DD297334A5 - DEVICE FOR TREATING MEDICAL SPECIALTAILS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the treatment of special medical waste for the treatment of household waste similar to waste, which can be removed and disposed of as normal household waste or recycled after sorting. The infectious waste is guided through a microwave chamber equipped with several microwave transmitters arranged side by side and subjected to disinfection there. For a safe and reliable treatment for decontamination of special medical waste in an economical and environmentally friendly manner, the device comprises a two-stage structure of microwave chamber and temperature-holding chamber. The microwave chamber has a dense microwave field distribution for heating the garbage to or above a minimum temperature that can be selected. Connected to the output of the microwave chamber is the temperature holding chamber which holds the waste at least at the minimum temperature during a minimum residence time. Treatment; Hazardous waste; medical technology; Decontamination; Disinfection; Processing; Recycling; Arrangement; Microwave chamber; Temperature holding chamber; Microwave transmitter; length of stay; Minimum temperature}

Description

For this 5 pages drawings

The invention relates to a device for treating infectious waste, processed with the infectious waste to household waste similar waste and then run away and disposed of as normal household waste or recycled after sorting.

From DE-PS 3505570 a device for the treatment of infectious waste with the aid of microwaves is known in which a disinfection of infectious waste is carried out in a continuous disposal plant to keep the risk of infection by release of infectious bacteria, etc. as small as possible , This compact disposal system comprises a lock chamber, a spray device arranged therein for moistening the refuse with water and optionally an addition of disinfectant, a garbage crusher and a microwave chamber. The microwave chamber is designed as an at least partially microwave-permeable through-tube, along which a plurality of adjacent microwave transmitters are provided. By means of a conveyor of shredded and moistened waste is moved through the microwave chamber. Such a disposal system has led to lead times with justifiable economic effort to absolutely reliable disinfection, which makes an increased use of disinfectants required.

The aim of the invention is to provide a device for treating moist, possibly moistened infectious waste with microwaves, which allows a faster, safer and thus more economical disposal of infectious waste.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for treating moist, possibly moistened, infectious waste with microwaves, which makes it possible to allow the design of the thermal treatment, a safe and reliable disposal of medical waste in an economical and environmentally friendly manner. The invention therefore relates to a device for treating fuuchtem, optionally humidified, infectious waste with microwaves in the form of an outwardly closable assembly consisting of an input section with a filling and a crusher, and an adjoining treatment section with a microwave chamber, the nne transport means for a movement of the refuse along a plurality of juxtaposed microwave transmitters, which is characterized in that the treatment portion is formed in two stages with a first passage chamber formed by a microwave chamber having a dense in the direction of microwave field distribution for heating the refuse or over a selectable minimum temperature, and with a second passage chamber which is connected to the outlet of the first flow chamber and as a temperature holding chamber for holding the waste on we at least the minimum residence time is formed.

Advantageously, a reduction of the number is achieved by purely thermal inactivation hereby. A quick heating of the crushed. Moist waste in the microwave chamber and maintaining the waste at least at a selectable minimum temperature during a minimum residence time allow the treatment to be adjusted to the starting bacterial count and germ species to cause at least partial denaturation of proteins and nucleic acids in the humid heat Bacteria. Mushrooms and viruses are coming. This damage is irreversible and leads to a safe elimination of the growth and expansion functions. A targeted, partial germ killing or inactivation and thus elimination of pathogens n, which are in or on the waste particles, can be achieved by a purely thermal disinfection. While df ι dense microwave field distribution is used in a first stage of the treatment for rapid heating, held in a second stage holding a Einwirktemperatur or range to completely eliminate the oathogenen germs. To maintain a minimum temperature, the temperature holding chamber is suitably thermally insulated or preferably surrounded by a heating device. The movement of the waste through the per renperaturhaltekammer during the selectable contact time can be carried out by force or under the influence of gravity. Infectious waste is decontaminated so quickly and with high efficiency.

