Tissue digesters are engineered systems designed to safely and effectively process biological tissues through controlled thermal and chemical conditions. Configuration choices are driven by containment requirements, throughput, utility availability, and downstream discharge constraints.
Tissue Digesters are designed to safely and efficiently process tissue waste, using patented alkaline hydrolysis technology to reduce the risk of contamination and minimize environmental impact.
Tissue Digesters are used in:
Tissue digesters may operate under either high-pressure or low-pressure conditions. Each approach represents a different balance between treatment intensity, cycle time, capital cost, and operational complexity.
High-pressure digesters achieve rapid and highly effective tissue breakdown through elevated temperature and pressure. This configuration enables shorter cycle times and delivers the highest level of treatment efficacy, making it well suited for demanding research or containment environments.
Low-pressure digesters operate at reduced system pressures while still providing reliable tissue processing. This approach lowers capital cost and mechanical complexity, making it an attractive option for facilities with moderate throughput or less stringent processing demands.
Tissue digesters may employ either mechanically agitated thermic processing or chemically driven caustic digestion. The appropriate technology depends on containment strategy, utility costs, chemical handling preferences, and validation requirements,.
MATD systems use heat and mechanical agitation to accelerate tissue breakdown while minimizing chemical usage. This design reduces utility and sewer demand while allowing flexibility for either wet or dry discharge. The result is an efficient, adaptable system suited for a wide range of operational environments.
Caustic digesters rely on alkaline chemistry to achieve controlled tissue dissolution within a closed system. These systems are particularly well suited for containment applications, offering built-in redundancy and a long track record of proven performance in regulated facilities.
Digesters may be configured to discharge treated material in either wet or dry form. The selection impacts downstream handling, sewer demand, chemical consumption, and overall cycle time.
Wet discharge systems eliminate the need for post-process solids handling by discharging directly to the sanitary system. This approach reduces chemical usage and enables shorter processing cycles, simplifying day-to-day operation.
Dry discharge systems separate and retain solids following digestion, significantly reducing sewer loading. This configuration is well suited for facilities with limited sewer capacity or stricter discharge constraints.
Tissue digesters can be deployed as part of a building-integrated containment strategy or as standalone units. Each option supports safe operation while addressing different facility layouts and budget considerations.
Building-integrated digesters are designed to interface directly with containment spaces, enabling seamless tissue disposal without breaching controlled environments. This approach is ideal for high-containment or high-throughput facilities where operational continuity is critical.
Standalone digesters offer a cost-effective solution with a smaller physical footprint. They are well suited for facilities seeking reliable tissue processing without extensive building integration or containment modifications.
Tissue digesters provide a controlled, validated method for the safe processing and disposal of biological tissues generated in research, clinical, and containment environments. These systems are designed to manage complex biological materials while maintaining operator safety, process reliability, and compliance with facility requirements.
Our tissue digester offerings span multiple operating pressures, digestion technologies, and discharge configurations, allowing each system to be matched precisely to its intended application. From high-efficacy, high-pressure systems to lower-cost, low-pressure alternatives, each design prioritizes dependable performance and predictable outcomes.
Whether deployed as a standalone unit or integrated directly into a containment space, these digesters support seamless workflows and long-term operational stability. By combining proven digestion methods with modern engineering and redundancy where it matters most, our systems deliver confidence in even the most demanding environments.
Remaining byproducts are sterilized inorganic matter (such as calcium phosphate from bones and teeth, gloves, etc.).
Like all BioSAFE products, Tissue Digesters can be customized to your facility’s needs and are available in sizes ranging from 5 pounds to 10,000 pounds per cycle. Standard features include:
BioSAFE’s patented alkaline hydrolysis technology is designed for the world’s most hazardous, infectious, and critical disposal challenges—converting potentially infectious tissue waste into sterile effluent.
Our equipment is in service worldwide, from non-containment sites to highly infectious BSL-3 (Ag) and BSL-4 laboratories.
Applications include:
BioSAFE Tissue Digesters are designed to support the strict waste management standards required at every biosafety level. Our patented alkaline hydrolysis process ensures the safe destruction of GMO organisms, bioengineered materials, genetically modified tissue, and other high-risk waste, without harmful emissions. For agricultural research labs, including BSL-3Ag facilities, this technology is critical for safely disposing of infected carcasses, prion risk material, and pathogens like foot-and-mouth disease or chronic wasting disease.
BioSAFE provides a safer, compliant, and cost-effective alternative trusted worldwide.
Find answers to common questions about the Tissue Digester, including maintenance, installation requirements, and safety measures.
Accordion Content
Any facility generating regulated tissue waste should have a method of safe disposal. BioSAFE’s alkaline-hydrolysis tissue digesters are trusted by agricultural research facilities including BSL-3 and BSL-4 worldwide.
BioSAFE alkaline hydrolysis Tissue Digester are available capacities from 5 to 10,000 lbs per cycle with a typical cycle time of approximately 60 minutes.
BioSAFE’s Tissue Digesters are designed for easy maintenance. It features automated cleaning and self-diagnostic capabilities, reducing the need for manual intervention. We also provide comprehensive support and maintenance services.
Alkaline hydrolysis destroys all protein based materials, including:
While incinerators and Tissue Digesters perform largely the same function (decontamination and destruction of contaminated tissue material), they differ substantially in operating cost and environmental impact. Incinerators can have operating costs in excess of $0.75 per pound depending on age of the unit, energy costs and regulations in the area.
Operators are also exposed to ash, dust, and toxic gases during the operation of an incinerator and heavy regulations are in place around emissions compliance. Tissue Digesters typically operate at a cost of between $0.03 and $0.12 per pound and are considered a closed-loop system, eliminating operator exposure to harmful chemicals and pathogens during the decontamination process. Tissue Digesters also produce no harmful by-products during operation.
Contact our sales team to see what type of tissue digester your facility needs.
