Abstract: A garbage processor has a vessel for receiving garbage, a rotary pulverizer/stirrer for crushing and stirring the garbage in the vessel and a first heater for drying the garbage in the vessel. Steam is generated upon heating and drying of the garbage. An air blower feeds high pressure ambient air into the vessel to force the steam out of the vessel. A steam separator is provided for separating the steam into water and a gas. A second heater is provided downstream of the steam separator for oxidizing the gas emanating from the steam separator to reduce the smell of the gas. The gas is deodorized before it is discharged to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for treating so-called wet refuse of urban origin, especially food waste from canteens, communities and other similar catering establishments, and originating from the food industry and the agrifoods industry, including the phases of subjecting a continuous stream of said wet refuse, previously ground, to heating to a pasteurization/sterilization temperature for the time needed for complete cooking, to give a continuous pasty and wet stream of cooked and sanitized refuse and subjecting the said continuous stream to drying, to give a product having a moisture content of not more than 15%.

Abstract: A device for encapsulating plastic waste such as plastic syringes with attached needles, lancets or blood test strips, having a melt chamber to receive the waste, means to elevate the temperature within the melt chamber, a reciprocating compaction head to compact the melted waste to form a plastic slug with the needles encapsulated within the slug, where the compaction head has a shoulder whereby the slug becomes attached to the compaction head when hardened. The hardened slug is then removed from the melt chamber during the retraction of the compaction head. Preferably, an ejection cam slides the plastic slug partially off the compaction head for easy removal.

Abstract: A device for the sterilization and encapsulation of bio-hazardous materials, especially including needles and syringes, which provides a sealable container to receive the materials and a rotating carousel to successively position the container for processing, a heat device to raise the temperature within the container to sterilize the contents and melt any plastic material, a compactor to crush the container into a smaller volume, and an ejector to remove the compacted container from the carousel.

Abstract: A self-venting package (A) contains peracetic acid or other strong oxidants in a unit dose that assures sterilization of instruments and equipment in an automated sterilizing apparatus (FIG. 3) or of biological wastes in a biological waste comminuting apparatus (FIG. 4). The self-venting package is constructed of a cylindrical body having first and second vent apertures (12, 14) 180.degree. offset adjacent a first edge (20) and third and fourth vent apertures (16, 18) 180.degree. offset adjacent a second edge (26). The first and second vent apertures are 90.degree. offset relative to the third and fourth vent apertures. The first edge is flattened and sealed forming a pair of corners (40, 42) such that the first and second vent apertures are disposed closely adjacent the first and second corners. The container is filled with peracetic acid or other liquids which liberate gas or vapors. A second end (26) of the container is flattened and sealed in a direction transverse to the first edge.

Abstract: A method for heat sterilizing or disinfecting hospital waste includes the steps of grinding and/or comminuting the waste under a cutting force and for an amount of time such that a quantity of heat which is sufficient to reach and maintain the sterilization or disinfection temperature within the massive waste is generated by friction. The apparatus includes a rotor provided with vanes or blades for grinding or comminuting the waste and a plurality of fixed strikers in the form of vanes or blades associated with the walls of the housing.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for rapidly thawing a frozen blood plasma unit. The holder maintains a plasma unit pouch submerged in a manner which affords substantial thermal contact between the plasma unit and the fluid bath. The fluid is manipulated to provide a kneading effect on the exterior surface of the bag to enhance thawing efficiency.

Abstract: A cleaning sterilization apparatus for topsoil which includes: an apparatus body provided with crawlers for traveling over a ground surface and an engine for driving the crawlers; an intake apparatus for taking up the topsoil into the apparatus body; a separating apparatus for removing foreign matters from the soil; a heat sterilization apparatus for thermally sterilizing the topsoil thus separated; and a discharge port constituting for discharging the topsoil sterilized by the heat sterilization apparatus out of the apparatus body; the intake apparatus being provided at a lower portion thereof with an intake port to be moved up and down.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the decontamination of infectious waste produces a flowable influent slurry from a solid waste and aqueous liquid. The influent slurry is caused to flow through a conduit which includes a heat exchanger, a heater which brings the temperature of the slurry to at least 125 degrees C., and a convoluted holding zone which provides a residence time of at least 15 minutes for the heated slurry. In-line agitation of the slurry is accomplished by injection of pressurized gas.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing combined liquid and solid dental waste from a patient's mouth such that the solid waste is separated from the liquid waste. The solid and liquid dental waste are removed from the patient's mouth and transmitted to a separation chamber. The liquid waste is substantially eliminated from the separation chamber to leave a solid waste residue therein. The solid waste residue is then collected from the separation chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing medical waste are disclosed. Medical waste is disintegrated or shredded, disinfected with radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation and then transformed into useful material such as reclaimed plastic and refuse-derived fuel.

