HORIZONTAL SUPERHEATED STEAM STERILIZATION DEVICE FOR MEDICAL WASTE WITH AUXILIARY MICROWAVE HEATING AND WITHOUT SHREDDER
The horizontal sterilization device uses waveguide pipes and microwave-permeable separation plates to enhance microwave radiation and superheated steam synergy, achieving uniform and efficient sterilization of medical waste without a grinder.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- EASE ENVIRONMENTAL INC
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing medical waste sterilization devices combining superheated steam and microwaves without a grinder face challenges in maximizing the synergistic effect of both methods due to limited microwave radiation range and energy loss, leading to inefficient and non-uniform heating/sterilization of medical waste.
A horizontal sterilization device with waveguide pipes and microwave-permeable separation plates that direct microwave radiation towards the interior of the waste, combined with superheated steam, ensuring uniform heating/sterilization by minimizing energy loss and positional alignment of microwave-permeable windows and additional plates.
Enables rapid and complete sterilization of medical waste by simultaneously heating/sterilizing the inside and outside, overcoming limitations of limited microwave range and energy absorption, thus improving disinfection efficiency.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: HORIZONTAL DEVICE FOR STERILIZING MEDICAL WASTE USING SUPERHEATED STEAM WITH AUXILIARY MICROWAVE HEATING AND WITHOUT A SHREDDER technical field
[0001] The present utility model relates to the field of medical waste treatment technology, and more particularly concerns a horizontal device for sterilizing medical waste with superheated steam with auxiliary microwave heating and without a grinder. PRIOR STATE OF TECHNOLOGY
[0002] The superheated steam sterilization process and the microwave sterilization process are currently the most common methods for treating medical waste without incineration. Whether one adopts exclusively the superheated steam sterilization process or the microwave sterilization process, all have drawbacks such as prolonged sterilization time and low treatment efficiency.
[0003] Among these processes, the exclusive superheated steam sterilization process is a highly reliable and widely used non-incineration treatment method. Its main drawback lies in the fact that the steam heating of materials can only be done from the outside in, and that waste located inside requires a relatively long heat transfer time to be adequately heated / sterilized, which significantly affects the treatment efficiency. Furthermore, in order to reduce resistance to heat transfer and avoid the "cold island effect," the superheated steam sterilization process requires, during treatment, removing as much air as possible from the medical waste by intensive vacuuming (pre-vacuum). In contrast, the exclusive microwave sterilization process is limited by the restricted area of disinfection by microwave radiation.It is generally necessary to first grind medical waste, then rapidly agitate the ground medical waste to ensure that all waste passes repeatedly through the microwave-irradiated zone and is sterilized, without any dead zones. The combined "microwave and superheated steam" sterilization process is currently the most effective and safest known non-incineration disinfection method for medical waste. The main characteristic of this process lies in the synergistic combination of superheated steam and microwaves; it exploits the advantage of microwaves which... They penetrate deeply into materials and can directly sterilize the inside of the waste, as well as the advantage of superheated steam, which broadly covers surfaces and heats / sterilizes from the outside in. Thus, the external surfaces and the interior of the waste are heated and sterilized simultaneously, significantly increasing disinfection efficiency and enabling rapid sterilization. However, this process requires that medical waste be ground beforehand, and disinfection devices with integrated grinding still present the following problem: in the event of a blockage or malfunction of the grinder, unconventional measures must be taken to disinfect unground and unsterilized medical waste before maintenance can be performed.Therefore, horizontal superheated steam sterilization devices without an integrated grinder remain the most widely used at present, particularly for large-capacity projects, this type of device being the primary choice.
[0004] It is well known that combining superheated steam and microwaves on medical waste increases the disinfection efficiency of medical waste. However, the heating / sterilization characteristics of the two technologies are different. For horizontal devices without an integrated grinder, when medical waste is not pre-ground, the question remains as to how to reasonably design the structure of the disinfection device to make the best use of the different heating / sterilization characteristics of superheated steam and microwaves, maximizing their respective advantages and minimizing their disadvantages, with the aim of improving disinfection efficiency—a subject that the industry continues to explore.Existing patent documents contain numerous descriptions of devices combining microwaves and superheated steam with an integrated grinder, each with its own specific features. However, technical documentation relating to the combined microwave and superheated steam processing method without an integrated grinder, as presented in the present utility model, is sorely lacking.
