Emission
Criteria, no person shall operate a facility to cause
emission of contaminants from an incinerator in quantities
which may result in adverse impacts on the air quality
in the vicinity of the site.
2.3.1 Ambient Air Quality Impact Analysis
An ambient air quality impact analysis
shall be one of the major criteria for the selection
of a site for an incineration facility. In general,
the impacts of emissions from a proposed facility
on the ambient air quality shall be determined for
the contaminants listed in Table 1. However, depending
on the location of the proposed facility, the Regional
Manager may require an air quality impact analysis
only for certain contaminants selected from Table
1.
The ground level concentrations of
the above contaminants shall be estimated for the
worst case scenario by a dispersion model approved
by the Regional Manager. The impact analysis must
show that predicted ground level concentrations do
not exceed the ambient air quality criteria of the
contaminants as stipulated by the Regional Manager.
2.3.2 Site Specific Emission Limits
Depending on the ambient air quality
impact analysis results, the Regional Manager may
require additional emission control measures for
any facility to meet more stringent emission limits
than those prescribed herein.
3. Emission Limits
The emission of various contaminants
into the atmosphere from an incinerator shall not
exceed the corresponding limits listed in Table 1.
4. Incinerator
and Emission Control System Design and Operation
Requirements
To minimize emission of contaminants
from an incinerator, the required design and operation
parameters for the equipment as outlined below and
summarized in Table 2, shall be followed.
These requirements are based on currently
available information and may be revised at a future
date, if deemed necessary. Any alternative system
of different design, which is operated outside the
required parameters, will be acceptable as long as
it can be demonstrated that such a system can meet
all other requirements of the Emission Criteria.
These requirements do not preclude development of
any new technology.
Minimum Incineration Temperature
and Residence Time
The incinerator shall be
designed, equipped and operated in such a manner
that a minimum
temperature of 1000°C is maintained in the final
combustion zone, at the fully mixed height after
the final introduction of combustion air.
The incinerator
design must provide for a minimum residence time
of 1 second for the
combustion gases at 1000°C at the said location
during normal operation.
The residence time is to be calculated
from the point where most of the combustion has been
completed and the incineration temperature fully
developed.
In multi-chamber incinerators the residence
time is calculated from the secondary burner(s) flame
front or final secondary air injection point(s).
In an incinerator where the furnace
is one continuous space, such as in spreader stoker
and single chamber mass burning equipment, the location
of the complete combustion and fully developed temperature
shall be determined by an overall design review.
It is recommended
that new incinerators be designed conservatively
to provide the combustion
gases a capability, to attain at least 1.2 seconds
of residence time at a temperature of 1000°C
at the above location.
Primary Air
The incinerator shall be designed to
ensure that an adequate quantity of primary combustion
air is distributed properly inside the initial combustion
zone to promote good contact between the waste and
the air. The design features shall also include the
capability to control and adjust both the air flow
rate and its distribution to minimize quenching of
the combustion reaction and entrainment of particles,
as well as to compensate for irregular waste loading
on the grate.
Secondary Air
The incinerator shall be designed for
adequate air supply through properly located injection
ports to provide sufficient turbulence and mixing
of the reactants in the final combustion zone. The
location and design of the air injection ports shall
ensure good penetration and coverage of furnace cross-section
under all flow conditions.
Auxiliary Burner(s)
The
incinerator shall be equipped with auxiliary burner(s)
of adequate heat capacity to
be used during start-up, shutdown, upset conditions,
when burning marginally combustible waste, and at
any other time as necessary to maintain the minimum
incineration temperature. The auxiliary burner(s)
shall be designed such that the minimum combustion
zone temperature of 1000°C can be maintained
for at least 15 minutes without any waste feeding
to the unit. The firing of the auxiliary burner(s)
and the supply of combustion air shall be modulated
automatically to maintain the required minimum combustion
zone temperature.
Oxygen Level in Flue Gas
To maintain adequate availability of
combustion air in the incinerator, the combustion
air supply system shall be designed to maintain the
oxygen content in the flue gas leaving the unit within
the prescribed range.
