Abstract: Treatment of radioactive waste comprising organic compounds and sulfur-containing compounds and/or halogen-containing compounds. An apparatus comprises a reaction vessel comprising a filter for carrying out thermal treatment of the waste and a thermal oxidizer. Utilizing co-reactants to reduce gas phase sulfur and halogen from treatment of wastes.

Abstract: Treatment of radioactive waste comprising organic compounds, and sulfur-containing compounds and/or halogen-containing compounds. An apparatus comprises a reaction vessel comprising a filter for carrying out thermal treatment of the waste and a thermal oxidizer. Utilizing co-reactants to reduce gas phase sulfur and halogen from treatment of wastes.

Abstract: Treatment of radioactive waste comprising organic compounds, and sulfur-containing compounds and/or halogen-containing compounds. An apparatus comprises a reaction vessel comprising a filter for carrying out thermal treatment of the waste and a thermal oxidizer. Utilizing co-reactants to reduce gas phase sulfur and halogen from treatment of wastes.

Abstract: Treatment of radioactive waste comprising organic compounds, and sulfur-containing compounds and/or halogen-containing compounds. An apparatus comprises a reaction vessel comprising a filter for carrying out thermal treatment of the waste and a thermal oxidizer. Utilizing co-reactants to reduce gas phase sulfur and halogen from treatment of wastes.

Abstract: Providing a roaster that operates at temperatures in the range of 800° Celsius to 2000° Celsius with inert, optional oxidizing and reducing gases to treat graphite contaminated with radionuclides including tritium, carbon-14, and chlorine-36. The combination of temperatures and gases allow for the removal of most to substantially all the carbon-14 within the graphite while substantially limiting gasifying the bulk graphite.

Abstract: Providing a method for eliminating NOx from an input waste form, including waste forms with volatile elements. The method includes adding the input waste form, reducing additives, a fluidizing gas, and mineralizing additives to a fluidized bed reactor. The reactor includes multiple portions and at least one portion is operated in a reducing atmosphere. The bed is operated at temperatures greater than 800° C.

Abstract: Providing a roaster that operates at temperatures in the range of 800° Celsius to 2000° Celsius with inert, optional oxidizing and reducing gases to treat graphite contaminated with radionuclides including tritium, carbon-14, and chlorine-36. The combination of temperatures and gases allow for the removal of most to substantially all the carbon-14 within the graphite while substantially limiting gasifying the bulk graphite.

Abstract: A circuit is provided that includes a parasitic power circuit that powers a parasitic circuit. The parasitic power circuit derives a supply voltage from an external AC or other signal suitable for use as a communications signal. A PMOS transistor or transistors is utilized to enable a supply voltage capacitor to charge substantially to the same voltage as the channel voltage of the communications signal.

Abstract: A circuit is provided that includes a parasitic power circuit that powers a parasitic circuit. The parasitic power circuit derives a supply voltage from an external AC or other signal suitable for use as a communications signal. A PMOS transistor or transistors is utilized to enable a supply voltage capacitor to charge substantially to the same voltage as the channel voltage of the communications signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing hazardous wastes directly from 55-gallon drums through the use of pyrolysis and steam reforming. The method is based on a pyrolyzer using heat to vaporize organics that are present in the hazardous wastes. The waste is heated in the original drums to avoid the bulk handling of alpha radionuclides and to ensure criticality control. At pyrolysis temperatures, all liquids and organics in the drums will evaporate and volatize. The resulting waste in the drums is a dry, inert, inorganic matrix with carbon char containing radioactive metals. The off-gas produced by pyrolysis mainly consists of water vapor, volatized organics, and acid gases from the decomposition of various plastics and other organics present in the waste drums. The off-gas produced by the pyrolysis is then collected and fed into an off-gas treatment system that is in fluid communication with pyrolyzer operated under oxidizing conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for conversion of alkali metals, heavy metals, halogens, and sulfur into mineral products. The system includes a single reaction vessel. To begin the process, co-reactants such as lime and clay are mixed with waste feeds containing alkali metals, heavy metals, halogens, and sulfur. This mixture is then introduced into the reaction vessel. The reaction vessel is operated under reducing conditions. After the mineral products are allowed to form, they are collected from the reaction vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing hazardous wastes directly from 55-gallon drums through the use of pyrolysis and steam reforming. The method is based on a pyrolyzer using heat to vaporize organics that are present in the hazardous wastes. The waste is heated in the original drums to avoid the bulk handling of alpha radionuclides and to ensure criticality control. At pyrolysis temperatures, all liquids and organics in the drums will evaporate and volatize. The resulting waste in the drums is a dry, inert, inorganic matrix with carbon char containing radioactive metals. The off-gas produced by pyrolysis mainly consists of water vapor, volatized organics, and acid gases from the decomposition of various plastics and other organics present in the waste drums. The off-gas produced by the pyrolysis is then collected and fed into an off-gas treatment system that is in fluid communication with pyrolyzer operated under oxidizing conditions.

