JP2004129993A - Medical waste treating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical wastes treating apparatus, compact-sized, generating little malodor, and facilitating treatment for the wastes after sterilization treatment thereof. <P>SOLUTION: This medical wastes treating apparatus includes: a treatment chamber where medical wastes are supplied and heated; a combustion chamber having a fuel combustion means for heating water or vapor to generate overheat water vapor; an overheat vapor supply means having the combustion chamber to feed the overheat vapor into the treatment chamber; a jacket surrounding at least a part of the treatment chamber and forming a jacket space surrounding at least a part of the treatment chamber and surrounding at least a part of the processing chamber between the treatment chamber and an outer wall; and a combustion gas introduction passage interposed between the jacket and the combustion chamber, thereby introducing combustion gas generated by the fuel combustion means into the jacket space. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating medical waste such as used injection needles and drip packs.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Medical waste is sterilized and discarded. As a sterilization method, conventionally, treatment with steam, treatment with an autoclave, or treatment with a gas such as formalin gas or ethylene oxide gas has been conventionally performed. However, simply exposing to live steam may not achieve complete sterilization, and exposure to steam may cause some of the medical waste to decompose or volatilize, generating odors and toxic components. Often, this odor and toxic components are problematic. Since an autoclave uses a high-pressure vessel, the device is large-scale and safety management of the device is difficult. Since gas treatment is toxic to the human body, gas treatment is expensive in terms of equipment and management in order to prevent gas leakage. Moreover, recent medical wastes have various shapes, and it is sometimes difficult to take measures after such sterilization treatment.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and aims to provide a medical waste treatment apparatus which is compact, hardly emits offensive odor, and can easily treat waste after sterilization.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The gist of the present invention is that a treatment chamber into which medical waste is charged and heated, and a combustion chamber provided with fuel combustion means for heating water or steam to generate superheated steam,
Comprising the combustion chamber, superheated steam supply means for sending superheated steam to the processing chamber,
A jacket surrounding at least a part of the processing chamber and forming a jacket space surrounding at least a part of the processing chamber between the processing chamber and an outer wall of the processing chamber;
It is a medical waste treatment device comprising a combustion gas introduction passage interposed between the jacket and the combustion chamber for introducing combustion gas generated by the fuel combustion means into the jacket space.
[0005]
In the medical waste treatment apparatus, an exhaust gas generated by heating the medical waste by the superheated steam in the treatment chamber is interposed between the treatment chamber and the combustion chamber, and is introduced into the combustion chamber. The exhaust gas introduction path may be provided.
[0006]
In the medical waste treatment device, a catalyst that contacts the exhaust gas to promote the combustion of the exhaust gas may be provided in the combustion gas introduction path.
The superheated steam supply means,
A serpentine tube installed in the combustion chamber and heated by the combustion gas,
Water supply means for supplying water into the pipe.
[0007]
The medical waste treatment apparatus may include a jacket air introduction unit that introduces air for cooling an outer wall of the treatment chamber into the jacket space after heating of the medical waste is completed.
[0008]
In the medical waste treatment apparatus, a treatment room air introduction unit that introduces air into the treatment room after heating of the medical waste may be provided.
[0009]
The medical waste treatment apparatus, stirring means for stirring the medical waste in the treatment chamber,
Discharging means for discharging medical waste heated and stirred in the processing chamber from the bottom of the processing chamber;
A collection container into which the medical waste discharged and heated and stirred in the processing chamber is discharged.
[0010]
The medical waste treatment apparatus may be provided with a container air introduction unit that introduces air into the collection container into which the medical waste is charged.
[0011]
The medical waste treatment apparatus is provided with a jacket air introduction unit for introducing air for cooling the outer wall of the treatment chamber into the jacket space after the end of the heating of the medical waste, and after the heating of the medical waste, A treatment chamber air introducing means for introducing air into the treatment chamber, and a medical waste heated and stirred in the treatment chamber discharged from the treatment chamber into which the medical waste has been introduced; A container is provided, and container air introducing means for introducing air into the collection container is provided, and the jacket air introducing means, the container air introducing means, and the processing chamber air introducing means can share one blower.
[0012]
Further, the gist of the present invention resides in a fuel for blast furnace or thermal power generation, comprising medical waste treated by the medical waste treatment apparatus.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a structural explanatory view showing an example of the configuration of the medical waste treatment apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a medical waste treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a processing chamber 4 into which medical waste 2 is charged and heated, and a superheated steam supply unit 6 for feeding superheated steam into the processing chamber 4. The superheated steam supply means 6 includes a combustion chamber 10 provided with a fuel combustion means 8 for generating superheated steam. Further, the medical waste treatment apparatus 1 is provided with a jacket 16 that surrounds the processing chamber 4 and forms a jacket space 14 that surrounds the processing chamber 4 with the outer wall of the processing chamber 4.