Turndown Restrictions
The incinerator shall be designed to
meet the minimum requirements of temperature, residence
time, combustion air supply, and oxygen level in
the flue gas over the recommended range of the waste
feed load.
Maximum Carbon Monoxide Level
in Flue Gas
The recommended maximum CO concentration
of 55 mg/m3 corrected to 11% 02 (4-h rolling average)
in the incinerator flue gas shall be used as the
operating target. Any excursion of CO concentration
to twice the above specified level shall require
adjustment of operating parameters until the normal
combustion conditions are restored.
Combustion Efficiency
A combustion efficiency of at least
99.9% as specified in the current edition of the
Special Waste Regulation of the Environmental
Management Act, must be maintained during normal operation of
the incinerator. The combustion efficiency (CE) is
to be calculated as follows:
CE = 100 x (CO2 ) / [(CO2) + (CO)]
(CO2) = concentration of carbon dioxide
in the exhaust emissions; and
(CO) = concentration of carbon monoxide
in the exhaust emissions.
The above CE must be maintained on
a 8-hour rolling average basis.
Emission Control Systems
The
temperature of the flue gas at the outlet of the
emission control equipment used
for simultaneous removal of acid gases and particulates,
or at the inlet of a separate particulates control
device, shall not exceed 140°C.
This limit
of 140°C temperature
requirement does not preclude the use of alternate
emission control systems, which may necessitate a
higher flue gas discharge temperature, provided it
can be demonstrated that the stipulated emission
limits in Table 1 can be achieved. To ensure that
the particulates control device is operating efficiently,
the opacity of the flue gas leaving the stack shall
be maintained below 5% during normal operation of
incinerators.
4.1 Requirements for Waste Charging
System
The incinerator shall be equipped with
an automatic waste loading device and an interlock
system shall be provided to prevent unnecessary opening
or charging of the incinerator. The loading system
must be designed to prevent any overcharging of the
incinerator.
The systems for waste feed, combustion
control, and continuous monitoring of combustion
parameters must be modulated in such a manner that
proper incinerator operating conditions are maintained
automatically. In addition, the following requirements
are essential:
4.1.1 No waste shall be charged
to the incinerator until the required minimum temperature
in the final combustion zone is achieved and maintained
for at least 15 minutes by using the auxiliary burner(s).
4.1.2 In the event of any unscheduled
or scheduled shutdowns:
-
the waste feed to the incinerator
shall be automatically discontinued; and
- the minimum required temperature in the final
combustion zone shall be maintained by using auxiliary
burner(s): (a) until the carbon monoxide concentration
in the stack gas can be maintained below the required
level, and a complete burnout of the remaining waste
in the incinerator has taken place and the burndown
cycle is complete; and (b) for a minimum of 15 minutes
from the beginning of an unscheduled shutdown and
when an emergency discharge of the flue gas directly
to the atmosphere becomes necessary.
5.
Monitoring Requirements
To ensure that the emissions of contaminants
from an incinerator are within the stipulated limits,
the following monitoring requirements are considered
to be essential. Any additional monitoring may be
required by the Regional Manager on a site specific
basis.
5.1 Continuous Monitoring
5.1.1 Monitoring Instruments Specifications,
Locations and Maintenance
The performance specifications of the
above continuous monitors for both operating and
emission parameters shall be subject to approval
by the Regional Manager. The locations of the monitors
and the procedures for calibration, operation and
maintenance of these instruments must be approved
by the Regional Manager. A monthly availability factor
of at least 95% for each continuous monitor, with
the exception of the hydrogen chloride monitor, is
considered essential for data evaluation. For the
hydrogen chloride monitor, a monthly availability
factor of at least 90% is considered essential.
The Regional Manager must be notified
of any continuous monitor failure for a period which
may result in non-attainment of the recommended availability
factor.
5.1.2 Continuous Monitoring Parameters
The following operating and emission
parameters shall be monitored continuously:
-
Combustion Temperature;
-
Oxygen;
-
Carbon Monoxide;
- Carbon Dioxide;
- Emission Control Device Inlet or Outlet Temperature;
- Opacity; and
- Hydrogen Chloride.
