Technology Overview

The team has developed an exhaust gas treatment unit based on plasma technology that decomposes pollutants in incinerator exhaust gases. This treatment unit uses non-thermal plasma technology with streamer discharge. By utilising this unit, pollutant compounds in exhaust gas such as NOx, SOx, dioxins and furans can be decomposed. It can also reduce the exhaust fumes.

This treatment unit can be used in various incinerators for household waste, industrial waste and medical waste. During this COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lot of medical waste that contains plastic which are sent for incineration. Equipped with this treatment unit, the incinerator will be able to work optimally in processing medical solid waste during the COVID-19 pandemic. The technology owner is seeking cooperation in further development and applications.

Technology Features, Specifications and Advantages

The core technology of this incinerator exhaust gas treatment unit is the use of non-thermal plasma with a dielectric barrier discharge reactor.

There are several processes that occur during plasma exposure in the reactor, including electron collisions, radical generation and UV emissions. The process contributes to the decomposition of VOC compounds contained in the exhaust gas. Radical species generated such as ozone, oxygen radical and hydroxyl radical play an important role in the decomposition process of VOC compounds.

Key features of the treatment unit include:

• It can decompose various VOC gases such as NOx, SOx, dioxins, furans and eliminate smoke
• Compact and portable, can be installed on chimney of various types of incinerators
• Low energy requirement
• Depending on the waste source, no chemical use may be possible

Potential Applications

The main application is to treat exhaust gases produced from an incinerator.

In addition, plasma can be used for other various applications, such as:

• To eliminate odours at home, hotel, office and industrial areas
• To treat kitchen exhaust and VOCs in the food industry such as at restaurants and food producers
• To remove various VOC pollutants in gases produced during industrial processes

Customer Benefit

By utilising this treatment unit during the pandemic period, it can reduce the environmental burden due to the release of gas pollutants from the incinerator after processing solid plastic waste from used PPE and masks. On the other hand, it can provide savings on the use of chemicals or other materials used in the VOC removal process.

In some countries, although incinerators are effective in solid waste treatment, they produce a lot of smoke so that it is always a problem. With this treatment unit, the problem of smoke can be mitigated to overcome challenges in social and environmental comfort.