Abstract: A method of manufacturing an artificial zeolite. The method includes the steps of: heating a waste insulator to form a molten insulator; quenching and pulverizing the molten insulator; and heat treating the quenched and pulverized insulator in an alkaline aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of disposing of combustible materials. The method includes the steps of: providing a heating space; providing a first source to generate heat to a first predetermined level at a first location in the heating space sufficient to reconstitute the combustible materials to a molten slag at the first location and so that heat generated by the first source elevates the temperature at a second location within the heating space to a second predetermined heat level that is below the predetermined heat level and high enough to cause combustion of the combustible materials; directing combustible materials to the second location at which the combustible materials are combusted to produce ash; and causing the ash to be directed to the first location to be reconstituted as molten slag.

Abstract: The combination of a vessel and a stopper assembly. The vessel has a wall defining a storage space for a supply of a flowable material and an orifice on the wall communicating through the body from the storage space to externally of the storage space. The stopper assembly selectively blocks the orifice. The stopper assembly has a frame, a stopper element with a blocking surface on the frame that is movable relative to the vessel between i) a closed position wherein the blocking surface substantially blocks the orifice and ii) an open position, and a repositioning mechanism for moving the stopper element relative to the vessel with the stopper element remaining in the closed position to thereby avoid fixing of the stopper element to the vessel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode to be used in a plasma torch includes the steps of providing an insert formed from an electrically-conductive, heat-resistant material, depositing a metal by physical vapor deposition to form a coating on the insert, the metal selected from the group consisting of silver, silver alloy, gold, and gold alloy, providing a holder having a surface with a recess formed therein to receive the insert, placing the insert into the recess, and securing the insert to the holder.