Abstract: A multi-stage treatment system for infectious waste includes a shredding stage, a granulating stage, a wetting stage, a disinfecting stage, and a dewatering stage which define a continuous treatment flowpath for the infectious waste. A plurality of blades shred the waste in the shredding stage, then the waste is injected with volatile disinfectant chemicals which are mixed immediately before injection. A plurality of blades in a granulating stage then fragment the waste to a smaller particle size. The granulating stage insures that the waste is granulated to a sufficiently small size to facilitate the use of a relatively low concentration of a highly reactive disinfectant. Chemicals are mixed to form a volatile, highly reactive disinfectant which is then immediately injected into the waste downstream of the shredding stage. A plurality of jets wet the waste mixture in the wetting stage with the heated aqueous disinfectant.

Abstract: An autoclave (1) is provided with an internal table (1) upon which articles to be sterilised can be placed. The autoclave is provided with a mechanism (2, 3, 5) for shaking or vibrating the table, and thereby shaking or vibrating the liquid undergoing sterilization, resulting in a more even temperature distribution within the liquid, thereby reducing the length of time for sterilization and reducing the occurrence of flash evaporation of the culture medium. The shaking or vibration may, for example, be induced by a shaft (2) which passes sealingly through a wall of the autoclave or may be induced by a number of magnets (41) located on a ring (38) around the autoclave which magnetically attract associated magnets (35) on the table within the autoclave.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating infectious wastes from hospitals, medical clinics or the like integrates sterilizing, fragmentizing and compaction steps within a single waste processor. Wastes which are deposited in a sterilization chamber are made non-infectious by exposure to pressurized steam. An outflow of wastes from the sterilization chamber is fed through one or more on-line shredders or the like and then into a compactor which compresses the processed material into a transportable container that may be hauled to a dump site.

Abstract: A raw sewage disposal apparatus capable of easily stirring raw sewage and cleaning a container by rotating the container per se after introducing the raw sewage into the container and heating, evaporating and drying the raw sewage. The raw sewage disposal apparatus comprises a container for accommodating raw sewage therein, an electromagnetic heater for heating the container, a rotary holder for rotatably holding the container, a driver for rotating the container, spherical stirrers accommodated in the container, and a nonrotatable baffle having one end fixed to the cover plate and the other end extending to a position adjacent to the bottom of the container so as to contact the stirrers.

Abstract: To reliably sterilize hospital refuse in a quantities and configuration in which it occurs on its collection, the plant includes a refuse loading device, a shredder, a motorized screw for refuse conveying, a microwave oven and a device for removing the treated refuse upon its exit from the oven.

Abstract: Organic and/or inorganic substances and water are thermally separated from contaminated materials, solid aggregates, the contaminated material is pretreated and is subsequently heated in a directly or indirectly heated furnace, which includes a rotary kiln, a fluidized bed furnace or a floating zone reactor, and during the heating the material is treated with recycled hot gases or recycled hot steam and with oxidizing agents. The exiting processing gases, which contain water vapor, are dedusted, and 80 to 90% by volume of the water vapor-containing processing gases are recycled to the furnace to act as entraining gas. The remaining water vapor-containing processing gases are condensed, the resulting liquid phase is withdrawn, and pollutants are removed from the withdrawn liquid phase by a wet chemical or physical processing.

Abstract: This invention describes a microwave decomposition machine and method to decompose and sterilize medical waste material using high energy density microwaves, 60 Kilowatts or greater. The medical waste is well stirred and there is no damage of the cavity due to arcing during the process. The decomposition process takes place in a sealed oxygen free atmosphere of 1.0% or less oxygen thereby preventing the discharge of any medical waste gases into the atmosphere. The microwave decomposition machine can be mounted on a vehicle for easy transport to the source of the medical waste material.

