Episode Summary
In this episode of Wastewise, Daniel Nelsen, Aaron Stout, and Brandon Ross talk about the intricacies of waste management systems designed for the life sciences sector. They focus on BioSAFE’s effluent decontamination systems, emphasizing how tailored designs and component accessibility contribute to operational excellence. Brandon highlights the importance of intuitive system interfaces that facilitate ease of use and maintenance, ensuring systems meet the specific needs of each facility.
The conversation then shifts to the challenges of integrating these systems into existing structures. Brandon explains the strategic adjustments needed for retrofitting older facilities, discussing the balance between system efficiency and facility limitations. They also touch on the utility requirements and the potential necessity for facility upgrades to support new equipment.
Lastly, the discussion explores the differences between continuous and batch processing systems, detailing their respective advantages in handling waste with varying solid content. Brandon provides insight into how these systems can optimize energy use and space, aligning with the overarching goal of operational efficiency in life sciences waste management.
BioSAFE Engineering
Brandon Ross
Chief Engineer
Expert in designing waste management systems tailored for life sciences facilities.
BioSAFE Engineering
Aaron Stout
Director of Sales and Marketing
Aaron has previously worked at Follett LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Helmer Scientific.
Key Insights
Customized Effluent Decontamination Systems
BioSAFE’s Effluent Decontamination Systems are customized to fit the unique needs of each facility. They consider variables like solid content in waste and processing volumes, ensuring each system is precisely tailored for optimal performance.
Ease of Use and Accessibility
Challenges in Retrofitting Existing Facilities
Retrofitting existing facilities with new waste management systems poses unique challenges. These include spatial constraints and the necessity for facility improvements to support new equipment, demanding a individualized design approach.
Guidance on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Episode Highlights
Innovations in Heat Recovery for Large Systems
Brandon explains the significant benefits of incorporating heat recovery loops into larger waste management systems, which can enhance energy efficiency and reduce operational costs. This part of the discussion reviews how BioSAFE designs its systems to utilize outgoing hot fluid to warm incoming cold fluid, thereby optimizing energy usage and contributing to a more sustainable operation.
“This typically comes into play on larger systems… You’re processing hundreds of thousands of gallons per day, and your energy usage is very intense. So that energy or heat recovery that we take the outgoing hot fluid and replace it with the incoming cold fluid to heat that up and at the same time cool down the exiting fluid is a major advantage.”
Continuous vs. Batch Processing Advantages
Brandon dives into the benefits and drawbacks of continuous versus batch processing in waste management systems. He details how continuous flow systems are better suited for medium to low solids applications and excel in energy recovery, while batch systems are more appropriate for high solids scenarios due to their robust process handling. This comparison clarifies the operational efficiencies and potential limitations of each system type.
“Continuous flow insinuates that essentially the system, once it gets operational, it continues to operate under a condition where, It has the a very high rate of heat exchange or heat recovery, where the outgoing fluid changes heat with the incoming fluid, and it requires very little heat to maintain that specific condition.”
Impact of High and Low Solids on System Design
The conversation explores how different types of waste (high solids vs. low solids) influence the design and functionality of waste management systems. Brandon explains that systems must be tailored to handle the specific characteristics of the waste stream, which can significantly vary between facilities that deal with different types of biological or chemical waste.
“So, typically high solids are your facilities that house or work with animals, specifically large animals… Whereas if you look at something like a pharmaceutical application… typically that’s a lot cleaner stream.”
Incorporating Advanced Metal Detection in Waste Systems
Brandon discusses the challenges and technological solutions for detecting metals in medical waste to prevent damage to microwave systems, which can occur if metals are inadvertently processed. He explains the necessity for sophisticated detection mechanisms to ensure that metallic objects, which could cause operational hazards, are identified and separated before treatment.
“And, you know, it’s hard to get rid of all metal, even if you run it through a metal detector. You’d have syringes. You know, what’s the threshold level of detection for something you may run through? You may have a pen like this, you know, that gets put into the waste.”