[0014]
The superheated steam supply means 6 includes a coiled tube 22 spirally wound, and water is supplied to the coiled tube 22 from one end 24. The water passes through a water softener 95 via a city water valve 26 connected to city water and is softened, and is supplied from a water supply pump 27 to the flexible tube 22 via a storage tank 30. The city water valve 26, the water softener 95, the storage tank 30, the water supply pump 27, and the water softening valve 29 constitute a water supply unit 17 that supplies water to the flexible tube 22. The water in the flexible pipe 22 is heated by the burner 28 as the fuel combustion means 8 through the pipe wall of the flexible pipe 22, becomes steam, and is further heated to superheated steam. The other end 32 of the serpentine tube 22 communicates with the inside of the processing chamber 4 via the superheated steam introduction pipe 30, and the superheated steam flows from the superheated steam injection port 34 provided in the processing chamber 4 at the tip of the superheated steam introduction pipe 30. It is introduced into the processing chamber 4. The superheated steam introduction pipe 30 has a superheated steam valve 111.
[0015]
The portion of the flexible tube 22 that is heated by the burner 28 is contained in the combustion chamber 10. The burner 28 is installed on the upper wall portion 40 of the combustion chamber 10, and the fuel is burned by the burner 28, and the combustion gas is jetted into the combustion chamber 10.
[0016]
Further, the combustion chamber 10 communicates with the jacket space 14 via a combustion gas introduction passage 18 at a lower portion. Thereby, the combustion gas generated by the burner 28 is introduced into the jacket space 14 through the combustion gas introduction passage 18, and the processing chamber 4 is heated or kept warm by the heat of the combustion gas via the outer wall of the processing chamber 4.
[0017]
On the other hand, an exhaust gas introduction passage 12 for introducing exhaust gas generated from the medical waste 2 heated by the superheated steam introduced into the processing chamber 4 into the combustion chamber 10 is provided between the combustion chamber 10 and the processing chamber 4. Intervening. The exhaust gas is sent to the combustion chamber 10 with the aid of an exhaust gas ejector 46 provided at the outlet of the exhaust gas introduction passage 12, and burns with the fuel by the burner 28. This combustion greatly reduces the odor of the exhaust gas.
[0018]
On the other hand, the combustion chamber 10 is provided with an external air inlet 11 for introducing external air into the combustion chamber 10 near the outlet of the combustion gas of the burner 28, and the external air is ejected by the air introducing ejector 47. The combustion of the combustion gas introduced into the combustion chamber 10 and the exhaust gas sent from the processing chamber 4 in the combustion chamber 10 is promoted.
[0019]
The jacket 16 is connected to a superheated steam introduction passage 120 for introducing superheated steam into the jacket space 14. The superheated steam introduction path 120 includes a superheated steam valve 112, and branches off from the superheated steam introduction pipe 30 near the other end 32 of the flexible tube 22.
[0020]
In addition, the jacket 16 is provided with a discharge duct 20 for discharging the gas introduced into the jacket space 14 to the outside. Further, a combustion gas re-introduction path (not shown) for introducing the combustion gas introduced into the jacket space 14 back into the combustion chamber 10 may be provided.
[0021]
The processing chamber 4 is provided with a stirring means 60 provided with a stirring blade 62 on the inner bottom part, and the heated medical waste 2 and the heated medical waste are stirred. The stirring blade 62 is driven by a stirring motor 64 and rotates in the horizontal direction.
[0022]
An opening 66 is provided at the bottom of the processing chamber 4. The opening 66 communicates with a discharge duct 68 extending downward. A collection container 70 is set immediately below the discharge duct 68. A transport container 77 is set in the collection container 70 as needed.
[0023]
The medical waste that has been heated and reduced in volume moves with the rotation of the stirring blade 62 and drops from the opening 66 into the collection container 70 or the transport container 77 via the discharge duct 68. Above the discharge duct 68, an opening / closing means 69 for opening and closing the discharge duct 68 at the timing of discharging the heat-treated medical waste is provided. The opening / closing means 69 includes a shutter 72 having a driving cylinder 113. The opening 66, the opening / closing means 69, and the discharge duct 68 constitute a discharge means 93 for discharging the heat-treated medical waste to the collection container 70.
