UNR tests new machine designed to make hazardous waste harmless

Monday, Oct. 20, 1997 | 11:43 a.m.

UNR is the first commercial user of the CerOx System developed by EOSystems of Sunnyvale, Calif.

The CerOx system is a series of tanks with stainless steel columns and a large electrical transformer. Hazardous organic waste is pumped in and an electrochemical reaction takes place, turning the organic materials into carbon dioxide and water.

UNR will use the system for a year and work with EOSystems engineers to further study and evaluate it.

But officials say one immediate benefit is that less hazardous waste will have to be shipped out of state for disposal.

"We've just been shipping our waste to someone else's back yard," said Steven Oberg, director of UNR's Environmental Health and Safety Department. "We can do better than that. We have expertise and talent, and laboratory facilities and administrative will, and all the other ingredients to come up with better solutions."

The university spends more than $100,000 a year to dispose of hazardous waste. Officials believe the CerOx system will drastically reduce that expense in the future.

CerOx also will provide a valuable learning experience for graduate students in engineering and environmental sciences.

"Students need to be aware of an option such as this that takes hazardous materials out of the waste stream early on," Oberg said.