| 摘要 |
Described is a process for the thermal sterilization of toxic medical waste using steam, in which the waste is brought, in an atmosphere with a reduced oxygen content, in direct contact with steam. The process is preferably carried out in the presence of ozone. The process is conviently carried out in a device comprising a chamber (17) fitted with a vapour exit pipe (6) and equipped with a microwave heating system (21) for heating the interior (22) of the chamber. The microwave heating system (21) is integral with the floor and walls of the chamber (17), and passing through the floor are supply lines (1) for an inert gas to reduce the oxygen concentration inside the chamber (17). The lid (23) of the chamber is double-walled and fitted with inlet and outlet lines (24) for a coolant, e.g. nitrogen. Disposed inside the chamber is a waste container (18) which holds the medical waste to be sterilized. Passing through a central opening in the lid of the waste container (18) is a retractable nozzle (19) which contains several delivery lines for an ozone-containing gas, water or an aqueous solution of ozone and/or an inert coolant such as nitrogen. The medical-waste disposal system of the invention is simple, inexpensive, reliable and rapidly operated, and results in virtually complete sterilization without producing any pollutants.
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