Production of thermoelectric power from the infectious waste of hospitals of Lahore

The current energy crises has hard pressed humanity to look for alternative energy resources, make use of available resources in a sustainable manner and minimize wastage. This problem can only be solved by interdisciplinary experts equipped with skills of both technology and economics. The work reported here was projected to study techno-economic disposal of infectious waste produced by the hospitals of Lahore being incinerated to liberate air pollutants and waste heat energy that can be harnessed to produce electricity. The primary data was collected by our research group from five model hospitals of Lahore and sites of incineration. The quantity of infectious waste was assessed as 793 metric ton/annum on the basis of which the potential of production of electricity was determined. Five cost of land inclusive and two exclusive alternative projects were framed on the basis of 2008 price and evaluated. All alternatives turned out as non-feasible except one that excluded land cost. Due to a rapid increase in electricity price triggered at end of 2008 and multiplied 2.5 times in 2012, two projects based on 2008 and 2012 price were designed and evaluated. Former qualified all criteria of acceptability and latter even promised unexpected profit to the entrepreneur.