[0024]
Further, the jacket 16 is provided with an inlet 76 for introducing external air into the jacket space 14. When the heating of the medical waste is completed, air is introduced into the jacket space 14 from the inlet 76, and the outer wall of the processing chamber 4 is cooled, thereby cooling the inside of the processing chamber 4.
[0025]
Air is introduced into the jacket space 14 by jacket air introduction means 82 having a blower 80. When the heating of the medical waste is completed, the jacket cooling port damper 84 provided in the inlet duct 78 communicating with the inlet 76 is opened. Air is introduced into the jacket space 14 from the blower 80 via the inlet duct 78. At this time, the damper 86 between the combustion chamber and the jacket provided in the combustion gas introduction passage 18 is closed. Further, the discharge duct damper 88 provided in the discharge duct 20 is opened.
[0026]
Further, air is introduced into the collection container 70 via the outside air conducting port 92 provided in the middle part of the discharge duct 68 by the container air introduction means 83 sharing the blower 80. The introduction port 76 communicates with branch paths 94 and 96 that branch downward, and the branch path 94 communicates via an outlet A with an inlet A of an outside air conduction duct 98 that communicates with the outside air conduction port 92. The outside air conduction duct 98 includes an outside air conduction damper 100 that opens when air is introduced.
[0027]
When air is introduced into the collection container 70, the shutter 72 closes. The collection container 70 is provided with an air discharge port 112 for discharging the introduced air, and the air introduced into the collection container 70 is discharged through an air discharge duct 114 communicating with the air discharge port 112. The discharged air contains odor generated from the medical waste in the collection container 70. The air discharge duct 114 is connected to the exhaust gas introduction passage 12, and the air containing the odor is introduced into the combustion chamber 10 via the exhaust gas introduction passage 12.
[0028]
Further, air is introduced into the processing chamber 4 by the processing chamber air introducing means 85 sharing the blower 80. An air inlet 102 is provided in the processing chamber 4, and an inlet B of an air inlet duct 104 communicating with the air inlet 102 communicates with an outlet B of the branch passage 96. The air introduction duct 104 includes an air introduction damper 106 that opens when air is introduced.
[0029]
A catalyst 110 is provided in the combustion gas introduction path 18. The catalyst 110 includes a metal mainly composed of platinum, contacts the exhaust gas, promotes combustion of the exhaust gas, and oxidizes carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, other organic gases, and the like contained in the exhaust gas. Harmless gas such as water and carbon dioxide. The type of the catalyst 110 is not particularly limited as long as it has such a function, including commercially available ones.
[0030]
The collection container 70 can be detachably detached vertically by a detaching unit 71, and after the treated medical waste is put in, the lower portable container 118 is separated from the main unit and transported to another place. You can do it. The transportable container 118 further has a double-walled structure having the above-described transport container 77 therein, and only the transport container 77 is taken out at an appropriate place to discharge the treated medical waste as the content. You can do it.
[0031]
Reference numeral 116 denotes a cylinder that opens and closes each of the above-described dampers provided at various points in the gas path of the medical waste treatment apparatus 1.
[0032]
In the medical waste treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention having such a configuration, since the medical waste is heated with the superheated steam, the medical waste is burned out by heating as in a system in which the medical waste is directly heated by a burner or the like. There is no trouble. Further, since the processing gas generated from the heated medical waste is guided to a burner for generating superheated steam and burned to decompose, a large amount of toxic and odorous gas is not released to the outside.
[0033]
The toxic and odorous gas components are efficiently burned and decomposed by the catalyst 110 provided in the combustion gas introduction passage 18.
[0034]
It is preferable from the viewpoint of durability that various pipes and containers constituting each part of the medical waste treatment apparatus 1 are made of stainless steel.
[0035]
An example of an operation procedure of the medical waste treatment device 1 of the present invention will be described. The following operations can be automatically performed by a sequencer or the like. Before starting the operation, all opening / closing devices such as dampers and valves are in a closed state, and all operating devices such as burners, pumps, and ejectors are in a stopped or off state. The medical waste is put into the processing chamber 4, the burner 28 is first ignited in the high combustion mode, the air introduction ejector 47 is turned on, and the combustion chamber-jacket damper 86 is opened. The superheated steam valve 112 is opened and the superheated steam valve 111 is closed. When the temperature of the combustion chamber detected by the sensor 124 reaches the set value, the soft water valve 29 in the path for supplying soft water to the flexible tube 22 opens, and the water supply pump 27 starts.
