WO2013072321A1

WO2013072321A1 - System for decontaminating waste

Info

Publication number: WO2013072321A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/072523
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gauthier HURLIN
Original assignee: Amb
Priority date: 2011-11-15
Filing date: 2012-11-13
Publication date: 2013-05-23
Also published as: FR2982510A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device intended for decontaminating waste by way of microwaves, comprising: - a frame (15), - conveying means for transferring the waste in a sealed manner with respect to the microwaves associated with microwave heating means that are designed to treat the waste conveyed by the conveying means, characterized in that said conveying means comprise a chamber, which is sealed with respect to microwaves, which is disposed horizontally or approximately horizontally and which is at least partially mobile with respect to said frame (15), elastic means (16, 17) connecting said at least one mobile part of the chamber to the frame, and also a vibration generator (12, 13) able to transmit a vibrational movement to said at least one mobile part of the chamber in order to ensure the transfer of the waste (9) by way of vibrations from an inlet (10) for the waste into said chamber towards an outlet (22) for the waste from said chamber, said microwave heating means being arranged outside the chamber in order to treat the waste in said chamber which is sealed with respect to microwaves. The device allows in particular the decontamination of medical waste.

Description

DECONTAMINATION SYSTEM OF WASTE

The invention relates to a waste decontamination system using microwave heating. The field of the invention is that of processes and apparatus for sterilizing waste.

It is known from the state of the art a device for the treatment of special medical waste, for example document FR 2 646 083 describing a decontamination system of waste to this organization. The device makes it possible to heat the crushed and previously moistened waste by means of microwaves. The waste is then maintained at a predetermined temperature to eliminate the pathogenic elements.

In the document FR 2 646 083, the waste decontamination system has: - a filling and shredding device;

a microwave-sealed chamber with a conveyor device for conveying waste along a plurality of microwave emitters;

a device for maintaining the waste at a certain temperature. More particularly, the microwaveable chamber consists of a worm rotated and received in a closed conduit of small diameter, exposed to microwaves, constituting the microwave chamber. This worm can be inclined at an upward angle in the direction of the movements of waste. In order to ensure the penetration of microwaves into the carrier device, it is however necessary to limit the diameter of the conduit of this device to about ten centimeters. This small diameter causes frequent locking of the screw in the conduit, which causes operating difficulties and productivity losses. The invention aims to overcome the various disadvantages mentioned above. More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a waste treatment device whose transport device avoids any blockage of waste in the conveyor device, as is encountered in worm systems. To achieve this objective, the system object of the invention uses a carrier device adapted accordingly.

Another object of the invention is, at least in one embodiment in particular, to provide such a device that is simple to implement.

The invention also aims to provide a device that is non-polluting and secure.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear more clearly later, are achieved according to the invention with the aid of a device for the decontamination of waste by microwaves comprising:

- a frame,

- Transport means for the transfer of waste hermetically to microwaves associated with microwave heating means arranged to treat the waste conveyed by the conveying means.

According to the invention, said routing means comprise an enclosure, hermetic to microwaves, arranged horizontally or substantially horizontally, at least partially movable relative to said frame, elastic means connecting said at least one movable part of the enclosure and the frame, as well as a vibration generator, capable of transmitting a vibratory movement to said at least one moving part of the enclosure so as to ensure the transfer of the waste by vibrations from a waste inlet of said enclosure to an outlet waste said enclosure, said microwave heating means being arranged externally to the enclosure for treating waste in said microwave-sealed enclosure. Microwave hermetic means an enclosure for confining the emitted microwaves.

Preferably, said hermetic enclosure comprises a fixed upper element and a movable lower element transmitting the vibratory movement audits said waste and has microwave sealing means disposed between the fixed element and the movable element of said hermetic enclosure to ensure the between these two elements.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, said microwave sealing means comprise a peripheral gutter connected to the fixed element and a peripheral blade connected to the movable element, said peripheral blade cooperating with said peripheral gutter, said gutter device containing a liquid in which baths said peripheral blade for sealing. According to a particularly simple approach, said microwave heating means are integral with said fixed element.

According to the invention, the movable lower element comprises a trough intended to receive the waste.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, said microwave sealing means are completed by deflecting means secured to the fixed element, projecting on the inner surface of the fixed element and cooperating with said trough.

This approach makes it possible to ensure a reliable and efficient sealing of the means of routing.