5.1.2.1 Combustion Temperature
The temperature at the fully mixed
height in the final combustion zone of the incinerator
shall be measured and recorded continuously. Temperature
sensors shall be located such that flames from
the auxiliary burners do not impinge on the sensors.
With respect to the continuous measurement
and recording of the combustion temperature, a
suitable and approved alternate location downstream
of the final combustion zone may be acceptable,
provided:
-
it is demonstrated that the temperature
in the final combustion zone cannot be measured
continuously without damaging the temperature sensors;
and
- a correlation between
the final combustion
zone temperature and
that at the approved
location downstream is
established to the satisfaction
of the Regional Manager.
5.1.2.2 Oxygen, Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide
Oxygen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide concentrations
in the incinerator flue gas shall be measured at
the same location downstream of the incinerator,
but upstream of the emission control devices and
where no dilution of the flue gas will occur.
It is recommended that the incinerator
be equipped with automatic control and suitable alarm
systems, preferably both visual and audible, in conjunction
with the monitors for temperature, oxygen and carbon
monoxide. The alarms should be set to ensure that
whenever the minimum incineration temperature and/or
oxygen level drops below, or the carbon monoxide
level exceeds, that recommended in Table 2, auxiliary
burner(s) should be turned on and/or the waste feed
be discontinued automatically, until the normal operating
conditions are reestablished.
5.1.2.3 Emission Control Device
Inlet or Outlet Temperature
The location of the sensor for continuous
measurement of temperature at the outlet or inlet
of the emission control device, depending on the
particular emission control system in use, should
be approved by the Regional Manager.
5.1.2.4 Opacity
The opacity monitor should be equipped
with suitable alarms set at an opacity level approved
by the Regional Manager.
An alarm for excessive opacity level
should be investigated for poor combustion of waste
and/or malfunction of the particulate control device,
and appropriate measures should be taken to rectify
the situation.
5.1.2.5 Hydrogen Chloride
The continuous monitor for hydrogen
chloride emission should be equipped with suitable
alarms set at a predetermined hydrogen chloride concentration
level approved by the Regional Manager. This monitor
should be linked with the emission control system
for acid gases, and the system should be adjusted
automatically to reduce the emission, when the preset
hydrogen chloride level is exceeded.
If the incinerator emission is to comply
with the 90% removal of hydrogen chloride emission
requirement, the concentration of hydrogen chloride
in the flue gas shall be measured at the inlet and
outlet of the emission control device for acid gases.
The sampling locations for the continuous monitor(s)
must be approved by the Regional Manager. If the
two sampling locations are to be monitored with a
single analyzer, the sampling must be performed alternately
at each location at a regular interval acceptable
to the Regional Manager.
5.2
Source Testing
Within 90 days of the
start of full normal operation of the incinerator,
source testing shall be conducted for: oxygen,
carbon dioxide and the contaminants listed in
Table 1. The Regional Manager may require source
testing of additional contaminants on a site
specific basis.
The Regional Manager must be notified
in writing well in advance of the actual testing.
All source testing procedures shall be approved by
the Regional Manager. Any subsequent source testing
requirements will be determined by the Regional Manager
based on his review of the initial source test results,
continuous monitoring data and/or any other information
related to the incinerator operation.
5.3 Other Monitoring
The following additional monitoring
requirements are listed in general terms, irrespective
of the type of incinerator facility. The Regional
Manager shall determine the applicable items on a
case by case basis.
5.3.1 General
The incineration facility shall be
inspected daily by trained personnel to investigate
the status of various components, so that malfunctioning
of any components is identified and corrective actions
are taken immediately. Such inspection should include,
but not be limited to: waste and other materials
delivery and storage area for spills, equipment leaks,
corrosion, hot spots, gauges, monitors and recorders,
etc. Records of daily inspection shall include the
following items and any others which are considered
to be necessary:
-
inspection time and date;
-
descriptions of the items inspected;
- observations made for each item inspected;
- any test, maintenance repair or any other corrective
measures taken during or after the inspection;
and
- inspector's name, position and signature.
