alkaline hydrolysis
noun
: the chemical process of rapidly decomposing a dead body to mostly tiny bits of bone resembling ash by immersing the body in a pressurized chamber containing a heated alkaline solution (as of potassium hydroxide) followed by drainage of all liquid and pulverization of remaining bone compare cremation
broadly
: any hydrolysis process performed in an alkaline environment
Alkaline hydrolysis is one of the most commonly used chemical pretreatment processes, which can remove primarily lignin and some hemicellulose from lignocellulosic biomass. —
Introduction to Chemicals from Biomass
Introduction to Chemicals from Biomass Examples of alkaline hydrolysis in a Sentence
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Depositphotos Legally, alkaline hydrolysis is considered to be cremation.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2024
Other eco-friendly burial options include human composting (placing the body in a chamber with natural materials, accelerating decomposition even more), and alkaline hydrolysis (using alkaline chemicals to break down a body in a chamber of water).
—Sophia Liang, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 2024
More than half of states have legalized a process called alkaline hydrolysis, also known as aquamation or water cremation, which dissolves the body in a base solution.
—Tanya D. Marsh, The Conversation, 30 June 2023
Massachusetts legislators introduced a 2021 bill aiming to amend the definition of cremation to include human composting, as well as alkaline hydrolysis: the process of dissolving bodies in water.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 17 June 2023
The body is placed in an alkaline hydrolysis machine, comprised of an airtight chamber filled with a solution made of water and alkaline chemicals.
—Ghazi Balkiz and Jennifer Hauser, CNN, 2 Jan. 2022
According to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), an international non-profit organization, alkaline hydrolysis is sometimes referred to as flameless cremation.
—Ghazi Balkiz and Jennifer Hauser, CNN, 2 Jan. 2022
As an alternative to cremation, the chemical process of alkaline hydrolysis can reduce remains to bone fragments.
—Mark Evely, The Conversation, 15 Sep. 2020
Kemmis isn’t alone in comparing alkaline hydrolysis to flame cremation.
—Lauren Oster, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 July 2022
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New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2024
Other eco-friendly burial options include human composting (placing the body in a chamber with natural materials, accelerating decomposition even more), and alkaline hydrolysis (using alkaline chemicals to break down a body in a chamber of water).
—Sophia Liang, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 2024
More than half of states have legalized a process called alkaline hydrolysis, also known as aquamation or water cremation, which dissolves the body in a base solution.
—Tanya D. Marsh, The Conversation, 30 June 2023
Massachusetts legislators introduced a 2021 bill aiming to amend the definition of cremation to include human composting, as well as alkaline hydrolysis: the process of dissolving bodies in water.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 17 June 2023
The body is placed in an alkaline hydrolysis machine, comprised of an airtight chamber filled with a solution made of water and alkaline chemicals.
—Ghazi Balkiz and Jennifer Hauser, CNN, 2 Jan. 2022
According to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), an international non-profit organization, alkaline hydrolysis is sometimes referred to as flameless cremation.
—Ghazi Balkiz and Jennifer Hauser, CNN, 2 Jan. 2022
As an alternative to cremation, the chemical process of alkaline hydrolysis can reduce remains to bone fragments.
—Mark Evely, The Conversation, 15 Sep. 2020
Kemmis isn’t alone in comparing alkaline hydrolysis to flame cremation.
—Lauren Oster, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 July 2022
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Cite this Entry
“Alkaline hydrolysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alkaline%20hydrolysis. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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