This paper presents the results of a study of an experimental system with thermal treatment (inciner-
ation) of medical waste conducted at a large complex of hospital facilities. The studies were conducted
for a period of one month. The processing system was analysed in terms of the energy, environmental
and economic aspects. A rotary combustion chamber was designed and built with the strictly assumed
length to inner diameter ratio of 4:1. In terms of energy, the temperature distribution was tested in the
rotary kiln, secondary combustion (afterburner) chamber and heat recovery system. Calorific value of
medical waste was 25.0 MJ/kg and the thermal efficiency of the entire system equalled 66.8%. Next,
measurements of the pollutant emissions into the atmosphere were performed. Due to the nature of the
disposed waste, particular attention was paid to the one-minute average values of carbon oxide and
volatile organic compounds as well as hydrochloride, hydrogen fluoride, sulphur dioxide and total dust.
Maximum content of non-oxidized organic compounds in slag and bottom ash were also verified during
the analyses. The best rotary speed for the combustion chamber was selected to obtain proper after-
burning of the bottom slag. Total organic carbon content was 2.9%. The test results were used to
determine the basic economic indicators of the test system for evaluating the profitability of its con-
struction. Simple payback time (SPB) for capital expenditures on the implementation of the project was 4
years.