[0005] Patent application no. ZL202220660576.0 describes a steam and microwave autoclave without an integrated grinder. However, this device clearly presents the following problems: it has a separate hatch for waste introduction, while the sterilized waste is removed along with the inner chamber through a separate opening. The waste inlet and outlet are therefore independently configured, making the structure relatively complex and impractical to use. More importantly, this patent does not address how to solve the problem of the limited range of microwave radiation to ensure uniform heating / sterilization of medical waste from the inside out, and thus to fully exploit the combined effect of microwave and steam heating / sterilization. superheated. The passage of microwaves for radiation of medical waste is limited solely to the top opening of the inner tank, while the side walls and bottom of the tank have no pathways for microwave entry. However, in practice, medical waste deposited in the tank is located at the bottom and adheres to the side walls, areas that the superheated steam struggles to reach directly. The top opening is precisely where the superheated steam can access and heat directly. Introducing microwaves from the top therefore leads to an overlap of the heating effect of the superheated steam, and if the microwaves still have to pass through the steam space in the tank, their energy is largely absorbed by the humid steam, making any effective use of the combined heating effect of microwaves and superheated steam impossible.The utility model patent published under number CN213244950U describes a small medical waste sterilization device using a combined microwave and superheated steam process, also without an integrated grinder. This patent further proposes placing the microwave waveguides and the microwave-permeable support plate inside the sterilization pressure vessel. From the perspective of bringing microwave radiation closer to medical waste, this represents progress. However, in this device, the bucket containing the medical waste is made entirely of microwave-permeable material, which causes microwaves to diffuse throughout the interior of the pressure vessel, significantly reducing the efficiency of heating / sterilizing the medical waste inside the bucket.Furthermore, this device lacks a positioning structure to keep the waveguide and microwave-permeable support plate as close as possible to the bucket containing the medical waste. Consequently, the energy of the microwave radiation emitted from the microwave-permeable support plate can be absorbed by the moist vapor diffusing into the space between the plate and the bucket, thus reducing the microwave energy reaching the medical waste. Therefore, the device described in this patent also has clear shortcomings for the efficient use of the different heating / sterilization properties of superheated steam and microwaves, and for achieving the synergistic effect of simultaneously heating / sterilizing the inside and outside of the medical waste. CONTENTS OF THE UTILITY MODEL
[0006] The present utility model aims to provide a horizontal, microwave-assisted, grinder-free device for sterilizing medical waste using superheated steam, which efficiently exploits the different heating / sterilization characteristics of superheated steam and microwaves and, through a design simple structure, achieves maximum synergistic effect of simultaneous heating / sterilization inside and outside medical waste.
[0007] The horizontal medical waste sterilization device using superheated steam with auxiliary microwave heating and without a grinder of the present utility model comprises a horizontal pressure vessel, a vacuum pump, a metal loading container, one or more microwave generators, and one or more microwave transmission mechanisms connecting one or more microwave generators to the horizontal pressure vessel. The metal loading container holds medical waste and can enter and exit the horizontal pressure vessel. The horizontal pressure vessel includes a steam inlet port, a waste gas outlet port, and a wastewater outlet port. The vacuum pump is connected to the waste gas outlet port.The horizontal pressure vessel includes at least one quick-opening door that allows the metal loading container to enter and exit the horizontal pressure vessel.
[0008] One or more of said microwave transmission mechanisms include one or more waveguide pipes whose inlet end is connected to one or more of said microwave generators, the outlet end of one or more of said waveguide pipes is arranged with a microwave-permeable separation plate which separates the internal space of one or more of said waveguide pipes from the internal space of said horizontal pressure vessel.
[0009] The outlet end of one or more of said waveguide conduits is arranged to be oriented towards the opening located on the top of said metal loading container, and / or the outlet end of one or more of said waveguide conduits is arranged to be oriented towards the wall of said metal loading container.
[0010] When the outlet end of one or more of said waveguide pipes is directed towards the wall of said metal loading container, said wall of said metal loading container is arranged with one or more microwave-permeable windows corresponding to the outlet end of one or more of said waveguide pipes, the microwaves emitted by the outlet end of one or more of said waveguide pipes allowing passage through said microwave-permeable windows to irradiate the medical waste inside said metal loading container.
[0011] Optionally, the outlet end(s) of the waveguide pipe(s) penetrate into the horizontal pressure vessel.
[0012] Optionally, microwave-permeable windows are located on the side wall and / or the bottom wall of the metal loading container.
