Abstract: A bag opener for opening bags containing recyclable materials includes a source of heat sufficient to melt the bags and an assembly that brings the bags into the vicinity of the source of heat to open the bags. In a preferred embodiment the source of heat includes a heated member and the assembly brings the bags into contact with the heated member to open the bags.

Abstract: An automated sorter includes a feed slide on which containers or refuse may be fed. The feed slide includes a separation region on which a several objects may be located. A light source directs light on the objects in the separation region. An ejector, including several ejector units, is positioned downward of the separation region. A scanner scans the separation region, determines when an object should be ejected, and controls the ejector units to eject the selected objects. Thus, the selected objects are ejected into a first fraction, and the non-selected objects are left in a second fraction. A fraction thus obtained can be sorted, to separate the containers or refuse into further fractions.

Abstract: A bag opener for opening bags containing recyclable materials includes a source of heat sufficient to melt the bags and an assembly that brings the bags into the vicinity of the source of heat to open the bags. In a preferred embodiment the source of heat includes a heated member and the assembly brings the bags into contact with the heated member to open the bags.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the vitrification of fly ash produced from an incineration system for solid waste materials, including the combining of fly ash extracted from the pollution control device in the incineration system with fusible material, particularly glass, and preferably recycled glass extracted from the solid waste material before it is incinerated, and subsequently melting the combined glass and fly ash in a vitrification furnace in order to vitrify the fly ash and its toxic contaminants, including lead, mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals, to produce an inert vitrified ash product. The flue gas from the vitrification furnace is returned to the flue gas stream from the incinerator for introduction into the pollution control device.