Method for manufacturing a combustion aid and equipment for manufacturing a combustion aid

Abstract

To provide a sterilization system of infectious waste that is easy to spread, a combustion improver, production equipment of the combustion improver, a production method of the combustion improver, and a sterilization system of the infectious waste.SOLUTION: A discharge process management method 360 comprises a container selling history step 360A, a delivery history step 360B, a sterilization process history step 360C, a notification step 360D, an ingot recovery history step 360E, a combustion improver production history step 360F, a carbon dioxide reduction amount calculation step 360G, a carbon dioxide reduction amount association step 360H, a contribution calculation step 360J, a contribution association step 360K, a combustion improver delivery history step 360L and a combustion improver usage history step 360M.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Method for manufacturing a combustion aid and equipment for manufacturing a combustion aid the following.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding infectious waste discharged from medical institutions (e.g., paper diapers, gauze, used syringes, infusion sets, etc.), the basic approach is to suppress the risk of infection through sterilization and other treatments within the facilities such as the medical institutions where it is generated. Originally, medical institutions have had incinerators within their own facilities and have been conducting in-facility treatments from the perspective of preventing the spread of sterilization. However, due to the dioxin problem, medical institutions currently rely on external commission for incineration disposal instead of in-facility treatment.

[0003] The applicant has proposed a sterilization system for infectious waste (e.g., Patent Document 1) that sterilizes plastic infectious waste such as used syringes and infusion sets and can be easily reused as safe resources. Patent Document 1 sterilizes and melts used syringes and infusion sets by heating, and performs an oiling process on the ingots obtained by cooling the melt. This enables the regeneration of fuel from infectious waste.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, although an oiling device is required in the system of Patent Document 1, installation of the device requires consent from residents and the local government, and the hurdle for installation is high, which has hindered the spread of the system.

[0006] The present invention Method for manufacturing a combustion aid and equipment for manufacturing a combustion aidThis aims to provide... [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a method for producing a combustion aid, comprising: a melting step of melting a synthetic resin container and waste plastic contained in the container using vegetable oil; a solidification step of solidifying the molten material containing the vegetable oil and the waste plastic; and a division step of dividing the solidified molten material, wherein in the melting step, the container containing the waste plastic is placed on a stand and the stand is placed in vegetable oil with a melting point higher than that of the waste plastic and the synthetic resin; in the solidification step, the molten material removed from the vegetable oil is allowed to cool naturally using the stand; the molten material contains the container, the waste plastic and the vegetable oil, the waste plastic is infectious waste, and the combustion aid consists only of the vegetable oil and the plastic.

[0008] The melting step preferably comprises a storage step of placing the waste plastic into the container, a closing step of covering the container containing the waste plastic with a lid, and an immersion step performed after the closing step of immersing the container in the vegetable oil. Furthermore, in the immersion step, it is preferable to melt the container, which is closed by the lid and subjected to upward force, and the waste plastic contained in the container. Moreover, it is preferable that the size of the container decreases from top to bottom, and that the melting is performed from the bottom of the container in the immersion step. Furthermore, it is preferable that grooves extending in the circumferential direction are formed on the side surface of the container, and that the formation of the grooves results in a thin section with a thin thickness and a thick section located above and below the thin section with a thicker thickness.

[0009] Preferably, the vegetable oil makes up 10% to 50% by mass of the total solidified molten material, and the waste plastic makes up 50% to 90% by mass of the total solidified molten material.

[0010] The system includes a step for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide reduction achieved through the production of the combustion aid and for associating the amount of carbon dioxide reduction with the production history of the combustion aid, wherein the waste plastic is infectious waste discharged from a medical institution, the melting step sterilizes the infectious waste, and the amount of carbon dioxide reduction is preferably based on the incineration treatment of the infectious waste.

[0011] This invention The combustion aid manufacturing equipment is characterized by comprising: a synthetic resin container for containing waste plastics; a melting tank for melting the container and the waste plastics using vegetable oil at a temperature higher than the melting point of the container and the waste plastics; a mounting stand on which the container containing the waste plastics can be placed and which can be switched between a first state in the vegetable oil and a second state outside the vegetable oil; a motor for switching the mounting stand between the first state and the second state; a solidification device for solidifying the molten material by natural cooling; and a cutting device for dividing the solidified molten material.

