Abstract: An apparatus and method for piercing a drum plug of a drum in order to sample and/or vent gases that may accumulate in a space of the drum is provided. The drum is not damaged and can be reused since the pierced drum plug can be subsequently replaced. The apparatus includes a frame that is configured for engagement with the drum. A cylinder actuated by a fluid is mounted to the frame. A piercer is placed into communication with the cylinder so that actuation of the cylinder causes the piercer to move in a linear direction so that the piercer may puncture the drum plug of the drum.

Abstract: A rotary filtration apparatus for filtering a feed fluid into permeate is provided. The rotary filtration apparatus includes a container that has a feed fluid inlet. A shaft is at least partially disposed in the container and has a passageway for the transport of permeate. A disk stack made of a plurality of filtration disks is mounted onto the shaft so that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the filtration disks. The filtration disks may be made of steel components and may be welded together. The shaft may penetrate a filtering section of the container at a single location. The rotary filtration apparatus may also incorporate a bellows seal to prevent leakage along the shaft, and an around the shaft union rotary joint to allow for removal of permeate. Various components of the rotary filtration apparatus may be removed as a single assembly.

Abstract: Novel strains of isolated and purified bacteria have been identified which have the ability to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons including a variety of PAHs. Several isolates also exhibit the ability to produce a biosurfactant. The combination of the biosurfactant-producing ability along with the ability to degrade PAHs enhances the efficiency with which PAHs may be degraded. Additionally, the biosurfactant also provides an additional ability to bind heavy metal ions for removal from a soil or aquatic environment.

Abstract: Novel strains of isolated and purified bacteria have been identified which have the ability to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons including a variety of PAHs. Several isolates also exhibit the ability to produce a biosurfactant. The combination of the biosurfactant-producing ability along with the ability to degrade PAHs enhances the efficiency with which PAHs may be degraded. Additionally, the biosurfactant also provides an additional ability to bind heavy metal ions for removal from a soil or aquatic environment.

Abstract: A connector that can function as a cable tray splice is provided. The connector may have a frame that is configured for being placed against first and second portions of cable tray. The connector may also have a flange located at an end of the frame that is capable of being shaped by a user. The flange and the frame define an aperture. A connector that may be a configured as a cable tray hanger and a method of securing a connector to the cable tray are also provided.

Abstract: A thixotropic gel suitable for use in subsurface bioremediation is provided along with a process of using the gel. The thixotropic gel provides a non-migrating injectable substrate that can provide below ground barrier properties. In addition, the gel components provide for a favorable environment in which certain contaminants are preferentially sequestered in the gel and subsequently remediated by either indigenous or introduced microorganisms.

Abstract: A choke for use with a shotgun is provided. In accordance with one embodiment the choke has a body that defines a bore with a longitudinal axis therethrough. The body is configured for engagement with a shotgun, and the bore is positioned for traversal of a wad and shot therethrough and out of an end of the bore. The body has a circumference, an inner surface, and outer surface. The body defines at least one port for venting gas from the bore that extends from the inner surface to the outer surface. The shape of the port at the inner surface is asymmetrical.

Abstract: A geotextile tube is provided. The geotextile tube includes a first sheet and second sheet that both have first portions with a first weave pattern and second portions with a second weave pattern. The first portion of the first sheet covers a larger surface area than the second portion of the first sheet. Likewise, the first portion of the second sheet covers a larger surface area than the second portion of the second sheet. A seam contacts and attaches the second portion of the first sheet to the second portion of the second sheet.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition is provided. The cosmetic composition may include pomace olive oil and a first moisturizing oil. The first moisturizing oil may be safflower oil, mango butter, or hemp seed oil. A second oil can also be included and may be coconut oil or grape seed oil. A bacterial control oil can also be present and may be sweet orange oil or lemongrass oil.

Abstract: A storage system is provided. The storage system may include a roller track configured for being placed within an attic or crawl space. The roller track may have left and right side rails and a plurality of rollers that extend therebetween. At least a portion of the rollers are capable of rotating with respect to the side rails. The roller track may be configured for being oriented at an incline so that objects capable of being located on the rollers are oriented at an incline.

Abstract: An anchor bolt positioning system is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, an anchor bolt holder is present and is configured for holding an anchor bolt. The anchor bolt holder may be selectively positioned along a first rail and may be selectively positioned along a second rail.

Abstract: An end cap for a lacrosse stick is provided. The end cap includes a cover configured for being placed over at least a portion of a shaft of a lacrosse stick. The end cap also includes a weighted member carried by the cover and configured for being at least partially located within the shaft of the lacrosse stick when the cover is placed over at least a portion of the shaft of the lacrosse stick.

Abstract: A snow blower is provided that includes a muffler and a heater box that has a top wall. The heater box has a plurality of side walls that extend from the top wall. The top wall and side walls define an interior of the heater box. One of the side walls defines a muffler aperture for use in venting exhaust gases from the muffler. The muffler is at least partially located in the interior of the heater box so that the side walls of the heater box surround at least a portion of all of the sides of the muffler.