webeagle12 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 A Glasgow-based company has installed its first commercial "alkaline hydrolysis" unit at a Florida funeral home. The unit by Resomation Ltd is billed as a green alternative to cremation and works by dissolving the body in heated alkaline water. The facility has been installed at the Anderson-McQueen funeral home in St Petersburg, and will be used for the first time in the coming weeks. It is hoped other units will follow in the US, Canada and Europe. The makers claim the process produces a third less greenhouse gas than cremation, uses a seventh of the energy, and allows for the complete separation of dental amalgam for safe disposal. Mercury from amalgam vaporised in crematoria is blamed for up to 16% of UK airborne mercury emissions, and many UK crematoria are currently fitting mercury filtration systems to meet reduced emission targets. "Resomation was developed in response to the public's increasing environmental concerns," company founder Sandy Sullivan told BBC News. "It gives them that working third choice, which allows them to express those concerns in a very positive and I think personal way." A Close-up of the Resomator The Resomator can dissolve the body tissue in under three hours, say its makers The installation was only made possible after the state legislature in Florida approved the use of the technology, one of seven US states in which the process has now been legalised. The system works by submerging the body in a solution of water and potassium hydroxide which is pressurised to 10 atmospheres and heated to 180C for between two-and-a-half and three hours. Body tissue is dissolved and the liquid poured into the municipal water system. Mr Sullivan, a biochemist by training, says tests have proven the effluent is sterile and contains no DNA, and poses no environmental risk. The bones are then removed from the unit and processed in a "cremulator", the same machine that is used to crush bone fragments following cremation into ash. Metals including mercury and artificial joints and implants are safely recovered. The machine is patented in Europe with patents pending in other countries. Legislative hurdle Alkaline hydrolysis has been used in the past to dispose of medical cadavers and farm animals. Last year, Aquamation Industries of Australia disposed of several bodies in Queensland using a rival alkaline hydrolysis machine. The same design was also used in Ohio earlier this year to dispose of 19 bodies until a state court shut it down, ruling that the process was not compliant with state law. Mr Sullivan, whose company is now majority owned by Co-operative Funeralcare, claims his machine will provide a more efficient and quicker process. He also believes the equipment can rival cremation for cost, particularly given the expense of fitting mercury abatement systems. He is now pressing for legislative changes in the UK to make alkaline hydrolysis a reality in Britain. "The installations in the US will assist in that process because many of the leaders in the funeral industry are coming to see this unit functioning in the next couple of months once it's running," said Mr Sullivan. "Once they see the unit running, see the process and how dignified, respectful, quiet and quick it is, they will help to push through legislative change in the UK." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14114555 :x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thechronic Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 The perfect gift for any serial killer. remus_lupin 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozgeek Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 The perfect green way is to just bury the body? The body's decomposation provides fertizlation for soil? No burning or chemicals needed. just dig a hole and bury and cover up? In a millions of years, we will be like the dinosaurs or become part of the soil system of the earth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Veteran Posted August 30, 2011 Veteran Share Posted August 30, 2011 The perfect green way is to just bury the body? The body's decomposation provides fertizlation for soil? No burning or chemicals needed. just dig a hole and bury and cover up? In a millions of years, we will be like the dinosaurs or become part of the soil system of the earth. Our current burial methods are not green at all, though. Preserved corpses in concrete vaults sitting all over the place where we live... yuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 The mafia and cartels are cheering - evidence literally goes down the drain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Our current burial methods are not green at all, though. Preserved corpses in concrete vaults sitting all over the place where we live... yuck This is very true. Plus it's ridiculously expensive. When I die, I just want them to dig a hole and dump me in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Veteran Posted August 30, 2011 Veteran Share Posted August 30, 2011 This is very true. Plus it's ridiculously expensive. When I die, I just want them to dig a hole and dump me in. I've got two fillings and a titanium bar in my left arm. Just dump me on a pyre. The mercury is trace and people can fight over the titanium. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisSiteHasLostItsCharm Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I've got two fillings and a titanium bar in my left arm. Just dump me on a pyre. The mercury is trace and people can fight over the titanium. :D we'll get that hitman booked in for you this afternoon then. remus_lupin 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebor Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I've got two fillings and a titanium bar in my left arm. Just dump me on a pyre. The mercury is trace and people can fight over the titanium. :D Notes down GreyWolf's name in his book in case of a coming apocalypse and rare metals are needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey B. Veteran Posted August 30, 2011 Veteran Share Posted August 30, 2011 the worst part is that the liquid is put into the municipal water system so if you live there you are drinking dead people. yay.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mando Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 The perfect green way is to just bury the body? The body's decomposation provides fertizlation for soil? No burning or chemicals needed. just dig a hole and bury and cover up? In a millions of years, we will be like the dinosaurs or become part of the soil system of the earth. Cept it doesnt stop the mercury issue though does it ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebor Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 the worst part is that the liquid is put into the municipal water system so if you live there you are drinking dead people. yay.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted August 30, 2011 Member Share Posted August 30, 2011 The perfect gift for any serial killer. Just imagine what a creative serial killer could do with one of these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Now they'll never detect the poisons I used ... :shiftyninja: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan R. Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Does anybody else think of a certain movie? The good part is at 3 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudslag Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 The perfect green way is to just bury the body? The body's decomposation provides fertizlation for soil? No burning or chemicals needed. just dig a hole and bury and cover up? In a millions of years, we will be like the dinosaurs or become part of the soil system of the earth. It is, its Soylent Green good :whistle: :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thechronic Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Does that mean you can take your beloved home as a smoothie? Charisma 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetonesun Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 I'm hoping by the time I die they'll have figured out an effective way to launch dead bodies into the Sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warboy Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 I'm hoping by the time I die they'll have figured out an effective way to launch dead bodies into the Sun. FTL Drive (From Eureka) the size of a ipod nano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetonesun Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 FTL Drive (From Eureka) the size of a ipod nano. Even better, if it's FTL they can shoot me into someone else's Sun. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted January 12, 2012 Member Share Posted January 12, 2012 It is, its Soylent Green good :whistle: My thoughts exactly. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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