[0013] Optionally, the interior of the horizontal pressure vessel is fitted with a positioning device, intended to ensure, when the metal loading container is introduced into the horizontal pressure vessel, that one or more outlet ends of said waveguide pipes are oriented towards the opening located at the top of said metal loading container and / or one or more outlet ends of said waveguide pipes correspond to one or more of said microwave-permeable windows.
[0014] Optionally, a rail or rollers are arranged inside said horizontal pressure vessel so that, when said metal loading container enters said horizontal pressure vessel through said fast opening door, it is guided by said rail or said rollers in sliding and / or rolling to the position defined by said positioning device, after which said microwave-permeable window is connected or arranged opposite the outlet end of said corresponding waveguide pipe(s).
[0015] Optionally, said microwave-permeable window includes a microwave transmission plate or grid mounted on the wall of said metallic loading container.
[0016] Optionally, the wall of said horizontal pressure vessel is provided with one or more conduit seats for the installation of one or more waveguide conduits, said waveguide conduit(s) pass through said wall of said horizontal pressure vessel by means of said conduit seat(s) to extend inside said horizontal pressure vessel.
[0017] Optionally, the steam inlet port and the residual gas outlet port constitute the same interface or different interfaces.
[0018] Optionally, when the outlet end of one or more of said waveguide conduits is arranged to be oriented towards the wall of said metallic loading container, one or more of said microwave-permeable separation plates are connected, on the side facing one or more of said microwave-permeable windows, to one or more additional microwave-permeable plates.
[0019] The present utility model has the following characteristics:
[0020] To address the fact that microwave radiation allows for the simultaneous disinfection of the inside and outside of medical waste, but that the range of microwave heating is limited, while superheated steam heating covers the entire external surface of the medical waste but only heats / sterilizes from the outside in, the present utility model uses waveguide pipes extending inside the horizontal pressure vessel, and at the outlet ends of the waveguide pipes inside the pressure vessel. Microwave-permeable separation plates are arranged under horizontal pressure. It also provides for positioning devices to keep the microwave-permeable separation plates connected to or close to the microwave-permeable windows of the metal loading container containing the medical waste, as well as additional microwave-permeable plates made of microwave-permeable material arranged on the side of the microwave-permeable separation plates facing the microwave-permeable windows.This allows microwave radiation to be brought closer to medical waste, minimizing the problem of slow internal heating / sterilization of medical waste due to the limited range of microwave radiation, and it is also possible to reduce microwave energy loss, which can be due to the fact that, after passing through microwave-permeable separation plates, microwave radiation energy is absorbed, before reaching the medical waste, by the humid vapor present inside the horizontal pressurized container as well as by any condensation accumulated on the microwave-permeable separation plates.Furthermore, the present utility model requires that the loading container containing the medical waste be an open metal container fitted with microwave-permeable windows, these microwave-permeable windows allowing microwave radiation to penetrate inside the medical waste, while the metal wall is a good microwave-reflecting material, thus retaining as much microwave energy as possible inside the metal loading container to effectively sterilize the medical waste.In addition, the present utility model provides for the arrangement of several waveguide structures around the metal loading container and the use of microwave-permeable windows positioned on the walls of the metal loading container, allowing microwaves to penetrate from the sides and bottom of the metal loading container, thus ensuring more complete and uniform heating / sterilization inside the medical waste.
[0021] The present utility model also includes a vacuum pump connected to the residual gas vent of the horizontal pressure vessel, allowing the horizontal pressure vessel to be evacuated before sterilization and to extract as much as possible of the non-condensable gases, minimizing the thermal resistance inside the medical waste during the heating of the medical waste.
[0022] The present utility model uniformly diffuses the microwaves generated by the microwave generators inside the medical waste via several microwave transmission mechanisms arranged on the pressurized container horizontal. Thus, even in the absence of an agitation mechanism, the medical waste inside the loading container receives sufficient microwave radiation, fully exploiting the different heating / sterilization properties of microwaves and superheated steam, and enabling rapid sterilization of medical waste. DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED DRAWINGS
[0023] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the structure of the medical waste sterilization device according to certain embodiments;
[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the waste sterilization device. medical according to certain embodiments;
[0025] The [Fig.3] is a schematic view of the structure of the medical waste sterilization device according to certain other embodiments;
[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic view of the cross-sectional structure of the device sterilization of medical waste according to certain other embodiments;
[0027] The [Fig.5] is a plan view of the metal loading container;
[0028] Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the metal loading container.