5.3.2 Hours of Operation, Waste,
Ash and Residue Handling
Records of operation of the incinerator
and its ancillary facilities in hours per day shall
be maintained. Daily records shall be maintained,
in terms of weight, of quantities of:
-
waste shipments delivered and
their sources of origin;
- waste feed rate to the incinerator on an hourly
basis or per batch, if the operation is in batch
mode, and the number of batches per day; and
- daily rates of bottom ash, fly ash and/or residue
generation and treatment, if any, and disposal.
5.3.3 Auxiliary Burner Operation
Records
shall be maintained of operation of auxiliary burner(s)
and the rate of auxiliary fuel
used in each burner on an hourly basis for a continuous
operation or on an "as used" basis, with
the duration of each period, when operated intermittently.
If the auxiliary fuel used is oil, then its source,
type and sulphur content shall also be recorded for
each batch of oil supplied. In no event shall the sulphur
content in the auxiliary fuel exceed the limit stipulated
in the current edition of the Sulphur Content of Fuel
Regulation of the Environmental Management Act.
5.3.4 Emission Control Device
Records shall be maintained for emission
control devices for removal of acid gases and/or particulates
as follows:
- hourly average temperature at the inlet or outlet
of the device, as the case may be, in degrees
C;
- frequency and duration of any period when the
device is not fully operational, and appropriate
description
of each period of malfunction of any device,
as well as of the rectifying measure taken in each
case;
- hourly average pressure drop in kPa across the
wet scrubber and/or fabric filter;
- reagent chemicals used in kg/h by chemical; and
- the volume of water used, if any in m3/h. The
following additional records on an hourly basis
shall be maintained for any separate particulates
emission
control device:
For fabric filter:
- average pressure drop in kPa across each module;
and
- number of compartments in use.
For electrostatic precipitator:
- number of fields in use;
- applied voltage per field;
- current flow per field in amperes; and
- sparking rate per field.
5.4 Emission Control Device By-Pass
Conditions
Records of relevant operating conditions
during any discharge of flue gases by-passing the emission
control device and the duration of such discharge shall
be maintained.
6. Reports
6.1 Monthly Reports
For records of monitoring of items under
Sections 5.1, 5.3 and 5.4 above, monthly reports shall
be submitted to the Regional Manager within 20 calendar
days following the end of each month.
The report for item Section 5.1 shall
include the following:
- data from each continuous monitor shall be tabulated
in the specified averaging period for each parameter
with both the minimum and maximum values recorded
for each parameter during the corresponding averaging
period. The monthly average, minimum and maximum
values for each parameter shall also be reported.
Prior to discarding this data the Regional Manager
shall be contacted regarding archiving;
- performance specifications and calibration data
for each monitor;
- percentage of availability of each monitor;
- percentage of data capture for each monitor for
the contaminants, oxygen and carbon dioxide;
- the number of exceedances above the specified limit
for each gaseous parameter and opacity, and the number
of occasions when such exceedances lasted more than
1 hour, or the stipulated rolling averaging period
for any particular parameter, with appropriate comments
about remedial measures taken in each case;
- the number of occasions
when the combustion temperature dropped below 1000°C, and for each occasion
indicate the recorded minimum temperature reached,
the duration of operation at sub-1000°C temperature,
and the corrective measures taken; and
- the number of occasions
when the flue gas temperature at the inlet or outlet
of the emission control device
exceeded 140°C, and for each occasion indicate
the recorded maximum temperature reached, the duration
of operation above 140°C temperature, and the
corrective measures taken.
The records of monitoring of items under
Sections 5.3.1 to 5.3.4 and Section 5.4 inclusive shall
be summarized for the whole month in appropriate formats
and submitted to the Regional Manager.
6.2 Source Testing Report
A complete report for the Source Testing
(Section 5.2) results, with the exception of trace
organics, shall be submitted to the Regional Manager
within 60 days of the completion of the actual testing.
The results for trace organics shall be submitted to
the Regional Manager within 90 days of the completion
of actual testing.
