Crematory Operations

Question 1

combustion is a chemical reaction where ____ combines with a fuel, giving off heat

Answer 1

oxygen

Question 2

what are the 3 T’s of combustion?

Answer 2

time (retention time)
temperature
turbulence

Question 3

the liquid that remains after the alkaline hydrolysis process

Answer 3

hydrolysate / effluent

Question 4

which two hydroxide compounds are used in the alkaline hydrolysis process for human disposition?

Answer 4

potassium hydroxide (KOH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

Question 5

the amount of hydroxides used in the alkaline hydrolysis process depend on which three factors?

Answer 5

sex
weight
embalming status

Question 6

a heat-sensing device found in both the primary and secondary chamber

Answer 6

thermocouple

Question 7

cremator design where the secondary chamber is behind the main chamber and the cremator is shorter and wider

Answer 7

inline

Question 8

cremator design where the secondary chamber is located below the main chamber and the cremator is taller and narrower

Answer 8

retort

Question 9

this cremator component helps ignite the cremation container

Answer 9

primary burner

Question 10

this cremator component maintains the temperature in the secondary chamber

Answer 10

secondary burner

Question 11

this cremator component is lined with refractory and receives the fully combusted products of combustion

Answer 11

stack

Question 12

this cremator component constricts air flow to help create turbulence

Answer 12

baffle

Question 13

the refractory should be visually inspected ____, and the stack should be inspected ____

Answer 13

before each cremation
monthly

Question 14

when storing cremation containers and remains, it is acceptable to stack them on the floor or on top of one another (T/F)

Answer 14

false

Question 15

heavy cases should be done at the end of the day when the retort is hot (T/F)

Answer 15

false

Question 16

average cases are normally loaded feet first (T/F)

Answer 16

true

Question 17

the cremation authorization form should be developed and owned by the crematory rather than the funeral home (T/F)

Answer 17

true

Question 18

this log tracks the entry into and exit from the storage facility for all cases

Answer 18

refrigeration log

Question 19

this log tracks inspections, repairs and other activities related to the cremator itself

Answer 19

maintenance log

Question 20

this log tracks all operational activities of each case, including start and end time of the cremation, fuel consumption, type of container, etc.

Answer 20

cremation log

Question 21

when shipping cremated remains domestically, the USPS is the only legal method (T/F)

Answer 21

true

Question 22

unannounced inspections of a crematory by the funeral home is something that should occur each year (T/F)

Answer 22

true

Question 23

if the funeral director forgets, the crematory operator can remove the pacemaker prior to cremation (T/F)

Answer 23

false

Question 24

who maintains a standard of no visible remains or residue within the cremation chamber?

Answer 24

CANA

Question 25

what color should cremated remains be?

Answer 25

white to light gray

Question 26

poorly maintained floors may cause loss of up to ____ of cremated remains in cracks and crevices

Answer 26

10%

Question 27

the typical cremated remains weigh between ____ lbs

Answer 27

4 to 8

Question 28

this cremator type allows for more efficient use of energy/material and more complete combustion

Answer 28

retort

Question 29

what would create a “peak” in the cremation process?

Answer 29

combustion of cavity and container

Question 30

carbon monoxide bonds ____x more effectively to hemoglobin than oxygen

Answer 30

200

Question 31

pollution abatement equipment that removes particulates and objectionable materials by means of sprays and baffles best defines ____

Answer 31

gas or wet scrubber

Question 32

A simple step like using cardboard rollers may shorten cremation time by ____, and ____ during the process

Answer 32

15% reduce potential for damage to hearth

Question 33

Body fat has ___x the BTU value of muscle and organ tissue, which is enough to maintain the process of cremation

Answer 33

17

Question 34

lean muscle mass and organ tissue consumes energy from the combustion process (T/F)

Answer 34

true

Question 35

cremators are classified by the IIA (Incinerator Institute of America) as type ___

Answer 35

VI (six)

Question 36

human and animal waste is type ___ waste

Answer 36

4

Question 37

consumable non-organic items (cardboard, wood, etc.) are type ___ waste

Answer 37

0

Question 38

what might be a safety issue in loading a cardboard container into a chamber that is holding a significant amount of stored refractory heat?

Answer 38

quick flash

Question 39

if repositioning is needed (if legal in your state), it should be considered ____ than 1 hour into the cremation and the optimal piece of equipment used for this task would be ____

Answer 39

more stoking tools

Question 40

the excess air system brings in ___ cubic feet of air per minute from outside the unit

Answer 40

600

Question 41

EPA Method 5 is a ____ quantitative analysis of emissions, whereas EPA Method 9 is a ____ analysis of emissions

Answer 41

quantitative visual

Question 42

there are no federal or state regulations for mercury emissions (T/F)

Answer 42

true

Question 43

the actual time that the products of combustion remain in the heat of the secondary chamber

Answer 43

retention time

Question 44

a minimum of ____ at the designed operating temperature is necessary (and sometimes required by permit) for effective destruction of the products of combustion prior to their exiting into the atmosphere

Answer 44

1 second

Question 45

the ____ in the air does not take part in the combustion

Answer 45

nitrogen

Question 46

the greater the excess air, the greater the temperature ____

Answer 46

reduction

Question 47

perfect combustion results in the formation of ____

Answer 47

carbon dioxide and water

Question 48

a normal rate of combustion is approximately ____

Answer 48

150 pounds/hour

Question 49

in the alkaline hydrolysis process, these two alkaline compounds are used

Answer 49

sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH)

Question 50

generally, the pH of the water must be brought down to at least ___ to be discharged into the sewer system, though each municipality has its own standard

Answer 50

11

Question 51

two ways the pH of the water can be lowered for discharge

Answer 51

-by the addition of an acid, such as sulfuric acid or citric acid -by injecting carbon dioxide (CO2)