[0029] In the figures: 1 - horizontal pressure vessel, 2 - microwave generator, 3 - microwave transmission mechanism, 4 - metal loading container, 5 - medical waste, 6 - vacuum pump,
[0030] 11 - tank body, 12 - quick-opening door, 13 - inlet port steam, 14 - residual gas vent, 15 - wastewater vent, 16 - driver's seat, 17 - rail, 18 - positioning device,
[0031] 31 - waveguide conduit, 32 - micro-permeable separation plate waves, 33 - additional microwave-permeable plate, 34 - mounting bracket, 35 - clamping bracket, 36 - fixing bolt,
[0032] 41 - microwave permeable window, 42 - opening, 43 - groove. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] Embodiments of this utility model are described below with reference to figures and preferred examples, and those skilled in the art can readily understand, from the content disclosed in this description, other advantages and effects of this utility model. This utility model can also be implemented or applied in other specific embodiments, and the various details described herein can be modified or adapted from different perspectives and applications, without deviating from the spirit of this utility model. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments are intended solely to illustrate this utility model and do not limit its scope of protection.
[0034] It is also specified that the figures provided in the following embodiments illustrate only schematically the basic design of the present utility model; only the parts relevant to this utility model are shown, without regard to the actual number, shape, or dimensions of the components during implementation. In a practical embodiment, the shape, number, and proportions of the components can be freely modified, and the arrangement of the components can be more complex.
[0035] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the horizontal device for sterilizing medical waste with superheated steam, with auxiliary microwave heating and without a grinder, comprises a horizontal pressure vessel 1, a vacuum pump 6, a metal loading container 4, one or more microwave generators 2, and one or more microwave transmission mechanisms 3 connecting one or more microwave generators 2 to the horizontal pressure vessel 1. The metal loading container 4 is intended to contain medical waste 5; the metal loading container 4 allows entry and exit from the horizontal pressure vessel 1; said horizontal pressure vessel 1 is equipped with a steam inlet port 13, a waste gas outlet port 14, and a wastewater outlet port 15; the vacuum pump 6 is connected to the waste gas outlet port 14.The vacuum pump 6 allows the gases to be extracted from the horizontal pressure vessel 1. The horizontal pressure vessel 1 is equipped with at least one fast-opening door 12 allowing said metal loading vessel 4 to enter and exit said horizontal pressure vessel 1; one or more microwave transmission mechanisms 3 comprise one or more waveguide pipes 31 whose inlet is connected to one or more microwave generators 2, one or more outlet ends of waveguide pipes 31 are equipped with a microwave-permeable separation plate 32 which separates the internal space of one or more waveguide pipes 31 from the internal space of the horizontal pressure vessel 1, one or more outlet ends of waveguide pipes 31 are oriented towards the opening 42 located at the top of the metal loading vessel 4,and / or the outlet end of at least one of the waveguide conduits 31, among one or more waveguide conduits 31, is oriented towards the wall of the metallic loading container 4.
[0036] When the outlet end of one or more of the waveguide conduits 31 is oriented towards the wall of the metal loading container 4, the wall of the metal loading container 4 is arranged with one or more microwave-permeable windows 41 corresponding to the outlet end of one or more of the waveguide conduits 31, the microwaves emitted by the outlet end of one or more of the waveguide conduits 31 allowing passage through the permeable window(s) to microwave 41 to irradiate medical waste 7 inside the metal loading container 4.
[0037] By adopting the present technical solution, in the sterilization device without an integrated grinder, microwaves assist and cooperate with superheated steam for heating / sterilization, thus enabling rapid sterilization of medical waste. In parallel, microwave-permeable windows 41 can be provided, as required, on the metal loading container 4. These microwave-permeable windows 41 ensure that microwaves penetrate the medical waste, while the metal wall made of metallic material acts as a good microwave reflector, allowing maximum retention of microwave energy inside the metal loading container 4 and efficient heating of the medical waste.The arrangement of microwave-permeable windows 41 on the wall of the metal loading container 4 corresponding to the waveguide conduits 31 allows microwaves to penetrate from the wall of the metal loading container 4 into the interior of the metal loading container 4, which contributes to a more complete and uniform heating / sterilization of medical waste 5.
