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Bio-Cremation
Presentation By:Michael Hajko
Environmental Specialist IIEnvironmental Compliance Section
Presentation Overview
Direct burial, cremation types, statistics Various cremation processes Pros & cons Chemistry of various processes Process wastes Permitting Pretreatment requirements Discharge monitoring
Direct Burial
Is the most common funeral rite in America In many cases, a body is first embalmed Burial decomposition is a slow natural process Supported by religious beliefs Huge impact on land and resources
Direct Burial: Embalming
Direct Burial: Formaldehyde
2 CH3OH + O2 → 2 CH2O + 2 H2OMethanol + Oxygen → Fomaldehyde + Water
Direct Burial: Formaldehyde
Toxic to animals Causes respiratory and reproductive issues Many European countries ban its use 1 ounce of 37% solution can kill humans Very toxic to microbes in septic tank systems
Traditional CremationOverview and Impact
Cremation is defined as the process of burning up - from Latin “cremare”
2-4 hour process, heavy energy consumption Amount of fuel needed each year equals a car
making 84 trips to the moon and back Releases up to 500 lbs of CO2 for each event Vaporizes dental amalgams and other metals
Traditional CremationOverview and Impact: Mercury Dental amalgams are 50% Mercury (Hg) Vaporized during incineration Heavy metal that can destroy nervous systems In the UK, 16% of Hg comes from crematoria Public resists removing amalgams before
cremation Hg pretreatment (chimney filters) is expensive
Methylated Mercury
Traditional Cremation Statistics
Traditional Cremation: Overview and Impact
No longer outlawed by Catholic Church Becoming more popular because of cost and
lack of traditional burial plot space Break up and distancing of families makes family
burial plots impractical Cost is a fraction of traditional burial
Chemical Cremation Process
Alkaline hydrolysis process Uses water (H2O) and alkali to break down
organic matter Bio-cremation enhances this process using state
of the art technology Same technology now available for “green
burials” Most eco-conscious burial method
Basic Constituents of the Human Body
Human body is mostly water Also contains sugars, fats, nucleic acids, and
amino acids Amino acids are building blocks of proteins Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) code for genetic
material Sugars and fats are structural and sources of energy
Chemical Cremation Process:Hydrolysis of
Amino and Nucleic Acids Breaks DNA at its most basic level Cleaves phosphate ester bonds Releases individual sugars and amino acids Cleaves 40% of all peptide bonds Destroys protein coats of viruses Destroys prions
Alkaline Hydrolysis of DNA
Hydrolysis of Fats
Hydrolysis of Carbohydrates
Chemical Cremation: Environmental Impact
No regulatory air permits No vaporization of heavy metals Pacemakers can be left in place Titanium implants and amalgams can be
recovered – intact and sterile Low energy usage Small carbon footprint
Chemical Cremation: Process Safety
Batch generates <400 gallons of sterile effluent Effluent is cooled, pH neutralized before release Effluent is a soapy mixture of amino acids,
carbohydrates, and trace metals Toxins are destroyed No dioxins are produced Machinery is electrically rated and fully insulated Operators are not exposed to dust, direct heat
Resomation®
2008 - Matthews Cremation signed agreement with Resomation, LLC in the UK
2009 - Bio-cremation was signed into law 2011 - first commercial unit installed in St.
Petersburg, Florida Other bio-cremation units exist in Minnesota 6 states presently allow process
Sandy Sullivan, CEO, Resomation Ltd.
Chemical Cremation: Resomation®
Resomation Unit (Resomator) Interior
Resomation Mechanical and Chemical Support Systems
Resomator® Procedure Overview
Chemical Cremation Remains
Chemical Cremation Pretreatment Requirements
pH neutralization and continuous monitoring, recording
Ensure process does not use sodium hydroxide (NaoH)
Solids separation not typically needed due to nature of discharge
Chemical Cremation Challenges Public opinion of discharging effluent pH must always be neutralized Insufficient chemical dosing can result in
incomplete FOG degradation New manufacturers may face same problems
as Resomator®
Will need frequent initial monitoring by the pretreatment program staff
Misleading concerns regarding Oil & Grease
Chemical Cremation: Final Effluent Quality
• Temp: 77 degrees F• pH 7.43 S.U.• CBOD: 3,400 mg/L• COD: 5,300 mg/L• TSS: 1,300 mg/L• Chloride: 59 mg/L• Oil & Grease: 1,200 mg/L • Boron: 0.34 mg/L
• As: < 0.004 mg/L • Cd: 0.0018 mg/L• Cr: 0.004 mg/L• Cu: 0.036 mg/L• Pb: <0.002 mg/L• Mo: 0.0064 mg/L• Ni: <0.002 mg/L• Se: < 0.005 mg/L• Zn: 0.130 mg/L • Hg: 0.00054 mg/L
Source: City of St. Petersburg
Chemical Cremation: Oil & Grease Effluent Concern
• Oil & Grease: 1,200 mg/L • Analytical Method EPA 6440• Detects non-volatile hydrocarbons, vegetable oils,
animal fats, waxes, and saponified fats (soaps) • Actual effluent component detected from this
method is a liquid-based potassium soap• Potassium soap doesn’t harden, cause blockages, or
harm collection systems (the Oil & Grease limit concerns)
Recommended SUO Revisions
Permit or Best Management Practice (BMP) Monitoring?
Permit as Minor or Significant industrial user (IU) to demonstrate wastewater treatment proficiency, and then apply BMPs thereafter
However, if permitted, then SUO modifications will be required to support this
Monitor the IU under BMP Program: IU to continuously monitor/adjust pH IU to sample/report annually CA inspect IU CA randomly sample
Questions?
Speaker Contact Information:
Michael Hajko407-254-7709 (Direct)
407-254-7702(Environmental Compliance Office)