6.3 Annual Performance Report
An annual report reviewing the performance
of the incinerator shall be submitted to the Regional
Manager within 90 days following the end of a calendar
year. The report shall contain evaluation of at least
the following aspects:
- the quantities of waste shipments received from
different sources and waste processed at the site;
- an overview of the plant performance describing
the incinerator availability and the duration and
causes of any non-availability; the status of operation
and maintenance of various equipment and their adequacies;
plant output, if any energy recovery is practiced;
the quantities of bottom ash, fly ash and/or residue
generated and their disposal methods; general housekeeping
practices; incidence of any emergencies and the response
measures implemented; incidence of emission control
system by-passing; and
- operation, performance and maintenance of emission
control devices and continuous monitoring systems.
7. Start-up, Shutdown
and Upset Condition Periods, and Spill Management
The owner or operator of an incineration
facility shall prepare a detailed operating plan and
procedures for the incinerator start-up, shutdown and
upset condition periods, and submit it to the Regional
Manager for approval prior to the issuance of a Permit.
Such plan and procedures must be developed following
the recommendations outlined in Appendix B and consultation
with the equipment manufacturers, as necessary, so
that the essential safety procedures for operation
of any equipment are not overlooked or compromised.
Spill protection and/or reporting for
the site shall be handled in accordance with the current
edition of the Special Waste Regulation and/or Spill
Reporting Regulation of the Environmental Management
Act.
8.
General Requirements for the Facility
8.1 The waste unloading and storage area
shall be enclosed and be designed and maintained on
negative draft such that the air from this area is
used as combustion air for the incinerator. The requirements
for storage and refrigeration of the waste at the site
shall be in accordance with the Code of Practice for
the Management of Biomedical Waste in Canada as and
when approved by the Canadian Council of Ministers
of the Environment.
8.2 The waste storage area shall be of
sufficient capacity to store the delivered waste in
the event of a shutdown of the incinerator due to malfunctions
of equipment, labour dispute or any other interruption
of operation.
8.3 The vehicular traffic areas at the
facility shall be paved to minimize fugitive dust emissions.
8.4 Daily clean up at the facility must
be practiced so that any spilled waste or any other
material is collected on a regular basis.
8.5 A standby electrical power generator
of sufficient capacity must be available at the site
to supply necessary power to maintain full operation
of the facility in the event of a failure of the general
electric power supply system. The standby electric
power supply must be provided until the general electric
power supply is restored or the incinerator is shut
down in a manner prescribed in Section 7 and Appendix
B.
9. Requirement for
Training of Incinerator Operator
All incineration facilities subject to
these Emission Criteria must be operated by properly
qualified personnel. Copies of certificates of the
operating staff verifying the satisfactory completion
of a training program shall be submitted to the Regional
Manager.
All incinerator operators shall be trained
by a recognized technical organization or an institution
with capabilities to provide necessary training in
the operating practices and procedures of all equipment.
The content of the training program shall be submitted
to the Regional Manager for approval. The training
program shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
- the characteristics of biomedical waste and the
procedures for its handling;
- the basic principles of waste incineration and
emission of contaminants there from;
- knowledge of the Waste Management Permit requirements;
- the basic features and location of the incinerator,
emission control system, and other equipment at the
facility;
- proper operation, functioning and maintenance of
all mechanical, emission control and monitoring equipment;
- detection of excessive emissions and procedures
to be followed during such occasions; and
- response procedures and measures to be taken during
emergency situations.
This requirement does not eliminate the need for any
staff involved with the facility from obtaining any
other licenses or certificates necessary to carry out
other duties as may be required by any other agencies.
10. Wastewater Management
Any wastewater generated at the site
from the waste handling, storage and incineration area,
any emission control system, ash and/or residue quench
and conveyance systems, sanitary effluent, and from
any other sources shall be treated and disposed of
in a manner approved by the Regional Manager.