Abstract: A process and processing system are disclosed that provide for the processing of many forms of waste, such as medical and food waste, that both reduces the volume of waste solids and neutralizes the biological activity of such waste, thereby facilitating the disposal of potentially unhealthy or hazardous materials. Biological neutralization is accomplished by chopping the waste material and mixing it with a circulating stream of fluid such as water that is superheated to a temperature which effects disinfection or sterilization in accordance with the needs of the user. The superheated fluid is maintained substantially in a liquid form to facilitate intermixing with the waste material and absorption thereby in instances of the processing of fluid-absorbable materials. The processed waste can be filtered to remove solid particles having a size in excess of a predetermined amount, and the filtrate can be passed into municipal sewer systems.

Abstract: A multi-stage treatment system for infectious waste includes a shredding stage, a granulating stage, a wetting stage, a disinfecting stage, and a dewatering stage which define a continuous treatment flowpath for the infectious waste. A plurality of blades shred and then granulate the waste in the shredding and granulating stages while simultaneously mixing the waste with disinfectant chemicals. The granulating stage insures that the waste is granulated to a sufficiently small size to facilitate the use of a relatively low concentration of a highly reactive disinfectant. Chemicals are mixed to form a volatile, highly reactive disinfectant which is then immediately injected into the waste stream. A plurality of jets wet the waste mixture in the wetting stage with the heated aqueous disinfectant. A flow restriction removes excess aqueous liquid from the disinfected waste in the dewatering stage and renders the product suitable for landfilling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for comminuting and sterilizing infectious waste wherein the size reduction processes take place within the same sealed container within which the sterilization through vacuumization and saturated steam pressurization takes place. Between the vacuum cycle and the high-pressure steam cycle there is interposed an intermittent steam pressurization step to atmospheric pressure. The comminution of infectious waste material is carried out by a series of cutting, crushing and shearing elements which are arranged in a compact, stack-like fashion in a vertical arrangement with the bearing elements, clutch, gear and motor located outside the autoclave container and detachable therefrom, which allows ready access to the shredder stack which can be removed and exchanged in fully assembled fashion.

Abstract: Various kinds of used and potentially infectious medical articles such as injection needles are first crushed into pieces to such an extent that the shape of the articles can not be visually identified. Subsequently, the crushed medical articles and particulate absorbent are introduced into a mixer and mixed and heated therein to a temperature above 180.degree. C. by use of a heater in combination with frictional heat generated as the mixer blade is rotated, whereby the crushed infectious medical waste articles are completely sterilized. The particulate absorbent serves to absorb any unpleasant odor or toxic gas which is generated from the crushed infectious medical articles during heating. In such manner, sterilization of the crushed infectious medical appliances and absorption of the toxic gas can simultaneously be achieved, and moreover, the resultant sterile admixture can be used as an aggregate for construction material such as concrete.

Abstract: Hospital wastes or the like are sterilized and compressed for disposal by apparatus having a waste receptacle with a waste receiving opening at the top and having a sterilizer casing, the receptacle and casing being in telescoping relationship. The receptacle initially protrudes from the casing in order to receive the wastes and is then translated into the casing to close the casing and thereby enable sterilization of the contents by admission of pressurized steam. A helical rotary conveyer extends along the axis of the receptacle and has several functions. The conveyer moves wastes from the receptacle into the casing and precompacts such wastes prior to the sterilization cycle and may be used to stir the wastes during sterilization. After opening of a casing door, the conveyer operates to discharge the sterile wastes from the casing and a translatable ram forces the material into an adjacent compactor container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sterilizing biological waste. The waste material is introduced into a shredder mechanism to chop the material into particles of reduced size, which are transmitted into a preheating chamber. Steam is introduced into the chamber to preheat the particles to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit. A selected amount of the preheated particles are continuously transmitted into a sterilization chamber and steam is introduced into the sterilization chamber to heat the preheated particles to at least 248 degrees Fahrenheit for a sufficient duration such that the particles are sterilized.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for simply disposing medical waste from a medical institution on site. The method comprises crushing medical waste in a closed container, exhausting air out of the container, sterilizing the air before releasing it into the atmosphere, and filling the container with a high-pressure steam having a temperature between 110.degree. C. and 150.degree. C. to sterilize the crushed medical waste. The apparatus is equipped with a pressure container having at least one air-tight seal, an internal waste crushing mechanism such as blades, an internal supply of steam, a valve for exhausting air from the container, and an air sterilizer for the exhausted air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing biohazardous wastes is disclosed. Biohazardous wastes are mechanically destroyed and neutralized with radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation and high-temperature steam inside an apparatus having a pressurized neutralization chamber.