Abstract: A method of waste stabilization by mineralization of waste material in situ in a treatment container suitable or treatment, transit, storage and disposal. The waste material may be mixed with mineralizing additives and, optionally, reducing additives, in the treatment container or in a separate mixing vessel. The mixture is then subjected to heat in the treatment container to heat-activate mineralization of the mixture and form a stable, mineralized, monolithic solid. This stabilized mass may then be transported in the same treatment container for storage and disposal.

Abstract: A system for the treatment and recycling of graphite containing radionuclides including a two stage method that employes a thermal roaster that is operatively connected to a steam reformer. In the first stage, radioactive graphite is roasted or heated to volatize a first amount of radionuclides contained in the graphite. In the second stage, the roasted graphite is reacted with steam or gases containing water vapor so that a second amount of radionuclides is removed. Optionally, the present system also processes the radionuclides to enable their disposal.

Abstract: A method of waste stabilization by mineralization of waste material in situ in a treatment container (24) suitable for treatment, transit, storage and disposal. The waste material may be mixed with mineralizing additives and, optionally, reducing additives, in the treatment container or in a separate mixing vessel. The mixture is then subjected to heat in the treatment container (24) to heat-activate mineralization of the mixture and form a stable, mineralized, monolithic solid. This stabilized mass may then be transported in the same treatment container (24) for storage and disposal.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a knee brace includes a screw seat, a screw seat gear, an adjustment screw, a condyle engagement member, and an adjustment actuator gear. The screw seat has a bore with an internal thread. The screw seat gear is positioned at an end of the screw seat and the screw seat rotates in response to rotation of the screw seat gear. The adjustment actuator gear engages the screw seat gear and the screw seat gear rotates in response to rotation of the adjustment actuator gear. The adjustment screw has an external thread that is threaded into the internal thread of the screw seat, thereby enabling outward or inward telescoping of the adjustment screw within the bore in response to rotation of the adjustment actuator gear.

Abstract: A therapy system for therapeutically treating a desired region of the body includes a fluid reservoir, a heat transfer pad, and first and second fluid circulation lines. The heat transfer pad includes a first pad port, a bladder, and a second pad port. The first fluid circulation line is connectable to the first pad port for withdrawing heat transfer fluid from the fluid reservoir and delivering it to the heat transfer pad. The second fluid circulation line is connectable to the second pad port for withdrawing heat transfer fluid from the heat transfer pad and delivering it to the fluid reservoir. The heat transfer pad additionally includes a pad flowpath adjustment member positioned in the pad flowpath to adjust the system resistance to flow. The adjusted system resistance to flow fixes the desired treatment temperature of the heat transfer pad in response to the heat transfer fluid circulating through the pad flowpath. The desired treatment temperature is correlated to the body region being treated.

Abstract: A system and method is described having a single reaction vessel (12) using superheated stream optionally augmented by oxygen for reducing nitrogen oxides present in a wide variety of organic compounds. Reduction takes place quickly when a stream/oxygen mixture is injected into a fluidized bed (22) of ceramic beads. Reducing additives are metered into the reaction vessel (12) and/or provide energy input to reduce nitrates to nitrogen. The speed of the fluidizing gas mixture agitates the beads that then help to break up solid wastes and to allow self-cleaning through abrasion thereby eliminating agglomerates, and the oxygen, when used, allows for some oxidation of waste by-products and provides an additional offset for thermal requirements of operation.

Abstract: A frame is provided for an orthopedic brace having a frame assembly and an opposing frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a first longitudinal support and a second longitudinal support rotatably connected by a rotational hinge. The opposing frame assembly includes a first opposing longitudinal support and a second opposing longitudinal support rotatably connected by an opposing rotational hinge. The first longitudinal support has a greater degree of flexibility than the first opposing longitudinal support and/or the second longitudinal support has a greater degree of flexibility than the second opposing longitudinal support to enhance the fit of the frame with the body of a user.

Abstract: A system and method using superheated steam optionally augmented by oxygen for the reduction of nitrogen oxides present for reducing nitrogen oxides present in a wide variety of organic compounds. The system includes a single reaction vessel, or optionally, multiple reaction vessels in operational communication. Reduction takes place quickly when a steam/oxygen mixture is injected into the reaction vessel or vessels. Reducing additives are metered into the reaction vessel or vessels and/or provide energy input to reduce nitrates to nitrogen. The oxygen, when used, allows for some oxidation of waste by-products and provides an additional offset for thermal requirements of operation.