Abstract: A energy storage device for cycling between a charged state and a discharged state, the energy storage device including an enclosure, an electrode assembly and a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte within the enclosure, and a constraint that maintains a pressure on the electrode assembly as the energy storage device is cycled between the charged and the discharged states.

Abstract: A waste treatment system is provided, including a waste melter system and an air pollution control system. Hazardous and/or radioactive waste in drums is conducted through a waste feed system into a plasma chamber where the waste is exposed to heat from a plasma torch. A part of the waste volatilizes and leaves the plasma chamber for a secondary reaction chamber, in which the waste is combusted to form a waste gas stream. The air pollution control system treats the waste gas stream through quenching, filtering and scrubbing, to produce a clean gas stream suitable for release to the atmosphere. Offgas may be recirculated through the waste treatment system as desired. The waste remaining inside the plasma chamber melts and drops onto sloped processing surfaces inside a hearth located below the plasma torch. The hearth includes ground electrodes configured for electrical contact with waste held in the hearth so that the melted waste in the hearth may be further heated by the plasma torch.

Abstract: A high thermal capacity crossflow water cooling tower (30) is provided having upright fill structure (32) with a plurality of water distributors (34) oriented to deliver initially hot water to upper portions of the fill structure (32) for gravitation therethrough, with a cooling air current generator for producing cooling air currents which enter the fill structure inlet face (44) and exit the fill both laterally through the fill outlet face (46) and upwardly through the horizontal fill upper face (48). In practice, at least about 50% (more preferably at least about 70%) of the total airflow through the fill structure (32) exits the fill through the outlet face (46). Low cooling potential air traversing the fill structure (32) is thus vented upwardly so that greater volumes of more effective cooling air may be drawn through the fill structure (32).