[0012] Preferably, the drive device switches the aforementioned stand from the first state to the second state when the container and the molten waste plastic are obtained. The device also includes a lid for the container and an anvil that applies force from above to the container closed by the lid in the vegetable oil, wherein the anvil is movable vertically in accordance with the vertical movement of the aforementioned stand, the size of the container decreases from top to bottom, and it is preferable that the waste plastic is melted together with the container while force is applied from above by the anvil. Furthermore, the size of the container decreases from top to bottom, and it is preferable that the container comes into contact with the vegetable oil from below when the aforementioned stand switches from the first state to the second state. In addition, it is preferable that grooves extending in the circumferential direction are formed on the side surface of the container, and that a thin portion with a thin thickness and a thick portion with a thicker thickness located vertically above the thin portion are arranged side by side due to the formation of the grooves. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sterilization system for infectious waste that is easy to implement. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a combustion enhancer, equipment for manufacturing the combustion enhancer, and a method for manufacturing the combustion enhancer. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing the overview of a combustion aid manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 2A] This is an explanatory diagram showing the general layout of the melting apparatus. [Figure 2B] This is an explanatory diagram showing the general layout of the melting apparatus. [Figure 3] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the outline of the container. [Figure 4] This is a side view showing the general layout of the container. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing how the volume of molten material is reduced by an anvil. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the general process for manufacturing combustion aids. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing the general structure of an ingot. [Figure 8]It is a system configuration diagram of an exhaust treatment management system. [Figure 9] It is a hardware configuration diagram of a server. [Figure 10] It is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a history DB. [Figure 11] It is a functional block diagram of a server. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing an overview of an exhaust treatment method. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing an overview of an exhaust treatment method.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the combustion aid manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a melting apparatus 4 that melts plastic such as infectious emissions, a cooling zone 6 that cools the melt to obtain an ingot, and a cutting apparatus 8 that crushes the ingot. The crushed product of the ingot can be used as a combustion aid.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2B, the melting apparatus 4 can be switched between a state where the infectious emission DS is outside the oil B (FIG. 2(A)) and a state where the infectious emission DS is inside the oil B (FIG. 2(B)).

[0017] The melting apparatus 4 comprises a housing 10, a melting tank 21 placed on the bottom surface 10B of the housing 10 and containing oil B, a heater 23 for heating the oil B contained in the melting tank 21, a temperature sensor 25 for detecting the temperature of the oil B in the melting tank 21, a guide shaft 31 extending vertically upright from the bottom surface 10B, a first slider 41 mounted so as to be movable vertically along the guide shaft 31, a first arm 43 extending from the first slider 41, and a mounting platform 4 provided at the tip of the first arm 43 for placing container A. The device comprises a second slider 51 positioned above the first slider 41 and mounted to be movable vertically along the guide shaft 31, a second arm 53 extending from the second slider 51, an anvil 55 provided at the tip of the second arm 53, a sprocket 61 rotatably suspended from the top surface of the housing 10, a shaft 62 to which the sprocket 61 is fitted, a motor 63 that drives the shaft 62, a chain 65 stretched across the sprocket 61, and a controller 90 that controls each part.

[0018] Infectious waste (DS) refers to infectious waste made of plastic, such as used syringes and intravenous drip equipment, or blood serum syringes and the polyethylene bags and tubes used for blood transfusions. Examples of plastics include thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, as well as other thermosetting resins.

[0019] Next, as shown in Figures 3-4, container A is made of plastic (for example, polypropylene with a purity of 90% or more), and its shape is that of a roughly conical or pyramidal bucket, becoming smaller from top to bottom. Multiple grooves AM extending in the circumferential direction are formed on the side surface of container A. The grooves AM are spaced apart by a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. As a result, container A has alternating thick sections A1 with the original thickness of container A and thin sections A2 formed by the grooves AM in the vertical direction. The thin sections A2 are approximately half the thickness of the thick sections A1 or less. In addition, a flange A3 is formed on the opening edge of container A.

[0020] The lid C has a locking edge C1 with a tapered circumferential surface that protrudes from its inner wall surface. When the lid C is placed over the container A and pressed down from above, the flange A3 is designed to fit over the tapered locking edge C1 that protrudes from the inside of the lid C, creating a check-lock structure.

[0021] Returning to Figures 2A and 2B, it is preferable that the mounting platform 45 has a structure that allows oil B to pass through easily while supporting container A. For example, it is preferable that the mounting platform 45 has a cage structure or a mesh structure. Container A is placed on the mounting platform 45. The mounting platform 45 is movable vertically by the first slider 41.

