Microwave waste treatment system FTS

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Overview
FTS – Integrated Microwave Sterilization and Disinfection by FORTEC is an advanced on-site system for the treatment of infectious medical waste. It integrates high-speed mechanical shredding, saturated steam injection and microwave irradiation in a closed, automatic and confined cycle designed to prevent operator exposure and deliver verifiable results.

Why treat on-site

• Reduces prolonged storage and external transport operations.
• Less dependence on external pick-up schedules and constraints.
• Improves traceability and control of operational procedures.
• Simplifies the logistics chain with fewer critical transfer points.

Microwave sterilization: principle and effects
The system operates at 2.450 ± 50 MHz (ISM band). Microwaves enable volumetric dielectric heating of the waste mass, producing both thermal effects (rapid temperature rise, especially in polar molecules such as water) and non-thermal contributions (electrophysical/biological effects such as altered membrane permeability and electrochemical potentials).

Advantages over traditional systems

• Volumetric and more uniform heating, reducing the risk of untreated zones.
• Greater repeatability on mixed waste due to shredding and humidity stabilization with saturated steam.
• Closed-cycle operation without chemical reagents.
• Fewer transfers and external storage, lowering biosafety risks.
• Optimized operation times by preparing material before irradiation.

FTS FORTEC: closed-cycle operational process

• Manual or automatic loading of waste into suitable containers.
• High-speed mechanical shredding to homogenize the material.
• Controlled injection of saturated steam to stabilize moisture.
• Microwave irradiation via waveguide.
• Simultaneous internal/external thermal treatment.
• Optional cooling and compaction of treated material.

Microbiological efficacy
The system is designed to support microbiological reductions up to ≥ 8 log10 under validated conditions, including spore-forming strains used as biological indicators (e.g. Geobacillus stearothermophilus), with protocols aligned to EN ISO 11138 and WHO references.

Emissions management
Gaseous emissions and vapors produced during the cycle are managed through a negative-pressure circuit with multi-stage filtration:

• Mechanical pre-filtration
• HEPA filtration
• UV-C photolysis
• Activated carbon filtration

Technical features and operational benefits

• High-efficiency sterilization (up to ≥ 8 log10 in validated conditions) with certified biological indicators.
• Fully sealed, automatic and confined cycle.
• Construction in AISI 304 stainless steel.
• Industrial control with Siemens PLC and HMI interface.
• Low routine maintenance requirements.
• Compact, modular layout for integration in healthcare facilities.
• System certifications: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018.

Applications
Hospitals, clinics and laboratories generating regular volumes of infectious waste that require on-site management to reduce handling, improve traceability and increase control of biological risk.

Characteristics / technical specifications

• Operating frequency: 2.450 ± 50 MHz (ISM band)
• Integrated technologies: high-speed mechanical shredding + saturated steam injection + microwave irradiation
• Process type: closed, automatic and confined cycle
• Microbiological performance: up to ≥ 8 log10 in validated conditions
• Reference standards: protocols aligned with EN ISO 11138 and WHO references
• Emissions control: mechanical pre-filtration, HEPA, UV-C, activated carbon
• Construction: AISI 304 stainless steel
• Automation and control: Siemens PLC + HMI
• Operating options: manual or automatic loading; optional cooling and compaction
• System certifications: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018