Microbial Inactivation by microwave treatment - Bertin Medical Waste

Microbial Inactivation by microwave treatment

The microwave technology used by Sterilwave is recognized and recommended by the WHO. It meets the requirements of all standards in the world. Pressurless, it allows a safe treatment of bio-hazardous waste without rejection of liquid effluent, in compliance with environmental requirements.

The Sterilwave solution for disinfecting biomedical waste is based on a combination of shredding by rotating blades and temperature rise by microwave technology, the most respectful of the environment. 100% electric, this innovative patented technology allows microbial inactivation of medical waste in 30 minutes. Compared to traditional autoclave solutions, which consume high amount of energy (generation of steam / water / electricity / treatment of effluents) and require the management of a vessel under several pressure bars by qualified technicians, Sterilwave solutions minimize the significant risks of pressure thanks to their ease of use by unqualified operators. Their maintenance is simple and low cost compared to competing technologies (incineration / autoclave / friction).

All types of solid waste as well as liquids packaged without specific segregation (plastic, glass, metal, textiles, blades, sharps, etc.) can be treated by the Sterilwave system which records the entire process in order to ensure full traceability of all operations (printed ticket + memory card recording + possibility of remote connection to export data in real time). Besides the efficient and rapid decontamination of waste with a microbial inactivation level of up to 8 log10 (higher than the sterilization level) on a stable and fully automated cycle of 30 minutes, Sterilwave also makes it possible to convert biohazardous waste into dry and inert waste, reducing their weight by up to 25% and their volume by up to 80%. This resulting material similar to municipal waste can also serve as energy-efficient secondary fuel and offers circular economy possibilities.

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

Through a fully automated 30-minute cycle in one single vessel and a rapid and efficient temperature rise up to 110 ° C, Sterilwave transforms infectious waste into decontaminated municipal waste.

KEY BENEFITS

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Efficient: microbial inactivation up to 8log10
Compliant with all international standards

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Safe: no irradiation risk, no pressure on the vessel, no chemicals

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Eco-friendly: 100% electric
No water, no liquid effluent, circular economy possibilities

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Adapted to any type of medical waste without specific segregation
Plastics, sharps & needles, blood bags, textiles, anatomical waste …

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Low operating cost, easy maintenance
Low energy consumption, low maintenance cost, one of the lowest operating costs on the market

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

Microbial inactivation by microwave treatment - Process description

COMPARISON

Incineration has been the most widely used method for treating infectious waste. However, biomedical waste incinerators release a wide variety of pollutants in the air, including organic compounds such as benzene, chlorophenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), vinyl chloride and dioxins, heavy metals (mercury, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, etc.), acid gases (hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides), carbon monoxide, and particulate matter such as fly ash. Pathogens can also be found in the solid residues and exhaust gases of poorly designed and poorly used incinerators.

For the treatment of solid biomedical waste (and liquid waste packaged in suitable packaging / containers), there are alternative heat treatments so-called “low temperature” incineration by dry or humid heat. These decontamination technologies must be combined with mechanical methods such as shredding or crushing, to destroy pathogens. The shredders improve the rate of heat transfer and expose more waste surface for processing.

As it uses the microwave technology, Sterilwave is the easiest, most efficient and economical solution to manage medical waste onsite.

Waste management method Waste output Weight reduction Volume reduction Immediate installation
No specific construction required
Zero effluents
No polluting emissions
Dry Stable Sterilized
STERILWAVE
Autoclave Some models Some models
Incineration
Chemical treatment Some models Some models

The best alternative to autoclave and incineration solutions – detailed comparison:

AUTOCLAVE INCINERATION STERILWAVE
Technology Temperature under pressure over 130 °C Require a steam-powered generator Incineration on specific location. Require special carrier (expensive) Based on microwave technology, simple and efficient (heating at 100°-110°C) More efficient than Autoclave technology ( confirmed by WHO)
Pressure / authorization Risk in case of error

Working under pressure (several bars of saturated steam);
Specific authorization to work under pressure;
Require many maintenance tasks;
High risk in case of human error

NC Ambient pressure Safe to operate and maintain Limited Risk in case of Human error
Integrated grinding system Slow shredding <20 mm output size No Yes by rotate blade: 1500 RPM <10mm output size
Disinfection efficiency from 5 log to 8 log10 (depending the brand model) Complete destruction Up to 8 log10 more than 6 log 10 for virus
Output Waste after treatment Volume reduction up to 80%;
Wet waste;
Increase of the weight 20% due to water and steam
Complete destruction Ashes Volume reduction up to 80%
Dry Waste
Weight reduction of 25%
Easy to recycle
Operation cost Cost for energy, water, spar parts and consumables Cost for Energy, filters, maintenance Lowest running cost for consumables, energy and maintenance
Environmental impact Medium
Require important volume of water
Liquid effluents
Negative
Pollution
Special carrier of ashes always requested
POPs, Toxins
Positive
On-site waste treatment
No effluents
Volume and weight reduction of the treated waste
Only require electricity

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