[0022] The anvil 55 is positioned above the mounting base 45 and is movable vertically by the second slider 51. The weight of the anvil 55 is such that it can press down on the molten container and waste DS in the oil B, thereby reducing their volume (Figure 5).

[0023] As shown in Figures 2A to 2B, the tip of the chain 65 is connected to the first arm 43. The middle part of the chain 65 is connected to the second arm 53. The base end of the chain 65 is fixed to the housing 10 (not shown). When the motor 63 drives the chain 65 out, the anvil 55 and the mounting base 45 move downward. When the mounting base 45 reaches the bottom of the melting tank 21, only the anvil 55 moves downward, and the chain 65 between the anvil 55 and the mounting base 45 becomes slack. On the other hand, when the motor 63 drives the chain 65 back up, first, when the chain 65 between the anvil 55 and the mounting base 45 is slack, only the anvil 55 moves upward. When the chain 65 between the anvil 55 and the mounting base 45 is taut, both the anvil 55 and the mounting base 45 move upward. In this way, container A, which contains the infectious excrement DS, can be switched between being outside oil B and being inside oil B.

[0024] Oil B is an oil whose flash point and ignition point are higher than the melting point of the plastic, such as vegetable oil.

[0025] The heater 23 adjusts the temperature of the oil B contained in the melting tank 21 to be higher than the melting points of the infectious waste DS, container A, and lid C, based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 25.

[0026] The controller 90 controls the motor 63 and the heater 23.

[0027] Returning to Figure 1, the molten plastic removed from the melting apparatus 4 is placed in the cooling zone 6. Since the temperature of the cooling zone 6 is approximately room temperature, the molten plastic solidifies. This solidified plastic is called an ingot.

[0028] The splitting device 8 performs a predetermined splitting process (such as crushing or pulverizing) on ​​the ingot. A known device such as a single-shaft crusher can be used as the splitting device 8. The split ingot can be used as a combustion aid. The split ingot only needs to be of a size appropriate for its intended use; for example, it can be 1 mm to 5 mm in width and 5 mm to 30 mm in length.

[0029] Next, the combustion aid manufacturing method 200 in the combustion aid manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, the combustion aid manufacturing method 200 comprises a melting step 210 in which infectious waste DS is melted using oil B, a solidification step 220 in which the molten material D containing oil B and infectious waste DS is solidified, and a cutting step 230 in which the solidified molten material (ingot E) is cut into pieces.

[0031] (preparation) As shown in Figure 3, infectious excrement DS is placed in container A. Then, container A containing the infectious excrement DS is covered with lid C. The flange A3 is fitted over the tapered locking edge C1 that protrudes from the inside of lid C. This makes it difficult for lid C to come off container A (Figure 4).

[0032] (Melting process) As shown in Figure 2A, in the melting apparatus 4, the mounting platform 45 is set above the melting tank 21. Here, container A is placed on the mounting platform 45.

[0033] When the motor 63 is driven and the chain 65 is fed out, the mounting platform 45 descends together with the anvil 55. When the mounting platform 45 reaches the bottom of the melting tank 21, the anvil 55 continues to descend and reaches the mounting platform 45. Furthermore, since the chain 65 is fed out even after the anvil 55 has reached the mounting platform 45, the weight of the anvil 55 is applied to the lid C. At this time, the temperature of the oil B in the melting tank 21 is below the flash point and ignition point of oil B, and is higher than the melting points of the infectious waste DS, container A and lid C, so the infectious waste DS, container A and lid C melt. In the melting of container A and lid C, first the thinnest part A2 melts first, resulting in the second thickest part A2 from the bottom descending to the outside of the thickest part A1. Next, the second thinnest part A2 from the bottom melts, resulting in the third thickest part A2 from the bottom descending to the outside of the second thickest part A1 from the bottom. This process is repeated, with the fourth and fifth thickest sections A2 from the bottom descending onto the outside of the third thickest section A2 from the bottom. Subsequently, melting progresses in the thickest sections A2, the infectious waste DS, and the lid C. As a result, the infectious waste DS, container A, and lid C are reduced in volume as they melt, becoming a plastic mass D (Figure 7). In this way, the melting device 4 can immerse and melt the plastic (infectious waste DS, container A, and lid C) in heated vegetable oil B, while simultaneously sterilizing the infectious waste DS.