Advantageously, the inlet of the enclosure comprises a waste inlet chute fixed on said fixed element and the waste outlet of the enclosure comprises an outlet chute fixed on said movable element, said channels making it possible to trap the microwaves. waves emitted by the microwave heating means. According to a particular aspect of the invention, the fixed element of the microwave-sealed enclosure comprises microwaves inlet windows capable of retaining the vapors. According to a particularly simple approach, said microwave heating means comprise magnetrons coupled to waveguides.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises successively, according to the waste treatment direction:

filling, shredding, mixing and dosing means

said conveyance means and said microwave heating means,

- means for transferring waste downstream, and

- Means for maintaining the temperature of the waste. The invention also relates to the use of the device for the decontamination of medical waste.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given as a simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings, among which: :

Figure 1 illustrates the device for decontaminating the waste;

Figure 2 details the device for conveying waste in a cross section;

- Figure 3 is a detailed section in a seal ensuring the tightness of the sealed enclosure, on an enlarged scale.

As previously mentioned, the general principle of the invention is therefore based on the implementation of a waste decontamination process. Treated waste can be of all origins and be especially medical waste.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, this new approach makes it possible in particular to avoid any blockage in the waste transport device.

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the decontamination device according to the invention.

The device comprises filling means 1 intended to receive the waste, followed by shredding means 2, composed of a mill equipped with blades so as to grind the waste finely before it is conveyed to a mixer comprising essentially a tank 3 and a stirring vane 4, driven by an electric motor 5 to homogenize the crushed waste 9. Dosing means comprising in particular a screw 6 driven by an electric motor 7 are arranged downstream of the mixer to dump a quantity of crushed waste appropriate in the conveying means. The filling element 1 can be closed by a cover.

The waste 9 is discharged from the metering means via an inlet 10, in particular an inlet chute, for example, through the containment enclosure 8.

The enclosure is formed of a movable lower element 8A, such as a trough, and a fixed upper element 8C, such as a lid. In this same figure 1, there is an outlet 22 for the waste, in the form of an outlet chute, through which the waste is transferred to the means for transferring the treated waste, disposed downstream of the conveying means. The transfer means are formed of a tube 23 in which an Archimedean screw 24 is rotated by a rotational movement by means of an electric motor 25. Means for maintaining the temperature of the waste are arranged as a result transfer means and are formed a tank 26 and an agitator comprising a shaft 27 to which blades 28 are attached, the stirrer being rotated by an electric motor 29.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the conveying means are arranged on a frame 15, the trough 8A being disposed on a support element 11, itself attached to elastic means 16, 17 (ie compression springs , or resilient blades) fixed to the frame 15. In this figure is also observed microwave sealing means disposed at the periphery of the trough and formed of a peripheral groove 33 assembled to the cover 8C of the enclosure, a peripheral blade 34 assembled to the trough of the enclosure. As illustrated in Figure 2, the blade 34 is immersed in a liquid 35 contained in the trough 33 to ensure the tightness to microwaves. The microwave sealing means may be completed by baffles 36 integral with the cover, projecting on the inner surface and cooperating with the trough 8A.

The sealing means may also be completed by a microwave joint 37 disposed at the junction cover / frame 15 so as to ensure the confinement of the waves between the channel 33 and the cover.

Preferably, the microwave seal is made by a metal braid, in particular lined with an elastomeric envelope that is airtight. Of course, any other material with good thermal resistance can be envisaged. For constructive reasons, this microwave seal 37 can also be split.

These microwave sealing means can be observed in more detail in FIG. 3. Thus, the support element 11, the lid, the trough, the discharge chute 22, the trough 33 assembled to the lid, are recognized. the blade 34 assembled to the trough, the liquid 35, the baffle 36 integral with the lid and the microwave seal 37.

The trough is fixed to the support 11 which is driven by a vibration movement created by a vibration generator such as a crank-handle system, for example, formed of a connecting rod 12 connected to an eccentric 13 driven by an engine. electric 14. The crank-handle system transmits a vibratory movement to the trough and allows the transport of the waste 9 from the inlet trough 10 to the outlet trough 22 fixed to the trough of the enclosure 8. Of course, Other vibration generating devices known to those skilled in the art can be implemented in the invention.

Advantageously, the inlet and outlet chutes 22 are arranged and dimensioned so as to trap the microwaves.

In this same FIG. 2, there are microwave heating means, arranged above the conveying means, outside the enclosure 5, comprising a magnetron 18 associated with a waveguide 19. A window 21, pierced in the lid, allows the transmission of waves 20 from the microwave means. Slots 38 are also disposed in the waveguide 19 facing the window 21 to diffuse the waves into the hermetic enclosure.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, several windows can be arranged on the same line, each window being then associated with a waveguide and a mangetron.

The windows 21 have the function of forming a barrier to the vapors from the heating of the waste, and are permeable to the waves. Preferably, the windows are made of PTFE so as to let the waves pass and retain the vapors. Any other material fulfilling these conditions can also be used in this device.

