A washing and disinfection apparatus 10 that directly supplies the cleaning fluid from the buffer tanks 3 through a pump 2a to the fluid distribution devices 61 and 62 in the washing chamber 65 and then sprays the process load 63. Contaminated process fluid 80 is removed from the washing chamber via drain lines 18 and 19 and not reintroduced to the system； thereby reducing cross contamination between different elements of the load. To aid in washing ultrasonic elements 50 and/or heating elements 21 can be used along with chemical disinfection. A recycle line 17 can be introduced to the system to re-circulate the process fluid via a two way valve 8b for the purpose of reducing energy and water consumption during the thermal disinfection stage.
