Waste processing method and waste processing apparatus

A waste processing method comprising:

• a step of decomposing substantially all of an organic substance included in organic wastes into lower-molecular-weight products by holding the organic wastes in a medium, which is in a supercritical state thereof, for a predetermined time period;
• a step of separating insoluble impurities contained in the organic wastes;
• and
• a step of oxidizing and decomposing the lower-molecular-weight products into carbon dioxide, and/or water by holding a mixture of an oxidant and the lower-molecular-weight products in the medium, which is in a subcritical state thereof, for a pre-determined time period.

A waste processing apparatus comprising:

• a reactor for decomposing substantially all of an organic substance included in organic wastes into lower-molecular weight products in a first medium which is in a supercritical state and substantially in the absence of oxidant;
• means for feeding the organic wastes to the reactor;
• means for feeding the medium to the reactor;
• an oxidation reactor for oxidizing and decomposing the lower-molecular-weight products into carbon dioxide and/or water with an oxidant in a second medium which is in a subcritical state thereof;
• means for feeding the oxidant to the oxidation reactor;
• and
• means for recovering a fluid produced in the oxidation reactor.

A waste processing apparatus comprising:

• first means for decomposing substantially all of an organic substance included in organic wastes containing in a reactor into lower-molecular weight products by holding the organic wastes in a medium in a supercritical state thereof, and second means for subsequently, oxidizing and decomposing the lower-molecular-weight products into carbon dioxide and/or water by holding a mixture of the lower-molecular-weight products and an oxidant in the medium in a subcritical state thereof;
• means for feeding the organic wastes to the reactor;
• means for feeding the medium to the reactor;
• and
• means for feeding an oxidant to the oxidation reactor;
• and
• means for recovering a fluid produced in the reactor.

A waste processing apparatus comprising:

• a reactor for decomposing an organic substance contained in organic wastes in a medium in a supercritical state thereof;
• means for feeding the organic wastes to the reactor;
• means for feeding the medium to the reactor;
• means for adjusting the hydrogen ion concentration by feeding an inorganic acid into the reactor;
• and
• means for recovering a fluid produced in the reactor.

A waste processing apparatus comprising:

• first means for decomposing substantially all of an organic substance included in organic wastes in a reactor into lower-molecular-weight products in a medium which is in a supercritical state thereof, and second means for subsequently oxidizing and decomposing the lower-molecular-weight products into carbon dioxide and/or water with an oxidant in the medium which is in a subcritical state;
• means for feeding the organic wastes to the reactor;
• means for feeding the medium to the reactor;
• means for feeding the oxidant to the reactor;
• means for adjusting the hydrogen ion concentration in the reactor by adding an acid;
• and
• means for recovering a fluid produced in the reactor.

A waste processing apparatus comprising:

• a reactor for decomposing substantially all of an organic substance included in organic wastes into lower-molecular-weight products in a first medium which is in a supercritical state and substantially in an oxidant-free state;
• means for feeding the organic wastes to the reactor;
• means for feeding the medium to the reactor;
• an oxidation reactor for oxidizing and decomposing the lower-molecular-weight products into carbon dioxide and/or water with an oxidant in a second medium which is in a supercritical state thereof;
• means for feeding the oxidant to the oxidation reactor;
• means for feeding an acid and adjusting the hydrogen ion concentration in the reactor;
• and
• means for recovering a fluid produced in the oxidation reactor.

A waste processing apparatus comprising:

• a reactor for decomposing an inorganic substance included in inorganic wastes in a medium which is in a supercritical state thereof;
• means for feeding the inorganic wastes to the reactor;
• means for feeding the medium to the reactor;
• means for feeding an acid for adjusting the hydrogen ion concentration in the reactor;
• and
• means for recovering a fluid produced in the reactor.