Chlorine Distribution in Pyrolysis of Chlorine-Containing Medical Waste

Results are presented of an investigation into the pyrolysis of components of a model mixture of medical waste of standard composition and of the entire mixture in a fixed-bed reactor using the methods of thermogravimetric analysis. Data on the regular patterns of chlorine redistribution between the pyrolysis products are presented. It is shown that in pyrolysis of a medical waste mixture whose composition includes chlorine-containing components, chlorine is partially released into the gaseous phase in the form of HCl and partially retained by semicoke. In this case, the degree of chlorine retention by semicoke depends on the ash content of the starting material and the composition of its mineral part.