[0038] In the context of this technical device, the installation of a quick-opening door 12 allows the metal loading container 4 to easily enter and exit the horizontal pressure vessel 1. In the specific implementation, the horizontal pressure vessel 1 comprises a tank body 11 open on one side, the quick-opening door 12 is mounted on the opening, and rails 17 or rollers for supporting and guiding the metal loading container 4 are installed inside the tank body 11. When the quick-opening door 12 opens, the metal loading container 4 can enter and exit the horizontal pressure vessel 1 through the opening. The entry and exit of the metal loading container 4 are achieved through a quick-opening door 12, which has the advantage of a simple structure.
[0039] By means of the aforementioned technical solution, a waveguide duct 31 can be provided, as required, with its outlet end oriented towards the opening 42 of the metal loading container 4, so that the microwaves emitted from the outlet end of the waveguide duct 31 can pass directly through the opening 42 and irradiate the medical waste 5 contained in the metal loading container 4, thus contributing to more complete and homogeneous heating / disinfection of the interior of the medical waste 5. In the specific implementation, the medical waste can enter and exit the metal loading container 4 through the opening 42. The number and location of the waveguide ducts 31 can be adjusted as required. A waveguide duct 31 can can be installed around the metal loading container 4, or several waveguide pipes 31 can be installed around the metal loading container 4. When several waveguide pipes 31 are installed around the metal loading container 4 and several corresponding microwave-permeable windows 41 are arranged on the wall of the metal loading container 4, microwaves can penetrate the metal loading container 4 from the sides and bottom, allowing for more complete and uniform heating / sterilization of the medical waste 5 inside.
[0040] In the above technical solution, the steam inlet port 13 allows superheated steam to be introduced into the horizontal pressure vessel 1, thus achieving synergistic heating / sterilization by microwaves and superheated steam, which enables rapid sterilization of medical waste 5. The residual gas outlet port 14 and the vacuum pump 6 allow the extraction and evacuation of residual gases inside the horizontal pressure vessel 1. The wastewater outlet port 15 allows the evacuation of wastewater present inside the horizontal pressure vessel 1.
[0041] More specifically, depending on the requirements, in the medical waste sterilization device, only one or more waveguide tubes 31 may be provided, the outlet end of which is directed towards the opening 42 of the metal loading container 4. Depending on the requirements, in the medical waste sterilization device, only one or more waveguide tubes 31 may also be provided, the outlet end of which is directed towards the lower wall and / or the side wall of the metal loading container 4. Depending on the requirements, in the medical waste sterilization device, several waveguide tubes 31 may also be provided, the outlet ends of the waveguide tubes 31 being directed towards the opening 42 of the metal loading container 4 and the other outlet ends of the waveguide tubes 31 being directed towards the wall of the metal loading container 4.
[0042] As a concrete example, the outlet end of one or more waveguide pipes 31 is arranged under the metal loading container 6, the lower wall of the waveguide pipe 31 is arranged with a microwave-permeable window 41 corresponding to the outlet end of the waveguide pipe 31 under the metal loading container 6.
[0043] By way of concrete example, the outlet end of one or more waveguide conduits 31 is arranged around the metallic loading container 6, the side wall of the waveguide conduit 31 being provided with a microwave-permeable window 41 corresponding to the outlet end of the waveguide conduit 31 around the metallic loading container 6.
[0044] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, by way of concrete example, a waveguide conduit 31 is disposed respectively under, in front and at the rear of the metal loading container 4, and a microwave-permeable window 41 is disposed respectively on the lower wall, the front wall and the rear wall of the metal loading container 4, the outlet ends of the three waveguide conduits 31 being directed respectively towards the three microwave-permeable windows 41, the microwaves emitted by the three waveguide conduits 31 penetrating respectively into the metal loading container 4 through the three microwave-permeable windows 41, thus allowing a more complete and uniform heating / sterilization of the medical waste 5 inside.
[0045] In certain embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the outlet end(s) of one or more waveguide pipes 31 penetrate the interior of the horizontal pressure vessel 1. Given that microwave radiation allows for simultaneous internal and external heating / disinfection but with a limited spatial range, the device adopts a design in which the waveguide pipe 31 of the microwave transmission mechanism 3 penetrates the interior of the horizontal pressure vessel 1, and the outlet end of said waveguide pipe penetrating the horizontal pressure vessel 1 is equipped with a microwave-permeable separation plate 32, which allows the microwave radiation to be brought as close as possible to the medical waste 5,to reduce as much as possible the problem whereby medical waste 5 is not heated inside due to the limited range of microwave radiation, and to decrease the microwave energy loss caused by the absorption of microwave radiation by the superheated steam and said microwave-permeable separation plate 32 inside the horizontal pressure vessel 1 before reaching the medical waste 5.