[0036]
When the temperature of the other end 32 of the flexible tube 22 detected by the sensor 126 reaches the set value, the superheated steam valve 112 is closed, the superheated steam valve 111 is opened, and the introduction of superheated steam into the processing chamber 4 is started. When the temperature in the processing chamber 4 detected by the sensor 128 reaches the set value, the stirring blade 62 starts. The stirring blade 62 repeats normal rotation and reverse rotation at regular intervals. The set value is preferably from 140 to 150 ° C. During the process, the burner 28 switches between a high combustion mode and a low combustion mode based on the temperature of the jacket space 14 detected by the sensor 160 so that the temperature of the jacket space 14 is kept constant.
[0037]
After a lapse of a predetermined processing time, for example, 15 minutes, the shutter 72 opens, the superheated steam valve 112 opens, and the superheated steam valve 111 closes.
[0038]
After a predetermined time has elapsed, the blower 80 starts. The jacket cooling port damper 84 is opened, the soft water valve 29 is closed, the burner 28 is in the low combustion mode, the shutter 72 is closed, the damper 88 provided in the discharge duct 20 is opened, and the damper of the combustion chamber duct 152 communicating from the combustion chamber 10 to the exhaust port 150 is provided. 154 is opened, the damper 106 of the air introduction duct 104 is opened, the damper 86 between the combustion chamber and the jacket is closed, and the water supply pump 27 is stopped.
[0039]
After the shutter 72 is closed, the outside air conduction damper 100 is opened, and the damper 130 provided in the air discharge duct 114 is opened.
[0040]
After the burner 28 is continued for a predetermined time in the low combustion mode operation, the burner 28 is extinguished and the processing chamber is cooled to a predetermined temperature, and a series of processing operations is completed. The operating devices such as the closed state, the burner, the pump, and the ejector all stop or return to the off state. The medical waste that has been treated and dropped into the collection container 70 is collected after this series of processing operations.
[0041]
In the medical waste treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention, since the combustion gas is introduced into the jacket space 14, the treatment chamber 4 is kept warm and the heat efficiency of the heat treatment of the medical waste is good.
[0042]
Further, in the medical waste treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention, since the exhaust gas generated by heating the medical waste by the superheated steam is introduced into the combustion chamber 10 and burned, the decomposition by the combustion of the exhaust gas is performed. Odor and harmful components in the exhaust gas are efficiently removed without using an additional combustion device or filtration device for removing odor or harmful components.
[0043]
In the medical waste treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention, since the exhaust gas inside is purged and the medical waste is cooled before the collection container 70 for storing the treated medical waste is opened, the transportation of the recovery container 70 can be performed. Almost no odor is generated during the operation of removing medical waste. Further, the purging and cooling operations are easily performed by automatic switching of the damper.
[0044]
In the medical waste treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention, a catalyst that is in contact with the exhaust gas and promotes the combustion of the exhaust gas is installed in the combustion gas introduction path 18, and the exhaust gas is almost completely decomposed by the combustion.
[0045]
The medical waste treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention is provided with superheated steam supply means for heating water to convert it into superheated steam in one step, so that a compact apparatus can be provided without requiring a large-scale live steam generator. It is easy to operate because it can be used directly connected to the city water tap.
[0046]
In the medical waste treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention, after the heating of the medical waste is completed, the outer wall and the inside of the processing chamber 4 and the inside of the processing chamber 4 are cooled by introducing air. Almost no odor is present, and this cooling operation is easily performed by automatic switching of the damper.
[0047]
The jacket air introducing means, the processing chamber air introducing means and the container air introducing means share one blower.
In the medical waste treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention, the air can be introduced into the treatment chamber 4, the jacket space 14, and the collection container 70 by switching the air passage with one blower, so that the apparatus can be made compact.
[0049]
The medical waste treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention treats medical waste including plastics such as syringes, drip packs, blood transfusion sets, tubes, surgical gloves, treatment gloves, test tubes, ampules, rubbers, and glass. Can be suitably used.
[0050]
Although the embodiment of the medical waste treatment apparatus of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be carried out in various modified, modified, and modified embodiments based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Yes, all of these embodiments fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0051]
For example, the serpentine tube 22 may be a tube bent in a zigzag shape. Further, as the superheated steam supply means 6, a known superheated steam generator having a heating means for heating steam may be used. The opening / closing means 69 may be provided with an opening / closing valve, or may be provided with a door-type openable / closable shielding plate in the passage of the discharge duct 68. There is no particular limitation on the type of the medical waste, as long as it does not block the passage of the treated medical waste through the passage of the discharge duct 68 when opened.
