Novel Clean-Up for Mercury Medical Waste

描述(由申请人提供)：环保局继续限制空气排放，包括汞排放。虽然燃煤发电厂是汞排放的主要来源，但包括医疗焚烧炉在内的较小焚烧炉也受到美国环保局的监管。对于运营相对较小的焚化炉的医疗设施/医院来说，这些环境保护局的要求可能是一个严重的问题。面临风险的是过量的汞排放实际上可能导致医疗/医院业务关闭。紧凑型膜系统(CMS)为这些汞排放提出了一种新的技术和商业解决方案。CMS使用新的分离技术，建议以安全的形式浓缩和收集汞排放以供处置。在CMS过程中，汞将首先被收集和储存。这些安全储存的汞将得到安全处置，系统的汞去除能力将恢复。这项技术便于由场外中心位置进行监控和管理。在第一阶段，我们将论证该过程的关键组成部分的可行性和经济性，包括管理系统污垢的能力。CMS与许多主要的膜和工业气体公司有着密切的工作关系。这些关系将增强我们在NIH-SBIR中的能力，最重要的是在SBIR之后的商业化阶段。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The EPA continues to restrict air emissions including mercury emissions. While coal based power plants are the major sources of mercury emissions, smaller incinerators including medical incinerators are under EPA regulations. These EPA requirements can be a significant problem for medical facilities/hospitals which operate relatively small incinerators. At risk are excess Hg emissions can actually lead to shutting down the medical/hospital operation. Compact Membrane Systems (CMS) proposes a novel technical and business solution to these Hg emissions. Using novel separation technology, CMS proposes to concentrate and collect the mercury emissions in a safe form for disposal. In the CMS process, mercury will first be collected and stored. This safely stored mercury will be safely disposed of and the systems mercury removal capability will be restored. This technology conveniently lends itself to being monitored and managed by off-site central locations. In Phase I we will demonstrate the feasibility and economics of the key components to the process including the ability to manage system fouling. CMS has strong working relationships with a number of major membrane and industrial gas companies. These relationships will enhance our ability in this NIH-SBIR and most importantly in the commercialization phase after the SBIR.