[0046] In other embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the microwave transmission mechanism 3, connected to one or more microwave generators 2, can also penetrate the interior of the horizontal pressure vessel 1 before dividing into one or more waveguide conduits 31, then the outlet ends of the waveguide conduits 31 are respectively aligned with the microwave-permeable windows 41 or the openings 42 of the metallic loading container 4, so as to bring the microwave radiation as close as possible to the medical waste 5. In some embodiments, the microwave-permeable window 41 comprises microwave-permeable plates or grids installed on the wall of the metallic loading container 4.Microwave-permeable plates or grids prevent medical waste 5 contained in the metal loading container 4 from escaping outside the container. loading metal 4. In a specific embodiment, microwave-permeable plates are made from a material having good microwave permeability and able to withstand the pressure of superheated steam as well as vacuum pressure, so as to prevent the passage of steam and air.
[0047] In some embodiments, the wall of the horizontal pressure vessel 1 is equipped with one or more pipe seats 16 for installing one or more waveguide pipes 31, one or more waveguide pipes 31 pass through the wall of the horizontal pressure vessel 1 via one or more pipe seats 16 extending inside the horizontal pressure vessel 1. The installation of the pipe seats 16 makes it easier to mount the waveguide pipes 31 and to ensure the sealing of the horizontal pressure vessel 1, the waveguide pipes 31 being able to be fixed to the pipe seats 16 by a flange structure.
[0048] In a specific embodiment, when there is a sealing structure between the microwave transmission mechanism 3 and the guide seat 16, the use of this sealing structure ensures sealing at the guide seat 16, the microwave-permeable separation plate 32 can be fixed to the outlet end of the waveguide pipe 31. When the guide seat 16 includes an extended section extending into the horizontal pressure vessel 1, the microwave-permeable separation plate 32 can also be fixed to the end of this extended section, the outlet end of the waveguide pipe 31 then being disposed at the microwave-permeable separation plate 32.
[0049] In certain embodiments, when the outlet end of one or more waveguide conduits 31 is oriented towards the wall of the metallic loading container 4, one or more microwave-permeable separation plates 32 are, on the side facing one or more microwave-permeable windows 41, connected to one or more additional microwave-permeable plates 33. The additional microwave-permeable plate 33 is located closer to the microwave-permeable window 41 than the microwave-permeable separation plate 32, the space between the additional microwave-permeable plate 33 and the microwave-permeable window 41 is smaller and helps to prevent the formation of liquid films on the surface of the microwave-permeable separation plate, thus reducing microwave radiation losses.
[0050] By way of a concrete example, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the outlet end of the waveguide duct 31 is equipped with a mounting flange 34, the mounting flange 34 is connected by mounting bolts 36 to a clamping flange 35, the peripheral part of the microwave-permeable separating plate 32 being maintained between the clamping flange 35 and the fixing flange 34, in order to fix the microwave permeable separation plate 32 to the outlet end of the waveguide pipe 31, the additional microwave permeable plate 33 protruding from the clamping flange 35 and the fixing bolts 36. The use of the clamping flange 35 and the fixing bolts 36 to firmly hold the microwave permeable separation plate 32 to the outlet end of the waveguide pipe 31 ensures the sealing of the structure of the microwave permeable separation plate 32, preventing steam from the horizontal pressure vessel 1 from entering the waveguide pipe 31.
[0051] In a specific embodiment, the microwave-permeable separating plate 32 and the additional microwave-permeable plate 33 can be made from a material capable of withstanding the vapor pressure of the horizontal pressure vessel 1 as well as the vacuum pressure generated by the vacuum pump, and having good microwave permeability. The waveguide conduit 31 is a conduit whose interior is lined with a waveguide material.