[0034] Subsequently, when the motor 63 is driven to rewind the chain 65, the anvil 55 rises. As the chain 65 continues to be rewinded, the mounting platform 45 rises along with the anvil 55, and the plastic mass (molten material D) is released from the oil B.

[0035] (solidification process) The molten material D is lowered from the mounting platform 45 and transported to the cooling zone 6. In the cooling zone 6, the molten material D cools naturally and solidifies. Hereafter, this solid will be referred to as ingot E.

[0036] (Disruption process) Ingot E is crushed by the splitting device 8.

[0037] The crushed material of ingot E contains plastic and vegetable oil, and therefore can be used as a combustion enhancer. The combustion enhancer thus obtained can be used, for example, as a heat source for kilns in cement manufacturing, as a combustion enhancer in boilers of thermal power plants, or as a combustion enhancer in blast furnaces in steelmaking.

[0038] Ingot E contains at least approximately 20-30% by mass of oil B and approximately 70-80% by mass of waste plastic. When burning this plastic, vegetable oil (oil B) is superior to coal and waste plastic as a fuel because it has a higher calorific value per unit area. Furthermore, since vegetable oil is a fuel obtained during the growth process in which vegetables absorb carbon dioxide, it is also superior to coal and waste plastic from the standpoint of carbon dioxide emissions. In particular, since ingot E is produced in the melting apparatus 4 while its volume is reduced during melting, it does not contain excess components such as air or water, and therefore has a high calorific value per unit mass, making it suitable as a combustion aid.

[0039] Next, as shown in Figure 8, the infectious waste sterilization system 302 includes a sterilization container manufacturer's terminal 310A used by a container manufacturer 310 that manufactures and sells sterilization containers for infectious waste, a medical institution terminal 320A used by a medical institution 320 that performs sterilization of infectious waste using sterilization containers, a combustion aid manufacturer's terminal 330A used by a combustion aid manufacturer 330 that manufactures combustion aids from ingots obtained from the sterilization process, a furnace owner's terminal 340A used by a furnace owner 340, a server 370 that performs predetermined processing in response to requests from each of the terminals 310A to 340A, and a communication line 380 that enables communication between each of the terminals 310A to 340A and the server 370. Here, the server 370 is owned by the administrator of the infectious waste sterilization system.

[0040] The sterilization process performed by medical institution 320 uses the melting apparatus 4 shown in Figure 2A. The melting apparatus 4 pressurizes the sterilization container (container A in Figure 2A, etc.), which contains infectious waste DS, from above while immersing it in oil B, which is hotter than the melting point of the sterilization container. This sterilization process simultaneously melts the sterilization container, sterilizes the infectious waste, and reduces the volume of the infectious waste. Through this sterilization process, the infectious waste is reduced in volume along with the sterilization container and becomes a mass of plastic. When this mass is cooled to a predetermined temperature, it solidifies into an ingot.

[0041] The combustion aid manufacturer 330 performs a predetermined fragmentation process on the ingot. The fragmented ingot is available for use as a combustion aid. The blast furnace operator 340 uses the fragmented ingot as a combustion aid.

[0042] Each terminal 310A to 340A transmits a predetermined request signal to the server 370 and receives a predetermined calculation result from the request destination, according to the operation of each user. Barcode readers, QR code readers, or smartphones with these applications installed can be used.

[0043] The communication line 380 may be either a wired communication line or a wireless communication line.

[0044] As shown in Figure 9, the server 370 includes a CPU 371, RAM 372, ROM 373, external storage device 374, input device 375, display device 376, input / output interface 378, and bus 379.

[0045] The CPU 371 is the so-called central processing unit, and various programs are executed to realize the various services of the server 370. The RAM 372 is the so-called RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as the work area for the CPU 371. The ROM 373 is the so-called ROM (Read-Only Memory), and stores the basic OS and various programs (for example, the waste disposal management program) executed by the CPU 371.

[0046] The external storage device 374 stores calculation results of various programs and can be an internal storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive) or a removable storage device (e.g., a memory card). The external storage device 374 may also be connected via a communication line 380, such as a NAS (Network Attached Storage). Furthermore, the RAM 372, ROM 373, and external storage device 374 are collectively referred to as the storage unit.

