Healthcare waste inoculated with B. atropheaus spores was used to evaluate a treatment process using UV light in combination with H2O2. First, the influence of the waste mass on the spore inactivation fraction was investigated for a constant radiation exposure time of 10 min and power per unit mass of waste (44-237 W/kg). The degree of inactivation of the spores was then determined as a function of exposure time (5-30 min) and power per mass unit (67-178 W/kg) for a constant waste mass. The experimental results were adjusted according to four kinetic models. The Hom and power law models were the most appropriate for the description of the disinfection process. The maximum experimental inactivation fraction (95%) achieved was obtained with 178 W/kg irradiation for 30 min.
B. atrophaeus spore; Disinfection; Healthcare waste; Ultraviolet; H2O2
