Abstract: A method for maintaining the viability and subsequent activity of microorganisms utilized in a variety of environments to promote biodecontamination of surfaces. One application involves the decontamination of concrete surfaces. Encapsulation of microbial influenced degradation (MID) microorganisms has shown that MID activity is effectively maintained under passive conditions, that is, without manual addition of moisture or nutrients, for an extended period of time.

Abstract: Halogenous, organic waste material such as PVC is subjected to a hydrolysis treatment by suspending 1 part by weight of the waste material in comminuted state in 1-10 parts by weight of water in the presence of a base and heating this to a temperature of between 250-280° C. at a pressure sufficient to maintain the water in liquid state for a period of time sufficient to convert substantially all organically bound halogen present to inorganic halides. By the treatment valuable halogen-free organic compounds are generated as decomposition products ensuring the economy of the treatment.

Abstract: A process for treating an organohalogen compound-containing soil or ash of the present invention, comprises: mixing the organohalogen compound-containing soil or ash with an organohalogen compound-decomposition catalyst composed of a composite catalyst comprising an amine compound and iron compound particles, and having an average particle size of 0.01 to 2.0 &mgr;m, a phosphorus content of not more than 0.02% by weight, a sulfur content of not more than 0.3% by weight and a sodium content of not more than 0.3% by weight; and having an apparent density (&rgr;a) of not more than 0.8 g/ml and a catalytic activity capable of decomposing not less than 50% by weight of monochlorobenzene; and heat-treating the obtained mixture at a temperature of 150 to 600° C. The method for treating an organohalogen compound-containing soil or ash in order to effectively decompose dioxins and dioxin precursors such as aromatic organohalogen compounds or aliphatic organohalogen compounds, e.g.

Abstract: The invention involves a process for containment of industrial wastes, particularly nuclear wastes, in apatite ceramics. This process involves preparing a homogeneous mixture of powders which can form an apatite matrix, introducing the waste into this mixture, compacting it under a pressure of 100 to 500 MPa at room temperature, and subjecting it to hydrothermal processing at low temperature (100 to 500° C.) in the presence of water in a sealed chamber.

Abstract: A method of oxidizing organic pollutants in a solution comprises chelating a catalytic metal with cyclodextrins (CD) and/or derivatized cyclodextrins (dCD), and simultaneously complexing an organic pollutant with cyclodextrins (CD) and/or derivatized cyclodextrins (dCD). The CD or dCD is capable of removing the pollutant from sorption sites (either in solution, in soil/sediment, or on surfaces). Furthermore, the CD/dCD is also capable of competing with other metal chelators that may be present in the system. The ability of the CD/dCD to bind both the pollutant and the metal in the presence of competing binding sites is essential for the success of the technique.

Abstract: A gel composition containing oxidizing agents and thickening or gelling agents is used to detoxify chemical and biological agents by application directly to a contaminated area. The gelling agent is a colloidal material, such as silica, alumina, or alumino-silicate clays, which forms a viscous gel that does not flow when applied to tilted or contoured surfaces. Aqueous or organic solutions of oxidizing agents can be readily gelled with less than about 30% colloidal material. Gel preparation is simple and suitable for field implementation, as the gels can be prepared at the site of decontamination and applied quickly and uniformly over an area by a sprayer. After decontamination, the residue can be washed away or vacuumed up for disposal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for treating boron-containing waste, which prevent clogging of a waste liquid line, achieve an increase in feeding of a waste liquid to a dryer, make in-drum mixing feasible, and increase the strength of a cement solidification product. A method for treating a boron-containing waste liquid comprises the step of adding an alkali metal element compound and an alkali earth metal element compound to the boron-containing waste liquid, and the step of then drying and powdering the boron-containing waste liquid, wherein the temperature of the boron-containing waste liquid during a period from addition of either the alkali metal element compound or the alkali earth metal element compound until the drying and powdering is maintained at not lower than the precipitation temperature of a compound containing boron and an alkali metal and a compound containing boron and an alkali earth metal.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for the co-solidification of low-level radioactive wet wastes of BWR nuclear power plants, including concentrate waste, spent ion exchange resins and sludge wastes etc., with very high volume efficiency. In this invention, for promoting the stability of the solidified waste, sodium sulfate in the concentrate solution is converted to sodium hydroxide and barium sulfate by reacting with barium hydroxide. The conversion product barium sulfate possessing high density and stability is insoluble and used as a fine aggregate material in the solidified waste. Sodium hydroxide is used to stabilize ion exchange resins and to form a highly water-durable solidified waste form with silicates and phosphates in the solidification agent mixture. The solidification agent used in this invention is a formulated powder mixture completely made from inorganic materials. Therefore, there is no aging problem of the solidified waste.