Abstract: A process and processing system are disclosed that provide for the processing of many forms of waste, such as medical and food waste, that both reduces the volume of waste solids and neutralizes the biological activity of such waste, thereby facilitating the disposal of potentially unhealthy or hazardous materials. Biological neutralization is accomplished by chopping the waste material and mixing it with a circulating stream of fluid such as water that is superheated to a temperature which effects disinfection or sterilization in accordance with the needs of the user. The superheated fluid is maintained substantially in a liquid form to facilitate intermixing with the waste material and absorption thereby in instances of the processing of fluid-absorbable materials. The processed waste can be filtered to remove solid particles having a size in excess of a predetermined amount, and the filtrate can be passed into municipal sewer systems.

Abstract: A simple to use, single quantity, syringe sterilization and destruction device is disclosed. A syringe is inserted into the device needle first by the operator. The device grips the syringe and holds it in place. The device heats the steel needle portion of a syringe to sterilize the needle portion. The heat also melts the steel-to-plastic fitting between the steel needle portion and the plastic barrel portion of the syringe. The plastic barrel portion separates from the heated needle portion of the syringe by force of gravity or by a light pulling force exerted by a pulling mechanism. The hole in the fitting is sealed by the molten plastic. Sealing the hole maintains the integrity of the plastic barrel/plunger container and prevents spillage of contaminated waste. The heated needle is bent into a spiral bundle so that no sharp portions protrude from the spiral bundle. The spiral bundle is deposited into a container for recycling or waste disposal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for treating medical hazardous wastes to process them into waste similar to domestic refuse which can be removed or disposed of like normal domestic refuse or can be supplied for recycling after sorting. The infectious refuse is passed through a microwave chamber fitted with a plurality of microwave sources disposed next to each other and subjected to a disinfection therein. To achieve a safe and reliable treatment for decontaminating medical hazardous wastes in an economical and environmentally friendly manner, the apparatus has a two-stage construction of microwave chamber and temperature maintenance chamber. The microwave chamber has a dense microwave field distribution for heating the refuse to or above a selectable minimum temperature. Connected to the outlet of the microwave chamber is the temperature maintenance chamber which holds the refuse at at least the minimum temperature during a minimum residence time.

Abstract: A steritort with a single spiral which allows the automatic loading of several rows of containers, the simulation of a rotary retort, and an indexed unloading of the containers by a push rod.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided to treat and dispose of medical waste materials to thereby enhance public heath and social hygiene. The medical waste material is sealed in a suitable nonflammable and long infrared radiation pervious container. The container with the waste material therein is subject to long infrared radiation for a sufficient period of time to heat the waste material to sterilizing temperature levels. The container and the sterilized waste materials are then crushed to reduce the same to granular form to facilitate convenient and safe ultimate disposal. Thus, medical waste materials can be treated and rendered harmless immediately and safely at the place where they are created. Such on-site treatment minimizes the cost involved in ultimate disposal and the potential for human contact with dangerous pathogenic waste.

Abstract: A safe, practical, and less costly method for disposing of infectious personal care waste, as well as pathological waste and equipment which can be configured for large municipal type use employing continuous process techniques, or for smaller, batch type, stand-alone processors for individual sites such as hospitals.

Abstract: A mobile disinfection apparatus for hospital waste has a worm conveyor leading from the bottom of the charging shaft at the back of a trailer bed to the mouth of a rotary tube reactor or rotary kiln enclosed in a heated hood which can be subdivided into separately heated zones. The reactor is formed with scoops which lift the waste comminuted in the charging shaft and cause it to cascade to contact the sterilizing medium and the sterilized waste passes into a discharge housing in which the waste is separated from the sterilizing medium which is recycled. The waste can be discharged and compacted by a worm conveyor which can be swung laterally outwardly from its transport position to discharge the waste for further handling like household or municipal waste.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for simultaneously milling, dehydrating and/or sterilizing a material by introducing the material into a chamber comprising rotating instruments while substantially simultaneously introducing a hot gas into the chamber. Gas and material are introduced tangentially to the chamber at points opposed from each other, and the gas and material both enter the chamber in the same direction as the rotating instruments.

