COVID Breakthrough: IIT Develops Portable Cremation System

Endless number of bodies of COVID-19 victims being lined up for cremation in open spaces is an image that continues to haunt Indians amid the raging second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. The number of deaths is too high for most COVID crematoriums in the country to handle.

This set the best brains in the country thinking. And now they have come up with a system which could help ease the situation somewhat.

An Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar professor has developed a moveable electric cremation system with a first-of-its-kind technology that involves smokeless cremation despite using wood, the Union Ministry of Education stated.

The system uses half the quantity of wood normally required for cremation and is eco-friendly, thanks to the technology which uses combustion air system.

Based on wick-stove technology, the wick glows yellow when lighted. It’s then converted into smokeless blue flame with the help of combustion air system installed over the wicks.

According to Dr Harpreet Singh, Dean, Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research and Industry Interaction (ICSR&II), who has developed the system, the cremation system or incinerator heats up at 1044 degree Celsius which ensures complete sterilization.

The cart-shaped incinerator is fitted with wheels to ensure transportation without any hassle. The cart is equipped with combustion air for primary and secondary hot air system.

“The disposal of the body is completed within 12 hours, including cooling time, as against 48 hours required in the normal wood-based cremation,” Prof. Harpreet informed.

The incinerator has stainless steel insulation on both sides of the cart, which ensures no heat loss and less wood consumption. It also has a tray beneath for easy removal of ashes.

“If this system can be adopted, it may provide respectable cremation to near and dear ones of those who cannot afford the financial burden of arranging wood,” said Cheema Boilers Ltd MD Harjinder Singh Cheema, who has made the prototype.