[0052] In certain embodiments, the interior of the horizontal pressure vessel 1 is equipped with a positioning device 18 designed to ensure that, when the metal loading container 4 enters the horizontal pressure vessel, the outlet end of one or more waveguide pipes 31 is oriented towards the upper opening of the metal loading container 4 and / or that the outlet end of one or more waveguide pipes 31 corresponds to one or more microwave-permeable windows 4L
[0053] The positioning device 18 ensures the precise positioning of the loading metal container 4, so that the microwave-permeable windows 41 provided on the loading metal container 4 align exactly with the outlet ends of the microwave transmission mechanisms installed on the horizontal pressure vessel 1, thus preventing any positional shift that could affect the effectiveness of the sterilization of medical waste 5 by microwave irradiation. In a specific embodiment, the positioning device 18 can be installed on the rail 17 or on rollers; the positioning device 18 can be a pulley-type positioning device for locking and unlocking the loading metal container 4; the positioning device 18 can also be a pulley-type positioning groove installed on the rail 17.In actual use, the metal loading container 4 enters the horizontal pressure vessel 1 through the quick-opening door 12, and after sliding / rolling along the rail 17 or rollers to the predetermined position, the positioning device 18 positions the metal loading container 4, allowing the metal loading container 4 to move into place.
[0054] By way of preferred example, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], a locking groove 43 may be provided on the wall of the metal loading container 4, said locking groove 43 having a socket inlet for the outlet end of the waveguide conduit 31. The use of the locking groove 43 and the outlet end of the waveguide conduit 31 to form the positioning device 18 makes it possible to better ensure that the microwave-permeable window 41 is connected to or brought close to the corresponding outlet end of the waveguide conduit 31.
[0055] By way of preferred example, the horizontal pressure vessel 1 is equipped internally with a rail 17 or rollers. When the metal loading container 4 enters said horizontal pressure vessel 1 through the fast-opening door 12, it is guided by the rail 17 to roll / slide to the position defined by the positioning device 18, after which the microwave-permeable window 41 and the outlet end of the corresponding waveguide conduit 31 are connected or arranged in close proximity.
[0056] In a specific embodiment, in order to allow the entry and exit of the metallic loading container 4 into the horizontal pressure vessel 1, the connection between the microwave-permeable window 41 and the outlet end of the corresponding waveguide conduit 31 can be made in the form of a contact or a detachable movable connection.
[0057] The close and opposite arrangement of the microwave permeable window 41 and the outlet end of the corresponding waveguide duct 31 aims to reduce the amount of microwave radiation energy absorbed by the high-temperature steam, the proximity interval being able to be defined as required, preferably less than or equal to 10 mm.
[0058] In a specific implementation, the steam inlet port 13 and the exhaust gas outlet port 14 may be a single port or separate ports.
[0059] In some embodiments, the medical waste treatment and sterilization device further includes a steam generator or boiler, the steam produced by the steam generator or boiler enters the horizontal pressure vessel 1 through a steam supply line connected to the steam inlet port 13.
[0060] In certain embodiments, the medical waste treatment and sterilization device further comprises an exhaust gas filtration device; the vacuum pump suction port 6 is connected to the exhaust gas discharge port 14 by a discharge line; the exhaust gas filtration device is installed on this line. When the pressure vessel horizontal 1 is in pre-vacuum or post-vacuum phase, the gases contained in the horizontal pressure vessel 1 are extracted by the vacuum pump or automatically evacuated through the exhaust gas vent 14, then pass into the exhaust gas filtration device to be treated in accordance with standards, before being released into the atmosphere.
[0061] The medical waste treatment and sterilization device further includes a control system, which controls the automatic execution of all the sterilization treatment processes of the medical waste sterilization device.
[0062] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments intended to fully illustrate this utility model, without limiting its scope of protection. Technical equivalents or modifications made by persons skilled in the art based on this utility model also fall within its scope of protection. In this description, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "certain embodiments," "an example," "a particular example," or "certain examples" mean that the features, structures, materials, or special characteristics associated with that embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of this utility model. In this description, the aforementioned expressions do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.Furthermore, the characteristics, structures, materials, or features described can be appropriately combined in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, those skilled in the art can associate and combine the various embodiments or examples described herein.
[0063] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right" and other directional indications refer to the orientations represented in the coordinate system of Figures 1 and 2, solely to facilitate and simplify the description of this utility model, and do not constitute an indication or suggestion that the apparatus or the components concerned should have a specific orientation, or be designed and operate in a particular orientation; therefore, these terms should not be interpreted as a limitation of this utility model.
