Development of a Low-Cost Incinerator in Cape Maclear, Malawi

This thesis investigates low-cost incineration as a solution for solid and medical waste management in Cape Maclear, Malawi, where open dumping and burning remain common in the absence of formal collection systems. The study assesses the feasibility of building De Montfort-type incinerators for a local clinic and the wider community, documenting construction procedures, material and labor costs, and field measurements of combustion temperature, airflow, and waste-to-ash ratios. A cyclone separator was additionally integrated into one unit to evaluate its effect on particulate matter emissions. Results show the incinerators can be built for approximately 700 USD within one week, offering safer disposal than open burning, though the cyclone separator raised construction costs by about 12%. Ash storage and community acceptance remained key challenges, underscoring the need for accompanying training and context-specific waste management planning.