Highly Innovative, Green Technology For Localized, Point-of-Service Medical Waste Remediation
A highly innovative, very inexpensive, patented, green remediation technique that allows for rapid processing of medical waste at the point of generation (eliminating centralized collection) in Remediator instruments the size of a water cooler or large photocopier. Based on a patented, environmentally benign, high-boiling liquid that is five times as microwave-active as water. Remediation costs are 1⁄3 those for environmentally-unfriendly incineration (which is currently still the most widely used remediation technique).
Highly Innovative, Green Technology for Localized, Point-of-Service Medical Waste Remediation
- Rapid, portable, point-of-service destruction of wastes at point of generation.
- Extremely environmentally benign.
- Patented technology uses liquid, b.p. ca. 300°C, that is five times as microwave-active as water and is environmentally benign, coupled with benign microwave enhancers.
- Not microwave-steam. Ambient pressure.
- Handles mixed wastes, including sharps, disposable scalpels.
- Larger, 20 L Remediator model is the size of a large photocopier. Smaller, 5 L model is the size of a small water cooler.
- Low power.
- Remediated waste can be disposed of as regular trash (“Class 10 Municipal Waste” in the U.S.).
- Superior in terms of cost, bulk, ease of use and, above all, environmental benignness, as compared to extant technologies such as incineration, microwave-steam, sterilizing liquids and autoclaving.
- Technology is currently available for licensing in the US and European Union.
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- SYNOPSIS
- DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
- COST
- RELEVANT LITERATURE REFERENCES
- AVAILABILITY AND FURTHER INFORMATION
SYNOPSIS
- Rapid, portable, point-of-service destruction of wastes at point of generation.
- Patented technology uses liquid, b.p. ca. 300°C, that is five times as microwave-active as water and is environmentally benign, coupled with benign microwave enhancers.
- Not microwave-steam. Ambient pressure.
- Handles mixed wastes, including sharps, disposable scalpels.
- Low power. 2 electrical connections for each unit:
- US: 1 X 110 VAC, 1 X 220 VAC, single phase.
- European Union: 2 X 220 VAC, single phase.
- Remediated waste, of size < 6 mm, can then be disposed of as regular trash ("Class 10 Municipal Waste" in the U.S.).
- Superior in terms of cost, bulk, ease of use and, above all, environmental benignness, as compared to extant technologies such as incineration, microwave-steam, sterilizing liquids and autoclaving.
- Two models currently available as prototypes, 5 L and 20 L. The larger, 20 L model, is the size of a large photocopier.
- Technology is currently available for licensing in the US and European Union.
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
- Extremely environmentally benign: Major component of microwave-active liquid is a food additive. No emissions of any nature due to very high b.p. of microwave active fluid.
- Demonstrated to be effective against the hardiest spores. Effective against viruses and prions. Technology originally developed for the Marine Corps for disposal of biological warfare (BW) agents.
- Portable, point-of-service model eliminates overhead and training associated with centralized waste collection and disposal.
- Dimensions:
- Prototype Model uWS-5L (5 L model): 122 cm (48″) H X 92 cm (36″) W X 51 cm (20″) D.
- Prototype Model uWS-20L (20 L model): 122 cm (48″) H X 102 cm (40″) W X 92 cm (36″) D.
- The larger, 20 L model, is the size of a large photocopier.
- Handles waste with substantial liquid content.
- Rapid operating time: Each remediation run typically takes less than 3 hours to complete.
- Microwave active fluid is reusable up to 15 times before recycling is required.
- Suggested service-contract business model, where service company picks up recycled microwave active fluid and services equipment if needed.
Click images to enlarge.
Views of Prototype Model uWS-5L (5 L capacity)
Photos of typical medical waste before (left) and after (right) going through shredder component of Remediator, prior to microwave remediation.
COST
- Low cost: Estimated at ca. US$1000/tonne (in year 2014). Compare with incineration (currently ca. US$3000/tonne), microwave-steam (currently ca. US$3700 to US$5000/tonne), sterilizing liquids (currently ca. US$4000/tonne), on-site autoclaving (currently ca. $5000/tonne).
- Most cost-effective model is “service model”, with leased equipment and full service over multi-year period.
RELEVANT LITERATURE REFERENCES
AVAILABILITY AND FURTHER INFORMATION
Technology currently available for licensing in the U.S. and European Union. For inquiries and more information, please Contact Us.