Abstract: An apparatus and novel method for processing medical waste materials comprising an elongate pressure vessel of generally cylindrical configuration having an inlet end, and a closely fitting closure member for the inlet. An elongate drum of generally cylindrical configuration is mounted in the vessel for rotation about its longitudinal axis, which drum can be selectively driven in either rotative direction. The longitudinal axis of the drum is disposed at a slight angle of incline to the horizontal, placing the inlet end at a slightly higher elevation than the opposite end. A helically configured member is disposed along the interior perimeter of said drum, such that during rotation of the drum in a first rotative direction, the helically configured member moves the waste material in a direction away from the inlet end of the drum, whereas during rotation of the drum in the second rotative direction, the helically configured member moves the waste material toward the inlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing medical waste are disclosed. Medical waste is disintegrated or shredded, disinfected with radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation and then transformed into useful material such as reclaimed plastic and refuse-derived fuel.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing infectious waste includes placing the waste in a disposal apparatus which has an isolated volume for holding the waste. A dry granulated medium which has a disinfectant constituent is also placed within the isolated volume along with the waste. When the disposal apparatus is activated, an atomized mist is introduced into the volume and the waste, the medium, and the moisture in the mist are thoroughly blended together. The resulting destroyed waste is thoroughly moistened with the disinfectant solution which is formed by the mist and the disinfectant constituents of the medium. Then, the moistened, destroyed waste is heated to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to ensure efficacious sterilization of the waste.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for the vaporization of aluminum trichloride which consists of a U-shaped trough having flat front surfaces in which(a) there is rotatably disposed at the midpoint of the curve of the front surfaces a shaft aligned parallel to the horizontal longitudinal axis of the trough on which shaft there is disposed a helical stirrer having equal but oppositely directed pitches, in which(b) there are disposed on the curve parallel to the horizontal longitudinal axis of the trough outside or in the wall at least two heating rods along the entire length of the trough and in which(c) there is disposed at one end at the lowest point of the curve a device for the discharge of the melted material. The aluminum trichloride vaporized by means of the apparatus of the invention can be used for the pyrogenic production of aluminum oxide.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment, such as drying, freezing, crystallization of wet solids, slurries, suspensions, pulps and similar materials with heating or cooling.The apparatus is characterized by a treating body having two sections. The first section has a horizontally arranged axially flared annular treating drum rotatable around the horizontal or near-horizontal longitudinal rotation axis, and having end plates with a material feeding inlet pipe leading into the interior through one end plate, while the other end plate is provided with an opening arranged eccentrically in relation to the rotation axis. The second section of the treating body is connected rigidly and thus rotatably to the treating drum, the second section of the treating body having at least three duct-like oblong treating members leading into each other.

Abstract: An improved rendering process and system including the use of both a slurry evaporator and cooker. Renderable material is ground and mixed with oil to form a slurry which is then cooked under vacuum in an evaporator to remove some moisture. The resulting partially dewatered slurry is partially deoiled, and the solids residue resulting from deoiling is cooked in a cooker to remove additional moisture. The hot vapors generated by cooking the material in the cooker are used in the steam jacket of the evaporator. Preferably the dewatered solids residue from the cooker is further deoiled.

Abstract: A method and device for filling containers with evaporated radioactive waste concentrates that are mixed with bitumen and from which the water has been expelled by creation of temperatures above the boiling point of water, in which the temperature of the waste mixture is substantially reduced below the water expelling temperature immediately before loading the mixture into the containers.

Abstract: Hydrogenation of coal is improved through the use of a mechanical force to reduce the size of the particulate coal simultaneously with the introduction of gaseous hydrogen, or other hydrogen donor composition. Such hydrogen in the presence of elemental tin during this one-step size reduction-hydrogenation further improves the yield of the liquid hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing hydrocarbons from drill cuttings is disclosed. The method involves heating the contaminated drill cuttings at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, milling the cuttings to expose hydrocarbons trapped within agglomerates of the material, and separating the vapors thereby produced from the cuttings. The cleaned cuttings can be used or disposed of without damage to the environment. The vaporized hydrocarbons may be condensed and recovered.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a plurality of elongated, vertically spaced and horizontally oriented chambers that are interconnected for the sequential flow therethrough of the material to be rendered. Each chamber has the material discharge, inlet, and product steam vents located in the chamber ends so that the chamber is heated along its entire length and has agitator means also extending along its entire length for an efficient heat transfer to the material and removal of the water vapor developed.