Tissue Digestors - Ten good reasons why using a tissue digestor makes sense.

An increasing number of business owners are becoming aware of the potential applications of tissue digestor systems. Unfortunately most of the information available on tissue digestors is so scientifically orientated that it only serves to alienate the very people that it aims to educate.

In this short article I will attempt to highlight a few good reasons - in a language that we all can understand and based on my personal experience - why tissue digestors make sense as a means of treating waste tissue.

  1. Tissue digestors employ a thermo-chemical process to break down the all the various components of waste tissue. The process is entirely stable and predictable with minimum number of variables that require management.

  2. Little human interaction is required apart from loading and discharging a tissue digestor. Limited labour inputs result in significant savings and better utilization of staff.

  3. Waste tissue generates extremely offensive odors. Odour management and vapor containment are both easily accomplished once the tissue digestor is loaded with the correct ratio of tissue and digestive mixture.

  4. Tissue waste is often laden with dangerous pathogens. A properly functioning tissue digestor provides more effective and consistent control of pathogens than any other available treatment alternative for the same waste stream.

  5. Tissue digestors can effectively deal with a wide variety of waste tissue. The ability to process unsorted waste is a major benefit. There is no need to separate blood, feathers, bones, skulls, fat, hides or hooves from soft tissue before treatment commences. Indigestible residues such as metals and plastic can safely be removed after a digestion cycle.

  6. Tissue digestors have very small footprints. The small area that is required to effectively operate a tissue digestor means savings in building and related infrastructure. Tissue digestors can be moved around and stationed where the need exists. This means less movement of waste tissue and short logistical chains.

  7. Tissue digestors can be designed and properly sized according to the need and the type of tissue that must be processed. Low bio-risk tissue can be processed in purpose built equipment that is substantially cheaper than equipment required to deal with high bio-risk tissue. Mobile carcass disposal options allow operators to effectively respond to disease outbreaks when and where they may occur.

  8. Greatly reduced acquisition costs provide accessibility to even very small businesses. Joint ownership of a tissue digestor by a few very small businesses in a given geographical location is becoming an increasingly popular choice for waste tissue treatment.

  9. Tissue digestors do not require fresh potable water to function effectively. Any grey water can be added to a tissue digestor. Frequently the same water that was used to clean the digestor and the area where tissue was processed is re-used in the digestion cycle. Not only does this practice save water and money, it also provides an effective means of dealing with wash water than could potentially contain pathogens.

  10. A multitude of effluent disposal or recycling alternatives provide new avenues where businesses can offset the costs of treating their own waste tissue against the sale of useable products such as compost additives, high calorific supplements for bio-gas generation or customized fertilizer blends for agricultural purposes.

2 comment(s) for this article

John Mendor
Monday October 12, 2009 at 10:02:25 AM

It is good to find a practical approach in an article such as this one that is written by someone who clearly knows what he or she is talking about. We have been using a tissue digestor for a few years now, and as an experiened user, I totally agree with your take on this. I never considered using wash water in this manner and I think it is an awesome idea and something that we will certainly implement at our facility.

Your direct and personal approach is most refreshing and I have already bookmarked your site as a favourite.
Sam Wilson
Wednesday November 11, 2009 at 6:59:14 PM

Very nice summary of the technology, Piet! A "top-ten" list makes the information easy to digest and is very clear with the benefits. I think anyone using the technology, like John, would agree with each of the points. The website changes are great and I enjoy reading the comments left by readers. Cheers!

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Saturday July 31, 2010

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