It is expedient here if the heating device for the temperature-holding chamber can be operated electrically, with thermal oil or with steam. Furthermore, the temperature holding chamber is expediently formed by a housing channel in which a conveyor spiral is arranged, or consists of a storage container with a selectable cross section for a minimum filling quantity, which has an outlet opening for the output of the waste under the action of gravity on the bottom side, at least partially Compaction of the waste in the temperature-holding chamber a housing chamber channel of the microwave chamber may have a larger diameter than a subsequent to the container conveyor channel of the discharge. Furthermore, the temperature holding chamber may be formed as a conveyor. In this case, the microwave chamber may be equipped with a housing channel in which a working as microwave field distributor conveyor is arranged, wherein the microwave chamber may consist of a tube or U-shaped trough with attachable trough lid on which the microwave transmitter are mounted. The microwave transmitters can be separated in a fluid-tight manner here by means of a disk made of polytetrafluoroethylene. To support the heat supply, the microwave chamber may be equipped with a device arranged on the outside for heating the chamber wall, wherein the heating device may be formed by a Doppelmantei for a heat transfer medium or electrical heating elements and an insulating layer disposed thereabove. Furthermore, it is expedient to attach the microwave transmitter via a respective waveguide with attached resonance space to the microwave chamber, wherein the resonance chambers are arranged substantially without spacing adjacent to each other. The individual microwave transmitters can always be fastened to the microwave chamber via a common waveguide with an attached resonance. For humidifying the refuse advantageously a spraying device or a steam feed is used, the latter also causes a preheating of the supplied and shredded waste on the input side of the microwave chamber, in a transfer hopper, an injection port for steaming the device may be provided. Furthermore, the filling space can be designed as a multi-chamber lock with a continuous lock wheel. Furthermore, it may be advantageous to use the device stationary or mobile as an attachment of a motor vehicle. In areas with hospitals and other health care facilities, whose waste volume is low, the device can be housed as a motor vehicle attachment in a container with which the refuse collection points of the hospitals are approached at regular intervals. By using this decentralized disposal system, the medical waste is disposed of in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner. The transport of infectious waste over the road and the resulting risk of infection is avoided. By no longer required disposable containers, the volume of waste is reduced significantly, so that also reduce the cost of waste disposal.

In the microwave chamber, the moist or humidified waste granules are heated directly by the microwaves, whereby a rapid heating of the granules is achieved up to the boiling point of the water. The associated vapor formation and steam flow increases the heating by indirect heating. Especially with garbage-specific material with poor thermal conductivity, such. As plastics, this results in a much faster and more economical heating of the filled waste. By means of an exhaust gas heat exchanger, a heating of a heat transfer medium can be achieved here. Finally, it is expedient to equip the device for a semi- or fully automatic mode of operation with a programmable central control unit, which performs a monitoring and control of the three areas input and crushing, heating and temperature maintenance and a respective adjustment of the mode of operation on the type and amount to be disposed of Special waste allowed.

example

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1: shows a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of a device for the treatment of medical

Hazardous waste,

Fig. 2 a u. 2 b: each show a half cross section of a microwave chamber of the device according to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of functional units of the device according to FIG. 1,

4 shows a longitudinal section of another embodiment of the input and crushing area,

Fig. 5: shows a longitudinal section of a mobile embodiment of a device for the treatment of medical

Hazardous waste.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a device for the treatment of medical waste in a container 1, which integrates an input section, a treatment section and a Ausförderungsabschnitt to a compact disposal system.