Claims
1. Demands Horizontal device for sterilizing medical waste with superheated steam with auxiliary microwave heating and without a grinder, characterized in that it comprises a horizontal pressure vessel (1), a vacuum pump (6), a metal loading container (4), one or more microwave generators (2) and one or more microwave transmission mechanisms (3) connecting one or more microwave generators (2) to the horizontal pressure vessel (1), said metal loading container (4) being intended to contain medical waste (5), said metal loading container (4) allowing entry and exit from the horizontal pressure vessel (1), said horizontal pressure vessel (1) being equipped with a steam inlet port (13), a residual gas outlet port (14) and a wastewater outlet port (15), the vacuum pump (6) being connected to the residual gas outlet port (14),said horizontal pressure vessel (1) being arranged with at least one fast-opening door (12) allowing said metallic loading container (4) to enter and exit said horizontal pressure vessel (1); one or more of said microwave transmission mechanisms (3) comprising one or more waveguide conduits (31) the inlet end of which is connected to one or more of said microwave generators (2), the outlet end of one or more of said waveguide conduits (31) being arranged with a microwave-permeable separation plate (32) separating the internal space of one or more of said waveguide conduits (31) from the internal space of said horizontal pressure vessel (1); The outlet end of one or more of said waveguide conduits (31) being arranged to be oriented towards the opening located on the top of said metal loading container (4), and / or the outlet end of one or more of said waveguide conduits (31) being arranged to be oriented towards the wall of said metal loading container (4); where the outlet end of one or more of said waveguide conduits (31) is oriented towards the wall of said metal loading container (4), said wall of said metal container loading container (4) being arranged with one or more microwave-permeable windows (41) corresponding to the outlet end of one or more of said waveguide conduits (31), the microwaves emitted by the outlet end of one or more of said waveguide conduits (31) allowing to pass through said microwave-permeable windows (41) to irradiate the medical waste (7) inside said metallic loading container (4).
2. Horizontal device for sterilizing medical waste with superheated steam with auxiliary microwave heating and without grinder according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more of said waveguide conduits (31) have their outlet end extending inside said horizontal pressure vessel (1).
3. Horizontal device for sterilizing medical waste with superheated steam with auxiliary microwave heating and without grinder according to claim 1, characterized in that the side wall and / or the bottom wall of said metal loading container (4) is arranged with said microwave-permeable window (41).
4. Horizontal device for sterilizing medical waste with superheated steam with auxiliary microwave heating and without a grinder according to claim 1, characterized in that, the interior of said horizontal pressure vessel (1) is arranged with a positioning device (18), intended to ensure, when the metal loading container (4) is introduced into the horizontal pressure vessel, that one or more outlet ends of said waveguide pipes (31) are oriented towards the opening located at the top of said metal loading container (4) and / or one or more outlet ends of said waveguide pipes (31) correspond to one or more of said microwave-permeable windows (41).
5. A horizontal device for sterilizing medical waste using superheated steam with auxiliary microwave heating and without a grinder, according to claim 4, characterized in that a rail (17) or rollers are arranged inside said horizontal pressure vessel (1) such that, when said metal loading container (4) enters said horizontal pressure vessel (1) by said fast opening door (12), it is guided by said rail (17) or said sliding and / or rolling rollers to the position defined by said positioning device (18), after which said microwave-permeable window (41) is connected or arranged opposite the outlet end of the corresponding waveguide duct(s) (31).
6. Horizontal device for sterilizing medical waste with superheated steam with auxiliary microwave heating and without grinder according to claim 1, characterized in that said microwave-permeable window (41) comprises a microwave transmission plate or grid mounted on the wall of said metal loading container (4).
7. Horizontal device for sterilizing medical waste with superheated steam with auxiliary microwave heating and without a grinder according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall of said horizontal pressure vessel (1) is arranged with one or more conduit seats (16) for the installation of one or more waveguide conduits (31), said waveguide conduit(s) (31) passing through said wall of said horizontal pressure vessel (1) by means of said conduit seat(s) (16) to extend inside said horizontal pressure vessel (1).
8. Horizontal device for sterilizing medical waste with superheated steam with auxiliary microwave heating and without grinder according to claim 1, characterized in that the steam inlet port (13) and the residual gas outlet port (14) constitute a single interface or separate interfaces.
9. Horizontal device for sterilizing medical waste with superheated steam with auxiliary microwave heating and without a grinder according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the outlet end of one or more of said waveguide conduits (31) is arranged to be oriented towards the wall of said metal loading container (4), one or more of said microwave-permeable separation plates (32) are connected, on the side facing one or more of said microwave-permeable windows (41), to one or more additional microwave-permeable plates (33).