What process does alkaline hydrolysis involve for human remains?

Alkaline hydrolysis is a water-based dissolution process that utilizes a combination of water, heat, and an alkaline substance to break down human remains. During this process, the body is placed in a chamber filled with a solution of water and sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. The temperature is then raised, facilitating the chemical reactions that gradually decompose the organic matter of the body.

This method is considered an alternative to traditional cremation and burial, providing an environmentally friendly option for disposition. The end products of alkaline hydrolysis include a sterile liquid, which can be safely returned to the environment, and the bone material that can be processed into ash, similar to the results of cremation.

The other options do not align with the alkaline hydrolysis process. For instance, combustion using fire refers to traditional cremation, while refrigerated preservation methods involve cooling bodies to delay decomposition, and freezing techniques are used in cryopreservation. None of these methods share the chemical and physical principles that characterize alkaline hydrolysis.