[0052]
Further, for example, even if the collection container 70 cannot be separated at the separating portion 71, the collection container 70 has a double-walled structure including the transport container 77 therein and has a freely openable opening for taking out the transport container 77. It may be.
[0053]
The medical waste treated by the medical waste treatment apparatus of the present invention is a reduced solid. Since this solid contains a large amount of combustible substances such as polymer substances, it has a possibility of being used as fuel. However, burning at a relatively low temperature is accompanied by generation of harmful substances such as dioxin, so that practical use has been difficult. As a result of intensive studies, it has been found that medical waste treated by the medical waste treatment apparatus of the present invention can be suitably used as a blast furnace fuel by mixing it with other fuels. It was also found that the fuel for thermal power generation can be suitably used by mixing with other fuels. In any case, dioxin discharged to the outside after combustion is almost nonexistent, and other generated gases can be effectively used together with the generated gas from other fuels by the exhaust treatment means attached to the existing combustion equipment. It is processed.
[0054]
By using the medical waste treated by the medical waste treatment apparatus of the present invention as a fuel for a blast furnace or a fuel for thermal power generation, it is possible to reduce the raw material cost of the fuel for the blast furnace or the fuel for thermal power generation, and The space and cost for landfilling the medical waste treated by the medical waste treatment apparatus of the present invention are not required.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
The medical waste treatment apparatus of the present invention has good heating efficiency, is easy to operate, and is compact. Further, odors and toxic components are decomposed during operation, and almost no odors or toxic components are radiated to the outside. Further, disposal of waste after sterilization is easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a structural explanatory view showing a configuration of a medical waste treatment apparatus of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Medical waste treatment apparatus 2: Medical waste 4: Treatment chamber 6: Superheated steam supply means 8: Fuel combustion means 10: Combustion chamber 11: External air inlet 12: Exhaust gas introduction path 14: Jacket space 16: Jacket 17: water supply means 18: combustion gas introduction path 20: discharge duct 22: coiled tube 28: burner 30: superheated steam introduction pipe 60: stirring means 68: discharge duct 70: recovery container 72: shutter 80: blower 82: jacket air introduction Means 83: Container air introduction means 85: Processing chamber air introduction means 93: Discharge means 110: Catalyst

Claims (10)

A treatment chamber into which medical waste is injected and heated;
A combustion chamber provided with fuel combustion means for heating water or steam to generate superheated steam,
Comprising the combustion chamber, superheated steam supply means for sending superheated steam to the processing chamber,
A jacket surrounding at least a part of the processing chamber and forming a jacket space surrounding at least a part of the processing chamber between the processing chamber and an outer wall of the processing chamber;
A medical waste treatment apparatus comprising: a combustion gas introduction passage interposed between the jacket and the combustion chamber for introducing combustion gas generated by the fuel combustion means into the jacket space. An exhaust gas introduction path interposed between the processing chamber and the combustion chamber, the exhaust gas introduction path configured to introduce exhaust gas generated by heating the medical waste in the processing chamber with the superheated steam into the combustion chamber. Item 2. The medical waste treatment device according to Item 1. 3. The medical waste treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a catalyst that contacts the exhaust gas and promotes combustion of the exhaust gas is provided in the combustion gas introduction path. 4. The superheated steam supply means,
A serpentine tube installed in the combustion chamber and heated by the combustion gas,
The medical waste treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a water supply means for supplying water into the pipe. The medical waste treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a jacket air introduction unit that introduces air for cooling an outer wall of the treatment chamber into the jacket space after the heating of the medical waste. The medical waste treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a treatment chamber air introduction unit that introduces air into the treatment chamber after the heating of the medical waste. Stirring means for stirring the medical waste in the processing chamber,
Discharging means for discharging medical waste heated and stirred in the processing chamber from the bottom of the processing chamber;
The medical waste treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a collection container into which the medical waste heated and stirred in the processing chamber discharged from the processing chamber. The medical waste treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a container air introduction unit configured to introduce air into the collection container into which the medical waste is charged. A jacket air introduction unit is provided for introducing air for cooling the outer wall of the processing chamber into the jacket space after the heating of the medical waste, and a process of introducing air into the processing chamber after the heating of the medical waste is completed. Room air introduction means is provided, a collection container into which medical waste heated and agitated in the processing chamber discharged from the processing chamber into which the medical waste has been input is provided, and 9. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a container air introducing means for introducing air into the vessel, wherein the jacket air introducing means, the container air introducing means, and the processing chamber air introducing means share one blower. Waste treatment equipment. A fuel for blast furnace or thermal power generation, comprising medical waste treated by the medical waste treatment apparatus according to claim 1.

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