Closed Waste Processing System Using Ozonated Water Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waste disposal methods, such as incineration, landfills, and chemical sterilization, face environmental and health concerns due to pollution, spatial demands, and inefficiencies in processing medical and organic waste, particularly in bulk forms, which require effective sterilization and volume reduction.
Innovation Solution
A closed waste processing system utilizing ozone-based sterilization and maceration to sterilize and reduce waste volume by circulating ozonated water through waste materials, breaking them down into finer particles, and optionally compacting the solids for efficient disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If incineration is used for waste disposal, then waste volume is reduced, but chemical and particulate pollution of the atmosphere occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal/chemical incineration process with a high-pressure water jet system. The mechanical energy of pressurized water (achieved through pumps and pressure vessels) substitutes for the thermal energy of combustion, achieving waste reduction through mechanical force rather than chemical burning, thereby eliminating atmospheric pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter from temperature (incineration) to pressure (water jet). By using water at extremely high pressures (potentially thousands of PSI), the system achieves waste breakdown and volume reduction without the need for high temperatures that cause pollution, thus resolving the contradiction through parameter transformation.
2Reliability
If chemical sterilization is used, then sterilization is achieved, but toxic liquid disposal problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical sterilization agents with high-pressure water jets. The mechanical force of pressurized water physically breaks down and removes contaminants, achieving sterilization through mechanical action rather than chemical reactions, thereby eliminating toxic liquid waste disposal problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water as a disposable, non-toxic medium that can be easily disposed of through existing sewer systems. Unlike persistent chemical sterilants that require special disposal, water is environmentally benign and can be freely used and discarded, resolving the toxic liquid disposal issue while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
3Reliability
If steam autoclaving is used, then sterilization is achieved, but waste volume increases due to water absorption
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding water to sterilize (autoclaving), the patent uses high-pressure water jets to remove water and reduce waste volume. The inverted approach uses water as a mechanical cleaning agent rather than a thermal sterilizing medium, achieving sterilization while simultaneously reducing waste volume through water removal and compaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal steam process with a mechanical high-pressure water jet system. This substitution changes the fundamental mechanism from thermal penetration to mechanical force, allowing for waste reduction through physical breakdown and compaction rather than water absorption, thus resolving the volume increase problem.
4Reliability
If landfills are used for waste disposal, then waste is contained, but spatial demands and ground water contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive containment approach of landfills with an active mechanical processing system. High-pressure water jets actively break down and reduce waste volume, transforming the waste management strategy from containment to destruction/reduction, thereby eliminating the need for large landfill spaces and preventing ground water contamination through complete waste breakdown.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively sterilizes and reduces waste volume, minimizing environmental impact and disposal costs by ensuring complete penetration of sterilization agents and reducing the need for additional treatment steps, while being safer and more efficient than traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
A closed waste processing system utilizing ozone-based sterilization and maceration to sterilize and reduce waste volume by circulating ozonated water through waste materials
Implementation Method 2
A closed waste processing system utilizing ozone-based sterilization and maceration to sterilize and reduce waste volume by circulating ozonated water through waste materials, breaking them down into finer particles
Data Source
AI summary
A waste processing system includes a receptacle for waste material, including bags of waste, and a liquid to be mixed with the waste. The receptacle has an inlet, a waste outlet, and at least one nozzle opening with at least one slicing nozzle that sprays a slicing fluid under pressure sufficient to manipulate the waste material. The system includes a pump for chopping the waste material and circulating and mixing the liquid and waste material, a waste inlet conduit, and a waste outlet conduit. The receptacle, pump, waste inlet and waste outlet conduits define a closed, pressurized waste processing circuit for circulating the liquid and waste. The system also includes a heating system to heat the liquid and waste to effect biological neutralization of the liquid and waste material, and all surfaces of the waste processing system with which the waste material being processed comes into contact.