Microwaves
Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with a frequency between radio waves and infrared waves on the electromagnetic spectrum[1]. 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[1]. 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[1].