A. Bio Cremation™ is an environmentally focused cremation alternative that is both dignified and effective. The process uses 95% water and 5% alkali instead of direct flame and fossil fuels to cremate human remains.
A. The body is placed in a stainless steel cremation chamber where water (95%), an alkali additive (5%), heat and pressure are added. BIO Cremation uses this combination of water, alkali, heat and pressure to perform the cremation, gently reducing the body to bone fragments and a sterile solution that is recycled to the earth.
A. The average adult body (depending on size) takes approximately 2-3 hrs to complete.
A. Yes. Bio Cremation fully supports the service choices of the family including viewing and visitation.
A. Current technology (size chamber) can accommodate a body weighing up to 350 lbs.
A. Upon completion of the cremation cycle, bones are dried and processed to a powdery substance which is then placed in a container (urn) and given back to family.
A. Nothing. Unlike traditional cremation, Pacemakers can be left intact. Prosthetic devices and implants can be recovered intact and may be recycled if the family chooses.
A. Bio Cremation does not destroy the dental amalgam which remains intact, is not vaporized and is captured and disposed of according to local requirements and regulations.
A. Bio Cremation is an environmentally focused option for the family to consider. It uses less energy and releases less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
A. Bio Cremation uses 8 times less energy than traditional flame based cremation. Electricity consumption is nominal.
A. Not normally, depending on the method of returning the fluids to water processing, there may be a very mild innocuous "detergent" like aroma for a short period at the completion of the process (during release to water recycling). It is likely that it would not be noticed and it would not be evident outside the building.
A. The chemical used in this technology is potassium hydroxide (KOH) which is an alkali, inorganic compound that is used in numerous health and beauty cosmetics, soft soaps and cleaning supplies you would commonly find at home.
A. NO. We have found potassium hydroxide to be the optimal catalyst for this process and do not recommend any other substitute at this time.
A. No. Chemicals are purchased from a local supplier. The supplier would fill the tank or replace the smaller tanks and remount the system pump.
A. The minimum size tank required is 208 liter/55 gallons but multiple drums or larger tanks can be used to reduce refilling intervals. There is approximately 5 gallons of KOH required per cycle.
A. The temperature in the chamber reaches a peak of 170°C / 350°F during each cycle. At this temperature, the contents of the cremation chamber from each cycle are rendered sterile.
A. This is decided by the local water authority and therefore varies. However it is generally desirable to have a final exit pH of less than 10.5 to 11.5.
A. Approvals may be required from the state and local water quality and processing/recycling authorities. Permitting and authorization processes vary by state and locality. Matthews provides testing and engineering data for the compliance process.
A. No. No acid is used in this water/alkali based cremation process. The catalysts used for Bio Cremation are water (95%) and (5%) potassium hydroxide. Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) is an inorganic compound and it has many commercial applications. KOH is noteworthy as an ingredient in numerous health and beauty cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, soft soaps and cleaning supplies you would commonly find at home. For Bio Cremation, its reaction in water is strongly exothermic, meaning the process gives off significant heat which contributes to the hydrolyzing or breakdown of the human tissue in the sealed cremation chamber.
A. No. This is a hydro-chemical process, accelerating natural decomposition processes with science and chemistry. The process water does not boil at this high temperature due to the pressure developed in the controlled environment in the cremation chamber. The human remains and process fluids are superheated in the water and KOH solution under pressure. This sophisticated environment hydrolyzes the human remains, leaving only bone fragments.