Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Process disinfecting – preserving – deodorizing – or sterilizing – Using microwave energy
Patent
1991-10-31
1993-12-14
Warden, Robert J.
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Process disinfecting, preserving, deodorizing, or sterilizing
Using microwave energy
422307, 422308, 422309, 34 1R, 180309, A61L 200, B01B 100, B01J 200
Patent
active
052700003
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for treating medical hazardous wastes.
A large quantity of potentially infectious refuse, such as, for example, non-returnable material, bandages, syringes and cannulas which have come into contact with infectious patients and of infectious refuse, such as, for example, wastes microbially contaminated with bacteria, viruses or spores is produced daily in hospitals, medical laboratories, doctors practices and other establishments of the health service. These medical hazardous wastes require special measures for preventing infection during storage and transportation.
A known waste disposal measure is therefore to collect this hazardous refuse in securely sealed non-returnable containers with subsequent incineration in special plants. The infection hazards for the medical personnel and the risks in transportation to the incineration plant by means of road vehicles are, however, great. In addition, the incineration costs for the hazardous refuse is many times the costs for domestic refuse.
Another known waste disposal measure is to disinfect infectious waste and consequently to process them to form wastes similar to domestic refuse which can be removed or eliminated like normal domestic refuse or can be supplied for recycling after sorting. For this purpose, German Offenlegungsschrift 3,317,300 discloses a container for receiving specific hospital waste which after filling and introducing a disinfectant can either be placed in a microwave chamber or is itself equipped with a microwave source, with the result that the hazardous refuse is disinfected by a chemothermal destruction of the microorganisms. This container makes possible only a batchwise treatment of the hazardous refuse on a small scale, while preparatory waste disposal steps, such as comminution of the hazardous waste, do not ensure adequate infection prevention. From the point of view of environmental hygiene and the toxicity of the active disinfectant substances, chemical processes of this type can also be used only to a limited extent.
German patent specification 3,505,570 reveals an apparatus for treating infectious refuse with the aid of microwaves in which disinfection of infectious refuse is carried out in a continuously operating waste disposal plant in order to keep the risk of infection due to the release of infectious germs, bacteria etc. as low as possible. This compact waste disposal plant comprises a sluice room, a spray apparatus disposed therein for moistening the refuse with water and optionally with an addition of disinfectant, a refuse comminutor and a microwave chamber. The microwave chamber is constructed as a through tube which is at least partially transparent to microwaves, along which several microwave sources disposed adjacently to each other are provided. By means of a conveying device, the comminuted and moistened refuse is moved through the microwave chamber, in which process the microwave radiation results in a considerable heating of the refuse. The residence time of the refuse in the microwave chamber is controlled via the temperature, it being essential to achieve a temperature of approx. 135.degree. C. and above up to a maximum of 200.degree. C., depending on the material. The residence time of the refuse in the microwave chamber is then a few minutes. For throughput times with acceptable economic cost, a waste disposal plant of this type has not led to absolutely reliable disinfection, and this made an increased use of disinfectant necessary.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide an apparatus and a process of the type mentioned which makes possible a safe and reliable treatment for the disposal of medical hazardous wastes in an economical and environmentally friendly manner.
This object is achieved in accordance with the characterizing part of claims 1 and 34.
As a result of this, an apparatus and a process for treating medical hazardous wastes are provided which make it possible to reduce the germ count by thermal inactivation. Rapidly heating the c
REFERENCES:
patent: 1594894 (1926-08-01), Masury
patent: 3295982 (1967-01-01), Hickey et al.
patent: 3664706 (1972-05-01), Chant
patent: 3831288 (1974-08-01), Stribling et al.
patent: 3853480 (1974-12-01), Kaelin
patent: 4351644 (1982-09-01), Kriebitzsch et al.
patent: 4371503 (1983-02-01), Aichelmann et al.
patent: 4546226 (1985-10-01), Trembley et al.
patent: 4551057 (1985-11-01), Naab
patent: 4608261 (1986-08-01), MacKenzie
patent: 4832700 (1989-05-01), Kaspar et al.
patent: 4999471 (1991-03-01), Guarneri et al.
Goldner Helmut
Kamann Reinhold
Leinski Heinz
ABB Sanitec, Inc.
Thornton Krisanne M.
Warden Robert J.
LandOfFree
Apparatus and process for treating medical hazardous wastes does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and process for treating medical hazardous wastes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and process for treating medical hazardous wastes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1702985