Veterinary Hospital Waste Management Through Biomass Pyrolysis: A Review

Abstract

Today, biomedical waste management has become a burning problem. Continuous increase in its volumes and related risks to human health and the environment is alarming. In response to these challenges, this comprehensive review highlights the potential of utilizing pyrolysis to generate energy from solid and semisolid fractions of medical waste. Pyrolysis is a method of breaking down substances through heat in an environment devoid of oxygen. Pyrolysis transforms organic matter such as biomass and medical waste into valuable outputs like biochar, bio-oil, and syngas, which have a wide range of practical uses. In addition to exploring pyrolysis as a viable treatment method, the review synthesizes data on medical waste generation worldwide. Researchers have meticulously collected and categorized data into gross medical waste and hazardous medical waste, further classifying them based on distinct categories and types drawn from international literature. By shedding light on the magnitude and composition of medical waste, this study provides essential insights into the challenges faced in its management. Moreover, the review underscores the transformative potential of medical waste treatment technologies, not only in mitigating environmental and health risks but also in harnessing valuable resources. By converting medical waste into energy, fuels, and materials, these technologies offer a sustainable solution to the pressing issues surrounding medical waste management. With continued research and implementation, such approaches hold promise for addressing the growing demands of medical waste disposal while simultaneously contributing to energy production and resource conservation. The review also involves the collection of medical waste generation data from researchers worldwide, categorizing it into gross medical waste and hazardous medical waste, and further classifying it into distinct categories and types based on international literature. The study underscores the potential of these medical waste treatment technologies to generate energy, fuels, and materials, offering a promising solution to the challenges in medical waste management in the near future.