The input section comprises for receiving the waste articles 2 to be treated, first a filling space 3, which is designed as a funnel and can be closed in a fluid-tight manner via a cover 4. The opening and closing of the lid 4 via hydraulic cylinders 5, by which the lid 4 is fixed on the roof of the container 1. Within the filling chamber 3 designed as a rotary rocker 6 Eindrückvorrichtung is arranged, which pre-shreds the filled refuse 2 and a garbage chopper 7 feeds. The rotary rocker 6 is driven by a geared motor. One or more suction slots 8 of a suction system 9 are arranged in the side walls 10 of the filling space 3 and form a suction veil, which sucks the possibly raised by opening the lid 4 air germs. In general, the filter unit 8 remains in operation with the lid 4 in operation to prevent leakage of germs from the filling space 3. Preferably, the filter unit 9 comprises a pre-filter and a high-efficiency particle filter. The funnel with lid 4 and suction 9 give the filling 3 the function of a waste gate. Furthermore, an injection port 11 is inserted with associated valve in the side wall 10, so that at standstill, end of shift and repair and maintenance hot steam for decontamination can be introduced into the disposal system.

So that no germs precipitate on the side walls 10, they are still surface-heated using a support heater. The side walls 10 are heated to a temperature above 100 ⁰ C, preferably to temperatures between 105 ⁰ C and 14O ⁰ C.

The loading of waste articles 2 can be done manually or automatically via a lifting and tilting device 12, the waste container 13 receives and emptied into the filling chamber 3. For this purpose, the lifting and tilting device 12 can be arranged on the rear side of the container 1 and moves one or more waste containers 13 for the respective charging process in the direction of the arrow. The waste containers 13 are preferably 120-1 to 1100 liter containers. For actuating the lifting and tilting device 12, a hydraulic system 14 is provided. In the lifting and tilting device 12, a weighing device may be integrated, which determines the weight per waste container 13 and optionally records electronically.

The also belonging to the input section Müllzerkleinerer 7 consists of a cutting unit with two counter-rotating cutter shafts 15, are inserted into the cutting body and driver. The cutting body are designed so that a granulation of the supplied by means of the rotary rocker 6 waste material is achieved. At the same time there is a mixing of the garbage. For the drive of Müllzerkleinerer 7 a controllable electric motor is provided. The treatment section consists of a microwave chamber 16 and a temperature holding chamber 17. The connection between the input section and the treatment section provides a transfer funnel 18 which is releasably attached to the exit of the garbage chopper 7 and the entrance of the microwave chamber 16. In the transfer hopper 18, a spray head 19 is used, which is connected to a provided with a pump water tank 20 and ensures uniform moistening of the granulate produced by the garbage 7. Instead of the injection of water may be provided on the input side of the microwave chamber 16 is a steam feed, which moistens the waste and at the same time preheats.

The transfer hopper 18 is used as a buffer for Granujat because the crusher 7 generally offers more granules, as the microwave chamber 16 can take over. To monitor the filling level of the transfer hopper 18, a level sensor 21 is arranged for a minimum and maximum level in the region of the input and the output. The electric motor of the Müllzerkleinerer 7 is preferably controlled so that the level in the transfer hopper 18 always oscillates between the minimum and mpuimalen level. Consequently, the comminution process can be regulated via the fill level sensors 21. ^r ~ itließlich the transfer funnel can still door comprise a further injection port 11 for introducing the Heißdamptbo the decontamination of the emptied waste disposal facility. For loading these injection ports 11, a steam generator 22 is provided.

In the treatment section, the microwave chamber 16 is used to heat the shredded waste in a continuous process with a selectable conveying speed. The microwave chamber 16 consists of a channel-shaped or tubular passage housing 23, in which a conveyor 24 is arranged. Along the passage housing 23 is a central microwave transmitter with a waveguide system or a plurality of microwave transmitters 25 are arranged adjacent to each other closely. The microwave transmitters 25 are operable, for example, at a microwave frequency of 2450 MHz. For coupling in the microwave radiation, the through-housing 23 has inlet openings 26 or consists of microwave-permeable material in these regions. The microwave transmitters 25 may be arranged on several sides of the passage housing 23. Under the action of the microwaves, the passing granules are heated by internal heating and vaporized moisture. For collecting the evaporating moisture, the passage housing 23 and the microwave transmitters 25 attached thereto form a sealed treatment space. As a conveyor 24, for example, a screw conveyor, a conveyor belt or a delivery punch can be used. Preferably, the conveyor acts as a microwave field distributor, for example by using a screw conveyor made of metal.