Thus, the decontamination device according to the invention operates as follows. The waste is initially stored in a specific container. This container is brought by an operator on lifting and tilting means (not shown) to discharge the waste into the filling means 1. Once the container emptied completely, a lid can come close the filling means. The waste is then finely ground by the chipping means 2 and then conveyed into a mixer to homogenize the crushed waste. Dosing means make it possible to discharge the crushed waste 9 in a proportionate manner into the hermetic enclosure in order to avoid a possible encumbrance.

During their passage in the hermetic enclosure 8 the waste is animated by a vibratory movement, created by the vibration generator, consisting of a connecting rod / crank associated with springs for example. Thus, the waste is conveyed from the inlet chute 10 to the outlet chute 22 by means of vibrations, the enclosure (the trough more precisely) being the only material element which ensures, by its single animation movement. , the transfer of waste during their passage in microwaves. During their transfer, the waste is subjected to microwaves 20 generated by magnetrons 18 and guided by waveguides 19 to a window 21 disposed on the cover 8C of the enclosure 8. Slots 38 are arranged in the waveguides facing the window 21 to diffuse the microwaves more efficiently and get faster decontamination.

Since the waste of the decontamination system must be strictly confined, the chamber is sealed to the microwaves by means of a first gasket formed by a gutter 33 assembled to the lid of the enclosure, a blade 34 assembled to the The trough 34, bathed in the liquid 35, then forms an effective seal when the trough is in motion. The seal thus formed can be completed by baffles 36 integral with the cover, projecting on the inner surface and cooperating with the trough.

Another gasket 37, microwave, may be disposed between the frame 15 and the cover to provide a second microwave seal.

The rod-crank system by the movement it creates allows the transport of the waste from the inlet chute 10 to the outlet chute 22 fixed to the trough of the enclosure 8. The waste is then evacuated to transfer means by means of an elastic sleeve 30 and then pour them into downstream temperature holding means, where they stay for a period of time sufficient for their trivialization. When the residence time is reached, the waste is discharged to the outside by means of a screw 31 driven by the electric motor 32.

Of course, other embodiments could have been envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below.

Claims

1. Device for the decontamination of waste by microwave comprising: - a frame (15),

transport means for transferring the waste hermetically to the microwaves associated with microwave heating means arranged to treat the waste conveyed by the conveying means,

characterized in that said conveying means comprise a chamber (8), hermetically sealed to the microwaves, arranged horizontally or substantially horizontally, at least partially mobile with respect to said frame (15), elastic means (16, 17) connecting said at least one moving part of the enclosure and the frame, as well as a vibration generator (12, 13), capable of transmitting a vibratory movement to said at least one moving part of the enclosure so as to ensure the transfer waste (9) by vibrations from an inlet (10) of the waste of said enclosure to an outlet (22) of the waste of said enclosure, said microwave heating means being arranged externally to the enclosure to treat the waste in said enclosure sealed to microwaves.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said hermetic enclosure (8) comprises a fixed upper element (8C) and a movable lower element (8A) transmitting the vibratory movement audits waste (9) and has microwave sealing means arranged between the fixed element (8C) and the movable element (8A) of said hermetic enclosure (8) to seal between these two elements.

The device of claim 2, wherein said microwave sealing means comprises a peripheral gutter (33) connected to the fixed member (8C) and a peripheral blade (34) connected to the movable member (8A). ), said peripheral blade (34) cooperating with said peripheral gutter (33), said peripheral gutter (33) containing a liquid (35) in which said peripheral blade (34) bathes to seal.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said microwave heating means are integral with said fixed element (8C).

5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the movable lower member (8A) comprises a trough for receiving the waste.

6. Device according to claims 3 and 5, wherein said sealing means are completed by deflector means (36) secured to the fixed element (8C), projecting on the inner surface of the fixed element (8C). and cooperating with said trough.

7. Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the inlet (10) of the enclosure comprises a waste inlet chute (9) fixed on said fixed element (8C) and the outlet (22). waste of the enclosure comprises an outlet chute fixed on said movable member (8A), said troughs (10, 22) for trapping microwaves emitted by the microwave heating means.

8. Device according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the fixed element (8C) of the hermetic enclosure (8) in the microwave comprises windows (21) for entering microwaves (20) able to retain the vapors.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said microwave heating means comprise magnetrons (18) coupled to waveguides (19).

10. Device according to claims 1 to 9 comprising successively, depending on the direction of waste treatment:

filling means (1), shredding (2), mixing (3) and dosing (6)

said conveyance means and said microwave heating means,

means for transferring waste (23) downstream, and

- Means for maintaining the temperature (26) of the waste.

11. Use of the device according to one of claims 1 to 10 for decontamination of medical waste.