A groundbreaking medical waste treatment system boasting a remarkable sterilization rate of 99.9999 percent, achieved through the utilization of high-temperature, high-pressure steam, has recently been pioneered in Korea.
Developed by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), a body operating under the Ministry of Science and ICT in Korea, this innovative system addresses the pressing issue of escalating medical waste volumes, which have emerged as a significant national and social concern.
Initiated as part of KIMM's fundamental business support initiative, the project evolved into a demonstration endeavor in collaboration with Daejeon Metropolitan City. Teaming up with VITALS Co., Ltd., a technology transfer firm, the system was refined into a fully functional product capable of processing over 100 kilograms of medical waste per hour. Subsequent trials at Chungnam National University Hospital garnered approval from the Geumgang Basin Environmental Office of the Ministry of Environment, along with certifications from the Korea Testing Laboratory, ensuring its efficiency and stability.
Under the leadership of Principal Researcher Bangwoo Han from KIMM's Eco-Friendly Energy Research Division, in conjunction with VITALS Co., Ltd., the research team engineered a high-temperature, high-pressure steam sterilization system. This cutting-edge technology harnesses high-temperature antimicrobial mechanisms to efficiently combat biological hazards such as viruses and bacteria, crucially enhancing sterilization efficacy.
The process involves pulverizing medical waste to facilitate deep steam penetration, followed by compression to elevate steam temperatures beyond 100 degrees Celsius, further bolstering sterilization potency. Ensuring airtight conditions, the method optimizes contact between pulverized waste and aerosolized steam, maximizing sterilization efficiency.
Achieving temperatures of 138 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes or 145 degrees Celsius for over five minutes, the system sets a global benchmark for sterilization performance, boasting a remarkable 99.9999 percent effectiveness against biological indicators at various points within the sterilization chamber. Recognized as a New Excellent Technology (NET) in 2023, this groundbreaking approach signifies a paradigm shift in medical waste management.
Traditionally, medical waste sterilization relied on microwave-induced moisture heating, posing risks of electromagnetic exposure and potential accidents from foreign object incursion. In contrast, this innovative steam-based method mitigates such hazards, offering a safer and more efficient alternative.
Currently, medical waste disposal primarily occurs at specialized incineration facilities, necessitating stringent isolation protocols and significant operational costs. By empowering hospitals to process waste onsite, leveraging this state-of-the-art technology, infection risks during transportation are minimized, alongside substantial cost savings. Processing just 30 percent of annual medical waste could yield savings of KRW 71.8 billion, while concurrently advancing hospitals' environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives by reducing incineration rates and transportation distances.
