Development of an incinerator for the hygienic disposal of sanitary pads in female student hostels.

Background: Improperly disposed of used sanitary pads in female student hostels pose serious health, environmental, and sanitation challenges, including the spread of infections , offensive odors and blockages in sewage systems. Despite the importance of menstrual hygiene management, many institutions have a lack of separate and hygienic sanitary waste disposal systems. Methodology: The proposed work focuses on the design, fabrication and performance evaluation of a compact incinerator for hygienic disposal of sanitary pads in female hostels. Due to its clean combustion, availability, and controllability, the incinerator is designed to operate using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as the primary fuel. The system consists of a cylindrical combustion chamber lined with refractory fiber, an LPG burner with controlled ignition, a chimney for safe exhaust of flue gases, and a removable ash collection tray. Results: Thermal analysis showed that the incinerator can achieve operating temperatures in the range of 850 - 1250°C, well above the auto-ignition temperature of rayon, the major constituent of sanitary pads. Energy requirement calculations also showed that about 0.006 kg of LPG per cycle is adequate to completely incinerate 30-50 pieces of sanitary pads. Performance evaluation realized a mass reduction efficiency of more than 95%, with full burn achieved in about 30-40 minutes per cycle. The resultant ash was fine, sterile, and nontoxic, making up less than 5% of the original waste mass. Observations during testing revealed minimal visible smoke and odor, indicative of environmentally acceptable emission characteristics in accordance with the World Health Organization guidelines for small-scale incineration systems. Conclusion: Developed incinerator provides a low-cost, safe, and environmentally friendly solution for sanitary pad disposal that can be utilized to enhance hygiene, privacy, and waste management practices. Recommendation: The design is well-suited for adaptation and deployment in other institutional and community settings, improving public health and promoting sustainable sanitation.