Apparatus and method for chemically reducing waste materials

A method for digesting or neutralizing waste matter comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a highly alkaline solvent bath;
• (b) immersing said waste matter into said highly alkaline solvent bath;
• and
• (c) heating said highly alkaline solvent bath and said immersed waste matter to a temperature of at least about 90° C. for a time sufficient to substantially digest said waste matter, whereby a mixture comprising biodegradable materials and solid waste is produced.

A method for reducing waste material, comprising the steps of:

• (a) containing a predetermined amount of highly alkaline solvent;
• (b) immersing a predetermined amount of waste material in said predetermined amount of highly alkaline solvent;
• and
• (c) heating said predetermined amount of highly alkaline solvent and said immersed waste material to a temperature of at least about 90° C. and for a time sufficient to substantially digest said waste material.

A method for digesting or neutralizing hydrolyzable undesirable materials by subjecting them to an alkaline hydrolysis cycle and generating a resultant suitable for conventional sanitary disposal or land application, said method compromising the steps of:

• (a) providing a closed reaction vessel coupled to a temperature controlling means;
• (b) receiving a mass of undesirable materials within said vessel, said mass of undesirable materials being not greater than a predetermined maximum mass value;
• (c) controlling the operation of the system, including considering the mass of undesirable materials and determining the appropriate amounts of water and alkaline compound to introduce into the interior of the vessel;
• (d) after step (c), introducing an alkali compound within the interior of said vessel in an amount based on the mass of undesirable materials;
• (e) after step (d), introducing water within the interior of said vessel in an amount based on the mass of undesirable materials;
• and
• (f) after steps (d) and (e), heating the vessel interior to a first temperature for a duration sufficient to produce a safely disposable resultant;
• wherein said first temperature is at least about 90 degrees Celsius.

A method for digesting or neutralizing waste matter, said waste matter including hazardous or biohazardous agents or regulated medical waste containing infectious agents, said infectious agents comprising hydrolyzable material, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a highly alkaline solvent;
• (b) immersing said waste matter into said highly alkaline solvent;
• and
• (c) heating said highly alkaline solvent and said immersed waste matter to a temperature of at least about 90 degrees Celsius and for a time sufficient to digest said hydrolyzable material, whereby a sterile solution comprising non-toxic biodegradable materials and containing sterile solid waste free of said infectious agents is produced.

An apparatus for chemically reducing waste, comprising:

• a substantially alkaline-resistant vessel having a temperature;
• a heater in thermal communication with the vessel;
• stirring means for agitating the contents of the substantially alkaline-resistant vessel;
• a water inlet valve operationally connected to the vessel;
• a water outlet valve operationally connected to the vessel;
• a temperature sensor positioned to measure the temperature of the substantially alkaline-resistant vessel;
• an electronic controller connected in electric communication to the heater, to the magnetic stirrer, to the water inlet valve, to the water outlet valve, and to the temperature sensor;
• wherein the electronic controller is adapted to maintains the temperature of the substantially alkaline resistant vessel substantially at a predetermined value.

An apparatus for chemically reducing waste, comprising:

• a substantially alkaline-resistant vessel;
• a heater operationally connected to the vessel;
• a fluid inlet formed in the vessel;
• a fluid outlet formed in the vessel;
• a temperature sensor positioned in the vessel;
• an electronic controller in electric communication with the heater, with the fluid inlet, with the fluid outlet, and with the temperature sensor;
• and
• a substantially alkaline-resistant basket sized to fit within the vessel;
• wherein the electronic controller is adapted to maintain a maximum operating temperature of about 97 degrees Celsius within the vessel.