In Figures 2a and 2b, a construction of the microwave chamber 16 is shown in detail. The passage housing 23 may be formed as a U-shaped trough and the conveyor 24 may consist of an open, shaftless conveyor spiral which rotates in the U-shaped trough. Trough and conveyor spiral are made of metal, preferably stainless steel, and additional wear rails 28 of a different material are provided, on which the conveyor spiral runs. The trough 23 is closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a trough cover 29, on which the microwave transmitters 25 are fastened. The conveyor spiral is driven by a motor 30 whose speed is controllable. The heating in the microwave chamber 16 is achieved by different heat feeds during the material passage. A heat input for preheating the MOIIs can be done by introducing water vapor into the entrance area of the passage housing 23. A heat input for heating takes place through the microwave transmitter 25, of which 12 are arranged side by side. The number may vary between 1 and 20, depending on the power level. The microwave energy generated by the individual microwave transmitters 25 is in each case coupled via a waveguide 31 and baffles 32, which form a resonance chamber 33, into the treatment chamber 34 of the microwave chamber 16. About releasable fasteners 35, the baffles 32 are attached to the trough 23. The resonance chambers 33 are arranged directly next to one another to produce a dense microwave field distribution. To prevent the entry of waste particles and moisture into the waveguide 31 and the resonance chamber 33, the treatment space 34 is covered on the head side by means of disks 36 made of a microwave-permeable material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The turn-on time of the microwave transmitter 25 is controllable. The turn-on times are selected so that the microwaves heat the granules to or above a selectable minimum temperature so that the desired thermal treatment, for example a disinfection, can be carried out. To ensure heating to at least the minimum temperature is an automatic adjustment of the conveying speed and the levels. Another heat input may be provided to support the heating generated by the microwaves. For this purpose, the trough 23 is surrounded by a heating device. According to FIG. 2 a, the heating device consists of electric heating coils 40, which are preferably arranged directly on the wall of the trough 23. According to FIG. 2 b, the heating device consists of a double-walled part jacket 38 for a heat transfer medium, such as thermal oil or steam, which is likewise preferably arranged directly on the wall of the trough 23. In both embodiments, a heat insulation 39 is then installed, which is shielded on the outside by a cover 41. This second heat input can consist of different heating circuits, so that individual areas of the microwave chamber 16 can be fed a targeted amount of continuous heat. The granule temperature reached is determined in the region of the input 43 of the temperature-holding chamber 17 via a measuring sensor 42. For thermal disinfection of a moist medium, the minimum temperature is above 95 ⁰ C and is preferably 98 ° C to 102 ⁰ C.

At the output of the microwave chamber 18, the input 43 of the temperature-holding chamber 17 is connected with its holding path. The temperature holding chamber 17 consists of a channel-shaped passage housing 44, in which the temperature operation of the granules takes place in a Durchlaufverf Jhren. By means of a conveyor 45, the transported from the conveyor 24 of the microwave chamber 16 heated granules are taken and moved through the temperature-holding chamber 17 during a selectable minimum residence time. During this time, the granules are kept at least the minimum temperature. According to FIG. 1, the passage housing 44 is encased on the outside by a heating device 46, which is designed, for example, as in the case of the microwave chamber 16. The heat introduced by the heater 46 prevents the granules from cooling, so that the temperature generated in the microwave chamber 16 can be maintained. If appropriate, a temperature level can be set between input 43 and output 48 of temperature-retaining chamber 17, wherein the input and output temperature must have at least one minimum temperature required for the treatment process. For monitoring) mg of the treatment process, the inlet temperature via the sensor 42 and the output temperature of the granules in the temperature-holding chamber 17 are detected and documented by a sensor 47.

