Abstract: This invention provides means and methods for servicing offshore oil wells under routine and emergency conditions. Thus, a protective shroud surrounding the well site and provided with pumping means can be used to recover spilled oil, store oil, extinguish blowouts and fires, and protect rigs, platforms and personnel.A hollow shroud structure, preferably of circular cross section surrounding an oil well and its rigging therefore by means of underwater pumps can be positioned, filled, emptied or otherwise manipulated in servicing the well. It serves to protect the well from heavy seas and floating objects.Servo controlled valves, jets and pumps can locate the structure precisely in place even during blowout conditions for normal or emergency collection of oil and control of the well conditions.The shroud structure may be erected before or after drilling and can be moved and reused at different sites. It may have a closed top or open top, and a closed top version may be disposed entirely under water.

Abstract: Waste such as combustible trash and prime garbage is mixed with rubber tires and shredded together to produce a compacted and combustible output product which can be used as a fuel or be incinerated for further compacting.The process involves interengaging rotary feeder-cutter wheels mounted on counterrotating shafts to pull materials through a feed path while shredding with the aid of shredder blades interspersed between the wheels. Feeding, mixing and conveying techniques through one or more shredder stages provide for attainment of high speed feed rates and handling of some degree solid debris such as steel belts in tires.

Abstract: Continuous flow at various material flow rates through a pneumatic transport system of a wide variety of granular and hygroscopic materials over a wide range of moistures, sizes and weights is achieved by gravity feed through a dispensing hopper having a portion of the side wall surface shaped as an irregular hyperbola. Thus, shipboard mounted or other portable transport system may be used to load or unload ship holds with grain, cement, seed, sand, sugar and other such materials at high flow rates through input and output hoses conveying materials from one location to another. The same system may be used at lower material flow rates achieved by lower density of materials in the pneumatic stream, thereby to sandblast and paint the ship hulls for example. Special flow rates may be chosen to adapt to given material characteristics or transport needs.

Abstract: Waste such as combustible trash and prime garbage is mixed with rubber tires and shredded together to produce a compacted and combustible output product which can be used as a fuel or incinerated for further compacting.The apparatus involves interengaging rotary feeder-cutter wheels mounted on counterrotating shafts to pull materials through a feed path while shredding with the aid of shredder blades interspersed between the wheels. Feeding, mixing and conveying techniques through one or more shredder stages provide for attainment of high speed feed rates and handling of some degree solid debris such as steel belts in tires.

Abstract: Waste such as combustible trash and prime garbage is mixed with rubber tires and shredded together to produce a compacted and combustible output product which can be used as a fuel or incinerated for further compacting.The process involves interengaging rotary feeder-cutter wheels mounted on counterrotating shafts to pull materials through a feed path while shredding with the aid of shredder blades interspersed between the wheels. Feeding, mixing and conveying techniques through one or more shredder stages provide for attainment of high speed feed rates and handling of some degree solid debris such as steel belts in tires.