 HI's Definitions (Revised 9Feb99 at 20:23) Plasma Heating System - A type of electrical resistance heater. One of the major components used in HI’s PBPV System. Developed in the mid-1960's for NASA’s use in testing prototypical spacecraft heat shields. Used successfully in the metallurgical and ceramics industries for over thirty years. Produces one of the most robust and highest sustainable temperatures in industrial use today. Pyrolysis - Chemical change brought about by non-combustive heat provided via an external source (Plasma Heating System). Ideally results in carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Vitrification - The melting and subsequent binding of inorganics resulting in an inert and non-hazardous vitreous product generally suitable for use in construction applications. Plasma-Based Pyrolysis/Vitrification (PBPV) System - Waste processing, resource & recovery system using electrically-driven heat from a "Plasma Heating System" to break waste materials down into simple compounds and individual elements that are either segregated and recovered or allowed to recombine into useful compounds. Simultaneously addresses both organic and inorganic waste materials. Organic waste materials, such as plastics, are converted to a mid-grade fuel gas dominated by hydrogen. Metals and other inorganic waste materials are melted and either economically recovered or molecularly bound with glass to form a non-leachable aggregate, often ideal for use in construction. There is no requirement for the land filling of any residue resulting from its operation. Can be operated at the point of waste generation thereby eliminating the risks associated with transporting waste over-the-road, compared to incineration. Combustion - A full oxidation (burning) process fueled primarily by the chemical energy inherent in the subject material (waste). Ideally results in heat, light, carbon dioxide, and water Hazardous Waste - That waste recognized by regulatory authorities as representing a hazard due to its ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and/or toxic nature. Incineration - A combustion-based process. Can address only certain segments of a total waste stream. Results in large amounts of comparatively high-pollutant off-gas and an (ofter hazardous) ask that must be landfilled. Highly controversial worldwide, and prohibited in many areas. Compared to HI's PBPV System. Inorganic - Glass, metals, and minerals. Medical Waste - Waste generated by healthcare and other facilities that is recognized by regulatory authorities as representing a biological hazard. Organic - All things other than glass, metals, and minerals (examples: carbonaceous compounds such as paper and plastics). Incineration - is a process which converts combustible materials into noncombustible residue or ash. The product gases are vented to the atmosphere through the incinerator stack while the treatment residue may be disposed of in a sanitary landfill. Incineration provides the advantage of greatly reducing the mass and volume of the waste - often from 85% to 95% which, in turn, substantially reduces transport and disposal costs. Incineration can be suitable treatment technique for all types of infectious waste. Incineration is especially advantageous with pathological waste and contaminated sharps because it renders body parts unrecognizable and sharps unusable. Incinerator’s that are properly designed, maintained, and operated are effective in killing organisms that are present in infectious waste. However, if the incinerator is not operating properly, viable pathogenic organism’s can be released to the environment in stack emissions, residue ash, or wastewater. Autoclave-Steam Sterilization - utilizes steam within a pressure vessel at temperatures sufficient to kill infectious agents present within the waste load. "There are two general types of steam sterilizers - the gravity displacement type in which the displaced air flows out the drain through a steam-activated exhaust valve, and the pre vacuum type, in which a vacuum us pulled to remove the air before steam is induced into the chamber. With both types, as the air is replaced with pressurized steam, the temperature of the treatment chamber increases. This results in temperature increases within the waste load which under most conditions are sufficient to treat the waste. Steam sterilization requires the waste to be exposed to sufficiently high temperature for a certain length of time. Proper autoclaving treatment requirements vary according to the load type and operating conditions. This allows the steam to penetrate and decontaminate the waste. Factors that can cause incomplete displacement of air include (1) use of heat-resistant plastic bags, (2) use of deep containers, and (3) improper loading. Steam sterilization works best with low-density and low-water content waste. Therefore, high-density wastes such as large body parts and large quantities of animal bedding and fluids are more effectively treated by alternative methods of treatment. In addition, antineoplastics agents, toxic chemicals, radioisotopes, and chemicals volatilized by steam should not be autoclaved. Certain types of waste should not be treated by steam sterilization, including those containing antineoplastic drugs, toxic chemicals, or chemicals that would be volatilized by steam. The process, however does not reduce the volume of mass that must be landfilled. Chemical Treatment - is most appropriate for liquid wastes; however, it also can be used in treating solid infectious waste. This procedure treats wastes in a chlorine solution and grinds the waste in order to reduce the volume (but not weight) by up to 85%. Gas-Vapor Sterilization - involves the sterilization of infectious waste by gaseous or vaporized chemicals (e.g., ethylene oxide and formaldehyde). Because of the environmental hazards and dangers to humans associated with chemical sterilization, this method is rarely used and is not recommended by the EPA. Electro-Thermal/Radiation - Irradiation Sterilization - may be used to sterilize infectious waste. The advantages of this method include nominal electricity requirement's, no steam requirements, no residual heat in treated waste, and the performance of the system. The disadvantages of the system include high capital cost, the requirement for highly trained operating and support personnel, large space requirements, and problems associated with the ultimate disposal of the decayed radiation source. Microwave - recently, this technology has been applied to medical waste. Microwaving disinfects waste by exposing it to high temperatures (approximately 210 degrees Fahrenheit), grinds waste to reduce volume (but not weight) by 12.5 percent. Microwaving, however, requires the use of electricity to operate the unit and is not recommended for treating pathological waste or animal carcasses. Plasma/Pyrolysis/Gasification - is what HI Disposal Systems is proposing to build in Indianapolis.
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