Patent ID: 7211229

Claim:
A method of sterilizing a biological waste, comprising the steps of: a) initiating heating of a heating unit ( 20 ); b) conveying a waste liquid having an initial temperature from a source through said heating unit ( 20 ) at a predetermined rate to heat said waste liquid; c) monitoring a temperature (T 2 ) of said waste liquid after said waste liquid passes through said heating unit ( 20 ); d) comparing said temperature (T 2 ) to a desired sterilization temperature, said temperature (T 2 ) is less than the desired sterilization temperature; e) cooling said waste liquid to said initial temperature; f) returning said waste liquid at said initial temperature back through said heating unit ( 20 ) at said predetermined rate; and g) repeating steps c, d, e, and f until said temperature (T 2 ) is greater than or equal to said sterilization temperature.