Abstract: A system for processing plant materials is described. The plant materials have at least plant stalks, and the plant stalks comprise at least bast fibers. The system has a crusher module for disrupting the plant materials without breaking or damaging the bast fibers thereof, thereby obtaining disrupted plant stalks and a first plant-remainder; a decorticator module coupled to the crusher module for separating the disrupted plant stalks into bast fibers as a first product and a second plant-remainder; and a screening module coupled to the decorticator module for separating at least the second plant-remainder to microfibers and hurds as a second and a third product, respectively.

Abstract: A system for processing plant materials is described. The plant materials have at least plant stalks, and the plant stalks comprise at least bast fibers. The system has a crusher module for disrupting the plant materials without breaking or damaging the bast fibers thereof, thereby obtaining disrupted plant stalks and a first plant-remainder; a decorticator module coupled to the crusher module for separating the disrupted plant stalks into bast fibers as a first product and a second plant-remainder; and a screening module coupled to the decorticator module for separating at least the second plant-remainder to microfibers and hurds as a second and a third product, respectively.

Abstract: A controlled release product and a method for producing the controlled release product. The product includes a substrate material for release to a surrounding environment and a composition coating the substrate material in a coating layer for providing a controlled release of the substrate material. The composition includes a matrix material; a particulate fibrous filler material dispersed throughout the matrix material and a water soluble surface treatment material applied to the external surfaces of the particles of filler material such that the surface treatment material provides degradable interfaces between the matrix material and the external surfaces of the particles of filler material, and wherein the degradable interfaces are degradable in the presence of water such that interfacial passageways between the matrix material and the external surfaces of the particles of filler material are formed by the dissolution of the surface treatment material.

Abstract: A controlled release product and a method for producing the controlled release product. The product includes a substrate material for release to a surrounding environment and a composition coating the substrate material in a coating layer for providing a controlled release of the substrate material. The composition includes a matrix material; a particulate fibrous filler material dispersed throughout the matrix material and a water soluble surface treatment material applied to the external surfaces of the particles of filler material such that the surface treatment material provides degradable interfaces between the matrix material and the external surfaces of the particles of filler material, and wherein the degradable interfaces are degradable in the presence of water such that interfacial passageways between the matrix material and the external surfaces of the particles of filler material are formed by the dissolution of the surface treatment material.

Abstract: A permeable composition, a controlled release product, and methods for producing the permeable composition and controlled release product. The permeable composition includes a matrix material, a particulate filler material, and interfacial passageways between the matrix material and the particles of filler material. The matrix material may include a substrate material and a carrier material. The controlled release product is formed by coating a substrate material with at least one layer of the permeable composition. The methods include the steps of applying a degradable surface treatment material to the particles of filler material and then dispersing the surface treated filler material throughout the matrix material so that degradable interfaces are provided between the matrix material and the particles of filler material.

Abstract: A permeable composition, a controlled release product, and methods for producing the permeable composition and controlled release product. The permeable composition includes a matrix material, a particulate filler material, and interfacial passageways between the matrix material and the particles of filler material. The matrix material may include a substrate material and a carrier material. The controlled release product is formed by coating a substrate material with at least one layer of the permeable composition. The methods include the steps of applying a degradable surface treatment material to the particles of filler material and then dispersing the surface treated filler material throughout the matrix material so that degradable interfaces are provided between the matrix material and the particles of filler material.

Abstract: A synthetic aggregate and a process for converting a waste material into the synthetic aggregate. The synthetic aggregate includes a finely divided waste material and an amount of a sulphur binder for substantially coating the waste material such that the waste material is encapsulated therein The finely divided waste material acts as a stabilizer to stabilize the structure of the sulphur binder. The process comprises creating a molten sulphur binder. No chemical stabilizer is used. An amount of the waste material is mixed into the molten sulphur binder such that the waste material is substantially coated by the molten sulphur binder to produce an encapsulated waste material. The encapsulated waste material is separated into discrete particles having a size suitable for use as an aggregate to produce the synthetic aggregate. The molten sulphur binder is cooled to harden the encapsulated waste material.

Abstract: The invention is directed at an additive for incorporation into a cementitious compound comprising Portland cement and water prior to the setting of the compound. The additive is comprised of a surface treated additive wherein the surfaces of the additive are treated with a substance which has a transient hydrophobic effect on the additive, which effect temporarily renders the additive more hydrophobic for a time period following the incorporation of the additive into the compound such that the water comprising the compound is less attracted to the additive during the placement of the compound and is thus available to provide workability to the compound, and such that the additive regains its natural properties following placement of the compound in order to permit the additive to participate with the compound during the curing of the compound. The invention is also directed at a process for preparing the additive and a process for preparing a cementitious compound comprised of the additive.

Abstract: In general, confinement systems of barriers for use around oil or other storage tanks are expensive and/or difficult to install. A relatively simple protective barrier includes corrugated panels connected end-to-end to define an enclosure, a bar or cap mounted on the panels, a plurality of threaded rods for extending through the cap into the ground, an anchor for mounting on the bottom end of each rod, whereby, when the rod is pulled upwardly, the anchor engages the ground to hold the rod firmly in position, and a nut for mounting on each rod above the bar which can be tightened to push the bar and consequently the panels downwardly into the ground.

Abstract: One form of conventional earth anchor device includes an anchor which is driven into the ground as the leading element of a combination. Thus, the anchor must be streamlined to facilitate ground entry which is incompatible with the need for a curved body facilitating anchoring. Another problem is the need for anchors having large bearing areas which require considerable effort for insertion into the ground. A device providing a solution to these problems includes a tube or sleeve with a sacrificial blade releasably mounted in the bottom end thereof for driving into the ground, and a rod carrying an anchor and a spring biasing the anchor outwardly, whereby the sleeve can be driven into the ground, following which the rod is held down while the sleeve is extracted, leaving the blade, and, when the anchor and spring exit the sleeve, the spring biases the anchor into a ground engaging position. An upward pull on the rod pivots the anchor into a secure anchoring position in the ground.