Abstract: The present invention features a portable waste disposal unit designed to receive expanded polystyrene or similar polymeric waste. Waste is loaded into a waste reception chamber via a loading door. Once the loading door is closed and locked, a mechanical ram forces the waste charge downward into a removable tank containing a layer of a solvent such as perchloroethylene and an upper layer of water. The waste is dissolved in the solvent and stored until the tank is either removed or drained and the contents shipped to an appropriate waste recovery facility. The small size of the portable waste disposal unit makes it ideal for location near the source of the waste to be recycled. Significant compacting of wastes such as expanded polystyrene may be realized by dissolving the waste in a solvent such as perchloroethylene. In addition, the first step of a recycling process is effectively accomplished within the inventive unit.

Abstract: An electrical ion emitting farming implement to be moved over a field of crop planted in earth for above ground atmospheric treatment of growing plants comprising a frame. A series of bell-shaped members are mounted at spaced intervals on a boom across its transversely extended length and with the bell-shaped members opening in a downward direction toward underlying plants in a field of crops. A wire brush-like ion emitter is centrally mounted in each of the bell-shaped members. An electrical circuit ion generating mechanism operatively connected to the wire brush-like ion emitters for emitting electrical ions in the 30 to 50 KV range through the wire brush-like ion emitters. A power source is provided for energizing the electrical circuit means. A control is provided for activating the electrical circuit means for causing ion emission through the wire brush-like ion emitters upon placement of the bell-shaped members in spaced overhead position relative to the plants being treated.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating waste gas by irradiation with electron beams wherein an electron beam irradiation chamber for irradiation with electron beams from an electron beam accelerator is provided in the vicinity of a main dust for waste gas; a part of the waste gas to be treated is introduced into the electron beam irradiation chamber where the waste gas is irradiated with electron beams to thereby form active species such as O and OH radicals; the waste gas having the active species formed therein is fed into the waste gas main duct by means of a feeding device; the waste gas fed into the waste gas main duct is dispersed into and mixed with the waste gas flowing through the main duct by means of a dispersing device, thereby changing noxious (gas) ingredients in the waste gas into the form of a mist or dust or the action of the active species; and the mist or dust is captured by means of a capturing device, for example, a dust collector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating waste gas by irradiation with electron beams wherein an electron beam irradiation chamber for irradiation with electron beams from an electron beam accelerator is provided in the communication with a main duct containing waste gas. A part of the waste gas to be treated is introduced into the electron beam irradiation chamber where the part of the waste gas is irradiated with electron beams, thereby to form active species such as O and OH radicals. The waste gas having the active species formed therein is fed into the waste gas main duct by means of a feeding device and is dispersed into and mixed with the waste gas flowing through the main duct by means of a dispersing device, thereby changing noxious (gas) ingredients in the waste gas into the form of a mist or dust by the action of the active species. The mist or dust is captured by means of a capturing device, for example, a dust collector.

Abstract: A system for producing nitrogen fertilizer using an electric arc process is described in which the electric arc necessary for the process is generated by piezoelectric elements actuated by a hammer mechanism powered by water pressure such as from a garden hose. The nitrogen oxides produced by the arc discharge are drawn into the water to serve as a source of nitrogen fertilizer. The net result of the invention is that the operator can provide nitrogen fertilizer as he supplies water to the same area. The only inputs to this system are air and a source of water under pressure.

Abstract: The fixation of nitrogen by electric arc process is made more efficient by this system which combines a low frequency electric discharge and a catalyst in such a way that an electric arc is formed entirely within a catalyst bed when the reactant gases to be reacted by the arc are admitted to the interior of the catalyst bed and form a cavity there as they expand outward, the bubble-like cavity formed within the mass of catalytic particles thereby providing a type of arc chamber from which plasma state gas particles immediately contact the catalyst particles as the plasma state, gas particles are thrust outwards from the arc zone. After the reactant gases react on catalyst particles, the outward pressure moves the product gases farther through the catalyst bed where the products are then shielded from destructive ultraviolet light from the arc.

Abstract: Mixtures of reactant gases containing nitrogen ar reacted by being raised to very high temperatures at the focal plane of a solar concentrator when radiant energy is absorbed by a metal screen or other porous material in contact with the reactants at the focal plane of a solar concentrator and the resulting products of combined nitrogen are rapidly cooled in a unique heat transfer unit which rapidly transfers the heat of the product gases to the reactant gases and the rapid cooling of the product fixes the high temperature equilibrium proportions to achieve larger proportions of product than would be possible by gradual cooling.

Abstract: The electric fixation of nitrogen from air is enhanced and made more efficient by the simultaneous multiple use of the electric discharge for both reacting nitrogen and oxygen to nitric oxide and for generating other specific oxidizing agents for the further oxidation of nitric oxide to higher oxides in that this special cell thereby rapidly effects not only the oxidation of nitrogen to nitric oxide but also rapidly oxidizes that nitric oxide to higher oxides of nitrogen products and thereby provides a means for the rapid absorption of the fixed nitrogen products from the electric discharge zone where the discharge would otherwise destroy much of the same product nitrogen which it is generating. The rapidly soluble higher oxides of nitrogen are rapidly absorbed by and held in an aqueous solution of these products flowing within the cell and they are converted directly to nitric acid in the solution as it flows from the cell.

Abstract: An improved arc reactor device is disclosed for producing nitrogen oxides by an electric discharge process wherein the improvement is the addition of an igniter electrode and circuit responsive to the discharge electrode voltage causing arcing of the igniter electrode when the discharge electrode voltage rises to a set level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving nitrogen fixation includes a volumetric electric discharge chamber. The volumetric discharge chamber provides an even distribution of an electron beam, and enables the chamber to be maintained at a controlled energy to pressure (E/p) ratio. An E/p ratio of from 5 to 15 kV/atm of O.sub.2 /cm promotes the formation of vibrationally excited N.sub.2. Atomic oxygen interacts with vibrationally excited N.sub.2 at a much quicker rate than unexcited N.sub.2, greatly improving the rate at which NO is formed.

Abstract: A system and a method of nitrogen fixation is disclosed in which nitrogen and other gases such as oxygen are electrically activated and reacted on a catalyst-like material to provide a fixed nitrogen product in such a way that the reactant gases are first placed into an excited state by a single electrode electric discharge acting on a gas stream and then by means of the stream the reactants are contacted on the catalyst-like material on which they are then combined and the product compounds which are thereby formed are shielded by the same catalytic material from ultra violet radiation generated by the electric excitation, said shielding being to prevent subsequent disassociation of the product compounds, and the gas stream emerging on the downstream side of the catalyst carries the products to an absorption bed on which they are absorbed and concentrated and then reacted with a periodic flow of hydrogen to provide ammonia.