Abstract: This invention concerns the field of environmental protection and can be used to clean industrial waste gases containing products that cause resin formation which fouls catalysts. It is proposed to clean industrial waste gases of aromatic and aliphatic compounds at 120-160 ° C. by means of passing waste gases first through a catalytic composition consisting of a guard bed (to protect the palladium catalyst) with a specific surface 0.2-1.0 m2·g−1, which is initially roasted at 800-1,350° C. and second through a palladium catalyst bed (0.1-3% palladium, deposited on an active aluminum oxide). The proposed method makes it possible to clean industrial waste gases of harmful substances (for example, methanol, cumene) with a degree of destruction not less than 97-98% in the presence of aromatic hydroperoxides which cause resin formation and catalyst fouling on other catalytic systems.

Abstract: A method for safely treating and disposing of infectious biomedical waste and other hazardous materials is disclosed. The method involves alkaline hydrolysis of infectious agents contained in regulated medical waste or hazardous waste solutions. The infectious waste is immersed into a highly basic solvent (>130° C.,>2.79 atm) until the hydrolyzable matter is fully digested, thereby forming a sterile solution and sterile solid waste. The sterile solution and solid waste may then be disposed of through standard means, such as in a sanitary sewage system or local landfill facility. The method also provides for the treatment of lipid soluble hazardous material contained in the regulated medical waste.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing iron carbide in which free carbon is generated with difficulty. When iron carbide is produced by reducing and carburizing iron-containing raw materials for iron making using a reaction gas mainly containing hydrogen and methane, steam or carbon dioxide is added into fluidized bed reactor (1) through line (7) in addition to the reaction gas supplied from line (2) into reactor (1) corresponding to a quantity of free carbon generated in reactor (1) which is obtained by means of dust meter (9). Consequently, the generation of the free carbon can be controlled.

Abstract: Mechanically strong, water-disintegrable agglomerates made from a particulate calcium source, a water-soluble binder and optionally containing a primary plant nutrient source and/or micronutrient source and a process for forming such agglomerates are disclosed. The agglomerates may be used as a soil liming agent and for introducing nutrient values into cultivated soil. Also disclosed is a method for introducing nutrient values into cultivated soil so as to inhibit leaching of the nutrient values from the soil and improve utilization of the nutrient values by plants grown in the soil.

Abstract: A polyester dispersion comprising water and a biodegradable copolyester which contains structural units derived from both aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids or their derivatives, and the coated fertilizer granules prepared using this polyester dispersion, and a process for their preparation. A fertilization method in which the coated fertilizer granules according to the invention are used.

Abstract: A method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel for decommissioning and removal, wherein closure plates are installed onto the vessel, concrete is injected into the vessel, shielding material is installed around the exterior of the vessel and the main nozzles of the vessel, the installed shielding materials are welded to themselves, the vessel is placed on shipping cradles and attached to longitudinal restraint mechanisms for transport.

Abstract: Integrated waste treatment and fertilizer and feed supplement production methods to be implemented at organic waste source sites, at remote treatment sites, or partially at the organic waste source site and at a remote location, whether in small or large scale operations. The methods are suitable for retrofitting existing organic waste sources and for treating the organic waste generated by a single source or by a plurality of sources.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating hazardous waste materials including heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, nickel and chromium residues, as well as radioactive materials. The method involves adding the hazardous waste material to a settable composition, forming a slurry, and allowing the slurry to set to encapsulate the waste material. The settable composition is a powdered flowable cement composition containing calcium carbonate and a caustic magnesium oxide. Tests conducted on the encapsulated material indicate that virtually none of the hazardous waste material is leached out of the set composition which has a concrete-like appearance.

Abstract: A process is provided for the treatment of mercury containing waste in a single reaction vessel which includes a) stabilizing the waste with sulfur polymer cement under an inert atmosphere to form a resulting mixture and b) encapsulating the resulting mixture by heating the mixture to form a molten product and casting the molten product as a monolithic final waste form. Additional sulfur polymer cement can be added in the encapsulation step if needed, and a stabilizing additive can be added in the process to improve the leaching properties of the waste form.

Abstract: Methods and a system of using amino acids are disclosed as being useful in neutralizing aldehydes in waste. These neutralizers allow waste containing aldehyde to be more safely and cheaply disposed.

Abstract: A process for improving waste vitrification in a disposable canister. In the process, chunks of frit are combined with waste and then added to the disposable canister. The waste and frit are then heated to melt the frit and waste. The melted mixture is then cooled to form a vitrified product in the module.

Abstract: High explosives and related energetic materials are treated via a DMSO/base hydrolysis method which renders them non-explosive and/or non-energetic. For example, high explosives such as 1,3,5,7-tetraaza-1,3,5,7-tetranitrocyclooctane (HMX), 1,3,5-triaza-1,3,5-trinitrocyclohexane (RDX), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), or mixtures thereof, may be dissolved in a polar, aprotic solvent and subsequently hydrolyzed by adding the explosive-containing solution to concentrated aqueous base. Major hydrolysis products typically include nitrite, formate, and nitrous oxide.