Abstract: A method for degrading and/or bioremediating waste wood containing chromated copper arsenate (CCA) using a fungal inoculurn is disclosed. The fungal inoculum comprises of at least one CCA-tolerant fungi, a lignocellulosic substrate and a nutrient supplement. The fungal inoculum is applied to the waste wood and maintained in an aerated and hydrated environment having temperature conditions sufficient to allow the inoculum to grow and metabolize the CCA. The inoculum and the waste wood are combined until an end product is achieved that is at least partially remediated or of a reduced volume.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 31, 2000
Date of Patent:
December 17, 2002
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary
of Agriculture
Inventors:
Barbara L. Illman, Vina W. Yang, Leslie A. Ferge
Abstract: Method and apparatus to form grids of open cells from fibers, especially wood fibers and fibers from waste paper and mixed waste materials. The invention utilizes a screen carrying a plurality of elastomeric pads of predetermined sizes arranged thereon in predetermined spaced relation to each other. The fiber is deposited between the pads but not above the pads. The deposited fibers and the pads are compressed normal to the screen, which causes the fiber in the spaces between the pads to be consolidated both normal and parallel to the screen, resulting in a open grid having cells of the shape of the pads. Numerous variations are provided including several continuous production embodiments. The invention uses state of the art technology for virtually all aspects.