Microwaves: Difference between revisions

[[Microwaves]] are electromagnetic waves with a frequency between radio waves and infrared waves on the electromagnetic spectrum<ref name="Health">[https://wikiwaste.org.uk/index.php?title=Microwaves&action=edit&redlink=1/ HTM_07_01 Safe Management of Healthcare Waste]</ref>. When applied to the treatment of [[Waste]], the mechanism of microbialinactivation is thermal. It is important for the [[Waste]] to be wet, either as a result of moisture naturally occurring in the waste stream or by the addition of moisture in the form of steam. The combination of the two – microwaves and moisture – creates thethermal process<ref name="Health" />. Some treatment processes utilise microwaves to heat water to form steam, which is then applied to the infectious [[Waste]] stream. “Dry” microwave systems are also available. These use direct microwave energy in a nitrogen atmosphere to treat the waste and produce higher treatment temperatures than those used by “wet” microwave technologies<ref name="Health" />.