[0047] The input device 375 is an input key, keyboard, or mouse, used to input various types of information. The display device 46 is a display that shows various operating statuses. The input / output interface 378 enables communication over the communication line 380 (Figure 1). The input device 375, the display device 376, the input / output interface 378, and the input / output unit are collectively referred to as the input / output unit.

[0048] Bus 379 is a wiring configuration that connects the CPU 371, RAM 372, ROM 373, input device 375, display device 376, input / output interface 48, etc., as an integrated unit for communication.

[0049] A history database is constructed in the external storage device 374. The history database stores history information (sterilization container history information) about sterilization containers used for sterilizing infectious waste. As shown in Figure 10, the sterilization container history information includes sterilization container information about the sterilization container and history information associated with the sterilization container information.

[0050] Sterilization container information includes the container ID, which is the identifier of the sterilization container; the container manufacturer ID, which is the identifier of the sterilization container manufacturer; the manufacturer's name; and container manufacturing date information, which indicates when the sterilization container was manufactured.

[0051] The history information includes sales history related to the container sales history step, delivery history related to the delivery history step, sterilization history related to the sterilization history step, notification history related to the notification processing step, ingot recovery history related to the ingot recovery history step, combustion aid manufacturing history related to the combustion aid manufacturing history step, combustion aid delivery history related to the combustion aid delivery history step, carbon dioxide reduction history, and combustion aid usage history related to the combustion aid usage history step. In addition, the carbon dioxide reduction history relates to the carbon dioxide reduction amount calculation step, carbon dioxide reduction amount association step, contribution calculation step, and contribution association step. Each history includes the time when the event occurred, the names of the parties involved in the event, and their contact information. For example, taking the delivery history as an example, the delivery time information indicates the time when the sterilized container was delivered from the combustion aid manufacturer to the medical institution. The name of the delivering company is the name of the combustion aid manufacturer, who is the delivering company. The contact information of the delivering company is the contact information (email address, phone number, etc.) of the combustion aid manufacturer, who is the delivering company. The recipient company name is the name of the medical institution that is the recipient company. The recipient company contact information is the contact information (email address, phone number, etc.) of the medical institution that is the recipient company.

[0052] When the basic OS and various programs stored in ROM 373 are executed by CPU 371, as shown in Figure 11, the CPU 371 of server 370 includes a DB control unit 371DB for controlling the search and editing of the history DB, a notification control unit 371NT for notifying external devices (e.g., terminals 310A to 340A, etc.), and a calculation unit 371CL for calculating predetermined values.

[0053] Next, we will explain how to use the sterilization system 302 for infectious waste.

[0054] In the infectious waste sterilization system 302, the waste treatment management method 360 is performed as shown in Figure 12. The waste treatment management method 360 includes a container sales history step 360A, a delivery history step 360B, a sterilization treatment history step 360C, a notification step 360D, an ingot recovery history step 360E, a combustion aid manufacturing history step 360F, a carbon dioxide reduction amount calculation step 360G, a carbon dioxide reduction amount association step 360H, a contribution calculation step 360J, a contribution association step 360K, a combustion aid delivery history step 360L, and a combustion aid usage history step 360M.

[0055] As shown in Figure 13, when the container manufacturer 310 manufactures a sterilization container, it assigns a unique container ID to the container and affixes a barcode or the like corresponding to the container ID to the container. Through operations performed by the container manufacturer 310 via terminal 310A, various information (container ID, container manufacturer ID, container manufacturing date information, etc.) in the sterilization container information in the history database is entered. This links the container ID, container manufacturer ID, and container manufacturing date information to each other.

[0056] In the container sales history step 360A, a sterilized container is sold from the container manufacturer 310 to the combustion aid manufacturer 330. At this time, the barcode displayed on the sterilized container is read using terminal 310A or terminal 330A. In this way, the sales history related to the sale (sales date information, name of the seller, contact information of the seller, name of the buyer, contact information of the buyer, etc.) is recorded in the history DB (S100). This associates the sales history with the container ID.

[0057] In the handover history step 360B, the sterile container is handed over from the combustion aid manufacturer 330 to the medical institution 320. At this time, the barcode displayed on the sterile container is read using terminal 320A or terminal 330A. In this way, the handover history (medical institution handover time information, medical institution ID, medical institution contact information, etc.) indicating that the sterile container has been handed over from the combustion aid manufacturer 330 to the medical institution 320 is recorded in the history DB (S110). This associates the handover history with the container ID.