11. Ash and Residue
Management
To minimize fugitive emissions of ash
and residue particles, adequate precautions shall be
taken at the time of handling, conveyance and storage
of these materials. Wind-sheltered, enclosed storage
areas shall be provided for these materials. As some
of these materials may be classified as special waste,
the final disposal methods for these materials must
be approved by the Regional Manager. The disposal methods
shall be determined after testing these materials in
accordance with the procedures outlined in Special
Waste Regulation of the current edition of the Environmental
Management Act.
Table 1: Stack Emission
Limits for Biomedical Waste Incinerators
(Concentrations corrected to 11% 02 at
reference conditions of dry gas at 20°C and 101.3
kPa)
Contaminant |
Limit |
Averaging Period |
Monitoring Method |
| Total Particulate |
20 mg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
| Carbon Monoxide |
55 mg/m3 |
4-hour rolling
average |
Continuous
Monitoring |
| Sulphur Dioxide |
180 mg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
Nitrogen Oxides
(NOx as NO2) |
380 mg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
| Hydrogen Chloride |
50 mg/m3 or
90% removal |
8-hour rolling
average |
Continuous
Monitoring |
| Hydrogen Fluoride |
4 mg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
Total Hydrocarbons (as
Methane CH4) |
32 mg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
| Arsenic (3) |
4 µg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
| Cadmium (3) |
100 µg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
| Chromium (3) |
10 µg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
| Lead (3) |
50 µg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
| Mercury (3) |
200 µg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
| Chlorophenols |
1 µg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
| Chlorobenzenes |
1 µg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
Polycyclicaromatic
Hydrocarbons |
5 µg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
Polychlorinated
Biphenyls |
1 µg/m3 |
(1) |
(2) |
| Total PCDDs & PCDFs (4) Opacity |
0.5 ng/m3 5% |
1-hour average from data taken every 10 seconds |
(2)
Continuous
Monitoring |
(1) To be averaged over the approved sampling and
monitoring method.
(2) All sampling and monitoring methods, including
continuous monitors, are to be approved by the Regional
Manager.
(3) The concentration is total metal emitted as solid
and vapour.
(4) Expressed an Toxicity Equivalents. The value shall
be estimated from isomer specific test data and toxicity
equivalency factors by following a procedure approved
by the ministry.
Table 2: Design and
Operation Requirements for Biomedical Waste Incinerators
and Emission Control Systems
Parameter |
Incinerator Type
Modular (Excess Air and
Starved Air) |
Incinerator Type
Mass Burn |
| Incinerator |
|
|
Minimum Incineration
Temperature |
1000 degrees C at fully mixed height |
1000 degrees C determined by an overall design
review |
| Minimum Residence Time |
1 second after final secondary air injection
ports |
1 second calculated from the point where most
of the combustion has been completed and the incineration
temperature fully developed |
| Primary Air (Underfire) |
Utilize multi-port injection to minimize waste
distribution difficulties |
Use multiple plenums with individual air flow
control |
| Secondary Air (Overfire) |
Up to 80% of total air
required (1) |
At least 40% of total air required |
| Overfire Air Injector Design |
That required for penetration and coverage of
furnace
cross-section |
That required for penetration and coverage of
furnace
cross-section |
| Auxiliary Burner Capacity |
Secondary burner 60% of total rated heat capacity,
and that required to meet start-up and part-load
temperatures |
60% of total output, and that required to meet
start-up and
part-load temperatures |
| Oxygen Level at the Incinerator Outlet |
6 to 12% |
6 to 12% |
| Turndown Restrictions |
80 to 110% of designed capacity |
80 to 110% of designed capacity |
| Maximum CO Level |
55 mg/m3 @ 11% (4-h rolling average) |
55 mg/m3 @ 11% (4-h rolling average) |
| Combustion Efficiency |
99.9% (8-h rolling average) |
99.9% (8-h rolling average) |
| Emission Control Systems |
|
|
| Flue Gas Temperature at Inlet or Outlet of Emission
Control Device (2) |
Not to exceed 140 degrees C |
Not to exceed 140 degrees C |
| Opacity |
Less than 5% |
Less than 5% |
(1) For excess Air type - as required by design
(2) The flue gas temperature at the inlet
or outlet will depend on the type of emission control
device in use.
