Autoclave Treatment of Medical Red Bag Waste

If the Pyrolytic Destructor system is the heart of Honua's medical waste treatment system, Autoclaves are the muscle. Autoclaving (steam sterilization), heats medical waste to approximately 135°C (275°F) until the waste is rendered non-infectious. The treated waste can then be shredded and compacted for safe and efficient handling to a landfill site. In a typical Honua installation, autoclaves will be used to treat approximately 80% of the waste (the muscle) using supplemental energy from the Pyrolytic Destructor (the heart).

Autoclave Manufacturer

Honua specifies industrial autoclaves for use in centralized medical waste facilities because of their low acquisition cost, ease of use, reliability, and low maintenance requirements. Honua's autoclave manufacturer has been in the autoclave and pressure vessel manufacturing business for over thirty years. They have a full staff of engineers and produce autoclaves and other pressure vessels for many different applications and industries. All of Honua's autoclaves are manufactured in strict accordance with the exacting ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code standards and regulations. Honua's autoclave products are custom built to meet the individual needs of each project and will be supplied as a part of Honua's total system to work in seamlessly with the Pyrolytic Destructor and matched heat recovery and auxiliary fired boiler systems.

Autoclave Operation

Honua specified autoclaves have completely automated control systems allowing for unattended operation. After pushing the "Cycle Start" pushbutton, the sterilizer will proceed through a purge cycle, that is, both the steam inlet and vent valves will be open, allowing the steam to completely fill the chamber and force all air out. This ensures better penetration and sterilization effectiveness. An adjustable timer controls the purge cycle. At the completion of the purge time, the exhaust valve will close and allow pressurization of the unit. An alarm switch starts the main cycle timer, which begins only upon reaching sterilization temperature. At the completion of the timed period an exhaust vent valve will open to de-pressurize the sterilizer. A safety relief valve is provided to prevent over-pressurization of the sterilizer vessel. The controls include an "Emergency Stop" button should there be requirements for an emergency shutdown.

Autoclaves require high temperature stainless steel carts. An autoclave may be operated with as few as five (5) carts, however, Honua recommends ten (10) carts to ensure that the facility operates in an efficient manner between autoclave cycles. While the autoclaves are cycling, a second and third load can be prepared for loading. Once the autoclaves have cycled, they can quickly be discharged, unloaded and reloaded in a short time to allow for the maximum number of autoclave cycles per day.