[0058] In sterilization history step 360C, medical personnel at medical institution 320 use terminal 320A to read the barcode displayed on the sterilization container. This records a sterilization history in the history DB indicating that the sterilization of infectious waste using the sterilization container is performed by medical institution 320 (S120). This associates the sterilization history with the container ID. Subsequently, medical personnel at medical institution 320 perform sterilization of infectious waste using the sterilization container. After sterilization using the sterilization container, the medical personnel at medical institution 320 display a barcode corresponding to the container ID on the ingot obtained. Terminal 320A may associate sterilization completion information, indicating that sterilization using the sterilization container has been completed, with the container ID upon ingot generation.

[0059] In notification step 360D, the server 370 notifies the terminal 330A of the combustion aid manufacturer 330 of the contents of the history information based on the handover history to the processing company (S130). Preferably, the notification to the terminal 330A of the combustion aid manufacturer 330 is made when the sterilization processing history is recorded in the history DB.

[0060] In the ingot recovery history step 360E, the combustion aid manufacturer 330 recovers the ingot from the medical institution 320. At this time, the barcode displayed on the ingot is read using terminal 320A or terminal 330A. This associates the ingot recovery history with the container ID (S140).

[0061] In step 360F of the combustion aid manufacturing history, the terminal 330A is used to read the barcode displayed on the ingot. Subsequently, the sterilized ingot recovered from the medical institution 320 is subjected to a fragmentation process (e.g., crushing) by the combustion aid manufacturer 330. Then, the combustion aid manufacturing history related to this fragmentation process is recorded in the history DB (S150). This associates the combustion aid manufacturing history with the container ID.

[0062] In step 360G, the amount of carbon dioxide reduction from the combustion aid manufacturing process is calculated based on the incineration of infectious waste (S160). In step 360H, the calculated amount of carbon dioxide reduction from the combustion aid manufacturing process is stored in the history database. This associates the amount of carbon dioxide reduction with the container ID (S170). In step 360J, the contribution of medical institutions that contributed to the oil conversion process is calculated based on the combustion aid manufacturing process history (S180). The contribution may be distributed not only to medical institutions but also to medical institutions, combustion aid manufacturers, container manufacturers, etc., involved in a predetermined proportion. In step 360K, contribution information indicating the contribution of medical institutions, etc., is recorded in the history database. This associates the contribution information with the container ID (S190). Subsequently, a barcode or the like corresponding to the container ID is displayed on the combustion aid container.

[0063] Furthermore, the carbon dioxide reduction calculation step 360G may be performed simultaneously with the completion of the combustion aid manufacturing history step 360F. Alternatively, a notification of completion of combustion aid manufacturing may be sent to the medical institution 320 after the combustion aid manufacturing history step 360F. In addition, the carbon dioxide reduction calculation step 360G may be performed in response to a request from the medical institution 320 to the server 370 after receiving the notification of completion of combustion aid manufacturing.

[0064] Furthermore, it is preferable that the amount of carbon dioxide reduction is available as credits under a carbon offset scheme. Additionally, these credits may be used to support the medical industry (for example, to provide relief funds for medical refugees).

[0065] In step 360L of the combustion aid delivery history, the barcode displayed on the combustion aid container is read using terminal 320A or terminal 340A. The combustion aid delivery history, indicating that the combustion aid has been delivered from the combustion aid manufacturer 330 to the furnace owner 340, is recorded in the history DB (S200). This associates the combustion aid delivery history with the container ID.

[0066] In step 360M of the combustion aid usage history, the terminal 340A is used to read the barcode displayed on the combustion aid container. Subsequently, the furnace owner 340 performs combustion treatment using the combustion aid. Then, information such as the timing of combustion treatment performed by the furnace owner 340 is recorded in the history DB. This associates the combustion aid usage history with the container ID (S210).

[0067] Furthermore, when information such as the timing of combustion aid use is recorded in the history database, the server 370 may notify the medical institution 320 that step 360M of the combustion aid use history has been completed.

[0068] Thus, according to the present invention, since it includes a delivery history step 360B, a sterilization treatment history step 360C, and a notification step 360D, the delivery history and the sterilization treatment history are linked. Therefore, fuel manufacturers can know that sterilization treatment of infectious waste has been carried out using the sterilization containers they delivered. Therefore, combustion aid manufacturers can reliably recover ingots that can be processed for combustion aid manufacturing from medical institutions.

