Posted on 11/15/2002 6:09:30 PM PST by Freemeorkillme
A crematorium in Stockholm has opted to become more environmentally friendly by pumping the excess heat from its furnace into the citys central heating system, reports the Swedish national newspaper Dagens Nyheter.
Five years ago, the Racksta crematorium offered to channel its excess heat to water carried through the citys central heating system to warm houses and apartment blocks. At the time, power company Stockholm Energi declined the offer, believing that the move would be unpopular with the public.
But the offer remained, and instead of condemning the idea as unethical, a number of bishops and members of the public have declared the initiative appropriate and environmentally friendly. Two other crematoriums already tap into the heating network, with Racksta set to become the third, says DN.
The idea stemmed from the crematoriums need to cool down the furnace to clear it of smoke. Because the operation would require a large volume of water, a link to Stockholms heating system was proposed.
Although water pumped from the pipelines is relatively hot, it is still cool enough to reduce the furnaces temperature from over a thousand degrees to 150 degrees. In the process the water itself is heated up, thus contributing to the citys central heating. The alternative method of cooling the furnace, using electric fans, is energy intensive and expensive, while the new method benefits both the city and the crematorium.
Human bodies are not combustible items.
"Cooking bacon this morning dear?"
Clearly, you know nothing about cremation. I suppose you believe the Germans threw people alive into the crematory ovens as well?
The human body must be BURNT. It does not BURN. That's why when people try to set themselves on fire, they douse themselves in gasoline. They don't just put a match to their skin. Even then, it merely chars the flesh. Ditto for the effects of Napalm. If you throw a human into a crematory oven when the oven is at its top heat, the body would explode from the gasification of the liquid within it. Very messy and damaging to the oven's brick lining.
Human fat simply creates more material to be burnt. Any crematory director can tell you that fat people take longer to burn. They don't help the process along, because fat is not a combustible material. It first must be liquified under high heat, so if there is more of it, it takes more heat.
I often wonder if people who make stupid comments like this have ever done something as simple as cooking a roast of beef.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.