Thermal Degradation Characteristic and Kinetic Analysis of the Solid Byproducts Recovered from Vacuum Pressurized/Friction Thermal Sterilization of Hospital Solid Wastes

We investigated the TFSS byproduct’s thermal degradation and kinetic characteristics from hospital waste’s thermal frictional sterilization (TFSS) using isothermal and advanced nonisothermal model formulas. We studied TFSS byproducts degradation characteristics using TGA from room 28 to 1000°C. We used Kissinger, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, and advanced Vyazovkin model formulas to derive the activation energies. We also analyzed conventional proximate/ultimate and calorific values. Gross calorific value was 5.730 kcal/kg, followed by a net calorific value of 4.038~4.133 kcal/kg because of the high carbon content, 70% volatile content, 2.6~2.8% moisture and 8~13% fixed carbon content. Nonlinear lateral shift in peak temperatures were observed in the first–third degradation zone, but the nonlinear lateral shift had minimal influence on the [Formula: see text] values for all temperature rates. Activation energy for Kissinger model was 172.25 kJ/mol. Average activation energy derived using Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, and advanced Vyazovkin model formulas were 176.65, 177.22, and 177.16 kJ/mol, respectively. Fluctuations in activation energies from [Formula: see text] for 3 model formulas was because of the disruption of hydrogen bonds and covalently bonded chemicals. Activation energy values had an exponential increase from [Formula: see text] for three model formulas. Results showed that TFSS process generates heterogeneous byproducts with high calorific values and predictable activation energy values.