[0069] Furthermore, because the system includes a combustion aid manufacturing history step 360F and a carbon dioxide reduction amount association step 360H, the combustion aid manufacturing history and the amount of carbon dioxide reduction are linked. This motivates medical institutions to select the combustion aid manufacturing process as a method for handling infectious waste. Consequently, it motivates them to select the sterilization process required for the combustion aid manufacturing process. Similarly, because the system includes a sterilization process history step 360C and a carbon dioxide reduction amount association step 360H, the sterilization process history and the amount of carbon dioxide reduction are linked. This motivates them to select a sterilization process that contributes to carbon dioxide reduction as a method for handling infectious waste.

[0070] Furthermore, the inclusion of a contribution-linking step 360K links sterilization history with carbon dioxide reduction. This strengthens the incentive for healthcare institutions to choose sterilization using sterile containers as a method for handling infectious waste.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the delivery history and the incineration treatment history are linked by a single container ID. Therefore, it is possible to identify the people involved in the delivery history and the incineration treatment history, and thus determine whether or not illegal dumping occurred between the delivery history and the history of combustion aid use.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the combustion aid manufacturer 330 recovered the ingot from the medical institution 320, performed the combustion aid manufacturing process (such as fragmenting the ingot), and delivered the combustion aid to the furnace owner 340. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the furnace owner 340 may recover the ingot from the medical institution 320, perform the combustion aid manufacturing process, and then use the combustion aid in its own facilities.

[0073] In the above embodiment, predetermined information was added to the history database, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and predetermined information may be added on paper to serve as the history database.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the ingot E was assumed to contain about 20-30% by mass of oil B and about 70-80% by mass of waste plastic. However, within the scope of the spirit of this invention, it is not limited to the above range. For example, the ingot E may contain about 10-50% by mass of oil B and about 50-90% by mass of waste plastic. The term "total" refers to the sum of oil B and waste plastic.

[0075] In the above embodiment, infectious waste was sterilized along with melting, but the present invention can also be applied to other waste plastics.

[0076] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 4. Melting apparatus 6 Cooling Zones 8. Disconnecting device 10 cabinets 100 Combustion aid manufacturing equipment 200 Method for Manufacturing Combustion Aids 302 Sterilization system for infectious waste

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a combustion aid, A melting step in which a synthetic resin container and the waste plastic contained in the container are melted using vegetable oil, A solidification step for solidifying the molten material containing the aforementioned vegetable oil and the aforementioned waste plastic, The system includes a division step for dividing the solidified molten material, In the melting step, the container containing the waste plastic is placed on a stand, and the stand is placed in vegetable oil with a melting point higher than that of the waste plastic and the synthetic resin. In the solidification process, the molten material removed from the vegetable oil is allowed to cool naturally using the aforementioned stand. The molten material includes only the container, the waste plastic, and the vegetable oil. A method for producing a combustion aid, characterized in that the waste plastic is infectious waste.

2. The vegetable oil is in an amount of 10% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less of the total solidified molten matter. The method for producing a combustion aid according to claim 1, characterized in that the waste plastic constitutes 50% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less of the total solidified molten material.

3. The aforementioned melting process is A storage step of placing the waste plastic into the container, A closing step of putting a lid on the container that contains the waste plastic, A method for producing a combustion aid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is performed after the closing step and comprises an immersion step of immersing the container in the vegetable oil.

4. The method for producing a combustion aid according to claim 3, characterized in that the immersion step involves melting the container, which is closed by the lid and subjected to upward force, and the waste plastic contained in the container.

5. The size of the aforementioned container decreases from top to bottom. The method for producing a combustion aid according to claim 3, characterized in that the immersion step is performed by melting from the bottom of the container.

6. A groove extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the side surface of the container. The method for producing a combustion aid according to claim 5, characterized in that a thin portion with a low thickness and a thick portion with a high thickness located above and below the thin portion are arranged side by side due to the formation of the grooves.

7. The system includes a step for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide reduction achieved through the production of the combustion aid and for associating the amount of carbon dioxide reduction with the production history of the combustion aid. The aforementioned waste plastic is infectious waste discharged from a medical institution. In the melting process, the infectious waste is sterilized. The method for producing a combustion aid according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the amount of carbon dioxide reduction is based on the incineration treatment of the infectious waste.

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