The conveyor 45 consists of a screw conveyor, which may be waveless as well as in the Mikrowellenkammor 16. The screw conveyor 45 is driven by a motor 49 with controllable speed. Their speed is matched to the conveyor spiral 25 so that it comes in the temperature holding chamber 17 to a certain compression of the first for the heating by microwaves loose granules. As the material for the passage housing 44 and the conveyor 45 metals are provided, preferably stainless steel. But there are also plastics or ceramic materials used. In the temperature holding chamber 17, the granules are maintained at the minimum temperature reached by means of microwaves of over 95 ° C. The minimum residence time depends on the number of germs, the type of germ and the filling quantity. The holding period can be adjusted by the speed of the screw conveyor 45 targeted. Temperature losses are compensated by the support heater. Depending on the choice of the temperature to be maintained may already be sufficient thermal insulation of the passage housing 44.

At the outlet 48 of the temperature holding chamber 17, the treatment process is completed, so that a subsequent Ausförderabschnitt consist only of an ejection opening or as shown in Figure 1, a laterally herausschwenkbare from the container 1 Ausförderschnecke 50, driven by a motor 51 may have. The container 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be set up stationarily or arranged according to FIG. 1 for mobile use on a motor vehicle trailer 52. A space heater 53 ensures a sufficient ambient temperature. The disposal system can be operated manually or semi-automatically or fully automatically. All essential controlled variables and monitoring functions are integrated in a controller 54. The heart of the controller 54 is an operating program for switch and sensor queries, motor and transmitter control, monitoring and control of the displays. The functional units connected to the process computer 54 are shown in a block diagram of FIG. 3 for the input and comminution area, the heating area and the temperature holding area with rejection system. The mutually influencing controlled variables of the functional units are characterized by connecting lines with arrows. With these measures, it is ensured that the minimum temperature and holding time required for a thermal treatment, in particular a disinfection, and deviations are automatically followed up! "

According to a second embodiment, the temperature holding chamber may consist of a storage container of a selectable cross-section for a minimum filling quantity, which on the bottom side has an outlet opening for dispensing the waste under the action of gravity. This container may be thermally insulated alone or equipped with a support heater for indirect heating of the granules in the container. For this purpose, the container can have chamber walls with a double jacket, through which a heat transfer medium, for. B. thermal oil, steam, can be performed. The dimensions of the container are adapted to the Durchsetzmenge the system. Preferably, the cross section of a discharge device connected to the bottom of the container is smaller than the cross section of the delivery channel of the microwave chamber, whereby a compression of the granules in the container is achieved.

Figure 4 shows another Ausführunqsform the input and crushing area, in particular the filling chamber 3, which is designed as a 3-chamber lock. The filling chamber has a substantially cylindrical hollow body 55, which is provided on the bottom side with a funnel-shaped output section 56. In the middle of the hollow body 55, a lock wheel 57 is arranged with three lock wings 58 extending outwardly at an angle of 120 ° each. The lock wings 58 divide the hollow body 55 into three separate chambers, which rotate on rotation of the lock wheel 57 in the counterclockwise direction in the direction of the arrow. Successively, the lock chambers through a filling station 59, a transfer station 60 and a disinfection station 61. By means of a spray head 62, a disinfectant can be introduced.

