Abstract: A forecast-integrated automated control system for combined greywater-stormwater storage and reuse. A simple and reliable approach for managing greywater and stormwater collection at a household or community level is provided, allowing for the near-continuous monitoring and adjustment of water quantity and quality in a combined greywater-stormwater storage tank based on monitored feedback/output from individual, tank-specific sensors and/or sensors located elsewhere in the water collection system. Use of the forecast-integrated automated control system for combined greywater-stormwater storage and reuse enables optimization of the water quality and quantity collected in the storage tank, reduce the amount of stormwater discharged to municipal sewers, and assure/demonstrate regulatory compliance for control of stormwater runoff through the integration of a low impact development best management practices.

Abstract: A toxin immobilization particle and method of fabrication is provided that includes a polysulfide-rubber polymer coated activated carbon particle that provides enhanced toxin adsorption. A porous activated carbon particle have a size range up to 2 mm is used. The polysulfide-rubber polymer coated activated carbon particle includes a polymer-dose range of up to 1.64 grams of sulfur per gram of activated carbon particles, where the toxins can include mercury, PCBs, chlorinated pesticides or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The method of forming the toxin immobilization particle includes condensing a polymer in a sulfide mixture to form a polysulfide-rubber polymer compound and coating an activated carbon particle with the polysulfide-rubber polymer. The levels of sulfur loading in the toxin immobilization particles are controlled by the polymer dose during the coating process, where the polysulfide polymer coated activated carbon particle provides enhanced toxin adsorption.

Abstract: A toxin immobilization particle and method of fabrication is provided that includes a polysulfide-rubber polymer coated activated carbon particle that provides enhanced toxin adsorption. A porous activated carbon particle have a size range up to 2 mm is used. The polysulfide-rubber polymer coated activated carbon particle includes a polymer-dose range of up to 1.64 grams of sulfur per gram of activated carbon particles, where the toxins can include mercury, PCBs, chlorinated pesticides or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The method of forming the toxin immobilization particle includes condensing a polymer in a sulfide mixture to form a polysulfide-rubber polymer compound and coating an activated carbon particle with the polysulfide-rubber polymer. The levels of sulfur loading in the toxin immobilization particles are controlled by the polymer dose during the coating process, where the polysulfide polymer coated activated carbon particle provides enhanced toxin adsorption.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of remediating sediments through the use of coal-, plant-, or wood-derived carbon sorbents (i.e., black carbon). The strategy employs the addition to sediments of coal- and plant- or wood-derived carbon sorbents, so-called black carbon particles like activated carbon, char, charcoal, coal, and coke. These black carbon materials sorb hydrophobic organic compound contaminants strongly, thereby reducing environmental exposure and human health risk to such contaminants. By sorbing the contaminants from sediments, this approach reduces environmental exposure and allows sediments to be disposed of as non-hazardous material. This is a cost-effective and efficient remediation technology for contaminated sediment management that can significantly reduce expenditures and other problems with conventional approaches for dredging and remediating contaminated sediments.

Abstract: To overcome obstacles faced by current remediation technologies for contaminated sediments, the present invention provides a new strategy based on in situ control of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOC) bioavailability. The strategy employs the addition of activated carbon sorbents to sediments. These activated carbon materials sorb HOC contaminants strongly, reduce release of HOCs into water, and reduce HOC uptake by benthic biota, thereby reducing environmental exposure and human health risk to such contaminants. By in situ sorbing the contaminants, the inventive approach reduces environmental exposure and avoids massive material removal while controlling food web transfer of HOCs including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Abstract: To overcome obstacles faced by current remediation technologies for contaminated sediments, the present invention provides a new strategy based on in situ control of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOC) bioavailability. The strategy employs the addition to sediments of coal- and wood-derived carbon sorbents, so-called black carbon particles such as activated carbon, char, charcoal, coal, and coke. These black carbon materials sorb HOC contaminants strongly and reduce release of HOCs into water, and reduce HOC uptake by benthic biota, thereby reducing environmental exposure and human health risk to such contaminants. By in situ sorbing the contaminants, the inventive approach reduces environmental exposure and avoids massive material removal while controlling food web transfer of HOCs including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Abstract: A method for treating cyanide contaminated water is disclosed. This method generally involves passing the contaminated water through a bed containing elemental iron, to form a precipitate by a reaction between the iron and any of various cyanide species which exist in the water. The method can be applied either above ground or in situ in the subsurface environment.