Appendix A: Acid Gases, CBs, CPs, PAHs and PCBs
Acid Gases
- Hydrogen chloride
- Hydrogen fluoride
- Oxides of nitrogen
- Oxides of sulphur
Chlorobenzenes
(CBs)
- Cl-2 benzene
- Cl-3 benzene
- Cl-4 Benzene
- Cl-5 benzene
- Cl-6 benzene
Chlorophenols
(CPs)
- Cl-2 phenol
- Cl-3 phenol
- Cl-4 phenol
- Cl-5 phenol
Polycyclic
Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS)
- Acenaphthylene
- Acenaphthene
- Fluorene
- Phenanthrene
- Anthracene
- Fluoranthene
- Pyrene
- Chrysene
- Benzo [a] anthracene
- Benzo [e] pyrene
- Benzo [a] pyrene
- Benzo [b] fluoranthene
- Benzo [k] fluoranthene
- Perylene
- Indeno [1,2,3-cd]
pyrene
- Dibenzo [a,h] anthracene
- Benzo [g,h,i] perylene
- Benzo [l ] phenanthrene
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins
(PCDDS) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs)
in the following homologue groups:
- T - tetra
- Pe - penta
- Hx - hexa
- Hp - hepta
- 0 - octa
Appendix
B: Recommendations for an Operating Plan and Procedures
for Incinerator Start-up, Shutdown, and Upset Condition
Periods
1. Incinerator Start-up and Shutdown Without limiting the scope of the plan,
provisions for the following must be included in the
detailed plan and procedures:
1.1 Waste Charging System
The
plan and procedures must incorporate the requirements
listed under Section 4.1.
1.2 Continuous Monitoring and Emission
Control Systems
The continuous monitoring systems for
combustion and emission parameters and emission control
systems must be in proper operating conditions: (a)
prior to any waste charging to the system during start-up;
(b) during normal operation of the incinerator; and
(c) until the burndown cycle is complete at the time
of any planned shutdown.
The emission control systems shall not
be by-passed at any time when the incinerator is in
operation, except under the following circumstances,
if necessary, and during start-up and shutdown:
- when the temperature of the flue gas at the emission
control device is below or above that specified
by the manufacturer; and
- during an emergency shut down, for example, due
to fire hazard or the failure of the induced
draft fan.
2. Upset Condition
Periods
Some variations in the incinerator operating
parameters and in the
emission
control parameters are
to be expected; however, during normal operation of
the incinerator the specified average values of these
parameters can be maintained. Common indications of
upset conditions may include but not be limited to:
- an operating parameter which varies consistently
for any unusual duration; and/or
- the development of a trend towards a higher or
lower value, as the case may be, than that specified
for any particular parameter.
The incinerator operators must be trained
to recognize abnormal operations as well as to take
corrective actions in a systematic manner. A suggested
list of potential measures is provided below; however,
these measures should be reviewed with the manufacturers'
specifications for the particular equipment installed
at the facility.
2.1 Continuous Monitoring
Systems
All continuous monitors and recorders
should be checked for their performance and calibration
by zero and fullscale span as applicable.
2.1.1 Combustion Parameters
In the event of low combustion temperature,
low oxygen level and/or high carbon monoxide level,
the following checks should be made:
-
auxiliary burner(s) operation,
including the fuel and air supplies;
-
the waste feed system;
-
combustion air supplies to the
incinerator;
-
visual inspection of the incinerator
grates; and
-
other ancillary equipment which
could influence the incinerator performance.
2.1.2 Opacity and Emission Control
Parameters
During any exceedances of the flue gas
temperature at the inlet or outlet of emission control
device, of opacity, and of hydrogen chloride the following
checks should be necessary:
-
the normalcy of the incinerator
operation;
-
the flue gas conditioning system,
if any, upstream of the emission control device;
-
particulates emission control device;
and
-
acid gas scrubbing system.
2.2 Emergency Shutdown
Emergency shutdown procedures should be followed if the malfunctioning of the incinerator or emission control system persists even after implementation of the corrective measures to rectify any upset conditions.
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