FIG. 5 shows a mobile embodiment of a device for treating medical waste. As described with reference to FIG. 1, this installation comprises an input section with a filling space 3, shredder 7 and intermediate hopper 18, a treatment section with microwave chamber 16 and a temperature-holding chamber and a discharge section, these operating units being accommodated in a container 1 which forms the structure of a motor vehicle 75 , To simplify the drawing, the temperature holding chamber and the discharge section have been omitted. Furthermore, the system is equipped with a heater by means of circulation of a heat transfer oil. As heat transfer medium here heat transfer oil is provided. Lines 69 with inserted pump 71 and valve 72 connect a reservoir 68 with a jacketed jacket 65 of the housing channel 23 of the microwave chamber 16 and the funnel 3. Via lines 70, a radiator 76 of the space heater 53 (see Figure 1) fed. For heating the stored in the reservoir 68 heat transfer oil in an exhaust gas heat exchanger 77, which is arranged around the exhaust 78 of the motor vehicle 75. Via lines 79 of the reservoir 68 is connected to the exhaust gas heat exchanger 77 for heating the heat transfer medium. For monitoring and securing the heating of the heat transfer oil to the reservoir 68, an expansion vessel 80, a safety valve 31 and a pressure gauge 82 are connected. The heat generated in the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle can be used in such a way for the thermal treatment process of medical hazardous waste, whereby the heating of the system during the journey to the locations without additional energy costs and preheating times or downtime of the system can be minimized.

Claims (20)

1. Apparatus for treating moist, possibly moistened, infectious waste with microwaves in the form of an externally closable unit consisting of an input section with a filling chamber and a crusher, and an adjoining treatment section with a microwave chamber containing a transport device for a Movement of the refuse along several in the direction of passage juxtaposed microwave transmitters, characterized in that the treatment section is formed in two stages with a first passage chamber, which is formed by a microwave chamber (16) having a dense in the direction of passage microwave field distribution for heating the refuse on or over a selectable Minimum temperature, and with a second passage chamber connected to the outlet (27) of the first flow chamber and as a temperature holding chamber (17) for holding the waste to at least the minimum temperature w is formed during a minimum residence time. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature holding chamber (17) has a heating device (46) for indirect heating of the refuse. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the heating means (46) is electrically, thermally oil or steam operable. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the temperature holding chamber (17) by a housing channel (44) is formed, in which a conveyor spiral is arranged. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the temperature holding chamber (17) consists of a storage container with a selectable cross-section for a Mindestfüllmenge, the bottom side has an outlet opening for an output of the waste under the action of gravity aft. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that for at least partial compaction of the waste in the temperature chamber (17) has a housing channel (23) of the microwave chamber (16) has a larger diameter than a conveying channel of the discharge. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the temperature holding chamber (17) is designed as a discharge device. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the microwave chamber (16) is equipped with a Genäusekanal (23) in which a working as a microwave field distributor conveyor (24) is arranged. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the microwave chamber (16) consists of a tubular or U-shaped trough with attachable trough lid (29) on which the microwave transmitter (25) are attached. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the microwave transmitter (25) by means of a disc made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are separated in a fluid-tight manner. 11. Device according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the microwave chamber (16) is equipped with an externally arranged heating device for heating the chamber walls. 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the heating device is formed by a double jacket (38) for a heat transfer medium or by electrical heating elements (40) and an insulating layer (39) arranged thereabout. 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the microwave transmitter (25) via a respective waveguide (31) with attached resonance space (33) are attached to the microwave chamber (16), wherein the resonance chambers (33) substantially are arranged without spacing adjacent to each other. 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that individual microwave transmitters are attached via a common waveguide with attached resonance chamber to the microwave chamber. 15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a spraying device (19) for moistening or a steam feed for moistening and preheating the supplied and shredded waste on the input side of the microwave chamber (16) is arranged. 16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that in an transfer funnel (18) an injection port (11) is provided for a vapor application of the device. 17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the filling space (3) is designed as a multi-chamber lock (59,60,61) with a continuous lock wheel (57). 18. Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the device is constructed as a structure of a motor vehicle (75) mobile. 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that an exhaust gas heat exchanger (77) is vorgc. For heating the heat transfer medium. See. 20. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that a measuring and control device (54) is provided for the determination of the passage speed in dependence on the minimum temperature to which the level sensor of the transfer area, the temperature sensor of the temperature holding chamber and drive means for the conveyor are connected in the microwave chamber and optionally the temperature holding chamber.