1. Section F Alternate technologies Section F Alternate Technologies

2. Section F Alternate technologies Bio-medical waste and technology Technology is only a fraction of the solution. Major components of waste management are: o Segregation of waste o Waste minimisation o Reducing use of hazardous substances or processes o Waste Audit F1

3. Section F Alternate technologies Treatment technologies Treatment technology for bio-medical waste should: Disinfect waste Make waste non-reusable Be environmentally safe Should consider worker safety F2

4. Section F Alternate technologies Approved treatment methods Autoclave Chemical disinfection Hydroclave Microwave Incineration Any other technology after CPCB approval F3

5. Section F Alternate technologies Technologies for bio-medical waste treatment Thermal processes oLow heat oMedium heat oHigh heat Chemical processes Irradiative processes Biological processes F4

6. Section F Alternate technologies Biological indicators Suspensions of resistant endospores are used as biological indicators for microbial inactivation: Bacillus stearothermophilus: thermal Bacillus subtilis: chemical Bacillus pumilus: irradiation F5

7. Section F Alternate technologies Autoclaves Saturated steam acts as the disinfecting agent Pressure, temperature, time combinations o for gravity flow 121 o C, 15psi, 60 /135 o C, 31psi,45 /149 o C,52psi, 30 o for pre- vacuum type (121 o C, 15psi, 45 /135 o C, 31psi, 30`) F6

8. Section F Alternate technologies Types of autoclaves Air is an effective insulator, thus complete disinfection demands removal of air from the chamber. Two methods of removing air are: Gravity displacement Pre-vacuum F7

9. Section F Alternate technologies Components of an autoclave Major components A metal chamber that can withstand high pressure A steam jacket surrounding the chamber A steam generator A capillary thermometer and 2 pressure gauges to monitor temperatures and pressures respectively Recording mechanism F8

10. Section F Alternate technologies Stages in autoclave operation Pre-heating Loading of waste with an indicator Air evacuation Steam treatment Steam discharge Unloading Mechanical treatment F9

11. Section F Alternate technologies Types of waste allowed/ disallowed Type of waste allowed category (3,4,6,7): Microbiological and biotechnological waste Sharps, soiled waste, solid waste Not to be treated: Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds Chemotherapeutic wastes, mercury and other hazardous chemical waste Radiological waste, Sealed heat resistant containers Huge and bulky bedding material Poorly segregated waste can lead to emission of alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, mercury and other toxic contaminants F10

12. Section F Alternate technologies Advantages Proven technology, with disinfection parameters well established Minimal emissions (with properly segregated waste) Relatively lower capital costs Automated systems F11

13. Section F Alternate technologies Disadvantages Waste recognisable after treatment No volume reduction (till a shredder is attached) Odours Emissions (with unsegregated waste) Process gives wet waste, if not subjected to drying Barriers to direct steam exchange may compromise efficiency. F12

14. Section F Alternate technologies Points to ponder Segregated waste is a must Air evacuation is necessary Place bags in multi-load trays Proper ventilation to avoid odors Thermocouples and pressure gauges should be checked frequently F13

15. Section F Alternate technologies Hydroclave Hydroclave is steam treatment with fragmentation and drying of waste It has a double walled chamber with an agitator inside Steam is injected into this wall (jacket) and waste is loaded in the inner chamber The agitator fragments and turns waste F14

16. Section F Alternate technologies Hydroclave: treatment mechanism The moisture in the waste turns to steam and exerts pressure on the inner walls. If this pressure is not sufficient, additional steam may be injected inside. Cycle runs at 132 o C for 15 / 121 o C for 30 Finally the steam is vented through a condenser while maintaining heat input, causing the waste to dry Steam is shut off, discharge door is opened and agitator runs in reverse rotation to place the waste on a conveyor belt/ container. F15

17. Section F Alternate technologies Hydroclave Advantages oShredded, dry waste oInternal mixing improves transfer of heat Disadvantages oClogging of agitator blades with waste oMixed shredded waste makes recycling difficult F16

18. Section F Alternate technologies Microwave: action mechanism Disinfection by moist heat and steam generated by microwave energy Magnetrons convert high voltage electrical energy into microwave energy The microwaves create an electromagnetic field Water and other molecules in waste try to align in the field and in the process they vibrate Vibration of the molecules produces heat F17

19. Section F Alternate technologies Microwave: action mechanism Microwave kills by two mechanisms: By heat energy from the steam generated Changing the biological molecular structure of proteins F18

20. Section F Alternate technologies Microwave: operating parameters Microwaves are high frequency (2450+50mhz) radio waves capable of creating electromagnetic field Temperatures reached are around 97- 100 o C. In some new systems, steam under pressure is passed, to achieve temperatures>135 o C. Cycle time is around 25 Typically, around 2-6 magnetrons are used with an output of about 1.2KW each F19

21. Section F Alternate technologies Stages in microwave operations Waste loading Steam injection in the hopper Internal shredding Microwave treatment Disinfection cycle Optional secondary shredding Discharge Category of waste that can be and cannot be treated is similar to the autoclave. Emission parameters are also similar F20

22. Section F Alternate technologies Advantages and disadvantages Advantages In use for more than a decade Minimal emissions if no hazardous waste fed Automated system No liquid effluent Disadvantages Relatively high capital cost Toxic emissions if hazardous waste fed Any large metal item can damage shredders Odour problems Probability of microwave energy leakage F21

23. Section F Alternate technologies Points to ponder Properly segregated waste is a must. It becomes necessary to ensure: o absence of large metal blocks o absence of hazardous or radiological waste: Workers to be trained for monitoring leakage of microwave energy and handle it F22

24. Section F Alternate technologies Other thermal technologies Low heat (dry) technologies (<350 o F) o high velocity heated air Medium heat (350 o F-700 o F) o reverse polymerization or thermal depolymerisation High heat technologies (1,000 o F- 15,000 o F) o pyrolysis Medium and high heat technologies also produce dioxins and furans and other toxic pollutants, require pollution control devices, and are fairly expensive. F23

25. Section F Alternate technologies Chemical methods (NaOH/ KOH: For treatment of pathological and cytotoxic waste): Sodium hypochlorite Glutarladehyde Peracetic acid Ozone gas Calcium oxide Sodium hydroxide: alkaline hydrolysis F24

26. Section F Alternate technologies Evolving technologies Irradiation (ionising radiation): X rays/gamma rays Electron beam Biological: Enzymes Composting, vermiculture F25

27. Section F Alternate technologies Choosing an alternate technology Throughput capacity Types of waste treated/not suited Microbial inactivation efficiency Environmental emissions and water residues Regulatory acceptance Space requirements Utility and other installation requirements F26

28. Section F Alternate technologies Choosing an alternate technology Reduction of waste volume and mass Occupational safety and health Noise and odour Automation Reliability Manufacturer background Cost Recurring cost and maintenance After sales service Level of operator training, other manpower requirement F27

29. Section F Alternate technologies Centralised facilities Guidelines on common facilities Treatment facilities: 90% non-burn, 10% burn Limits incineration to Categories 1&2 At least 1 Km from residential areas. Acceptable in industrial area One operator allowed to cater upto 10,000 beds, situated within 150 km radius Segregation is the role of generator; operator can report mixing of waste to the prescribed authority F28

30. Section F Alternate technologies Chemical Disinfection

31. Section F Alternate technologies Hydroclave

32. Section F Alternate technologies Microwave

33. Section F Alternate technologies Autoclave

34. Section F Alternate technologies Incinerator